bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Planning and Performance Challenges in Power Line Communications Networks for Smart Grids
Authors: Seijo Miguel , López Gregorio , Matanza Javier , Moreno José Ignacio
Published: March 2016

The Smart Grid represents a revolution especially at distribution and customer levels, bringing monitoring and control capabilities, traditionally available up to the primary substations, down to the secondary substations, and beyond. Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications networks are key to enable managing the huge number of sensors and actuators distributed all over the low voltage and medium voltage networks. Such M2M communications networks must meet demanding requirements from the technical perspective (e.g., low latency, high availability), since eventually the stability of the grid may rely on them, and from the economic perspective (e.g., low deployment and operational costs), due to the huge volume of devices to be monitored and controlled. Thus, Power Line Communications (PLC) technologies are winning momentum in these scenarios because they represent a great trade-off between both perspectives. However, electrical networks also represent a harsh communications medium, mainly because they are not designed for data communications, but for power transmission. Consequently, although much research has been carried out on this topic recently, PLC networks still present technological problems and challenges. This paper highlights some of the most relevant challenges in this area and presents a set of cutting-edge software tools which are being developed to overcome them, facilitating the planning, deployment, and operation of this kind of networks.
Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Spinal Cord Injury: A Promising Supplementary Treatment in Future
Authors: Zhang Qian , Yang Hao , An Jing , Zhang Rui , Chen Bo , Hao Ding-Jun
Published: March 2016

Objective. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disorder caused by trauma. Pathophysiological events occurring after SCI include acute, subacute, and chronic phases, while complex mechanisms are comprised. As an abundant source of natural drugs, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) attracts much attention in SCI treatment recently. Hence, this review provides an overview of pathophysiology of SCI and TCM application in its therapy. Methods. Information was collected from articles published in peer‐reviewed journals via electronic search (PubMed, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI), as well as from master’s dissertations, doctoral dissertations, and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Results. Both active ingredients and herbs could exert prevention and treatment against SCI, which is linked to antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, neuroprotective, or antiapoptosis effects. The detailed information of six active natural ingredients (i.e., curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, ligustrazine, quercitrin, and puerarin) and five commonly used herbs (i.e., Danshen, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Notoginseng, and Astragali Radix) was elucidated and summarized. Conclusions. As an important supplementary treatment, TCM may provide benefits in repair of injured spinal cord. With a general consensus that future clinical approaches will be diversified and a combination of multiple strategies, TCM is likely to attract greater attention in SCI treatment.
Lower Serum Caveolin‐1 Is Associated with Cerebral Microbleeds in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhu Wusheng , Xiao Lulu , Cao Qinqin , Zhang Hao , Wang Huaiming , Ye Zusen , Hao Yonggang , Dai Qiliang , Sun Wen , Xiong Yunyun , Liu Xinfeng , Ye Ruidong , Xu Gelin
Published: March 2016

Caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) plays pivotal roles in the endothelial damage following stroke. The present study aimed to investigate whether serum Cav‐1 level is associated with the presence of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. To this end, 156 patients were consecutively enrolled. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging was analyzed to determine the surrogates of cSVD, including cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), silent lacunar infarcts (SLIs), and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). After adjusting for potential confounders, patients with low Cav‐1 level had a higher risk of CMBs than patients with high Cav‐1 level (OR: 4.05, 95% CI: 1.77–9.30). However, there was no relationship between Cav‐1 and the presence of SLIs or WMHs. When CMBs were stratified by location and number, a similar association was found in patients with deep or infratentorial CMBs (OR: 4.04, 95% CI: 1.59–10.25) and with multiple CMBs (OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.16–8.72). These results suggest lower serum Cav‐1 levels may be associated with CMBs, especially those that are multiple and located in deep brain or infratentorial structures, in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Cav‐1 may be involved in the pathophysiology of CMBs, and may act as a potential target for treating cSVD.
Determination of Thallium(I) by Hybrid Mesoporous Silica (SBA-15) Modified Electrode
Authors: Rani Geeta , Singh Sanjay
Published: March 2016

Chemically modified mesoporous silica material (SBA-15) was used for the construction of Tl(I) selective carbon paste electrode. The best response was found with the electrode containing 10% modifier as electrode material. The electrode has a lower detection limit of 6.0 × 10−9 M in a working concentration range of 1.0 × 10−8–1.0 × 10−1 M. The selectivity coefficient calculated by match potential method (MPM) shows the high selectivity of electrode towards Tl(I) over other tested ions. The electrode was successfully applied as an indicator electrode for the titration of 0.01 M TlNO3solution with standards EDTA solution and for sequential titration of mixture of different anions.
Integrated Scheduling of Production and Distribution with Release Dates and Capacitated Deliveries
Authors: Zhong Xueling , Jiang Dakui
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates an integrated scheduling of production and distribution model in a supply chain consisting of a single machine, a customer, and a sufficient number of homogeneous capacitated vehicles. In this model, the customer places a set of orders, each of which has a given release date. All orders are first processed nonpreemptively on the machine and then batch delivered to the customer. Two variations of the model with different objective functions are studied: one is to minimize the arrival time of the last order plus total distribution cost and the other is to minimize total arrival time of the orders plus total distribution cost. For the former one, we provide a polynomial-time exact algorithm. For the latter one, due to its NP-hard property, we provide a heuristic with a worst-case ratio bound of 2.
Synthetic Marijuana Induced Acute Nonischemic Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Elsheshtawy Moustafa , Sriganesh Priatharsini , Virparia Vasudev , Patel Falgun , Khanna Ashok
Published: March 2016

Synthetic marijuana is an uptrending designer drug currently widely spread in the US. We report a case of acute deterioration of nonischemic left ventricular dysfunction after exposure to synthetic marijuana. This case illustrates the importance of history taking in cardiac patients and identifies a negative cardiovascular effect of synthetic marijuana known as K2, not yet well detected by urine toxicology screening tools.
A Novel Method for Acquiring Engineering-Oriented Operational Empirical Knowledge
Authors: Liu Lijun , Jiang Zuhua , Song Bo , Zhu Hongyuan , Li Xinyu
Published: March 2016

The operational knowledge of skilled technicians gained from years of experience is invaluable for an enterprise. Possession of such knowledge will facilitate an enterprise sharing technician’s know-how and training of new employees effectively. However, until now there is rare efficient quantitative method to obtain this kind of tacit knowledge. In this paper we propose a concept of engineering-oriented operational empirical knowledge (OEK) to describe this kind of knowledge and design a framework to acquire OEK from skilled technician’s operations. The framework integrates motion analysis, motion elicitation, and intent analysis. The modular arrangement of predetermined time standards (MODAPTS) is used to divide the technician’s operational process into basic motion elements; and the variable precision rough set (VPRS) algorithm is used to extract the technician’s OEK content, which combined with the technician’s intent elicited via interview; the completed OEK is obtained. At the end of our study, an engineering case is used to validate the feasibility of the proposed method, which shows that satisfactory results have been reached for the study.
Effect of Heat Assisted Bath Sonication on the Mechanical and Thermal Deformation Behaviours of Graphene Nanoplatelets Filled Epoxy Polymer Composites
Authors: Phua Jin-Luen , Teh Pei-Leng , Ghani Supri Abdul , Yeoh Cheow-Keat
Published: March 2016

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) filled epoxy composites ranged from 0.2 to 5 vol.% were prepared in this study using simple heat assisted bath sonication for better GNP dispersion and exfoliation. The effects of GNP filler loading via heat assisted bath sonication on the mechanical properties and thermal deformation behaviour were investigated. Improvements on flexural strength and fracture toughness up to 0.4 vol.% filler loading were recorded. Further addition of GNP filler loading shows a deteriorating behaviour on the mechanical properties on the composites. The bulk electrical conductivity of the epoxy composites is greatly improved with the addition of GNP filler loading up to 1 vol.%. The thermal expansion of epoxy composites is reduced with the addition of GNP; however poor thermal stability of the composites is observed.
A semiótica visual entre princípios gerais e especificidades: a partir do Groupe μ
Authors: Dondero Maria Giulia
Published: March 2016

Este texto visa a destacar os avanços mais importantes da semiótica visual do Groupe μ,relacionando- os com pesquisas atuais em semiótica pós-greimasiana, sobretudo com a semiótica de Jacques Fontanille sobre a corporeidade (Corps et sens, 2011) e sobre as práticas (Pratiques sémiotiques, 2008). Abordando, por um lado, as tensões entre o caráter geral e transferível dos conceitos de uma linguagem a outra – objetivo de uma retórica geral, para o Groupe μ –, e, por outro, a consideração das especificidades de cada linguagem, exigência que a análise do plano da expressão da imagem torna pertinente em semiótica contemporânea, a pouco lembrada questão da substância da expressão, principalmente em seus desdobramentos texturais, ocupará o centro deste artigo.
Groupe μ e “O Sistema da Forma Plástica” – para uma avaliação
Authors: Andersson Fred
Published: March 2016

Focalizando a definição do sistema da forma, este texto explica a teoria do signo plástico do Groupe μ. A validade da definição é avaliada com base em algumas distinções-chave em semiótica geral e retórica visual. A distinção entre signo icônico e signo plástico é explicada a partir da noção de forma semiótica enquanto algo distinto de formas/formatos plásticos. O sistema da forma, sendo uma taxonomia de posição, dimensão/tamanho e orientação, encontra-se descrito, e sugerem-se alguns esclarecimentos. Finalmente se discutem implicações retóricas e pedagógicas.
Vascular Toxicities of Cancer Therapies
Authors: Herrmann Joerg , Yang Eric H. , Iliescu Cezar A. , Cilingiroglu Mehmet , Charitakis Konstantinos , Hakeem Abdul , Toutouzas Konstantinos , Leesar Massoud A. , Grines Cindy L. , Marmagkiolis Konstantinos
Published: March 2016

Since the late 1990s, there has been a steady decline in cancer-related mortality, in part related to the introduction of so-called targeted therapies. Intended to interfere with a specific molecular pathway, these therapies have, paradoxically, led to a number of effects off their intended cancer tissue or molecular targets. The latest examples are tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the Philadelphia Chromosome mutation product, which have been associated with progressive atherosclerosis and acute vascular events. In addition, agents designed to interfere with the vascular growth factor signaling pathway have vascular side effects ranging from hypertension to arterial events and cardiomyocyte toxicity. Interestingly, the risk of cardiotoxicity with drugs such as trastuzumab is predicted by preexisting cardiovascular risk factors and disease, posing the question of a vascular component to the pathophysiology. The effect on the coronary circulation has been the leading explanation for the cardiotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil and may be the underlying the mechanism of presentation of apical ballooning syndrome with various chemotherapeutic agents. Classical chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, often used in combination with bleomycin and vinca alkaloids, can lead to vascular events including acute coronary thrombosis and may be associated with an increased long-term cardiovascular risk. This review is intended to provide an update on the evolving spectrum of vascular toxicities with cancer therapeutics, particularly as they pertain to clinical practice, and to the conceptualization of cardiovascular diseases, as well. Vascular toxicity with cancer therapy: the old and the new, an evolving avenue.
Typification of some names in the genus Sesleria (Poaceae)

Authors: ALONSO ALICIA , ACEDO CARMEN , DI PIETRO ROMEO , IAMONICO DUILIO , LLAMAS FÉLIX
Published: March 2016

As part of the nomenclatural revision of the genus Sesleria (Poaceae), we have found that some names are still untypified. Thus, we have carried out a nomenclatural investigation which led to the designation of five lectotypes (for the names Festuca argentea, Cynosurus cylindricus, Sesleria argentea var. hispanica, S. elongata, and S. sphaerocephala), three epitypes (F. argentea, S. elongata, and S. sphaerocephala) and one neotype (S. autumnalis). Concerning S. insularis a depth discussion was provided and this name was accepted to be lectotypified by Ujhelyi in a double-step typification. All the proposed types are in agreement with the current use of the names, and contribute to stabilize the nomenclatural framework of the genus.
Pentanema kurdistanicum (Inuleae, Asteraceae), a new species from subalpine cliffs of Kurdistan, Iran
Authors: MAROOFI HOSEIN , GHADERI HIVA
Published: March 2016

A new species of Pentanema, P. kurdistanicum is described and illustrated from Kurdistan, west of Iran. The new species was found scattered among rocks in the subalpine zone of S Marivan, in a low number of individuals. The new species is compared with the nearest allies, P. flexuosum and P. prasinurum. The phytochoria, morphological characters, ecology, conservation status, distribution map and phenology of the new species are presented.
Revision of the dwarf cannibal snails (Nata s.l.) of southern Africa—Nata s.s. and Natella (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Rhytididae), with description of three new species
Authors: HERBERT DAVID G. , MOUSSALLI ADNAN
Published: March 2016

This paper represents the second part of our revisionary studies on the rhytidid fauna of southern Africa. The species discussed belong to the taxon Nata s.l. in which we recognise two genus-level lineages, Nata s.s. and Natella with six (three new) and one species respectively. We update the species-level taxonomy extensively in the light of new molecular and morphological data, and provide a comprehensive revision of all species, including keys. Detailed comparative morphological observations are provided for the distal reproductive tract, pulmonary cavity, mantle edge, radula and suprapedal gland. In addition, we present a summary of biological and ecological data including information on habitat preferences, feeding, prey items and mating behaviour. Although the two genera are well circumscribed in terms of both internal anatomy and molecular data, shell morphology is highly conserved, and species discrimination using shell characters alone is difficult. We have discovered three undescribed species within Nata and there is evidence that further research of a phylogeographic nature may uncover additional cryptic diversity. The geographic distributions of the species are discussed in relation to regional vegetation patterns and, as with the larger cannibal snail radiation, the Albany Thicket Biome emerges as a focus of endemism. Observations on the conservation status of all species are provided.New species: Nata aequiplicata sp. nov., Nata erugata sp. nov. and Nata watsoni sp. nov. Revised status: Natalina caffrula Melvill & Ponsonby, 1898 is transferred to the genus Nata and thought to be a synonym of Nata dumeticola (Benson, 1851).
A synopsis of the Family Cordagalmatidae fam. nov. (Cnidaria, Siphonophora, Physonectae)
Authors: PUGH P. R.
Published: March 2016

The genus Cordagalma is reviewed and a re-description given of one of the extant species, C. ordinatum (Haeckel). In addition, four new species are described in the genus Cordagalma, namely C. abyssorum sp. nov., C. bimaculatum sp. nov., C. isocarrei sp. nov. and C. rugosum sp. nov. All these species have similar larval-type tentilla. A fifth new species, which has extraordinary tentilla, with an involucrum forming two flaps, is placed in a new genus Cardianecta gen. nov. as C. parchelion sp. nov. The significant differences that all these species have from other physonects is considered to warrant the establishment of the family Cordagalmatidae fam. nov. for them. This family is diagnosed purely on the presence of heart-shaped nectophores budded on the ventral side of the nectosome.
Thank you so much for the truth!
Authors: Finkelstein Carla
Published: March 2016

The author outlines steps for professional development via coaching and emphasizes the role of building and maintaining trust between coach and teacher. Four guideposts must be followed in coaching: Let the teacher drive the PD; adopt a curious, problem-solving stance; walk the walk; and communicate clearly and transparently. The article is outlined through the author’s experience coaching a struggling teacher.
How will “Generation me, me, me” work for others’ children?
Authors: Clement Mary C.
Published: March 2016

If what is known about the work of teachers is overlaid across the information from the literature about the millennial generation, what comparisons can be made? What may be different with regard to providing millennial teachers the support and motivation they need for their work? How might employers tap in to that knowledge base in hiring, managing, and keeping millennial employees to improve the quality of teaching faculties in k-12 schools?
Military veterans bring many positives — and some needs — into teaching
Authors: Parham Janis Newby , Gordon Stephen P.
Published: March 2016

Public schools have hired over 17,000 veterans who have participated in Troops to Teachers (TTT), a federal program designed to assist those leaving careers in the military to transition into teacher careers. Despite some educators’ bias against former service members, the advantages of hiring veterans as teachers are manifold. Veterans typically encounter a number of problems in their first year of teaching. An effective way of supporting veterans new to teaching is with three levels of support: mentoring, support teams, and support networks. Many veterans new to teaching are alternatively certified. Typically they have taken a few credit hours in general pedagogy and little if any coursework in pedagogical content knowledge covering, for example, how to teach particular content, like math, science, and so forth.
Improve math teaching with incremental improvements
Authors: Star Jon R.
Published: March 2016

Past educational reforms have failed because they didn’t meet teachers where they were. They expected major changes in practices that may have been unrealistic for many teachers even under ideal professional learning conditions. Instead of promoting broad scale changes, improvement may be more likely if they are composed of small yet powerful changes that teachers can implement relatively easily in their instruction. A focus on incremental change begins with the elements of instruction that teachers recognize, support, and/or perceive themselves to be using already and then leverages these instructional practices for future change.
Teach students about civics through schoolwide governance
Authors: Brasof Marc , Spector Anne
Published: March 2016

Building democracies in K-8 schools is a promising approach to increasing young people and educators’ civic knowledge, skills and dispositions. The Rendell Center for Civics and Civics Engagement leveraged strategies and concepts from the fields of civic education, student voice, and distributed leadership to build a youth-adult school governance system and schoolwide civic literacy curriculum at Edwin M. Stanton Elementary School in the School District of Philadelphia. Their yearlong effort to build schoolwide civic learning illustrates how civics can be an effective conduit for connecting curriculum and leadership practices: School improvement becomes both a collective endeavor and a means for teaching active citizenship.
The Editor’s Note: Every teacher highly qualified
Authors: Richardson Joan
Published: March 2016

The focus on high-quality teaching, which was promoted in NCLB, should continue in the era of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Federal legislation aside, states, local districts, and universities can take steps to ensure that high-quality teaching still occurs in U.S. classrooms. To begin, the U.S. should develop a system to identify students as early as middle school who have the potential to be teachers. In college, these students should do lots of practice teaching, always under the watchful eye of a master teacher. Every teacher would be required to become a National Board Certified Teacher before they are granted tenure. All teachers should work a full year. In sum, the U.S. should develop a system that does not promote stars but one that ensures every teacher is able to teach to his or her potential and that every teacher delivers the high-quality education that every child deserves.
Under The Law: When is enough enough?
Authors: Underwood Julie
Published: March 2016

A review of what seems to be pervasive racial harassment against three African-American students in a rural Texas school district finds that districts are protected by a high bar for plaintiffs. Given the noxious behavior, the court sided with the school district in a suit for money damages, holding that the district’s weak response upon learning of the behaviors meant that it did not intentionally subject its students to them. This standard does provide protection for the district. It does not put attorneys and courts in the position of second-guessing educators’ academic and disciplinary decisions. But it may not provide the protection children need or deserve. Students must rely on the good judgment of administrators and boards for real protection from harassment.
Heterogeneity of chronic graft-versus-host disease biomarkers: association with CXCL10 and CXCR3+ NK cells
Authors: Kariminia Amina , Holtan Shernan G. , Ivison Sabine , Rozmus Jacob , Hebert Marie-Josée , Martin Paul J. , Lee Stephanie J. , Wolff Daniel , Subrt Peter , Abdossamadi Sayeh , Sung Susanna , Storek Jan , Levings Megan , Aljurf Mahmoud , Arora Mukta , Cutler Corey , Gallagher Geneviève , Kuruvilla John , Lipton Jeff , Nevill Thomas J. , Newell Laura F. , Panzarella Tony , Pidala Joseph , Popradi Gizelle , Szwajcer David , Tay Jason , Toze Cynthia L. , Walker Irwin , Couban Stephen , Storer Barry E. , Schultz Kirk R.
Published: March 2016

Key Points

There is a high level of heterogeneity in cGVHD plasma biomarkers in a large cGVHD cohort, with CXCL10 being the most reproducible marker. CXCR3+CD56bright natural killer regulatory cells have a strong inverse relationship with plasma CXCL10 in patients with or without cGVHD.
The Bidder's Curse: Comment
Authors: Schneider Henry S.
Published: March 2016

The prices of auctions on eBay often exceed eBay's fixed-price “Buy-It-Now” prices. I investigate the causes of this overbidding, focusing on the interpretation in Malmendier and Lee (2011) that the observed overbidding cannot be explained “without allowing for nonstandard preferences or beliefs” and that the “strongest direct evidence points to limited attention.” Using data from their study and new data from eBay, I provide evidence that a key condition for identifying nonstandard behavior may not have been met, and that the observed overbidding is not inconsistent with standard behavior once we allow for the likely presence of search costs. (JEL D12, D44, D83)
The Evolution of Strategic Sophistication
Authors: Robalino Nikolaus , Robson Arthur
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates the evolutionary foundation for our ability to attribute preferences to others, an ability that is central to conventional game theory. We argue here that learning others' preferences allows individuals to efficiently modify their behavior in strategic environments with a persistent element of novelty. Agents with the ability to learn have a sharp, unambiguous advantage over those who are less sophisticated because the former agents extrapolate to novel circumstances information about opponents' preferences that was learned previously. This advantage holds even with a suitably small cost to reflect the additional cognitive complexity involved. (JEL C73, D11, D83)
The Long-Run Impact of Cash Transfers to Poor Families
Authors: Aizer Anna , Eli Shari , Ferrie Joseph , Lleras-Muney Adriana
Published: March 2016

We estimate the long-run impact of cash transfers to poor families on children's longevity, educational attainment, nutritional status, and income in adulthood. To do so, we collected individual-level administrative records of applicants to the Mothers' Pension program—the first government-sponsored welfare program in the United States (1911–1935)—and matched them to census, WWII, and death records. Male children of accepted applicants lived one year longer than those of rejected mothers. They also obtained one-third more years of schooling, were less likely to be underweight, and had higher income in adulthood than children of rejected mothers. (JEL I12, I14, I18, I32, I38, J16, N32)
Group Strategy-Proofness in Private Good Economies
Authors: Barberà Salvador , Berga Dolors , Moreno Bernardo
Published: March 2016

Many salient rules to allocate private goods are not only strategy-proof, but also group strategy-proof, in appropriate domains of definition, hence diminishing the traditional conflict between incentives and efficiency. That is so for solutions to matching, division, cost sharing, house allocation, and auctions, in spite of the substantive disparity between these cases. In a general framework encompassing all of them, we prove that the equivalence between the two forms of strategy-proofness is due to an underlying common structure that transcends the many differences between the contexts and the mechanisms for which it holds. (JEL C78, D44, D63, D71, D82)
The Effects of Exposure to Better Neighborhoods on Children: New Evidence from the Moving to Opportunity Experiment
Authors: Chetty Raj , Hendren Nathaniel , Katz Lawrence F.
Published: March 2016

The Moving to Opportunity (MTO) experiment offered randomly selected families housing vouchers to move from high-poverty housing projects to lower-poverty neighborhoods. We analyze MTO's impacts on children's long-term outcomes using tax data. We find that moving to a lower-poverty neighborhood when young (before age 13) increases college attendance and earnings and reduces single parenthood rates. Moving as an adolescent has slightly negative impacts, perhaps because of disruption effects. The decline in the gains from moving with the age when children move suggests that the duration of exposure to better environments during childhood is an important determinant of children's long-term outcomes. (JEL I31, I38, J13, R23, R38)
Financing Risk and Innovation
Authors: Nanda Ramana , Rhodes-Kropf Matthew
Published: March 2016

We provide a model of investment in new ventures that demonstrates why some places, times, and industries should be associated with a greater degree of experimentation by investors. Investors respond to financing risk, a forecast of limited future funding, by modifying their focus to finance less innovative firms. In equilibrium, financing risk disproportionately impacts innovative ventures with the greatest real option value by creating a trade-off between protecting the firm from financing risk and maximizing its real option value. We propose that extremely novel technologies may need “hot” financial markets to get through the initial period of discovery or diffusion.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Jumps in Equity Index Returns Before and During the Recent Financial Crisis: A Bayesian Analysis
Authors: Kou Steven , Yu Cindy , Zhong Haowen
Published: March 2016

We attempt to answer two questions in this paper: (i) How did jumps in equity returns change after the 2008–2009 financial crisis—in particular, were there significant changes in jump rates or in jump sizes, or both? (ii) Can the performance of affine jump-diffusion models be improved if jump sizes are larger, i.e., jumps with tails heavier than those of the normal distribution? To answer the second question, we find that a simple affine jump-diffusion model with both stochastic volatility and double-exponential jumps fits both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ-100 daily returns from 1980 to 2013 well; the model outperforms existing ones (e.g., models with variance-gamma jumps or jumps in volatility) during the crisis and is at least comparable before the crisis. For the first question, on the basis of the model and the data sets, we observe that during the crisis, negative jump rate increased significantly, although there was little change in the average negative jump size.

This paper was accepted by Jerome Detemple, finance.
What do nurses think they are doing in pre-school autism assessment?
Authors: Halpin Julia
Published: March 2016

This study reports on the perspective of all the specialist nurses in community paediatric teams in one NHS trust on their role in pre-school autism assessment. Kim's critical reflective inquiry research method ( Kim, 1999 ) was adapted through the inclusion of the researcher as a participant. Participants reflected on the nursing beliefs and values they hold in common, and on their actions in practice. The study found that the beliefs and values held by these nurses, and their intention to offer holistic nursing delivered through a professional relationship of care, correlated with the kind of care that parents have said families need, and make a unique contribution to team assessment.
Does the 5.5 threshold for pH sticks leave a safe margin for error?
Authors: Clemente Rowan , Taylor Stephen
Published: March 2016

Rowan Clemente, Specialised Dietitian, and Stephen Taylor, Research Dietitian, North Bristol NHS Trust, consider the current UK pH stick threshold and whether it might be putting vulnerable patients at risk
Supporting patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Phillips Anne
Published: March 2016

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that is mediated by genetic, immunologic and environmental factors. Its prevalence is further complicated by increasing obesity levels, and this can make diagnosis complicated. Health professionals play a key role in enablement and optimising person-centred care approaches to educate and augment the essential skills required for successful self-management of this lifelong condition. This article reflects on the physiology and aetiology of type 1 diabetes and prevalence and considers recent guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for adults with type 1 diabetes (NG17) and for children and young people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (NG18).
Nursing associate: our chance to influence
Authors: Rosser Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

Elizabeth Rosser, Deputy Dean (Education and Professional Practice) and Professor of Nursing at Bournemouth University, discusses the consultation over the nursing associate role and its implications for nurses
Demonstrating the value of the CNS
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: March 2016

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, considers the role of the clinical nurse specialist, and the need to look at where the role sits within the NHS workforce
Generic wound dressing project: it's not what; it's who and how
Authors: Hurlow Jennifer
Published: March 2016

Jennifer Hurlow, geriatric nurse practitioner, challenges the proposed generic dressings programme, and suggests that patients would benefit from a more efficient approach to care
Using heel protectors for the prevention of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers
Authors: Rajpaul Kumal , Acton Claire
Published: March 2016

Pressure ulcers are a frequent, but often preventable, occurrence among patients in acute care facilities, and the heel is one of the anatomical locations most commonly affected. Multiple clinical guidelines recommend the use of robust assessments to identify at-risk patients and the application of heel protection devices to reduce the likelihood of developing heel pressure ulcers. A quality improvement initiative involving robust skin-assessment practices, staff education, and the use of heel protection devices was analysed retrospectively to evaluate the efficacy of current practice interventions. These analyses revealed that the incidence of heel pressure ulcers was inversely correlated with the number of heel protectors used at two large acute NHS teaching hospitals in inner London, and that the consistent and early use of heel protectors improved patient outcomes and reduced costs of care.
Patient views on antimicrobial dressings in chronic wounds
Authors: Kelly Joanna , Fearns Naomi , Heller-Murphy Stephen
Published: March 2016

Background:

Antimicrobial wound dressings (AWDs) may not consistently be used effectively. The authors aimed to explore what patients want from AWDs and their experiences of them.

Methods:

Healthcare Improvement Scotland undertook a health technology assessment (HTA) on the use of AWDs in chronic wounds. A focus group (n=8) and six telephone interviews were carried out. The data were analysed thematically.

Results:

The participants were generally positive about AWDs. Some felt that access to AWDS was unjustifiably restricted because of costs. Participants reported wanting to try anything to heal their wound, or to control the symptoms. There was no one preferred AWD; what worked well for one person did not necessarily work for others. Patients experienced inconsistent access to AWDs, leading to frustration.

Conclusion:

Clinicians lack clear guidelines on the use of AWDs, which is resulting in inconsistency and increased burden for patients. Recommendations for the use of AWDs are given in the HTA, which is available on Healthcare Improvement Scotland's website.
Supporting generalist nurses in the rural setting with the introduction of a clinical assessment process
Authors: Rabbetts Lyn
Published: March 2016

The aim of this research was to evaluate the implementation of an assessment process for general nurses involved in providing end-of-life care. A mixed-method, three-phased study was conducted on a medical ward at a regional hospital in a rural setting. Participating nurses completed a questionnaire about their awareness levels of the five validated scales included in the assessment of patients receiving palliative care. Auditing of the completed assessment forms was conducted at the interim and post data collection points and focus groups were conducted in the final phase. Analysis of the data revealed that nurses were able to integrate the use of this assessment process into the care of this group of patients. The author concludes, while nurses working in rural settings require general clinical knowledge of a wide range of patient groups, validated assessment scales can assist them in the provision of evidence-based palliative care.
Te Kete Marie—the peaceful basket: an initiative for supporting people with dementia or delirium
Authors: Bolton Leanne , Loveard Tanya
Published: March 2016

This article describes the development of a toolkit for interdisciplinary team members to use to improve care for people with dementia or delirium in a hospice inpatient unit. An occupational therapist and two nurses identified that caring for the increasing number of people with dementia and delirium in the unit was a challenge for staff. The authors took a collaborative quality improvement approach to address the problem, engaging both the hospice interdisciplinary team and external community partners. The overall aim was to establish, reinforce and maintain best practice of care for people with a cognitive impairment within the Mary Potter Hospice short stay (average admission 11 days) environment, which the authors believe is a largely unexplored venture in a hospice inpatient unit setting.
Asian and native Hawaiian family caregiver satisfaction with palliative care services in nursing homes
Authors: Kataoka-Yahiro Merle R , McFarlane Sandra , Kealoha May , Sy Angela
Published: March 2016

Aim:

The aim of this study was to gauge Asian and native Hawaiian family satisfaction with palliative care services in two nursing homes in Hawaii, US.

Methods:

This is a mixed-method study using a convergent design. Nine nursing home family caregivers who had received palliative care services took part. They completed a Famcare-2 satisfaction survey and participated in a 1-hour interview. Descriptive analyses and directed content analysis were completed and results were compared.

Results:

The Famcare-2 results indicated that family caregivers were satisfied with palliative care services. The interviews provided in-depth information on the major areas discussed in the survey—management of patient physical symptoms and comfort, information, family support, and patient psychological care.

Conclusions:

There is a need to address family caregiver and interdisciplinary nursing home staff communication based on culturally appropriate approaches for palliative as well as end of-life care services among Asians and native Hawaiians.
Research Roundup
Authors: Costello John
Published: March 2016

Synopses of a selection of recently published research articles of relevance to palliative care.
Politics and palliative care: Algeria
Authors: Smyth Dion
Published: March 2016

Dion Smyth's review of the internet for palliative nursing
Implementation of Clinical Decision Support Rules to Reduce Repeat Measurement of Serum Ionized Calcium, Serum Magnesium, and N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Intensive Care Unit Inpatients
Authors: Moyer Ann M , Saenger Amy K , Willrich Maria , Donato Leslie J , Baumann Nikola A , Block Darci R , Botz Chad M , Khan Munawwar A , Jaffe Allan S , Hanson Curtis A , Karon Brad S
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

We assessed the impact of clinical decision support (CDS) rules within the electronic health record for ionized calcium (iCa), serum magnesium (Mg), and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in intensive care unit (ICU) inpatients at a large academic center.

METHODS

A repeat order for measurement of iCa or Mg placed within 24 (iCa) or 48 (Mg) h of a previously nonactionable result, or additional orders for NT-proBNP beyond 1 within a single hospitalization, triggered a CDS pop-up alert showing the prior result and offering the opportunity to cancel the order or to place the order after entering an indication for repeat testing. The number of tests performed for each of these analytes and incidence of adverse clinical outcomes potentially associated with hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia were compared between the 90-day period before CDS implementation and two 90-day periods immediately following.

RESULTS

iCa test volumes decreased by 48%, Mg by 39%, and NT-proBNP by 28% in the 90-day period immediately following implementation and remained decreased by 54%, 49%, and 22%, respectively, during the following 90-day period (all P values <0.0002). Adverse clinical outcomes potentially associated with hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia did not increase (all P-values >0.17).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of CDS dramatically decreased repeat testing of iCa, Mg, and NT-proBNP without adversely impacting clinical outcomes in the ICU. Expansion of the rules from the ICU units to include the entire hospitalized patient population and expansion to additional analytes is expected to lead to further reductions in testing.
Non-collinear libration points in CR3BP when less massive primary is an heterogeneous oblate body with N-layers
Authors: Idrisi M Javed , Shalini Kumari
Published: March 2016

In the present paper, the existence of non-collinear libration points has been shown in circular restricted three-body problem when less massive primary is a heterogeneous oblate body with N-layers. Further, the stability of non-collinear libration points is investigated in linear sense and found that the non-collinear libration points are stable for the critical value of mass parameter Âµ â‰¤ Âµcrit= Âµo â€“ 3.32792 k1 â€“ 1.16808 k2.
The effect of digital storytelling technique on the attitudes of students toward teaching technologies
Authors: Balaman Fatih
Published: March 2016

In this study, the effect of Digital Storytelling method on the attitudes of students toward teaching technologies is investigated. The study group was composed of 20 students at Mustafa Kemal University's Kırıkhan Vocational School for 2014-2015 spring term academic period. Seven study groups were designed by appointing two or three students for each, and the social norms themed digital stories were prepared as assignments. One grouped pre-test / post-test model based on semi experimental design was chosen for study, and the Education Technologies attitudes scale was performed before and after the study. Following the post-test implementation, interviews with students were also performed. The relational samples created between the pretest and post-test was analyzed via t test. The results indicate that the Digital Storytelling method has a positive effect on students' attitudes toward education technologies, although this result was not statistically significant. According to the interview results, it was also concluded the digital stories can be used as instructional materials, and it can also increase the level of knowledge and interest upon subject via using the education technologies.
Teacher satisfaction at the educational placement of students with special educational needs
Authors: Saloviita Timo , Leskinen Markku
Published: March 2016

This study conducted a large-scale survey to investigate the satisfaction of Finnish primary school teachers toward the current educational placement of their students with special educational needs (SEN). Teachers were asked to recommend the most suitable educational placement for each of their SEN students from a pool of six alternatives: a mainstream classroom, part-time special education, a special classroom in the mainstream school, a special school, a state special school, or an institution. Data were obtained from 980 students representing 68 schools. The results showed that, in the majority of cases, teachers recommended a different level to the current level of placement for their SEN students. Teachers in the mainstream classrooms mostly recommended special classrooms, while teachers of the special education classrooms frequently recommended special schools, and teachers of the special schools often recommended state special schools or special education classrooms. A less restrictive environment was recommended for 20% and a more restrictive environment was recommended for 33% of the students. The results are interpreted in terms of organizational selection.
The Influence of the Structure of Interdependence on the Response to Inequity in Buyer–Supplier Relationships
Authors: Griffith David A. , Hoppner Jessica J. , Lee Hannah S. , Schoenherr Tobias
Published: March 2016

This research investigates the conditions under which inequity in a buyer–supplier relationship influences a supplier's resource sharing with its buyer. More specifically, the authors examine the effects of both positive inequity and negative inequity under varying levels of interdependence magnitude and relative dependence. They further examine the effect of inequity on perceived relationship performance. The study includes a longitudinal survey design, with perceived relationship performance reported by a second informant. The study, conducted within the context of Japanese suppliers reporting on their relationship with U.S. buyers, takes a nuanced view of both inequity and relative dependence by employing spline variables to disentangle potentially different effects of positive and negative inequity and relative dependence of the supplier and buyer, respectively. The results reveal that firms' reactions to positive and negative inequity vary depending on the nature of the interdependence structure and that positive and negative inequity differentially influence perceived relationship performance. The findings are important for both further research and managerial action.
The Ulama Perspective toward The Status of Qirâat Sab’ah
Authors: Sumin Syar'i
Published: March 2016

This article is a preliminary attempt do discuss and trace the status of qirâat sab’ah from the perspective of ulama. The writing of this article is done based on library research. The data, concept and theory for this writing are taken from ideas, concepts and theories written by ulama as stated in the list of references at the end of this article. The result of the analysis in this article indicates two main things related to the status of qirâat sab’ah, there are qirâat sab’ah is recognized as qirâat mutawâtir and as qirâat mutawâtir, it has fulfilled the criteria as proposed by well-known Islamic ulama.DOI: 10.15408/ajis.v15i1.2842
Talîl al-Ahkâm dan Pembaruan Ushul Fikih
Authors: Nashirudin Muhammad
Published: March 2016

Renewal of Islamic law was necessary to renewal fiqh and ushûl al-fiqh which become the method of determination of Islamic law. Among the classical fiqh issues that can currently be used as the entrance to reform is to perform the renewal talîl al-ahkâm process, namely by making the wisdom and interests as a determinant of the presence and absence of law in a matter.DOI: 10.15408/ajis.v15i1.2844
Sistem Pengangkatan Presiden dalam Fikih Siyasah
Authors: Arake Lukman
Published: March 2016

The majority of Islamic scholars have argued that the president appoint a (Caliph) is obligatory. That is because human life can not possibly be a good, safe, prosperous and mutual respect between each other except in the presence of a leader. The presence of a leader is crucial understanding of living in a pluralistic community. This article examines the arguments concerning the obligation to appoint a leader, where there is a difference of opinion in terms of the mechanism of selection and appointment of a leader.DOI: 10.15408/ajis.v15i1.2847
The Theory of Syarî‘ah Oriented Public Policy
Authors: Kayadibi Saim
Published: March 2016

Siyasah syar’iyyah theory oriented in public policies that reflect sharia Islamic government policy.Islam, which covers all aspects of human life, from worship to mu'amalat, from siyasah (good governance) to 'alaqât al-dawliyyah (international relations), has a particular system of government and policy.  Therefore, this article analyses the theory, starting from the definition, background, types, and its purpose.DOI: 10.15408/ajis.v15i2.2861