bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The politics of co-benefits in India’s energy sector
Authors: Mayrhofer Jan , Gupta Joyeeta
Published: December 2015

Emerging economies are struggling to make their development plans sustainable. India, for example, has adopted the co-benefits approach in its climate policy to integrate interconnected environmental, economic and social issues. The literature treats co-benefits as a politically neutral technocratic policy instrument for reducing greenhouse gases. But, what are the real potential benefits and limits of the co-benefits approach in the Indian institutional context? Drawing on discursive institutionalism, we highlight the interplay between ‘co-benefits’, the discursive processes through which it has evolved, the interests it has given expression to, and the Indian institutional context that mediates these processes. The successful adoption of this approach can be explained through the flexibility with which different actors interpret it and express their interests through storylines. Yet, this interpretive flexibility also explains the limited success in implementing this approach in India’s energy sector. To overcome existing limitations, we suggest the necessity of triple-loop transformational learning.
Public Health Education: Sources, Growth and Operational Philosophy
Authors: Nyswander Dorothy B.
Published: December 2015

An historical overview of public health education: its sources, development and operational philosophy, the contributions of many disciplines, particularly social science, and key individuals such as Lewin are traced through the past half century. The emergence of health education as a “helping profession” and the expansion of its focus to broader “marketplaces” of change are highlighted. The state of the art today is reviewed and the functions of health educators described with emphasis on “obtaining people’s participation” in programs to bring about change. Problems still existing, particularly professional training, are addressed.
Impact of meteorological factors on lower respiratory tract infections in children
Authors: Liu Yonglin , Liu Juan , Chen Fenglian , Shamsi Bilal Haider , Wang Qiang , Jiao Fuyong , Qiao Yanmei , Shi Yanhua
Published: December 2015

Objective

To evaluate retrospectively the relationship between meteorological factors in Shenmu County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, China and the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections in children.

Methods

Meteorological data (air temperature, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, hours of sunlight, wind speed and relative humidity) for Shenmu County and medical data from hospitalized patients aged ≤16 years were collected between January 2009 and December 2012. The association between meteorological factors and rate of hospitalization due to lower respiratory tract infections was investigated; the total hospitalization rate was compared with the rate of lower respiratory tract disease-related hospitalizations.

Results

The leading bacterial causes of lower respiratory tract infections were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type B; the main viral cause was respiratory syncytial virus. Lower respiratory tract infection hospitalization rate was significantly correlated with air temperature ( R = −0.651), atmospheric pressure ( R = 0.560), rainfall ( R = −0.614) and relative humidity ( R = −0.470), but not with hours of sunlight ( R = −0.210) or wind speed ( R = 0.258). Using multiple linear regression, lower respiratory tract infection hospitalization rate decreased with a gradual increase in air temperature ( F = 38.30) and relative humidity ( F = 15.58).

Conclusion

Air temperature and relative humidity were major influencing meteorological factors for hospital admissions in children due to lower respiratory tract infections.
Application of spectral computed tomography dual-substance separation technology for diagnosing left ventricular thrombus
Authors: Zeng Hong , Zhang Meng-Chao , He Yu-Quan , Liu Lin , Tong Ya-Liang , Yang Ping
Published: December 2015

Objective

To investigate the value of spectral computed tomography (CT) dual-substance separation technology for diagnosing left ventricular (LV) thrombus.

Methods

In this observational case–control study, spectral CT scans were conducted in patients with and without LV thrombi. Densities in the regions of the LV cavity, papillary muscles and LV thrombus were observed on 140kVp mixed-energy and 70 keV single-energy images. Iodine and blood were chosen as the base material pair, the densities were observed and the iodine and blood concentrations were quantitatively measured.

Results

A total of 24 patients were enrolled in this study. On iodine-based density images, both the LV thrombus and papillary muscles showed low-attenuation shadows. On blood-based density images, comparable high-density attenuation was found in the LV thrombus and LV cavity, while relative hypodensity was noted in the papillary muscles. Iodine and blood densities were significantly lower in papillary muscles than in the LV cavity. Iodine densities were significantly lower in the LV thrombus than the LV cavity, whereas blood densities in the two areas did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

Spectral CT dual-substance separation technology and its derived images of iodine- and blood- based densities provide a new, simple, and feasible semiquantitative method to detect LV thrombus that warrants further investigation.
Women and the Family in the Late Nineteenth-century Romanian Feminist Press
Authors: Băluţă Ionela
Published: December 2015

From a historical sociology and gender studies perspective, this article sets out to explore the representations and the public discourse surrounding women’s role in society and in the family, through the lenses of the late nineteenth-century Romanian feminist press. As elsewhere in Europe, the feminine ideal of that era emphasized motherhood and the dichotomy between public and private spheres in the construction of gender relations. At the same time, the feminist discourse provides a privileged window on the “idealized” model of the family and the distribution of gender roles, but it also allows researchers to capture the tensions between dominant and minority representations of femininity. This kind of discourse and public position create at the time the conditions of possibility for further social change. Hence, a content analysis of Femeia română magazine is of particular heuristic value, due to its longevity, but also to the personality of its founder.
Medial Femoral Condyle Cartilage Defect Biomechanics
Authors: Lacy Kyle W. , Cracchiolo Allison , Yu Stephen , Goitz Henry
Published: December 2015

Background:

Medial femoral condyle (MFC) chondral defects cause knee pain. Clinical studies have shown worse functional outcomes and cartilage defect fill rates after microfracture in obese patients (BMI ≥30) and for defects with size ≥2 cm2.

Purpose:

To determine the effect of obesity, defect size, and cartilage thickness on the force sustained at the base of full-thickness MFC cartilage defects during weightbearing.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eight human cadaveric knees were loaded in 15° of flexion. A sensor measured force across the medial compartment. The area at the base of the defect protected from load, termed the “area of containment,” was quantified, and loads simulating weightbearing for BMIs of 20, 30, and 40 were applied. A full-thickness cartilage defect was created on the MFC. Cycles of loads were applied for defect sizes with diameters of 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 mm. A second sensor recorded force at the base of the defect for defects with diameters of 14, 16, 18, and 20 mm.

Results:

Loads simulating BMI ≥30 led to a decrease in the area of containment for all defects ≥14 mm in diameter ( P ≤ .038). Base of defect force increased for defects ≥16 mm in diameter (area, ≥2 cm2) between loaded and unloaded states ( P ≤ .042) and for loads simulating BMI ≥30 ( P ≤ .045). Cartilage rim thickness <2 mm showed higher base of defect force than did thickness ≥2 mm, for all BMI groups ( P ≤ .025).

Conclusion:

Increased force at the base of MFC cartilage defects was observed for weightbearing loads simulating BMI ≥30, for defect size ≥2 cm2, and for rim thickness <2 mm. This may lead to a biomechanically unfavorable environment after microfracture in these patient subsets.

Clinical Relevance:

These biomechanical findings corroborate clinical studies that have noted worse outcomes after microfracture in patients with BMI ≥30 and cartilage defects of size ≥2 cm2. Further clinical studies are needed to compare microfracture with other cartilage restoration procedures in these patient subsets.
The Role of the Anterolateral Structures and the ACL in Controlling Laxity of the Intact and ACL-Deficient Knee
Authors: Kittl Christoph , El-Daou Hadi , Athwal Kiron K. , Gupte Chinmay M. , Weiler Andreas , Williams Andy , Amis Andrew A.
Published: December 2015

Background:

Anterolateral rotatory instability (ALRI) may result from combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral extra-articular lesions, but the roles of the anterolateral structures remain controversial.

Purpose:

To determine the contribution of each anterolateral structure and the ACL in restraining simulated clinical laxity in both the intact and ACL-deficient knee.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 16 knees were tested using a 6 degrees of freedom robot with a universal force-moment sensor. The system automatically defined the path of unloaded flexion/extension. At different flexion angles, anterior-posterior, internal-external, and internal rotational laxity in response to a simulated pivot shift were tested. Eight ACL-intact and 8 ACL-deficient knees were tested. The kinematics of the intact/deficient knee was replayed after transecting/resecting each structure of interest; therefore, the decrease in force/torque reflected the contribution of the transected/resected structure in restraining laxity. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analyses of variance and paired t tests.

Results:

For anterior translation, the intact ACL was clearly the primary restraint. The iliotibial tract (ITT) resisted 31% ± 6% of the drawer force with the ACL cut at 30° of flexion; the anterolateral ligament (ALL) and anterolateral capsule resisted 4%. For internal rotation, the superficial layer of the ITT significantly restrained internal rotation at higher flexion angles: 56% ± 20% and 56% ± 16% at 90° for the ACL-intact and ACL-deficient groups, respectively. The deep layer of the ITT restrained internal rotation at lower flexion angles, with 26% ± 9% and 33% ± 12% at 30° for the ACL-intact and ACL-deficient groups, respectively. The other anterolateral structures provided no significant contribution. During the pivot-shift test, the ITT provided 72% ± 14% of the restraint at 45° for the ACL-deficient group. The ACL and other anterolateral structures made only a small contribution in restraining the pivot shift.

Conclusion:

The ALL and anterolateral capsule had a minor role in restraining internal rotation; the ITT was the primary restraint at 30° to 90° of flexion.

Clinical Relevance:

The ITT showed large contributions in restraining anterior subluxation of the lateral tibial plateau and tibial internal rotation, which constitute pathological laxity in ALRI. In cases with ALRI, an ITT injury should be suspected and kept in mind if an extra-articular procedure is performed.
The Functional Movement Screen and Injury Risk
Authors: Bushman Timothy T. , Grier Tyson L. , Canham-Chervak Michelle , Anderson Morgan K. , North William J. , Jones Bruce H.
Published: December 2015

Background:

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a series of 7 tests used to assess the injury risk in active populations.

Purpose:

To determine the association of the FMS with the injury risk, assess predictive values, and identify optimal cut points using 3 injury types.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Physically active male soldiers aged 18 to 57 years (N = 2476) completed the FMS. Demographic and fitness data were collected by survey. Medical record data for overuse injuries, traumatic injuries, and any injury 6 months after the FMS assessment were obtained. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated along with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) to determine the area under the curve (AUC) and identify optimal cut points for the risk assessment. Risks, risk ratios (RRs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% CIs were calculated to assess injury risks.

Results:

Soldiers who scored ≤14 were at a greater risk for injuries compared with those who scored >14 using the composite score for overuse injuries (RR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.63-2.09), traumatic injuries (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.54), and any injury (RR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.45-1.77). When controlling for other known injury risk factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified poor FMS performance (OR [score ≤14/19-21], 2.00; 95% CI, 1.42-2.81) as an independent risk factor for injuries. A cut point of ≤14 registered low measures of predictive value for all 3 injury types (sensitivity, 28%-37%; PPV, 19%-52%; AUC, 54%-61%). Shifting the injury risk cut point of ≤14 to the optimal cut points indicated by the ROC did not appreciably improve sensitivity or the PPV.

Conclusion:

Although poor FMS performance was associated with a higher risk of injuries, it displayed low sensitivity, PPV, and AUC. On the basis of these findings, the use of the FMS to screen for the injury risk is not recommended in this population because of the low predictive value and misclassification of the injury risk.
Peripheral blood natural killer cells and mild thyroid abnormalities in women with reproductive failure
Authors: Triggianese P , Perricone C , Conigliaro P , Chimenti MS , Perricone R , De Carolis C
Published: December 2015

Abnormalities in peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells have been reported in women with primary infertility and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and several studies have been presented to define cutoff values for abnormal peripheral blood NK cell levels in this context. Elevated levels of NK cells were observed in infertile/RSA women in the presence of thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), while no studies have been carried out, to date, on NK cells in infertile/RSA women with non-autoimmune thyroid diseases. The contribution of this study is two-fold: (1) the evaluation of peripheral blood NK cell levels in a cohort of infertile/RSA women, in order to confirm related data from the literature; and (2) the assessment of NK cell levels in the presence of both TAI and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in order to explore the possibility that the association between NK cells and thyroid function is not only restricted to TAI but also to SCH. In a retrospective study, 259 age-matched women (primary infertility [n = 49], primary RSA [n = 145], and secondary RSA [n = 65]) were evaluated for CD56+CD16+NK cells by flow cytometry. Women were stratified according to thyroid status: TAI, SCH, and without thyroid diseases (ET). Fertile women (n = 45) were used as controls. Infertile/RSA women showed higher mean NK cell levels than controls. The cutoff value determining the abnormal NK cell levels resulted ⩾15% in all the groups of women. Among the infertile/RSA women, SCH resulted the most frequently associated thyroid disorder while no difference resulted in the prevalence of TAI and ET women between patients and controls. A higher prevalence of women with NK cell levels ⩾15% was observed in infertile/RSA women with SCH when compared to TAI/ET women. According to our data, NK cell assessment could be used as a diagnostic tool in women with reproductive failure and we suggest that the possible association between NK cell levels and thyroid function can be described not only in the presence of TAI but also in the presence of non-autoimmune thyroid disorders.
Measuring Adolescent Life Satisfaction
Authors: Di Fabio Annamaria , Gori Alessio
Published: December 2015

This study examined the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) in a sample of 1,515 Italian (females = 60.26%, males = 39.74%) adolescents and young adults ( Mage = 17.6 years, SD = 1.21). Results confirmed the unidimensionality, good reliability, and concurrent validity of the Italian version of the SWLS supporting its use in the Italian context.
Multilevel Factor Structure, Concurrent Validity, and Test–Retest Reliability of the High School Teacher Version of the Authoritative School Climate Survey
Authors: Huang Francis L. , Cornell Dewey G.
Published: December 2015

Although school climate has long been recognized as an important factor in the school improvement process, there are few psychometrically supported measures based on teacher perspectives. The current study replicated and extended the factor structure, concurrent validity, and test–retest reliability of the teacher version of the Authoritative School Climate Survey (ASCS) using a statewide sample of high school teachers. Multilevel confirmatory factor analyses based on surveys completed by 12,808 high school teachers from 302 schools found that factors of disciplinary structure and student support were associated to varying degrees with the teacher reports of the prevalence of student teasing and bullying and student engagement. These findings provide some empirical support for the use of the teacher version of the ASCS in high schools.
Mechanical enhancement and crystallization kinetics of polyoxymethylene-based composite film with carbon nanotube
Authors: Chunzheng Peng , Chilan Cai , Haobin Tian , Jianguo Zhang
Published: December 2015

Carbon nanotube (CNT) was employed as a reinforcing material to prepare polyoxymethylene (POM)-based composite film through a simple melting extrusion. An effective approach was developed to clean and modify the surface of as-received CNT with nitric acid and then with a silane coupling agent. The mechanical evaluation demonstrated that a significant reinforcement was achieved for POM/CNT composites due to the improved interfacial adhesion between CNT and the matrix. The thermal stabilities of the composites were also improved in the presence of CNT. The studies on crystallization behaviors showed that CNT acted as a nucleation agent for the crystallization of POM domain in composites, and therefore, the crystallization rate and nucleation density increased remarkably due to the heterogeneous nucleating effect of CNT.
Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of polystyrene composites reinforced with cellulose fibers
Authors: Poletto Matheus , Zattera Ademir J
Published: December 2015

The mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of cellulose fibers-reinforced polystyrene composites were investigated as a function of cellulose fiber content and coupling agent effect. The composites were prepared using a corotating twin-screw extruder and after injection molding. Three levels of filler loading (10, 20, and 30 wt%) and a fixed amount of coupling agent (2 wt%) were used. The results showed that a cellulose fiber loading of more than 20 wt% caused decrease in the mechanical properties. The addition of coupling agent substantially improves the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. The use of coupling agent improved the storage modulus and reduced the damping peak values of the composites due to the improved interfacial adhesion. The height of the damping peak was found to be dependent on the content of cellulose fiber and the interfacial adhesion between fiber and matrix. The adhesion factor values confirm that the better adhesion occurs when coupling agent is used.
Experimental investigation of aerodynamic performance of oscillating wings at low Re numbers
Authors: Soylak Mustafa
Published: December 2015

In this study, the effect of varying aspect ratios on aerodynamic performances on the flat plate and NACA 2415 airfoil without/with low frequency pitching movement at low Reynolds (Re) numbers was investigated. The experiments include force measurements for both static and dynamic airfoils and smoke-wire flow visualization for static airfoils at Re numbers of 50,000, 75,000 and 100,000. In the static cases, the stall delayed because of tip vortices at low aspect ratios, as the aspect ratio increased, maximum lift coefficient and the stall angle decreased. On the other hand, the stall mechanism changed and the abrupt stall occurred. As the Re number increased, the mild stall formed. In the dynamic cases, on the flat plates at lower ARs, the oscillation did not change the lift coefficients considerably, and as the Re number increased, the oscillation made the drag force decrease. In the dynamic NACA 2415 wing with AR1, the oscillation improved the aerodynamic performance at down-stroke conditions (especially between 15° and 25°). However, in dynamic NACA 2415 wing with AR2, as the Re number increased, dynamic stall formed over the wings at the angle of attacks between 15° and 25°.
Signs of impaired immunoregulation and enhanced effector T-cell responses in the primary antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Jakiela B , Iwaniec T , Plutecka H , Celinska-Lowenhoff M , Dziedzina S , Musial J
Published: December 2015

Introduction

We investigated whether primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is characterized by a deficiency in immunoregulatory pathways, a phenomenon recently implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Methods

Serum levels of immunoregulatory (e.g. IL-10 and TGF-β1) and proinflammatory (e.g. IL-17A) cytokines were measured in PAPS, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with secondary APS (SAPS), or without APS, and in healthy controls ( n = 40 in each group). In a subgroup of PAPS patients we also compared phenotype and function (flow cytometry) of regulatory T-cells (Treg) and cytokine production by effector T-cells.

Results

Our major finding was decreased levels of TGF-β1 in PAPS and SAPS as compared to SLE without APS and controls. TGF-β1 was the lowest in PAPS patients showing high levels of aPL IgG with significant negative correlation with the titer. SLE patients were characterized by lower serum levels of IL-2 and increased IL-17A, as compared to the other groups. The numbers of circulating Treg cells and their phenotype (e.g. FoxP3 isoforms) were not disturbed in PAPS. However, surface expression of latency associated peptide (binds TGF-β) in activated FoxP3 + cells and in vitro production of TGF-β1 were decreased in PAPS patients with high titers of aPL IgG. Moreover, frequencies of cytokine producing effector T-helper cells (including Th17) were significantly elevated in this group.

Conclusions

PAPS patients with high titers of aPL IgG antibodies were characterized by decreased systemic levels of TGF-β1 and its impaired production in vitro, suggesting impaired immunoregulation and enhanced adaptive autoimmune responses leading to the production of aPL antibodies.
Health Revolution
Authors: Mishra Sita
Published: December 2015

Women’s empowerment is a new buzzword in the vocabulary of gender literature which refers to enhancing the position of women in the power structure of the society. There is a growing recognition among governments and in the private sector that investing in women and girls has a powerful multiplier effect on productivity, efficiency and economic growth. In India, the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, 2001, presents strategies for economic and social empowerment of women. Women in urban India are at least uplifted and emancipated and granted equal status with men in many spheres of life though not completely. But without empowering rural women, can we claim women empowerment in India? Irrespective of the efforts of the government, the health needs of women and girls in rural areas are often neglected, compared to the needs of those in urban areas, and their access to health services is often too low. The focus of this article is on identifying challenges related to health issues during menstrual cycles of rural women and adolescent girls. The article discusses the various measures to improve the status of rural health scenario and contribution of various stakeholders towards this.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Health Information System
Authors: Sinha Rajesh Kumar , Sinha Archana
Published: December 2015

Primary health centres (PHCs) serve as the first line of defence against illness and diseases, where health information system (HIS) assists the professionals working at these centres in collecting, analyzing and ensuring the overall quality of data for all health-related decision-making. The study was conducted with an objective to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of HIS among the staff of PHCs of a district of an eastern state of India The study was conducted among 205 professionals including doctors, nurses, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), pharmacists and clerks of 23 PHCs. A validated and pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for the study. The frequency and cumulative score was calculated using MS Excel. The study result shows that the average cumulative knowledge, practice and attitude indicator of PHCs of the district as 6.7, 6.4 and 8.7, respectively. The average infrastructure index of PHC was 0.93, and 21.73 per cent of PHCs of the district were below the average value with all indicators. As the average values for the knowledge, practice and attitude indicators were found to be low with respect to most of the parameters; the need identified was to make the clinical and non-clinical staff more aware about the HIS.
Government Spending on Health in India
Authors: Hooda Shailender Kumar
Published: December 2015

The macroeconomic and health policy changes in India have generated some hopes, fear and complexity in public health spending. Health policies turned ineffective even to meet the required level of resources for providing basic health facilities. Fund allocation towards rural area (with missing health facility), preventive services, medicines and equipments was recorded to be noticeably low and inadequate with a declining trend. After the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM, 2005), public funds in health somewhat increased but remained lower than ambitious commitment of 2–3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). Central fund transfer to state, which was (before NRHM) passing through state budget, now bypasses the state budget. This has resulted in discontinuation of some of the health programmes/schemes running in the states and also made the centre–state finance relation more complex. Adverse macroeconomic conditions, conditional central fund allocation criteria, inadequate absorptive capacity and priority of state are further slowing down the effective policy implementation and progress in health outcomes.
Economic Burden of Diabetes Management in the University Teaching Hospital in South India
Authors: Singh Sanjeev , Govindan Unnikrishnan Ananth , Unnikrishnan Vinya , Raghav Vishnu , Thakadiyal Shijo
Published: December 2015

Introduction:

India is the ‘Diabetes Capital’ of the world. The number of cases of diabetes is sharply increasing and so are the complications from diabetes. Owing to the chronic nature of the disease, cost of care is a cause of concern.

Methods:

It is a prospective study designed at a 1,350-bed university teaching hospital in South India. A total of 300 patients from outpatients and in-patients were included in the study. Direct and indirect cost of diabetes management was derived from each individual bill. Cost of illness for a patient was calculated to understand the economic burden.

Results:

Average direct cost of a single visit of a podiatry patient in OP was ₹1,594 and for a diabetes patient was ₹1,400. Cost of hospitalization of a podiatry patient was ₹52,574 and for a diabetes patient was ₹31,999.

Conclusion:

High cost of care of diabetes and diabetes-related complications by both direct and indirect costs drive the urgency to have governmental/insurance support for chronic disease management for better living.
Gender and Power
Authors: Sahu Skylab
Published: December 2015

In a patriarchal society like India, women remain more vulnerable towards human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In order to control HIV among women, the powerlessness of women needs to be understood in the broader sociocultural context. It is hypothesized that due to less knowledge and their socio-economic status, women are refrained from exercising reproductive and sexual rights, and thus remain powerless. Such powerlessness could significantly increase women’s vulnerability towards HIV. The study was carried out in Karnataka and West Bengal, India, and 200 HIV-positive women were selected as the sample for the study. It was found that a majority of women lacked awareness regarding rights relating to reproductive and sexual life, and faced forceful and violent sex within their marital life. Powerless existence indeed made females vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Even after HIV, their condition of vulnerability continued as in a large number of the cases they remained powerless and submissive and only a few respondents could exercise their reproductive rights. Those who realized and exercised their agency were able to do so due to self-realization through the influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and counselling. In a majority of cases, respondents’ social role had hardly undergone any change, and many respondents performed more of a sacrificing role and also neglected their own health.
‘Daughters are Just Like Sons Now’
Authors: Donner Henrike
Published: December 2015

This article draws on two decades of fieldwork with middle-class families in Kolkata, India. It addresses property regimes with reference to inter-generational and gender relations, which leave women in an ambiguous situation with regard to ownership rights. Focusing on genealogies of different middle-class homes, the article examines how women’s rights in housing continue to be mediated through the joint family ideal and patrilocality. Whilst new influence the middle-class imagination, talk about ‘homeownership’ does not necessarily reflect the realities of middle-class family life. Paying particular attention to the role of women at different lifestages, I argue that the current re-imagining of middle-class femininity through ‘modern homes’ remains deeply embedded in earlier discourses of the ideal family, the related residential patterns and modes of property transmission as well as domesticities. This draws attention to the way women can gain as demographic change favours single daughters as heirs to homeowners. Focusing on the family and women’s roles within it allows us to study how real estate markets are experienced from the bottom up and provides genealogical depth to an understanding of different forms of ‘modern’ middle-class homes in the city.
Content Analysis of Food and Beverages Advertisements Targeting Children and Adults on Television in Sri Lanka
Authors: Prathapan Shamini , Wijewardena Kumudu , Low Wah Yun
Published: December 2015

Introduction. Food marketing is one of the main factors in the increase in childhood obesity. The objective is to compare the strategies used for promotion of food and beverages advertisements on Sri Lankan television for children and adults. Method. Among 16 analog television channels in Sri Lanka, 50% of the channels were selected randomly after stratifying according to language. Recording was during weekdays and weekends. In total, 95 different food and beverages advertisements were analyzed irrespective of the channel. Results. Among all food and beverages–related advertisements, 78% were child focused, and among these 74% claimed health benefits. A statistically significant difference was found in terms of implications related to nutrition or health ( P < .05). None of the advertisements contained disclaimers. Conclusion and recommendations. The Ministry of Health needs to pursue all food and beverages–focused advertisements for policy formulation and implementation.
Establishment, Implementation, and Consolidation of Clinical Pharmacy Services in Community Pharmacies
Authors: Dosea Aline S. , Brito Giselle C. , Santos Lincoln M. C. , Marques Tatiane C. , Balisa-Rocha Blície , Pimentel Deborah , Bueno Denise , Lyra Divaldo P.
Published: December 2015

When pharmacists incorporate clinical practice into their routine, barriers and facilitators influence the implementation of patient care services. Three focus groups were conducted with 11 pharmacists who were working for the Farmácia Popular do Brasil program on the establishment, implementation, and consolidation of clinical pharmacy services. The perception of the pharmacists in Brazil about the program was that it facilitated access to health care and medication. The distance between neighboring cities made it difficult for patients to return for services. Lack of staff training created a lack of communication skills and knowledge. The pharmacists wanted to have increased technical support, skill development opportunities, and monitoring of researchers who assessed progress of the service. Pharmacists overcame many of their insecurities and felt more proactive and committed to quality service. Positive experiences in service implementations have shown that it is possible to develop a model of clinical services in community pharmacies.
First-Year Analysis of a New, Home-Based Palliative Care Program Offered Jointly by a Community Hospital and Local Visiting Nurse Service
Authors: Pouliot Katherine , Weisse Carol S. , Pratt David S. , DiSorbo Philip
Published: December 2015

Background:

There is a growing need for home-based palliative care services, especially for seriously ill individuals who want to avoid hospitalizations and remain with their regular outside care providers.

Aim:

To evaluate the effectiveness of Care Choices, a new in-home palliative care program provided by the Visiting Nurse Services of Northeastern New York and Ellis Medicine’s community hospital serving New York’s Capital District.

Methods:

This prospective cohort study assessed patient outcomes over the course of 1 year for 123 patients (49 men and 74 women) with serious illnesses who were new enrollees in the program. Quality of life was assessed at baseline and after 1 month on service. Satisfaction with care was measured after 1 and 3 months on service. The number of emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations pre- and postenrollment was measured for all enrollees.

Results:

Patients were highly satisfied (72.7%-100%) with their initial care and reported greater satisfaction ( P < .05) and stable symptom management over time. Fewer emergency department ( P < .001) and inpatient hospital admissions ( P < .001) occurred among enrollees while on the palliative care service.

Conclusion:

An in-home palliative care program offered jointly through a visiting nurse service and community hospital may be a successful model for providing quality care that satisfies chronically ill patients’ desire to remain at home and avoid hospital admissions.
Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Treatment of Intercostal Nerves for the Prevention of Incidental Pain Arising Due to Rib Metastasis
Authors: Ahmed Arif , Bhatnagar Sushma , khurana Deepa , Joshi Saurabh , Thulkar Sanjay
Published: December 2015

Background:

Breakthrough pain (BTP) arising due to rib metastasis is very distressing and often very difficult to manage by titration of traditional analgesics. This study is undertaken to determine the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) treatment of intercostal nerves for the prevention of BTP.

Methods:

The RF treatment of the intercostal nerves was carried out in 25 patients with uncontrolled BTP arising out of the rib metastasis. The intensity and episode of BTP, background pain, opioid dose, functional status (Karnofky score), and quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36]) were noted at baseline visit and subsequently after the RF treatment.

Results:

After the RF treatment, there was more than 50% decrease in both intensity and frequency of BTP in more than 50% of patients for 3 months, and there was more than 50% decrease in BTP opioid dose in more than 50% of patients throughout the study period. There was also significant improvement in background pain, functional status, and the quality of life after the RF. Interestingly, pain relief, lowering of opioid dose, and functional status improvement were found mostly in patients with mixed and neuropathic type of pain and in patients in whom the metastasis were confined to the ribs only.

Conclusion:

RF of the intercostal nerves is effective in preventing and deceasing the severity of BTP arising due to rib metastasis in selected group of patients with mixed and neuropathic type of pain and with the metastasis involving the ribs only.
Development and Effects of a Transition Nursing Program for Patients and Family Caregivers at a Neurological ICU in Korea
Authors: Yun Sun Hee , Oh Eui Geum , Yoo Yang Sook , Kim So Sun , Jang Yeon Soo
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this study was to develop a transition nursing program for patients and family caregivers in neurological intensive care units (ICUs) and to evaluate the effects of the program. A literature review, focus group interviews, analysis of medical records, confirmation of validity, and clinical applicability were used to develop the program, which was tested using a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design. Participants were recruited in 2011. The experimental group (46 patients and their family caregivers) received the developed program before transferring from the neurological ICU to a ward, whereas the control group (48 patients and their family caregivers) received routine care. The results showed that patients and family caregivers in the experimental group had significantly higher transition readiness and satisfaction with transition nursing and lower transition anxiety and transition stress, and family caregivers in the experimental group had a significantly lower burden of caregiving.
When Baby Stops Breathing
Authors: Stiffler Deborah , Cullen Deborah , Stephenson Evelyn , Luna Gaye , Hartman Taylor D.
Published: December 2015

Sudden unexplained infant death is responsible for 14% of Indiana’s infant mortality. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to describe mothers’ experiences when death of an infant occurred suddenly and unexpectedly. Field deputies or social workers interviewed mothers from central Indiana during the child-death team investigations. The Thematic Analysis Program from the Joanna Briggs Institute was used to analyze interview data. Sixteen de-identified interview cases were extracted, and a meta-aggregate method was conducted. The three synthesized themes were Extreme Emotional Shock, We Feel Like We’re to Blame, and Working Toward Moving On. Understanding these phenomena from mothers’ experience may assist in eliminating risks associated with infant deaths and inform nursing practice and policy.
Social Support and Career Psychological States
Authors: Jiang Zhou
Published: December 2015

This study examined the mediating role of person–environment (P-E) fit in the relationships of perceived social support (PSS) with perceived employability and career decision self-efficacy (CDSE). The moderating role of gender was also tested in the PSS and P-E fit relationship and in the P-E fit mediated relationships of PSS with perceived employability and CDSE. Seven hundred and ninety-nine Chinese university students returned usable questionnaires. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results demonstrated that P-E fit fully mediated the relationship between PSS and perceived employability and partially mediated the PSS–CDSE relationship. Multi-group SEM revealed that the relationship between PSS and P-E fit was stronger among males than among females. This gender difference also contributed to the gender difference in the indirect relationships of PSS with perceived employability and CDSE via P-E fit, such that these indirect relationships were stronger for males than for females.
A composite anti-disturbance control scheme for attitude stabilization and vibration suppression of flexible spacecrafts
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wu Zhong , Li Lijun , Yuan Jun
Published: December 2015

Abstract:

There exist multiple disturbances resulting from the structural vibrations of flexible appendages, unknown external and internal disturbances, and parameter uncertainties, which affect the attitude control performance seriously. To enhance the disturbance attenuation performance and vibration suppression ability, a composite anti-disturbance control scheme (CADCS) based on disturbance observer is proposed for attitude stabilization and vibration reduction of flexible spacecraft. The CADCS combines a composite disturbance observer (CDO) and a PD controller with feedforward. The multiple disturbances are equivalent to slowly varying disturbance and harmonic disturbance. The CDO can estimate two types of disturbance and compensate for them through feedforward. The PD controller realizes the asymptotic convergence by compensating the disturbance from CDO. The CADCS based on CDO and PD controller is not only simple and easy to realize, but also yields better vibration suppression and anti-disturbance performance. Simulation results of a certain spacecraft demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed CADCS.
Engaged Reading as a Collaborative Transformative Practice
Authors: Ivey Gay , Johnston Peter H.
Published: December 2015

The context of this study is a voluntary modification in teaching focus by four eighth-grade teachers who shifted their instructional focus toward student engagement. They abandoned assigned readings in favor of student-selected, self-paced reading within a collection of high interest materials—primarily young adult fiction that students found personally relevant. Over a 4 year period, among other things, this shift consistently resulted, for the students, in increased reading volume, a reduction in students failing the state test, and changes in peer relationships, self-regulation, and conceptions of self. Increasingly predictable shifts across classes in the nature of classroom activity systems along with increasingly predictable student-level outcomes have been accompanied by a parallel evolutionary shift in the activity of teaching (individually and collectively) among the four teachers, reflected in their relationships, their use of resources, and the objects of their activity. Using Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), we analyze this co-evolution of activity systems and the subjectivities and development of individuals acting within those systems. We examine the inseparable shifts in community and individual activity, and their evolution over three time scales—a 4 year history of change in practice among a small community of teachers, the evolution of their student communities over the course of a school year, and, at the microgenetic level, the moment-to-moment interactional processes that feed the evolution of individuals and the relational properties of their communities.
Efficacy of guar gum-based ronidazole capsules as a treatment for Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats
Authors: Grellet Aurélien , Makhlouf Seyf Eddine , Desquilbet Loic , Hovhannessian Fani , Boogaerts Cassandre , Dore Vanessa , Anthony Myriam , Espana Bernadette , Prouillac Caroline , Kirilov Plamen , Polack Bruno , Perrot Sébastien
Published: December 2015

Objectives

The aims of the study were to determine the in vitro drug release of guar gum-coated capsules of ronidazole, and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of this formulation for the treatment of cats naturally infected with Tritrichomonas foetus.

Methods

The pharmacokinetics of ronidazole were evaluated in five healthy cats and five cats infected with T foetus. In a second step, the clinical efficacy of these capsules was evaluated by a controlled, randomised, double-blind clinical trial performed in 47 infected cats from French catteries. In this study, cats were randomly allocated to either the ronidazole treatment group (n = 25) or a placebo group (n = 22). Ronidazole (30 mg/kg) q24h for 14 days was administered to the treated cats. After 14 days of treatment, the presence of T foetus was tested by conventional PCR assay.

Results

In the pharmacokinetic study, a delayed peak plasma concentration was observed in healthy and infected cats, with no significant difference between these two groups (mean geometric mean of 9 h for time to maximum plasma concentration [Tmax], 21.6 µg/ml for time to maximum plasma concentration [Cmax] and 467.4 μg/h/ml for the area under the curve [AUC] in healthy cats; and 9.4 h for Tmax, 17.1 µg/ml for Cmax and 481 μg/h/ml for AUC in infected cats). In the clinical trial, T foetus was detected in 16% of cats from the treated group and 82% of cats from the placebo group at the end of the study ( P <0.001). No clinical signs of adverse drug reactions were observed.

Conclusions and relevance

Oral administration of guar gum-coated capsules of ronidazole at a dose of 30 mg/kg once daily for 14 days delays the peak plasma concentration and eradicates infection in most cases.
Grandiosity in contemporary management and education
Authors: Alvesson Mats , Gabriel Yiannis
Published: December 2015

Contemporary practitioner and academic discourses of organizations and management have developed a tendency to discuss everyday organizational phenomena in overblown and remarkable ways. It is now commonplace to view organizations in terms of visions, missions, strategies, charisma, entrepreneurship, best practice and so on. A hyped-up language is becoming endemic to ordinary discussions of ordinary organizations doing ordinary things. This calls for some critical attention. One way of capturing this tendency to hype is through the idea of grandiosity that is taking over the ways mundane organizational phenomena are constructed and debated. In this essay, we argue that grandiosity is the product of the narcissism of our times, reinforced by contemporary consumerism; we suggest that grandiosity not only affects adversely critical reflection of organizations and management, but more importantly that it undermines organizational performance and learning.
Perceptions and influence of newspaper-led convergence with broadcast stations
Authors: Pak Hyeong-Jun
Published: December 2015

This study aimed to determine the characteristics of ‘newspaper-led convergence’ with broadcast stations by examining how convergence affects the production and distribution of news content. Newspaper-led convergence with broadcast stations occurs in converged newsrooms, where newspapers have superior overall abilities to broadcast stations; thus, one-sided help from newspaper to broadcast stations is more typical than vice versa. This study incorporated both surveys and in-depth interviews with journalists from three South Korean multimedia groups that have maintained newspaper-led convergence since late 2011. It has been approximately 3 years since these convergences; thus, this study outlined characteristics of the initial stage of convergence. The results indicated several asymmetries in terms of workload perceptions, multiple skills, cultural clash, and content quality among different media reporters. Unlike previous studies, psychological and cultural issues were not found to be obstacles to newspaper-led convergence. Based on these findings, this study concluded with suggestions for media firms that aim to converge newsrooms.