bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching critical thinking as a vehicle for personal and social transformation
Authors: Shpeizer Raz
Published: March 2018

During the second half of the 20th century, a new pedagogical movement emerged, which centered around the concept of critical thinking. While the movement soon became a significant player in the pedagogical field, its proponents continued to develop the theoretical and practical aspects of critical thinking, aiming to transform it into a full-fledged pedagogical ideal. However, at least two major issues have remained unresolved in critical thinking pedagogy. The first is the desired nature of the relation between the cognitive, moral, and social dimensions of critical thinking. The second involves the grave difficulties, many times accompanied by lack of success, encountered by teachers and educators who wish to promote critical thinking education. Therefore, in this paper, I examine the evolution of the ideal of critical thinking, arguing that from the outset it has contained—even if only in latent form—ethical, moral, and social elements, and thus these elements need to be explicitly integrated into the ideal. I then demonstrate the implementation of this broadened ideal of critical thinking in teacher education and offer a further expansion of the ideal, which strengthens its relationship to the notion of social justice, while, at the same time, suggests a way of improving the implementation of critical thinking education in the overall educational system.
Between Public and Private Media: Toward a Definition of “Community Media”
Authors: Cerbino Mauro , Belotti Francesca
Published: March 2018

Constitutional reforms in Ecuador and Bolivia and the subsequent laws on communications have opened up the media space to new social and political actors: public and community media. While the former tend to be associated with the state in form and with governments in substance, the latter are not clearly defined and occupy a place in the midst of the hegemonic struggle between the public and private sectors to enable citizens to actively intervene in the competition for shaping public opinion. It is therefore necessary to lay the groundwork for a definition of “community media” that includes both its legal and sociopolitical dimensions. Indeed, operationalizing such a definition might allow community media to recognize themselves in it and to take the measures required to fully project themselves as subjects of the law.

Las reformas constitucionales de Ecuador y Bolivia, y las siguientes leyes de comunicación, han abierto el espacio mediático a nuevos actores sociales y políticos: los medios públicos y los comunitarios. Si los primeros tienden a ser referibles al Estado en la forma y a los gobiernos en la sustancia, los segundos se quedan indefinidos e irrumpen en la lucha hegemónica entre los sectores público y privado, para que la ciudadanía intervenga de forma activa en la disputa por la generación de opinión pública. Por lo tanto, es necesario sentar las bases para una definición del concepto de “medio comunitario” que sepa mantener unidas las dimensiones de significado legales y socio-políticas. Traducir en términos operativos esta definición podría permitir a los medios comunitarios reconocerse en los rasgos observables del concepto y, por ende, tomar medidas para proyectarse plenamente como sujetos de derecho.
Determination of surface wettability of polymeric hollow fibres
Authors: Brozova Tereza , Raudensky Miroslav
Published: March 2018

Surface wettability significantly affects the condensation and therefore the heat transfer when condensation occurs. The materials are classified as either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Materials with a lower contact angle are more suitable for heat transfer applications associated with condensation. The dynamic contact angle is one way to define surface wettability. In this contribution, the Wilhelmy method was used for measuring the force of the interaction of a fibre at the liquid–gas interface. The method is based on immersing a sample in a liquid and then removing it. This study compares the influence of the type of polymeric material and surface finishes of hollow fibres on the dynamic contact angle. Polypropylene fibres and polypropylene fibres with a Trapylen®, (TRAMACO GmbH, Germany) surface finish achieve a larger dynamic contact angle (the advancing dynamic contact angle measured in water is around 100°). Therefore, they seem to be a better alternative than polycarbonate, polyether ether ketone and polyamide (the advancing dynamic contact angle in water is around 80°).
Decoding Morris Janowitz: Limited War and Pragmatic Doctrine
Authors: Travis Donald S.
Published: March 2018

The American sociologist Morris Janowitz presented two world views of security named “absolutist” and “pragmatist.” This dualistic paradigm endures into the 21st century and explains how complex and contentious security options are debated within the U.S. security establishment. His paradigm also reveals a condition called the “hegemon trap,” which means that the more powerful militarily that a state becomes relative to other states, the less likely it will fight a large-scale conventional war, resulting in frequent and perpetual limited, low-intensity, and unconventional wars. Based on experiences learned since the Vietnam War, the United States can improve global security by balancing resources between absolutist and pragmatist outlooks. This requires devoting a greater share of resources toward peacetime engagement, stability operations, and unconventional warfare.
Internal Auditing in India and China: Some Empirical Evidence and Issues for Research
Authors: Narayanaswamy R. , Raghunandan K. , Rama Dasaratha V.
Published: March 2018

Internal auditing is an important element in the corporate governance framework. Yet, research related to internal auditing, particularly in emerging economies like India and China, is sparse. We use data from responses provided by chief audit executives to provide empirical evidence about the extent of support for internal auditing and the determinants of such support in India and China, and compare the data with those from the United States. We find that such support is negatively related to pressure on internal auditors to suppress or alter their findings. We also provide descriptive evidence about the work and staffing of the internal audit function. We discuss the role of internal auditing in India and identify some possible avenues for future research.
Exploring the future of Business Information Services in the financial sector
Authors: West Mark , Phillips Delphine
Published: March 2018

This research study looks at the role of Business Information Services (BIS) within financial services and what its future may look like in light of changing internal and external environmental factors. The research is gathered from global investment banks and equity houses and considers the role technology is playing in the development of the BIS department of the future. We review different operating models, how these are affected by internal and external changes and look at future drivers and future scope developments. We also consider the influence of knowledge management services on BIS and discover that although there are some links, there is very little strategic interaction between the two.
‘Mystery at the Lilacs’ (1938): Elizabeth Bowen's Thriller Serial for Home and Country
Authors: Jones Clara
Published: March 2018

This article introduces a rediscovered 1938 serial by Elizabeth Bowen ‘specially written’ for Home and Country, the monthly organ of the National Federation of Women's Institutes. It situates ‘Mystery at the Lilacs’ within the periodical culture of ‘ Home and Country’, paying particular attention to Bowen's engagement with the social and cultural debates that played out across its pages, and considers how Bowen's serial compares with her other contemporary literary projects. Far from being an aberration or curiosity, this serial overlaps thematically with Bowen's other interwar short stories. Self-reflexively concerned with the status of the writer in the community and preoccupied with the relationship between ‘high’ and popular culture, ‘Mystery at the Lilacs’ has much to tell us about Bowen's thinking about politics and culture in the interwar period.
Optimization of composite ring stiffened cylindrical hulls for unmanned underwater vehicles using multi-island genetic algorithm
Authors: Song Baowei , Lyu Da , Jiang Jun
Published: March 2018

The usage of composite material helps reducing structure’s weight in many conditions. In this paper, The Composite Ring Stiffened Cylindrical Hulls used by Unmanned Underwater Vehicles is optimized in various depths. The optimization aims to reducing the weight of the composite ring stiffened cylindrical hulls. Two candidate composite materials, T700/Epoxy and B(4)5505/Epoxy, are chosen to form the outer shell and stiffeners. Number and shape of the stiffeners, ply angles, and the number of the plies are considered. The Multi-Island Genetic Algorithm (MIGA) is performed in MATLAB and a new two-step method is proposed in crossover operations. ANSYS parametric design language is integrated in optimization procedure to ensure the acceptance of the optimal result. The results reveal that the proposed two-step method for multi-island genetic algorithm is efficiency and robust in reducing the weight of the composite ring stiffened cylindrical hulls. The weight for optimized composite ring stiffened cylindrical hulls with T700/Epoxy shells and B(4)5505/Epoxy stiffeners is 10.5% lighter than that with single composite material when the operating depth is 200 m.
Légitimité et authenticité des affiliations ethniques: le cas du régionalisme
Authors: Dion Delphine , Sitz Lionel , Rémy Éric
Published: March 2018

Cette recherche analyse les façons dont les consommateurs légitiment leur affiliation ethnique régionale. L'analyse de 29 introspections met en avant les moyens utilisés par les individus, notamment à travers la consommation, pour légitimer leur affiliation ethnique et l'authenticité de cette affiliation. Plus spécifiquement, (1) nous montrons comment les individus détournent et inventent de nouvelles sources de légitimité ethnique, (2) nous mettons en avant le rôle des archétypes dans la perception de l'authenticité ethnique et (3) nous étudions les dissonances liées à l'authenticité ethnique (artificialité et ambivalence). Ces résultats enrichissent les recherches sur l'ethnicité réflexive en introduisant les processus d'auto-légitimation et en montrant comment les individus, à travers leur consommation d'archétypes, font évoluer les constructions collectives sur lesquelles s'appuie l'ethnicité. Ils permettent également de proposer des recommandations sur les processus de légitimation des marques régionales.
Comment la mesure de la préférence entre produits influence-t-elle le poids estimé de leurs attributs ?
Authors: Jongmans Eline , Jolibert Alain
Published: March 2018

De nombreuses procédures d’obtention des préférences sont disponibles en marketing pour estimer le poids d’un attribut de produit dans la formation des préférences globales pour un produit. Or, l’utilisation de l’une ou l’autre de ces procédures peut mener à des inversions de préférences conduisant à un poids d’attribut systématiquement différent d’une procédure à une autre. Cette synthèse se fixe trois objectifs (1) clarifier la classification des procédures en proposant quatre caractéristiques : incitative vs. déclarée, directe vs. indirecte, monétaire vs. non monétaire, jointe vs. séparée ; (2) Mettre en évidence les biais systématiques liés à chaque procédure ; (3) Proposer des théories expliquant les sous-pondérations ou les surpondérations du poids des attributs en fonction de la procédure utilisée. La littérature montre que globalement, des procédures incitatives (indirectes) conduisent à des poids obtenus plus proches de ceux des comportements réels que les procédures déclarées (directes). Si, aucun consensus clair n’apparait dans la littérature en ce qui concerne les procédures monétaires ou non monétaires et jointes ou séparées, cette synthèse permet de prévoir l’évolution des poids des attributs et propose un cadre explicatif des surpondérations ou sous-pondération des attributs selon la procédure retenue.
Les marketers des secteurs controversés face à leur conscience : une approche par la théorie des neutralisations
Authors: Sachet-Milliat Anne , Baiada-Hireche Loréa , Bourcier-Bequaert Bénédicte
Published: March 2018

Cet article étudie les techniques de neutralisation mobilisées par les professionnels du marketing lorsqu’il s’agit de justifier des pratiques non éthiques adoptées pour le compte de leur organisation. Pour cela dix-sept récits collectés auprès de praticiens dans deux secteurs controversés (alcool et tabac) ont été analysés. Trois stratégies d’argumentation sont identifiées : la moralisation de l’activité via l’organisation vertueuse, la déresponsabilisation au nom de la loi trop contraignante et la rationalisation économique.
Loss-of-Function PCSK9 Mutations Are Not Associated With Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Paquette Martine , Saavedra Yascara Grisel Luna , Poirier Judes , Théroux Louise , Dea Doris , Baass Alexis , Dufour Robert
Published: March 2018

Background:

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the late-onset form of Alzheimer disease (AD). Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations of PCSK9 and PCSK9 inhibitors lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and have been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of PCSK9 LOF variants on risk and age of onset of AD.

Methods:

A total of 878 participants (410 controls and 468 AD cases) from the Quebec Founder Population were included in the study.

Results:

Fifty-four (6.2%) participants carried the R46L mutation, whereas 226 (26.2%) participants carried the InsLEU mutation. There was no protective or no deleterious effect of carrying PCSK9 LOF mutations on AD prevalence nor on age of onset, even when stratified by apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 genotype or by gender.

Conclusion:

Our data indicate that carrying PCSK9 LOF mutations has a neutral effect on neurocognitive health and the prevalence of AD.
Efficiency improvement of regenerative pump using blade profile modification: Experimental study
Authors: Nejad J , Riasi A , Nourbakhsh A
Published: March 2018

Regenerative flow pump is a kind of turbomachine with the ability to generate high heads at relatively low flow rates. Despite having low hydraulic efficiency, regenerative pumps have found many applications in industries due to their simplicity, compact size, low manufacturing costs, and low specific speed. In this paper, an experimental study has been carried out to investigate the influence of impeller blade change on the performance of regenerative pump. To this end, the straight radial blades were changed to curved blades with the same inlet/outlet angles. Three forward curved blade impellers as well as straight radial blade impeller were designed and manufactured. Since the regenerative pump comply with the affinity laws, the results of experimental tests were expressed in nondimensional coefficients. The results showed that by increasing the blade angle to 10°, the efficiency increased and at higher blade angles of 30° and 50°, the efficiency decreased for all flow conditions. The best angle was obtained about 15° by curve fitting to the experimental data at the design flow coefficient.
Finite element analysis of solar sail force model with mission application
Authors: Boni Luisa , Mengali Giovanni , Quarta Alessandro A
Published: March 2018

A finite element approach is used to calculate the components of forces and moments acting on a square solar sail at a sun-sail distance equal to one astronomical unit. The model takes into account the deformation effect induced by the solar radiation pressure, where the incidence of the reflected photons changes as a function of the local orientation of the sail surface. Assuming a specular reflection model, the analysis shows that the maximum value of the transversal thrust component takes place when the solar zenith angle is about 36°, which is in accordance with the result available for a classical flat solar sail. Notably, the modulus of the moment due to the solar radiation pressure takes its maximum value approximately at the same (solar zenith) angle.
Temperature trends with reduced impact of ocean air temperature
Authors: Lansner Frank , Pepke Pedersen Jens Olaf
Published: March 2018

Temperature data 1900–2010 from meteorological stations across the world have been analyzed and it has been found that all land areas generally have two different valid temperature trends. Coastal stations and hill stations facing ocean winds are normally more warm-trended than the valley stations that are sheltered from dominant oceans winds.

Thus, we found that in any area with variation in the topography, we can divide the stations into the more warm trended ocean air-affected stations, and the more cold-trended ocean air-sheltered stations. We find that the distinction between ocean air-affected and ocean air-sheltered stations can be used to identify the influence of the oceans on land surface. We can then use this knowledge as a tool to better study climate variability on the land surface without the moderating effects of the ocean.

We find a lack of warming in the ocean air sheltered temperature data – with less impact of ocean temperature trends – after 1950. The lack of warming in the ocean air sheltered temperature trends after 1950 should be considered when evaluating the climatic effects of changes in the Earth’s atmospheric trace amounts of greenhouse gasses as well as variations in solar conditions.
Placental Stem Cells from Domestic Animals
Authors: Barboni B. , Russo V. , Berardinelli P. , Mauro A. , Valbonetti L. , Sanyal H. , Canciello A. , Greco L. , Muttini A. , Gatta V. , Stuppia L. , Mattioli M.
Published: March 2018

The field of regenerative medicine is moving toward clinical practice in veterinary science. In this context, placenta-derived stem cells isolated from domestic animals have covered a dual role, acting both as therapies for patients and as a valuable cell source for translational models. The biological properties of placenta-derived cells, comparable among mammals, make them attractive candidates for therapeutic approaches. In particular, stemness features, low immunogenicity, immunomodulatory activity, multilineage plasticity, and their successful capacity for long-term engraftment in different host tissues after autotransplantation, allo-transplantation, or xenotransplantation have been demonstrated. Their beneficial regenerative effects in domestic animals have been proven using preclinical studies as well as clinical trials starting to define the mechanisms involved. This is, in particular, for amniotic-derived cells that have been thoroughly studied to date. The regenerative role arises from a mutual tissue-specific cell differentiation and from the paracrine secretion of bioactive molecules that ultimately drive crucial repair processes in host tissues (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, angiogenic, and neurogenic factors). The knowledge acquired so far on the mechanisms of placenta-derived stem cells in animal models represent the proof of concept of their successful use in some therapeutic treatments such as for musculoskeletal disorders. In the next future, legislation in veterinary regenerative medicine will be a key element in order to certify those placenta-derived cell-based protocols that have already demonstrated their safety and efficacy using rigorous approaches and to improve the degree of standardization of cell-based treatments among veterinary clinicians.
Placenta-Derived Adherent Stromal Cell Therapy for Hematopoietic Disorders
Authors: Sher Noa , Ofir Racheli
Published: March 2018

The ephemeral placenta provides a noncontroversial source of young, healthy cells of both maternal and fetal origin from which cell therapy products can be manufactured. The 2 advantages of using live cells as therapeutic entities are: (a) in their environmental-responsive, multifactorial secretion profile and (b) in their activity as a “slow-release drug delivery system,” releasing secretions over a long time frame. A major difficulty in translating cell therapy to the clinic involves challenges of large-scale, robust manufacturing while maintaining product characteristics, identity, and efficacy. To address these concerns early on, Pluristem developed the PLacental eXpanded (PLX) platform, the first good manufacturing practice–approved, 3-dimensional bioreactor-based cell growth platform, to enable culture of mesenchymal-like adherent stromal cells harvested from the postpartum placenta. One of the products produced by Pluristem on this platform is PLX-R18, a product mainly comprising placental fetal cells, which is proven in vivo to alleviate radiation-induced lethality and to enhance hematopoietic cell counts after bone marrow (BM) failure. The identified mechanism of action of PLX-R18 cells is one of the cell-derived systemic pro-hematopoietic secretions, which upregulate endogenous secretions and subsequently rescue BM and peripheral blood cellularity, thereby boosting survival. PLX-R18 is therefore currently under study to treat both the hematopoietic syndrome of acute radiation (under the US Food and Drug Administration [FDA]’s Animal Rule) and the incomplete engraftment after BM transplantation (in a phase I study). In the future, they could potentially address additional hematological indications, such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, primary graft failure, and acute or chronic graft versus host disease.
‘Impressed’ by Feelings-How Judges Perceive Defendants’ Emotional Expressions in Danish Courtrooms
Authors: Johansen Louise Victoria
Published: March 2018

Emotions constitute an integrated part of crime trials, but the evaluation of these emotions is dependent on broader cultural norms rarely addressed by legal practitioners. Previous research on emotions in the judiciary has also tended to underemphasize this cultural dimension of judges’ assessment of defendants’ emotional expressions. This article presents an ethnographic study of Danish judges’ considerations when they encounter defendants in court and get an impression of their behaviour, emotional state and physical appearance. Combining theories about emotions with intersectionality approaches, the article highlights the processes in which social categories are dynamically shaped through emotions. Judges’ assessments of emotions are mediated through their own cultural understandings, and what counts as ‘appropriate’ emotion is dependent on how the defendant is culturally and systemically situated.
Is It the Message or the Medium? Relational Management during Crisis through Blogs, Facebook and Corporate Websites
Authors: Kulkarni Vaibhavi
Published: March 2018

This is a quasi-experimental study comparing three modes of communication during crisis to examine whether they lead to differences in perception of relational maintenance. Crisis communication by an airline company was marginally modified to mask the organization’s identity, following which participants were exposed to crisis communication through a Facebook page ( n = 47), corporate blog entry ( n = 58) or corporate media release ( n = 50). Contrary to the existing literature, the study did not find any significant differences based on participants’ exposure to different mediums. However, participants relying on Facebook for information about the crisis reported a better understanding of the crisis. The study underscores the importance of perceived user control and familiarity with the medium in determining stakeholder perceptions. It also calls for additional empirical studies to investigate the effectiveness of social media vis-à-vis conventional communication routes, especially when the same information is presented through different mediums.
Toward Understanding How Social Factors Shaped a Behavioral Intervention on Healthier Infant Formula-Feeding
Authors: Guell Cornelia , Whittle Fiona , Ong Ken K. , Lakshman Rajalakshmi
Published: March 2018

As part of a process evaluation, we explored in semi-structured interviews the experiences of 19 mothers who had taken part in a trial to reduce infant formula-milk intake and promote healthy weight gain, and reflections of three facilitators who delivered the intervention and control group protocols. Mothers appreciated the nonjudgmental support provided during the trial, after experiencing stigma and receiving limited advice on how, how much, and how often formula-milk should be given. The information mothers had previously found, printed on formula-milk tins, or provided by family, friends, and health professionals was often perceived as contradictory; the trial guidance also conflicted with social norms relating infant health positively with weight gain. For those recruited into the trial with older infants, who had already exceeded the recommendations, reducing formula-milk amounts was difficult. The findings highlight the difficulties of addressing a highly stigmatized, complex social practice with an individual, behavioral intervention approach.
Exploring Motivational Interviewing to Engage Latinos in Advance Care Planning: A Community-Based Social Work Intervention
Authors: Nedjat-Haiem Frances R. , Carrion Iraida V. , Gonzalez Krystyna , Bennett Elizabeth D. , Ell Kathleen , O’Connell Mary , Thompson Beti , Mishra Shiraz I.
Published: March 2018

Advance care planning (ACP) does not readily occur in medical settings and often gets missed. Older Latinos need ACP information to encourage advance directive (AD) completion indicating preferences for end-of-life (EOL) care.

Objective:

To explore the experiences with counseling using motivational interviewing (MI) techniques and social workers to encourage ACP communication among older Latinos with advance chronic diseases. This study describes stages of readiness to plan for EOL care.

Design:

We conducted a qualitative study with older Latinos who participated in a community-based intervention in Southern New Mexico.

Methods:

Participants in the intervention were selected because they received ACP education plus counseling involving MI to address resistance to ACP. Motivational interviewing counseling involved the following: (1) engaging in structured dialogue about ACP, (2) using and completing AD documentation, (3) encouraging ACP communication with providers and families, and (4) applying AD information into actionable behavior. We utilized a constant comparative method and thematic analysis to explore the meaning of older Latinos’ experiences with MI counseling and stages of change.

Results:

Participants (n = 32) were mostly women (74.3%), half born in the United States and half from Mexico in the United States on average for 31.75 (standard deviation 16.22) years. Many had less than sixth grade education (31.3%) or had not completed high school (21.9%). Key themes indicate the following stages of change: (1) precontemplation, (2) contemplation, (3) preparation, (4) ACP action, and (5) maintenance.

Conclusion:

This study contributes to the literature by identifying areas for adaption to enhance understanding and increase information to ultimately achieve the completion of ACP among Latinos.
Why Working Apart Doesn’t Work at All: Special Education and English Learner Teacher Collaborations
Authors: Kangas Sara E. N.
Published: March 2018

With many students learning English also identified with disabilities in public schools, collaborations across special education and English learner (EL) education are critical to promoting these students’ academic and linguistic development. Yet, many special education and EL teachers work independently of one another, focusing on their own specialized roles. In the process, students with disabilities who are learning English receive fragmented, inadequate special education and EL services. This article provides specific strategies—cocreating individualized education programs and instituting consultations—special education and EL teachers can implement to break out of their isolated roles and to build synergistic relationships that benefit the learning of students with disabilities who are learning English.
Living the Good Life: The Effects of Job Variables on Nigerian Prison Staff Life Satisfaction
Authors: Lambert Eric G. , Elechi O. Oko , Otu Smart
Published: March 2018

Life satisfaction is an important concept for both workers and employing organizations. Past research on the spillover theory has found that higher life satisfaction results in lower absenteeism and turnover/turnover intent, higher job performance, and better mental and physical health. The current study examined how job variables (i.e., job stress, job involvement, and job satisfaction) were associated with life satisfaction among Nigerian prison staff in an attempt to determine whether the aforementioned workplace variables have similar or different effects across nations. Data for this study came from a survey of 120 responding staff at a prison located in the Ebonyi state in Southeast Nigeria. In a multivariate ordinary least squares regression analysis, job stress had significant negative effects on life satisfaction, and job involvement and job satisfaction had significant positive effects. The findings for job stress and job involvement are consistent with that found among U.S. correctional staff. The finding that job involvement had a significant positive effect differs from that reported for U.S. staff. The results suggest that prison administrators should attempt to lower job stress and increase job involvement and job satisfaction.
Examinations of the Role of Individual Adaptability in Cross-Cultural Adjustment
Authors: Hua Jing , Fan Jinyan , Walker Alan , Hou Ning , Zheng Lu , Debode Jason
Published: March 2018

We present the results of two studies utilizing the novel theoretical perspective of individual adaptability (I-ADAPT) theory in the study of cross-cultural adjustment. Study 1, implementing a two-wave prospective design and involving 156 international students, examined the relationships between I-ADAPT and cultural identification on cross-cultural adjustment. We found that I-ADAPT positively related to cross-cultural adjustment and that cultural identification mediated this relationship. Study 2, using a three-wave prospective design and involving 312 international students, extended Study 1 by including openness to experience as a control variable and perceived stress as an additional mediator. We confirmed the mediating roles of cultural identification and perceived stress between I-ADAPT and cross-cultural adjustment. Our results offer support for future research utilizing I-ADAPT theory in the study of international adjustment.
The Valsalva manoeuvre versus tourniquet for venipuncture
Authors: Villa Gianluca , Chelazzi Cosimo , Giua Rosa , Lavacchini Laura , Tofani Lorenzo , Zagli Giovanni , Barbani Francesco , De Gaudio A Raffaele , Romagnoli Stefano , Pinelli Fulvio
Published: March 2018

Background:

During ultrasound-guided cannulation, venous filling is required for venipuncture. Tourniquet with an elastic tube at the axilla is the most common method to induce venous stasis for cannulation of the deep veins of the arm. Although effective, this method might be associated with short- and long-term complications. Valsalva manoeuvre has been used to produce venous filling in other extrathoracic veins. The aim of this observational study is to demonstrate the effect of Valsalva manoeuvre in respect of the elastic tourniquet on venous distention during echography-guided cannulation of the deep veins of the arm.

Method:

Sixty-nine patients scheduled for cannulation of basilic or brachial vein were prospectively observed. Vein diameters were recorded at rest and after 10 s of Valsalva or tourniquet placement.

Results:

The mean difference between basilic vein diameters during tourniquet and Valsalva manoeuvre was 0.006 mm (95% confidence interval = −inf, 0.09) with a standard deviation of 0.5 mm (95% confidence interval = 0.5, 0.7; p > 0.01). The mean difference between brachial vein diameters during tourniquet and Valsalva manoeuvre was 0.04 mm (95% confidence interval = −0.23, 0.15) with a standard deviation of 0.8 mm (95% confidence interval = 0.7, 0.9; p > 0.01).

Discussion:

This increase in cross-sectional basilic and brachial vein diameters was not different to that obtained with the elastic tube tourniquet.
Algorithmic risk governance: Big data analytics, race and information activism in criminal justice debates
Authors: Hannah-Moffat Kelly
Published: March 2018

Meanings of risk in criminal justice assessment continue to evolve, making it critical to understand how particular compositions of risk are mediated, resisted and re-configured by experts and practitioners. Criminal justice organizations are working with computer scientists, software engineers and private companies that are skilled in big data analytics to produce new ways of thinking about and managing risk. Little is known, however, about how criminal justice systems, social justice organizations and individuals are shaping, challenging and redefining conventional actuarial risk episteme(s) through the use of big data technologies. The use of such analytics is shifting organizational risk practices, challenging social science methods of assessing risk, producing new knowledge about risk and consequently new forms of algorithmic governance. This article explores how big data reconfigure risk by producing a new form of algorithmic risk—a form of risk which is posited as different from the social science (psychologically) informed risk techniques already in use in many justice sectors. It also shows that new experts are entering the risk game, including technologists who make data public and accessible to a range of stakeholders. Finally, it demonstrates that big data analytics can be used to produce forms of usable knowledge that constitute types of ‘information activism’. This form of activism produces alternative risk narratives, which are focused on ‘criminogenic structures’ or ‘criminogenic policy’.
Emotion and consumption: Toward a new understanding of cultural collisions between Hong Kong and PRC luxury consumers
Authors: Joy Annamma , Belk Russell W. , Wang Jeff Jianfeng , Sherry John F.
Published: March 2018

Incorporating Illouz’s theory of emotions, this study examines how specific emotions drive consumption, as embodied by escalating conflicts between Hong Kong and the PRC luxury consumers. When affluent Mainlanders pursue status signifiers via consumption of relatively affordable luxury goods in Hong Kong, local residents’ disdain triggers a nexus of emotions: envy, resentment, and status anxiety, linked to fears of being occupied by and assimilated into Chinese culture. Deploying cultural capital and status competition rooted in imagination and refinement, Hong Kongese contrast their knowledge-based use of luxury brands with the avid consumption of PRC visitors, fueled by often extreme wealth. For Hong Kongese, such one-upmanship degenerates into self-doubt and self-failure in their image management attempts, precipitating intense hostility toward PRC consumers. Emotions engender colliding notions of self, status, and cultural and political identity between these disparate yet intertwined cultures.
A randomized intervention study to evaluate the effect of calcitriol therapy on the renin-angiotensin system in diabetes
Authors: Zaheer Sarah , Taquechel Kiara , Brown Jenifer M , Adler Gail K , Williams Jonathan S , Vaidya Anand
Published: March 2018

Background:

Prior studies suggest that vitamin D therapy may decrease cardiovascular disease risk in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) by lowering renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity. However, randomized human intervention studies to evaluate the effect of vitamin D receptor (VDR) agonists on RAS activity are lacking.

Objective:

The objective of this article is to investigate the effect of direct VDR activation with calcitriol on circulating RAS activity and vascular hemodynamics in T2DM.

Methods:

A randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study wherein 18 participants with well-controlled T2DM without chronic kidney disease (CKD) were administered calcitriol or placebo for three weeks was conducted. Outcome measures included plasma renin activity (PRA), serum and urinary aldosterone, mean arterial pressure (MAP) before and after an infusion of angiotensin II, and renal plasma flow (RPF) via para-aminohippurate clearance.

Results:

Despite an increase in 1,25(OH)2D with calcitriol administration (45.4 to 61.8 pg/ml, p = 0.03) and no change with placebo, there were no significant differences in PRA, serum or urinary aldosterone, baseline and angiotensin II-stimulated MAP, or basal and angiotensin II-stimulated RPF between interventions.

Conclusion:

In this randomized and placebo-controlled study in participants with T2DM without CKD, calcitriol therapy to raise 1,25(OH)2D levels, when compared with placebo, did not significantly change circulating RAS activity or vascular hemodynamics.
Does an expanded brand user base of co-branded advertising help ad-memorability?
Authors: Nguyen Cathy , Romaniuk Jenni , Faulkner Margaret , Cohen Justin
Published: March 2018

A well-established empirical generalization is that brand users are more likely than non-users to recall advertising for the brand they use. The pairing of a corporate and charity brand in advertising should create an expanded brand-user base, which should, in turn, lead to higher ad-memorability than either brand advertising alone. This study tests this hypothesis for consumer-packaged goods and charity brands in the United Kingdom and Australia. We find evidence that extends the generalization that ad-memorability is higher among brand users to charity supporters in non-profit contexts. We also find that when two brands are present, ad-memorability is highest among those who use the brand and support the partner charity. However, the uplift in ad-memorability among these dual-brand users is dampened by the lower ad-memorability experienced by those who use only one brand, due to a suspected information overload. The findings challenge accepted wisdom on the benefits of co-branded advertising and have implications for partner-selection for co-branded activities.
Compensation of phase response changes in ultrasonic transducers caused by temperature variations
Authors: Herdovics Balint , Cegla Frederic
Published: March 2018

One of the biggest challenges in structural health monitoring is the compensation of monitored data for environmental and operational conditions. In order to reliably estimate the changes in the structure, it is essential that the effects of environmental and operational conditions on the ultrasonic signal are compensated for before the signals are further analysed. The temperature-induced propagation speed change has the biggest effect on the ultrasonic signal and has been thoroughly investigated. This article investigates the subtler, yet also very important, changes in transducer output resulting from changes in the operating temperature. A compensation method is proposed which compensates for both the transducer phase response change and the wave’s propagation speed change. A key practical feature of the presented compensation method is that it uses only the ultrasonic signal itself for compensation estimation and can be used for any type of ultrasonic wave regardless of the type of transducer. For demonstration purposes, in this article, the results are shown for zero-order torsional guided waves, acquired by a purpose-built electromagnetic acoustic transducer. For signals with a 41.5°C temperature difference, the proposed compensation method was able to reduce the effect of environmental and operational conditions by 20 dB further (7 dB at the tail of the echo) compared to standard methods. This results in a much higher sensitivity to defects in areas where strong reflections are received. Furthermore, for the presented measurement setup, the precision to which the temperature-dependent change in wave propagation speed could be estimated was improved by 15%.
Fifty-Patient Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Modified Collagen With Glycerin in Periwound Skin Management
Authors: Nair Harikrishna K. R.
Published: March 2018

The management of chronic nonhealing ulcers pose a great challenge because they are associated with morbidity and increased costs. This report presents the observations of standard management along with application of modified collagen with glycerin (MCG) in the periwound area for management of nonhealing wounds. This observational report included 50 patients (33 male, 17 female) aged 24 to 94 years having nonhealing wounds. All wounds were treated using standard treatment protocols (TIME concept), whereas the periwound severity was assessed using the Harikrishna Periwound Skin Classification (HPSC). All patients received once-daily application of MCG lotion directly in the periwound areas and compression bandaging until there was complete wound healing. Patient compliance was ensured by regular follow-up and counseling. All diabetic patients were counseled to ensure glycemic control during the entire follow-up period. The criteria used for wound healing were based on clinical observation, and proper epithelialization of the wound was the end point. The median age of the wounds was 12.0 weeks (95% CI = 8.00 – 58.08). Majority of the non-healing wounds were diabetic foot ulcers with age of wound between 4 weeks to 15 years. The median time to complete wound healing was 12.71 (95% CI = 10.00-16.67) weeks. Standard treatment protocol of TIME principle with periwound area assessment based on HPSC 2015 and treatment accordingly with topical application of MCG along with additional measures has shown complete healing of nonhealing wounds. However, further large-scale comparative studies are needed to substantiate these effects on a larger population.
Pial fistula in infancy: Report of two cases and literature review with special emphasis on the ruptured group
Authors: Mahmoud Mostafa , Abdalla Ramez Nader , Mohamed Ayman Hemdan , Farid Mostafa
Published: March 2018

Cerebral pial fistula is a rare vascular pathology with no more than 150 cases reported. Most cases reported in infancy have been published as case reports. Owing to its high flow, its occurrence in this age group carries the potential risk of heart failure, chronic venous hypertension, seizures and, less frequently, cerebral haemorrhage.

We present two cases of pial fistulae in infancy treated by endovascular embolisation using N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

A review of the English-language literature was performed for this age group with special emphasis on ruptured cases.
Primary angioplasty and stenting may be superior to thrombectomy for acute atherosclerotic large-artery occlusion
Authors: Yang Dong , Lin Min , Wang Shuiping , Wang Huaiming , Hao Yonggang , Zi Wenjie , Lv Penghua , Zheng Dequan , Xiao Guodong , Xu Gelin , Xiong Yunyun , Liu Xinfeng
Published: March 2018

Objective

The objective of this article is to compare the effectiveness of primary angioplasty and/or stenting with stent retriever thrombectomy in acute anterior large-vessel occlusion due to atherosclerotic disease.

Methods

Patients were retrospectively reviewed from the endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke registry. Patients with large-vessel occlusions due to atherosclerosis were selected. We evaluated modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days, modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score immediately post-procedure, and symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 72 hours.

Results

Of 302 patients with acute anterior circulation occlusion due to atherosclerotic disease, 269 were treated with stent retriever thrombectomy as first-line therapy and 33 with angioplasty and/or stenting. Patients who received primary angioplasty treatment showed favorable independent outcome at 90 days (69.7% (23/33) vs 47.6% (128/269), p = 0.02) and lower rate of asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (9.1% (3/23) vs 30.5% (82/269), p = 0.01). Recanalization immediately post procedure did not differ (78.8%% (26/33) vs 86.2% (232/269), p = 0.29). Primary angioplasty therapy (OR, 0.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08–0.90; p = 0.03) and small baseline infarct (OR 0.36: 0.16–0.82; p = 0.02) were protective factors against poor functional outcome, while old age (OR 1.04:1.01–1.07; p = 0.006), severe neurological deficits (OR 3.76: 2.00–7.07; p < 0.001), and high glucose (OR 1.11: 1.01–1.23; p = 0.03) were associated with poor prognosis.

Conclusions

Patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion due to atherosclerosis may benefit from urgent angioplasty and/or stenting as first-line therapy. Randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Efficacy of the proximal balloon flow control method for endovascular coil embolisation as a novel adjunctive technique: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Ohshima Tomotaka , Miyachi Shigeru , Matsuo Naoki , Kawaguchi Reo , Niwa Aichi , Maejima Ryuya , Isaji Taiki , Takayasu Masakazu
Published: March 2018

Background and purpose

In our previous study, we established the utility of 8-F balloon guide catheters for anterior circulation aneurysms. This study aims to assess the efficacy of the proximal flow control method using 8-F balloon guide catheters for coil deployment into the aneurysms as a novel adjunctive technique for aneurysmal coil embolisation along with local balloon neck remodeling, stent assist and double catheter techniques.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analysed patients who underwent endovascular coiling of anterior circulation aneurysms between August 2013 and December 2017.

Results

Of 206 patients enrolled in this study, the balloon of the guiding catheter was inflated to assist coil deployment in 43 patients (20.9%). In addition, the proximal flow control method found utility in cases with small aneurysms and relatively narrow-necked internal carotid artery. We observed no intraprocedural complications in this study.

Conclusion

This technique enabled secure coil deployment without navigating another microcatheter or balloon catheter around the aneurysms.
Brain abscess after stent-assisted coiling for ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm
Authors: Ko Jung Ho , Kim Young-Joon , Jung Hyun Ho
Published: March 2018

A 24-year-old man was admitted with sudden severe headache. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basal cistern and both Sylvian cisterns and a left internal carotid artery angiogram showed a small aneurysm on the bifurcation of the left middle cerebral artery. We performed Y-configured stent-assisted coil embolization. On the fifth post-embolization day, the patient had chills, and his body temperature was over 38℃. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the venous blood sample. Central venous catheter-induced bacteremia was suspected. The central venous catheter was immediately removed, and an antibiotic to which the organism was susceptible (nafcillin) was injected for 15 days according to the result of the antibiotics sensitivity test. He was discharged without any clinical or neurological symptoms on the 32nd hospital day. Three months after treatment, the patient complained in the outpatient department of headache, nausea and vomiting. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed several well-rimmed enhancing lesions in the left temporoparietal lobe. The headache, nausea and vomiting was aggravated, and brain CT showed more enlarging cysts and aggravation of the midline shift. Stereotactic aspiration was performed for the three biggest cysts, and greenish-white colored pus was aspirated. The identified pathogen was methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in the culture study. Vancomycin and ceftriaxone were administered intravenously for three weeks, followed by intravenous injection of nafcillin for five weeks. The patient’s postoperative course was clinically uneventful, and brain CT on postoperative day 57 showed total disappearance of the rim-enhanced abscess.