bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proactive Criminal Thinking and the Transmission of Differential Association
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine whether proactive criminal thinking mediated the relationship between peer delinquency and future serious offending better than peer delinquency mediated the relationship between proactive criminal thinking and future serious offending. Participants in this study were 1,027 ten- to eighteen-year-old British youth (458 boys, 569 girls) from the four-wave Offending, Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS). Prior delinquency was controlled by confining the sample to individuals who denied pre-existing delinquency involvement. In line with the main hypothesis, the peer delinquency → proactive criminal thinking → serious offending path achieved a significantly stronger effect than the proactive criminal thinking → peer delinquency → serious offending path. These findings provide support for a synthesis of social learning and criminal thinking theories in which peer delinquency helps shape proactive criminal thinking, and proactive criminal thinking effectively mediates the relationship between peer delinquency and serious offending.
Cognitive non-linear controller design for magnetic levitation system
Authors: Al-Araji Ahmed Sabah
Published: April 2015

This paper proposes a new development of a position-tracking control algorithm for a non-linear magnetic ball levitation system by utilizing the back-stepping technique based on the cognitive online auto-tune algorithm. The aim of the proposed cognitive robust non-linear controller is to find the optimal voltage or current control action for the real magnetic ball levitation model during the tracking of pre-defined position of the steel ball precisely and quickly. The cognitive methodology guided by the Lyapunov stability criterion is implemented as a stable and robust online auto-tune algorithm to find optimal parameters for the proposed controller. Matlab simulation results and laboratory work confirm the validity and the robustness of the proposed controller algorithm in terms of overcoming the noise signal and disturbances, minimizing the tracking error, and obtaining an optimal and smooth control signal, with the minimum number of fitness evaluations.
Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Consoli Marcella Lobato D. , da Silva Raphael Steinberg , Nicoli Jacques Robert , Bruña‐Romero Oscar , da Silva Rodrigo Gomes , de Vasconcelos Generoso Simone , Correia Maria Isabel T. D.
Published: April 2015

Background:When intestinal microbiota is imbalanced, a patient becomes more vulnerable to infectious complications; intervention with beneficial probiotics may help lower risk for infection. The aim of this study was to measure levels of inflammatory cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) in surgical samples of intestinal mucosal tissues from patients who were given the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii before undergoing colon surgery. Methods: Thirty‐three patients undergoing colon resection were randomly assigned to receive at least 7‐day preoperative probiotic treatment (n = 15) or conventional (n = 18) treatment. Probiotic treatment consisted of oral lyophilized S boulardii. Cytokine mRNA levels (interleukin [IL]–10, IL‐1β, IL‐23A, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]–α, IL‐12B, interferon‐γ [INF‐γ], and IL‐17A) were measured in samples obtained during the operation. Postoperative infections were also assessed. Results: Patients who received probiotics had significantly lower mucosal IL‐1β, IL‐10, and IL‐23A mRNA levels than the control group (P = .001, P = .04, and P = .03, respectively). However, mRNA expression of other cytokines did not differ between the 2 groups (P > .05). The incidence of postoperative infectious complications was 13.3% and 38.8% in probiotic and control groups, respectively (P > .05). There was no perioperative mortality in either group. The mean total length of hospital stay was similar between the groups (P > .05). Conclusions: Probiotic treatment with S boulardii downregulates both pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines in the intestinal colonic mucosa with no statistical impact on postoperative infection rates.
Untangling the Networking Phenomenon
Authors: Porter Caitlin M. , Woo Sang Eun
Published: April 2015

Compared to the extensive research that has investigated the structures of social relationships (i.e., social networks), relatively little research attention has been geared towards understanding how and why individuals initiate, build, and maintain social networks (i.e., networking) from a psychological perspective. The objective of this review is to shed light on the dynamic, psychological processes at the center of individuals’ discretionary, professional relationship development. The diffuse networking literature in the field of management is reviewed and organized into four primary research streams. On the basis of insights from this review, we propose a dynamic, psychological model of how and why individuals strategically network, which marries social exchange and expectancy theories with the concept of relational schema to explain the networking phenomenon across dyadic and intraindividual levels. This conceptual model posits that a networking interaction, construed as an exchange of resources within a given network relationship at a certain stage of relationship maturity, affects the relational schemas of those involved in the interaction and that each networking partner’s relational schema influences each partner’s perceptions of his or her network relationship and guides individual decisions to network with a specific network contact. The aim of this review is to lay a theoretical foundation for investigating strategic networking from a dynamic, psychological perspective.
Empirical evaluation of directional-dependence tests
Authors: Thoemmes Felix
Published: April 2015

Testing of directional dependence is a method to infer causal direction that recently has attracted some attention. Previous examples by e.g. von Eye and DeShon (2012a) and extensive simulation studies by Pornprasertmanit and Little (2012) have demonstrated that under specific assumptions, directional-dependence tests can recover the true causal direction between two variables. Simulation results are important in the evaluation of any statistical method, but they are necessarily less complex than real data that come with potential irregularities (e.g. departures from linearity, presence of confounders, etc.). In this article, we evaluate the performance of directional-dependence tests using benchmark data consisting of 65 variable pairs with known causal order. We find that between 21% and 43% of all cases are correctly classified using different directional-dependence tests that rely on differences in skew, kurtosis, or a combined measure. We then examine some of the assumptions of the directional-dependence test and find that for virtually all variable pairs, some assumptions are violated. When only pairs in which assumptions are fulfilled are selected, performance of all directional-dependence tests improves. We probe whether particular features of the variable pairs impact whether a test yields a correct or incorrect result, but find no strong predictors. Our findings provide a complimentary picture to previously conducted simulation studies, and highlight the fact that directional-dependence tests are prone to causal classification errors when key assumptions are violated. Such violations are potentially common in real data.
Comparison of Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Lu‐Myers Yemeng , Deal Allison M. , Miller Justin D. , Thorp Brian D. , Sreenath Satyan B. , McClurg Stanley M. , Senior Brent A. , Zanation Adam M. , Ebert Charles S.
Published: April 2015

Objective

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the differences in socioeconomic, demographic, and disease severity factors between patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and those with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS).

Study Design

A retrospective cohort analysis was performed.

Setting

The study was conducted at the hospital of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 186 patients were included (93 AFRS, 93 CRS with and without nasal polyps). Socio‐ economic and demographic data were obtained from the North Carolina State Data Center. Indicators of disease severity were measured by Lund‐Mackay scores, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, diagnosis of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, and the number of surgeries and computed tomography scans performed. Associations were analyzed with Fisher’s exact, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Pearson’s correlations tests.

Results

Compared with patients with AFRS, patients in both CRS groups were predominantly white (P <. 0001), were older at the time of diagnosis (P <. 0001), had higher county‐based income per capita (P =. 004), had lower quantitative serum IgE level (P <. 001), and had lower Lund‐Mackay scores (P <. 0001). No associations between disease severity, socioeconomic status, and demographic factors were found within the CRS groups.

Conclusion

Within our cohort of patients residing in North Carolina, those with CRS have higher income, more access to primary care, and lower markers of disease severity than those with AFRS. These data continue to support the notion that AFRS merits classification as a distinct subtype of CRS.
Lessons from aviation - the role of checklists in minimally invasive cardiac surgery
Authors: Hussain S , Adams C , Cleland A , Jones PM , Walsh G , Kiaii B
Published: April 2015

We describe an adverse event during minimally invasive cardiac surgery that resulted in a multi-disciplinary review of intra-operative errors and the creation of a procedural checklist. This checklist aims to prevent errors of omission and communication failures that result in increased morbidity and mortality. We discuss the application of the aviation - led “threats and errors model” to medical practice and the role of checklists and other strategies aimed at reducing medical errors.
Bootstrapping bilinear models of Simple Vehicles
Authors: Censi Andrea , Murray Richard M.
Published: April 2015

Learning and adaptivity will play a large role in robotics in the future. Two questions are open: (1) in principle, how much it is possible to learn; and (2) in practice, how much should an agent be able to learn. The bootstrapping scenario describes the extreme case in which agents need to learn “everything” from scratch, including a torque-to-pixels model for its robotic body. This paper considers the bootstrapping problem for a subset of the set of all robots. The Simple Vehicles are an idealization of mobile robots equipped with a set of “canonical” exteroceptive sensors: the camera, the range finder and the field sampler. The sensorimotor dynamics of these sensors are derived and shown to be surprising similar. These sensorimotor dynamics are well approximated by a class of nonlinear systems that assume an instantaneous bilinear relation among observations, commands, and changes in the observations. The bilinear approximation is sufficient to guarantee success in the task of generalized “servoing”: driving the observations to a given goal snapshot. Simulations and experiments substantiate the theoretical results. This is the first instance of a bootstrapping agent that can learn the model of the dynamics of a relatively large universe of systems and use the models to solve well-defined tasks, with no parameter tuning or hand-designed features.
Exploitation of environmental constraints in human and robotic grasping
Authors: Eppner Clemens , Deimel Raphael , Álvarez-Ruiz José , Maertens Marianne , Brock Oliver
Published: April 2015

We investigate the premise that robust grasping performance is enabled by exploiting constraints present in the environment. These constraints, leveraged through motion in contact, counteract uncertainty in state variables relevant to grasp success. Given this premise, grasping becomes a process of successive exploitation of environmental constraints, until a successful grasp has been established. We present support for this view found through the analysis of human grasp behavior and by showing robust robotic grasping based on constraint-exploiting grasp strategies. Furthermore, we show that it is possible to design robotic hands with inherent capabilities for the exploitation of environmental constraints.
First Delinquent Behavior Among Pre-Pubescent Children
Authors: F J- , Yu Jeong Jin
Published: April 2015

The present study investigated what explains and accounts for first pre-pubescent delinquent behaviors among children. This was based on the notion that a developmental paradigm (e.g., self-control) alongside family socio-economic status (SES) can provide a passable explanation for the first and early delinquent behavior. A nationally representative sample of eighth graders ( N = 3,449, 50% boys) from the Korea Youth Panel Survey (KYPS) was reviewed in terms of first delinquent behaviors. Results revealed that pre-pubescent boys started to drink at an earlier age than girls, whereas pre-pubescent girls engaged in relational bullying earlier than their male counterparts. Children’s onset of delinquency age was inversely associated with family SES, but was positively associated with their degree of self-control. Different types of first delinquency were distinguished by levels of parental education as well as child’s self-control. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Housing prices in urban areas
Authors: Smet Koen
Published: April 2015

This paper develops a framework to explain the uneven development of housing prices in cities. Since the main price component of housing is capitalized rent, the financial base of this rent is analysed. Therefore three categories of accumulation strategies are defined: places of production, places of consumption and places of business services. The restructuring of urban economies after the crisis of Fordism is interpreted as a shift from places of production to places of consumption or business services. Subsequently, the disciplining function of places of production on housing prices eroded, resulting in uneven price developments.
The fall and rise of agricultural productivism? An Antipodean viewpoint
Authors: Roche Michael , Argent Neil
Published: April 2015

Much debated in the early 2000s, the productivist/post-productivist transition is revisited from an Antipodean perspective from where it was variously both strongly adopted and vigorously contested as a theorization of rural change. The context in which the terminology of productivism and post-productivism, particularly the various classes of the former, appeared is discussed. Although multifunctionalism is endorsed, the persistence of productivism, especially in nascent forms – protectionist productivism, competitive productivism and super-productivism – is noted. We argue that for an enduring research agenda on multifunctionality to emerge a truly multi-scalar conceptual schema, with accompanying revised terminology, needs to be developed.
Plant phenology and climate change
Authors: Fitchett Jennifer M. , Grab Stefan W. , Thompson Dave I.
Published: April 2015

Phenology, the timing of annually recurrent reproductive biological events, provides a critical signal of climate variability and change effects on plants. Considerable work over the past five decades has quantified the extent to which plant phenophases are responding to local changes in temperature and rainfall. Originally undertaken through the analysis of ground-based phenological observations, the discipline has more recently included phenophase indicators from satellite images and digital repeat photography. With research advances it has become evident that the responses of plant phenology to climate variability and change are both location- and species-specific. The extent to which plants are affected by changes in temperature and rainfall, their intrinsic adaptation capacity, will ultimately determine the potential for sustained ecological stability and food security. We review methodological approaches to plant phenological-climate change over time, analyse the regions and phenophases for which climate variability demonstrates a clear causal role, and finally reflect on the applications of phenological climate change investigations in broader biogeographical contexts.
Climatology in support of climate risk management
Authors: McGregor Glenn
Published: April 2015

Climate risk management has emerged over the last decade as a distinct area of activity within the wider field of climatology. Its focus is on integrating climate and non-climate information in order to enhance the decision-making process in a wide range of climate-sensitive sectors of society, the economy and the environment. Given the burgeoning pure and applied climate science literature that addresses a range of climate risks, the purpose of this progress report is to provide an overview of recent developments in the field of climatology that may contribute to the risk assessment component of climate risk management. Data rescue and climate database construction, hurricanes and droughts as examples of extreme climate events and seasonal climate forecasting are focused on in this report and are privileged over other topics because of either their fundamental importance for establishing event probability or scale of societal impact. The review of the literature finds that historical data rescue, climate reconstruction and the compilation of climate data bases has assisted immensely in understanding past climate events and increasing the information base for managing climate risk. Advances in the scientific understanding of the causes and the characterization of hurricanes and droughts stand to benefit the management of these two extreme events while work focused on unravelling the nature of ocean–atmosphere interactions and associated climate anomalies at the seasonal timescale has provided the basis for the possible seasonal forecasting of a range of climate events. The report also acknowledges that despite the potential of climate information to assist with managing climate risk, its uptake by decision makers should not be automatically assumed by the climatological community.
Analysis of bearing characteristics of axially heavy-loaded composite nut
Authors: Chunjiang Zhao , Yongfeng Liu , Xiaodong Huo , Hailian Gui , Yugui Li , Qingxue Huang
Published: April 2015

A three-dimensional solid model is constructed for the heavy-loaded screw pairs of a nut subjected to axial compressive load and thrust on different sides. The finite element software ANSYS is used to calculate the stress and strain distribution at each thread root of the screw pairs. A composite nut structure is proposed based on the characteristics of the stress and strain distribution. This structure improves the local rigidity of the nut. The finite element method is adopted to calculate the stress and strain distribution at each thread root of the composite nut. The comparison of the measured results and calculated results indicates that the maximum stress and strain at the thread roots of the composite nut decrease significantly while the load distribution becomes considerably even. An experiment is conducted to check the calculated results for the two types of screw pairs. The experimental results verify the appropriateness of the composite nut structure.
The Fourth Dimension
Authors: de Medeiros Carneiro Ricardo , Rossi Pedro , Santos Mello Guilherme , Vinicius Chiliatto-Leite Marcos
Published: April 2015

This paper seeks to address the central role played by derivatives markets in contemporary capitalism. It argues that these financial instruments have added several implications to the dynamics of capitalist economies, so that it forms a new sphere of accumulation here called the fourth dimension, with a new form of capital (the derivative form). In this new dimension, it is possible to observe three major changes compared to the previous dimensions. The first concerns the emergence of new property relations, marked by the separation between the ownership of assets and ownership of the rights on the performance of these assets. The second change relates to the new nature of the gain obtained in derivative transactions, here termed as casino gain. Finally, these changes create the conditions to consider a relationship of subordination of prior dimensions to the fourth dimension, which is consolidated when derivatives markets become the central locus for determining spot prices in key markets.
An Exploratory Assessment of Race and Gender-Specific Predictors of Failure to Appear in Court Among Defendants Released via a Pretrial Services Agency
Authors: Zettler Haley R. , Morris Robert G.
Published: April 2015

Failure to appear (FTA) in court is an understudied and ubiquitous problem throughout the justice system and spans across all forms of pretrial release, whether financially or nonfinancially secured. Most offenders are released prior to the disposition of their case and many via government-funded pretrial services agencies. Few studies, however, have explored the factors associated with court appearance specific to race and gender groups. Relying on data culled from Dallas County, Texas, the present study assessed the predictors of FTA for defendants released via the county’s pretrial services agency and across various strata, including race and gender. Results of this exploratory analysis suggest that pretrial services defendants reporting indigence were more likely to fail to appear for all demographic groups, and felony defendants tended to appear at higher rates for most groups. Other predictors associated with failure to appear varied across gender and race including celerity, criminal history, marital status, and length of criminal involvement.
Response Cards as a Strategy for Increasing Opportunities to Respond
Authors: Schnorr Crystalyn I. , Freeman-Green Shaqwana , Test David W.
Published: April 2015

This study evaluated the quality of the research and evidence base for using response cards to increase opportunities to respond (OTR) for students with and without disabilities at the elementary level (i.e., kindergarten through Grade 5). Using quality indicator criteria for single-case research, six single-case studies investigating response cards were analyzed. Based on an analysis of quality indicators, results established the use of response cards as an evidence-based practice with a moderate level of evidence. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Exceptionality and Peer Victimization Involvement in Late Childhood
Authors: Chen Chin-Chih , Hamm Jill V. , Farmer Thomas W. , Lambert Kerrylin , Mehtaji Meera
Published: April 2015

This study examined subtypes and stability/change in peer victimization involvement among students with exceptionalities. Data were collected over spring of fifth grade and fall/spring of sixth grade with 1,861 students in 36 rural schools as part of a cluster randomized trial of a context-based intervention (Supporting Early Adolescent Learning and Social Success [SEALS]) designed to support students’ transition to early adolescence. More than 74% of students with disabilities were involved in peer victimization, and they were more likely to be nominated as victims and bully-victims than students without disabilities. Students with disabilities, but not academically gifted students, had more stable involvement in peer victimization over time. Being socially marginalized in the network differentiated peer victimization stability. Although there were no differences between intervention and control schools in students with exceptionalities’ peer victimization involvement, students with exceptionalities in intervention schools were less likely to perceive classmates encouraging bullying. Implications of interventions to reduce the risk for peer victimization are discussed.
Association of Attention Deficit Disorder With Bedside Anti-saccades in Survivors of Childhood Leukemia
Authors: Khan Raja B. , Hudson Melissa M. , Ness Kirsten K. , Liang Zhu , Srivastava Deokumar , Krull Kevin R.
Published: April 2015

Impaired attention is well recognized in childhood cancer survivors. We prospectively evaluated 162 long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia to study an association between presence of neurologic soft signs as measured by Zurich Neuromotor Scale, bedside evaluation of anti-saccades, and attention deficit disorder. Attention deficit disorder was recognized in 10.5% of the study cohort. We did not find an association of attention deficit with presence of any soft sign. However, there was an association between presence of abnormal anti-saccades and attention deficit ( P = .04). These results will require further validation and if confirmed may introduce a quick bedside method of assessing impaired attention in cancer survivors.
“A Curious Inconsistency”
Authors: Park Yoosun
Published: April 2015

The Cable Act of 1922 provided for the first time in U.S. history, independent citizenship for married women. Henceforth, a woman’s citizenship was a status separate from her husband’s. A victory for activists, including many prominent social workers who had long-pursued equal political status for women, the Cable Act benefited many but not all women. Using primary archival data and published social work writings from the era, this study analyzes how prominent immigrant-serving social workers responded to the Cable Act, and the bifurcated sets of raced and gendered biases that shaped this and other policies and practices of immigration and citizenship.
‘Yo, it’s IST yo’: The discursive construction of an Indian American youth identity in a South Asian student club
Authors: Shrikant Natasha
Published: April 2015

This study analyzes interactions among members of a South Asian Club (SAC) at an American university to illustrate how members construct a common Indian-American identity despite observable in-group differences. Members of this second-generation group differentiate themselves from White Americans and from natives of India, orienting to notions of both American model minority status and American youth culture and using humor as a strategy to downplay intra-Indian differences among themselves. While members of this student association succeed in achieving proud Indian-American youth identities – cool, socially mobile, and with cultural ties to another country – they unwittingly reinforce hegemonic racial structures in the United States. While ‘Indian-American’ is a positive identity for these students, it is also a racially marked identity that necessarily, however unintentionally, excludes them from the unmarked privileges of Whiteness.
Interval cancer rates in the Irish national breast screening programme
Authors: O’Brien Katie M , Dwane Fiona , Kelleher Tracy , Sharp Linda , Comber Harry
Published: April 2015

Objective

To compare interval cancer rates from the Irish breast screening programme, BreastCheck, for the period 2000–2007 with those from other European countries.

Methods

Data from BreastCheck was linked to National Cancer Registry breast cancer registrations, to calculate numbers of women screened, screen-detected cancers, and interval cancers, by year of screening, in the first and second years after screening, and by initial or subsequent screen. Estimated underlying cancer incidence from the period 1996–1999 inclusive was used to calculate proportionate incidence. We calculated the interval cancer ratio as an alternative measure of the burden of interval cancers.

Results

There were 372,658 screening records for 178,147 women in the period 2000–2007. The overall interval rate was 9.6 per 10,000 screens. In the first year after screening, the interval cancer rate was 5.8 per 10,000 screens and this increased to 13.4 in the second year after screening. The screen detection rate for the period was 53.6 per 10,000 screened for all screens combined. Initial screens produced a higher detection rate at 66.9 per 10,000 screened compared with subsequent screens with a screen-detected rate of 41.4 per 10,000 screens.

Conclusion

Interval breast cancer rates for the first years of the programme are within acceptable limits and are comparable with those in other European programmes. Nationwide roll-out together with the adoption of digital mammography may have an impact on interval cancer rates in future years.
Breastfeeding, Body Mass Index, Asthma and Atopy in Children
Authors: Oddy WH , Sherriff JL
Published: April 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between breastfeeding, asthma and atopy, and any influence of child body mass index (BMI). Prospective birth cohort data were used to model the association between breastfeeding duration, BMI, asthma and atopy in children at six years. After adjustment for BMI and associated covariates, breastfeeding (per additional month of feeding) was marginally associated with decreased BMI ( p=0.083). BMI was significantly associated with current asthma ( p=<0.0005) and atopy ( p=0.055). Exclusive breastfeeding for less than four months was a risk for current asthma ( p=0.033) and atopy ( p=0.005). The early introduction of formula leads to an increase in child BMI and early asthma and atopy. Increased BMI is a risk factor for childhood asthma and atopy. These findings suggest that public health interventions to optimise breastfeeding duration and reduce overweight in children may help attenuate the community burden of wheezing illness early in life.
Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale for Adolescents
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Ko Sung Hee , Kim Hyun Kyung , Kim Sung Reul , Kim Hye Young
Published: April 2015

This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale (DTDS) for adolescents in Korea. The DTDS, Modified Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (M-FTQ), and urine nicotine test were administered to 360 Korean adolescents. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0. The construct validity, criterion validity, test-retest reliability, internal consistency reliability, and the area under the curve (AUC) of the Korean version of the DTDS were evaluated. The 4-subscale model of the DTDS (with social, emotional, physical, and sensory subscales) was validated using confirmatory factor analysis, and criterion validity was demonstrated with the M-FTQ. Furthermore, the AUC of the DTDS was 83.1. The Cronbach’s α coefficient for internal consistency was .96, demonstrating sufficient test-retest reliability. The Korean version of the DTDS is a reliable and valid measure of tobacco dependence among Korean adolescents.
Decision Making About Gastrostomy and Noninvasive Ventilation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Martin Naomi H. , Lawrence Vanessa , Murray Joanna , Janssen Anna , Higginson Irene , Lyall Rebecca , Burman Rachel , Leigh P. Nigel , Al-Chalabi Ammar , Goldstein Laura H.
Published: April 2015

We used thematic analysis to investigate factors affecting decision making about gastrostomy and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) by people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) from the viewpoint of the health care professionals (HCPs) supporting them. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with 19 HCPs nominated by people with ALS who had made a decision to accept or decline NIV or gastrostomy. We found the main themes influencing decision making were patient-centric, caregiver-related or related to HCPs’ own beliefs, perspectives, and actions. HCPs felt patients should be, and were, in control of decision making, although caregivers and HCPs played a role. The patient’s evaluation of quality of life, the desirability of prolonging life, and acceptance of the disease and its progression by both patient and caregiver were the most important factors identified by HCPs. HCPs should be aware of the importance of multiprofessional discussions, and the potential influences (identified above) that might require discussion with patients and caregivers.
An Interdisciplinary University-Based Initiative for Graduate Training in Evidence-Based Treatments for Children’s Mental Health
Authors: Kerns Suzanne E. U. , Cevasco Molly , Comtois Katherine A. , Dorsey Shannon , King Kevin , McMahon Robert , Sedlar Georganna , Lee Terry G. , Mazza James J. , Lengua Liliana , Davis Carol , Evans-Campbell Tessa , Trupin Eric W.
Published: April 2015

States and jurisdictions are under increased pressure to demonstrate the use of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for children’s mental health, increasing the demand for a workforce trained in these practices. Universities are a critical pipeline for this workforce. This article describes the genesis and evolution of a university-based initiative for training in EBTs for children, youth, and families. Given both the need to make training in EBTs available to future providers in a range of disciplines and that mental health providers increasingly find themselves on interdisciplinary teams (despite university-based training being relatively siloed along disciplinary lines), the initiative has had an interdisciplinary focus. Two tracks are described: (a) Practitioner Track, a course series in which students learn a specific EBT, and (b) Referral Track, a monthly lecture series designed to engage a wider university and community audience. Results of the program evaluation component of this initiative revealed that students can significantly increase their skills and self-efficacy in components of EBT delivery through participation in the active, skill-focused courses. Furthermore, the results of the lecture series evaluation appear to meet an important need for community-based providers and other supportive individuals in transferring useful knowledge about best practices. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Family Influence on Careers Among Asian Parent–Child Dyads
Authors: Ghosh Arpita , Fouad Nadya A.
Published: April 2015

Previous research in vocational psychology has investigated various contextual factors that have influenced the career development process of Asian Americans. Such factors include family influence, acculturation, cultural values, and conflict within the family. However, there has been limited research on the role of family influence on careers in the context of Asian parent–child dyads. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the congruence of family influence on careers, specifically investigating whether aspects of family influence are predicted by congruence of values, acculturation, and intergenerational conflict, among Asian parent–child dyads. There were a total of 30 Asian parent and college-age student dyads. Multiple regression analyses were performed to answer the research question, with findings suggesting that congruence of values, acculturation, and intergenerational conflict predicted congruence of the family expectations aspect of family influence on careers. Implications for theory, practice, and research are discussed.
A model for analyzing stiffness and stress in a helical gear pair with tooth profile errors
Authors: Wang Qibin , Zhang Yimin
Published: April 2015

A model is introduced for analyzing the influence of tooth shape deviations and assembly errors on the helical gear mesh stiffness, loaded transmission error, tooth contact stress and tooth root stress. The helical gear is approximated as a series of independent spur gear slices along axial direction whose face-width is relatively small. The relative position relationships among those sliced teeth in mesh are developed with tooth profile errors and the stiffness of the sliced tooth is calculated by the potential energy method. From the equilibriums of the forces, gear mesh stiffness, loaded transmission error, tooth contact stress and tooth root stress are calculated. Then two cases are presented for validation of the model. It is demonstrated that the model is effective for calculating the stiffness of helical gear pairs. Finally, the effects of the tooth tip reliefs, lead crown reliefs and misalignments on the gear mesh stiffness, transmission error, tooth contact stress and tooth root stress are analyzed. The results show that mesh stiffness decreases, loaded transmission error, the maximum tooth contact stress and the maximum tooth root stress grow with the increasing tooth tip relief, lead crown relief and misalignment. And tooth edge has concentrated tooth contact stresses with a gear misalignment.
Tracking control in x-y plane of an offshore container crane
Authors: Kim Dongho , Park Youngjin
Published: April 2015

A tracking controller is proposed for a crane attached to a mobile harbor (MH) equipped with a dual-stage trolley system, to dynamically position a container from the MH to the container ship or vice versa. Wave-induced motions of the MH and container ship occur during loading and unloading operations owing to external disturbances such as waves. However, a challenging task is to move a payload with unwanted swing motions accurately to the loading and unloading positions on a moving target vessel. To solve this problem, a dynamic MH crane model is derived in three-dimensional space, with roll, pitch, and heave motions caused by sea-wave disturbances. The MH crane model is then linearized to design a tracking controller and the parameters of the linearized model are obtained by carrying out the system identification process. A preview tracking control method that includes feedback and feed-forward control with the predicted target position in the x-y plane in the near future is utilized. Through numerical simulations and experiments with a scaled model, the tracking performance of the proposed dynamic positioning control system is considered when sinusoidal roll and pitch motions of the MH are generated to mimic the wavy sea environment.
Local Area Unemployment and the Demand for Inpatient Care Among Veterans Affairs Enrollees
Authors: Wong Edwin S. , Hebert Paul L. , Nelson Karin M. , Hernandez Susan E. , Sylling Philip W. , Fihn Stephan D. , Liu Chuan-Fen
Published: April 2015

Prior research examining the relationship between economic conditions and health service demand has focused primarily on outpatient use. This study examines whether local area unemployment, as an indicator of economic conditions, was associated with use of inpatient care, which is theoretically less subject to discretionary use. Using a random sample of 131,603 patients dually enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health System and fee-for-service Medicare, we measured VA, Medicare, and total (VA and Medicare) hospitalizations. Overall, local unemployment was not associated with VA, Medicare, or total hospitalization probability. Among low-income veterans exempt from VA copayments, higher local unemployment was moderately associated with a lower probability of hospitalization through Medicare. For veterans subject to VA copayments, higher local unemployment was moderately associated with a higher likelihood of VA hospitalization. These results suggest inpatient use is less sensitive to the economy, although worse economic conditions slightly affected inpatient demand for select veterans.
Consciousness as a Characteristic of the Human Being as a Whole
Authors: Witz Klaus G.
Published: April 2015

This article outlines a conception of human consciousness that regards the consciousness of a person as a characteristic of the person as a whole—reflecting her entire experience and being, both on a day-to-day basis and over her entire life This has three general aspects. First, the consciousness of the individual as he experiences it continuously throughout his life is inseparable from his “I,” and the individual may be regarded as “a single consciousness-and-‘I’ from childhood to old age.” Second, there is present in the individual something like “the Larger Mind of the Society and Culture” in which the individual grew up and lives, called “the Larger Mind of the Society in that individual” (cf. C. H. Cooley). And third, there are in the individual’s consciousness “fundamental metaphysical (ontological and epistemological) feelings,” “feelings of what is truth” in connection with life, the universe, and existence. The last section puts this overall approach in perspective in relation to the existing literature.
Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of itraconazole oral solution in cats
Authors: Liang Chaoping , Shan Qi , Zhong Jialian , Li Wei , Zhang Xiufeng , Wang Jing , Cao Changfu , Zeng Zhenling
Published: April 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of itraconazole (ITR) oral solution in healthy cats.

Methods

The pharmacokinetics of ITR were studied in eight healthy, fasted cats after a single intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration at a dose of 5 mg/kg, in a two-period crossover design study. Blood was obtained at predetermined intervals for the determination of ITR concentrations with high-performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic characterisation was performed by a non-compartmental method using WinNonlin 5.2.1.

Results

After IV administration, the major pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows (mean ± SD): terminal elimination half-life (T1/2λz ) 15.8 ± 1.88 h; area under the curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0–∞) 13.9 ± 3.17 h·μg/ml; total body clearance 0.37 ± 0.08 l/h/kg; apparent volume of distribution 8.51 ± 1.92 l/kg; mean residence time 20.6 ± 3.95 h. After PO administration, the principal pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows (mean ± SD): T1/2λz 15.6 ± 3.20 h; AUC0–∞ 7.94 ± 2.83 h·μg/ml; peak concentration 0.70 ± 0.14 μg/ml; time of peak 1.43 ± 0.53 h. The absolute bioavailability of ITR oral solution after oral administration was 52.1 ± 11.6%.

Conclusions and relevance

The disposition of ITR oral solution in cats is characterised by a long terminal half-life, a short peak time and moderate bioavailability.
IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-23 as Markers of Psoriasis Activity
Authors: Fotiadou Christina , Lazaridou Elizabeth , Sotiriou Eleni , Gerou Spiridon , Kyrgidis Athanasios , Vakirlis Efstratios , Ioannides Demetris
Published: April 2015

Introduction:

T-helper 1 (Th1), Th17 cells, and their related cytokines are implicated in psoriasis pathogenesis although the contribution of each group of cytokines in psoriasis activity has not been fully clarified.

Objectives:

To investigate whether Th17-related cytokines are associated with psoriasis activity.

Methods:

The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, 6, 8, 17Α, 22, 23, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) were measured with flow cytometry in 35 patients with plaque psoriasis (21 with stable and 14 with active disease) and in 20 healthy controls.

Results:

Interleukin-6, 8, 17A, 22, 23, and TNFα were significantly elevated in psoriasis patients compared with controls. In the sensitivity analyses, patients with active disease showed significantly increased levels of IL-17A, IL-23, and IL-22 as compared to the group of patients with stable psoriasis.

Conclusions:

Our study highlights a possible crucial role of IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-23 in the activity of psoriasis and the early stages of the disease.
Use of early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder across Europe
Authors: Salomone Erica , Beranová Štěpánka , Bonnet-Brilhault Frédérique , Briciet Lauritsen Marlene , Budisteanu Magdalena , Buitelaar Jan , Canal-Bedia Ricardo , Felhosi Gabriella , Fletcher-Watson Sue , Freitag Christine , Fuentes Joaquin , Gallagher Louise , Garcia Primo Patricia , Gliga Fotinica , Gomot Marie , Green Jonathan , Heimann Mikael , Jónsdóttir Sigridur Loa , Kaale Anett , Kawa Rafal , Kylliainen Anneli , Lemcke Sanne , Markovska-Simoska Silvana , Marschik Peter B , McConachie Helen , Moilanen Irma , Muratori Filippo , Narzisi Antonio , Noterdaeme Michele , Oliveira Guiomar , Oosterling Iris , Pijl Mirjam , Pop-Jordanova Nada , Poustka Luise , Roeyers Herbert , Rogé Bernadette , Sinzig Judith , Vicente Astrid , Warreyn Petra , Charman Tony
Published: April 2015

Little is known about use of early interventions for autism spectrum disorder in Europe. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder aged 7 years or younger ( N = 1680) were recruited through parent organisations in 18 European countries and completed an online survey about the interventions their child received. There was considerable variation in use of interventions, and in some countries more than 20% of children received no intervention at all. The most frequently reported interventions were speech and language therapy (64%) and behavioural, developmental and relationship-based interventions (55%). In some parts of Europe, use of behavioural, developmental and relationship-based interventions was associated with higher parental educational level and time passed since diagnosis, rather than with child characteristics. These findings highlight the need to monitor use of intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder in Europe in order to contrast inequalities.
Climate change
Authors: O’Mahony Patrick
Published: April 2015

Reference to responsibility is prominent in discussions of climate change of every kind. Certain dimensions of the issue call it forth. These include, above all, the planetary scale of the problem and the corresponding sense of endangerment, along with lack of clarity on what exactly needs to be done and who should do it. The question of planetary responsibility has been around for some time. The limits to growth debate of more than 40 years ago already indicated concern about the ecological limits of industrial civilization ( Meadows et al., 1972 ; Meadows et al., 2004 ). In this light, the article reviews and takes inspiration from key philosophical conceptualizations of global ecological responsibility before it goes on to add a necessary sociological approach that reveals the democratic, communicative mechanisms that might make it realizable.
Development testing of mobile health interventions for cancer patient self-management: A review
Authors: Darlow Susan , Wen Kuang-Yi
Published: April 2015

As the vision of mobile health (mHealth) is beginning to be realized, rigorous intervention development protocols are needed in order to draw optimal efficacy and effectiveness to support patient-centered oncology care. The purpose of the current study was to conduct a review of published articles that describe the development process of mHealth interventions for patients’ cancer care self-management. The review search yielded 11 interventions, reported by 14 manuscripts. The following trends emerged: importance of stakeholder engagement during the development process, addressing the unique needs and experiences of cancer patients and care providers, ensuring user satisfaction with the system, and identifying perceived benefits and limitations of the system. This review provides practical suggestions for mHealth intervention development. Assessments of user perceptions should be both qualitative and quantitative, and researchers should follow an established framework when developing a randomized controlled trial employing mHealth.
Recruitment and retention in an SMS-based health education program: Lessons learned from Text2BHealthy
Authors: Speirs Katherine E , Grutzmacher Stephanie K , Munger Ashley L , Messina Lauren A
Published: April 2015

While text messages or short messaging service programs are increasingly utilized for delivering health education, few studies have explored the unique challenges of recruiting and retaining participants in such programs. This study utilizes survey and focus group data from Text2BHealthy, a short messaging service–based nutrition and physical activity promotion program, to examine barriers to enrollment and facilitators of retention among parents of elementary school students. Results show that participants were hard to reach with recruitment materials, had difficulty with self-enrollment, and were apprehensive about program costs. However, 89–90 percent of participants were retained. Results suggest that providing manual enrollment options, alternative program delivery methods (e.g. email messages), and opportunities to reenroll may facilitate participation in short messaging service–based health education and promotion programs.