bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of learning orientation and marketing programme planning on export performance: Paradoxical moderating role of psychic distance
Authors: Assadinia Shahin , Kadile Vita , Gölgeci Ismail , Boso Nathaniel
Published: March 2019

Despite extensive research on the effect of organisational learning processes on firm performance, how and when a propensity to learn influences the export performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains unclear. Using multiple-informant and time-lagged primary data from 242 SMEs in a sub-Saharan African market, this study examines the roles of marketing programme planning and host country psychic distance in linking export learning orientation to export performance. Findings from the study show that increases in both export learning orientation and marketing programme planning are associated with increases in export performance. In addition, the study finds that while increases in psychic distance weaken the effect of export learning orientation on export performance, it strengthens the effect of marketing programme planning on export performance. These findings draw attention to the idea that cognitive distance between home and host country markets may play a paradoxical role in explaining when organisational learning activities may help or hurt exporting SMEs.
Structural surface overlap and derivational complexity in crosslinguistic transfer: Acquisition of English genitive alternation by Egyptian Arabic-speaking learners
Authors: Azaz Mahmoud
Published: March 2019

This article adopts the surface overlap and derivational complexity hypotheses to study crosslinguistic transfer in the adult second language (L2) acquisition of English genitive alternation (between the s-genitives and the of genitives) by intermediate and advanced Egyptian Arabic-speaking learners. While the s-genitive (e.g. the boy’s shirt) and the of-genitive (e.g. the shirt of the boy) are allowed in principle to denote possession, the s-genitive is the native option when the possessor is human and the possessum is nonhuman. In standard syntactic analyses, the s-genitive is held to be more complex than the of-genitive, since it involves raising the possessor in the determiner phrase (DP). Egyptian Arabic is also known for its genitive alternation; it uses the synthetic genitive (the construct state), and the analytic genitive (the free state) that both overlap partially or significantly with the of-genitive. The results of an elicited production task showed that the intermediate group tended to produce the of-genitives in contexts in which the s-genitives were the target construction. The advanced group, on the other hand, produced the more complex s-genitives. These findings suggest that the surface overlap involved between the of-genitives and the corresponding genitive constructions in Egyptian Arabic conspired to trigger this crosslinguistic transfer. Also, resorting to the overlapping of-genitive option can be viewed as a strategy to avoid the more complex s-genitive option. The results of the advanced group imply that the acquisition of English genitive alternation undergoes two developmental stages. In the first, learners favor the less complex and overlapping of-genitives. In the second, they acquire the syntactic derivation in the s-genitives that raises the possessor in the DP.
Treatment of atrophic nonunion via autogenous ilium grafting assisted by vertical fixation of double plates: A case series of patients
Authors: Sun Liang , Li Zhong , Ma Teng , Xue Han-Zhong , Wang Qian , Lu Dai-Gang , Lu Yao , Ren Cheng , Li Ming , Zhang Kun
Published: March 2019

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of the treatment of atrophic nonunion using structural autogenous ilium bone grafting in combination with vertical fixation of double plates.

Methods

This retrospective study analysed the clinical data from consecutive patients with atrophic nonunion who underwent autogenous ilium grafting in combination with double-plate vertical fixation. The injury type and the bone affected by nonunion, the duration of nonunion and the outcomes following surgery were recorded for all patients.

Results

The study enrolled 43 patients with atrophic nonunion of the upper and lower limbs: 17 patients with tibial nonunion, 21 with femoral nonunion, four with humeral nonunion and one with radial shaft nonunion. The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 14.5 months (range, 8–28 months). A total of 43 of 43 patients (100%) achieved a healed nonunion fracture without the occurrence of complications such as infection, fracture of internal fixation or pain in the harvesting site. Comprehensive postoperative assessments of bone healing and function were observed to be good and/or excellent in all 43 patients.

Conclusion

Structural autogenous ilium grafting used in combination with double-plate vertical fixation can provide a stable structural environment for near optimal bone healing in patients with atrophic nonunion.
Comparison of anterior, posterior, and anterior combined with posterior surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis: a systematic review
Authors: Bian Zhouliang , Gui Yiding , Feng Fan , Shen Hongxing , Lao Lifeng
Published: March 2019

Background

This study was performed to compare different surgical approaches in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

Methods

We conducted a literature search to identify and analyze papers published from January 1966 to April 2018 relevant to comparison of the anterior, posterior, and anterior combined with posterior approaches in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis of the thoracic and lumbar regions.

Results

Twenty-five studies involving 2295 patients were identified in this systematic review. The operative time was significantly longer in the anterior combined with posterior approach than in the other two approaches. Blood loss was significantly greater in the anterior combined with posterior approach (1125.0 ± 275.5 mL) than in the posterior approach (710.4 ± 192.4 mL). The difference in correction of the kyphosis angle among the three procedures was not significant. The overall surgical and transthoracic complications were significantly lower in the posterior approach. The clinical outcome of all patients improved, but there was no significant difference among the three procedures.

Conclusions

Blood loss, overall surgical and transthoracic complications, and the operative time are different among the three approaches. Therefore, different factors must be carefully assessed in deciding among the three procedures.
Effect of continuous care intervention on the quality of life in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Authors: Tang Fang , Cheng Zongyan , Wen Xianxiu , Guan Jinying
Published: March 2019

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous care intervention on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with neurogenic bladder.

Methods

Eighty-two patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury were included into the study. All of the patients had continuous care intervention (for 3 months), including clean intermittent self-catheterization, drinking guidance, and bladder training guidance. A health record was established for each patient before discharge and was used to record changes in the patients when followed up. Scores of QoL, which were based on the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, occurrence of complications, and compliance of all patients were recorded.

Results

After 3-month care intervention, there were significantly fewer complications than before the intervention. Patients’ compliance and QoL were significantly higher after 3 months of care intervention than before the intervention.

Conclusion

Continuous care intervention can improve patients’ compliance and reduce urinary complications.
Is it necessary to correct a caesarean scar defect before a subsequent pregnancy? A report of three cases
Authors: Szkodziak Piotr , Stępniak Anna , Czuczwar Piotr , Szkodziak Filip , Paszkowski Tomasz , Woźniak Sławomir
Published: March 2019

Rates of caesarean section have increased over recent years and so too have associated complications, one of which is a caesarean scar defect (CSD). The defect may cause gynaecological symptoms, such as menometrorrhagia, infertility, chronic abdominal/pelvic pain or it may be asymptomatic. The presence of CSD may lead to obstetrical sequalae such as preterm delivery, uterine rupture, caesarean scar pregnancy or abnormal placenta implantation. Three cases of CSD are described here. In one case, surgical correction of the CSD was performed before a subsequent pregnancy with an uncomplicated obstetric outcome. In the other two cases, surgical correction of the CSD was not performed and the pregnancies were complicated by caesarean scar dehiscence and caesarean scar pregnancy. We suggest that women with a CSD may benefit from surgical correction of the defect before becoming pregnant to reduce the likelihood of serious complications.
Microeconomic forecasting: Constructing commensurable futures of educational reforms
Authors: Dix Guus
Published: March 2019

According to economists from the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, the introduction of performance pay for primary and secondary school teachers would lead to an increase in Dutch GDP of one-and-a-half percent in 2070. A new epistemic practice of microeconomic forecasting undergirded this attempt to make the distant future part of the political present. Taking the construction of the economic growth potential of performance pay as a starting point, this article analyzes how microeconomic forecasting emerged in one of the world’s oldest forecasting bureaus – and to what consequences. First, it highlights the institutional preconditions for this ‘turn to micro’ in an institution that had pioneered in the field of macroeconomic forecasting. Second, the article analyzes microeconomic forecasting as a distinct epistemic practice that brings different forms of economic expertise together to make the future of educational reforms commensurable. Finally, it analyzes the political consequences of this new epistemic practice in the sense that it not only enables but simultaneously limits the provision of policy-relevant evidence. Beyond the specificities of the case, the article contributes to the sociological study of economic policy devices against the background of a predominant market bias in the STS research on economics.
The effectiveness of mindfulness-based group therapy on anxiety, depression and stress in looked after children: a preliminary exploration
Authors: Sunthararajah Sailaa
Published: March 2019

Mindfulness-based therapies have indicated their efficacy for reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, and improving mindfulness in adolescent clinical and community populations. However, looked after children make up a distinct group of young people, many of whom have endured severe developmental trauma, such as neglect and abuse, and present with complex emotional and behavioural difficulties. Currently, there is a limited amount of research examining the efficacy of mindfulness-based therapy for this population. This article presents a preliminary exploration of the participation in a mindfulness-based group therapy by nine looked after children aged 14 to 17. Outcome measures were obtained at baseline and post-intervention. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess depression, anxiety and stress and the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM) was used to assess mindfulness. The results indicated a reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress and an increase in levels of mindfulness. Feedback questionnaires were also completed by all participants and in these, the young people rated the intervention as engaging and beneficial. Despite the small sample size, the results are promising and suggest that future research on mindfulness-based group interventions for looked after children is warranted.
Out-of-Flatness Effect on Flexural Strength of Steel Bridge Girders
Authors: Asadnia Mahdi , Roddis W. M. Kim
Published: March 2019

This numerical study determines the effects of out-of-flatness on flexural strength at the onset of yielding in continuous I-shaped and tub (box) steel highway bridge girders. This moment at onset of yielding is the strength limit state for flexural design of steel highway bridge girders, according to the AASHTO standard. Finite element analysis is used to obtain values of flexural strength reduction for girders with various magnitudes of out-of-flatness, covering a range of continuous I-shaped and tub (box) cross sections and spans. Straight girders were used since the evaluated behavior is local buckling. Models are built with co-existing out-of-flatness imperfections in both webs and flanges. The imperfection pattern is set to be compatible with the first buckling mode of the built-up cross section to match the case having the theoretical maximum effect on local buckling. ANSYS heat analysis was used to create appropriate residual stress pattern in the models. Models are laterally supported to ensure the local buckling limit state is the governing failure mode. Both Grade 50 steel and Grade 100 steel plate are considered with elastic-perfectly plastic material behavior. Large deflection theory is used to iteratively capture the secondary moments due to out-of-flatness. Maximum strength reduction implicitly allowed in accordance with the most restrictive value of out-of-flatness for continuous two-span unstiffened I-shaped plate girders by the American Welding Society D1.5 Bridge Welding Code is obtained. Strength-based out-of-flatness criteria for the bottom flange of steel tub girders are proposed as functions of bottom flange slenderness.
Implementation of Bus Priority with Queue Jump Lane and Pre-Signal at Urban Intersections with Mixed Traffic Operations: Lessons Learned?
Authors: Bhattacharyya Kinjal , Maitra Bhargab , Boltze Manfred
Published: March 2019

In mixed traffic streams, especially near the intersections, buses suffer significantly due to congestion and excessive delays compared with other modes as they operate on fixed routes. To increase the attractiveness of bus journeys by improving schedule-reliability and reducing journey times, it is necessary to give priority to buses by segregating them from the main traffic stream. However, the road space is generally constrained in the cities and dedicated bus lanes are not a feasible solution in the majority of urban centers. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of queue jump lanes (QJL) with and without pre-signal for non-priority traffic. The impacts on traffic and bus operations are analyzed based on implementations at two signalized approaches with distinct traffic and roadway characteristics in the Kolkata city, India. The field implementation indicated travel time savings to passengers as a whole with variations with respect to different scenarios. Impacts on travel time and vehicle discharge yielded the effective benefits of the bus priority implementation. It was also meaningful and interesting to investigate the impacts on driver behavior in terms of bus stop manuevres, and the social acceptability of such implementation. The changes in safety-related aspects and driver violations are some of the aspects which could not be directly investigated in an analytical or micro-simulation platform, but needed a field implementation. The experiences gained from the field implementation of bus priority with QJL are expected to encourage practitioners to apply similar treatments in other cities in emerging countries with analogous operating conditions.
Assessing the Impact of High-Speed Rail on Domestic Aviation CO2 Emissions in China
Authors: Wang Bojun , O’Sullivan Aidan , Schäfer Andreas W.
Published: March 2019

This paper examines the beneficial impact of high-speed rail (HSR) on reducing aviation CO2 emissions in China. As a fast-growing economy and the world’s largest CO2 emitter, China has made massive infrastructure investments but has also committed to reducing emissions across all sectors. This study demonstrates that investments in China’s HSR can effectively contribute to reduction of emissions from domestic aviation, a sector that is particularly challenging to decarbonize. Although a wide body of literature has assessed the competition between HSR and air transport, little attention has been paid to the climate implications of this phenomenon. It is estimated that, through mode substitution for air transport, HSR generated a cumulative net saving of between 1.76 and 2.76 million tons of CO2 from 2012 to 2015. This was equivalent to 3.2%–5.1% of 2015 domestic aviation emissions. Importantly, it is also demonstrated that by not taking into account the electricity consumption of HSR, its environmental benefits could be overestimated. Lastly, through analysis of future energy mix scenarios this study highlights that HSR has a great potential to reduce CO2 emissions even further if China achieved its climate pledge in the Paris Agreement in terms of decarbonizing its electricity generation sector by 2030.
Temporal Transferability of Vehicle Ownership Models in the Developing World: Case Study of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Flavia Anyiko , Choudhury Charisma
Published: March 2019

Temporal transferability of model parameters is a critical issue, especially in the context of developing countries where data and resources for transport model development are extremely limited. This study investigates the temporal transferability of vehicle ownership models with special emphasis on exploring the effect of model structure on temporal transferability. The performance of potential updating methods for making the models more transferable are also compared. The household survey data collected from Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2005 and 2010 have been used in this regard. Different forms of random utility and count regression models of car, motorcycle, and bicycle ownership have been developed using income and household size, and number of workers, children, and licensed drivers as explanatory variables. The temporal transferability of each model between the two time periods has been compared rigorously using statistical tests. Results indicate that the multinomial logit model has better temporal transferability than the count regression models. In relation to model updating, the combined transfer estimation method for model updating is found to perform better than the Bayesian updating. The findings can provide useful guidance during application of a pre-existing model in the context of a developing country.
Conceptualizing the human body within practice theory
Authors: Ginev Dimitri
Published: March 2019

This article explores the status of the human body within configured social practices. It argues that the body is at once situated in configurations of practices and transcended by the horizons of possibilities upon which these practices project their existence as a potentiality-for-being. The human body’s status of situated transcendence is addressed in terms of a hermeneutic theory of practices that conceptualizes the interplay of practices and possibilities. Placed within this interplay, the body cannot be taken as a static point of reference. This conclusion is employed for the purpose of criticizing a series of conceptions that defends or at least leaves enough room for essentialist conceptualization of the body.
Changing Family Identity Through the Quinceañera Ritual
Authors: Verdín Azucena , Camacho Jennifer
Published: March 2019

Prior research has examined the quinceañera’s role in Hispanic female adolescents’ identity development processes, but few have examined the quinceañera as a site of group-level continuity and change whose relevance persists in a post–Great Recession economy. This gap in the family science literature reflects a larger epistemic shortcoming stemming from the field’s use of White mainstream family processes as the reference from which to operationalize normative family values, attitudes, and behaviors. Using historical and demographic data in tandem with contemporary literature on the consumptive behaviors of Hispanic families, we conceptualize the quinceañera as a consistently symbolic, yet flexibly enacted ritual performed by diverse U.S. Hispanic families as they co-construct family identity against the backdrop of changing immigration patterns, fertility rates, and financial practices.
Obtaining Exposure and Depth of Field: School Nurses “Seeing” Youth Vulnerability to Trafficking
Authors: Fraley Hannah E. , Aronowitz Teri
Published: March 2019

Trafficking of youth is a growing phenomenon. How commercially exploited youth present in schools is multifaceted and poorly understood. Like other providers, school nurses are on the frontlines, yet can misunderstand youth who are commercially exploited. Using Grounded Theory, we employed theoretical sampling with school nurses and survivors of trafficking to generate a theory that explains (a) the factors that increase the risk of youth being trafficked and (b) how school nurses might identify youth at risk of being trafficked. The emerging theory developed from the data was Obtaining Exposure and Depth of Field: School Nurses “Seeing” Youth Vulnerability to Trafficking. Voices of school nurses and survivors illuminated the invisibility of youth in schools who are victims of trafficking and the magnified lens of exploiters who see their vulnerability. The lens of school nurses can be refocused to “see” youth who are victims of trafficking presenting at school.
Precarization and Labor Resistance: Canada, the USA, India and China
Authors: Chan Jenny , Nair Manjusha , Rhomberg Chris
Published: March 2019

Precarization, in its form and consequences, varies across workers, sectors and geographies. The five articles in this special issue examine ways that workers have struggled with and against precarious labor in different contexts, from low-wage retail and service workers in Canada and the USA, to manufacturing and construction workers in India and China. In particular, they show that the role of the state has been crucial in shaping the terrain of struggle at the workplace and in the wider community. They argue that against all odds protesting workers have repeatedly exercised some power to influence employer and government policies.
Becoming a ‘Labour Migrant’: Immigration Regulations as a Frame of Reference for Migrant Employment
Authors: Könönen Jukka
Published: March 2019

This article addresses the role of immigration regulations as a frame of reference for migrant employment before obtaining permanent residency status. Drawing on interviews with non-EU migrants and service sector employers in the Helsinki area, the article examines how immigration regulations inform migrant employment and contribute to the hierarchisation of labour markets. The analysis focuses on the legal significance of employment for migrants during the immigration process, which is related to the financial requirements for residence permits and manifested in the work permit process in particular. Immigration regulations increase migrants’ dependency on paid employment, consequently decreasing their bargaining power in the labour market. The findings demonstrate the changing dynamics of the supply and demand of labour in the low-paid service sector, where employers prefer to recruit migrants in temporary legal positions over local workers and ‘labour migrants’, resulting in what the author calls the juridical division of labour.
A spatial valence model of political participation in China
Authors: Wu Jason Y
Published: March 2019

In spatial models of political competition in democracies, citizens vote for the party or candidate that is the closest to their own ideological position, while in valence models, voters decide on the basis of non-policy factors, such as competence. What remains unclear, however, is whether citizens in authoritarian regimes use spatial or valence considerations to guide their decisions to participate in politics. This study uses data from the 2015 Chinese Urban Governance Survey to measure the ideology of Chinese citizens, and estimates an empirical stochastic model to explore how Chinese citizens use ideological distance and valence to determine how they want to participate in politics. The results show that valence issues, such as perceived government competence, play a larger role in political participation than ideology.
The Son of Man and the Angel of the Lord: Daniel 7.13–14 and Israel's Angel Traditions
Authors: Munoa Phillip
Published: March 2019

Interpreters wrestle with Dan. 7.13–14 and its account of the ‘one like a human being’, traditionally known as ‘the Son of Man’. This figure is subject to two competing interpretations: symbol (suffering Jews) and individual (Michael). These positions draw upon Daniel 7's interpretation and Daniel's later chapters, but interpreters need to consider the Hebrew Bible's angel of the Lord tradition and more fully engage Dan. 7.13–14, the angelic interests of Daniel 2–6, the later Additions to Daniel, and Second Temple interpretations of Daniel 7. These materials are consistent with this angel's portrayal in the Hebrew Bible and indicate a growing interest in this angel's saving intervention on behalf of Israel. When Dan. 7.13–14 is read in light of this angelic tradition, a long-overlooked reading that argues for an angel of the Lord merits serious consideration.
A manifesto for ‘slow’ comparative research on work and employment
Authors: Almond Phil , Connolly Heather
Published: March 2019

We offer a defence of, and framework for, comparative research in industrial and employment relations, based on a long-term engagement with the social contexts under study. We locate ‘slow’ research strategies in relation to predominant approaches and establish a number of basic precepts of slow comparativism as a practical methodological approach. We aim to provoke a discussion among those conducting comparative research on work and employment about how truth claims are generated. We also seek a basis by which those conducting slower forms of comparativism, through what we term ‘implicit ethnographies’, can find better ways of developing and defending their modes of research within an often hostile academic political economy.
Understanding Role of Market-orientated IT Competence and Knowledge Sharing Mechanism in Gaining Competitive Advantage
Authors: Singh Alok Kumar , Verma Jyoti , Verma Rajeev
Published: March 2019

Contemporary research on start-up firms primarily focuses on business ecosystem and assessing its contribution into the mainstream business economies. Research featuring investments in information technology (IT) and market-oriented IT (MOIT) competence to facilitate the flow of firm innovativeness (FI) across multisectoral start-ups is yet to be identified. Further, the role of innovation orientation (IO)-enabled firm innovativeness (FI) on sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) needs further exploration in the light of customer orientation (CO) of the enterprise. It is partially because the underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored in the context of rippling start-ups.

In the current research, we conceptualized and tested a model that examines the role of MOIT competence and knowledge sharing mechanism (KSM) on FI and SCA, in the light of Resource Advantage (R-A) theory and SD logic (SDL) framework. This model also proposes and establishes IO as an important enabler for firm’s competitive advantage.

Using a sample of 267 start-up ventures registered under Start-up India Programme (DIPP, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India), we tested above-mentioned relationship using SPSS AMOS 22. Results show that MOIT competence is an important enabler for FI and in turn SCA of the firm. CO strongly moderates the role of IO on firm’s competitive advantage.
Genetic polymorphisms in CDH1 and Exo1 genes elevate the prostate cancer risk in Bangladeshi population
Authors: Imtiaz Hasnain , Afroz Sharmin , Hossain Md Amir , Bellah Sm Faysal , Rahman Md Mostafizur , Kadir Md Shahin , Sultana Razia , Mazid Md Abdul , Rahman Md Mustafizur
Published: March 2019

The polymorphisms of invasion suppressor gene CDH1 and DNA mismatch repair gene Exo1 have been reported to play critical role in the development, tumorigenesis, and progression of several kinds of cancers including prostate cancer. This study was designed to analyze the contribution of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the CDH1 (-160C/A) and Exo1 (K589E) to prostate cancer susceptibility in Bangladeshi population. The study included 100 prostate cancer cases and age-matched 100 healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to determine the genetic polymorphisms. A significant association was found between CDH1 -160C/A (rs16260) and Exo1 (rs1047840, K589E) polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk. In case of CDH1 -160C/A polymorphism, the frequencies of the three genotypes C/C,C/A, and A/A were 45%, 48%, and 7% in cases and 63%, 32%, and 5% in controls, respectively. The heterozygote C/A genotype and combined C/A + A/A genotypes showed 2.10-fold (odds ratio = 2.1000, 95% confidence interval = 1.2956–4.0905, p = 0.013) and 2.08-fold (odds ratio = 2.0811, 95% confidence interval = 1.1820–3.6641, p = 0.011) increased risk of prostate cancer, respectively, when compared with homozygous C/C genotypes. The variant A allele also was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer (odds ratio = 1.6901, 95% confidence interval = 1.0740–2.6597, p = 0.0233). In case of Exo1 (K589E) polymorphism, G/A heterozygote, A/A homozygote, and combined G/A + A/A genotypes were found to be associated with 2.30-, 4.85-, and 3.04-fold higher risk of prostate cancer, respectively (odds ratio = 2.3021, 95% confidence interval = 2.956–4.0905, p = 0.0031; odds ratio = 4.8462, 95% confidence interval = 1.0198–23.0284, p = 0.0291; OR = 3.0362, 95% confidence interval = 1.7054–5.4053, p = 0.0001, respectively). The “A” allele showed significant association with increased susceptibility (2.29-fold) to prostate cancer (odds ratio = 2.2955, 95% confidence interval = 1.4529–3.6270, p = 0.0004). Our results suggest that CDH1 -160C/A and Exo1 K589E polymorphisms are associated with increased susceptibility to prostate cancer in Bangladeshi population.
Highly sensitive compression sensors using three-dimensional printed polydimethylsiloxane/carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Authors: Charara Mohammad , Abshirini Mohammad , Saha Mrinal C , Altan M Cengiz , Liu Yingtao
Published: March 2019

This article presents three-dimensional printed and highly sensitive polydimethylsiloxane/multi-walled carbon nanotube sensors for compressive strain and pressure measurements. An electrically conductive polydimethylsiloxane/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite is developed to three-dimensional print compression sensors in a freestanding and layer-by-layer manner. The dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in polydimethylsiloxane allows the uncured nanocomposite to stand freely without any support throughout the printing process. The cross section of the compression sensors is examined under scanning electron microscope to identify the microstructure of nanocomposites, revealing good dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes within the polydimethylsiloxane matrix. The sensor’s sensitivity was characterized under cyclic compression loading at various max strains, showing an especially high sensitivity at lower strains. The sensing capability of the three-dimensional printed nanocomposites shows minimum variation at various applied strain rates, indicating its versatile potential in a wide range of applications. Cyclic tests under compressive loading for over 8 h demonstrate that the long-term sensing performance is consistent. Finally, in situ micromechanical compressive tests under scanning electron microscope validated the sensor’s piezoresistive mechanism, showing the rearrangement, reorientation, and bending of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes under compressive loads, were the main reasons that lead to the piezoresistive sensing capabilities in the three-dimensional printed nanocomposites.
Multicultural Validation of the Zuckerman–Kuhlman–Aluja Personality Questionnaire Shortened Form (ZKA-PQ/SF) Across 18 Countries
Authors: Aluja Anton , Rossier Jérôme , Oumar Barry , García Luis. F. , Bellaj Tarek , Ostendorf Fritz , Ruch Willibald , Wang Wei , Kövi Zsuzsanna , Ścigała Dawid , Čekrlija Đorđe , Stivers Adam W. , Di Blas Lisa , Valdivia Mauricio , Ben Jemaa Sonia , Atitsogbe Kokou A. , Hansenne Michel , Glicksohn Joseph
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Zuckerman–Kuhlman–Aluja Personality Questionnaire shortened form (ZKA-PQ/SF) in 18 cultures and 13 languages of different African, American, Asian, and European cultures and languages. The results showed that the five-factor structure with 20 facets replicated well across cultures with a total congruence coefficient of .97. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) resulted in adequate fit indices for the five factors based on the comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker–Lewis index (TLI; >.90), and RMSEA (.031-.081). A series of CFA to assess measurement invariance across cultures resulted in adequate CFIs and TLIs for configural and metric invariance. However, factors did not show scalar invariance. Alpha internal consistencies of five factors ranged between .77 (Sensation Seeking) and .86 (Neuroticism). The average alpha of the 20 facets was .64 with a range from .43 (SS4) to .75 (AG1). Nevertheless, alpha reliabilities were lower in some facets and cultures, especially for Senegal and Togo. The average percentage of the variance explained based on the adjusted R2 was 2.9%, 1.7%, and 5.1% for age, sex, and, cultures, respectively. Finally, multidimensional scaling suggested that geographically or culturally close cultures share mean profile similarities.
Deepening Intentionality and Linguisticality With Nothingness: An Eastern Perspective on the Fusion of Phenomenology and Hermeneutics
Authors: Wei Zitong
Published: March 2019

This article provides an Eastern perspective on the fusion of phenomenology and hermeneutics. Moving from the perspective of being to nothingness, I look at predicate logic and the basho of nothingness. Based on examinations of being within the pre-dichotomized gestalt of lived experience, I argue that phenomenology and hermeneutics are inseparable. The holistic perspective suggests that researchers adopt basho as a unit of analysis and take relational persona as an analytical perspective. The article concludes with a discussion on embodied being and an alternative view of transferability. It is expected that qualitative researchers engage in philosophical hermeneutics and cross-cultural dialogues to extend understandings of relational being and create new possibilities for qualitative inquiry.
Open and Reflective Lifeworld Research: A Third Way
Authors: Dahlberg Helena , Dahlberg Karin
Published: March 2019

With the mission in mind to articulate an approach that is scientifically competent to meet the appeals from health care, education, social work, and other disciplines, the theme of this article is to rethink the essential ideas of phenomenological and hermeneutical research approaches, by exploring their philosophical underpinnings and especially the essential ontological idea of inseparability. We examine the fissure between approaches that favor description or interpretation and explore the arguments for a third approach that has the power to close the false epistemological methodological gap.
Is Campus Rape Primarily a Serial or One-Time Problem? Evidence From a Multicampus Study
Authors: Foubert John D. , Clark-Taylor Angela , Wall Andrew F.
Published: March 2019

We examined the prevalence and repeat offenses of college men, including fraternity men and student athletes, taking advantage of someone sexually while under the influence of alcohol. Preexisting data from the Core Alcohol and Other Drug Survey included a sample of 12,624 college men at 49 community and 4-year colleges. Results provide further evidence that the problem of campus rape is largely one of serial perpetration. More than 87% of alcohol-involved sexual assault was committed by serial perpetrators. Fraternity men and student athletes were significantly more likely to commit alcohol-involved sexual assault than other men on campus.
Hierarchical approach for deriving a reproducible unblocked LU factorization
Authors: Iakymchuk Roman , Graillat Stef , Defour David , Quintana-Ortí Enrique S
Published: March 2019

We propose a reproducible variant of the unblocked LU factorization for graphics processor units (GPUs). For this purpose, we build upon Level-1/2 BLAS kernels that deliver correctly-rounded and reproducible results for the dot (inner) product, vector scaling, and the matrix-vector product. In addition, we draw a strategy to enhance the accuracy of the triangular solve via iterative refinement. Following a bottom-up approach, we finally construct a reproducible unblocked implementation of the LU factorization for GPUs, which accommodates partial pivoting for stability and can be eventually integrated in a high performance and stable algorithm for the (blocked) LU factorization.
Closed Limb Fractures With Compromised Vascularization: A Narrative Review
Authors: Vannabouathong Christopher , Schemitsch Emil , Petrisor Bradley , Bhandari Mohit
Published: March 2019

Vascular compromised fractures typically result in a high rate of healing complications, such as avascular necrosis, nonunion, delayed union, and arthritis, which severely affect a patient’s function and quality of life. The purpose of this review was to identify and describe the epidemiology and available treatment options for the most well-known vascular compromised closed fractures. The injuries discussed in detail in this review were scaphoid, lunate, femoral neck, and talar fractures. Current evidence suggests that optimal treatment for vascular compromised fractures is dependent on the degree of fracture displacement and comminution, and the patient’s post-injury functional demands, age, and bone quality. Conservative efforts generally include casting or splinting with a period of immobilization. Surgery is indicated for substantially displaced fractures, patients who require higher functional demands and an earlier return to activity, or if complications occur following nonoperative treatment; however, operative intervention is typically performed for femoral neck fractures regardless of the amount of displacement. Various surgical techniques exist, though internal fixation with screws is a common procedure among these injuries and can be used in combination with other implants, such as plating or Kirschner wires (k-wires), when needed. Severe fracture comminution, poor bone quality, or arthritis can contraindicate the use of screws and more invasive intervention will be required. Bone grafting is done in some cases to enhance vascularity. Salvage procedures exist for patients who develop severe complications, but these will permanently alter the anatomy of the injured area and should be considered a last resort.
Bartonella henselae Bloodstream Infection in a Boy With Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
Authors: Breitschwerdt Edward B , Greenberg Rosalie , Maggi Ricardo G , Mozayeni B Robert , Lewis Allen , Bradley Julie M
Published: March 2019

Background:

With the advent of more sensitive culture and molecular diagnostic testing modalities, Bartonella spp. infections have been documented in blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with diverse neurological symptoms. Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) is characterized by an unusually abrupt onset of cognitive, behavioral, or neurological symptoms. Between October 2015 and January 2017, a 14-year-old boy underwent evaluation by multiple specialists for sudden-onset psychotic behavior (hallucinations, delusions, suicidal and homicidal ideation).

Methods:

In March 2017, Bartonella spp. serology (indirect fluorescent antibody assays) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, DNA sequencing, and Bartonella enrichment blood culture were used on a research basis to assess Bartonella spp. exposure and bloodstream infection, respectively. PCR assays targeting other vector-borne infections were performed to assess potential co-infections.

Results:

For 18 months, the boy remained psychotic despite 4 hospitalizations, therapeutic trials involving multiple psychiatric medication combinations, and immunosuppressive treatment for autoimmune encephalitis. Neurobartonellosis was diagnosed after cutaneous lesions developed. Subsequently, despite nearly 2 consecutive months of doxycycline administration, Bartonella henselae DNA was PCR amplified and sequenced from the patient’s blood, and from Bartonella alphaproteobacteria growth medium enrichment blood cultures. B henselae serology was negative. During treatment with combination antimicrobial chemotherapy, he experienced a gradual progressive decrease in neuropsychiatric symptoms, cessation of psychiatric drugs, resolution of Bartonella-associated cutaneous lesions, and a return to all pre-illness activities.

Conclusions:

This case report suggests that B henselae bloodstream infection may contribute to progressive, recalcitrant neuropsychiatric symptoms consistent with PANS in a subset of patients.
Seismic behaviour of steel-reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete composite frame: Experimental study
Authors: Zhang Jiancheng , Jia Jinqing , Yu Jing , Sun Zhen
Published: March 2019

This article provides the results of an experimental study on the seismic behaviour of the steel-reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete frame. A two-bay and three-story one-fourth scale steel-reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete frame specimen was tested under simulated earthquake loading conditions. The seismic behaviours of the specimen, including the failure mode, concrete element cracks development, hysteresis loops, lateral load-carrying capacity, ductility, energy dissipation, strength and stiffness degradation, were investigated under low reversed cyclic lateral loading. The test results showed that the beam hinge failure mechanism of the steel-reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete frame was achieved. The steel-reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete frame would have rich and stable hysteretic loops when subjected to large axial load with an axial load ratio of 0.38. The roof and interstory ductility coefficients of the steel-reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete frame ranged from 5.06 to 6.78. The strength and stiffness degenerated gradually, indicating an excellent seismic behaviour of the steel-reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete frame with sufficient ductility and high energy dissipation capacity. The test and analysis results can be served as a design reference for practical engineering applications.
Shifting toward a humanized perspective? Visual framing analysis of the coverage of refugees on CNN and Spiegel Online before and after the iconic photo publication of Alan Kurdi
Authors: Hellmueller Lea , Zhang Xu
Published: March 2019

Iconic photographs have the potential to stay in public collective memories. One such photograph of a dead 3-year-old Syrian refugee named Alan Kurdi sparked global outrage in September 2015 and became symbolic of the challenges of the Syrian civil war and its consequences. This study examines how global awareness before and after the publication of the iconic photograph affected the visual framing of the arrival of refugees into Europe. The analysis focuses on the theme of refugee photographs on CNN and Spiegel Online news sites from 1 January 2015 to 6 October 2016. The two news outlets have different audience approaches: the US-based CNN reaches out to global news consumers while Spiegel Online in Germany mainly appeals to domestic audiences. Findings reveal that after the publication of Alan Kurdi’s picture, CNN increased humanized visual framing while Spiegel Online’s visual coverage was leaning toward increased border control. The two different visual perspectives and their contribution to a polarized (domestic vs global) interpretation of migration are discussed.
Spatio-temporal expectile regression models
Authors: Spiegel Elmar , Kneib Thomas , Otto-Sobotka Fabian
Published: March 2019

Spatio-temporal models are becoming increasingly popular in recent regression research. However, they usually rely on the assumption of a specific parametric distribution for the response and/or homoscedastic error terms. In this article, we propose to apply semiparametric expectile regression to model spatio-temporal effects beyond the mean. Besides the removal of the assumption of a specific distribution and homoscedasticity, with expectile regression the whole distribution of the response can be estimated. For the use of expectiles, we interpret them as weighted means and estimate them by established tools of (penalized) least squares regression. The spatio-temporal effect is set up as an interaction between time and space either based on trivariate tensor product P-splines or the tensor product of a Gaussian Markov random field and a univariate P-spline. Importantly, the model can easily be split up into main effects and interactions to facilitate interpretation. The method is presented along the analysis of spatio-temporal variation of temperatures in Germany from 1980 to 2014.
A Review of Public Issue Salience: Concepts, Determinants and Effects on Voting
Authors: Dennison James
Published: March 2019

In this article, I offer a review of the uses and findings regarding public issue salience in the political science literature, with a focus on electoral behaviour. I argue that in spite of the increased use of issue salience in recent years, with impressive explanatory results, the concept of issue salience remains underspecified and, at times, contradictory and that its antecedents remain relatively unknown. This is likely to have led to serious shortcomings when attempting to explain recent changes to party systems and electoral results in advanced democracies.
The Relationship Between Frailty and Decreased Physical Performance With Death on the Kidney Transplant Waiting List
Authors: Lorenz Elizabeth C. , Cosio Fernando G. , Bernard Shari L. , Bogard Steven D. , Bjerke Brian R. , Geissler Elizabeth N. , Hanna Steven W. , Kremers Walter K. , Cheng Yijing , Stegall Mark D. , Cheville Andrea L. , LeBrasseur Nathan K.
Published: March 2019

Introduction:

Frailty and decreased physical performance are associated with poor outcomes after kidney transplant. Less is known about their relationship with pretransplant outcomes. The aim of this study was to characterize associations between frailty and physical performance with death on the kidney transplant waiting list.

Design:

Since December 2014, high-risk kidney transplant candidates at our center (age > 59, diabetic and/or history of >3 years dialysis) have undergone frailty and physical performance testing using Fried Criteria and the Short Physical Performance Battery.

Results:

Between December 2014 and November 2016, 272 high-risk candidates underwent testing and were approved for transplant. Both frailty and physical performance score were significantly associated with death on the waiting list (hazard ratio [HR]: 6.7, confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-30.1; P = .01; HR: 0.8 per 1-point increase, CI: 0.7-1.0; P = .02, respectively). The relationship between frailty, physical performance score, and death on the waiting list appeared to be independent of age, diabetes, or duration of dialysis.

Discussion:

Frailty and decreased physical performance appear to be independently associated with increased mortality on the kidney transplant waiting list. Further studies are needed to determine whether improving frailty and physical performance prior to transplant can decrease waiting list mortality.