bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability and resonance conditions of second-order fractional systems
Authors: Ivanova Elena , Moreau Xavier , Malti Rachid
Published: June 2016

The interest of studying fractional systems of second order in electrical and mechanical engineering is first illustrated in this paper. Then, the stability and resonance conditions are established for such systems in terms of a pseudo-damping factor and a fractional differentiation order. It is shown that a second-order fractional system might have a resonance amplitude either greater or less than one. Moreover, three abaci are given allowing the pseudo-damping factor and the differentiation order to be determined for, respectively, a desired normalized gain at resonance, a desired phase at resonance, and a desired normalized resonant frequency. Furthermore, it is shown numerically that the system root locus presents a discontinuity when the fractional differentiation order is an integral number.
Ferromagnetic eddy current damper of beam transversal vibrations
Authors: Stein George Juraj , Tobolka Peter , Chmúrny Rudolf
Published: June 2016

The paper deals with attenuation of transversal vibrations of a clamped-clamped beam loaded by a rigid mass at beam mid-point and excited by vertical force acting at beam mid-point. The novelty of treated approach is the use of a ferromagnetic conductor as the principal damping device. This is a different approach from that one used in contemporary research papers. Beyond vibration attenuation a concurrent shift in damped natural frequency due to the negative stiffness is observable. The theoretical results are complemented by measurements on a test stand. Up to 10 dB attenuation of the most marked resonance peak and frequency shift by up to 5 % to lower frequency was observed.
The effects of input earthquake characteristics on the nonlinear dynamic behavior of FPS isolated liquid storage tanks
Authors: Bagheri Saman , Farajian Mostafa
Published: June 2016

There are several methods to reduce the seismic damages in liquid storage tanks. One of these methods is to use passive control devices, in particular seismic base isolators. Among the different base isolation systems, the Friction Pendulum System (FPS) whose period does not depend on the weight of the system is more appropriate for isolation of liquid storage tanks. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and pulselike characteristics of earthquakes on the seismic behavior of steel liquid storage tanks base isolated by FPS bearings. In addition, impact effects of the slider with the side retainer are investigated, as well as effects of tank aspect ratio, isolation period and friction coefficient. The obtained results of tanks with different aspect ratios indicate that the responses get more reduced due to isolation under far-field ground motions compared to near-fault ground motions. It is also seen that the response of a base isolated tank is affected when contact takes place with the side retainer of the FPS.
Evaluation of the role and usefulness of a pharmacist outpatient service for patients undergoing monotherapy with oral anti-cancer agents
Authors: Kimura Michio , Go Makiko , Iwai Mina , Usami Eiseki , Teramachi Hitomi , Yoshimura Tomoaki
Published: June 2016

Introduction

When rapid feedback to physicians must be provided, e.g. monitoring therapy with the oral anticoagulant warfarin or providing therapeutic support for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy, the involvement of pharmacists is required for outpatients. We launched a pharmacist outpatient service for patients with cancer taking oral anti-cancer agents. We evaluated the role and usefulness of the pharmacist outpatient service for these patients undergoing oral monotherapy with anti-cancer agents.

Methods

Data regarding prescription recommendations were collected from the drug management guidance records of 154 patients who consulted the pharmacist outpatient service between July 2013 and September 2015. In addition, the rates of prescription recommendation adherence were calculated. Between April and August 2015, a self-reported questionnaire was administered to 47 patients undergoing therapy with oral anti-cancer agents who were visiting the pharmacist outpatient service at the Ogaki Municipal Hospital (Ogaki, Japan).

Results

Prescription recommendations were given to 235 cases. The total rate of adherence to the prescription recommendations was 94.9% (223/235 cases). The majority of prescription recommendations regarding supportive care were those for moisturizing agents (20.9%), analgesics (20.9%), steroid ointments (12.7%), and antihypertensive agents (10.8%). When continued guidance was provided, significant changes were observed for survey items 3 (knowing the side effects of the medication), 8 (worrying about side effects), and 12 (interest in prescribed medicine) ( p = 0.0049, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.0164, respectively).

Conclusion

Our study showed that continued pharmaceutical intervention resulted in a deeper understanding of the medications’ side effects, and it reduced anxiety levels in patients undergoing monotherapy with oral anti-cancer agents.
A model for capillary hysteresis loops in unsaturated porous media theory
Authors: Gagneux Gérard , Millet Olivier
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we show how very relevant mathematical works of P.I. Plotnikov, publicized by L.C. Evans and M. Portilheiro, can be used to model the effects of cyclic hysteresis phenomena for flows in unsaturated porous media. We draw particular attention to the example of a model for water–air flows, simplified for purposes of illustration. First, an unstable “spinodal” interval is artificially introduced. Then S.L. Sobolev’s method of dynamic regularization allows associating with the continuity equations additional information in the form of entropy type inequalities. The asymptotic limits of viscous approximate solutions generate effects of irreversibility and the expected clockwise hysteresis loop.
In plane shear and bending for first gradient inextensible pantographic sheets: numerical study of deformed shapes and global constraint reactions
Authors: Greco Leopoldo , Giorgio Ivan , Battista Antonio
Published: June 2016

The aim of the present paper is the analysis of a two-dimensional continuum with two families of inextensible fibers that are orthogonal in the initial configuration. In the first part of the work, a new formulation is presented, in which the problem is reduced to a standard nonlinear constrained minimization, while in the second part of the work several numerical investigations are presented considering different boundary conditions with respect to standard symmetric bias extensional tests. The conceptual framework can be recognized in the researches by Pipkin and Rivlin on inextensible nets. Furthermore, an implicit version of the Rivlin representation of the generic placement for a two-dimensional sheet with two families of inextensible fibers is provided by considering the angles of the fiber directors as degrees of the freedom of the formulation. In this way the first gradient formulation is given in terms of two angle fields only.
Mechanically-driven bone remodeling simulation: Application to LIPUS treated rat calvarial defects
Authors: Scala Ilaria , Spingarn Camille , Rémond Yves , Madeo Angela , George Daniel
Published: June 2016

In this paper we numerically simulate the phenomenon of bone growth in bone defects as driven by external mechanical excitation. Bone growth is accounted for through a continuum model that allows simulation of the filling of a defect. The influence of the model boundary conditions is also discussed. Two and three dimensional simulations are presented, explicitly showing the bone regeneration process inside the cavity on a weekly basis. Numerical results are qualitatively compared with literature experimental data from a rat calvarial defect exposed to low-intensity pulsed ultrasound. The obtained results show trend correlations with the targeted phenomenological observations and allow us to perform a first evaluation of the proposed model parameters to be optimized for clinically relevant situations, even if a systematic experimental campaign is still needed to precisely identify the bio-mechanical parameters involved.
The number of independent invariants of an n-preferred direction anisotropic solid
Authors: Shariff MHBM
Published: June 2016

Sets of classical invariants are used to characterize the mechanical behaviour of elastic solids with preferred directions. In this paper, we prove, for an n-preferred direction anisotropy, that only [Formula: see text] classical invariants are independent. For [Formula: see text], we show that only six strain and [Formula: see text] non-strain invariants are independent.
Searching for a Tolerable Tax
Authors: Duncan Denvil , Nadella Venkata , Clark Ashley , Giroux Stacey , Graham John
Published: June 2016

A growing number of states are pursuing strategies to combat declining fuel tax revenue and fund road construction and maintenance, including the use of sales taxes, income taxes, and tolls; raising fuel tax rates; and adopting road mileage user fees. We use data from a nationally representative survey to compare public acceptability of a mileage user fee with each of these alternative revenue mechanisms. We find that support for the revenue options varies from 13.4 percent for income taxes to 33.8 percent for tolls, with higher gasoline tax rates, mileage user fees, and sales taxes in the middle. The evidence also points to stronger intensity of opposition than intensity of support across all alternatives. Finally, we find that, conditional on opposition to the mileage user fee, public acceptability is highest for tolls, followed by higher fuel taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes. Policy implications are discussed.
Tourism Impact and Stakeholders’ Quality of Life
Authors: Woo Eunju , Uysal Muzaffer , Sirgy M. Joseph
Published: June 2016

This article reports a study testing the hypothesis that, compared with community residents who are not affiliated with the tourism industry, residents affiliated with tourism are likely to perceive tourism impact more positively, and the more positive their perceptions of tourism development, the more likely they feel satisfied with their lives. The study involved a survey of community residents of four tourist destinations in the United States. A total of 407 responses were used for data analysis. The results provided support for the notion that the influence of community residents’ perceptions of tourism impact and their life satisfaction is dependent on whether the residents are affiliated or not affiliated with the tourism sector.
Urban or Family-Friendly? The Presentation of Czech Shopping Centers as Family-Friendly Spaces
Authors: Pospěch Pavel
Published: June 2016

This article presents a study of the self-presentation of shopping centers in the Czech Republic as “family-friendly” spaces. The notion of family-friendliness is analyzed both as a structural category, referring to the structure of the stereotypical normal family and to its respective members, and as a cultural representation, referring to “family values,” which Czech malls invoke in their self-presentation. It is argued that the presentation of a “space for the whole family” covers only the persistent stereotype of female-led economic consumption. The family values of safety and comfort distinguish shopping centers negatively from the city centers. They also strongly refer to the country’s past by invoking the image of a family promenade. On a more general level, the family appeal thrives on the phenomenon of postsocialist privatism and on the turning away from the public sphere in favor of the private realm of the family.
Rethinking Australian public relations history in the mid-20th century
Authors: Fitch Kate
Published: June 2016

This article investigates the development of public relations in Australia and addresses calls to reconceptualise Australian public relations history. It presents the findings from an analysis of newspaper articles and industry newsletters in the 1940s and 1950s. These findings confirm the term public relations was in common use in Australia earlier than is widely accepted and not confined to either military information campaigns during the war or the corporate sector in the post-war period, but was used by government and public institutions and had increasing prominence through industry associations in the manufacturing sector and in social justice and advocacy campaigns. The study highlights four themes – war and post-war work, non-profit public relations, gender, and media and related industries – that enable new perspectives on Australian public relations history and historiography to be developed.
Gendering transnational party politics
Authors: Kantola Johanna , Rolandsen-Agustín Lise
Published: June 2016

In this article, we analyze transnational party politics in the European Union from a gender perspective. This is a subject that has been neglected both by mainstream European studies on party politics and by gender scholars who work on political parties. Drawing on the insights of these two research traditions, we build toward an analytical framework to study gender and transnational party politics. Our empirical analysis focuses on two policy issues, the economic crisis and the sexual and reproductive health and rights, analyzing European Parliament reports, debates and voting on the issues from 2009 to 2014. By focusing on gender equality constructions and the way in which consensus and contestation are built around them within and between party groups, we argue that shared constructions about gender equality are issue specific and change over time. Consensus breaks down along the left right axis and, at the same time, internal divisions within party groups affect policy output.
Intra-party politics in 140 characters
Authors: Ceron Andrea
Published: June 2016

Scholars have emphasized the need to deepen investigation of intraparty politics. Recent studies look at social media as a source of information on the ideological preferences of politicians and political actors. In this regard, the present article tests whether social media messages published by politicians are a suitable source of data. It applies quantitative text analysis to the public statements released by politicians on social media in order to measure intraparty heterogeneity and assess its effects. Three different applications to the Italian case are discussed. Indeed, the content of messages posted online is informative on the ideological preferences of politicians and proved to be useful to understand intraparty dynamics. Intraparty divergences measured through social media analysis explain: (a) a politician’s choice to endorse one or another party leader, (b) a politician’s likelihood to switch off from his or her parliamentary party group; and (c) a politician’s probability to be appointed as a minister.
Parliamentary party loyalty and party family
Authors: Close Caroline
Published: June 2016

Party cohesion is a crucial aspect of parliamentary systems, and it varies across time, parties and systems. To explain these variations, scholars have set forth the influence of macro-level and individual-level factors. Although party-level factors have also been considered, the role of party family has been overlooked. This research seeks to fill this gap. To this end, I focus on one dimension of cohesion: the extent to which legislators have internalized the norm of party loyalty. The concept of party family permits to investigate the effect of party origin and party ideology beyond a policy-based approach and left-right dimension. Using attitudinal data of 829 parliamentarians elected in 14 European national assemblies, the analysis uncovers a party family effect, particularly in the green and radical right parties. The results suggest that a greater attention should be directed towards party family as a determinant factor of legislative cohesion.
Intra-party democracy beyond aggregation
Authors: Wolkenstein Fabio
Published: June 2016

Contemporary scholarship on intra-party democracy pays a great deal of attention to aggregative procedures like primaries or membership ballots but widely ignores deliberative procedures within parties. This article begins by highlighting why scholars should care about deliberation within parties, discussing several functions intra-party deliberation is said to serve in the democratic theory literature. It then goes on to explore the deliberative credentials of political discussion between party members, drawing on group interviews with party members in two Social Democratic parties in Germany and Austria. Two issues are investigated: the preconditions for deliberation among party members and their justificatory patterns. The results of the analysis suggest that parties can be genuine vehicles of deliberation, and thus point towards a research programme on intra-party democracy that differs quite starkly from that which prevails.
Analysis of ICT usage patterns, benefits and barriers in tourism SMEs in the Middle Eastern countries
Authors: Zaidan Esmat
Published: June 2016

Information and communications technology (ICT) are widely used by enterprises to enhance their competitiveness. Travel agents (TAs) are among service providers for whom their integration of ICT and Internet technological capabilities could be the best marketing device and a potential promoter for enhancing their competitive positioning in the tourism sector. The study contextualizes ICT usage patterns in an underexplored context, the Middle East countries. This study provides an overview of the current state of affairs of the ICT adoption in small- and medium-size TAs in Dubai in United Arab Emirates. It investigates the usage patterns of the Internet by Dubai TAs, reasons for using the Internet, features of agents’ website content, and perceived significant benefits of e-commerce and barriers to adoption. It is found that the majority of TAs use the Internet for several reasons, ranging from customizing services, attracting customers, communicating with customers, gaining access to international markets, providing TAs with information and finding out about suppliers and competitors. The significant perceived benefits identified in this study are establishing a reputation in the global markets, increasing sales, revenues and profits, improving distribution channels, increasing competitive advantage and customizing services to customer needs. On the other hand, it was found that the principal barriers hindering e-commerce adoption are limited resources versus the high cost of e-commerce adoption, online security concerns, lack of skilled information technology labour, a lack of customer readiness, and a lack of advice and support. The study identified the need for more training facilities for adopting e-commerce in TAs and the need for the government to provide incentives, professional advice, and guidance regarding appropriate e-commerce products and services at an affordable cost for TAs operating in the emirate.
Healing through giving testimony: An empirical study with Sri Lankan torture survivors
Authors: Puvimanasinghe Teresa S. , Price Ian R.
Published: June 2016

Sri Lanka has recently emerged from a three decade long civil war between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Behind the actual arena of conflict, forms of organised violence were often perpetrated on ordinary Sri Lankans who came into contact with law enforcement officials and other state authorities. The effects of these encounters on mental health, well-being, and community participation can be severe and long-lasting. Considering the generally poor availability of mental health services in many low-income countries, brief efficient interventions are required to enhance the lives of individuals and their families affected by torture, trauma, or displacement. In this context, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of testimonial therapy in ameliorating the distress of Sri Lankan survivors of torture and ill-treatment. The results indicated that over a 2- to 3-month period, psychosocial functioning was significantly enhanced in the therapy group compared to the waitlist control group. The general benefits of testimonial therapy, the ease with which it can be incorporated into ongoing human rights activities, and its application by trained nonprofessionals encourage greater use of the approach.
Time for politics
Authors: Nordblad Julia
Published: June 2016

In a recent scholarly debate, the Anthropocene concept has been criticized for diverting attention from the political aspects of contemporary environmental crises, not least by way of the long timescales it implies. This article therefore takes on the matter of long-termism as an historical and political phenomenon, by applying a conceptual historical perspective. Examples are drawn from historical studies of forest politics. It is argued that conceptions of the long term, as in all concepts in political language, are historical and therefore problematic to legitimately define conclusively. However, many of the environmental crises looming in our time do indeed call for long-term perspectives. As a solution in accordance with its historical and democratic conceptual character, it is suggested that political long-termism paradoxically can and should be constantly deliberated upon and renewed in the short term. Its conceptual history can then serve two purposes: First, history can offer exempla of how long-termism can be conceptualized and institutionalized in ways that encourage continuous deliberation and reconceptualization. Second, historical conceptualizations of the long term can be drawn upon, both negatively and positively, in this continuous deliberation.
Entrepreneurial subjectivity and the political economy of daily life in the time of finance
Authors: Mulcahy Niamh
Published: June 2016

This article examines the emergence of a ‘financial subject’ in the transformation of the UK economy since 1979, using a critical realist approach to subjectivity that investigates underlying causal mechanisms and structures as they affect daily life. Financial restructuring, including widespread borrowing and increasing personal investment, has forged links between finance markets and personal finance, as workers’ wages are financialized. This engenders entrepreneurial subjectivity, with individuals interpellated to be self-reliant in managing possible risks. It argues that the process of subjectivation, where individuals recognize themselves and their goals relative to financial markets, exemplifies the development of financialization itself, since it gives an insight into the successful reproduction of social relations of finance. It illustrates the instability related to wages and inequality, as some subjects have to contend with unpredictable employment prospects as potential future risks that complicate the practices of personal investment and borrowing, creating new hierarchies bound up with the financialization of the economy.
Unified approach to engine cylinder pressure reconstruction using time-delay neural networks with crank kinematics or block vibration measurements
Authors: Trimby Stuart , Dunne Julian F , Bennett Colin , Richardson Dave
Published: June 2016

Closed-loop combustion control in gasoline engines can improve efficiency, calibration effort, and performance using different fuels. Knowledge of in-cylinder pressures is a key requirement for closed-loop combustion control. Adaptive cylinder pressure reconstruction offers a realistic alternative to direct sensing, which is otherwise necessary as legislation requires continued reductions in CO2 and exhaust emissions. Direct sensing, however, is expensive and may not prove adequately robust. A new approach is developed for in-cylinder pressure reconstruction on gasoline engines. The approach uses time-delay feedforward artificial neural networks trained with the standard Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The same approach can be applied to reconstruction via measured crank kinematics obtained from a shaft encoder or measured engine cylinder block vibrations obtained from a production knock sensor. The basis of the procedure is initially justified by examination of the information content within measured data, which is considered to be equally important as the network architecture and training methodology. Key hypotheses are constructed and tested using data taken from a three-cylinder (direct injected spark ignition) engine to reveal the influence of the data information content on reconstruction potential. The findings of these hypotheses tests are then used to develop the methodology. The approach is tested by reconstructing cylinder pressure across a wide range of steady-state engine operation using both measured crank kinematics and block accelerations. The results obtained show a very marked improvement over previously published reconstruction accuracy for both crank kinematics and cylinder block vibration–based reconstruction using measurements obtained from a multi-cylinder engine. This article shows that by careful processing of measured engine data, a standard neural network architecture and a standard training algorithm can be used to very accurately reconstruct engine cylinder pressure with high levels of robustness and efficiency.
Association of serum levels of AngII, KLK1, and ACE/KLK1 polymorphisms with acute myocardial infarction induced by coronary artery stenosis
Authors: Dai Shu-hong , Li Ji-fu , Feng Jin-bo , Li Rui-jian , Li Chuan-bao , Li Zhuo , Zhang Yun , Li Da-qing
Published: June 2016

Introduction:

The study aims to confirm the association of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with serum angiotensin II (AngII), kallikrein1 (KLK1), and ACE/KLK1 polymorphisms.

Materials and methods:

Serum AngII/KLK1 levels and ACE and KLK1 genotypes were determined in 208 patients with AMI and 216 normal controls. Binary logistic regression was used for data analysis.

Results:

The differences in serum AngII levels were statistically significant between the groups. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, high serum levels of AngII and KLK1 significantly increased the risk of AMI. The individuals with ACE DD and KLK1 GG genotypes significantly increased the risk of AMI compared with those harboring the ACE II and KLK1 AA genotypes (OR = 8.77, 95% CI = 1.74–44.16).

Conclusions:

(1) Increasing the serum levels of AngII increased the risk of AMI. (2) The risk of AMI increased significantly when the serum levels of AngII and KLK1 simultaneously increased. (3) Individuals with the combined genotypes of ACE DD and KLK1 GG showed significantly increased risk of AMI compared with those with the combined genotypes of ACE II and KLK1 AA.
‘And so I took up residence’: The experiences of family members of people with dementia during admission to an acute hospital unit
Authors: de Vries Kay , Drury-Ruddlesden Jenny , Gaul Chris
Published: June 2016

It is estimated that a quarter of acute hospital beds are in use by older people with dementia at any one time. Little empirical research has been carried out that has specifically examined the day-to-day input of family members into the care of people with dementia during an acute hospital admission. In this article, we present the results of analysis of interviews with 26 family members of people with dementia about their experiences of supporting an admission of a person with dementia to an acute hospital unit in New Zealand. For all family members, the desire to support the person with dementia during their admission was at the forefront and was their primary focus. The theme, ‘And so I took up residence’, exemplifies fully the experiences of all of the family member participants. This study provides evidence that family members are a resource that may be unrecognised, untapped and unsupported in the event of hospitalisation of people with dementia.
Long-term non-invasive ventilation in muscular dystrophy
Authors: Kinnear W , Colt J , Watson L , Smith P , Johnson L , Burrows S , Sovani M , Khanna A , Maddison P , Wills A
Published: June 2016

Long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was introduced in the 1980s, initially mainly for patients with poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy (MD) or scoliosis. The obesity-hypoventilation syndrome has since become the commonest reason for referral to most centres providing home-NIV. Patients with MD are numerically a much smaller part of the workload, but as their disease progresses the need for ventilatory support changes and they require regular comprehensive assessment of their condition. We have examined the trend in MD use of home-NIV in our unit over the last 25 years. The number of new referrals appears to be stabilizing at around 20–25 over a 5-year period, equivalent to approximately 0.5 per 100,000 of population per year. The mean age at commencement of home-NIV is now 37.5 years, with 5-year survival rates of 70–75%. Ten-year survival rates are just over 40%. The distance of usual place of residence from our unit is fairly stable, currently at a mean of 27 km. Excellent survival rates mean that patients with MD, while numerically small, are likely to remain an important part of the workload of centres providing home-NIV. Our data should prove useful in the planning of future services for this group of patients.
With the strength to carry on
Authors: Keil Daniel C , Vaske Isabelle , Kenn Klaus , Rief Winfried , Stenzel Nikola M
Published: June 2016

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are affected by somatic as well as psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression and reduced quality of life. Protective psychological factors exist which enable people to adapt successfully to disease, but research about these factors in COPD is sparse. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sense of coherence (SOC), resilience and social support are potential protective factors and thus associated with reduced levels of symptoms of anxiety and depression and lower perceived disability in people with COPD. An online study was conducted in which n = 531 participants with COPD completed questionnaires assessing protective psychological factors, anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and disease-specific disability (COPD Disability Index). Regression analyses were conducted. SOC and resilience contributed significantly to reduced levels of symptoms of anxiety and depression and to lower disease-specific disability after controlling for confounding variables and disease severity. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were most strongly predicted by SOC. This study’s results indicated that SOC and resilience could represent helpful individual resources due to their protective potential helping people adjust to COPD. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed.
How to Present the History of Digital Games
Authors: Suominen Jaakko
Published: June 2016

This article approaches the historiography of digital games by suggesting a categorization of four different genres that can be utilized in the presentation of the history of digital games: enthusiast, emancipatory, genealogical, and pathological. All of these genres are based on various conceptions of what is important in the history of digital games and to whom the history is primarily targeted. The article also evaluates the premises of the authors of the histories. The present article’s main objective is to create suggestions for a unique classification that would be especially suitable for the historiography of digital games.
Marching toward justice: Lessons learned from the Shaw High School Mighty Cardinals Marching Band in East Cleveland
Authors: Luminais Misty , Williams Rhonda Y
Published: June 2016

The Shaw High School marching band has emerged as a collective site of individual and group pride and empowerment in the stories gathered through the community-based ‘Voicing & Action Project’, which the Social Justice Institute debuted in East Cleveland. At first glance, a high school marching band might not have much in common with weighty social justice topics such as challenging marginalization, exposing the workings of power, and advancing fairness. However, when people reminisce about their time as members of the marching band, the stories they tell and the lessons they recall suggest building blocks critical to laboring for a more just society. The band is a source of pride, empowers youth, builds community, and increases access to higher education. These qualities can be reimagined as strategies to advance the cause of social justice in East Cleveland and the world beyond.
Poisson regression analysis of additional strokes assessed at golf
Authors: Chimka Justin R , Talafuse Thomas P
Published: June 2016

We introduce Poisson regression to the golf context with a model of additional strokes assessed to finish the current hole. Data relate to every shot – taken by every player – in every round of the 2011 PGA Championship. From statistical models, we learn to what extent various shot characteristics do (and do not) affect shot-level performance.
Examining age and gender effects in physical performance in young athletes aged 12–16 years
Authors: Yanci Javier , Cámara J , Vizcay JJ , Young WB
Published: June 2016

The aims of the present study were to determine anthropometric and physical characteristics according to age and gender of young athletes, and to quantify the relationships among these characteristics. Sixty-four young high-level runners were divided into two groups according to their age: U14 = under 14 year’s athletes; U16 = under 16 year’s athletes. The U16 group presented higher values of the sprint 15 m (p < 0.01, d = 1.14) and modified agility test (p < 0.01, d = 0.66) than the U14 group. However, the boys group presented higher values in the 505 agility test (p < 0.01, d = 0.63), modified agility test (p < 0.01, d = 1.26), horizontal countermovement jump (p < 0.05, d = 0.56), vertical countermovement jump (p < 0.01, d = 0.61) and arm swim vertical countermovement jump (p < 0.01, d = 0.63) than the girls group.
Finding a solution: Heparinised saline versus normal saline in the maintenance of invasive arterial lines in intensive care
Authors: Everson Matthew , Webber Lucy , Penfold Chris , Shah Sanjoy , Freshwater-Turner Dan
Published: June 2016

Background

We assessed the impact of heparinised saline versus 0.9% normal saline on arterial line patency. Maintaining the patency of arterial lines is essential for obtaining accurate physiological measurements, enabling blood sampling and minimising line replacement. Use of heparinised saline is associated with risks such as thrombocytopenia, haemorrhage and mis-selection. Historical studies draw variable conclusions but suggest that normal saline is at least as effective at maintaining line patency, although recent evidence has questioned this.

Methods

We conducted a prospective analysis of the use of heparinised saline versus normal saline on unselected patients in the intensive care of our hospital. Data concerning duration of 471 lines insertion and reason for removal was collected.

Results

We found a higher risk of blockage for lines flushed with normal saline compared with heparinised saline (RR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.392–3.32, p ≤ 0.001). Of the 56 lines which blocked initially (19 heparinised saline and 37 normal saline lines), 16 were replaced with new lines; 5 heparinised saline lines and 11 normal saline lines were reinserted; 5 of these lines subsequently blocked again, 3 of which were flushed with normal saline.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates a clinically important reduction in arterial line longevity due to blockages when flushed with normal saline compared to heparinised saline. We have determined that these excess blockages have a significant clinical impact with further lines being inserted after blockage, resulting in increased risks to patients, wasted time and cost of resources. Our findings suggest that the current UK guidance favouring normal saline flushes should be reviewed.
Fluid mechanics calculations in physics of droplets II: A study of head-on collisions for the system water–heptane
Authors: Acevedo-Malavé Alejandro
Published: June 2016

In this study, the finite volume method is employed to simulate the coalescence collision between water drops immersed in a continuous phase (n-heptane). It chooses a range of values for the velocity of collisions for the finite volume calculations yielding different possible outcomes of the collision process (permanent coalescence, formation of satellite drops, etc.). The streamlines are calculated for the process of coalescence and fragmentation of drops. These streamlines allow the understanding of the dynamics of the droplets immersed in the n-heptane phase. The effect of the interfacial tension is shown in the oscillations that the droplets exhibit, which after some time tends to the spherical form. It can be seen that when the velocity of collision is 0.2 m/s the droplets do not form an interfacial film just before the onset of coalescence. On the other hand, when the inertial forces are more important with a velocity of collision of 3.5 m/s the system shows an interfacial film of circular section, and when the velocity of collision is increased to a value of 16.0 m/s the system of drops forms a multiple satellite droplets but at the beginning of the dynamics where the circular interfacial film appears.
Academic Publishing in Transition
Authors: Slaughter Richard A.
Published: June 2016

To progress from a broad, poorly understood and semicoherent domain to a recognized and successful field or profession, several observers have suggested that futures studies and applied foresight require appropriate professional standards. While the issue has been around for a while, published work on this subject is still relatively uncommon. This paper address that concern. It is derived from two sources: first, a research project on the “health” of futures studies from 2009 and, second, a content review of several recent volumes of the journal Foresight. The resulting analysis raises questions that need to be debated more widely. It also serves as a call for further work of this kind by different people, using different methods, to round out and further develop this account. A central question is as follows: what standards should be applied and by whom?
An Operational Process for Organizational Foresight and Anticipation
Authors: Motti Victor Vahidi , Masoumi Mahestan
Published: June 2016

A coherent theoretical framework is introduced that adopts Manoa School’s four alternative futures to help make sense and investigate the four building blocks of the future, which are trends, events, images, and actions in three layers of organization, region, and the globe in terms of social, technological, environmental, economic, and political areas. Qualitative system dynamics mapping also provides insight into the systematic interactions such as long chains of perceived causation, and identification of reinforcing and balancing loops in addition to the overall system behavior, and the underlying story, in each alternative future. Linking strategic foresight to concrete specific actions is accomplished by referring to a professionally developed horizon scanning and monitoring database. Each news item is analyzed through an operational process that (1) uncovers the dynamics of each scenario seen from alternative mental models of analysts; (2) assesses the eventual impacts on the value system, that is, strategic preferences, through searching for cause and effect chains that influence them; and (3) encourages creativity in suggestion of concrete necessary actions in each part of the organizational chart to sustain profitability, to achieve other values, and to prepare thoughtful practical responses to upcoming challenges and opportunities.
Centre Català de Prospectiva: Building Better Futures in Gray Times
Authors: Serra del Pino Jordi
Published: June 2016

The Centre Català de Prospectiva was the first futures studies institution in Spain; it opened the way for other organizations and it helped to imagine alternative futures at the end of Francisco Franco dictatorship. During more than twenty-five years, it realized numerous acts, including lectures, conferences, and international events; it also published several books and a magazine. But most of all, it developed a special way to work for better futures.
Chiari type 1 malformation, corpus callosum agenesis and patent craniopharyngeal canal in an 11-year-old boy
Authors: Tijssen Maud PM , Poretti Andrea , Huisman Thierry AGM
Published: June 2016

We describe the neuroimaging findings of an 11-year-old boy who presented with mild occipital headache and precocious puberty. This child was found to have a combination of various midline anomalies including a Chiari type 1 malformation, corpus callosum agenesis and patent craniopharyngeal canal with adjacent intracranial dermoid cyst.
The impact of direct observed therapy on daily living activities, quality of life and socioeconomic burden on patients with tuberculosis in primary care in Singapore
Authors: Lee Hwee Khim , Teo Stephanie Swee Hong , Barbier Sylvaine , Tang Siew Cheng , Yeo Guat Hoon , Tan Ngiap Chuan
Published: June 2016

Introduction:

The prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) is rising in Singapore. The affected patients are provided with free directly observed therapy (DOT) at local polyclinics. The impact of DOT on their daily living activities (DLA) and quality of life (QOL) may affect their treatment adherence. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of DOT on the DLA and QOL of patients with TB and to quantify their socioeconomic burden.

Material and methods:

This questionnaire survey recruited adult multi-ethnic Asian patients with TB who were on DOT at nine local polyclinics. The questionnaire collected data on their demographic characteristics and DLA, anti-TB medications, the validated WHOQOL-BREF instrument, and socioeconomic costs. The associations between DOT and independent variables were tested using Student’s t-test and ANOVA.

Results:

The 356 patients recruited comprised 63% males with mean age of 43 years; 73% of them were employed, 73% reported increased travel time (mean 41 minutes/DOT visit) and DOT-related cost (mean S$260–S$389 for 6–9 months’ treatment); 47% indicated reduced participation in social functions and 45% felt that DOT had caused disruptions to their work, especially among younger patients. The WHOQOL-BREF scores were 13.3/20 “Physical Health”, 12.6/20 “Psychological”, 13.4/20 “Social Relationships” and 12.3/20 “Environment” domains, respectively. Some 52% of them rated their QOL as “good” or “very good”, 47% reported satisfaction with their health but 74% experienced negative feelings such as despair, anxiety and depression.

Conclusion:

The DOT affected patients’ DLA, QOL and increased their socioeconomic burden, which should be addressed by appropriate mitigating measures in the community.
Support for immigration reduction and physician distrust in the United States
Authors: Samson Frank L
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

Health research indicates that physician trust in the United States has declined over the last 50 years. Paralleling this trend is a decline in social capital, with researchers finding a negative relationship between immigration-based diversity and social capital. This article examines whether physician distrust is also tied to immigration-based diversity and declining social capital.

Methods:

Data come from the 2012 General Social Survey, one of the gold standards of US public opinion surveys, using a national probability sample of 1080 adult US respondents. Key measures included support for reducing levels of immigration to the United States and multiple measures of physician trust.

Results:

The results of ordinary least squares regressions, using survey weights, indicate that support for reducing immigration is positively linked to physician distrust, bringing physician distrust into the orbit of research on diversity and declining social capital. Models controlled for age, education, income, gender, race, nativity, conservatism, unemployed status, lack of health insurance, and self-rated health. Furthermore, analyses of a subset of respondents reveal that measures of general trust and some forms of institutional trust do not explain away the association between support for immigration reduction and physician distrust, though confidence in science as an institution appears relevant.

Conclusion:

Consistent with diversity and social capital research, this article finds that an immigration attitude predicts physician distrust. Physician distrust may not be linked just to physician–patient interactions, the structure of the health care system, or health policies, but could also be tied to declining social trust in general.
A practical approach to investigating a man with a raised prostate-specific antigen in the modern era
Authors: Langley SEM , Uribe J , Challacombe BJ , Bott SRJ
Published: June 2016

Urologists in the UK are encouraged to follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for patient management. In 2014, members of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) were asked in a survey what diagnostic pathway they would follow for themselves or their relatives if they had a raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA). It was found that only a quarter would follow NICE guidance. The current recommendations rely on pathological assessment of prostate tissue obtained at a transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy. Increasing evidence indicates that pre-biopsy multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) coupled with targeted biopsy approaches outperform random biopsies in the detection of clinically significant disease. Herein we discuss the role of magnetic resonance imaging and targeted biopsy approaches to diagnose prostate cancer in the modern era.
Simulating representation: The devil’s in the detail
Authors: Gilens Martin
Published: June 2016

This note is a response to Omar Bashir’s 2015 paper “Testing inferences about American politics: A review of the ‘oligarchy’ result,” Research & Politics 2(4).