bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Thou Shalt Not Die in This Place”: An Ethnomethodological Approach to an Ecuadorian Hospice Through Symbolic Interactionism
Authors: Armendariz Dyer Maria Jose
Published: November 2018

Ecuador, located in South America, has a population of 16 million people. According to the National Institution of Statistics in Ecuador, every year 8 out of a 1000 individuals die due to various causes. Palliative care and hospice are relatively new concepts for the Ecuadorian society. In Ecuador people usually die at home, in hospitals, or in nursing homes. In 2012, the first Ecuadorian hospice was created. According to symbolic interactionism theory, research needs to study participants’ world in order to understand the dynamic nature of human behavior. Symbolic interactionism proposes that human beings cannot be understood without the context of their interactions. Through an ethnomethodological approach, the following research aims to understand the way that individuals understand and describe death while in the local hospice in Ecuador. Results emerge from the introspection of real stories, field notes, participant observation, and informal conversations at the hospice. Based on a thematic analysis, the following study presents major themes that emphasize the dynamic process of creating meaning of death.
Influence of Future Possible Selves on Outcome Expectancies, Intended Behavior, and Academic Performance
Authors: Barnett Michael D. , Hernandez Joseph , Melugin Patrick R.
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether contact with future possible selves impacts individuals’ outcome expectancies, intended behaviors, and long-term outcomes with regard to academic performance. Specifically, we investigated whether having college students attempt to connect with an academically successful or unsuccessful future possible self through a message composition activity would impact their perceived likelihood of getting a good grade point average, intended academic engagement (i.e., intentions to attend class, study, etc.), and academic performance as measured by grade point average over two subsequent semesters. The study was novel in that we considered the role of temporal position—that is, the current self contacting a future possible self or a future possible self contacting the current self. Results found that students who composed a message from an academically unsuccessful future possible self to their current self had lower outcome expectancies—that is, they believed that they had less chance of obtaining a good grade point average—and lower intended academic engagement than a control group that composed a message to a friend; however, the groups did not vary in academic performance. It is possible that contact with a future possible self that was academically unsuccessful introduced a form of learned helplessness in those participants.
Personality and Postpartum Sexual Functioning in Israeli Women: The Mediating Role of Body Image
Authors: Levy Sigal , Handelzalts Jonathan E. , Yadid Lital , Geller Shulamit
Published: November 2018

In this study, we aimed to measure the association between the postpartum personality and sexual functioning. This association was examined in light of the possible mediation effect of body image measures, that is, body satisfaction and body exposure during sexual activity. This cross-sectional study employed a web-based questionnaire for women who had given birth in the previous year ( N = 382). Key outcome measures included sexual functioning after birth, body image satisfaction, neuroticism, and extraversion personality dimensions. Among the key findings, increased anxiety regarding body exposure during sexual activity and lower body satisfaction were associated with lower postpartum sexual functioning. Higher neuroticism, but not extraversion, was associated with lower postpartum sexual functioning; however, this association was mediated by the body image measures. Given this mediation by body image variables, it may be beneficial to address body image issues when treating women with postpartum sexual difficulties.
Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Infants and Children in Haiti, 2015
Authors: Carpenter Chris , Potts Brittany , von Oettingen Julia , Bonnell Ric , Sainvil Michele , Lorgeat Viviane , Mascary Mie Christine , She Xinshu , Jean-Baptiste Eddy , Palfrey Sean , Woolf Alan D. , Palfrey Judith
Published: November 2018

Objective:

Few studies have reported blood lead levels (BLLs) in Haitian children, despite the known presence of lead from environmental factors such as soil, water, leaded paint and gasoline, improperly discarded batteries, and earthquakes. We sought to determine the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) among healthy Haitian children.

Methods:

We enrolled children aged 9 months to 6 years from 3 geographic areas in Haiti (coastal, urban, and mountain) from March 1 through June 30, 2015. We obtained anthropometric measurements, household income, potential sources of lead exposure, and fingerstick BLLs from 273 children at 6 churches in Haiti. We considered a BLL ≥5 μg/dL to be elevated.

Results:

Of 273 children enrolled in the study, 95 were from the coastal area, 78 from the urban area, and 100 from the mountain area. The median BLL was 5.8 μg/dL, with higher levels in the mountain area than in the other areas ( P < .001). BLLs were elevated in 180 (65.9%) children. The prevalence of EBLL was significantly higher in the mountain area (82 of 100, 82.0%; P < .001) than in the urban area (42 of 78, 53.8%) and the coastal area (56 of 95, 58.9%; P < .001). Twenty-eight (10.3%) children had EBLLs ≥10 μg/dL and 3 (1.1%) children had EBLLs ≥20 μg/dL. Exposure to improperly discarded batteries ( P = .006) and living in the mountain area ( P < .001) were significant risk factors for EBLLs.

Conclusions:

More than half of Haitian children in our study had EBLLs. Public health interventions are warranted to protect children in Haiti against lead poisoning.
Taiwanese elementary school English teachers' perception of teacher leadership
Authors: Chien Chin-Wen
Published: November 2018

This study used documents, interviews, and questionnaires to explore 10 Taiwanese elementary school English teachers’ perceptions of teacher leaders and leadership and to what extent their background influenced their perceptions of leadership. The conceputal framework was developed based on the component of teacher leaderships, principles for leadership and domains of leaderships. The study had the following major findings. First, participants unanimously agreed on the perceptions of leaders in terms of teaching as an important profession, the influence of institutions on teacher leaders, and teacher leaders’ roles in decision making. Secondly, participants disagreed in their perceptions about balancing between being teachers and teacher leaders and teacher leaders’ roles in school-wide plans. Next, English teachers’ age, school size, and years of teaching experience were the major factors for such discrepancies. Arousing English teachers' awareness of instructional leadership is crucial in the language teacher education.
Limbic encephalitis with relapsing polychondritis: persistent white matter lesions and brain atrophy
Authors: Zhu Zilong , Tian Decai , Ren Ning , Zhao Zhihong , Wang Xin , Chen Lei
Published: November 2018

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting cartilage. Limbic encephalitis is a rare central nervous system manifestation of RP. This current case report describes a 66-year-old Chinese male patient who complained of developing myoclonus in the left leg, ataxia and speech difficulties 3 weeks prior to hospital admission. The patient presented with cognitive impairment, sleep disorder and extrapyramidal symptoms. The patient was diagnosed with RP that affected auricular cartilage, which also manifested as limbic encephalitis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral temporal lobe lesions involving the hippocampi and basal ganglia. Signal abnormalities in the white matter persisted during the 15-month follow-up period after treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. Over the same period, the bilateral hippocampi showed significant atrophy.
Psychopathy and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Revisited: Results From a Statewide Population of Institutionalized Youth
Authors: Heirigs Mark H. , DeLisi Matt , Fox Bryanna , Dhingra Katie , Vaughn Michael G.
Published: November 2018

Suicide is the leading cause of death for incarcerated youth, and up to half of all juveniles in confinement experience suicidal ideation in addition to other psychopathology, including psychopathic personality features. Unfortunately, limited research has investigated the psychopathy–suicidality link among juvenile delinquents and using newer psychopathy measures. Based upon a statewide population of incarcerated juvenile offenders, we found that psychopathy was a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation and lifetime suicide attempts, but the latter relationship was attenuated by lifetime depression diagnosis. In addition, certain affective psychopathic features such as Stress Immunity conferred protection against suicidality, whereas behavioral and lifestyle components including Carefree Nonplanfulness, Blame Externalization, and Rebellious Nonconformity were positively linked to suicidal thoughts among the youth offenders. As these risk factors are routinely screened for in juvenile justice settings, this study’s findings have considerable implications to applied practice and prevention among juvenile justice involved youth.
Histological and structural evaluation of growth hormone and PLGA incorporation in macroporous scaffold of α-tricalcium phosphate cement
Authors: Tonietto Leonardo , Vasquez Andres F , dos Santos Luís A , Weber João BB
Published: November 2018

An in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the incorporation of fibers of poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid, PLGA) and poly(isoprene) blend and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in a macroporous scaffold of α-tricalcium phosphate cement (α-TCP) samples inserted into calvarial defects (8 mm in diameter) of 48 Wistar rats. The samples of α-TCP + PLGA/poly(isoprene) blend fibers were also submitted to a mechanical test of flexural strength. The animals of the different experimental groups [1] α-TCP (n = 6); [2] α-TCP + PLGA/poly(isoprene) blend fibers (n = 6); [3] α-TCP + rhGH, (n = 6) and [4] α-TCP + PLGA/poly(isoprene) blend fibers + rhGH, (n = 6) (the numbers within square brackets identify the experimental groups), after two weeks (subdivision “a”) and four weeks (subdivision “b”), were euthanized and the implants removed for histological analysis. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between the samples with and without fibers in the mechanical test. Light microscopy revealed good integration of the material in the host tissue, represented by tissue penetration into the macropores and adequate angiogenesis. In the two-week period, the groups [3a] and [4a] were significantly superior (p < 0.05) to the other groups with regard to angiogenesis and bone neoformation. In the four-week period, the group [3b] was significantly superior (p < 0.05) to the other groups with regard to bone neoformation. We conclude that the macroporous α-TCP scaffold used in this study has low mechanical resistance, is biocompatible and has significantly improved the osteoconductive capacity when rhGH is incorporated into its structure.
Numerical investigation of the effects of immersion on the efficiency of a tidal helical turbine
Authors: Rahmani Hamid , Biglari Mojtaba , Valipour Mohammad Sadegh , Lari Kamran
Published: November 2018

In the current study, a two-phase simulation of a tidal helical turbine was performed that contrasts with previous studies in two ways. First, the current research simulated the turbine in different states of immersion in water, whereas previous studies simulated turbines mostly in single-phase conditions and full immersion in water. Second, the present study used a horizontal-axis turbine, whereas previous research employed a vertical-axis helical turbine or Darrius turbine. In this study, a simulation was conducted using the volume of fluid method in ANSYS Fluent 18. Results indicated that the complete immersion of the turbine in water generated a high torque, thereby reducing the efficiency of the device. To determine the conditions with the highest efficiency, immersion rates of 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% in water were examined, and a configuration with best power coefficient ( C p = 0.175 in TSR = 0.47) was found in 25% immersion. In immersion rate of 25%, resistant pressure on blades was minimum.
Collision prediction and avoidance for satellite ultra-close relative motion with zonotope-based reachable sets
Authors: Xu Zhanpeng , Chen Xiaoqian , Huang Yiyong , Bai Yuzhu , Chen Qifeng
Published: November 2018

Collision prediction and avoidance are critical for satellite proximity operations, and the key is the treatment of satellites' motion uncertainties and shapes, especially for ultra-close autonomous systems. In this paper, the zonotope-based reachable sets are utilized to propagate the uncertainties. For satellites with slender structures (such as solar panels), their shapes are simplified as cuboids which is a special class of zonotopes, instead of the classical sphere approach. The domains in position subspace influenced by the uncertainties and shapes are determined, and the relative distance is estimated to assess the safety of satellites. Moreover, with the approximation of the domains, the worst-case uncertainties for path constraints are determined, and a robust model predictive control method is proposed to deal with the line of sight and obstacle avoidance constraints. With zonotope representations of satellites, the proposed robust model predictive control is capable of handling the shapes of the satellite and obstacle simultaneously. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods with an elliptic reference orbit. 1
Taking the initiative: Direct democracy, coalition governments and welfare state expansion
Authors: Walter André
Published: November 2018

Direct democratic rights are increasingly adopted around the world. However, what are the consequences of the introduction of initiative and referendum rights for welfare state development? The existing literature holds a pessimistic view on the role of direct democracy for welfare state development and generosity. Whereas referendums are argued to constitute a major roadblock to the extension of social expenditure, the link between initiatives and social security provision is unclear. I contribute to the existing literature by arguing that the effect of direct democratic instruments on welfare state extension is systematically related to the political environment. More precisely, I contend that governments with a few parties deviate from the median voter preference by providing insufficient social expenditure, whereas the opposite is true in settings with many governing parties. In both cases, voters employ direct legislation to correct for the spending behaviour of governments. Using time-series cross-sectional data on social expenditure in the Swiss cantons from 1930 to 2000, I show that initiatives and referendums constrain social expenditure growth in settings with many governing parties, but expand it when a few parties are in government.
Tracking control of tomographic image acquisition robotic system based on active disturbance rejection theory with adaptive gains
Authors: Vera-Tizatl Pamela , Luviano-Juarez Alberto , Santos-Cuevas Leticia , Chairez Isaac
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to design an output-based automatic controller that solves the trajectory tracking of a tomographic image acquisition robotic system. The technique used to design the controller was the active disturbance rejection control. The design process included the adaptation of controller gains depending on the tracking error. The application of this controller induced a smoother approaching of the tomographic image acquisition robotic system states to the reference trajectories. The output-based controller design offered a better approximation of the non-modeled sections in tomographic image acquisition robotic system yielding a better tracking of the reference states needed in the tomographic acquisition of images with potential application in medical diagnosis or treatment. The introduction of adaptive gains enforced a virtual increment in the number of states included in the extended state observer. The controller used the estimated velocity states calculated by an extended state adaptive observer. A set of numerical evaluations executed over a simulated version of the tomographic image acquisition robotic system proved the efficiency of the adaptive tracking trajectory controller. The quality of control execution was evaluated by determining the root mean square index of the tracking error, and the controller was also evaluated on an experimental platform. This part of the study compared the results of implementing three controllers: a basic proportional–derivative controller, a generalized proportional integral controller based on a constant gain observer, and the controller proposed in this study with time-varying gains. This comparison showed an equally faster convergence for all the three control evaluations but with smaller oscillations in the case of the adaptive version as well as a smaller steady-state error.
The Children’s Oncology Group: Organizational Structure, Membership, and Institutional Characteristics
Authors: Withycombe Janice S. , Alonzo Todd A. , Wilkins-Sanchez Michele A. , Hetherington Maxine , Adamson Peter C. , Landier Wendy
Published: November 2018

Background: The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) is the only organization within the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trials Network dedicated exclusively to pediatric cancer research. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of COG’s organizational structure, to characterize its institutional and individual membership, and to summarize enrollments onto COG clinical trials. Method: Data from 2013 to 2015 were compiled from sources internal (Network Operations, Statistics and Data Center, Chair’s Office) and external (American Hospital Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center) to COG, to present a comprehensive overview of COG’s structure, individual and institutional membership, and group operations. Results: In 2016, COG comprised 8,785 individuals from 223 member institutions, across seven countries. An average of 9,661 new patients were registered with COG per year over the most recent (2013-2015) 3-year period. Over the same 3-year time frame, there were an average of 16,836 enrollments onto therapeutic (i.e., treatment) and nontherapeutic (e.g., epidemiology, survivorship, biology) trials per year. Conclusions: COG institutions have diverse characteristics related to size, geographical location, and infrastructure. Individual membership also reflects diversity with representation from over 28 disciplines and groups. The diversity of COG institutions and individual members allows for unique perspectives and contributions to science unified under a common goal to enroll children/adolescents onto clinical trials. COG’s collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to science functions to support the development of research that seeks to continually improve outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer.
Prognostic Utility of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Noncolorectal Gastrointestinal Malignancies
Authors: Hamza Ameer , Khan Uqba , Khurram Muhammad Siddique , Abraham Renny , Mazzara Paul , Hadid Tarik , Kafri Zyad
Published: November 2018

Background. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and mismatch repair gene mutation (MMR) status are emerging biomarkers in immunotherapy. MMR status and TILs have significant clinical implications with regard to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. We designed a study to determine the frequency and prognostic utility of TILs and MMR in advanced unresectable noncolorectal gastrointestinal (NCGI) malignancies. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who were diagnosed with advanced noncolorectal gastrointestinal tumors. Biopsy specimens were tested for MMR status by immunohistochemistry along with evaluation of TILs. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine the impact of TILS and MMR on survival. Results. We analyzed 146 patients; the mean age at diagnosis was 66.4 ± 11.2 years. 65.8% patients were male, and 62.3% patients had stage 4 disease. All cases had proficient MMR status. The percentage of patients with TILs >5 was 50.7%. There was no statistically significant difference in median overall survival (OS) by TILs when stratified by stage of tumor. When stratified by type of tumor, median OS by TILs level was significantly different for hepatocellular cancers (⩽5 TILs, 86 days versus >5 TILs 312 days, P = .031). Conclusions. Our study suggests that MMR-deficient tumors are quite rare in advanced NCGI malignancies. More than 5 TILs per high power field, evaluated simply on a routine hematoxylin and eosin–stained glass slide confer a better prognosis to most noncolorectal gastrointestinal malignancies, especially hepatocellular carcinoma. This has immense clinical utility with regard to eligibility for immunotherapy.
On nonlinear perturbation analysis of a structure carrying a circular cylindrical liquid tank under horizontal excitation
Authors: Attari N. K. A. , Rofooei F. R. , Waezi Z.
Published: November 2018

The lateral response of a single degree of freedom structural system containing a rigid circular cylindrical liquid tank under harmonic and earthquake excitations at a 1:2 autoparametric resonance case is considered. The governing nonlinear differential equations of motion for the combined system are solved by means of a multiple scales method considering the first three liquid sloshing modes (1,1), (0,1), and (2,1), under horizontal excitation. The fixed points of the gyroscopic type of governing differential equations are determined and their stability is investigated employing the perturbation method. The obtained results reveal an increase in the stability region for a single-mode response with respect to the excitation amplitude. The saturation phenomenon is observed in the decoupled modes of the system; however, the structural mode and the first anti-symmetric mode of liquid are a combination of the saturated mode and another mode whose scale factor is crucial for the structural response. The results of perturbation analysis are in good agreement with results obtained from numerical methods.
Thinking About Data With Grounded Theory
Authors: Charmaz Kathy , Belgrave Linda Liska
Published: November 2018

This article examines qualitative data in an era of neoliberalism and focuses on the place of data in grounded theory studies. Neoliberal values of individual responsibility, self-sufficiency, competition, efficiency, and profit have entered the conduct of research. Neoliberalism fosters (a) reifying quantitative logical-deductive research, (b) imposing surveillance of types and sources of data, (c) marginalizing inductive qualitative research, and (d) limiting access to data in grounded theory studies. Grounded theory relies on data and resists current efforts to abandon data. The method resides in the space between reifying and rejecting data. Data allow us to learn from the stories of those left out and permits research participants to break silences. Data can help us look underneath and beyond our privileges, and alter our views. Grounded theory is predicated on data, but how researchers regard and render data depends on which version of the method they adopt. We propose developing a strong methodological self-consciousness to learn how we affect the research process and to counter the subtle effects of neoliberalism.
Why and How Academics Write
Authors: Badley Graham Francis
Published: November 2018

Academics are often criticized for their poor or rotten writing. In this essay, I look first at several ways in which academic writing may be regarded as, for example, obscure and turgid. Second, I discuss reasons why, despite such criticism, academics persevere with their writing. Third, I outline a number of approaches to the how of academic writing as a daily practice. Finally, I present my playful yet serious efforts to confront the hows and whys of academic (and post-academic) writing as an important human and social practice.
Interstitial pneumonitis associated with trastuzumab emtansine
Authors: Alkan Ali
Published: November 2018

Trastuzumab emtansine is an antibody–drug conjugate that is effective in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 expressing advanced breast cancer. Trastuzumab emtansine is generally well tolerated and grade 3–4 toxicities are rare. Pulmonary complications were rarely reported. Here we present a patient presenting with dyspnea after trastuzumab emtansine therapy and treated with a diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis.
Effects of infrared radiation combined with heating on grape seeds and oil quality
Authors: Fu Ruipeng , Xiao Zheng , Pan Zhongli , Wang Hua
Published: November 2018

The objective of this work was to determine the effects of infrared radiation combined with heating on grape seeds and oil quality. Experimental results showed that high moisture removal was achieved through infrared radiation heating. After infrared radiation heating for 108 s, the inactivation rates of total aerobic bacterial and total mold-yeast counts of the grape seeds were 1.97 ± 0.12 and 0.62 ± 0.09 log CFU/g, respectively. The maximum microbial reduction was achieved after infrared radiation heating of the grape seeds to 135 ℃ and subsequent holding at 75 ℃ for 60 min. The crude oil yield of samples subjected to these conditions was 10.39%, which was significantly higher ( p < 0.05) than that of the control sample, and their final moisture content was 7.20%. Additionally, increases in the free fatty acid content and peroxide value of the oil were achieved. The iodine value of the oil decreased. In conclusion, surface pasteurization with a high oil yield could be achieved by the combination of infrared radiation heating and the holding process. Consequently, infrared radiation treatment is suggested to be a promising method for the surface pasteurization of grape seeds.
Comparison of metabolomics and platelet aggregometry between Plavix and generic clopidogrel in cats: a pilot study
Authors: Malkawi Mays , Woolcock Andrew D , Lee Pamela M , Court Michael H , Moore George E , Hogan Daniel F
Published: November 2018

Objectives

This pilot study sought to assess the metabolism of Plavix (Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi) and generic clopidogrel in cats, using a novel assay for the measurement of clopidogrel, clopidogrel carboxylic acid (CCA) and clopidogrel active metabolite (CAM-D).

Methods

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Four healthy, skeletally mature cats were enrolled into the study. There were two treatment phases during which cats received either Plavix or generic clopidogrel at a dosage of 18.75 mg PO q24h for 7 days with a 2 week washout between phases. During each phase, plasma concentrations of parent drug and active and inactive metabolites were measured along with impedance platelet aggregometry in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP).

Results

The ratio of CAM-D between generic clopidogrel and Plavix was 0.83 (equivalence reference 1.00, 90% confidence interval 0.80–1.25). Inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation was variable, with two cats classified as non-responders in both treatment phases. The concentrations of CAM-D were not predictive of aggregometry-based responsiveness to either formulation of clopidogrel.

Conclusions and relevance

This is the first study comparing Plavix and generic clopidogrel in cats. Administration of the generic formulation resulted in comparable plasma concentrations of clopidogrel active metabolite when compared with Plavix.
Pharmacokinetics of low-dose and high-dose buprenorphine in cats after rectal administration of different formulations
Authors: Schroers Maike , Meyer-Lindenberg Andrea , Reese Sven , Dobenecker Britta , Pieper Korbinian
Published: November 2018

Objectives

A prospective experimental study was performed in nine young healthy cats to investigate a pharmacokinetic profile and the clinical relevance of rectally administered buprenorphine. Rectal pH value was measured in all nine cats.

Methods

Blood was collected 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 240 and 480 mins and 24 h after the rectal administration of a suppository and a gel at doses between 0.02 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg buprenorphine to determine the plasma concentration of buprenorphine. Rectal pH was measured with pH paper.

Results

Upon pharmacokinetic non-compartment analysis of high-dose buprenorphine (0.1 mg/kg), average maximal plasma concentration was found to be 1.13 ng/ml, time to maximal plasma concentration was 45 mins and area under the plasma concentration–time curve was 94.19 ng*min/ml, representing low but potential bioavailability. Mean residual time was 152.2 mins and the half-life was 92.6 mins. A wide range of plasma concentrations within the cohort was measured and two of the cats had to be excluded from statistical analysis owing to incomplete uptake. Vital parameters of all cats were considered to be normal but three of the cats showed mydriasis up to 8 h after application. After the administration of a low-dose suppository or a rectal gel (0.02 mg/kg) within pilot studies, no buprenorphine was detected in cat plasma. Rectal pH in all cats was between 7.7 and 8.

Conclusions and relevance

The rectal application of buprenorphine at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg revealed a potential but weak uptake in cats. Regarding effective concentrations in previous pharmacokinetic investigations, rectal administration is currently not recommended for good provision of opioid analgesia in cats. Pharmacological investigations of formulation and galenics in order to improve the rectal bioavailability of buprenorphine remain to be clarified before further dose-finding and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies are performed.
‘Are You a Good Female Citizen?’: Media Discourses on Self-Governing Represented in Popular Korean Weight-Loss Reality TV Shows
Authors: Choi Yoonso
Published: November 2018

Based on Foucault’s work on governmentality, the purpose of this study is to examine the socio-cultural influences of media discourses that have been reproduced and spread in Korea’s neo-liberal society through weight-loss reality TV shows. After neo-liberalism was established as a political ideology in Korea, weight-loss reality programs, which contain significant neo-liberal characteristics, have risen in popularity among ordinary Korean women. The popularity of female-oriented pop media culture has generated the idea of self-body care that now plays a powerful role in efficiently reproducing good female citizens who are able to be governed at a distance. This study particularly focuses on analyzing significant media discourse that tends to prompt ordinary girls and women into donning the role of a neo-liberal subject by taking care of their bodies. The major points include (1) producing a feminized, skinny body, rather than a healthy body; (2) defining clear boundaries between the normal and abnormal body by clothing size; (3) re-generating dominant female body discourse by a group of lifestyle designers; and (4) labeling female bodies that have failed in body-care. In conclusion, the study emphasizes significant cultural influences of the diet reality shows that operate as a cultural medium to efficiently produce a neo-liberal body.
Fathers’ experiences during the first postnatal week at home after early discharge of mother and baby from the maternity unit: A meta-synthesis
Authors: Brunstad Anne , Aasekjær Katrine , Aune Ingvild , Nilsen Anne Britt Vika
Published: November 2018

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and describe fathers’ experiences during the first postnatal week after early discharge of mother and baby from the maternity unit. Methods: A meta-synthesis. Inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed qualitative single studies of fathers’ experiences during the first week after early discharge (defined as less than 72 hours postpartum) from hospital after the birth of a healthy singleton baby born between weeks 37 and 40. Databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, Maternity and Infant Care, Joanna Briggs, SweMed+ and PsycInfo were searched in May 2015 and May 2018. Of the 940 titles scanned for eligibility, three articles met the inclusion criteria. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist was used. Findings: All included studies were conducted in Sweden during the period 2002–2012. The total sample of participants in the meta-synthesis comprised 35 fathers. Analysis of the included studies generated two themes: building confidence and coping with responsibility. Conclusions: The fathers’ experiences were affected by the emotional support of midwives, which boosted their confidence. This seems to be a premise for taking and coping with responsibility during the first days at home. Good cooperation between hospitals and municipalities is vital, and midwives must be available and present in order to ensure continuity in maternity care.
Numerical investigation on the effectiveness of positive pressure ventilation technology in a multi-layer subway station
Authors: Zhou Yang , Bu Rongwei , Gong Junhui , Xu Zhisheng , Chen Huoju , Fan Chuangang
Published: November 2018

The application of positive pressure ventilation technology in a multi-layer subway station is quite complicated due to the large space and complex structure. In order to investigate the positive pressure ventilation effectiveness in an oversized underground space, a series of numerical simulations using the large eddy simulation method were conducted, based on a three-layer subway station case. The range of critical average exhaust speed and average supply speed in restraining smoke spread were obtained, and the smoke control effects under these conditions were analysed. The airflow velocity distribution at a long staircase was obtained. The findings show that as airflow moves downward, airflow velocities in corresponding locations decrease due to energy loss. Some weak locations were identified where smoke is difficult to restrain. Moreover, smoke control optimization designs are presented in this paper by changing smoke exhaust and air supply parameters. The simulation results indicate that the mechanical exhaust volume could influence the smoke control effect more significantly than air supply volume. The work presented in this paper can provide a significant reference to optimal design for the smoke control and personnel evacuation in multi-layer subway stations.
A deteriorating model for the prediction of elastic modulus of the aging fiber reinforced polymer under complex environmental effects
Authors: Luo Yi , Xia Senwei , Peng Xinqian , Xu Yuye
Published: November 2018

The fiber reinforced polymer is popularly applied for structural reinforcement and, however, usually suffers from long-term environmental effects, for example exposed to the ultraviolet radiation, alternating changes of moist-heat, and submerged in water chronically. As a result, the material aging and structural performance degradation are inevitable, which could eventually lead to the deterioration of mechanical behavior of fiber reinforced polymer, hence the attenuation or failure of repaired structures. It is very expensive and time consuming to use the experimental method to find out the aging patterns of fiber reinforced polymer. For fiber reinforced polymer with different volume fraction, the upper and lower limit of elastic modulus can be deduced by the energy principle. Combining this theory with tests, a semi-empirical deteriorating method can be used to analyze the change of fiber reinforced polymer mechanics behavior. And a series of empirical coefficients, determined by natural aging tests, are introduced. The coefficients are applied in the revised formula for the prediction of mechanics behaviors of fiber reinforced polymer. The elastic modulus of deteriorating fiber reinforced polymer is influenced by the fiber, the resin matrix, and the volume fraction of the fiber. For different fiber volume fraction, the experimental test is not the unique way to assess the durability of fiber reinforced polymer, as long as the laws of fiber aging, the laws of resin aging, and the fiber volume fraction are already known. The proposed model shows good agreement with the test results, hence can be used to predict the elastic modulus of aging fiber reinforced polymer, which can be utilized as references for engineering design and research in the future.
New feedforward filtered-x least mean square algorithm with variable step size for active vibration control
Authors: Fang Yubin , Zhu Xiaojin , Gao Zhiyuan , Hu Jiaming , Wu Jian
Published: November 2018

The step size of least mean square (LMS) algorithm is significant for its performance. To be specific, small step size can get small excess mean square error but results in slow convergence. However, large step size may cause instability. Many variable step size least mean square (VSSLMS) algorithms have been developed to enhance the control performance. In this paper, a new VSSLMS was proposed based on Kwong’s algorithm to evaluate the robustness. The approximate analysis of dynamic and steady-state performance of this developed VSSLMS algorithm was given. An active vibration control system of piezoelectric cantilever beam was established to verify the performance of the VSSLMS algorithms. By comparing with the current VSSLMS algorithms, the proposed method has better performance in active vibration control applications.
Human lifecycle development and the experiential learning foundations of an integrated lifelong education framework
Authors: Richards Cameron
Published: November 2018

Many educators interested in notions of ‘learning through or from experience’ are influenced by Kolb’s basic model of experiential learning. Yet as a set of stages, the model involves a dilemma acknowledged by Kolb himself that it can proceed from either concrete experience or abstract conceptualisation. The paper builds on Kolb’s insights about a possible solution to this dilemma in terms of how experiential learning is in some respects synonymous with but otherwise a more specific version of Alan Rogers’ concept of informal lifelong education. On this basis, it adapts a ‘lifecycle’ perspective on how the direct or micro ‘here and now’ opportunities for constructive experiential learning ever potentially inform the larger or macro concept of lifelong learning – one also linked to the different formal modes as well as stages of education from schooling for youth through to adult education and later life learning. The paper further links various related lifelong learning challenges of harnessing direct life experience to the larger challenge of a typical knowledge-experience disconnect in modern formal education as well as society. Such a disconnect is exemplified by how lifelong informal learning often seems futile (and a lifetime of experience increasingly meaningless) in the face of the modern ‘work-retirement-death’ narrative still influential in a fast-changing and uncertain world.
Death and the Spectacle in Television and Social Media
Authors: Stratton Jon
Published: November 2018

Social media are pervaded by death. This article utilizes ideas drawn primarily from the work of Guy Debord—the society of the spectacle—and Jean Baudrillard—his discussion of death in Symbolic Exchange and Death, to think through the significance of death on social media. Debord argued that the consequence of the ubiquity of the mass media, and television in particular, and their increasing imbrication with consumption capitalism, was that social relations are increasingly lived as spectacle. At the same time, in the modern world, death has become increasingly separated from life. No longer integrated into social life, death has become the feared and meaningless end of life, which is to be preserved at all costs. The death that is now meaningful is not “natural” death but violent death. Social media is full of unnatural deaths including beheadings and suicide. This article discusses the pervasiveness of these on social media.
Audience Reception Research in a Post-broadcasting Digital Age
Authors: Schrøder Kim Christian
Published: November 2018

Audience reception research was a child of the broadcasting age, emerging strongly as a subdiscipline in media and communication research in the 1980s. Many saw reception research as a cross-fertilizing force theoretically and methodologically, bringing together research traditions from the humanities and the social sciences, and adding a qualitative orientation to the near-hegemonic rule of quantitative methods in audience research. This article discusses the ways in which reception research is reinventing itself in a post-broadcasting age. With sense-making processes as the continued key concern, three transformations are affecting the trajectory of reception research: An empirical shift has occurred from analyzing viewers’ “decoding” encounters with media “texts” to mapping audience participation in the wider mediascapes of traditional, digital, and social media; a theoretical adoption of, and contributions to, theories of participation and mediatization; and a methodological shift from purely qualitative to a mixed-method research design.
Characterization of flame-retardant performance of polyester/flame-retardant viscose blended yarn
Authors: Zhao Zhou , Di Youbo , Gao Libin , Wang Wei , Wu Xing
Published: November 2018

In this paper, a flame-retardant blend yarn was designed with flame-retardant viscose fiber and polyester. Flame-retardant viscose fiber was blended with polyester by core-spun method. Polyester was set as a core and the flame-retardant viscose fiber was set as a sheath to change the flame retardancy and disadvantage of moisture permeability. After the flame-retardant viscose fiber was spun into roving, polyester was added in spun yarn. The core yarn samples with different ratios were prepared by adjusting the amount of flame-retardant viscose fiber. The flame retardancy of core-spun yarn was evaluated by limiting oxygen index, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermogravimetric/Fourier transform infrared techniques. Limiting oxygen index of the yarn with 50% flame-retardant viscose fiber and 50% polyester was 27.6% and just decreased slightly to 27.1% after 30 washing cycles. Polyester begins to melt from inside core-spun yarn after heating and the molten polyester flows to outer layer of yarns by the diversion effect of higher temperature. Then it was carbonized by the polymetaphosphate which was generated by the flame-retardant viscose fiber. In thermal processes, the major product of thermal decomposition was CO2.
Magnetic gear with intersecting axes and straight stationary pole-pieces
Authors: Hao Xiuhong , Zhu Hongqian , Guan Xuemei , Pan Deng
Published: November 2018

Based on the magnetic field modulation effect, this article presents a magnetic gear with intersecting axes and straight stationary pole-pieces. Except for a higher utilization of permanent magnets and a greater output torque, the magnetic gear with intersecting axes and straight stationary pole-pieces provides several advantages, such as a smaller volume, higher torque density, and lower processing cost. The magnetic gear with intersecting axes and straight stationary pole-piece topology is herein introduced and the deduced constraints of the structural design are outlined. The transmission mechanism is demonstrated by analyzing the output torque in the middle of the air gaps. The effects of the main design parameters on the maximum static torque are evaluated using the finite element method. Based on the orthogonal experimental design and the response surface method, the optimum design results are provided. Prototype of the magnetic gear with intersecting axes and straight stationary pole-pieces has been realized and the static torque has been verified experimentally.
Cardiopulmonary-induced deformations of the thoracic aorta following thoracic endovascular aortic repair
Authors: Suh Ga-Young , Ullery Brant W. , Lee Jason T. , Dake Michael D. , Fleischmann Dominik , Cheng Christopher
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair has become a preferred treatment strategy for thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Yet, it is not well understood if the performance of endografts is affected by physiologic strain due to cyclic aortic motion during cardiac pulsation and respiration. We aim to quantify cardiac- and respiratory-induced changes of the postthoracic endovascular aortic repair thoracic aorta and endograft geometries.

Methods

Fifteen thoracic endovascular aortic repair patients (66 ± 10 years) underwent cardiac-resolved computed tomography angiographies during inspiratory/expiratory breath holds. The computed tomography angiography images were utilized to build models of the aorta, and lumen centerlines and cross-sections were extracted. Arclength and curvature were computed from the lumen centerline. Effective diameter was computed from cross-sections of the thoracic aorta. Deformation was computed from the mid-diastole to end-systole (cardiac deformation) and expiration to inspiration (respiratory deformation).

Results

Cardiac pulsation induced significant changes in arclength, mean curvature, maximum curvature change, and effective diameter of the ascending aorta, as well as effective diameter of the stented aortic segment. Respiration, however, induced significant change in mean curvature and effective diameter of the ascending aorta only. Cardiac-induced arclength change of the ascending aorta was significantly greater than respiratory-induced arclength change.

Conclusions

Deformations are present across the thoracic aorta due to cardiopulmonary influences after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. The geometric deformations are greatest in the ascending aorta and decline at the stented thoracic aorta. Additional investigation is warranted to correlate aortic deformation to endograft performance.
Pyocyanin induces NK92 cell apoptosis via mitochondrial damage and elevated intracellular Ca2+
Authors: Li Ting , Huang Xiaoyuan , Yuan Zhechen , Wang Linfang , Chen Miaobo , Su Fenfen , Ling Xiaojing , Piao Zhenghao
Published: November 2018

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-derived pigment pyocyanin (PCN) has been proved to induce cell apoptosis mediated by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which has been studied mainly in epithelial cells and neutrophils. However, we previously found that the PCN-producing strain PA14 induces cell apoptosis in human NK cell line NK92 more effectively than in PCN-deficient strain PA14-phZ1/2 via a yet undetermined mechanism. In the current study, we found that PCN-induced NK92 cell apoptosis occurs through mitochondrial damage despite inhibiting intracellular ROS generation. Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and Bcl-2 family proteins act as important “priming signals” for apoptosis. PCN treatment increased [Ca2+]i in NK92 cells more than twofold after 2 h stimulation, whereas the Ca2+-chelating agent ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) inhibited apoptosis. PCN triggered the activation of Bim, Bid, Bik, Bak, and phospho-Bad in NK92 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but these pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins were not inhibited by EGTA. In this study, we describe the function of PCN in NK92 cells and identify mitochondrial damage as the mechanism underlying the apoptosis. [Ca2+]i and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins are novel targets for PCN-induced apoptosis. Clarification of the cytotoxic diversity of PCN provides a new therapeutic target for defense from P. aeruginosa-induced immune cell damage.