bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations of 5HTTLPR polymorphism with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Oo Khine Zin , Aung Ye Kyaw , Jenkins Mark A , Win Aung Ko
Published: March 2016

Objective:

The neurotransmitter serotonin is understood to control mood and drug response. Carrying a genetic variant in the serotonin transporter gene ( 5HTT) may increase the risk of major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. Previous estimates of the association of the S allele of 5HTTLPR polymorphism with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence have been inconsistent.

Methods:

For the systematic review, we used PubMed MEDLINE and Discovery of The University of Melbourne to search for all relevant case-control studies investigating the associations of 5HTTLPR polymorphism with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. Summary odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. To investigate whether year of publication, study population or diagnostic criteria used were potential sources of heterogeneity, we performed meta-regression analyses. Publication bias was assessed using Funnel plots and Egger’s statistical tests.

Results:

We included 23 studies of major depressive disorder without alcohol dependence containing 3392 cases and 5093 controls, and 11 studies of alcohol dependence without major depressive disorder containing 2079 cases and 2273 controls. The summary OR for homozygote carriers of the S allele of 5HTTLPR polymorphism compared with heterozygote and non-carriers combined (SS vs SL+LL genotype) was 1.33 (95% CI = [1.19, 1.48]) for major depressive disorder and 1.18 (95% CI = [1.01, 1.38]) for alcohol dependence. The summary OR per S allele of 5HTTLPR polymorphism was 1.16 (95% CI = [1.08, 1.23]) for major depressive disorder and 1.12 (95% CI = [1.01, 1.23]) for alcohol dependence. Meta-regression models showed that the associations did not substantially change after adjusting for year of publication, study population and diagnostic criteria used. There was no evidence for publication bias of the studies included in our meta-analysis.

Conclusions:

Our meta-analysis confirms that individuals with the homozygous S allele of 5HTTLPR polymorphism are at increased risks of major depressive disorder as well as alcohol dependence. Further studies are required to investigate the association between 5HTTLPR polymorphism and the comorbidity of major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence as well as gene × environmental interactions.
An Exploration of Relationships Between Leadership and Student Citizenship Outcomes in Cyprus Middle Schools
Authors: Savvides Vassos , Pashiardis Petros
Published: March 2016

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to explore direct and indirect relationships between Leadership and Student Citizenship Outcomes in Cyprus middle schools. In the case of indirect effects the mediating role of School Academic Optimism and Instructional Quality was examined. Method: The specific study adopted a value-added quantitative design. Student achievement data were collected at the beginning and end of the term during which the subject of Citizenship Education was taught. Students also provided data about the quality of instruction, whereas teachers provided data about leadership and school academic optimism. Overall, a multistage sample of 20 middle schools, 114 classes, and 1,596 students participated in the current study. Multilevel modelling and single-level regression techniques were used to identify the relationships between the main variables of this study. Findings: A number of contextual student variables and one classroom variable were found to have a direct effect on citizenship outcomes. Neither School Leadership nor School Academic Optimism were found to have any direct or indirect effect. However, school leadership, along with a number of contextual variables, was found to have statistically significant effects on School Academic Optimism. Implications: The findings highlight the importance of the learning domain when searching for effectiveness factors at the classroom and school level. It is suggested that the subject of citizenship education is upgraded and principals as well as teachers are substantially supported to promote the subject goals.
Framing Feedback for School Improvement Around Distributed Leadership
Authors: Kelley Carolyn , Dikkers Seann
Published: March 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine the utility of framing formative feedback to improve school leadership with a focus on task-based evaluation of distributed leadership rather than on role-based evaluation of an individual leader. Research Methods/Approach: Using data from research on the development of the Comprehensive Assessment of Leadership for Learning, we examine ways to design formative evaluation and feedback organized around distributed leadership practices. This study draws on qualitative data from iterative design research conducted with middle and high school principals, assistant principals, teachers, and staff in 2011. Findings: Many challenges in providing actionable, multirater feedback were addressed by using an assessment instrument that focused on measuring distributed instructional leadership practices. Users reported that task-based multirater feedback provided transparency in communicating a clear theory of action for school improvement and fostered formal and informal conversations around school improvement. Implications for Research and Practice: The study suggests that focusing on distributed leadership practices may help overcome some of the limitations to the use of evaluation feedback that is targeted to an individual leader. Key features of formative feedback design desired by school principals included transparency in the theory of action underlying assessment items to prime teachers and leaders for collaborative discussions of current and potential practices, and research-based guidance on next steps schools can take to build distributed instructional leadership capacity in their schools.
Metrics Matter
Authors: Farrell Caitlin C. , Marsh Julie A.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Supporting teachers’ use of data has become a large part of educational leaders’ instructional leadership. Drawing on sensemaking theory, we explore how features of data and teachers’ perceptions of them may matter when teachers consider student learning data. Design: The article draws on a 1-year, comparative case study of five low-income, high needs middle schools in three districts. Data sources include interviews with district leaders ( n = 13); school administrators, coaches, and case study teachers ( n = 73); focus groups ( n = 6) with non–case study teachers ( n = 24); observations ( n = 20); web-based activity logs; and document review. Findings: Different forms of data lead to a wide range of instructional responses. State assessments, used largely at the beginning of the school year, aided teachers in grouping their students but did little to promote change in instructional delivery. District benchmark data, which teachers did not generally find useful, were associated with reteaching and retesting content, creating small groups, and having students reflect on their data, usually without a shift in pedagogy. Data from common grade assessments—valued for their closeness to instruction as well as their predictive information for future success on state assessments—were most often tied to regrouping or reteaching standards not yet mastered by students, but there was some promise of change in pedagogy. Classroom assessment results and student work, identified by teachers as very useful, were proportionately most often linked to changes in instructional delivery. Implications: We offer implications for leadership preparation and practice, education policy, and future research on data use.
Translating Sicily for the German and French stage: Modern Europe, its periphery, and the archaic in Luigi Pirandello's Questa sera si recita a soggetto (1929–1935)
Authors: Segnini Elisa
Published: March 2016

In the last two decades, the task of the translator for the theater has been frequently discussed and translation has been recognized as an important element in the process of play production. In light of these developments, and keeping in mind that a translation, as a “politically and ideologically charged creative process of rewriting” ( Krebs and Minier, 2009 : 66), is always shaped by constrictions that go beyond linguistic and semantic criteria, this article examines and compares the Italian, German, and French dramatic texts of Luigi Pirandello's Questa sera si recita a soggetto and their relation to first productions in Germany and France, within the time frame of 1929–1935. The aim is to investigate strategies for drama translation in the context of the late 1920s to early 1930s ideology and to examine how translators' choices affected the representations of regional and national transnational identities. The analysis sheds light on drama translation as well as on the role of the translator in the process of play productions; in addition, it questions the porous boundaries between translations and adaptations, as well as the hierarchy according to which scholars have often read the “original” in relation to subsequent versions.
Social organization, classificatory analogies and institutional logics: Institutional theory revisits Mary Douglas
Authors: Logue Danielle M , Clegg Stewart , Gray John
Published: March 2016

As a social theory of organization, it is unsurprising that institutional theory draws upon the profound and ambitious work of the late anthropologist Mary Douglas. One of the foundational concepts of organizational institutionalism, institutional logics, directly draws upon her work. Yet, in recent times this foundational role has faded from view. This is unfortunate for there is much continuity in current work with that of Douglas, it now being 50 years and 30 years respectively, since the publication of two of her formative works. The deep analogies that underpin classificatory systems and the processes by which they are sustained remain significant areas under continued investigation by institutional theorists. Thus, in this article we revisit Douglas’ core arguments and their connections to institutional theorizing. We specifically explore her contribution of ‘naturalizing analogies’ as a way of accounting for the unfolding of change across levels of analysis, extending, modifying and enriching explanations of how institutional change is reified, naturalized and made meaningful. We do this by providing empirical descriptions of meta-organizing analogies and field-level applications. We explain how Douglas’ major theoretical works are of considerable relevance for current institutional theorizing, particularly in informing accounts of institutional logics.
Fibre prestressed polymer-matrix composites: a review
Authors: Mostafa Nawras H , Ismarrubie ZN , Sapuan SM , Sultan MTH
Published: March 2016

This article reviews the literature studies based on improving the mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced composites using fibre-prestressing method. The idea is characterized by pretensioning the fibres either elastically or viscoelastically prior matrix curing. The beginnings of the studies in this field were focused on reducing fibre waviness and breaking the weaker fibres by pretensioning the fibres to a relatively high stress level prior moulding process. In the last three decades, the concept of fibre prestressing had been developed to include its ability to reduce the effect of undesired residual stresses existence accompanying manufacturing process of fibre-reinforced composites. The main advantage of fibre prestressing method is to generate a desired and controlled residual stress state within the matrix in order to obstruct the initiation and propagation of cracks. Various techniques of fibre prestressing have been reviewed to show their scope of applications, developments and limitations. Therefore, the findings drawn from this review can be used for further studies in the field of fibre prestressed composites in order to select the most suitable methodology and develop it to fit the manufacturing process requirements towards a production of high-performance composites without a considerable additional cost.
Employment Outcomes of Youth With Disabilities in Vocational Rehabilitation
Authors: Alsaman Marwa A. , Lee Chun-Lung
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study is twofold: (a) to examine the relationship between individual factors and rehabilitation outcomes of transition youth with disabilities receiving state vocational rehabilitation services and (b) to determine the contextual effects of state unemployment rate on the employment outcomes of transition youth and its potential interactions with personal and service factors. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling was used to analyze Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) data for fiscal year 2013. Results show that state unemployment rates were found to moderate the relationships between some demographic and service variables and successful competitive employment. These results indicate the importance of contextual variables, such as state unemployment rates, and their impact on the predictive strength of specific personal and service variables on employment outcomes of youth with disabilities. Implications for vocational rehabilitation services and policy, and future research are discussed.
Classics from this journal: Martin Rudwick’s ‘The Emergence of a Visual Language for Geological Science 1760–1840’, History of Science, xiv: 3, 1976, pp. 149–95
Authors: Kusukawa Sachiko
Published: March 2016

This is a brief review of the significance of Martin Rudwick’s article, ‘The Emergence of a Visual Language for Geological Science 1760–1840’, published in this journal 40 years ago.
Integrating Professional Development Across the Curriculum
Authors: Ciarocco Natalie J. , Dinella Lisa M. , Hatchard Christine J. , Valosin Jayde
Published: March 2016

The current study empirically tested the effectiveness of a modular approach to integrating professional development across an undergraduate psychology curriculum. Researchers conducted a two-group, between-subjects experiment on 269 undergraduate psychology students assessing perceptions of professional preparedness and learning. Analysis revealed those participating in the modular approach had a higher understanding of and investment in the psychology major, a higher awareness of professional development opportunities, higher knowledge of career options with a background in psychology, and better knowledge of professional development activities. Quiz scores indicate that students learned about professional development from the modules. Overall, the results imply that a modular approach to professional development can be effective and beneficial to students. Psychology programs should consider utilizing similar approaches in their curricula.
Personality’s Top 40
Authors: Wesselmann Eric D. , P. Kassner Matthew , Graziano William G.
Published: March 2016

We created an activity in an upper-level personality psychology course in which interested students created an “entry” for a contest in which they chose a popular song that illustrated a course concept. The class evaluated these entries and voted on their favorites in a tournament-style bracket system; winners received extra credit. Students enjoyed the activity regardless of whether they created an entry or simply voted for their favorite entry. For example, they indicated the activity helped clarify course concepts, encouraged them to think about the concepts in novel ways, and increased their appreciation for psychology. We created final exam items that assessed knowledge relevant to each entry. Students were more likely to answer these items correctly than a randomly selected subset of items unrelated to the entries. This activity could be adapted for other courses both within and outside of psychology.
The Narratives of the Gospels and the Historical Jesus: Current Debates, Prior Debates and the Goal of Historical Jesus Research
Authors: Keith Chris
Published: March 2016

The article argues that current debates over method in historical Jesus studies reveal two competing ‘models’ for how to use the gospel tradition in order to approach the historical Jesus. These models differ over their treatments of the narrative frameworks of the gospels and, concomitantly, their views of the development of the Jesus tradition. A first model, inspired by form criticism and still advocated today, attempts to attain a historical Jesus ‘behind’ the interpretations of early Christians. A second model, inspired by advances in historiography and memory theory, posits a historical Jesus who is ultimately unattainable, but can be hypothesized on the basis of the interpretations of the early Christians, and as part of a larger process of accounting for how and why early Christians came to view Jesus in the ways that they did. Advocating the latter approach to the historical Jesus and responding to previous criticism, this article argues further that these two models are methodologically and epistemologically incompatible. It therefore challenges the suggestion that one can affirm the goals of the second model while maintaining the methods of the first model.
Demonic Symposia in the Apocalypse of John
Authors: Royalty Robert M.
Published: March 2016

Food and dining references have generally been treated individually in the Apocalypse rather than as a motif of the text. Reading for typical daily practices such as eating and drinking rather than specific local or historical references or biblical allusions provides a window into the social world of the audience and the ideological agenda of the text. This article argues that the text employs banqueting traditions that would be familiar to Christian communities in urban Asia Minor. John uses aspects of the literary symposium tradition to construct the moral character of several actors in the text and to connect his opponents in the Asian communities with the satanic forces.
Finite-time passive filtering for a class of neutral time-delayed systems
Authors: Chen Xia , He Shuping
Published: March 2016

In this paper, the finite-time passive filtering problem of a class of neutral time-delayed systems is considered. The exogenous disturbances are unknown but norm bounded. A sufficient condition for passivity and finite-time stability of the combined system is derived and proved by means of Lyapunov functional methods and linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) techniques. The dynamic of the filtering error system is ensured to be finite-time bounded with a prescribed dissipation performance level [Formula: see text]. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Impact of Affect on Out-Group Judgments Depends on Dominant Information-Processing Styles
Authors: Isbell Linda M. , Lair Elicia C. , Rovenpor Daniel R.
Published: March 2016

Two studies tested the affect-as-cognitive-feedback model, in which positive and negative affective states are not uniquely associated with particular processing styles, but rather serve as feedback about currently accessible processing styles. The studies extend existing work by investigating (a) both incidental and integral affect, (b) out-group judgments, and (c) downstream consequences. We manipulated processing styles and either incidental (Study 1) or integral (Study 2) affect and measured perceptions of out-group homogeneity. Positive (relative to negative) affect increased out-group homogeneity judgments when global processing was primed, but under local priming, the effect reversed (Studies 1 and 2). A similar interactive effect emerged on attributions, which had downstream consequences for behavioral intentions (Study 2). These results demonstrate that both incidental and integral affect do not directly produce specific processing styles, but rather influence thinking by providing feedback about currently accessible processing styles.
Impact of Nodal Level Distribution on Survival in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Marchiano Emily , Patel Tapan D. , Eloy Jean Anderson , Baredes Soly , Park Richard Chan Woo
Published: March 2016

Objective

Regional lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, decreasing survival by up to 50%. Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OC‐SCCa) most commonly spreads to levels I, II, and III.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of a population‐based tumor registry.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for cases of OC‐SCCa from 2004 to 2011 (22,973 cases). Resulting data including patient demographics, clinicopathological features, topographical distribution of nodal metastasis, and survival based on lymph node level involvement were analyzed.

Results

In total, 8281 patients were identified with OC‐SCCa who underwent neck dissection. Level I, closely followed by levels II and III, represented the most commonly involved nodal basins. The 5‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) for patients with only level I, II, or III was 42.0% compared with 30.6% for the level IV group (P <. 0001) and 26.4% for the level V group (P <. 0001). Surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy improved 5‐year DSS for patients with level I to III, level IV, and level V neck disease compared with surgery alone (50.7% vs 48.6%, P =. 0109; 39.9% vs 23.2%, P <. 0001; and 33.3% vs 9.1%, P =. 0005, for levels I‐III, IV, and V, respectively).

Conclusion

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma most commonly involves nodal levels I, II, and III. Involvement of nodal level IV or V portends a worse prognosis than patients with only level I to III disease, and multimodality therapy should be considered for these patients.
Clinical Examination of Tissue Eosinophilia in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyposis
Authors: Gitomer Sarah A. , Fountain Cynthia R. , Kingdom Todd T. , Getz Anne E. , Sillau Stefan H. , Katial Rohit K. , Ramakrishnan Vijay R.
Published: March 2016

Objective

(1) Describe clinical and histopathologic findings in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). (2) Determine if tissue and serum eosinophilia predicts disease severity in CRSwNP.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Academic hospital specializing in respiratory and allergic disease.

Subjects

Patients with CRSwNP treated from 2008 to 2010.

Methods

Clinical data were collected; sinus computed tomography (CT) scans were scored according to the Lund‐Mackay system; and surgical specimens were evaluated for degree of tissue eosinophilia. Statistical analysis was performed to compare eosinophilia with indicators of disease severity.

Results

Seventy CRSwNP patients were included, with a mean Lund‐Mackay score of 16.7; 62.1% of patients had severe asthma, and 62.9% were aspirin sensitive. Elevated tissue eosinophil level did not correlate with medication usage, olfactory symptoms, or Lund‐Mackay scores, nor did it correlate with presence of asthma or aspirin‐sensitivity (P =. 09). Patients with mild asthma had significantly more tissue eosinophils versus patients with severe asthma, possibly because of the high amount of chronic corticosteroid use in severe asthmatics. There was no correlation between tissue and serum eosinophil counts (P =. 97), but there was a significant positive correlation between CT score and peripheral eosinophil level (P <. 05).

Conclusions

Higher serum eosinophil levels may indicate more extensive mucosal disease as measured on CT scan. Neither serum nor tissue eosinophilia predicted disease severity in our retrospective analysis of CRSwNP patients, and serum eosinophil level did not serve as a marker of tissue eosinophilia.
Purchase Preference Factors for Traditional Rural Retailers: A Cross-sectional Conceptual Study
Authors: Sarkar Dev Narayan , Kundu Kaushik , Chaudhuri Himadri Roy
Published: March 2016

Executive Summary

A scrutiny of existing literature suggests that traditional rural retailers are important for the success of rural marketing efforts in developing nations. The present study attempts to decipher the indications on the factors that could possibly influence purchase preferences of rural traditional retailers through the use of statistical methods of content analysis. The purpose of the study is to identify the factors that influence purchase preference, analyse the temporal movement of conceptualizations of these factors, and determine whether academic thought on this topic has a conceptual core.

This research work presents a longitudinal analysis of the factors over a period of 40 years: the need for information and training on new products and their selling techniques seem to maintain the same significance throughout the study period; the need for discounts has maintained almost a uniform ranking over the period of study; there is also a relative stability in the need for regular/frequent service; doorstep delivery had the highest ranking in the first period, which is probably owing to the relative weakness of delivery systems during the early phase of rural marketing; the requirement for credit seems to increase from the first period to the second period and then decrease. The factor of margins and commissions seems highly ranked only in the second period.

Dimension reduction technique and frequency tabulations are the methods used for content analysis. The core concepts indicate that a traditional rural retailer can possibly be persuaded to purchase high-demand products and brands, through the provision of credit, discounts, quantity discount schemes, margins and commissions, by using local distributors and by appointment of local company staff to provide regular service. The analysis has yielded two discernible conceptual clusters: high-demand products and brands and credit; and doorstep delivery and regular service. The clusters that emerge during the content analysis of traditional rural retailers’ purchase preference factors reflect the exact content from conclusions in at least one research paper that is not used (to prevent cyclic conclusions) during the content-analysis process. The result confirms that researchers have been moving on similar lines in their conceptualizations of the purchase preference factors of traditional rural retailers.
Evidence-based guidelines for treating bipolar disorder: Revised third edition recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology
Authors: Goodwin GM , Haddad PM , Ferrier IN , Aronson JK , Barnes TRH , Cipriani A , Coghill DR , Fazel S , Geddes JR , Grunze H , Holmes EA , Howes O , Hudson S , Hunt N , Jones I , Macmillan IC , McAllister-Williams H , Miklowitz DR , Morriss R , Munafò M , Paton C , Sahakian BJ , Saunders KEA , Sinclair JMA , Taylor D , Vieta E , Young AH
Published: March 2016

The British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines specify the scope and targets of treatment for bipolar disorder. The third version is based explicitly on the available evidence and presented, like previous Clinical Practice Guidelines, as recommendations to aid clinical decision making for practitioners: it may also serve as a source of information for patients and carers, and assist audit. The recommendations are presented together with a more detailed review of the corresponding evidence. A consensus meeting, involving experts in bipolar disorder and its treatment, reviewed key areas and considered the strength of evidence and clinical implications. The guidelines were drawn up after extensive feedback from these participants. The best evidence from randomized controlled trials and, where available, observational studies employing quasi-experimental designs was used to evaluate treatment options. The strength of recommendations has been described using the GRADE approach. The guidelines cover the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, clinical management, and strategies for the use of medicines in short-term treatment of episodes, relapse prevention and stopping treatment. The use of medication is integrated with a coherent approach to psychoeducation and behaviour change.
Celecoxib versus diclofenac for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: 12-week randomized study in Norwegian patients
Authors: Walker Chris , Essex Margaret N , Li Chunming , Park Peter W
Published: March 2016

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of two different doses of celecoxib and diclofenac in the treatment of Norwegian patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods

In this 12-week, double-blind, non-inferiority trial patients were randomized to 200 mg once daily (qd) celecoxib, 400 mg qd celecoxib, or 50 mg three times daily (tid) diclofenac. The primary objective compared patients’ assessments of Global Pain Intensity, measured on a visual analogue scale.

Results

A total of 330 patients were randomized (200 mg celecoxib, n = 107; 400 mg celecoxib, n = 108; diclofenac, n = 115). Least squares mean changes in Global Pain Intensity at 12 weeks were −25.8 mm, −30.6 mm and −28.2 mm, respectively. Both celecoxib treatment groups were non-inferior to diclofenac. More patients in the 400 mg celecoxib group met the Assessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis 20 responder criteria at Week 12 (60.2%) than in the celecoxib 200 mg (51.4%) and the diclofenac 50 mg (57.4%) groups. Adverse events were mild-to-moderate in severity, with dyspepsia and diarrhoea the most commonly reported.

Conclusions

Celecoxib and diclofenac both provided pain reduction, in addition to improvements in disease activity and functional capacity, in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Perception of Stand-on-ability: Do Geographical Slants Feel Steeper Than They Look?
Authors: Hajnal Alen , Wagman Jeffrey B. , Doyon Jonathan K. , Clark Joseph D.
Published: March 2016

Past research has shown that haptically perceived surface slant by foot is matched with visually perceived slant by a factor of 0.81. Slopes perceived visually appear shallower than when stood on without looking. We sought to identify the sources of this discrepancy by asking participants to judge whether they would be able to stand on an inclined ramp. In the first experiment, visual perception was compared to pedal perception in which participants took half a step with one foot onto an occluded ramp. Visual perception closely matched the actual maximal slope angle that one could stand on, whereas pedal perception underestimated it. Participants may have been less stable in the pedal condition while taking half a step onto the ramp. We controlled for this by having participants hold onto a sturdy tripod in the pedal condition (Experiment 2). This did not eliminate the difference between visual and haptic perception, but repeating the task while sitting on a chair did (Experiment 3). Beyond balance requirements, pedal perception may also be constrained by the limited range of motion at the ankle and knee joints while standing. Indeed, when we restricted range of motion by wearing an ankle brace pedal perception underestimated the affordance (Experiment 4). Implications for ecological theory were offered by discussing the notion of functional equivalence and the role of exploration in perception.
Disability and Mental Disorders in the Canadian Armed Forces
Authors: Weeks Murray , Garber Bryan G. , Zamorski Mark A.
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

The initial goal was to validate the use of a self-report measure of disability in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The main goal was to document the extent of disability in personnel with and without mental disorders.

Methods:

Data were obtained from the 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey; the sample included 6700 Regular Forces personnel. Disability was measured with the 12-item version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-2); established cut points were used to demarcate severe, moderate, minimal, and no disability. The following recent (past-year) and remote (lifetime but not past-year) disorders were assessed with diagnostic interviews: posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

Results:

The WHODAS-2 showed good internal consistency (α = 0.89) and a 1-factor structure. Most personnel had no disability (59.2%) or minimal disability (30.8%). However, an important minority had moderate or severe disability (8.4% and 1.6%, respectively). Individuals with recent disorders reported greater disability than those without lifetime disorders, although many had minimal or no disability (41.2% and 24.7%, respectively). Disability increased with the number of recent disorders. Relative to those without lifetime disorders, individuals with remote disorders showed slightly greater disability, but most had no disabilty (57.1%) or minimal disability (35.0%).

Conclusions:

The 12-item WHODAS-2 is a valid measure of disability in the CAF. Mental disorders may be important drivers of disability in this population, although limited residual disability is seen in individuals with remote disorders.
Perceived Need for and Perceived Sufficiency of Mental Health Care in the Canadian Armed Forces
Authors: Fikretoglu Deniz , Liu Aihua , Zamorski Mark A. , Jetly Rakesh
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

Failure to perceive need for care (PNC) is the leading barrier to accessing mental health care. After accessing care, many individuals perceive that their needs were unmet or only partially met, an additional problem related to perceived sufficiency of care (PSC). The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) invested heavily in workplace mental health in the past decade to improve PNC/PSC; yet, the impact of these investments remains unknown. To assess the impact of these investments, this study 1) captures changes in PNC/PSC over the past decade in the CAF and 2) compares current PNC/PSC between the CAF and civilians.

Methods:

Data were drawn from the 2013 and 2002 CAF surveys and the 2012 civilian mental health survey (total N = ∼40 000), conducted by Statistics Canada using similar methodology. Exclusions were applied to the civilian sample to make them comparable to the military sample. Prevalence rates for No need, Need met, Need partially met, and Need unmet categories across service types (Information, Medication, Counselling and therapy, Any services) were calculated and compared between 1) the 2 CAF surveys and 2) the 2013 CAF and 2012 civilian surveys after sample matching.

Results:

Reports of Any need and Need met were higher in the CAF in 2013 than in 2002 by approximately 6% to 8% and 2% to 8%, respectively, and higher in the CAF than in civilians by 3% to 10% and 2% to 8%, respectively.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that investments in workplace mental health, such as those implemented in the CAF, can lead to improvements in recognizing the need for care (PNC) and subsequently getting those needs met (PSC).
Prevalence Comparison of Past-year Mental Disorders and Suicidal Behaviours in the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian General Population
Authors: Rusu Corneliu , Zamorski Mark A. , Boulos David , Garber Bryan G.
Published: March 2016

Objective:

Military personnel in Canada and elsewhere have been found to have higher rates of certain mental disorders relative to their corresponding general populations. However, published Canadian data have only adjusted for age and sex differences between the populations. Additional differences in the sociodemographic composition, labour force characteristics, and childhood trauma exposure in the populations could be driving these prevalence differences. Our objective is to compare the prevalence of past-year mental disorders and suicidal behaviours in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force with the rates in a representative, matched sample of Canadians in the general population (CGP).

Methods:

Data sources were the 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey and the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey–Mental Health. CGP sample was restricted to match the age range, employment status, and history of chronic conditions of Regular Force personnel. An iterative proportional fitting method was used to approximate the marginal distribution of sociodemographic and childhood trauma variables in both samples.

Results:

Relative to the matched CGP, Regular Force personnel had significantly higher rates of past-year major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder, and suicide ideation. However, lower rates of alcohol use disorder were seen in Regular Force personnel relative to the matched CGP sample.

Conclusions:

Factors other than differences in sociodemographic composition and history of childhood trauma account for the excess burden of mental disorders and suicidal behaviours in the Canadian Armed Forces. Explanations to explore in future research include occupational trauma, selection effects, and differences in the context of administration of the 2 surveys.
Autism Spectrum Disorders in Africa: Current Challenges in Identification, Assessment, and Treatment
Authors: Ruparelia Kavita , Abubakar Amina , Badoe Eben , Bakare Muideen , Visser Karren , Chugani Diane C. , Chugani Harry T. , Donald Kirsten A. , Wilmshurst Jo M. , Shih Andy , Skuse David , Newton Charles R.
Published: March 2016

Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has increased over recent years, however, little is known about the identification and management of autism spectrum disorder in Africa. This report summarizes a workshop on autism spectrum disorder in Africa under the auspices of the International Child Neurology Association and the African Child Neurology Association through guided presentations and working group reports, focusing on identification, diagnosis, management, and community support. A total of 47 delegates participated from 14 African countries. Although there was a huge variability in services across the countries represented, numbers of specialists assessing and managing autism spectrum disorder was small relative to populations served. Strategies were proposed to improve identification, diagnosis, management and support delivery for individuals with autism spectrum disorder across Africa in these culturally diverse, low-resource settings. Emphasis on raising public awareness through community engagement and improving access to information and training in autism spectrum disorder. Special considerations for the cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic factors within Africa are discussed.
Microstructured chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels by computer-aided wet-spinning for biomedical three-dimensional scaffolds
Authors: Puppi Dario , Migone Chiara , Morelli Andrea , Bartoli Cristina , Gazzarri Matteo , Pasini Dario , Chiellini Federica
Published: March 2016

The application of additive manufacturing principles to hydrogel processing represents a powerful route to develop porous three-dimensional constructs with a variety of potential biomedical applications, such as scaffolds for tissue engineering and three-dimensional in vitro tissue models. The aim of this study was to develop novel porous hydrogels based on a microstructured polyelectrolyte complex between chitosan and poly(γ-glutamic acid) by applying a computer-aided wet-spinning technique. The developed fabrication process was used to build up three-dimensional porous hydrogels by collecting microstructured layers made of chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) on top of the other. Microstructured polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels were characterized and compared to chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) porous hydrogels with similar composition prepared by conventional freeze-drying technique. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the formation of an electrostatic interaction between the two processed polymers in all the developed chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) hydrogels. The composition of the porous constructs as well as the employed processing techniques had a significant influence on the resulting swelling, thermal, and mechanical properties. In particular, the combination of the ionic interaction between chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) and the defined internal microarchitecture of microstructured polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels provided a significant improvement of the compressive mechanical properties. Preliminary in vitro biological investigations revealed that microstructured polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels were suitable for the adhesion and proliferation of Balb/3T3 clone A31 mouse embryo fibroblasts. The encouraging results in terms of cytocompatibility and stability of the microstructure in aqueous solutions due to the ionic crosslinking suggest the investigation of the developed microstructured polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels as suitable scaffolds for three-dimensional cells’ culture.
Disturbance observer–based dynamic surface control design for a hypersonic vehicle with input constraints and uncertainty
Authors: Wang Fang , Zou Qin , Hua Changchun , Zong Qun
Published: March 2016

This article presents the flight control problem of a flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicle under input constraint and aerodynamic uncertainty. First, a control-oriented model is derived and decomposed into velocity subsystem and altitude subsystem, in which compounded disturbances are included to consider aerodynamic uncertainty and the effect of the flexible modes. Second, nonlinear disturbance observer technique is employed to estimate the compounded disturbance, where the estimation error converges to a compact set if the observer design parameters are chosen appropriately. Then, based on disturbance observer, a robust controller and a dynamic surface controller are developed, respectively, for the velocity subsystem and the altitude subsystem. Third, novel robust first-order filters are designed to overcome the “explosion of terms” problem induced by backstepping method. Additional systems are constructed to tackle input constraints. By rigorously Lyapunov stability proof, the designed control strategy can assure that tracking error converges to an arbitrarily small neighborhood around zero. Finally, simulations are performed to show the effectiveness of the presented control strategy.
Gender mainstreaming in Pakistani libraries: Analysing the possibilities
Authors: Khan Arif , Anbareen Rabia , Idrees Haroon , Saeed Gohar
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study is to explore the intention and competency of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals regarding sensitivity of gender-related issues in libraries and to examine the effect of a short-term (five days) thematic training workshop on Information Management with Gender Perspectives for LIS professionals. Data was collected from working librarians around the country using two separate channels, i.e. an online questionnaire, and pre/post-training test results from the trainees of a workshop on gender mainstreaming in libraries. The findings discuss the level of competencies, need for training, and attitudinal responsiveness of LIS professionals in Pakistan and appropriate measures are discussed. Moreover, gender-related issues and the current status of LIS professionals are alarming in terms of gender responsiveness. Findings show that only 17% of the LIS community is gender responsive. The results are useful for planners of engendered programmes and policies, library science professionals and researchers, especially in the field of gender and women’s studies and provide an insight for international readers into the perception of LIS professionals on mainstreaming gender in Pakistani libraries. This study uniquely presents the current status and preparedness of LIS professionals to address gender-related issues in libraries
Army Apostles: Imperial Officers on Loan and the Standardization of the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Armies, 1904–1914
Authors: Delaney Douglas E.
Published: March 2016

Between 1904 and 1914 the British army underwent significant reform to redress deficiencies that had been exposed during the South African War. It established a general staff, it reorganized the Regular Army for expeditionary operations, and it created a Territorial Force for home defence that could also provide force for overseas deployment. The War Office also took measures to prepare the dominion armies for an imperial war effort. It needed their men. So with the approval of the governments concerned, it sent scores of imperial officers overseas to organize and train dominion armies. This article examines what these officers accomplished in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Super Generics—First Step of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry in the Innovative Space in US Market
Authors: Suri F.K. , Banerji A.
Published: March 2016

The $90 billion Indian pharma industry has been unable to develop a new drug for the US market despite spending millions in research, even though Indian generics constitutes 40 per cent of US generic drug imports. Ranbaxy and Zydus have been able to launch indigenously developed new drugs in domestic market, but none of the Indian pharmaceutical companies have launched a new drug approved by USFDA. Until a few years ago (2005–2012), Para IV filing opportunities in the US had engaged the Indian firms quiet significantly. Today, that option is no longer is attractive due to limited Para IV opportunities being targeted by numerous firms. Of late, super generics have emerged as the industry’s hope for the future. They have caught the attention of branded players as some categories enjoy a measure of patent protection (3–5 years) in US under Section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). This article is aimed at studying the concept of incremental research in pharmaceutical industry, development cycle and regulatory pathway for super generics, profitability estimates and possibilities in future for Indian firms.
Lost in Transnationalism? GMOs in India and the Eclipse of Equitable Development Discourse
Authors: Bownas Richard
Published: March 2016

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been at the centre of passionate debates in recent years, about their safety, their political economic impact and arguably as a litmus test for broader discourses about development. In India, this debate, focusing on Bt cotton, and more recently on Bt eggplant (brinjal), has been particularly vociferous. This article adds context to the debate by showing how rival perspectives on the role of GMOs in economic development have found differing channels of influence and support, many of them transnational in nature. Drawing on interviews with participants in India, from all sides of the argument—non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research, private and governmental sectors—this article argues that a ‘third’ perspective on the introduction of GMOs, that of ‘equitable development’, has been eclipsed by the transnational resources and media presence of both ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ stances. This article therefore aims to link the study of transnational advocacy with the political economy of development, a link which has not been apparent in much recent literature on advocacy networks.
Rainstorm Activities for Early Childhood Music Lessons Inspired by Teachable Moments
Authors: Poole Harrison Grant
Published: March 2016

Activities that focus on already familiar concepts are good starting points when designing early childhood music lessons. The author uses teachable moments, a spider in the classroom and a rainstorm, to design interdisciplinary preschool group activities that teach music, math, and science concepts. Dynamics and tempo are the music concepts that are focused on for both of the activities described.