bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional and Motivational Engagement at School Transition
Authors: Symonds Jennifer , Hargreaves Linda
Published: November 2014

Adolescents typically like school less after making age-graded school transitions. Stage-environment fit theory (Eccles & Midgley, 1989) attributes this to a mismatch between developmental needs and new school environments. Our in vivo study provides a basis for future quantitative designs by uncovering the most prevalent stage-environment interactions in adolescents’ descriptions about school. Across one school year, adolescents discussed their emotional and motivational engagement. Emotional engagement (i.e., liking) was mainly based on adolescents’ emotions interacting with their daily experiences of teachers, peers, and lessons. In comparison, motivational engagement (i.e., value) was attributed to distal interactions between the self-concept and school as a gateway to friendships and a career. Because unique stage-environment interactions occurred for each engagement type and adolescents felt simultaneously engaged and disengaged, we recommend finer grained analyses of measured engagement. Finally, we argue for discerning time periods of preparing for, encountering, and adapting to new environments in stage-environment fit models, in our proposed model of transition phase psychology.
Targeting the Ontology of War: From Clausewitz to Baudrillard
Authors: Nordin Astrid H.M. , Öberg Dan
Published: November 2014

Against a surprising level of agreement between Clausewitz, contemporary military doctrines and critical war studies on an ontology of war as fighting, we suggest that the study of contemporary warfare needs to focus more on war as processing. Through Jean Baudrillard we argue that at least some of what is referred to as ‘war’ is no longer characterised by encounters through fighting. We exemplify our argument by how the repetitive battle-rhythm of military targeting strives for perfect war. What remains is not war as an object in itself, but a reified ‘war’ that obscures the disappearance of that very object. The debate on war contributes to the reification of such a war, as an imperative telling us: ‘we have a concept, you must learn to think through it’.
The Effect of Tibial Tuberosity Medialization and Lateralization on Patellofemoral Joint Kinematics, Contact Mechanics, and Stability
Authors: Stephen Joanna M. , Lumpaopong Punyawan , Dodds Alexander L. , Williams Andy , Amis Andrew A.
Published: November 2014

Background:

Tibial tuberosity (TT) transfer is a common procedure to treat patellofemoral instability in patients with elevated TT–trochlear groove (TG) distances. However, the effects of TT lateralization or medialization on patellar stability, kinematics, and contact mechanics remain unclear.

Hypothesis:

Progressive medialization and lateralization will have increasingly adverse effects on patellofemoral joint kinematics, contact mechanics, and stability.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were placed on a testing rig, with a fixed femur and tibia mobile through 90° of flexion. Individual quadriceps heads and the iliotibial band were separated and loaded with 205 N in anatomic directions using a weighted pulley system. Patellofemoral contact pressures and patellar tracking were measured at 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion using pressure-sensitive film behind the patella and an optical tracking system. The intact knee was measured with and without a 10-N patellar lateral displacement load, and recordings were repeated after TT transfer of 5, 10, and 15 mm medially and laterally. Statistical analysis used repeated-measures analysis of variance, Bonferroni post hoc analysis, and Pearson correlations.

Results:

Tibial tuberosity lateralization significantly elevated lateral joint contact pressures, increased lateral patellar tracking, and reduced patellar stability ( P < .048). There was a significant correlation between mean lateral contact pressure and the TT position ( r = 0.810, P < .001) at 10°. Tibial tuberosity medialization reduced lateral contact pressures ( P < .002) and did not elevate peak medial contact pressures ( P > .11).

Conclusion:

Progressive TT lateralization elevated lateral contact pressures, increased lateral patellar tracking, and reduced patellar stability. Medial contact pressure and tracking did alter with progressive TT medialization, but the changes were smaller.

Clinical Relevance:

Lateral patellofemoral joint contact pressures increased with progressive lateralization of the TT; medialization of the TT reduced these effects, restoring patellar stability, and did not cause excessive peak pressures. These data provide a rationale for medial TT transfer surgery in patients with elevated TT-TG distances.
The Effects of 2 Landing Techniques on Knee Kinematics, Kinetics, and Performance During Stop-Jump and Side-Cutting Tasks
Authors: Dai Boyi , Garrett William E. , Gross Michael T. , Padua Darin A. , Queen Robin M. , Yu Bing
Published: November 2014

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL) commonly occur during jump landing and cutting tasks. Attempts to land softly and land with greater knee flexion are associated with decreased ACL loading. However, their effects on performance are unclear.

Hypothesis:

Attempts to land softly will decrease peak posterior ground-reaction force (PPGRF) and knee extension moment at PPGRF compared with a natural landing during stop-jump and side-cutting tasks. Attempts to land with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact will increase knee flexion at PPGRF compared with a natural landing during both tasks. In addition, both landing techniques will increase stance time and lower extremity mechanical work as well as decrease jump height and movement speed compared with a natural landing during both tasks.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 18 male and 18 female recreational athletes participated in the study. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected during stop-jump and side-cutting tasks under 3 conditions: natural landing, soft landing, and landing with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact.

Results:

Attempts to land softly decreased PPGRF and knee extension moment at PPGRF compared with a natural landing during stop-jump tasks. Attempts to land softly decreased PPGRF compared with a natural landing during side-cutting tasks. Attempts to land with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact increased knee flexion angle at PPGRF compared with a natural landing during both stop-jump and side-cutting tasks. Attempts to land softly and land with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact increased stance time and lower extremity mechanical work, as well as decreased jump height and movement speed during both stop-jump and side-cutting tasks.

Conclusion:

Although landing softly and landing with greater knee flexion at initial ground contact may reduce ACL loading during stop-jump and side-cutting tasks, the performance of these tasks decreased, as indicated by increased stance time and mechanical work as well as decreased jump height and movement speed.

Clinical Relevance:

Training effects tested in laboratory environments with the focus on reducing ACL loading may be reduced in actual competition environments when the focus is on athlete performance. The effects of training programs for ACL injury prevention on lower extremity biomechanics in athletic tasks may need to be evaluated in laboratories as well as in actual competitions.
Does External Rotation Bracing for Anterior Shoulder Dislocation Actually Result in Reduction of the Labrum?
Authors: Jordan Robert W. , Saithna Adnan , Old Jason , MacDonald Peter
Published: November 2014

Background:

External rotation (ER) bracing has been shown to improve labral reduction in cadaveric studies, but this has not translated to universal improvement in re-dislocation rates in clinical series.

Purpose:

To systematically review and critically appraise the literature that investigates how well the labrum is actually reduced by ER in patients who have had an anterior shoulder dislocation.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic review of the literature using the online databases Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register. Studies were included if they reported on the difference in labral reduction after ER and internal rotation bracing in patients who had a traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation.

Results:

Of the 6 studies included, 5 assessed labral reduction on magnetic resonance imaging and 1 arthroscopically. Each study reported an overall improvement in labral reduction with ER, but anatomic reduction was not commonly achieved. This was despite the use of extreme positions that are unlikely to be well tolerated.

Conclusion:

External rotation results in anatomic reduction of the labrum in only 35% of cases. We postulate that failure to reduce the labrum may be a contraindication to ER bracing and propose further study to determine whether acute MRI could be used to help identify patients in whom ER achieves labral reduction in a comfortable position. This approach also has the advantage of avoiding the significant inconvenience of ER bracing in those in whom the labrum does not reduce and are therefore theoretically less likely to benefit. However, it is a novel strategy with significant resource implications and therefore warrants further study.
All Together Now
Authors: Kratz Hilary E. , Locke Jill , Piotrowski Zinnia , Ouellette Rachel R. , Xie Ming , Stahmer Aubyn C. , Mandell David S.
Published: November 2014

This study sought to validate a new measure, the Classroom Cohesion Survey (CCS), designed to examine the relationship between teachers and classroom assistants in autism support classrooms. Teachers, classroom assistants, and external observers showed good inter-rater agreement on the CCS and good internal consistency for all scales. Simple factor structures were found for both teacher- and classroom assistant–rated scales, with one-factor solutions for both scales. Paired t tests revealed that on average, classroom assistants rated classroom cohesion stronger than teachers. The CCS may be an effective tool for measuring cohesion between classroom staff and may have an important impact on various clinical and implementation outcomes in school settings.
Poly(2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone) methacrylate) and hyaluronic acid–based hydrogels for the engineering of a cartilage-like tissue using bovine articular chondrocytes
Authors: Magalhães Joana , Crawford Aileen , Hatton Paul V , Blanco Francisco J , Roman Julio San
Published: November 2014

Poly(2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone)methacrylate)–hyaluronic acid hydrogels based on the free radical polymerization of 2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone)methacrylate combined with hyaluronic acid, using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide or triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, as cross-linking agents, were considered for tissue engineering applications. Bovine articular chondrocytes were seeded onto the poly(2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone)methacrylate)–hyaluronic acid hydrogels, under orbital agitation, for a total of 40 days. The engineered cell-constructs were characterized according to cell proliferation, morphology and distribution as well as the biochemical composition of the tissue formed. The chondrocytes were found to be attached and presented a typical spherical morphology. Cells were able to proliferate and synthesize a hyaline-like matrix rich in glycosaminoglycans and collagen type II which were mainly located on the superficial area. Increased content of individual components poly(2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone)methacrylate) and hyaluronic acid, in triethylene glycol dimethacrylate–cross-linked networks led to enhanced cell distribution and total glycosaminoglycans content, supporting their potential application for the repair of cartilaginous tissues.
The effect of surface-treated titanium dioxide on the interfacial properties of carbon fiber-reinforced high-density polyethylene composite
Authors: Zhang JG , Zhang YF
Published: November 2014

The surface functionalization of titanium dioxide (TiO2) was used to modify the surface of carbon fiber (CF). The objective of this study is to improve the interlaminar shear strength and impact properties of the composites by mixing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin and modifying CFs. The Izod impact strength of the CF/HDPE composites increases with increasing CF content because of the high impact strength of the CF, whereas incorporation of the TiO2 increased the impact strength of the CF/HDPE composites, which may be attributed to the reinforcing effect of the TiO2 particles. Especially the surface treatment of TiO2 increases the interfacial adhesion and the thermal stability of the CF/TiO2/HDPE composite.
The effect of surface functionality of carbon nanotubes on mechanical and tribological behaviours of carbon fibre-filled styrene–butadiene rubber composite
Authors: Chilan Cai , Wenxia Wang , Jianguo Zhang
Published: November 2014

The friction and wear behaviours of carbon fibre (CF)- and carbon nanotube (CNT)-filled styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) composite was investigated in a ring-on-block wear tester. Ti6Al4V alloy ring (with a diameter of 28 mm) was selected as the counter body in this study. It was found that the detachment of particles, ripples and ploughs were observed under higher load. The addition of CNT efficiently improves the interfacial adhesion of CF/SBR composite. Both the friction coefficient and wear increased with load, and the CNT-filled one showed lower friction coefficient and wear.
Do options for job flexibility diminish in times of economic uncertainty?
Authors: Sweet Stephen , Besen Elyssa , Pitt-Catsouphes Marcie , McNamara Tay K
Published: November 2014

This study explores the possibility that the 2008 economic recession affected the availability of flexible work arrangements by comparing two surveys of organizations in the USA, one conducted prior to the recession and the other after its onset. Adaptation and institutional perspectives are contrasted, revealing different expectations for the effects of economic tumult on the availability of flexible work arrangements. Greater support is found for the adaptation perspective, as organizations offered fewer flexible work options in 2009 than in 2006. They also engaged in less promotion of alternate work arrangements. Analysis indicates that prior trends toward increasing availability of flexible work arrangements have shifted downward.
Adaptive nonlinear feedback control of chaos in permanent-magnet synchronous motor system with parametric uncertainty
Authors: Hu Jian , Liu Long , Ma Da-wei , Ullah Nasim
Published: November 2014

The permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) system, which is a nonlinear dynamic system, will exhibit a variety of chaotic or limit-cycle phenomenon under some choices in system parameters and external disturbances and its chaotic characteristics will become obvious. Based on the mathematical model of the PMSM system, the property of equilibrium points is analyzed and the relationship between Hopf bifurcation and the system parameters associated with control parameters is illustrated. In addition, bifurcation diagram, Lyapunov exponent map, and phase plane diagram are also presented in this paper. An adaptive nonlinear feedback controller, which could estimate the system parameters online, is then designed to eliminate the chaos and drive the speed of PMSM to a desired value in presence of system parametric uncertainty. Numerical simulation proves that the proposed control method has a better controlling effect than the general nonlinear feedback controller.
The ethical dimension of nursing care rationing
Authors: Vryonides Stavros , Papastavrou Evridiki , Charalambous Andreas , Andreou Panayiota , Merkouris Anastasios
Published: November 2014

Background:

In the face of scarcity, nurses may inevitably delay or omit some nursing interventions and give priority to others. This increases the risk of adverse patient outcomes and threatens safety, quality, and dignity in care. However, it is not clear if there is an ethical element in nursing care rationing and how nurses experience the phenomenon in its ethical perspective.

Objectives:

The purpose was to synthesize studies that relate care rationing with the ethical perspectives of nursing, and find the deeper, moral meaning of this phenomenon.

Research design:

A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies was used. Searching was based on guidelines suggested by Joana Brigs Institute, while the synthesis has drawn from the methodology described. Primary studies were sought from nine electronic databases and manual searches. The explicitness of reporting was assed using consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Nine studies involving 167 nurse participants were included. Synthesis resulted in 35 preliminary themes, 14 descriptive themes, and four analytical themes (professional challenges and moral dilemmas, dominating considerations, perception of a moral role, and experiences of the ethical effects of rationing). Discussion of relationships between themes revealed a new thematic framework.

Ethical consideration:

Every effort has been taken, for the thoroughness in searching and retrieving the primary studies of this synthesis, and in order for them to be treated accurately, fairly and honestly and without intentional misinterpretations of their findings.

Discussion:

Within limitations of scarcity, nurses face moral challenges and their decisions may jeopardize professional values, leading to role conflict, feelings of guilt, distress and difficulty in fulfilling a morally acceptable role. However, more research is needed to support certain relationships.

Conclusions:

Related literature is limited. The few studies found highlighted the essence of justice, equality in care and in values when prioritizing care—with little support to the ethical effects of rationing on nurses. Further research on ethical dimension of care rationing may illuminate other important aspects of this phenomenon.
Constructing a theoretical model of moral distress
Authors: Barlem Edison Luiz Devos , Ramos Flávia Regina Souza
Published: November 2014

Moral distress has been characterised as one of the main ethical problems affecting nurses in all health systems, and has been depicted as a threat to nurses’ integrity and to the quality of patient care. In recent years, several studies tried to investigate moral distress, its causes and consequences for health professionals, clients and organisations. However, such studies are considered controversial and vulnerable, mainly because they lack a solid philosophical and empirical basis. The present article aimed at elaborating a theoretical model for moral distress, considering the process of moral deliberation, spaces of power and resistance and patient advocacy, and sought to carry out a reflection that culminated with the creation of a broader concept of moral distress.
Attitudes and Perceptions of Parents and Staff Toward the Rapid Hydration Protocol Prior to Chemotherapy in Children
Authors: Samonis Ramona , Hilliard Jane , Bains Tejinder , Hollis Kathryn , O’Shaughnessy Erin , Vaillancourt Régis , Johnston Donna
Published: November 2014

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario has implemented a rapid hydration protocol that may reduce the time required to achieve adequate hydration prior to chemotherapy. This study aims to assess parent satisfaction and the attitudes and perceptions of oncology staff with regard to the rapid hydration protocol. Patients who received both standard and rapid hydration were identified, and their parents were asked to rate the child’s experiences on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Oncology staff were interviewed and common themes were identified. Parents perceived their child’s experience with rapid hydration to be the same or better than with the standard hydration. Themes uncovered through staff interviews indicate an overall positive perception of rapid hydration, but there are some concerns with certain patients not meeting necessary urine parameters in a timely manner, and incorporating the rapid hydration preprinted order into the current chemotherapy preprinted order was a challenge. These results may be used to improve the current practice and inform hospitals planning to adopt rapid hydration, but further research is required to assess parent satisfaction.
Medical and Psychosocial Associates of Nonadherence in Adolescents With Cancer
Authors: Hullmann Stephanie E. , Brumley Lauren D. , Schwartz Lisa A.
Published: November 2014

The current study examined adherence to medication regimens among adolescents with cancer by applying the Pediatric Self-Management Model. Adolescents and their parents reported on adherence to medication, reasons for nonadherence, and patient-, family-, and community-level psychosocial variables. Adolescent- and parent-reported adherence were significantly correlated, with about half of the sample reporting perfect adherence. The majority reported “just forgot” as the most common reason for missed medication. Patient-, family-, and community-level variables were examined as predictors of adherence. With regard to individual factors, adolescents who endorsed perfect adherence reported a greater proportion of future-orientated goals and spent fewer days in outpatient clinic visits. For family factors, adolescents who endorsed perfect adherence reported greater social support from their family and were more likely to have a second caregiver who they perceived as overprotective. The community-level variable (social support from friends) tested did not emerge as a predictor of adherence. The results of this study provide direction for intervention efforts to target adolescent goals and family support in order to increase adolescent adherence to cancer treatment regimens.
Smart sensing layer for the detection of damage due to defects in a laminated composite structure
Authors: Nasir Muhammad A , Akram Hina , Khan Zaffar M , Shah Masood , Anas Saad , Asfar Zeeshan , Nauman Saad
Published: November 2014

A smart sensing layer based on polystyrene and carbon nanoparticles has been developed. It has been deposited on the composite specimens for real-time, in situ monitoring of structural health. The strain response of the smart sensing layer has been recorded for composite laminates using different defect configurations (notch spacing). Numerical simulations of the stress–strain concentration have been carried out in order to determine the state of strain at the smart sensing layer, in the presence of different notch configurations. It has been observed that the sensing layer detects well the presence of large deformations and damage due to defects in the structure, with clearly defined peaks at the points of structural damage.
Dynamic analysis of functionally graded circular cylindrical panel with piezoelectric fiber composite actuator and sensor
Authors: Bahrami Sina , Ovesy Hamid Reza , Shakeri Mahmoud
Published: November 2014

A three-dimensional piezoelasticity analysis is presented for a functionally graded circular cylindrical panel with piezoelectric fiber composite layers as sensor and actuator under dynamic load and electrical excitation. It is assumed that the material properties of functionally graded material obey the power law. Moreover, the effective properties of the piezoelectric composite layers are derived from the properties of their constituents using iso-field assumption. Three-dimensional finite element analysis is applied to solve the coupled partial differential equations (PDEs), including Maxwell’s equation for electric displacement and three equations of motion. Discretized governing equations are solved over time domain using Houbolt time integration scheme. The stress and potential electricity results are compared for various supports, electrical excitation voltages, and volume fractions. Moreover, the results are provided versus time domain and a comparison has been made between sensor voltage and the corresponding stress component.
Parameter identification of a novel strain stiffening model for magnetorheological elastomer base isolator utilizing enhanced particle swarm optimization
Authors: Yu Yang , Li Yancheng , Li Jianchun
Published: November 2014

This article presents a novel model to describe the nonlinear relationships between shear force and displacement/velocity in a magnetorheological elastomer base isolator. The proposed model, containing a strain stiffening element, is able to portray the distinct dynamic behaviors of magnetorheological elastomer base isolator. To identify the model parameters, an enhanced particle swarm optimization is used on force–displacement/velocity data sampled under different loading conditions. In this algorithm, a self-adaptive inertia weight replaces the general linear weight, enhancing the convergence rate of iteration process. Besides, the mutation operator in genetic algorithm is adopted for finding global optimum. Testing data of the device displacement, velocity and force from magnetorheological elastomer base isolator are utilized to validate the proposed model and corresponding parameter identification algorithm.
Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Posthospitalization Hospice Care Settings
Authors: Kirkendall Abbie , Shen Jay J. , Greenway Joseph , Bai Wenbo
Published: November 2014

Investigating whether socioeconomic characteristics determine if hospice is received at home or in a medical facility is important to examine, considering most patients prefer to die at home. This study relied upon The State Inpatient Data of Nevada. A total of 19 206 discharges were analyzed from the data set between 2009 and 2013. The results indicate that increasingly patients are being discharged to home and overall socioeconomic characteristics appear to have less of an influence over whether hospice is received at home or in a medical facility. Further research on the perspectives of patients would provide insight into whether patients’ preferences or socioeconomic characteristics are more influential on where hospice services are received.
A Structured Approach to End-of-Life Decision Making Improves Quality of Care for Patients With Terminal Illness in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Edwin Ama Kyerewaa , Johnson McGee Summer , Opare-Lokko Edwina Addo , Gyakobo Mawuli Kotope
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

To determine whether a structured approach to end-of-life decision-making directed by a compassionate interdisciplinary team would improve the quality of care for patients with terminal illness in a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Findings:

A retrospective analysis was done for 20 patients who consented to participate in the structured approach to end-of-life decision-making. Twenty patients whose care did not follow the structured approach were selected as controls. Outcome measures were nociceptive pain control, completing relationships, and emotional response towards dying. These measures were statistically superior in the study group compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

A structured approach to end-of-life decision-making significantly improves the quality of care for patients with terminal illness in the domains of pain control, completing relationships and emotional responses towards dying.
Trends in the Use of Volunteers in US Hospices
Authors: Apenteng Bettye A. , Linder Daniel F. , Opoku Samuel T. , Lawrence Raymona H. , Upchurch Linda A. L.
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

Using a longitudinal sample of freestanding Medicare-certified hospices in the 50 US states and the District of Columbia, this study sought to explore the factors associated with volunteer demand and describe how volunteer use has changed from 2000 to 2010.

Results:

A temporal decline in the extent of use of volunteers in freestanding hospices was observed over the study period. Findings indicated that both organizational and environmental factors influence the use of volunteers in US freestanding hospices.

Conclusion:

Given the importance of volunteers, both in the preservation of hospices’ philanthropic traditions and in reducing health care expenditure at the end of life, research is needed to further evaluate the factors associated with this decline. Emphasis should be placed on improving the retention of the existing hospice volunteer workforce.
National Culture and Home Advantage in Football
Authors: Gelade Garry A.
Published: November 2014

This article examines home advantage (HA) in association football (soccer). HA is the tendency for teams to perform better when playing on their home ground than when playing away. National variations in HA are found to be related to national cultural and social characteristics. HA tends to be elevated in countries with high levels of collectivism and in-group favoritism, and in countries where governance is prone to corruption and where the rule of law is not strictly adhered to. These findings are consistent with the concept of HA as a social phenomenon that derives from the influence of spectators on the match officials. HA is also found to be elevated in countries with diverse terrain, but the effects of culture persist even when diversity of terrain is controlled for. On the other hand, the hypothesis that HA is elevated in the presence of large crowds or potentially violent spectators was not supported.
Ultrasound-Guided Alcohol Injection for Morton’s Neuroma
Authors: Pasquali Cecilia , Vulcano Ettore , Novario Raffaele , Varotto Davide , Montoli Carlo , Volpe Antonio
Published: November 2014

Background:

Ultrasonography-guided alcohol injection (USGAI) of Morton’s neuroma represents an alternative to operative treatment. Nonetheless, the literature only reports few small studies evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment. The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess the effectiveness of USGAI to treat Morton’s neuroma in 508 patients at 2 medical centers.

Methods:

Between January 2001 and January 2012, 508 patients with 540 Morton’s neuroma had USGAI for Morton’s neuroma. Only second and third web-space neuromas were included in this study.

Results:

A mean number of 3.0 (range, 1 to 4) injections were performed for each neuroma. Mean local inflammatory reaction was 0.7 (range, 0 to 2). There were no other local or systemic complications. The overall mean pre-USGAI VAS score was 8.7 (range, 6 to 10), while the post-USGAI VAS score at 1 year was 3.6 (range, 0 to 9). The delta VAS between the pre- and post-USGAI was statistically significant ( P < .0001). At 1-year follow-up 74.5% of patients were satisfied with the procedure.

Conclusion:

USGAI produced encouraging results in over 500 patients affected by Morton’s neuroma. The procedure proved to be safe in all patients.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Analysis of PITFL Injuries in Rotationally Unstable Ankle Fractures
Authors: Warner Stephen J. , Garner Matthew R. , Schottel Patrick C. , Hinds Richard M. , Loftus Michael L. , Lorich Dean G.
Published: November 2014

Background:

Reduction and stabilization of the syndesmosis in unstable ankle fractures is important for ankle mortise congruity and restoration of normal tibiotalar contact forces. Of the syndesmotic ligaments, the posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL) provides the most strength for maintaining syndesmotic stability, and previous work has demonstrated the significance of restoring PITFL function when it remains attached to a posterior malleolus fracture fragment. However, little is known regarding the nature of a PITFL injury in the absence of a posterior malleolus fracture. The goal of this study was to describe the PITFL injury pattern based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intraoperative observation.

Methods:

A prospective database of all operatively treated ankle fractures by a single surgeon was used to identify all supination-external rotation (SER) types III and IV ankle fracture patients with complete preoperative orthogonal ankle radiographs and MRI. All patients with a posterior malleolus fracture were excluded. Using a combination of preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings, we analyzed the nature of injuries to the PITFL. In total, 185 SER III and IV operatively treated ankle fractures with complete imaging were initially identified.

Results:

Analysis of the preoperative imaging and operative reports revealed 34% (63/185) had a posterior malleolus fracture and were excluded. From the remaining 122 ankle fractures, the PITFL was delaminated from the posterior malleolus in 97% (119/122) of cases. A smaller proportion (3%; 3/122) had an intrasubstance PITFL rupture.

Conclusions:

Accurate and stable syndesmotic reduction is a significant component of restoring the ankle mortise after unstable ankle fractures. In our large cohort of rotationally unstable ankle fractures without posterior malleolus fractures, we found that most PITFL injuries occur as a delamination off the posterior malleolus. This predictable PITFL injury pattern may be used to guide new methods for stabilizing the syndesmosis in these patients.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
From Pop-Up Books to Shakespeare
Authors: Smith Kenneth J.
Published: November 2014

Research suggests that experts and beginners use qualitatively different writing processes when given the same text to write. Throughout their writing, experts tend to create a network of executive, structural, and content problems that they continually refine and coordinate as they bring the text to fruition. Novices, in contrast, tend to focus on shallow, singular goals one at a time. This article reviews this research and then suggests instructional models to help talented writers develop this expert writing process across the elementary grade levels.
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
Authors: Young Mary Hahn , Balli Sandra J.
Published: November 2014

This qualitative study explored student and parent perspectives on the extent to which gifted and talented programs met the educational needs of gifted students in Grades 4 to 7. Fifty-two interviews were conducted with students and parents from 10 public schools including seven neighborhood schools and three magnet schools. Participant perceptions were considered through Renzulli’s (2002) three-ring conception model, which defines gifted behavior according to three traits: above-average ability, high levels of task commitment, and high levels of creativity. Results indicated that the gifted and talented programs in neighborhood schools were inconsistent in differentiating instruction to meet the educational needs of gifted students, whereas gifted education in magnet schools was described as consistently meeting gifted students’ needs. Despite gifted program inconsistencies in neighborhood schools, parents and students from those schools were typically unwilling to transfer to magnet schools citing convenience, diversity of student population, and friendships. All parents pressed for increased funding of gifted and talented education (GATE).
Building Gifted Education
Authors: Jolly Jennifer L.
Published: November 2014

The Marland Report was the impetus and structure to provide a more systematic approach to building state and regional gifted programs. One of the strategies used to proliferate the spread of programming for gifted students throughout the states was the National/State Leadership Training Institute on the Gifted and Talented (N/S-LTI-G/T; Jackson, 1979). This article introduces the organization’s impact on the growth of gifted education throughout the United States. Despite the many limitations and inadequacies that still exist, the imprint of the N/S-LTI-G/T and those who participated in this work still resonates in many states.
Collaboration
Authors: Kaplan Sandra N.
Published: November 2014

The author provides examples of curriculum tasks that can be integrated into the core curriculum to explicitly teach the skills of collaboration across the grade levels. These include self-assessment, roles, and goals.
Position control of hydraulic servo system using proportional-integral-derivative controller tuned by some evolutionary techniques
Authors: Essa Mohamed El-Sayed M , Aboelela Magdy AS , Hassan Mohamed Ahmed Moustafa
Published: November 2014

This paper uses a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, an adaptive weighted PSO (AWPSO) algorithm, and a genetic algorithm (GA) to determine the optimal proportional-integral-derivative controller’s parameters of a hydraulic position control system. A typical hydraulic servo system has been selected as an application. The mathematical model of this hydraulic servo system which comprises the most relevant dynamics and nonlinear effects is considered. The model simulates the behavior of a REXROTH servo valve and includes the nonlinearities of friction forces, valve dynamics, oil compressibility, and load influence. The performance indices, which have been used in the optimization process, are integral absolute error, integral square error and integral time absolute error. The proposed controller is implemented on the simulation model to identify the best method for tuning the controller. Compared with GA and AWPSO results, the PSO method has been found to be more efficient and robust in improving the step response of a position control for hydraulic systems in terms of settling time, maximum overshoot and undershoot.
A Preliminary Examination of Child Well-Being of Physically Abused and Neglected Children Compared to a Normative Pediatric Population
Authors: Lanier Paul , Kohl Patricia L. , Raghavan Ramesh , Auslander Wendy
Published: November 2014

Federal mandates require state child welfare systems to monitor and improve outcomes for children in three areas: safety, permanency, and well-being. Research across separate domains of child well-being indicates maltreated children may experience lower pediatric health–related quality of life (HRQL). This study assessed well-being in maltreated children using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0), a widely used measure of pediatric HRQL. The PedsQL 4.0 was used to assess well-being in a sample of children ( N = 129) receiving child welfare services following reports of alleged physical abuse or neglect. We compared total scores and domain scores for this maltreated sample to those of a published normative sample. Within the maltreated sample, we also compared well-being by child and family demographic characteristics. As compared with a normative pediatric population, maltreated children reported significantly lower total, physical, and psychosocial health. We found no significant differences in total and domain scores based on child and parent demographics within the maltreated sample. This preliminary exploration indicates children receiving child welfare services have significantly lower well-being status than the general child population and have considerable deficits in social and emotional functioning. These findings support continued investment in maltreatment prevention and services to improve the well-being of victims of maltreatment.
Paucity and Disparity in Kindergarten Oral Vocabulary Instruction
Authors: Wright Tanya S. , Neuman Susan B.
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine how oral vocabulary instruction was enacted in kindergarten. Four days (12 hours) of instruction were observed in 55 classrooms in a range of socio-economic status schools. All instruction was coded for evidence of vocabulary instruction for a total of 660 hours of observation. Results revealed that teachers explained word meanings during “teachable moments” in the context of other instruction. Findings revealed one-time, brief word explanations, unsystematic word selection, and minimal time devoted to subject areas, such as science and social studies, in which word explanations were most dense. Teachers serving in economically advantaged schools explained words more often and were more likely to address sophisticated words than teachers serving in economically disadvantaged schools. These results suggest that the current state of instruction may be contributing to rather than ameliorating vocabulary gaps by socioeconomic status.
Effects in cats of atipamezole, flumazenil and 4-aminopyridine on stress-related neurohormonal and metabolic responses induced by medetomidine, midazolam and ketamine
Authors: Ueoka Naotami , Hikasa Yoshiaki
Published: November 2014

This study aimed to investigate the antagonistic effects of a fixed dose of atipamezole (ATI), flumazenil (FLU) and 4-aminopyridine (4AP), both alone and in various combinations, on key stress-related neurohormonal and metabolic changes induced by medetomidine (MED), midazolam (MID) and ketamine (KET) in healthy cats. Seven cats were used consistently in eight investigation groups. Cats were administered a mixture of 0.05 mg/kg MED and 0.5 mg/kg MID followed 10 mins later by 10 mg/kg KET intramuscularly. Twenty minutes after KET injection, the cats were intravenously injected with either a physiological saline solution at 0.1 ml/kg (control) or one of the seven variations of experimental drugs, alone or in combination: ATI, FLU, 4AP, ATI + FLU, FLU + 4AP, ATI + 4AP and ATI + FLU + 4AP. Blood samples were collected 10 times during the 24 h test period. Plasma glucose, insulin, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine and non-esterified fatty acid levels were measured. The administration of MED + MID + KET resulted in hyperglycaemia and decreases in epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and non-esterified fatty acid levels. FLU or 4AP alone or FLU + 4AP did not effectively antagonise the effects induced by MED + MID + KET but enhanced the hyperglycaemia. ATI alone was effective in antagonising these effects. Compared with non-ATI regimens, combinations with ATI were more effective in antagonising the effects induced by MED + MID + KET; however, ATI + FLU + 4AP caused large increases in cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations. ATI, both alone and in combination, is effective in antagonising the neurohormonal and metabolic effects of MED + MID + KET in cats. However, ATI + FLU + 4AP is not suitable because of large stress-related hormonal responses.
A critical review of food-associated factors proposed in the etiology of feline hyperthyroidism
Authors: van Hoek Ingrid , Hesta Myriam , Biourge Vincent
Published: November 2014

Since the first description of feline hyperthyroidism (HT) in 1979, several studies have been undertaken to define the etiology of the disease. Epidemiologic studies, after investigating non-food- and food-associated factors, suggest a multifactorial etiology. However, in the absence of prospective cohort studies that can confirm a cause-and-effect relationship between HT and associated risk factors, no causative factor for HT has been identified to date. Feline HT resembles toxic nodular goiter in humans, with autonomously functioning upregulated iodide uptake systems. Contribution of the diet to HT development remains controversial. The purpose of this paper is to review critically the reported food-associated risk factors for HT.
Between hope and evidence: How community advisors demarcate the boundary between legitimate and illegitimate stem cell treatments
Authors: Petersen Alan , Tanner Claire , Munsie Megan
Published: November 2014

Stem cell science provides an exemplary study of the ‘management of hope’. On the one hand, raising ‘hopes’ and expectations is a seen as a necessary aspect of securing investment in promising innovative research. On the other, such hyperbole risks raising hopes to a level that may lead people to undertake undue risks, which may ultimately undermine confidence in medical research. In this context, the ‘management of hope’ thus involves the negotiation of competing claims of truth about the value and safety of particular treatments and about the trustworthiness of providers. Using Gieryn’s concept of boundary-work, this article examines the means by which this work of ‘managing hope’ is undertaken. Drawing on data collected as part of our study that investigated the perspectives of those who are consulted by patients and their carers about stem cell treatments, we explore how these community advisors – both scientists and clinicians with a stake in stem cell research and representatives from patient advocacy groups – demarcate the boundary between legitimate and illegitimate treatments. In particular, we examine how these actors rhetorically use ‘evidence’ to achieve this demarcation. We argue that analysing accounts of how advisors respond to patient enquiries about stem cell treatments offers a window for examining the workings of the politics of hope within contemporary bioscience and biomedicine. In conclusion, we emphasize the need to re-conceptualize the boundary between science and non-science so as to allow a better appreciation of the realities of health care in the age of medical travel.
Investigation of the sources of combustion instability in low-temperature combustion engines using response surface models
Authors: Klos David , Kokjohn Sage L
Published: November 2014

In the search for more efficient and cleaner engines, low-temperature combustion engines have emerged with the potential to simultaneously increase engine efficiency and reduce nitrogen oxides and soot emissions. Although promising, low-temperature combustion engines have not been widely implemented due to difficulties controlling combustion phasing, combustion duration, and cycle-to-cycle variation. This article develops a methodology using detailed computational fluid dynamics simulations to investigate cycle-to-cycle instability of homogeneous charge compression ignition and reactivity-controlled compression ignition engines. Using computational fluid dynamics modeling, a large design of experiment is performed with small perturbations to the intake and fueling conditions. A response surface model is then fit to the design of experiment results to predict the combustion characteristics and exercised to determine the main sources of cycle-to-cycle variation. As expected, the results show that reactivity-controlled compression ignition and homogeneous charge compression ignition have significantly more variation than conventional diesel combustion. Reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion phasing (CA50—crank angle when 50% of fuel is burned) is most sensitive to variations in diesel fuel mass, level of exhaust gas recirculation, and charge gas temperature. The peak pressure rise rate of reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion is most sensitive to variations in gasoline fuel mass. The sources of variation for homogeneous charge compression ignition are similar to those of reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion; however, trapped gas pressure and cylinder liner temperature become significant factors. Because of the late combustion phasing required for homogeneous charge compression ignition to maintain acceptable pressure rise rate, its cycle-to-cycle variation was found to be higher than that of reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion for the same input variations.