bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Source Credibility and Persuasion
Authors: Clark Jason K. , Evans Abigail T.
Published: May 2014

Highly credible communicators have been found to elicit greater confidence and attitudes that are based more on recipients’ thoughts (i.e., self-validation) compared with non-credible sources. However, source credibility may produce different effects on thought confidence and persuasion depending on the position of an advocacy. When messages are proattitudinal, credible sources should initiate self-validation because recipients may be motivated to confirm (bolster) their existing views. Conversely, when appeals are counterattitudinal, recipients may be motivated to defend their opinions and disconfirm information. In these contexts, greater self-validation may emerge when a communicator lacks rather than possesses credibility. When a message was counterattitudinal and contained weak arguments, evidence of self-validation was found with low source credibility (Studies 1 and 2) and among participants high in defense motivation (Study 2). In response to strong, proattitudinal arguments, findings were consistent with high credibility producing self-validation when bolstering motivation was high (Study 3).
A dynamic model of suicide terrorism and political mobilization
Authors: Geller Daniel S. , Saperstein Alvin M.
Published: May 2014

This study considers the problem of suicide terrorism, government counterterror responses, and the mobilization of recruits in support of the contending parties. A model is developed that enables predictions as to what factors should be emphasized or de-emphasized by the forces protecting society. The article presents a linear mathematical analysis of the logical interrelationships involved in the confrontation and embeds the study within the framework of previous mathematical and empirical work on the subject. It is concluded that governments should avoid inflicting collateral damage on the general population in counterterrorist activities and should pursue policies (both in counterterrorist operations and otherwise) that contribute to the political quiescence of the populace.
Principles of representation throughout the world: Constitutional provisions and electoral systems
Authors: Raabe Johannes
Published: May 2014

Focusing on the effects of singular technical elements, electoral system research has neglected the question of whether specific systems are supposed to achieve overarching normative goals. Due to their importance for any polity, such principles of representation are widely assumed to be determined in the constitution. Therefore, a world-wide survey of constitutions presents a promising opportunity to study electoral systems’ general goals in a comparative manner. In providing such a survey and investigating the causes, contents and consequences of constitutional provisions, this analysis shows that constitutional embeddedness of the electoral system is contingent upon factors such as region (with constitutional principles especially typical in Europe and Latin America) and decision-context. Importantly, the ‘proportionality principle’ is much more prone to enter a constitution and receive increased protection than its antipode, the ‘majority principle’. Furthermore, mixed principles calling for a balance between aforementioned extremes exist, suggesting that mixed electoral systems are not always merely technical compromises. Finally, constitutional embeddedness seems to have a context-dependent effect on specific technical elements but generally leads to greater stability of the overall electoral system. The key implication for future research is that the normative principle-dimension of electoral systems has to be considered alongside their technical design.
Learning through teaching: Exploring what conservatoire students learn from teaching beginner older adults
Authors: Perkins Rosie , Aufegger Lisa , Williamon Aaron
Published: May 2014

Music is increasingly recognised as important in facilitating healthy ageing, yet little is known of what musicians themselves learn when they teach older adults. This article reports the practices of the Rhythm for Life project at the Royal College of Music in the UK, in which conservatoire students taught 10-week programmes of group instrumental music lessons to adult beginners aged between 46 and 90 years. In order to interrogate what four student-teachers learned from their engagement with the project, qualitative data were collected through open-ended questionnaires, diaries and video-stimulated recall interviews. Findings demonstrated that the student-teachers reformulated the ways in which they thought about and taught older adult learners, and developed skills and knowledge relevant to a wide range of educational contexts. The article concludes that models similar to Rhythm for Life, where conservatoires facilitate opportunities for students to teach older adults, may be an effective means of establishing meaningful learning experiences for music students and older adults alike.
Place-based strategies or territorial cooperation? Regional development in transnational perspective in Italy
Authors: Celata Filippo , Coletti Raffaella
Published: May 2014

Italy has been at the forefront in the implementation of place-based regional development strategies during the 2000s, and it constitutes therefore a privileged point of view to investigate the contents of the approach, its potentialities as well as its limitations. In light of those limitations, several scholars have recently directed their attentions toward a typology of policies – territorial cooperation – which may be regarded as a trans-regional and transnational approach to regional development. In the paper, we offer a review of the main criticisms of place-based strategies and of the main distinctive dimensions and the potential value added of territorial cooperation initiatives, in light of recent debates about territorial vis-à-vis relational approaches to regional development. The identification of transnational spatial units, joint management authorities and trans-regional strategies, it is argued, may indeed help to overcome some of the limitations of place-based strategies – namely, the risk of policy capture, territorial introversion and communitarian confinement – while incurring in others – institutional isomorphism, technocratic management and democratic deficit. As the European political and economic space become increasingly trans-scalar and networked, the two policy domains may potentially learn from each other, and a new generation of local policies may emerge which are both territorial and relational, place-based and trans-regional.
Advance Care Planning in palliative care: A systematic literature review of the contextual factors influencing its uptake 2008–2012
Authors: Lovell Allison , Yates Patsy
Published: May 2014

Background:

Advance Care Planning is an iterative process of discussion, decision-making and documentation about end-of-life care. Advance Care Planning is highly relevant in palliative care due to intersecting clinical needs. To enhance the implementation of Advance Care Planning, the contextual factors influencing its uptake need to be better understood.

Aim:

To identify the contextual factors influencing the uptake of Advance Care Planning in palliative care as published between January 2008 and December 2012.

Methods:

Databases were systematically searched for studies about Advance Care Planning in palliative care published between January 2008 and December 2012. This yielded 27 eligible studies, which were appraised using National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Quality Appraisal Checklists. Iterative thematic synthesis was used to group results.

Results:

Factors associated with greater uptake included older age, a college degree, a diagnosis of cancer, greater functional impairment, being white, greater understanding of poor prognosis and receiving or working in specialist palliative care. Barriers included having non-malignant diagnoses, having dependent children, being African American, and uncertainty about Advance Care Planning and its legal status. Individuals’ previous illness experiences, preferences and attitudes also influenced their participation.

Conclusion:

Factors influencing the uptake of Advance Care Planning in palliative care are complex and multifaceted reflecting the diverse and often competing needs of patients, health professionals, legislature and health systems. Large population-based studies of palliative care patients are required to develop the sound theoretical and empirical foundation needed to improve uptake of Advance Care Planning in this setting.
The challenges of uncertainty and interprofessional collaboration in palliative care for non-cancer patients in the community: A systematic review of views from patients, carers and health-care professionals
Authors: Oishi Ai , Murtagh Fliss EM
Published: May 2014

Background:

Primary care has the potential to play significant roles in providing effective palliative care for non-cancer patients.

Aim:

To identify, critically appraise and synthesise the existing evidence on views on the provision of palliative care for non-cancer patients by primary care providers and reveal any gaps in the evidence.

Design:

Standard systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Data sources:

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Applied Social Science Abstract and the Cochrane library were searched in 2012. Reference searching, hand searching, expert consultations and grey literature searches complemented these. Papers with the views of patients/carers or professionals on primary palliative care provision to non-cancer patients in the community were included. The amended Hawker’s criteria were used for quality assessment of included studies.

Results:

A total of 30 studies were included and represent the views of 719 patients, 605 carers and over 400 professionals. In all, 27 studies are from the United Kingdom. Patients and carers expect primary care physicians to provide compassionate care, have appropriate knowledge and play central roles in providing care. The roles of professionals are unclear to patients, carers and professionals themselves. Uncertainty of illness trajectory and lack of collaboration between health-care professionals were identified as barriers to effective care.

Conclusions:

Effective interprofessional work to deal with uncertainty and maintain coordinated care is needed for better palliative care provision to non-cancer patients in the community. Research into and development of a best model for effective interdisciplinary work are needed.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) Duration Needed to Detect Abnormalities in Angelman Syndrome
Authors: Robinson Althea A. , Goldman Suzanne , Barnes Gregory , Goodpaster Luke , Malow Beth A.
Published: May 2014

Approximately, 90% of patients with Angelman syndrome present with epileptic seizures. Obtaining an electroencephalogram (EEG) with sleep improves the chances of detecting ictal, interictal, and benign abnormal rhythms in Angelman syndrome. However, electroencephalograms, even when obtained during sleep, can be challenging in this population because of tactile sensitivities as well as anxiety related to a novel environment. We tested the hypothesis that 1 hour of sleep on an electroencephalogram would provide as much information as an entire night of electroencephalogram recording, yet more than a routine electroencephalogram conducted during the day. Overnight polysomnograms were collected in 14 children with Angelman syndrome seen at Vanderbilt University. All patients who obtained sleep within the first hour of the overnight electroencephalogram had interictal discharges recorded. Our results show that when sleep is obtained, a 1-hour electroencephalogram yields just as much information as recording an entire night.
The State of the Evidence for Intensive Upper Limb Therapy Approaches for Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Sakzewski Leanne , Gordon Andrew , Eliasson Ann-Christin
Published: May 2014

Children with unilateral cerebral palsy experience difficulties with unimanual and bimanual upper limb function, impacting independence in daily life. Targeted upper limb therapies such as constraint-induced movement therapy, bimanual training, and combined approaches have emerged in the last decade. This article reviews the scientific rationale underpinning these treatments and current evidence to improve upper limb outcomes and goal attainment. Intensive models of therapy achieved modest to strong effects to improve upper limb function compared to usual care. Dose-matched comparisons of bimanual and unimanual training demonstrated similar gains in upper limb outcomes. The optimum timing, dose and impact of repeat episodes of intensive upper limb therapies require further investigation. Characteristics of children who achieve clinically meaningful outcomes remain unclear. Key components of intervention include collaborative goal setting with families and intensive repetitive, incrementally challenging, task practice. Choice of treatment approach should be governed by child/family goals and preferences, individual, and contextual factors.
The DOL Wants Ethically and Competently ERISA IRA Rollovers
Authors: Phillips Emir
Published: May 2014

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued guidance, warning advisers still serving a retirement plan in a fiduciary capacity that soliciting IRA rollovers or cross-selling additional products to plan participants is prohibited. But plan participants are not a monolithic group. Their financial literacy as to retirement savings and general financial management concepts ranges from the illiterate to the sophisticated. (Discussed later in this article.) The poor decision-making as to retirement planning at a national level is at least partially a product of Department of Labor administrative policy. While providing educational investment materials to workers as to their 401(k)s is laudable in the abstract, it takes a somewhat pernicious form when these generalist materials are deemed sufficient in and of themselves to create investment retirement portfolios and strategies. The Department of Labor is, or should be, fully aware that the average American worker does not have the requisite investment acumen to year-in and year-out steer their 401(k) retirement strategies safely into retirement. Too much is at stake to sugarcoat this. This DOL behavior is negligent at best, and patently unethical otherwise.
Where there is no local government: addressing disaster risk reduction in a small town in Malawi
Authors: Manda Mtafu Zeleza
Published: May 2014

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) has become a major area of concern in the wake of increasing numbers of disasters. With rapid urbanization, both globally and locally, attention to the challenge of disaster risks has turned to urban settlements, where high densities and settlement patterns can, and do, create vulnerabilities. This paper presents an analysis of the hazards and risks that the town of Karonga in Malawi faces from earthquakes, floods, strong winds and drought, and considers locally appropriate methods to address these. It also discusses the limits of collaborative urban planning in this context, especially in light of the absence of an elected local government. Lessons from Karonga can inform the development of effective DRR mainstreaming tools in countries reliant on external support.
Partner Choice, Relationship Satisfaction, and Oral Contraception
Authors: Roberts S. Craig , Little Anthony C. , Burriss Robert P. , Cobey Kelly D. , Klapilová Kateřina , Havlíček Jan , Jones Benedict C. , DeBruine Lisa , Petrie Marion
Published: May 2014

Hormonal fluctuation across the menstrual cycle explains temporal variation in women’s judgment of the attractiveness of members of the opposite sex. Use of hormonal contraceptives could therefore influence both initial partner choice and, if contraceptive use subsequently changes, intrapair dynamics. Associations between hormonal contraceptive use and relationship satisfaction may thus be best understood by considering whether current use is congruent with use when relationships formed, rather than by considering current use alone. In the study reported here, we tested this congruency hypothesis in a survey of 365 couples. Controlling for potential confounds (including relationship duration, age, parenthood, and income), we found that congruency in current and previous hormonal contraceptive use, but not current use alone, predicted women’s sexual satisfaction with their partners. Congruency was not associated with women’s nonsexual satisfaction or with the satisfaction of their male partners. Our results provide empirical support for the congruency hypothesis and suggest that women’s sexual satisfaction is influenced by changes in partner preference associated with change in hormonal contraceptive use.
Cardiotoxicity in rabbits after a low-level exposure to diazinon, propoxur, and chlorpyrifos
Authors: Zafiropoulos A , Tsarouhas K , Tsitsimpikou C , Fragkiadaki P , Germanakis I , Tsardi M , Maravgakis G , Goutzourelas N , Vasilaki F , Kouretas D , Hayes AW , Tsatsakis AM
Published: May 2014

Lethal cardiac complications leading to death and various arrhythmias have been reported after organophosphate and/or carbamate poisonings. The present study focuses on the long-term effects of repeated low-level exposure to diazinon, propoxur, and chlorpyrifos (CPF) on cardiac function in rabbits. The yearly based experimental scheme of exposure consisted of two oral administration periods, lasting 3 months and 1 month each, interrupted by an 8-month washout period (total duration 12 months). At the end of the experimental scheme, the rabbits underwent an echocardiographic evaluation under sedation, after which they were killed and the tissue and serum samples were collected. A mild localized cardiotoxic effect was established by echocardiography for the three pesticides tested. Severe histological alterations were identified, especially in the diazinon-treated animals in agreement with increased persistence of this pesticide established in the cardiac tissue. In addition, all pesticides tested increased the oxidative stress and oxidative modifications in the genomic DNA content of the cardiac tissues, each one following a distinct mechanism.
The state of L-Schools: Intellectual diversity and faculty composition
Authors: Lopatovska Irene , Ransom Ellie
Published: May 2014

In recent years, studies of Library and Information Science (LIS) disciplinarity developed original methods for examining the disciplinary composition of the field (Wiggins and Sawyer, 2012; Wu et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2013). However, most of these studies focused on one fragment of the field, specifically, iSchool programs. In order to gain a fuller understanding of LIS development as a whole, our study applied some of the recently proposed disciplinary measures to a sample of L-Schools, defined here as ALA-accredited LIS programs offering PhD degrees and not part of the iCaucus. Analysis of the faculty training and current research interests indicates that L-Schools are characterized by a strong presence of the LIS areas and notable interdisciplinary trends. The article speculates about some of the factors contributing to the iSchool and L-School differences and suggests directions for future research.
Gene selection for survival data under dependent censoring: A copula-based approach
Authors: Emura Takeshi , Chen Yi-Hau
Published: May 2014

Dependent censoring arises in biomedical studies when the survival outcome of interest is censored by competing risks. In survival data with microarray gene expressions, gene selection based on the univariate Cox regression analyses has been used extensively in medical research, which however, is only valid under the independent censoring assumption. In this paper, we first consider a copula-based framework to investigate the bias caused by dependent censoring on gene selection. Then, we utilize the copula-based dependence model to develop an alternative gene selection procedure. Simulations show that the proposed procedure adjusts for the effect of dependent censoring and thus outperforms the existing method when dependent censoring is indeed present. The non-small-cell lung cancer data are analyzed to demonstrate the usefulness of our proposal. We implemented the proposed method in an R “compound.Cox” package.
Toward a Race Pedagogy for Black Faculty
Authors: Closson Rosemary B. , Bowman Lorenzo , Merriweather Lisa R.
Published: May 2014

Educators are consciously or unconsciously guided by pedagogy and make critical decisions about praxis—content, strategy, structure—based on their pedagogical beliefs. The intentional use of pedagogy is often advanced as a key to being an effective educator. A wealth of literature is directed toward helping White educators develop a race pedagogy, but the authors argue Black educators who teach courses about race face unique challenges and should develop a pedagogical stance consistent with that reality. In this article, the authors analyze different strategies as evidence that Black faculty struggle to develop a pedagogy for teaching race. The authors argue for a purposeful, engaged pedagogy, and contextually informed pedagogy that sets conditions wherein both the educator and student take risks in exposing their authentic self and positionality.
Non-linear quasi-static model of pneumatic artificial muscle actuators
Authors: Wang Gang , Wereley Norman M , Pillsbury Thomas
Published: May 2014

Pneumatic artificial muscles are a class of pneumatically driven actuators that are remarkable for their simplicity, lightweight, high stroke, and high force. The McKibben artificial muscle, which is a type of pneumatic artificial muscle, is composed of an elastomeric bladder, a braided mesh sleeve, and two end fittings. Gaylord first developed an analysis of the McKibben artificial muscle based on the conservation of energy principle. The Gaylord model predicts block force but fails to accurately capture actuation force versus contraction ratio behavior. To address this lack, a non-linear quasi-static model is developed based on finite strain theory. The internal stresses in the bladder are determined by treating it as a cylinder subjected to applied internal pressure and a prescribed kinematic constraint of the outer surface. Subsequently, the force balance approach is applied to derive the equilibrium equations in both the axial and circumferential directions. Finally, the closed-form pneumatic artificial muscle quasi-static actuator force is obtained. The analysis was experimentally validated using actuation force versus contraction ratio test data at a series of discrete inflation pressures for two different pneumatic artificial muscles: a large pneumatic artificial muscle ( L = 128.5 mm, B = 7.85 mm, with a latex bladder) and a miniature pneumatic artificial muscle ( L = 43.9 mm, B = 2.3 mm, with a V330 elastomeric bladder).
Stress and electric field gradient contributions to dielectric loss in ferroelectrics with interdigitated electrodes
Authors: Gallagher John A , Pisani David M , Smith-Stewart Benjamin , Lynch Christopher S
Published: May 2014

Interdigitated electrode configurations produce nonuniform electric field and stress in the vicinity of the electrodes, creating a volume where the material is not uniformly polarized. This results in enhanced hysteresis in interdigitated electrode configurations relative to the hysteresis in the bulk material. The dielectric loss in a macro-fiber composite with interdigitated electrodes was characterized and is compared to the dielectric loss of the same material under a uniform field. The dielectric loss in the interdigitated electrode arrangement was found to be significantly larger and had a strong dependence on electric field amplitude. The dielectric loss is expressed in terms of an effective loss tangent (tan δ) and a more general damping model. A mechanism that contributes to the hysteresis is that the local stress in the ferroelectric material beneath the interdigitated electrodes induces ferroelastic polarization reorientation during each electric field cycle. The interactions between polarization gradients and residual stress are assessed using a finite element model with a micromechanical-based constitutive law.
Doing Free Jazz and Free Organizations, “A Certain Experience of the Impossible”? Ornette Coleman Encounters Jacques Derrida
Authors: Griffin Martyn , Humphreys Michael , Learmonth Mark
Published: May 2014

Many scholars have attempted to make jazz relevant to an organizational audience. We seek to extend this literature by considering a more radical version of improvisation associated with the jazz musician Ornette Coleman. Inspired by an encounter between Coleman and the philosopher Jacques Derrida, we juxtapose the radical collective responsibility associated with Coleman’s Free jazz improvisation and Derridean deconstruction. We especially emphasize a phrase used by Derrida, “a certain experience of the impossible,” as an expression for a particular experience of doing management. The overall contribution of the article is to explore the possibility of responding to issues within organizations in more participative and improvisational ways, without losing an appreciation of the inherent impossibility (perhaps even absurdity) of the managerial condition.
An Examination of the Parent Report Version of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits in a Community Sample of First-Grade Children
Authors: Willoughby Michael T. , Mills-Koonce W. Roger , Waschbusch Daniel A. , Gottfredson Nisha C. ,   the Family Life Project Investigators
Published: May 2014

Background. The Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits is a self- and other report questionnaire of callous-unemotional behaviors that is increasingly widely used in research and clinical settings. Nonetheless, questions about the factor structure and validity of scales remain. Method. This study provided the first large-scale ( N = 1,078) investigation of the parent report version of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits in a community sample of school-age (first-grade) children. Results. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a two-factor model that distinguished empathic-prosocial (EP) from callous-unemotional (CU) behaviors provided the best fit to the data. EP and CU were moderately to strongly correlated with each other (ϕ = −.67, p < .001) and with oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder (ODD/CD) behaviors (ϕODD/CD, EP = −.55; ϕODD/CD, CU = .71, ps < .001). Individual differences in EP and CU behaviors explained unique variation, beyond that attributable to ODD/CD behaviors, in peer-, teacher-, and parent relationship quality. Moreover, whereas EP moderated the effects of ODD/CD in the prediction of student–teacher relationship quality, CU moderated the effects of ODD/CD in the prediction of peer and parent relationship quality. Conclusions. Results are discussed with respect to the use of the ICU with school-age children.
Why and How Six Aligning Forces for Quality Communities Have Focused on Reducing Disparities
Authors: Yonek Juliet C. , Mittler Jessica N. , Hasnain-Wynia Romana
Published: May 2014

Public reports on provider performance can help guide consumers’ health care decisions, yet consumer awareness and use of public reports is low and may be even lower among racial/ethnic minorities. In this qualitative research article, we describe activities implemented by multi-stakeholder alliances in six U.S. communities to increase minorities’ awareness of public reports. We also describe alliances’ motivation for deliberately targeting greater awareness among minorities. We found that alliances’ decision was influenced by the proportion of minorities and perceptions of race-based disparities in care in the community. To raise awareness, alliances collaborated with minority-serving organizations to (a) advertise their web-based public report using ethnic media outlets, (b) present their public reporting website during health education outreach events held in minority communities, and (c) translate their public report into multiple languages. We conclude that community partnerships are a promising mechanism for targeting efforts to increase awareness of public reports in minority communities.
Potential cost savings associated with dose rounding antineoplastic monoclonal agents
Authors: Francis Sarah M , Heyliger Alexander , Miyares Marta A , Viera Marcos
Published: May 2014

Purpose

This study explored the potential financial benefits associated with dose rounding three costly cancer agents: bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab.

Methods

Electronic chemotherapy health record software was queried to identify inpatient and outpatient use of bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab. Available drug vial sizes were noted. Costs of actual doses prescribed were compared to theoretically reduced doses (5% and 10%) adjusted to the nearest vial size. Only doses resulting in a decrease in the number of vials qualified for dose rounding. New doses were analyzed for potential cost savings considering the percent-change from the original dose. All institutional review board procedures were followed.

Results

In all, 425 doses of bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab were identified. At a 5% dose reduction, 51 doses (12%) qualified for dose rounding, translating to a potential cost savings of $60,648 ($6,188, $52,640, and $1,820, respectively). Although a 5% limit was set, the average change in dose did not exceed 2.5%. At a 10% dose reduction, 124 doses (29%) qualified for dose rounding, translating to a potential cost savings of $112,585 ($26,520, $80,605, and $5,460, respectively). With the 10% dose reduction, the average change in dose did not surpass 6.1%. Projected annual savings were calculated as $181,944 or $337,755, depending on the rounding limit.

Conclusion

Consultation with key physicians regarding the proposed percent reduction resulted in a 10% dose reduction for all cases when utilizing these three agents. Implementation of a dose rounding protocol for bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab represents a potentially substantial cost savings at this institution.
Exploration of paclitaxel (Taxol) as a treatment for malignant tumors in cats: a descriptive case series
Authors: Kim Jennifer , Doerr Mary , Kitchell Barbara E
Published: May 2014

Paclitaxel, an effective chemotherapeutic agent in human oncology, has received little evaluation in feline patients. The diluent used to solubilize paclitaxel, polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor EL), causes anaphylactoid reactions in human and dogs, which limits enthusiasm for use of this agent in veterinary oncology. Nine feline patients with measurable malignant tumors were treated with paclitaxel at a dosage of 80 mg/m2 intravenously every 21 days for up to two doses. Adverse effects, including evidence of toxicity and anaphylactoid reactions, were assessed. Tumor response, progression and patient time to progression (TTP) were also recorded. Adverse effects included grade III and IV thrombocytopenia, grade III gastrointestinal signs (vomiting and constipation) and hypersensitivity reactions, seen in a total of five patients. Anaphylactoid reactions resolved with appropriate management. Stable disease and partial response were observed in 56% of feline patients. Median TTP was 28 days (range 15–45 days). Intravenous paclitaxel is a safe treatment option for feline malignant tumor patients. Future investigation is warranted to explore the effectiveness and appropriate application of this agent for specific tumor types.
Effect of powder particle size on wear resistance of plasma sprayed molybdenum coating
Authors: Manjunatha SS , Basavarajappa S
Published: May 2014

Plasma-sprayed molybdenum coatings are used in automotive, aerospace, pulp and paper industries in order to guard the machine parts against wear and corrosion. In this work, an attempt has been made to study the effect of particle size on wear behaviour of molybdenum coated steel. Two types of Mo coatings were deposited on American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 1020 steel substrate, one is with particle size of 15–40 µm (type I) and another one is with 40–90 µm (type II) using plasma spraying. The microstructures and worn surface morphologies of the coatings were analysed by means of X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the as-sprayed type I and type II coatings consist of molybdenum (Mo) as the major phase and molybdenum oxide (MoO2) as the minor phases. For the evaluation of influence of coating powder particle size on wear characteristics, the sliding wear tests were performed on a pin-on-disc apparatus. The variation of volume loss with applied load, sliding speed and sliding distance was monitored. The type I sprayed coating exhibits better wear resistance. Tribological testing was also supported by metallographic examination for the identification of wear mechanisms. It was verified that the wear of coating is dominated by fracture of splats, crack propagation, delamination and plowing.
Lubricating characteristics and motion characteristics of a rolling piston for rotary compressors in air conditioners
Authors: Ito Yasutaka , Hattori Hitoshi , Miura Kazuhiko
Published: May 2014

To investigate the lubricating characteristics between the rolling piston and the vane, as well as the characteristics of rotating motion of the rolling piston in a rotary compressor, we perform a numerical analysis of the rolling piston and vane motion. The analysis considers mixed lubrication of the vane sliding surface to calculate the friction force between the vane and the vane slot. We find that the relative sliding velocity between the rolling piston and the vane can be reduced by reducing the rolling piston weight, and that the maximum PV value during one crank revolution between the rolling piston and the vane decreases due to the increased vane slot length in high-rotating-frequency regions.
Tribo-performance of plasma-sprayed nanostructured yttria-stabilized zirconia coatings using Taguchi’s experimental design
Authors: Mantry S , Sahoo R , Jha BB , Mishra BK , Chakraborty M
Published: May 2014

Plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings are frequently subjected to impacts by solid particles, which induce surface erosion. This article depicts the solid particle erosion response of plasma sprayed nanostructured yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings on Inconel 718 substrates. The influence of five operating parameters i.e. impact velocity, erodent size, erodent temperature, impingement angle, and stand-off distance with four different level each, on performance output (i.e. erosion rate) are studied using Taguchi’s L16 orthogonal array design. Out of the five parameters, impact velocity has been found to be most significant factor followed by erodent temperature and impingement angle influencing erosion. Maximum erosion takes place at an impingement angle of ∼60° showing the semi-ductile response of the coating to solid particle erosion. The morphology of the eroded surface also showed micro-cutting and small crater formation in the binder matrix caused by the repetitive impacts of erodent particles. It was observed that coating with nano-YSZ grains exhibited higher erosion resistance compared to conventional YSZ coating.
Services research in tourism
Authors: Zehrer Anita , Muskat Birgit , Muskat Matthias
Published: May 2014

Service quality and design researchers in tourism have long been directed by demand-driven paradigms and consumer-centred rationales. Ontologies and epistemologies are largely output orientated and customer centred, that is, performance of services, number of satisfied customers, loyal repeat visitors, overnight stays, financial performance and others. We argue that a need exists to reduce this imbalance. This conceptual article reviews the relevant literature before developing five fundamental premises regarding the enabler-oriented view of the tourism industry. Future research should conduct empirical studies to validate and/or modify the premises presented in this conceptual article.
Performing ‘pragmatic holism’: Professionalisation and the holistic discourse of non-medically qualified acupuncturists and homeopaths in the United Kingdom
Authors: Givati Assaf
Published: May 2014

Complementary and alternative medicine practitioners have often utilised ‘holism’ as a key identification mark of their practice, distancing themselves from ‘the reductionist biomedicine’. However, the past couple of decades have witnessed increased engagement of several complementary and alternative medicines in professionalisation, which includes a degree of biomedical alignment while ‘reducing’ holistic claims in order to provide practice with a ‘credible outlook’ and move closer to the mainstream, a development which challenges the role of holism in complementary and alternative medicine practices. This article explores the strategies by which two groups of complementary and alternative medicine practitioners, namely, non-medically qualified acupuncturists and homeopaths in the United Kingdom, pragmatically accommodate holistic notions as a professional resource, a process of negotiation between maintaining their holistic premise, on the one hand, and the drive to professionalise and enhance their societal status, on the other. Based on in-depth interviews with non-medically qualified acupuncture and homeopathy practitioners and school principals, textual analysis of practitioners’ web sites and observation of practice, the findings demonstrate the dynamic approach to ‘holism’ in complementary and alternative medicine practice. This discourse, through which practitioners use a range of strategies in order to ‘narrow’ or ‘expand’ their holistic expression, can be described as ‘pragmatic holism’, by which they try to make gains from the formalisation/standardisation processes, without losing the therapies’ holistic outlook and appeal.
‘Unnatural’, ‘Un-African’ and ‘Ungodly’: Homophobic discourse in democratic South Africa
Authors: Vincent Louise , Howell Simon
Published: May 2014

On 28 November 2006, South Africa’s legislature passed the Civil Union Act (No. 17, 2006), which legalised same-sex marriages or civil partnerships. While South Africa was fifth in the world to recognise the right of people of the same sex to marry, the country is by no means free of homophobic attitudes. However, we argue that an examination of the discourses embedded in the public discussion of gay marriage shows that the post-1994 period has not simply been a case of homophobia as usual. The altered context has given rise to the need for new ways of homophobic discourse to position itself. The rights enshrined in the Constitution represent a powerful set of ideas about the distinction between the democratic state and its apartheid predecessor. These ideas provide the dominant framework for political debate in the current context and it is therefore within this overarching framework that anti-gay sentiments must find a way to express themselves that has legitimacy. Our finding is that the reinscription of homophobia in an era of the ascendancy of human rights discourse has been chiefly in terms of three potent legitimising tropes – homosexuality as ‘unAfrican’, ‘unGodly’, and ‘unnatural’. It is only by deepening our understanding of the terms in which homophobia is being articulated in the current period that we can develop effective counter discourses
Factors contributing to suboptimal rates of childhood vaccinations in Vermont
Authors: Kelley Catherine A , Velazco Cristine S , Delaney Thomas V , Bensimhon Adam , Huang Kuang-Ning , Jarvis Paul R , Jolin Jonathan S , Schaberg Kurt B , Burke Marianne , Finley Christine , Carney Jan K
Published: May 2014

Childhood immunizations are invaluable in preventing contagious diseases. Nonetheless, vaccines have become increasingly controversial with growing numbers of caregivers refusing to vaccinate their children. The percentage of fully vaccinated children in Vermont is one of the lowest nationally. This study set out to determine Vermont caregivers’ attitudes toward immunizations to better explain why the percentage of fully vaccinated children has fallen in Vermont. A survey regarding caregivers’ health care knowledge about children, their vaccination concerns, and their children’s vaccination status was sent to participants in the Vermont Women, Infants and Children’s Program from two districts. In total, 83% ( n = 379) of respondents reported their children received all recommended vaccinations for their age. Respondents who considered themselves highly knowledgeable regarding their children’s health care and confident about the safety of vaccinations were significantly associated with reporting their children as being current on vaccinations and with their intent to continue vaccinations. Respondents indicated highest concern regarding the safety and number of vaccinations administered during one visit. Primary care providers were indicated as important resources for addressing concerns about vaccinations and health care knowledge of children. The results help to understand low vaccination rates in Vermont and can be used for targeting health campaigns to improve vaccination rates.
Surgery-related complications of ventral hernia reported to the Finnish Patient Insurance Centre
Authors: Ahonen-Siirtola M. , Vironen J. , Mäkelä J. , Paajanen H.
Published: May 2014

Aim:

Our aim was to evaluate the incidence and type of severe complications in adult primary and incisional ventral hernia surgery reported to the National Patient Insurance Centre in Finland during 2003–2010.

Material and Methods:

The Finnish National Patient Insurance Centre covers the whole country and handles financial compensation for patients’ injuries without proof of malpractice. All the claims concerning ventral hernioplasties in the Centre between the years 2003 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The annual numbers of primary and incisional ventral hernioplasties in Finland were obtained from the National Hospital Discharge Register.

Results:

During the study years, 25,738 ventral hernia operations were performed and 127 claims from the whole country were reported to the Patient Insurance Centre. Overall rate of claims was 4.9/1000 hernia procedures. For primary hernias, 16,243 ventral hernioplasties (817 laparoscopic, 15,426 open) were performed and 41 complications were reported. The most common complication was infection (n = 28, 68%) followed by pain and hernia recurrence (n = 6, 15% in both), large hematoma (7%), bowel lesion (5%), urological injuries (2%), or severe bleeding (2%). In incisional hernioplasties, the rate of claims was 9.1/1000 operations (9495 operations, 86 claims). The most common complication reported was infection (n = 42, 49%) followed by hernia recurrence in 25 cases (29%) and bowel lesion in 24 cases (28%). Major complications (n = 15, 17%) consisted mainly of bowel lesions in laparoscopic operations. There was significantly more claims after laparoscopic than open hernioplasties (p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

The claims for financial compensation for injuries related to primary and incisional hernioplasties are quite uncommon. Major complications, though comparatively rare, are significantly more common after laparoscopic operations.
The big picture: Implications and imperatives for the action research community from the SAGE Encyclopedia of Action Research
Authors: Brydon-Miller Mary , Coghlan David
Published: May 2014

Stepping back from four years of work on the SAGE Encyclopedia of Action Research, its editors here take an opportunity to reflect on what they’ve learned through the process about the current state of action research and to consider how this might inform what comes next for the broader action research community. This is the first in a series of three planned articles—this first focusing primarily on how we define and mobilize the community of action research. Subsequent articles will feature Davydd Greenwood’s reflections on the theoretical frameworks of action research and how they inform our understanding of change processes and Bob Dick’s thoughts on current and coming methodological issues and innovations of action research.
Social impact and the justification of action research knowledge
Authors: Gustavsen Bjørn
Published: May 2014

Generalization in research takes the form of statements where knowledge is claimed to be valid for objects beyond those actually studied. Can action research knowledge, with its emphasis on cooperation between research and those concerned, apply this notion? Several action researchers seem to answer this question in the negative in the sense that they introduce specific measures to support the broad application of knowledge emanating from action research, such as locating projects within networks, working with leaders who can carry the knowledge to further users, organizing the project as large scale events, and more. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of these measures with a view to bringing them together in a broader perspective on how to make action research knowledge reach out in society, with participative constructivism as the core concept.
The contributors of emotional distress in painful diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Selvarajah Dinesh , Cash Thomas , Sankar Adhithya , Thomas Lloyd , Davies Jennifer , Cachia Elaine , Gandhi Rajiv , Wilkinson Iain D , Wilkinson Nicholas , Emery Celia J , Tesfaye Solomon
Published: May 2014

Aims:

To examine the contribution of demographic, social, clinical and psychological factors to emotional distress in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy (DN).

Methods:

In total, 142 patients with confirmed painful DN underwent detailed clinical and self-assessment measures (Neuropathic Pain Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pain Acceptance Questionnaire and Pain Catastrophizing Scale).

Results:

The prevalence of emotional distress was 51.4% in this cohort. Age, sex, marital status, employment history, pain intensity, duration of diabetes and the presence of diabetic and non-diabetic complications were significantly correlated to anxiety and depressive symptom scores. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that the presence of catastrophic thinking was an independent contributor to greater symptoms of anxiety and depression. Being young, single and unemployed significantly contributed to greater anxiety symptoms. Pain-related restriction of quality of life was associated with greater depression symptom scores.

Conclusions:

This study found a high prevalence of emotional distress in patients with painful DN. It highlights that the differing independent contributors to anxiety and depressive symptoms are based on an individual’s circumstances and experience. We conclude by highlighting the importance of adopting a holistic approach to pain management, incorporating interventions to increase psychological flexibility alongside conventional pharmacological treatments to improve emotional distress in painful DN.