bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Online STEM Classroom—Who Succeeds? An Exploration of the Impact of Ethnicity, Gender, and Non-traditional Student Characteristics in the Community College Context
Authors: Wladis Claire , Conway Katherine M. , Hachey Alyse C.
Published: March 2015

Objective:

This study analyzes how ethnicity, gender, and non-traditional student characteristics relate to differential online versus face-to-face outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses at community colleges.

Method:

This study used a sample of 3,600 students in online and face-to-face courses matched by course, instructor, and semester from a large urban community college in the Northeast. Outcomes were measured using rates of successful course completion (with a “C−” or higher). Multilevel logistic regression and propensity score matching were utilized to control for unobserved heterogeneity between courses and for differences in student characteristics.

Results:

With respect to successful course completion, older students did significantly better online, and women did significantly worse (although no worse than men) online, than would be expected based on their outcomes in comparable face-to-face courses. There was no significant interaction between the online medium and ethnicity, suggesting that though Black and Hispanic students may do worse on average in STEM courses than their White and Asian peers both online and face-to-face, this gap was not increased by the online environment.

Contributions:

These findings suggest that both women and younger students in STEM courses may need extra support in the online environment. Future research is needed (a) to explore whether factors such as stereotype threat or child care responsibilities affect the outcomes of women in online STEM courses, and (b) to determine which characteristics (e.g., motivation, self-directed learning skills) of older students may make them particularly well suited to the online environment.
Ruta Mixteca
Authors: Stavenhagen Rodolfo
Published: March 2015

“Ruta Mixteca” is the name given to the circular migrations of indigenous farm workers between the Mexican state of Oaxaca and California long studied by Michael Kearney and his collaborators. Indigenous migrations to the United States have expanded in recent years as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement and changes in Mexico’s agrarian legislation that led to increased privatization of land and natural resources, dispossession of the traditional peasantry, and numerous local land- and resource-related conflicts. The Zapatista uprising stimulated the growth of a host of militant indigenous organizations, now also emboldened by constitutional changes that recognize the human rights of indigenous peoples according to international standards. Indigenous transnational migrations need to adapt to these changing conditions.

“Ruta Mixteca” es el nombre dado a las migraciones circulares de campesinos indígenas entre el estado mexicano de Oaxaca y California que han sido estudiadas durante mucho tiempo por Michael Kearney y sus colaboradores. En años recientes aumentaron las migraciones de indígenas a Estados Unidos como resultado del Tratado de Libre Comercio de Norteamérica y los cambios en la legislación agraria en México, que han conducido a la creciente privatización de la tierra y los recursos naturales, al despojo del campesinado tradicional y a numerosos conflictos locales sobre tierras y recursos. El levantamiento zapatista generó el surgimiento de gran cantidad de organizaciones indígenas militantes, ahora también estimuladas por los cambios constitucionales que reconocen los derechos humanos de los pueblos indígenas de acuerdo con las normas internacionales. Las migraciones indígenas transnacionales necesitan adaptarse a estas condiciones cambiantes.
The Strategic Integration of Latin America
Authors: Lo Brutto Giuseppe , Vázquez Salazar Carlos Otto
Published: March 2015

The integration of Latin America and the Caribbean is a disputed process. In the new phase of integration represented by the Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América and the Unión de Naciones Suramericanas, the control of natural resources has acquired central importance in a global scenario characterized by hegemonic reconfiguration and a tendency toward the creation of a multipolar world. For the integration to be viable, it must overcome the extractivist model and establish new forms of state-society relations.

La integración de América Latina y el Caribe es un proceso disputado. En la nueva fase de integración representada por la Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América y la Unión de Naciones Suramericanas, el control de los recursos naturales ha adquirido una importancia central en un escenario mundial caracterizado por la reconfiguración hegemónica y una tendencia a la creación de un mundo multipolar. Para que la integración sea viable debe poderse superar el modelo extractivista y se deben poder establecer nuevos tipos de relaciones entre Estado y sociedad.
A prototype optical fibre direct current sensor for HVDC system
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ma Yi , Xing Fenghua
Published: March 2015

Direct current of the transmission line is the key parameter for the control and protection of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. In this paper, a novel optically powered direct current sensor for HVDC measurement is presented. The direct current is first detected via a precise direct shunt, and then converted to an optical pulse signal by an analogue voltage processing unit, which is designed using low power consumption technology. Subsequently, the optical pulse signal is transmitted to the control room via an optical fibre system and recovered by a ground-located optical pulse processing unit. Moreover, part count method and part stress analysis method are used to predict the failure rate of the power supply and conversion circuit. Tests in the China National High Voltage Metering Station and the laboratory show that the proposed sensor achieved an accuracy within to ±0.5% from 300 to 3000 A, and the power consumption of analogue voltage processing unit is less than 46 mW on the condition of maximum 8k sampling frequency.
Use of the ICRP system for the protection of marine ecosystems
Authors: Telleria D. , Cabianca T. , Proehl G. , Kliaus V. , Brown J. , Bossio C. , Van der Wolf J. , Bonchuk I. , Nilsen M.
Published: March 2015

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recently reinforced the international system of radiological protection, initially focused on humans, by identifying principles of environmental protection and proposing a framework for assessing impacts of ionising radiation on non-human species, based on a reference flora and fauna approach. For this purpose, ICRP developed dosimetric models for a set of Reference Animals and Plants, which are representative of flora and fauna in different environments (terrestrial, freshwater, marine), and produced criteria based on information on radiation effects, with the aim of evaluating the level of potential or actual radiological impacts, and as an input for decision making. The approach developed by ICRP for flora and fauna is consistent with the approach used to protect humans. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) includes considerations on the protection of the environment in its safety standards, and is currently developing guidelines to assess radiological impacts based on the aforementioned ICRP approach. This paper presents the method developed by IAEA, in a series of meetings with international experts, to enable assessment of the radiological impact to the marine environment in connection with the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 (London Convention 1972). This method is based on IAEA’s safety standards and ICRP’s recommendations, and was presented in 2013 for consideration by representatives of the contracting parties of the London Convention 1972; it was approved for inclusion in its procedures, and is in the process of being incorporated into guidelines.
A Case Study of Middle Grades Leadership in a Conversion Charter School
Authors: Bickmore Dana L. , Dowell Margaret-Mary Sulentic
Published: March 2015

This 3-year case study examined middle grades principal leadership in a takeover charter school. The researcher analyzed principal and teacher interviews, field notes, and documents in relationship to a middle grades model of principal leadership. Results suggest the principals’ limited experience, organizational factors unique to takeover charter schools, an emphasis on student test scores, and a personal educational philosophy of teacher autonomy, precluded the advocacy and implementation of elements of the middle grades principal leadership model.
Authentic Crows: Identity, Captivity and Emergent Forms of Life
Authors: van Dooren Thom
Published: March 2015

For over a decade the Hawaiian crow ( Corvus hawaiiensis), or ‘alalā, has been extinct in the wild, the only remaining birds living their lives in captivity. As the time for possible release approaches, questions of species identity – in particular focused on how birds have been changed by captivity – have become increasingly pressing. This article explores how identity is imagined and managed in this programme to produce ‘authentic’ crows. In particular, it asks what possibilities might be opened up by a move beyond relatively static notions of how these birds ought to be, towards more performative understandings of species identity. This shift in focus prompts us to ask how we might take up the task of learning to be part of these birds’ own experiments in emergent forms of ‘crow-ness’, so that we might begin to craft vital new forms of ‘polite’ conservation in this era of incredible biodiversity loss.
An evaluation of the lower extremity muscle strength of patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Cetin Cem , Serbest Mustafa O , Ercan Sabriye , Yavuz Turhan , Erdogan Ali
Published: March 2015

Objective

In this study, the aim was to evaluate the lower extremity muscle strength in patients with chronic venous insufficiency using an isokinetic dynamometer.

Methods

The study comprised a group of 36 lower extremities of 23 patients diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency and a control group of 40 lower extremities of 20 patients who did not have chronic venous insufficiency. In the diagnosis and evaluation of chronic venous insufficiency, photoplethysmography was used to evaluate the venous return circulation time. Visual Analog Scale scoring was applied to define the level of pain of the patients. Muscle strength measurements were made in all the lower extremities by using an isokinetic dynamometer.

Results

A statistically significant difference was detected between the groups in terms of the muscle strength parameters in the ankle plantar flexion, and knee flexor and extensor muscles. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in the ankle dorsiflexion muscle strength parameters. A significant difference was determined in the ratio of ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion muscle strength between the mild, moderate and severe venous insufficiency groups. A statistically considerable negative correlation was found between the Visual Analog Scale scores and the photoplethysmography results. According to the Visual Analog Scale results, as the degree of venous insufficiency increased, so did the level of pain.

Conclusion

Impaired lower extremity muscle strength was observed in chronic venous insufficiency patients. Although the current study was consistent with literature in respect of impaired calf muscle strength, this finding was also seen in the thigh muscles. Furthermore, we concluded that if venous insufficiency becomes more severe, impaired calf muscle strength becomes more evident.
A qualitative study exploring the benefits of hospital admissions from the perspectives of patients with palliative care needs
Authors: Robinson Jackie , Gott Merryn , Gardiner Clare , Ingleton Christine
Published: March 2015

Background:

The acute hospital plays a significant role in caring for people with a life-limiting illness. Most research to date has focused exclusively upon the negative aspects of hospitalisation. Currently, there is little known about the benefits of hospital admissions for patients with palliative care needs.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to explore the benefits of hospital admissions, from the perspectives of patients with palliative care needs.

Design:

A qualitative study design was adopted. Longitudinal, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were used to elicit the views of patients admitted to hospital in one large urban acute hospital in New Zealand.

Setting/participants:

The study sample comprised 14 patients admitted to Auckland City Hospital between July 2013 and March 2014 who met one of the Gold Standard Framework Prognostic Indicators for palliative care need.

Results:

Through a process of thematic analysis, four themes were identified from the data: being cared for and feeling safe, receiving care to manage at home, relief for family and ‘feeling better and/or getting better’. The benefits of being in hospital were reported to extend beyond treatments received. Most participants reported their preference was to come to hospital even if they had been able to access the care they received in hospital at home.

Conclusion:

This research contributes to a greater understanding of the benefits associated with hospitalisation for patients with palliative care needs. The findings suggest that such benefits extend beyond the treatment patients receive and challenge current assumptions regarding the role of the acute hospital in palliative care.
No laughing matter
Authors: Cross Cassandra
Published: March 2015

There is a strong sense of negativity associated with online fraud victimization. Despite an increasing awareness, understanding about the reality of victimization experiences is not apparent. Rather, victims of online fraud are constructed as greedy and gullible and there is an overwhelming sense of blame and responsibility levelled at them for the actions that led to their losses. This belief transcends both non-victims and victims. The existence of this victim-blaming discourse is significant. Based on interviews with 85 seniors across Queensland, Australia, who received fraudulent emails, this article establishes the victim-blaming discourse as an overwhelmingly powerful and controlling discourse about online fraud victimization. However, the article also examines how humour acts as a tool to reinforce this discourse by isolating victims and impacting on their ability to disclose to those around them. Identifying and challenging this victim-blaming discourse, as well as the role of humour and its social acceptance, is a first step in the facilitation of victim recovery and future well-being.
Sibship Size and Children’s Family Resources
Authors: Wu Qiong
Published: March 2015

Despite ample evidence on the negative association between sibship size and educational attainment, relatively fewer studies have directly addressed the immediate effect of sibship size on children’s family resources. With data from a nationally representative survey in China, this study estimated the effects of sibship size on various family resources for Chinese adolescents between ages 10 and 15, with a particular interest in the possible role of gender on resource allocation. Consistent with prior research on educational attainment, sibship size was negatively associated with the amount of resources a child received from the family. Siblings who were closer in ages had equal or more negative effects on family resources a child received compared with widely spaced siblings. A more rapid decrease was observed in economic resources than in interpersonal resources. Furthermore, brothers showed greater negative effects than sisters. The current findings provided direct evidence for the resource dilution theory.
Application of Social Cognitive Theory in Predicting Childhood Obesity Prevention Behaviors in Overweight and Obese Iranian Adolescents
Authors: Bagherniya Mohammad , Sharma Manoj , Mostafavi Firoozeh , Keshavarz Seyed Ali
Published: March 2015

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to use social cognitive theory to predict overweight and obesity behaviors in adolescent girls in Iran. Valid and reliable questionnaires about nutritional and physical activity regarding social cognitive theory constructs (self-efficacy, social support, outcome expectations, and outcome expectancies), dietary habits, and physical activity were filled by 172 overweight and obese girl adolescents. The mean age and body mass index were 13.4 ± 0.6 years and 28.2 ± 3.6 kg/m2, respectively. Body mass index was significantly related to hours of television viewing ( p = .003) and grams of junk food ( p = .001). None of the social cognitive theory constructs were found to be significant predictors for servings of fruits and vegetables, grams of junk foods, minutes of physical activity, and hours of sedentary behaviors. In future, more culturally appropriate models need to be developed in Iran that can explain and predict prevention behaviors of obesity in Iranian adolescents.
A Needs Assessment of Health Issues Related to Maternal Mortality Rates in Afghanistan
Authors: Naim Ali , Feldman Robert , Sawyer Robin
Published: March 2015

Maternal death rates in Afghanistan were among the highest in the world during the reign of the Taliban. Although these figures have improved, current rates are still alarming. The aim of this pilot study was to develop a needs assessment of the major health issues related to the high maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan. In-depth interviews were conducted with managerial midwives, clinical midwives, and mothers. Results of the interviews indicate that the improvement in the maternal mortality rate may be attributed to the increase in the involvement of midwives in the birthing process. However, barriers to decreasing maternal mortality still exist. These include transportation, access to care, and sociocultural factors such as the influence of the husband and mother-in-law in preventing access to midwives. Therefore, any programs to decrease maternal mortality need to address infrastructure issues (making health care more accessible) and sociocultural factors (including husbands and mother-in-laws in maternal health education). However, it should be noted that these findings are based on a small pilot study to help develop a larger scale need assessment.
The Effect of Different Graphical and Numerical Likelihood Formats on Perception of Likelihood and Choice
Authors: Oudhoff Jurriaan P. , Timmermans Daniëlle R. M.
Published: March 2015

Background. Quantitative risk information plays an important role in decision making about health. This study focuses on commonly used numerical and graphical formats and examines their effect on perception of different likelihoods and choice preferences. Methods. An experimental study was conducted with 192 participants, who evaluated 2 sets of 4 lotteries. Numerical formats to describe likelihood varied systematically between participants (X%, X-in-100, or 1-in-X). The effect of graphic formats (bar charts, icon charts) was assessed as a within-subjects factor. Dependent measures included perceived likelihood, choice preferences about participating in the lottery, and processing times. Results. Numerical likelihoods presented as 1-in-X were processed fastest and were perceived as conveying larger likelihoods than the X-in-100 and percentages formats (mean response times in seconds: 5.65 v. 7.31 and 6.50; mean rating on a 1–9 scale: 4.38 v. 3.30 and 3.31, respectively). The 1-in-X format also evoked a stronger willingness to participate in a lottery than the 2 other numerical formats. The effect of adding graphs on perceived likelihood was moderated by numerical aptitude. Graphs reduced ratings of perceived likelihood of participants with lower numeracy, while there was no overall effect for participants with higher numeracy. Conclusion. Perception of likelihood differs significantly depending on the numerical format used. The 1-in-X format yields higher perceived likelihoods and it appears to be the easiest format to interpret. Graphs primarily affect perception of likelihood of people with lower numerical aptitude. These effects should be taken into account when discussing medical risks with patients.
Uses of the Self: Two Ways of Thinking about Scholarly Situatedness and Method
Authors: Neumann Cecilie Basberg , Neumann Iver B.
Published: March 2015

If the scholarly self is irretrievably tied to the world, then self-situating is a fruitful source of data production. The researcher becomes a producer, as opposed to a collector, of data. This how-to paper identifies three analytical stages where such self-situating takes place. Pre-field; there is autobiographical situating; in-field, there is field situating, and post-field, there is textual situating. Each of these stages are presented in terms of the three literatures that have done the most work on them – feminism, Gestalt, and poststructuralism. A number of how-to examples are used to illustrate. In conclusion, we discuss how two different methodological commitments to situatedness, which Jackson (2010) dubbed reflexivist and analyticist, give rise to two analytically distinct ways of using the scholarly self for data production. Reflexivists and analyticists approach data production from opposite ends of the researcher/informant relationship. Where a reflexivist researcher tends to handle the relation between interlocutor and researcher by asking how interlocutors affect the researcher, an analyticist researcher tends to ask how the researcher affects them.
Publication Rates of Podium Versus Poster Presentations at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Meetings
Authors: Kinsella Stuart D. , Menge Travis J. , Anderson Allen F. , Spindler Kurt P.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Presentations at scientific meetings are often used to influence clinical practice, yet many presentations are not ultimately published in peer-reviewed journals. Previously reported publication rates for orthopaedic specialties have varied from 34% to 52%. In addition, the publication rate of accepted abstracts is a strong indicator of meeting quality, and it has a potential effect on clinical practice. To date, no studies have investigated publication rates in the field of sports medicine, and specifically for abstracts presented at American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) meetings.

Purpose:

To determine the overall publication rate of abstracts presented at AOSSM annual meetings and whether there were differences in publication rates between poster and podium presentations.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

A comprehensive search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar for all published manuscripts pertaining to abstracts presented at the 2006 to 2010 AOSSM annual meetings. Abstracts were classified according to presentation type (podium, poster) and subsequently were categorized into subspecialty area and study design. For published abstracts, the journal and publication date were recorded.

Results:

A total of 1665 abstracts were submitted to AOSSM annual meetings from 2006 to 2010, with 444 abstracts accepted (26.7% overall acceptance rate); there were 277 podium presentations and 167 posters. Of these 444 abstracts, 298 (67.1%) were published within 3 years in peer-reviewed journals. The overall publication rates for podium and poster presentations were 73.3% and 56.9%, respectively. For the combined years of 2006 to 2010, podium presentations were 2.08 (95% CI, 1.39-3.11) times more likely to be published compared with poster presentations.

Conclusion:

The overall publication rate of abstracts presented at AOSSM annual meetings (67.1%) was much higher than that reported for other orthopaedic meetings (34%-52%), highlighting the overall educational value and information quality of AOSSM meetings. In addition, there was a significant difference in the overall publication rates for podium and poster presentations. These data suggest that the quality and type of poster and podium presentations may not be equal, and these potential differences should be kept in mind when considering changes in clinical practice according to type of meeting presentation. Furthermore, AOSSM annual meeting program planners should consider these results when investigating ways to further improve the quality of research presented.
Arthroscopy Skills Development With a Surgical Simulator
Authors: Rebolledo Brian J. , Hammann-Scala Jennifer , Leali Alejandro , Ranawat Anil S.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Surgical simulation has become increasingly relevant to orthopaedic surgery education and could translate to improved operating room proficiency in orthopaedic surgery trainees.

Purpose:

To compare the arthroscopic performance of junior orthopaedic surgery residents who received training with a knee and shoulder arthroscopy surgical simulator with those who received didactic training.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Fourteen junior orthopaedic surgery residents at a single institution were randomized to receive knee and shoulder arthroscopy training with a surgical simulator (n = 8) or didactic lectures with arthroscopy models (n = 6). After their respective training, performance in diagnostic knee and shoulder arthroscopy was assessed using a cadaveric model. Time to completion and assessment of arthroscopic handling using a subjective injury grading index (scale, 1-10) was then used to evaluate performance in final cadaveric testing.

Results:

Orthopaedic surgery residents who trained with a surgical simulator outperformed the didactic-trained residents in shoulder arthroscopy by time to completion (–35%; P = .02) and injury grading index (–35%; P = .01). In addition, a trend toward improved performance of knee arthroscopy by the simulator-trained group was found by time to completion (–36%; P = .09) and injury grading index ( P = .08).

Conclusion:

In this study, junior orthopaedic surgery residents who trained with a surgical simulator demonstrated improved arthroscopic performance in both knee and shoulder arthroscopy. However, future validation of surgical simulator training for orthopaedic surgery residents remains warranted.

Clinical Relevance:

Surgical skill development with an arthroscopy surgical simulator could translate to improved arthroscopy performance in the operating room.
Really existing socialization
Authors: Cook Deborah
Published: March 2015

The paper begins by comparing Adorno’s and Foucault’s accounts of the normalizing practices that socialize individuals, integrating them into Western societies. In this context, I argue that the animus against socialism can be read as an expression of profound anxiety about the existing socialization of reproduction in the West. In fact, Adorno and Foucault contend that really existing socialization has contained our political imagination to the point where even our ideas about alternatives only conjure up more of the same. Yet Adorno and Foucault do outline what radical social change might look like. Since Foucault linked radical change to the development of a specifically socialist art of government, but offered few clues about what this might mean, the paper also explores Adorno’s work to put more flesh on the idea of a socialist art of government.
Flexural behavior of hybrid composite beams with a bamboo layer and lattice ribs
Authors: Zhang Fubin , Liu Weiqing , Wang Lu , Qi Yujun , Zhou Ding , Fang Hai
Published: March 2015

This paper presents an experimental investigation of flexural behavior of hybrid composite beams with glass fiber reinforced plastics box skins, a polyurethane foam core, a bamboo layer, and lattice ribs. The bamboo layer was placed on the top of a wrapped polyurethane foam core. The lattice ribs were distributed along the longitudinal direction of the beam. Four beams, involving a control specimen, were loaded in four-point bending to validate the effectiveness of the bamboo layer and lattice ribs for increasing the ultimate bending strength of the hybrid composite beams. Compared to the control specimen, a maximum of an approximately 85% increase in the ultimate bending strength can be achieved. The beam with bamboo layer reinforcement and without lattice ribs exhibits the highest stiffness-to-weight ratio, while the beam with both bamboo layer and lattice ribs exhibits the highest strength-to-weight ratio. Meanwhile, various failure modes were summarized, including compressive and crushing failures. Finally, an analytical model to predict the bending stiffness and ultimate bending strength of the hybrid composite beams was proposed. Furthermore, the analytical results were agreed well with test results.
Analytical prediction of creep behavior in polymeric-based nanocomposites
Authors: Almagableh Ahmad , Mantena Raju , Alostaz Ahmed , Awad Ahmed S
Published: March 2015

A micromechanical model using properties of both polymer and filler is proposed to address creep response in case of nanocomposites consisting of graphite nanoparticles embedded in a polymer matrix. Empirical creep models like Burgers and Findley models have been frequently used for creep simulation of polymeric-based nanocomposites. An elastic stiffness model has been established first to simulate stiffness property of nanocomposites with emphasis on filler distribution conditions. Creep stiffness is then predicted from the outstanding stiffness model based on the linear elastic–viscoelastic principle. In the model development, a parameter termed as additional constraint stiffness factor has been defined in the model to account for the constraining effect played by nanoparticles on the polymer chains. Magnitude of constraint factor indicates performance of nanoparticles in preventing polymer chains motion under creep loading of the nanocomposite. Creep predictions of the model with and without effect of the additional constraint stiffness factor are compared with experimental results obtained for vinyl ester reinforced nanocomposites. Predictions of the model disregarding the additional constraint stiffness factor overestimate the experimental results and do not provide good agreement. For each of the studied nanocomposites, the present model was able to provide creep response according to different filler percentage and different temperature along with the same stiffness function and similar constraint factors, in each case.
Using Reading Rate and Comprehension CBM to Predict High-Stakes Achievement
Authors: Miller Kelli Caldwell , Bell Sherry Mee , McCallum R. Steve
Published: March 2015

Because of the increased emphasis on standardized testing results, scores from a high-stakes, end-of-year test (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program [TCAP] Reading Composite) were used as the standard against which scores from a group-administered, curriculum-based measure (CBM), Monitoring Instructional Responsiveness: Reading (MIR:R), were compared for 448 third-grade students. A zero-order correlation coefficient of .58 ( p < .001) partially defined the relationship between the MIR:R composite score (comprehension rate) and student performance on the TCAP reading composite; a classification analysis yielded the following percentages: sensitivity = 85, specificity = 53. Results from a stepwise multiple-regression equation revealed that the Comprehension score provided moderate predictive validity for TCAP reading composite performance (29% variance accounted for, p < .001); the rate (Total Words Read) score was less predictive (1% additional variance accounted for, p < .05). Discussion focuses on the implications of using unidimensional versus multidimensional CBMs for early screening and/or progress monitoring within response to intervention.
The determinants of domestic right-wing terrorism in the USA: Economic grievance, societal change and political resentment
Authors: Piazza James A.
Published: March 2015

This study tests three categories of motivations for domestic right-wing terrorism in the USA: economic grievances, particularly those produced by economic restructuring; societal changes that challenge notions of white male privilege; and political and public policy elements that stoke resentments. Executing a series of negative binomial regression estimations on state-level data in the USA for the period 1970–2011, I find that measures of societal factors—specifically increase in abortion rates and growing female participation in the labor force—and political indicators such as Democratic Party control of the White House, precipitate right-wing terrorist attacks. Factors associated with economic hardships—such as poverty, the decline of manufacturing employment and the “Farm Crisis”—as well as growth of the non-white population, control of state government by the Democratic Party and growth of average Federal Income Tax rates—are not found to be significant predictors of right-wing terrorism.
Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Maintains Microbiological Purity for 4 Days at 4°C
Authors: Vickers Amy Manning , Starks-Solis Shaina , Hill David R. , Newburg David S.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Most protective components in human milk are stable during prolonged storage at 4ºC; however, pasteurization reduces some microbicidal activities responsible for suppressing microbial growth and protecting against infection. Donor milk used by neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is frozen pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) defrosted and stored at 4ºC. Current Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) Best Practice guidelines recommend that milk be discarded 24 hours after being thawed, but experimental data on the duration of microbiological purity in thawed PDHM are sparse.

Objective:

This study evaluates microbiological purity of thawed PDHM during prolonged storage at 4ºC.

Methods:

A total of 42 independent, randomly selected PDHM samples were thawed at 4ºC. As is typical in NICUs, each bottle was opened at 3-hour intervals and 3 mL was withdrawn with a sterile syringe and transferred into a sterile tube. The 3 mL samples removed at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours, and 9 days were tested for the presence of any microorganisms by a clinical laboratory that routinely screens PDHM for microbes.

Results:

No evidence of microbial growth was observed in cultured samples taken at 0 to 9 days after thawing of the milk samples.

Conclusion:

There was no evidence of microbes in PDHM as dispensed by HMBANA milk banks when defrosted and stored at 4ºC for up to 9 days. Extended storage of PDHM in the NICU could reduce waste of donor milk, thereby increasing availability of human milk to vulnerable neonatal patients.
Preparation and characterization of a novel composite of polythioetherimide/bismaleimide/2,2′-diallylbisphenol A
Authors: Li Tianming , Yao Zhengjun , Zhou Jintang
Published: March 2015

A novel composite of polythioetherimide (PTEI)/bismaleimide (BMI)/2,2′-diallylbisphenol A (BA) was prepared. Mechanical measurements, dynamic thermomechanical analysis, and microanalysis were conducted to assess the toughness and morphology of the composite. Results demonstrate that the addition of PTEI has significant effects on the mechanical properties of the BMI/BA system. Compared with the BMI/BA resin, the PTEI/BMI/BA system significantly improves the impact strength and bending strength, given an appropriate amount of PTEI. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and energy dispersive spectroscopy results show that PTEI is distributed uniformly in the PTEI/BMI/BA system and that the interfacial compatibility between the PTEI and BMI/BA phase is excellent. Thermogravimetric and dielectric analyses were also conducted to infer the thermal and dielectric properties of the composite. With a suitable addition of PTEI, the BMI/BA resin still exhibits good thermal resistance and dielectric constant and loss values of the blends still retain good stability in a frequency band from 10 MHz to 60 MHz. All these changes in properties are closely correlated with the addition of PTEI.
Experimental evaluation of fatigue damage in two-stage loading tests based on the energy dissipation
Authors: Meneghetti Giovanni , Ricotta Mauro , Atzori Bruno
Published: March 2015

Heat energy dissipation is a manifestation of damage accumulation in fatigue-loaded components. Once recognized that some mechanical energy has to be expended to fatigue a material, energy partition into heat and stored energy is thought of as a material property in the present testing conditions. However, most of the mechanical input energy is dissipated as heat; therefore, the stored energy is difficult to estimate as difference between the expended and the dissipated energy. In this article heat energy is assumed as an index of fatigue damage. Since it reflects the material response to external loading, heat energy was seen to reduce the scatter of constant amplitude fatigue test results with respect to the use of the stress amplitude. Moreover, two-level fatigue test results could be interpreted with a higher level of accuracy when Miner’s rule was applied in terms of energy rather than stress amplitude.
Synthesising spatially repeatable tyre forces from axle load probability distributions
Authors: Goodrum WJ , Cebon D
Published: March 2015

Spatially repeatable dynamic tyre forces arise because heavy trucks are similar in weights, dimensions and dynamic characteristics and they travel at similar speeds. It is important to be able to model the statistical and spatial characteristics of dynamic tyre forces, using efficient algorithms, when studying the effects of vehicle–road interaction. Pitch-plane vehicle models derived from ‘per-vehicle’ weigh-in-motion (WIM) data of US ‘Class 9’ vehicles were used to generate a Virtual WIM vehicle fleet for spatial repeatability calculations. Four methods were investigated for simulating dynamic tyre forces with a level of spatial repeatability similar to the Virtual WIM fleet: (i) randomised pitch-plane models, (ii) randomised quarter car models (both derived from axle load probability distributions), (iii) phase-shifted quarter car models and (iv) phase-shifted pitch-plane models. Of these four methods, the best was found to be the phase-shifted pitch-plane models, which required four orders of magnitude less computation time than the Virtual WIM case, while approximating the spatial repeatability of the Virtual WIM fleet with reasonable accuracy.
The control strategy for improving the stability of a powertrain for a compound hybrid power excavator
Authors: Yao Hong , Wang Qingfeng
Published: March 2015

Nowadays, hybrid power excavators are an active research subject in the construction machinery area. The primary focus of this study is to investigate the control strategy for improving the stability of a powertrain for compound hybrid power excavators. First, the power flow and the dynamics of the powertrain of compound hybrid power excavators are analysed. It is concluded that the control strategy for compound hybrid power excavators has to guarantee the charge and discharge priority for operation of the swing and the boom lowering. Otherwise, large-scale switches of the operation point of the engine have to be performed in order to keep the state of charge in the appropriate range, which results in worse stability of the powertrain. Then, an improved rule-based control strategy is presented, which incorporates a load torque distributor, a charge-sustaining strategy and a dynamic torque compensator. The simulation model of a 20 ton compound hybrid power excavator, namely the ZE205E hybrid, is established. The improved rule-based control strategy, the thermostat control strategy and the control strategy presented by Yoo in 2009 are compared with respect to the stability of the powertrain and the fuel consumption through simulations. The simulation results show that the improved rule-based control strategy is best for the stability; however, for the fuel consumption, the improved rule-based control strategy is better than the thermostat control strategy but poorer than the control strategy described by Yoo. Taking into overall consideration the stability of the powertrain and the fuel consumption, the improved rule-based control strategy presented in this paper is more applicable for compound hybrid power excavators.
Estimation of parameters in a fin with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and radiation
Authors: Das Ranjan
Published: March 2015

In this paper an inverse numerical study of a conductive, convective and radiative rectangular fin is carried out with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity. At first, an implicit Runge-Kutta method-based solution is obtained for calculating the temperature distribution, and then an inverse problem is solved for estimation of unknown thermo-physical properties. The convection–conduction parameter, variable conductivity parameter and radiative parameter have been simultaneously predicted for satisfying a prescribed temperature distribution. This is achieved by minimizing a least squares-based objective function using a hybrid differential evolution-nonlinear programming optimization algorithm. The results obtained from the forward method are compared with Adomian decomposition and homotopy analysis methods which are found to be satisfactory. It is observed that many feasible combinations of parameters exist which satisfy the same temperature distribution, thus providing an opportunity for selecting any combination from the available alternatives. The effect of convection–conduction parameter on the temperature distribution is observed to be more than other parameters. A case study of different fin materials is also carried out for demonstrating the application of the present methodology.
A parameter design strategy for seeker’s field-of-view constraint in impact angle guidance
Authors: Wen Qiuqiu , Xia Qunli , Weixia Su
Published: March 2015

This note studies the problem of impact angle guidance by considering the seeker’s field-of-view angle constraint and proposes a new guidance parameter design strategy based on the classical time-to-go weighted impact angle optimal guidance law. To this end, firstly, the analytic expression of the field-of-view angle throughout the guidance process is presented. It is demonstrated that the max field-of-view angle can be controlled by designing the correct time-to-go weighted parameter and initial guidance conditions. Then, a guidance strategy, which includes the optimal guidance law, guidance condition selection, and guidance parameter design, is given. When using the strategy, the suitable time-to-go weighted parameter is modified to ensure the seeker’s field-of-view angle would not exceed the boundary value. Finally, the results of a numerical simulation based on the simple missile–target kinematics are presented; these results validate the proposed strategy.
Sexual health screening in people living with HIV – are we getting the whole story?
Authors: Perez Katrina , Bassett Deborah , Lee Vincent
Published: March 2015

Patients’ notes were audited to evaluate sexual health screening in 385 people living with HIV. A total of 76% were offered sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening; 85% of these accepted; 62% reported regular partners of whom 44% were also people living with HIV. In men who have sex with men (MSM), 64% reported consistent condom use for anal sex; of these, 15% had rectal STIs diagnosed. Of all patients, 62% reported monogamous relationships; in this MSM sub-group, 12% had STIs diagnosed. STIs are still being diagnosed despite continued safe sex messages and significantly in those reporting monogamous relationships and consistent condom use. Sexual history and safe sex education should be integral to routine care and STI screening offered annually regardless of sexual history as recommended by 2013 British HIV Association Standards of Care for People Living with HIV. More frequent STI screening may be required in high-risk patients.
HIV diagnosis in a patient presenting with vasculitis
Authors: Sharif M , Hameed S , Akin I , Natarajan U
Published: March 2015

A patient with digital ischaemia and gangrene was treated with iloprost and antiplatelets for two weeks. His vasculitic screen was negative except for a positive HIV test. His vasculitis improved three weeks after treatment with antiretroviral medications. Though vasculitis is well known to be associated with HIV infection, very few cases of HIV present as vasculitis.
An unusual perineal plaque
Authors: Hindocha Sumeet , Banerjee Shoma , Lewis Fiona
Published: March 2015

We present the case of a 61-year-old male with a long-standing perineal and scrotal lesion. Investigations eventually revealed cutaneous tuberculosis, with complete resolution after appropriate treatment. It highlights the variable presentation of cutaneous tuberculosis and the importance of considering the diagnosis in chronic lesions.
When Does Cognitive Functioning Peak? The Asynchronous Rise and Fall of Different Cognitive Abilities Across the Life Span
Authors: Hartshorne Joshua K. , Germine Laura T.
Published: March 2015

Understanding how and when cognitive change occurs over the life span is a prerequisite for understanding normal and abnormal development and aging. Most studies of cognitive change are constrained, however, in their ability to detect subtle, but theoretically informative life-span changes, as they rely on either comparing broad age groups or sparse sampling across the age range. Here, we present convergent evidence from 48,537 online participants and a comprehensive analysis of normative data from standardized IQ and memory tests. Our results reveal considerable heterogeneity in when cognitive abilities peak: Some abilities peak and begin to decline around high school graduation; some abilities plateau in early adulthood, beginning to decline in subjects’ 30s; and still others do not peak until subjects reach their 40s or later. These findings motivate a nuanced theory of maturation and age-related decline, in which multiple, dissociable factors differentially affect different domains of cognition.
The art and science behind piano touch: A review connecting multi-disciplinary literature
Authors: MacRitchie Jennifer
Published: March 2015

The touch used to play the piano, representing aspects of body posture, hand posture, movement, speed, force and pressure on the key, has been addressed over the centuries by pedagogues, famous pianists and composers. Piano touch not only underpins basic technique in piano playing, but is also the route through which pianists can communicate their expressive intentions. This review pulls together literature concerning touch from piano pedagogy, engineering, performance analysis and biomechanics. Studies have advanced understanding in the actions behind a typical keypress motion, the influence of training by examining differences between novice and expert pianists, and the various joint contributions that discern a struck versus a pressed touch. Although individual differences are widely identified, the influence of hand anthropometry, choice of technique and difference in training between experts remains understudied. A trade-off between accuracy and ecological validity is also identified in the use of current measurement systems: to encourage wider participation and incorporation into instrumental lessons, there is a need for the development of un-intrusive measurement systems that can be used outside the laboratory environment without restrictions concerning the instrument. Implications include furthering understanding across the arts and sciences and aiding teachers and students looking to minimise the risk of injury.