bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student Teacher Ecological Self in the Context of Education for Sustainable Development: A Longitudinal Case Study
Authors: Raus Rea
Published: June 2018

In the context of teacher education (TE) for sustainable development (SD), questions related to a teacher’s values, worldview and identity present a particular interest and are of critical importance. In the present article, student–teachers’ understanding of Teacher self and nature is focused on through discussions of personal and professional settings. The perceived curriculum, that is, reflection on a formal curriculum of a particular TE programme, is discussed to investigate how existing TE curriculum supports the development of the ecological, holistic self of a future teacher. The longitudinal study of 9 student teachers attempts to illuminate the process of the development of their ecological self during the first 4 years of studies in a particular initial TE programme. Although literature stresses the need to begin TE with investigating teacher identity, the results show that according to student teachers’ opinions, the particular TE curriculum does not address the notion of teacher identity in a focused manner, and more prominently, it does not address teacher identity development in the context of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
The performance of a smart ball-and-socket actuator applied to upper limb rehabilitation
Authors: El Wahed Ali K , Balkhoyor Loaie B
Published: June 2018

Magnetorheological fluids are capable of providing continuously variable yield stresses in response to external magnetic fields. Greater potential application in rehabilitation may be realised if these fluids are utilised in controllable actuators offering multi-degree-of-freedom motions. This article presents the results of the comparative performance of a ball-and-socket actuator, employing magnetorheological fluids as the controllable medium, using theoretical and numerical approaches. The theoretical model combines the viscous friction and the controllable field-dependent characteristics of the magnetorheological fluid in which a Bingham plastic model is used to simulate the shear stress of the fluid under various input conditions. A special procedure to simulate the device performance using computational fluid dynamics techniques, which were performed using ANSYS CFX computer code, is detailed. Three commercial magnetorheological fluids (MRF241-ES, MRF132-AD and MRF122-2ED) were assessed and it was found that the simulated values of the device torque compared well with the theoretical values.
Understanding How Solidarity Groups—A Community-Based Economic and Psychosocial Support Intervention—Can Affect Mental Health for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Koegler Erica , Kennedy Caitlin , Mrindi Janvier , Bachunguye Richard , Winch Peter , Ramazani Paul , Makambo Maphie Tosha , Glass Nancy
Published: June 2018

Solidarity groups were established in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to provide female survivors of conflict-related sexual violence an opportunity to generate income, establish networks of support, and cope with atrocities. Qualitative data were collected from 12 members of solidarity groups to explore factors that contributed to members’ mental health. All women identified some improvement (physiological, psychological, economic, or social) since joining the solidarity group, but none of the women were free from ailments. Our findings suggest that a multifaceted intervention in women’s own communities has the potential to improve multiple aspects of women’s lives, including mental health.
Study of the surface wave vibrations in a functionally graded material layered structure: a WKB method
Authors: Gupta Shishir , Bhengra Neelima
Published: June 2018

In this paper, a theoretical investigation is described of the propagation behaviour of Love-type waves in a functionally graded material layered structure. The Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) method was applied to obtain the analytical solution for the functionally graded material layer. The study was carried out to investigate the transference of Love-type waves in a functionally graded material layer bounded by a viscous fluid layer and a highly anisotropic half-space. Two cases were studied, one in which the material property variation of the functionally graded material layer was arbitrary and one in which the material property variation was taken as exponential. A variable separation method was employed to obtain the displacement components in both the viscous liquid and the highly anisotropic medium. Profound effects of material gradient coefficient, viscous coefficient, liquid mass density, initial stress parameter and wavelength on real and imaginary components of phase velocities were established. Some numerical calculations were also made. The considered model facilitates a theoretical foundation and practical application for the development of surface acoustic wave devices.
Effect of premilling treatments on wheat gluten extraction and noodle quality
Authors: Kaushik Ravinder , Chawla Prince , Kumar Naveen , Janghu Sandeep , Lohan Amit
Published: June 2018

Wheat cultivars were treated by four different treatments and their flours were obtained after milling. The quality of the obtained wheat flours was determined using various quality parameters and it was observed that premilling treatments significantly affect the gluten content, wet and dry gluten yield, gluten index, and water absorption capacity of gluten, respectively. Acid-treated wheat flours of all the four wheat varieties (C-306, Raj-3765, PBW-343, and KW-11) showed lower gluten content and quality, whereas conditioning and yeast treatment improve gluten quality as well as its content. Flours obtained after premilling treatments were also utilized for noodle preparation and their sensory and quality parameters were also determined. Also, it was observed that yeast treatment and conditioning improved the noodle quality, whereas acid treatment deteriorates the noodle quality in comparison to tempering. The cultivar PBW-343 produced the best quality noodle among four wheat cultivars. In different milling treatments acid-treated flours of all cultivars showed lowest sensory and quality characteristics, while yeast treatment showed highest.
Short-Term Outcomes in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis With 4 Bone Marrow Concentrate Injections
Authors: Shaw Brent , Darrow Marc , Derian Armen
Published: June 2018

Background:

Preliminary research suggests that bone marrow concentrate (BMC), which contains mesenchymal stem cells and platelets, is a promising treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to build on this preliminary research by reporting the short-term progress of 15 patients (20 knees) with knee osteoarthritis through 4 BMC treatments.

Methods:

Patients underwent four sequential BMC treatments with mean injection times of 13.80 days after the first treatment, 21.40 days after the second treatment, and 33.50 days after the third treatment. The last follow-up was conducted a mean 86 days after the first treatment. Baseline and posttreatment outcomes of resting pain, active pain, lower functionality scale, and overall improvement percentage were compared after each treatment.

Results:

Patients experienced statistically significant improvements in active pain and functionality score after the first treatment. Additionally, patients experienced a mean decrease in resting pain after the first treatment, yet outcomes were not statistically significant until after the second treatment. On average, patients experienced an 84.31% decrease in resting pain, a 61.95% decrease in active pain, and a 55.68% increase in functionality score at the final follow-up. Patients also reported a mean 67% total overall improvement at study conclusion. Outcomes at the final follow-up after the fourth treatment were statistically significant compared to outcomes at baseline, after first treatment, after second treatment, and after third treatment.

Conclusions:

These results are promising, and additional research with a larger sample size and longer follow-up is needed to further examine the treatment effectiveness of multiple BMC injections for knee osteoarthritis.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque: A Story of Daylight in Sequential Spaces
Authors: Shahani Mohammadhossein
Published: June 2018

Throughout history, the spaces of sacred buildings have benefited from inspiring patterns of light. In this context, the present study aims to analyze how daylight pervades the sequential spaces of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran, one of the most well-known mosques, during the day. The spaces of the mosque present several appearances of daylight, controlled during different time intervals. Photographs of the spaces taken with the help of a camera depict the different daylight penetrations from outside to inside the mosque, categorized into different episodes. The observation of daylight penetrations in each episode reveals that building orientation, fenestration, reflection, and daylight variability are the major factors to analyze daylight in sequential spaces. Based on the analyses, the results of the current article present the major findings to establish a framework that can help design other mosques and buildings with similar spaces.
To Go Forward, We Must Look Back: The Importance of Evolutionary Psychology for Understanding Modern Politics
Authors: McDermott Rose , Hatemi Peter K.
Published: June 2018

As new waves of populism arise and cause disruption around the globe, there is both great interest in attempting to explain the origin of this dynamic as well as a need to ameliorate its potentially destructive impact. Perhaps the greatest signal of seismic change is the global dismantling of American institutional control of the postwar world following the election of Donald Trump in the United States. In the wake of such dramatic changes, it may seem odd to turn to evolutionary psychology which looks deeply into the past to try to understand current events, but, in fact, modern technology has dramatically changed the shape of political communication in just such a way as to make politics more personal once again, increasing the need to understand and interpret modern politics through an evolutionary lens. In fact, current modern political turmoils demonstrate how important evolutionary themes are and how critical they remain to understand how current forms of populism tape into older tribal sentiments and drives. Modern technology allows for a form of interpretative politics that no longer need to be mediated by political institutions or larger social structures, including enduring ones such as marriage. Indeed, in any ways, as we have technologically advanced, we have also regressed to more immediate, emotional, and personal forms of political communication. And it is only in understanding the nature of that personal political psychology that we can begin to grapple seriously with the challenges of today, including the consequences of global populism.
What’s it got to do with the price of bread? Condorcet and Grouchy on freedom and unreasonable laws in commerce
Authors: Bergès Sandrine
Published: June 2018

István Hont identified a point in the history of political thought at which republicanism and commercialism became separated. According to Hont, Emmanuel Sieyès proposed that a monarchical republic should be formed. By contrast the Jacobins, in favour of a republic led by the people, rejected not only Sieyès’s political proposal, but also the economic ideology that went with it. Sieyès was in favour of a commercial republic; the Jacobins were not. This was, according to Hont, a defining moment in the history of political thought. In this article, I offer a different analysis of that particular moment in the history of the commercial republic, one that instead of focusing on Sieyès and the Jacobins, looks at the thought of Girondins philosophers Nicolas de Condorcet and Sophie de Grouchy. I argue that their arguments provide sound models for a commercial republic, reconciling late 18th century republican ideals in which virtue was central, with the need for a flourishing and internationally active market economy.
Seeking Help in Domestic Violence Among Muslim Women in Muslim-Majority and Non-Muslim-Majority Countries: A Literature Review
Authors: Afrouz Rojan , Crisp Beth R. , Taket Ann
Published: June 2018

Objective:

Women from different backgrounds and cultures are at risk of domestic violence. Disclosing the abusive experience and seeking help is not straightforward and easy and might be a complicated and long-term process. Muslim women, like other groups of women, may face various barriers to disclose abusive relationships and for seeking help. Some of the barriers may be common for the majority of Muslim women in different contexts, while others might be related to women’s situations and the wider society they live. To identify these barriers and make recommendations for future studies, this article reviews related papers conducted in both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim-majority countries.

Method:

A critical systematic review of the literature was conducted for identifying Muslim women’s barriers in disclosing abuse and seeking help.

Results:

Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The main identified barriers are discussed into under four themes: social context, family context, individual factors, and expectations of service providers.

Conclusions:

Although the researchers tried to investigate various barriers in seeking help, many of them have not focused on structural obstacles. Besides, in many Muslim-majority countries, the issue has not been explored. Therefore, the results of the current article will not apply to those countries. Recommendation for future research comprises more qualitative research compatible with the women’s cultures and backgrounds in different societies, focusing more on structural and cultural factors to explore and find women’s barriers to seek help.
Absolute Lymphocyte Count in Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer: Changes Over Time and Prognostic Significance
Authors: Oh Seung Yeop , Heo Jaesung , Noh O Kyu , Chun Mison , Cho Oyeon , Oh Young-Taek
Published: June 2018

We analyzed the changes in absolute lymphocyte count and its changes over time in 139 patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. The baseline absolute lymphocyte count was defined as the median of absolute lymphocyte count levels measured during 30 days before preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Absolute lymphocyte count at 1 month, 0.5 to 1 year, 1 to 2 years, and 2 to 3 years were determined by the median values of the absolute lymphocyte counts during the respective periods. Absolute lymphocyte count decreased after delivering preoperative chemoradiotherapy, reached minimum level at 1 month, and then gradually increased after the completion of chemoradiotherapy. Baseline absolute lymphocyte count had significant correlations with the absolute lymphocyte count of every period (range of coefficient, 0.41-0.64, P < .001). The overall survival of the group with high baseline absolute lymphocyte count was significantly higher than that of the group with low baseline absolute lymphocyte count (5-year overall survival: 82.4% vs 62.9%, P = .012). In multivariable analyses, the baseline absolute lymphocyte count remained as a significant prognostic factor for overall survival, favoring the group with a high baseline absolute lymphocyte count (hazard ratio = 0.405, P = .017). This study showed that the level of baseline absolute lymphocyte count was an independent prognostic factor, and it correlated with the absolute lymphocyte counts across varying periods of treatments and follow-up in patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal adenocarcinoma.
Control of steering wheel idle jitter based on optimization of engine suspension system with verifications using multi-sensor measurement
Authors: He Shuilong , Chen Binqiang , Jiang Zhansi , Wang Yanxue , Liu Fuyun
Published: June 2018

Strong steering wheel jitter during idling states of the engine can seriously deteriorate the driving comfort as well as the driving safety. The powertrain suspension system can be considered as the only essential path for the transmission of vibrations from the engine to the vehicle cab. Its vibration isolation performance directly affects the severity of vibrations on the steering wheel. In this article, aiming at solving the problem of a certain type of commercial vehicle’s steering wheel with strong idle jitter at the idle state, the intrinsic characteristics and vibration isolation performances of the powertrain suspension system were studied in detail. A multi-sensor-based measurement strategy was utilized to evaluate the idle jitter severity of the steering wheel. In order to improve the indicators of the decoupling degree, the vibration transmissibility, and the resonant frequency distributions of the engine suspension system, an optimization model of engine suspension system was established. Parameters of the optimized suspension system were obtained by multi-objective particle swarm optimization. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the optimization algorithm to solve the problem of the vehicle’s steering wheel jitter at idle states were verified through a test using multiple acceleration sensors, which has practical values in the engineering field.
Performance of a Multifunctional Robot for Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery
Authors: Shen Tao , Hennings Dietric , Nelson Carl A. , Oleynikov Dmitry
Published: June 2018

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has gained attention as a revolutionary technique with its potential advantages in eliminating skin incisions, shortening recovery time, and decreasing postoperative complications; however, its practical application is still constrained by the complexity of navigation through the surgical field and paucity of available instruments. Current progress on NOTES focuses on designing flexible articulated robots or fully inserted bimanual robots to address the limitations. However, the lack of multitasking tools, trade-offs between size and power, and lack of sufficient surgical force are too often neglected. The authors designed a bimanual robot with a multifunctional manipulator, which can realize on-site instrument-change according to surgeon needs. An articulated drive mechanism with 2 independent curvature sections was designed to deliver the robot to the surgical site. A corresponding reconfiguration operation sequence was formulated to ease insertion and thereby decrease the design trade-off between size and power. This article presents 3 benchtop and animal tests to evaluate the robotic surgery approach and demonstrate the effectiveness of the robot.
Nocturia in Women With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Doyle-McClam Megan , Shahid Muhammad H. , Sethi Jigme M. , Koo Patrick
Published: June 2018

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is underdiagnosed in women compared with men. Women have a tendency to underreport or present with atypical symptoms such as behavior changes, insomnia, fatigue, and depression. Nocturia, waking up from sleep 2 times or more to void, has been shown to be associated with OSA, but it is not an included symptom in commonly used screening questionnaires in primary provider offices. About 50% of patients with OSA have nocturia, and treatment of OSA improves it. Recognition of nocturia as a relevant symptom of OSA is important for primary providers to provide timely referral for the diagnosis of OSA.
The man-machine motion planning of rigid-flexible hybrid lower limb rehabilitation robot
Authors: Wang Ke-Yi , Yin Peng-Cheng , Yang Hai-Peng , Tang Xiao-Qiang
Published: June 2018

At present, in view of the question that the general lower limb rehabilitation training robot is only achieving motion training of lower limb’s flexion and extension. A kind of the lower limb rehabilitation robot is conceived which can achieve lower limb adduction or abduction and internal or external rotation in sports training, and it is aimed to research the robot’s structure and motion planning. When analyzing the typical movement forms of the lower limb, the relation of man–machine coordinated movement is also considered. A kind of lower limb rehabilitation training robot is conceived, which consists of the rigid mobile device and the flexible drive system. The influence coefficient method is used to analyze the kinematics of the robot. According to the rehabilitation training of man–machine cooperation relations, the trajectory planning strategy is studied. A robot configuration that meets the needs of rehabilitation motion trajectory planning is drawn by setting the parameters of the robot mechanism and simulation. According to the trajectory of the training program, the simulation analysis of the state of wire movement is carried out. The experimental study of adduction and abduction of the lower extremities was carried out, proving the effectiveness of robot mechanism.
Optimization model for polycrystalline diamond compact bits based on reverse design
Authors: Ai Zhijiu , Han Yiwei , Kuang Yuchun , Wang Yuanji , Zhang Mingming
Published: June 2018

To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of bit cutter design, a new reverse design method is put forward based on the geometry of a polycrystalline diamond compact bit. The polycrystalline diamond compact bit design parameters (cutter parameters and polycrystalline diamond compact bit profile) are calculated based on the data obtained by three-dimensional scanning technology. The main calculation work is realized using MATLAB. Compared with using point cloud data, using the three-dimensional model based on calculated cutter parameters also provides accurate results. Then, the cutter parameters are optimized according to the minimum lateral force principle, minimizing the maximum wear rate principle. The lateral unbalance force of the bit decreases from 7.55%, for the original bit, to 3.17%, for the optimized bit, and the wear of the optimized drill bit is more uniform. The field data show that the optimization models create bits with a longer life and a higher rate of penetration.
Bubble density gradient with laser detection: A wake-homing scheme for supercavitating vehicles
Authors: Song Jia , Bian Likun , Yang Erfu , Su Dongjing
Published: June 2018

The poor mobility and complex target motion estimation are the two main challenges in the anti-ship attack missions of high-speed guided missiles. In this study, a new wake-homing scheme of supercavitating vehicles is proposed using the gradient wake flow phenomenon. The basic principle of the wake-homing with laser detection and the information which can be obtained are studied. According to the idiosyncrasy of laser detection, the geometrical characteristics of the vessel wake, and the bubble distribution characteristics, the three-dimensional model of bubble density gradient in horizontal plane of the maneuvering target ship wake flow is first built; the guidance law based on the gradient wake flow is designed and tested. Then, simulation results show the validity of the model wake, the guidance law based on the wake gradient information can accurately track the target. From the simulation results, we also can see that the new wake-homing scheme effectively improve the hit probability, reduce the range of loss, reduce power consumption and gentle guidance trajectory, greatly reduce the mobility requirements of the supercavitating vehicles.
Precision medicine applications in prostate cancer
Authors: McCrea Edel M. , Lee Daniel K. , Sissung Tristan M. , Figg William D.
Published: June 2018

Aided by developments in diagnostics and therapeutics, healthcare is increasingly moving toward precision medicine, in which treatment is customized to each individual. We discuss the relevance of precision medicine in prostate cancer, including gene targets, therapeutics and resistance mechanisms. We foresee precision medicine becoming an integral component of prostate cancer management to increase response to therapy and prolong survival.
Optimal management of luminal breast cancer: how much endocrine therapy is long enough?
Authors: Munzone Elisabetta , Colleoni Marco
Published: June 2018

Patients with early estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are at continuous risk of relapse even after more than 10 years of follow up. Currently, no biomarker that identifies patients for early versus late recurrence, or one that selects patients or tumors for longer versus shorter durations of endocrine therapy (ET) is available and a crucial question is how to properly select patients who could be spared extended ET or those who require it. In the last 20 years more than 40,000 women were enrolled in randomized trials to answer the question of optimal duration of ET. According to the results of these studies extended adjuvant ET is more effective than standard 5 years of adjuvant ET. Extended ET in patients who remain premenopausal after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen is still tamoxifen for another 5 years. Extended ET with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) should be offered to postmenopausal women with substantial residual risk of relapse after completing 5 years of tamoxifen therapy. Extension of AI treatment to 10 years resulted in significantly better 5-year disease-free survival including disease recurrence local/distant or the occurrence of contralateral breast cancer events. Currently, new therapeutic targets are under investigation, but the beneficial effect of prolonged treatment for high-risk patients, identified by using multigenomic tests, remains unclear. Thus, further studies need to be performed to confirm the advantage of extended adjuvant ET in selected patients.
5-fluorouracil and cardiotoxicity: a review
Authors: Sara Jaskanwal D. , Kaur Jasvinder , Khodadadi Ryan , Rehman Muneeb , Lobo Ronstan , Chakrabarti Sakti , Herrmann Joerg , Lerman Amir , Grothey Axel
Published: June 2018

Fluoropyrimidines such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) form the foundation of a wide variety of chemotherapy regimens. 5-FU is in fact the third most commonly used chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of solid malignancies across the world. As with all chemotherapy, balancing the potential benefits of therapy against the risks of drug-related toxicity is crucial when clinicians and patients make shared decisions about treatment. 5-FU is the second most common chemotherapeutic drug associated with cardiotoxicity after anthracyclines, which can manifest as chest pain, acute coronary syndrome/myocardial infarction or death. Nevertheless a widespread appreciation of 5-FU-related cardiotoxicity and its implications is lacking amongst clinicians. In this review, we outline the incidence, possible risk factors, and likely pathophysiological mechanisms that may account for 5-FU-related cardiotoxicity and also highlight potential management strategies for this poorly understood clinical entity.
A Series of Fortunate Events: Harold Hopkins
Authors: Goddard Jonathan Charles
Published: June 2018

Harold Hopkins is known to most urologists for his innovations in the field of endourology: fibreoptics which led to the flexible cystoscopes and ureteroscopes and the rod lens system that revolutionised rigid cystoscopy and endourological surgery. Of course these inventions have benefitted many other areas of medicine such as gynaecology, orthopaedics and gastroenterology. Harold Hopkins however was an optical physicist; his genius was not limited to medical devices. Indeed he could quite easily have concentrated his skills in theoretical physics, optical theory or applied it to optics and lenses in industry. In fact, he could have become an expert linguist eschewing science altogether. As a matter of fact Hopkins did all of these things but it was a series of coincidences that led him to pursue the path of optics and that brought him together with certain doctors in need of a genius with the ability to see novel approaches to their problems.
A review of wearable motion tracking systems used in rehabilitation following hip and knee replacement
Authors: Bahadori Shayan , Immins Tikki , Wainwright Thomas W
Published: June 2018

Clinical teams are under increasing pressure to facilitate early hospital discharge for total hip replacement and total knee replacement patients following surgery. A wide variety of wearable devices are being marketed to assist with rehabilitation following surgery. A review of wearable devices was undertaken to assess the evidence supporting their efficacy in assisting rehabilitation following total hip replacement and total knee replacement. A search was conducted using the electronic databases including Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycARTICLES, and PubMed of studies from January 2000 to October 2017. Five studies met the eligibility criteria, and all used an accelerometer and a gyroscope for their technology. A review of the studies found very little evidence to support the efficacy of the technology, although they show that the use of the technology is feasible. Future work should establish which wearable technology is most valuable to patients, which ones improve patient outcomes, and the most economical model for deploying the technology.
Who Is Helpful? Examining the Relationship Between Ambivalent Sexism, Right-Wing Authoritarianism, and Intentions to Help Domestic Violence Victims
Authors: Riley Christina E. , Yamawaki Niwako
Published: June 2018

When victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) victims seek help from informal supporters (e.g., family, friends, etc.), they are often revictimized and blamed. The Supportive Attitudes Toward Victim Scale (SAVS) was developed to examine others’ intentions to help IPV victims. A factor analysis was conducted and four subscales of the SAVS were developed. A fictional scenario depicting a female IPV victim disclosing about being being abused by her male partner was adminsitered online to a sample of 184 college students. The study included two conditions (i.e., victim’s decision to stay with her abuser and victim’s decision to leave her abuser) to which participants were randomly assigned. Particpants completed several questionannires including the SAVS. The relationships between benevolent sexism (BS), hostile sexism (HS), right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), and intentions to help IPV victims were examined. Additionally, how victim blame varied by gender and scenario was also measured. BS, HS, and RWA were predictive of different SAVS subscales, and the victim was blamed more by males and in the scenario where the victim decided to stay with her abuser. Implications for IPV intervention research and programs are discussed.
Easy as PIE: A Recipe for Approaching the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for Health Education Specialists
Authors: Berlin Kathryn , Boling Whitney , Doss Darleesa , Nolting Tyler
Published: June 2018

Experiential learning to address the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for health education specialists is scarce or limited in scope in the pedagogy literature. The purpose of this article is to describe the process in which faculty applied a unique experiential learning approach wherein students were involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating (PIE) a health promotion program over the course of an academic year. The PIE approach allowed faculty to modify and revise course objectives to better align outcomes with the Areas of Responsibility and Competencies for health education specialists. This article provides an overview of the past 4 years using the PIE approach, a synopsis of the various steps faculty employed to use this model, and student perception of the approach as a learning tool.
The Lifetime Health Burden of Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients in the United States
Authors: Incerti Devin , Summers Nicholas , Ton Thanh G. N. , Boscoe Audra , Chandraker Anil , Stevens Warren
Published: June 2018

Background. Although delayed graft function (DGF) is associated with an increased risk of acute rejection and decreased graft survival, there are no estimates of the long-term or lifetime health burden of DGF. Objectives. To estimate the long-term and lifetime health burden of DGF, defined as the need for at least one dialysis session within the first week after transplantation, for a cohort representative of patients who had their first kidney transplant in 2014. Methods. Data from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS; 2001–2014) were used to estimate a semi-Markov parametric multi-state model with three disease states. Maximum length of follow-up was 13.7 years, and a microsimulation model was used to extrapolate results over a lifetime. The impact of DGF was assessed by simulating the model for each patient in the cohort with and without DGF. Results. At the end of 13.7 years of follow-up, DGF reduces the probability of having a functioning graft from 52% to 32%, increases the probability of being on dialysis from 10% to 19%, and increases the probability of death from 38% to 50% relative to transplant recipients who do not experience DGF. A typical transplant recipient with DGF (median age = 53) is observed to lose 0.87 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Extrapolated over a lifetime, the same 53-year-old DGF patient is projected to lose 3.01 (95% confidence interval: 2.33, 3.70) QALYs relative to a transplant recipient with the same characteristics who does not experience DGF. Conclusions. The lifetime health burden of DGF is substantial. Understanding these consequences will help health care providers weigh kidney transplant decisions and inform policies for patients in the context of varying risks of DGF.
New Forms of Recruitment Processes and Discrimination in Urban Labour Market in India
Authors: Mamgain Rajendra P.
Published: June 2018

The penetration of information and communications technology (ICT) and financial services have led to significant changes in the nature of employment opportunities as well as hiring practices by employers in the Indian labour market. Both employers and jobseekers are increasingly using information technology (IT) in their searches in the labour market. However, social networks continue to play major role in job information and hiring decisions. In such changing milieu, access to information to jobseekers has become rather limited, thereby reducing job opportunities for those people or groups of people who do not have access to such sources of information and networks. The prevailing prejudices about the abilities of certain group of job applicants such as Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SCs/STs) and Muslims, and overemphasis on meritocracy by employers also limit their chances of being selected, particularly in private industry.
Evidence-based practice in a multicultural world: changing with the times
Authors: Tiley Claire , Kyriakopoulos Marinos
Published: June 2018

Evidence-based practice (EBP), which is commonly implemented in high-income countries (HICs), integrates the best research evidence, clinical expertise and patient preferences in the planning and provision of healthcare for both physical and mental health conditions. Although the same principles of EBP apply in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), research into and implementation of such interventions in these countries remains significantly behind compared with HICs. This article presents a brief overview of the global mental health agenda and initiatives aiming to address this pressing gap through the promotion of research and scaling up services, identification of barriers to developing and implementing EBP in LMICs, and possible solutions to overcome them.
Oct4 regulates the embryonic axis and coordinates exit from pluripotency and germ layer specification in the mouse embryo
Authors: Mulas Carla , Chia Gloryn , Jones Kenneth Alan , Hodgson Andrew Christopher , Stirparo Giuliano Giuseppe , Nichols Jennifer
Published: June 2018

Lineage segregation in the mouse embryo is a finely controlled process dependent upon coordination of signalling pathways and transcriptional responses. Here we employ a conditional deletion system to investigate embryonic patterning and lineage specification in response to loss of Oct4. We first observe ectopic expression of Nanog in Oct4-negative postimplantation epiblast cells. The expression domains of lineage markers are subsequently disrupted. Definitive endoderm expands at the expense of mesoderm; the anterior-posterior axis is positioned more distally and an ectopic posterior-like domain appears anteriorly, suggesting a role for Oct4 in maintaining the embryonic axis. Although primitive streak forms in the presumptive proximal-posterior region, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is impeded by an increase of E-cadherin, leading to complete tissue disorganisation and failure to generate germ layers. In explant and in vitro differentiation assays, Oct4 mutants also show upregulation of E-cadherin and Foxa2, suggesting a cell-autonomous phenotype. We confirm requirement for Oct4 in self-renewal of postimplantation epiblast ex vivo. Our results indicate a role for Oct4 in orchestrating multiple fates and enabling expansion, correct patterning and lineage choice in the postimplantation epiblast.
Assembled genomic and tissue-specific transcriptomic data resources for two genetically distinct lines of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)
Authors: Spriggs Andrew , Henderson Steven T. , Hand Melanie L. , Johnson Susan D. , Taylor Jennifer M. , Koltunow Anna
Published: June 2018

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an important legume crop for food security in areas of low-input and smallholder farming throughout Africa and Asia. Genetic improvements are required to increase yield and resilience to biotic and abiotic stress and to enhance cowpea crop performance. An integrated cowpea genomic and gene expression data resource has the potential to greatly accelerate breeding and the delivery of novel genetic traits for cowpea. Extensive genomic resources for cowpea have been absent from the public domain; however, a recent early release reference genome for IT97K-499-35 (Vigna unguiculata v1.0, NSF, UCR, USAID, DOE-JGI, http://phytozome.jgi.doe.gov/) has now been established in a collaboration between the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and University California (UC) Riverside. Here we release supporting genomic and transcriptomic data for two transformable cowpea varieties, IT97K-499-35 and IT86D-1010. The transcriptome resource includes six tissue-specific datasets for each variety, with particular emphasis on reproductive tissues that extend and support the V. unguiculata v1.0 reference. Annotations have been included in our resource to allow direct mapping to the v1.0 cowpea reference. The resource described here is supported by downloadable raw and assembled sequence data.
Stewarding antibiotic stewardship in intensive care units with Bayesian artificial intelligence
Authors: Sethi Tavpritesh , Maheshwari Shubham , Nagori Aditya , Lodha Rakesh
Published: June 2018

Emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to life. Injudicious use of antibiotics is the biggest driver of resistance evolution, creating selection pressures on micro-organisms. Intensive care units (ICUs) are the strongest contributors to this pressure, owing to high infection and antibiotic usage rates. Antimicrobial stewardship programs aim to control antibiotic use; however, these are mostly limited to descriptive statistics. Genomic analyses lie at the other extreme of the value-spectrum, and together these factors predispose to siloing of knowledge arising from AMR stewardship. In this study, we bridged the value-gap at a Pediatric ICU by creating Bayesian network (BN) artificial intelligence models with potential impacts on antibiotic stewardship. Methods, actionable insights and an interactive dashboard for BN analysis upon data observed over 3 years at the PICU are described. BNs have several desirable properties for reasoning from data, including interpretability, expert knowledge injection and quantitative inference. Our pipeline leverages best practices of enforcing statistical rigor through bootstrapping, ensemble averaging and Monte Carlo simulations. Competing, shared and independent drug resistances were discovered through the presence of network motifs in BNs. Inferences guided by these visual models are also discussed, such as increasing the sensitivity testing for chloramphenicol as a potential mechanism of avoiding ertapenem overuse in the PICU. Organism, tissue and temporal influences on drug co-resistances are also discussed. While the model represents inferences that are tailored to the site, BNs are excellent tools for building upon pre-learnt structures, hence the model and inferences were wrapped into an interactive dashboard not only deployed at the site, but also made openly available to the community via GitHub. Shared repositories of such models could be a viable alternative to raw-data sharing and could promote partnering, learning across sites and charting a joint course for antimicrobial stewardship programs in the race against AMR.
Comparison of Lasserre’s Measure-Based Bounds for Polynomial Optimization to Bounds Obtained by Simulated Annealing
Authors: de Klerk Etienne , Laurent Monique
Published: June 2018

We consider the problem of minimizing a continuous function f over a compact set K. We compare the hierarchy of upper bounds proposed by Lasserre [Lasserre JB (2011) A new look at nonnegativity on closed sets and polynomial optimization. SIAM J. Optim. 21(3):864–885] to bounds that may be obtained from simulated annealing. We show that, when f is a polynomial and K a convex body, this comparison yields a faster rate of convergence of the Lasserre hierarchy than what was previously known in the literature.
(DES)RESPEITANDO REGRAS: IMPROVISAÇÃO NA PRÁTICA DA PRODUÇÃO DO DESFILE CARNAVALESCO DE UMA ESCOLA DE SAMBA
Authors: Silveira Priscila Ricardo dos Santos da
Published: June 2018

Este estudo apresenta possíveis intersecções entre a teoria da prática, conforme abordagem de Theodore Schatzki, e a improvisação organizacional, sendo esta última relacionada ao fazer não previsto com antecedência, não premeditado, geralmente entendido em termos de caso fortuito, muitas vezes em tempos de crise. Para isso, foi proposto como objetivo de análise a prática da produção do desfile de uma escola de samba, contexto em que o fenômeno do improviso aparece de forma bastante evidente. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse artigo foi investigar como o conceito de estruturas mínimas(um dos principais conceitos na teoria da improvisação organizacional) relaciona-se ao fenômeno regrasque, segundo Schatzki ajuda a organizar a prática. Para concretizar esse objetivo, foram realizadas pesquisas através de documentos, entrevistas em profundidade e observações, centradas no desenrolar das atividades que compõem a produção de um desfile carnavalesco do Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Unidos de Jucutuquara, de Vitória (ES).
La Educación Superior en Brasil. 1. Desde la Independencia al Golpe Militar de 1964
Authors: Berdugo Gómez De La Torre Ignacio
Published: June 2018

El artículo analiza la evolución de la educación superior en Brasil desde la independencia hasta el golpe militar de 1964. La influencia de la Universidad de Coimbra y la no fundación de universidades durante todo el siglo XIX por el papel de las Escuelas Profesionales y el peso del pensamiento positivista. El inicio, tras la creación de la Universidad de Rio en 1920, de un importante debate sobre la necesidad de crear universidades, que posibilite y difunda una cultura propia. La centralización de la politica educativa y el impulso del modelo de la Universidad de Rio, ahora Universidad de Brasil, que tiene lugar durante el Estado Novo. El proceso de redemocratización reabre el debate sobre la educación superior, añadida ahora la necesidad de dar respuesta a las nuevas necesidades económicas. El periodo analizado se cierra con la fundación de la Universidad de Brasilia y con la consideración por el Presidente Goulart de la reforma educativa como una de las “reformas de base”. El golpe militar de 1964 abre un periodo nuevo de muy distinto signo en la Historia de Brasil.
Zelotismo/herodianismo en la reflexión de helio jaguaribe
Authors: Lafer Celso
Published: June 2018

Se trata del discurso pronunciado por el autor durante la sesión de homenaje a Helio Jaguaribe, miembro de la Academia Brasileña de Letras, promovida por la Fundación Alexandre de Gusmão (FUNAG) y por el Instituto Histórico y Geográfico Brasileño en Río de Janeiro el 26 de noviembre de 2013.
Los contenidos de ciencias naturales en la enseñanza universitaria: especificidad, abstracción y orientación profesional
Authors: Lorenzo María Gabriela
Published: June 2018

El trabajo diario de los científicos hace incrementar de manera ininterrumpida los conocimientos en cada campo disciplinar. De este modo, la enseñanza de cada una de las asignaturas debe revisar periódicamente los contenidos que integran sus planes de estudio, especialmente en el nivel universitario. Al mismo tiempo, los administradores y docentes han de tomar decisiones sobre aquello que resulta fundamental y básico para el aprendizaje de un área y sobre aquello que constituye un conocimiento de frontera. A pesar de la relevancia de esta situación, poco se ha dicho sobre la selección y secuenciación de contenidos en asignaturas de nivel superior. Por ende, en este trabajo presentamos algunas herramientas para ayudar a los docentes en la reflexión sobre sus programas de contenidos, considerando distintas formas de clasificación, y los criterios para su posible selección y posterior secuenciación, señalando las particularidades de este nivel en relación con la del nivel secundario ampliamente estudiado por la literatura especializada.
Developing Multi-Disciplinary Skills through a Course in Educational Software Design
Authors: Exter Marisa
Published: June 2018

This design case covers a graduate course in educational software design that focuses on semester-long projects in response to client requests. The course was intended to address the need for professionals across disciplines, such as instructional design, computer science, and human-computer interaction design, to usefully collaborate on educational software projects. The ability to work on a multi-disciplinary team was fostered in several ways: through recruiting students across multiple majors; providing readings and student presentation topics related to language, processes, and techniques used by each discipline; and by scaffolding the work of multi-disciplinary student groups in a major semester-long project.