bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Vocational Evaluation Practices following Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Dillahunt-Aspillaga Christina , Jorgensen Smith Tammy , Hanson Ardis , Ehlke Sarah , Stergiou-Kita Mary , Dixon Charlotte G. , Quichocho Davina
Published: October 2015

Background. Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) face many challenges when attempting to return to work (RTW). Vocational evaluation (VE) is a systematic process that involves assessment and appraisal of an individual’s current work-related characteristics and abilities.Objective. The aims of this study are to (1) examine demographic and employment characteristics of vocational rehabilitation providers (VRPs), (2) identify the specific evaluation methods that are used in the VE of individuals with TBI, and (3) examine the differences in assessment method practices based upon evaluator assessment preferences.Methods. This exploratory case study used a forty-six-item online survey which was distributed to VRPs.Results. One hundred and nine VRPs accessed the survey. Of these, 74 completed the survey. A majority of respondents were female (79.7%), Caucasian (71.6%), and holding a master’s degree (74.3%), and more than half (56.8%) were employed as state vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs). In addition, over two-thirds (67.6%) were certified rehabilitation counselors (CRCs). Respondents reported using several specific tools and assessments during the VE process.Conclusions. Study findings reveal differences in use of and rationales for specific assessments amongst VRPs. Understanding VRP assessment practices and use of an evidence-based framework for VE following TBI may inform and improve VE practice.
Graphene‐Tapered ZnO Nanorods Array as a Flexible Antireflection Layer
Authors: Song Taeseup
Published: October 2015

Flexible solar cells have drawn a great deal of attention due to their various advantages including deformable and wearable characteristics. In the solar cells, the antireflection layer plays an important role in the improvement in the conversion efficiency by increasing the light transmission and suppressing the Fresnel refraction. For the successful implantation of the antireflection layer into the flexible solar cells, the flexible mechanical property of the antireflection layer is also necessary. However, the study on flexible antireflection layer for the flexible solar cells or optoelectronics is still lacking. In this study, we report the graphene‐tapered ZnO nanorods array as a flexible antireflection layer for the application in flexible solar cells. Flexible two‐dimensional graphene sheet and the tapered morphology of ZnO nanorods enable conformal coverage on the flexible substrate with curved surface and significant improvements in antireflection properties, respectively.
Enhancement of Electrochemical Stability about Silicon/Carbon Composite Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Xiao Wei , Miao Chang , Yan Xuemin , Sun Qing , Mei Ping
Published: October 2015

Silicon/carbon (Si/C) composite anode materials are successfully synthesized by mechanical ball milling followed by pyrolysis method. The structure and morphology of the composite are characterized by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope, respectively. The results show that the composite is composed of Si, flake graphite, and phenolic resin‐pyrolyzed carbon, and Si and flake graphite are enwrapped by phenolic resin‐pyrolyzed carbon, which can provide not only a good buffering matrix but also a conductive network. The Si/C composite also shows good electrochemical stability, in which the composite anode material exhibits a high initial charge capacity of 805.3 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and it can still deliver a high charge capacity of 791.7 mAh g−1 when the current density increases to 500 mA g−1. The results indicate that it could be used as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries.
Genetic Variants of C-5312TRENIncreased Renin Levels and Diastolic Blood Pressure Response to Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Authors: Rohman Mohammad Saifur , Dewi Satiti Ika Arum , Widodo Nashi , Lukitasari Mifetika , Sujuti Hidayat
Published: October 2015

Renin catalyzes the cleavage of angiotensinogen into angiotensin I. Genetic variant C-5312T of renin enhancer has been reported to increase in vitro renin gene transcription. However, no obvious in vivo study was performed to see the renin level in C-5312T when treated with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the serum renin level and blood pressure response in ARB treated hypertensive patients. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of C-5312T was identified in 55 hypertensive patients by using multiplex PCR and renin serum level was assayed by ELISA. The data showed that the increase of serum renin levels after 5 months of ARB treatment was significantly higher in patients with CT/TT genotype (10 pg/mL) than those with CC genotype (4.08 pg/mL) (P= 0.025). Hypertensive patients with CT/TT genotypes also showed less diastolic pressure reduction than CC genotypes in hypertensive patients with valsartan treatment (P= 0.04) or telmisartan treatment (P= 0.03). Finally, these findings suggested that SNP of C-5312TRENenhancer might contribute to higher increased renin serum levels and less diastolic blood pressure response to ARB treatment.
Support Detection for SAR Tomographic Reconstructions from Compressive Measurements
Authors: Budillon Alessandra , Schirinzi Gilda
Published: October 2015

The problem of detecting and locating multiple scatterers in multibaseline Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) tomography, starting from compressive measurements and applying support detection techniques, is addressed. Different approaches based on the detection of the support set of the unknown sparse vector, that is, of the position of the nonzero elements in the unknown sparse vector, are analyzed. Support detection techniques have already proved to allow a reduction in the number of measurements required for obtaining a reliable solution. In this paper, a support detection method, based on a Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test (Sup‐GLRT), is proposed and compared with the SequOMP method, in terms of probability of detection achievable with a given probability of false alarm and for different numbers of measurements.
Phase I Study of the Investigational NEDD8-Activating Enzyme Inhibitor Pevonedistat (TAK-924/MLN4924) in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Sarantopoulos John , Shapiro Geoffrey I. , Cohen Roger B. , Clark Jeffrey W. , Kauh John S. , Weiss Glen J. , Cleary James M. , Mahalingam Devalingam , Pickard Michael D. , Faessel Hélène M. , Berger Allison J. , Burke Kristine , Mulligan George , Dezube Bruce J. , Harvey R. Donald
Published: October 2015

Purpose: To determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the investigational NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor pevonedistat (TAK-924/MLN4924) and to investigate pevonedistat pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in patients with advanced nonhematologic malignancies.

Experimental Design: Pevonedistat was administered via 60-minute intravenous infusion on days 1 to 5 (schedule A, n = 12), or days 1, 3, and 5 (schedules B, n = 17, and C, n = 19) of 21-day cycles. Schedule B included oral dexamethasone 8 mg before each pevonedistat dose. Dose escalation proceeded using a Bayesian continual reassessment method. Tumor response was assessed by RECIST 1.0.

Results: Schedule A MTD was 50 mg/m2; based on the severity of observed hepatotoxicity, this schedule was discontinued. Schedules B and C MTDs were 50 and 67 mg/m2, respectively. DLTs on both these schedules included hyperbilirubinemia and elevated aspartate aminotransferase. There were no grade ≥3 treatment-related serious adverse events reported on schedules B or C. Twenty-three (74%) evaluable patients on schedules B and C had stable disease. Intermittent dexamethasone use did not significantly influence pevonedistat pharmacokinetics. NAE inhibition by pevonedistat was demonstrated in multiple tumor types via IHC detection of pevonedistat-NEDD8 adduct and accumulation of Cullin-RING ligase substrates CDT1 and NRF2 in tumor biopsies.

Conclusions: Pevonedistat was generally well tolerated on a day 1, 3, 5 schedule every 3 weeks with an MTD between 50 mg/m2 and 67 mg/m2. DLTs were predominantly hepatic enzyme elevations. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated that pevonedistat inhibited NAE in tumors. Clinical trials are ongoing. Clin Cancer Res; 22(4); 847–57. ©2015 AACR.
“PEAR-ing” Genomic and Epigenomic Analyses for Cancer Gene Discovery
Authors: Mack Stephen C. , Rich Jeremy N. , Scacheri Peter C.
Published: October 2015

Summary: Somatic structural variants in tumor genomes can deregulate transcription through repositioning of enhancer elements. A new method, PEAR-ChIP, leverages paired-end H3K27ac chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with high-throughput sequencing and current computational methods to identify such events. Cancer Discov; 5(10); 1018–20. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Ryan et al., p. 1058.
Thrombin Generation by Fetoscopic Trauma to the Fetal Membranes: An in vivo and in vitro Study
Authors: Engels Alexander C. , Bauters Dries , Rynkevic Rita , Pranpanus Savitree , Richter Jute , van Mieghem Tim , Hoylaerts Marc F. , Deprest Jan A.
Published: October 2015

Objective: We first aimed to investigate in vivo thrombin generation induced by fetoscopy, and second we used term membrane explants for measurement of thrombin generation, thrombin receptor location and induction of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in tissue culture. Materials and Methods: In vivo study (37 cases): samples of amniotic fluid were taken at the beginning and end of fetoscopy (mean gestational age 26.7 weeks) and analyzed by ELISA for thrombin-antithrombin complexes. In vitro study: fetal membranes were put in culture and punctured for measurement of thrombin generation by calibrated automated thrombography and ELISA. Induction of MMP-9 and MMP-2 was analyzed by zymography. PAR-1 was localized by immunohistochemistry. Results: No significant increase in thrombin-antithrombin was measured in amniotic fluid obtained during fetoscopy. In vitro, thrombin generation induced by needle trauma of membrane cultures is correlated to the amount of plasma. Activity of MMP-9 but not MMP-2 was elevated in cultured membranes but could not be inhibited by a thrombin inhibitor. On histology, the thrombin receptor PAR-1 was located in the chorion and decidua, but not in the amnion. Discussion: Despite the influence of thrombin on punctured fetal membranes in vitro, the role of thrombin in iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of membranes is questionable.
Estimated and Measured GFR Associate Differently with Retinal Vasculopathy in the General Population
Authors: Eriksen Bjørn Odvar , Løchen Maja-Lisa , Arntzen Kjell Arne , Bertelsen Geir , Winther Eilertsen Britt-Ann , von Hanno Therese , Herder Marit , Jenssen Trond Geir , Mathisen Ulla Dorte , Melsom Toralf , Njølstad Inger , Solbu Marit D. , Mathiesen Ellisiv B.
Published: October 2015

Background/Aims: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is used extensively in epidemiological research. Validations of eGFR have demonstrated acceptable performance, but the dependence of creatinine and cystatin C on non-GFR factors could confound associations with disease. Few studies have investigated this issue in direct comparison with measured GFR (mGFR). We compared the associations between eGFR and mGFR and retinal vasculopathy, a marker of systemic microvasculopathy. Methods: Iohexol clearance and retinal photography were examined in the Renal Iohexol Clearance Survey in Tromsø 6, which consists of a representative sample of middle-aged persons from the general population. A total of 1,553 persons without self-reported kidney disease, cardiovascular disease or diabetes were investigated. Three eGFR equations based on creatinine and/or cystatin C from the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration were studied. Differences between eGFR and mGFR were analyzed with seemingly unrelated regression methods. Results: mGFR in the lowest quartile was associated with an increased multivariable-adjusted odds ratio of retinopathy (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.16-2.97), but not with retinal artery or vein diameters. eGFR based on cystatin C (eGFRcys) was consistently biased relative to mGFR in its associations with retinal vessel diameters across different models. eGFR based on creatinine (eGFRcrea) and eGFR based on both creatinine and cystatin C were also biased in several of these models (p < 0.05). For retinopathy, the differences between the 3 eGFR and mGFR measurements were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Low mGFR is associated with retinopathy in the general population. eGFR based on creatinine and/or cystatin C are not valid substitutes for mGFR in studies of the relationship between the retina and kidney function in healthy persons.
Platelet density per monocyte predicts adverse events in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Roest Mark , McClellan Elizabeth A. , Sels Jan W. , Stubbs Andrew , Jukema J. Wouter , Doevendans Pieter A. , Waltenberger Johannes , Zonneveld Anton-Jan van , Pasterkamp Gerard , Rutten Bert , Groot Philip G. de , Hoefer Imo E.
Published: October 2015

Monocyte recruitment to damaged endothelium is enhanced by platelet binding to monocytes and contributes to vascular repair. Therefore, we studied whether the number of platelets per monocyte affects the recurrence of adverse events in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Platelet-monocytes complexes with high and low median fluorescence intensities (MFI) of the platelet marker CD42b were isolated using cell sorting. Microscopic analysis revealed that a high platelet marker MFI on monocytes corresponded with a high platelet density per monocyte while a low platelet marker MFI corresponded with a low platelet density per monocyte (3.4 ± 0.7 vs 1.4 ± 0.1 platelets per monocyte, P=0.01). Using real-time video microscopy, we observed increased recruitment of high platelet density monocytes to endothelial cells as compared with low platelet density monocytes (P=0.01). Next, we classified PCI scheduled patients (N=263) into groups with high, medium and low platelet densities per monocyte and assessed the recurrence of adverse events. After multivariate adjustment for potential confounders, we observed a 2.5-fold reduction in the recurrence of adverse events in patients with a high platelet density per monocyte as compared with a low platelet density per monocyte [hazard ratio=0.4 (95 % confidence interval, 0.2–0.8), P=0.01]. We show that a high platelet density per monocyte increases monocyte recruitment to endothelial cells and predicts a reduction in the recurrence of adverse events in patients after PCI. These findings may imply that a high platelet density per monocyte protects against recurrence of adverse events.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
F11 is associated with recurrent VTE in women
Authors: Bruzelius Maria , Ljungqvist Maria , Bottai Matteo , Bergendal Annica , Strawbridge Rona J. , Holmström Margareta , Silveira Angela , Kieler Helle , Hamsten Anders , Lärfars Gerd , Odeberg Jacob
Published: October 2015

Genetic associations for the reoccurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are not well described. Our aim was to investigate if common genetic variants, previously found to contribute to the prediction of first time thrombosis in women, were associated with risk of recurrence. The Thromboembolism Hormone Study (TEHS) is a Swedish nationwide case-control study (2002–2009). A cohort of 1,010 women with first time VTE was followed up until a recurrent event, death or November 2011. The genetic variants in F5 rs6025, F2 rs1799963, ABO rs514659, FGG rs2066865, F11 rs2289252, PROC rs1799810 and KNG1 rs710446 were assessed together with clinical variables. Recurrence rate was calculated as the number of events over the accumulated patient-time. Cumulative recurrence was calculated by Kaplan-Meier curve. Cox proportional-hazard model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) between groups. A total of 101 recurrent events occurred during a mean follow-up time of five years. The overall recurrence rate was 20 per 1,000 person-years (95 % CI; 16-24). The recurrence rate was highest in women with unprovoked first event and obesity. Carriers of the risk alleles of F5 rs6025 (HR=1.7 (95 % CI; 1.1–2.6)) and F11 rs2289252 (HR=1.8 (95 % CI; 1.1–3.0)) had significantly higher rates of recurrence compared to non-carriers. The cumulative recurrence was 2.5-fold larger in carriers of both F5 rs6025 and F11 rs2289252 than in non-carriers at five years follow-up. In conclusion, F5 rs6025 and F11 rs2289252 contributed to the risk of recurrent VTE and the combination is of potential clinical relevance for risk prediction.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Efeito da administração do citrato de clomifeno durante o período perinatal no comportamento sexual, peso dos órgãos e concentração hormonal de ratos Wistar machos e fêmeas
Authors: Oliani Andrea Lucia Natali , Dias Lilian Mara Kirsch , Naves Jeanete Lopes , Bernardi Maria Martha , Oliveira Claudio Alvarenga
Published: October 2015

Foram investigados os efeitos da exposição perinatal ao citrato de clomifeno no comportamento sexual, peso dos órgãos e concentração hormonal de ratos machos e fêmeas. Os animais receberam quatro doses de 2 mg/mL de citrato de clomifeno, no período perinatal (21 dias de gestação – DG21), nos dias 1 (DN1), 2 (DN2) e 3 (DN3) após o nascimento dos filhotes. O tratamento causou desenvolvimento de ovário policístico em 70% das fêmeas, masculinização do comportamento sexual das fêmeas e alteração do comportamento sexual dos machos evidenciado pela redução no número de ejaculações. Em relação aos níveis hormonais, observou-se diminuição de FSH na prole masculina. Concluiu-se que o citrato de clomifeno interfere na capacidade reprodutiva de ratos machos e fêmeas, e na orientação sexual de fêmeas, quando administrado perinatalmente.
Avaliação da reatividade de equinos na presença de estímulo sonoro desconhecido
Authors: Calviello Raquel Ferrari , Titto Cristiane Gonçalves , Titto Evaldo Antonio Lencioni , Infante Paulo , Leme Thays Mayra da Cunha , Pereira Alfredo Manuel Franco
Published: October 2015

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a reatividade de equinos durante o manejo habitual de escovação, frente à exposição repetida a um estímulo sonoro desconhecido. Para isto, foram utilizados 20 equinos da raça Mangalarga Marchador, de diferentes categorias (éguas e potros), os quais foram alocados aos tratamentos: controle (N = 10) e com estímulo sonoro desconhecido (N = 10), que consistia em confrontar os animais com o estímulo sonoro de um chocalho e um tamborim. Primeiramente, foram realizadas quatro avaliações consecutivas (dia 0, 1, 2, 3). Após 30 dias da primeira coleta, foram realizadas duas avaliações consecutivas (dia 30 e 31), e passados 15 dias desta, foram realizadas mais duas avaliações consecutivas (dia 45 e 46). As observações comportamentais foram feitas por meio da atribuição de escores aos comportamentos de movimentação, posição das orelhas e dos olhos, respiração e vocalização durante o manejo de escovação. Também foi conferida a variável resposta de reatividade com valores variando de 1 a 4 (animal não reativo ou calmo a animal muito reativo ou agressivo). Foi ajustado o modelo de regressão logística ordinal usando como covariáveis as categorias, dia e tratamento. A reatividade dos animais com estímulo sonoro desconhecido foi maior. Os dias do período experimental influenciaram a reatividade dos animais entre 6 e 7 meses de idade, com diminuição das chances dos animais desta idade apresentarem maior reatividade no decorrer dos dias. O amadurecimento do potro junto com a exposição repetida ao estímulo sonoro desconhecido podem diminuir a possibilidade de o animal ser reativo.
Single bumblebee leaving colony for first time seeks company
Authors: Walker C.M. , Plowright C.M.S.
Published: October 2015

For social learning to occur in bumblebees, individuals must first be drawn to the relevant stimuli from which to learn. Here we investigate whether bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) leaving their colony for the first time are drawn to other live bees. In Experiment 1, flower-naïve workers were tested for their preferences of stimuli presented in a radial maze. Live bees, artificial floral patterns and black disks were presented at two different densities (1 vs 6 objects). A marked preference for the six live bees was obtained. Experiment 2 isolated the variable of movement: black disks vs dead bees were presented on a platform that was either stationary or rotating. A preference for moving over stationary displays was obtained, as well as a preference for displays comprising bees rather than disks. Flower-naïve bumblebees leave their nest equipped with behavioural tendencies that can serve to initiate new social encounters from which to learn.
Zealandozetes southensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Acari, Oribatida, Maudheimiidae) from alpine cushions plant in New Zealand
Authors: ERMILOV SERGEY G. , MINOR MARIA A. , BEHAN-PELLETIER VALERIE M.
Published: October 2015

A new oribatid mite genus, Zealandozetes gen. nov. (Oribatida, Maudheimiidae), with type species Zealandozetes southensis sp. nov., is proposed and described based on adult and juvenile instars. It inhabits the soil under and around cushion-forming plants in the high-altitude alpine zone of two mountain ranges (the Pisa Range and The Remarkables) in the South Island of New Zealand. It is distinguished from species of Maudheimia by having pteromorphs reduced to pleural carinae, notogastral saccules, small pedotecta I, and both postanal porose area and Ah expressed as complex saccules. Juveniles are similar to those of Maudheimia, except the humeral organ of Z. southensis is cupule-like and gastronotic microsclerites are lacking. We give a revised diagnosis for Maudheimiidae and discuss both supportive and contradictory evidence for inclusion of Zealandozetes. Finally, we discuss endemism of Zealandozetes with reference to the knowledge of New Zealand biogeography and its oribatid fauna.
Low-Frequency Variability of the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre as Seen from Satellite Altimetry and Argo
Authors: Zhang Linlin , Qu Tangdong
Published: October 2015

Low-frequency variability of the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre is investigated using satellite altimeter and Argo data. In most of the region studied, both sea surface height and steric height exhibit a linearly increasing trend, with its largest amplitude in the western part of the basin. Analysis of the Argo data reveals that the steric height increase north of 30°S is primarily caused by variations in the upper 500 m, while the steric height increase south of 30°S is determined by variations in the whole depths from the sea surface to 1800 m, with contributions from below 1000 m accounting for about 50% of the total variance. Most of the steric height increase is due to thermal expansion, except below 1000 m where haline contraction is of comparable magnitude with thermal expansion. Correspondingly, the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre has strengthened in the past decade. Within the latitude range between 10° and 35°S, transport of the gyre circulation increased by 20%–30% in the upper 1000 m and by 10%–30% in the deeper layers from 2004 to 2013. Further analysis shows that these variations are closely related to the southern annular mode in the South Pacific.
European Anti-Austerity Protests – Beyond “old” and “new” social movements?
Authors: Peterson Abby , Wahlström Mattias , Wennerhag Magnus
Published: October 2015

This article explores the social composition of participants in anti-austerity protests taking place in Belgium, Italy, Spain and the UK between 2010 and 2012, based on over 3000 questionnaires distributed to protest participants according to a standardized method. Employing a distinction between three types of mobilizations, we compare protests anchored in the traditional ‘old’ labour movements, protests by smaller radical leftist unions and parties, and the ostensibly newer kinds of mobilizations in the form of Indignados and Occupy protests. Although easily forgotten, we argue that the two former types of anti-austerity protests deserve equal attention from researchers. We conclude that there are significant differences between the protest categories in terms of socio-demographic characteristics of their participants, but the participants nevertheless appear to maintain surprisingly similar political values across demonstration types. Class identification also differed. The participants in the Indignados/Occupy protests had a markedly lower degree of identification with the working class – regardless of the ‘objective’ labour market position and controlling for country differences. These aspects relate to the classic distinction between ‘old’ and ‘new’ social movements, but we argue that it risks obscuring a more complex pattern of similarities and differences between different anti-austerity mobilizations.
Group Boundaries, Immigrant Inclusion, and the Politics of Immigrant–Native Relations
Authors: Okamoto Dina , Ebert Kim
Published: October 2015

In multiethnic nation-states experiencing new flows of immigrants, political officials and citizens alike have expressed hostility in the form of demonstrations, campaigns, vandalism, and even policies. Yet local communities have also displayed public support for immigrants in the form of protests and advocacy efforts. Past literature has almost exclusively focused on anti-immigrant activity, using theories of group threat and competition, which suggest that new influxes or large concentrations of immigrants should prompt dominant groups to protect their interests, leading to anti-immigrant attitudes and behaviors. We extend the literature by focusing on pro-immigrant behavior, which we define as efforts initiated by established local residents and organizations to include immigrants in the larger community and/or to improve the lives of immigrants. In contrast to theories of group threat, we put forth the group inclusion model, and contend that demographic and political “threats” operate to break down rather than bolster group boundaries. We also find that when the increasing demographic and political presence of immigrants is coupled with the visibility of immigration, immigrant inclusion thrives. Using a data set of pro-immigrant collective action across 52 U.S. metropolitan areas, we generally find support for our model, and discuss the broader implications for immigrant–native relations.
Hypothesis Testing Using Factor Score Regression
Authors: Devlieger Ines , Mayer Axel , Rosseel Yves
Published: October 2015

In this article, an overview is given of four methods to perform factor score regression (FSR), namely regression FSR, Bartlett FSR, the bias avoiding method of Skrondal and Laake, and the bias correcting method of Croon. The bias correcting method is extended to include a reliable standard error. The four methods are compared with each other and with structural equation modeling (SEM) by using analytic calculations and two Monte Carlo simulation studies to examine their finite sample characteristics. Several performance criteria are used, such as the bias using the unstandardized and standardized parameterization, efficiency, mean square error, standard error bias, type I error rate, and power. The results show that the bias correcting method, with the newly developed standard error, is the only suitable alternative for SEM. While it has a higher standard error bias than SEM, it has a comparable bias, efficiency, mean square error, power, and type I error rate.
Destinations That Older Adults Experience Within Their GPS Activity Spaces
Authors: Hirsch Jana A. , Winters Meghan , Ashe Maureen C. , Clarke Philippa J. , McKay Heather A.
Published: October 2015

Identifying the relevant geography is an ongoing obstacle to effectively evaluating the influence of neighborhood built environment on physical activity. We characterized density and diversity of destinations that 77 older adults experienced within individually representative Global Positioning System (GPS) activity spaces and traditional residential buffers and assessed their associations with accelerometry-measured physical activity. Traditional residential buffers had lower destination density and diversity than activity spaces. Activity spaces based only on pedestrian and bicycling trips had higher destination densities than all-mode activity spaces. Regardless of neighborhood definition, adjusted associations between destinations and physical activity generally failed to reach statistical significance. However, within pedestrian and bicycling-based activity spaces, each additional destination type was associated with 243.3 more steps/day (95% confidence interval (CI) [36.0, 450.7]). Traditional buffers may not accurately portray the geographic space or neighborhood resources experienced by older adults. Pedestrian and bicycling activity spaces elucidate the importance of destinations for facilitating active transportation.
Failure to Protect Girls from Female Genital Mutilation
Authors: Christou Theodora A. , Fowles Sam
Published: October 2015

Whilst FGM had been a crime in the UK for over 2 decades, over 60, 000 girls continued to be mutilated. In 2015 the UK took its international obligations to protect girls from such physical harm more seriously and enacted new legislation. This article focuses on the parental responsibility to protect their daughter from harm and their criminal liability if they fail to take adequate action to prevent the mutilation occurring. We explore the socio-legal setting, the gaps in the law, the state's international obligations and finally the newly introduced rebuttable presumption.
Non-vehicular homicides masquerading as road traffic accidents
Authors: Zine KU , Mugadlimath Anand B , Sane Mandar Ramchandra , Bhuyyar Chandrashekhar , Rathod SN
Published: October 2015

Interfering with or planting evidence to disguise the cause of a death is not uncommon in forensic practice. Homicides staged as road accidents are, however, rarely encountered by crime scene investigators. We report two homicides which were presented as road traffic accidents. Case 1: Dead body of a 35-year-old male was brought for autopsy with history of road traffic accident. Primary police inquiry suggested that the victim was knocked down by a speeding four-wheeler, while walking by the side of a high way with his friends. On postmortem examination the deceased’s death was found due to homicidal smothering staged as a road traffic accident. Case 2: Dead body of 40-year-old male was brought for autopsy with history of road traffic accident. It was an unwitnessed crush by a speeding four-wheeler. However, on postmortem examination, the deceased was found to have died from homicidal multiple stab wounds with his death staged as a road traffic accident. Importance of meticulous autopsy to determine accurately the cause of death is emphasized.
The not-so-happy ever after
Authors: Ibrahim Amrita
Published: October 2015

This article explores the moral dimensions of corruption in a region of everyday life typically diametrically opposed to the public—the domestic. I argue that Hindi television journalists cover crime within the family as an event that exposes domestic intimacies as already morally fraught and subject to betrayal, rather than the haven from modernity and westernisation that normative (patriarchal) discourse idealises. This journalistic impetus to expose (exemplified in the sting operation) participates in a larger shift towards televised publicity that scholars of the media in India have documented since the early 2000s. While journalists are motivated by what they see as a responsibility to ‘shake up’ their viewers, they are ambivalent about their role in exposing intimate domestic life as shot through with unease and doubt. Contrary to the censure received by Hindi journalists for their sensational crime coverage, this article argues for greater nuance in thinking through the representational strategies deployed by journalists to expose domestic crime as an event of moral failure. Yet, by focusing on domestic crimes through individuated news events, journalists are unable, or unwilling, to posit a structural critique of the normative family as a potentially violent and unethical institution.
School ethnic composition and bullying in Canadian schools
Authors: Vitoroulis Irene , Brittain Heather , Vaillancourt Tracy
Published: October 2015

Bullying in ethnically diverse schools varies as a function of the ethnic composition and degree of diversity in schools. Although Canada is highly multicultural, few researchers have focused on the role of context on ethnic majority and minority youths’ bullying involvement. In the present study, 11,649 European-Canadian/ethnic majority (77%) and non-European Canadian/ethnic minority (23%) students in Grade 4 to Grade 12 completed an online Safe Schools Survey on general, physical, verbal, social, and cyber bullying. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) analyses indicated significant interactions between the proportion of non-European Canadian children in a school (Level 2) and individual ethnicity (Level 1) across most types of bullying victimization. Non-European Canadian students experienced less peer victimization in schools with higher proportions of non-European Canadian students, but ethnic composition was not related to European Canadian students’ peer victimization. No differences in bullying perpetration were found as a function of school ethnic composition across groups. Our findings suggest that ethnic composition in Canadian schools may not be strongly associated with bullying perpetration and that a higher representation of other ethnic minority peers may act as a buffer against peer victimization.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia and heart period in infancy as correlates of later oppositional defiant and callous-unemotional behaviors
Authors: Wagner Nicholas , Mills-Koonce Roger , Willoughby Michael , Propper Cathi , Rehder Peter , Gueron-Sela Noa
Published: October 2015

Extant literature suggests that oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and callous-unemotional (CU) behaviors in childhood and adolescence are associated with distinct patterns of psychophysiological functioning, and that individual differences in these patterns have implications for developmental pathways to disorder. Very little is known about the associations between psychophysiological functioning in infancy and later ODD and CU behaviors. This study examined associations between basal autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in infancy and ODD and CU behaviors in later childhood. Using longitudinal heart period (HP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) data from the Durham Child Health and Development Study ( N = 206), the current study tested associations within a structural equation modeling framework, between continuous measures of HP and RSA across the first 2 years of life, and later ODD and CU behaviors at first grade. Results indicate that ODD and CU behaviors in childhood are associated with lower baseline RSA, but not HP, across infancy. The implications of these findings for developmental models of ODD and CU behaviors are discussed.
Implications of augmented reality in the management of television audiovisual information
Authors: Caldera-Serrano Jorge , León-Moreno José-Antonio
Published: October 2015

This document analyses the possibilities offered by augmented reality for exploiting the audiovisual collections of television archives, thereby presenting the idea, which has not been developed by any network, of providing viewers with the material issued and submitted synchronously for broadcasting. By using external elements other than TV sets (tablets, iPads, Smartphones), users can access images from the archive, which have been used to generate the information or programme, contributing also with additional elements that may be of interest. Other contents related to the information provided may be similarly accessed, thus facilitating a real conceptual map of the audiovisual contents of any event. Access may be granted free of charge or by paying a fee. Commercial exploitation is achieved in the form of viewer loyalty by gaining access to additional content and providing greater bi-directionality to the communication between viewers and the media.
A Critical, Rhetorical Analysis of Man Therapy
Authors: Mocarski Richard , Butler Sim
Published: October 2015

To address high numbers of suicides by men in America, the mental health promotion campaign Man Therapy attempts to destigmatize mental health as staunchly opposed to masculinity through overtly humorous constructions of therapy designed for hegemonically masculine men. Through a critical analysis of the campaign, including the interactive website, modeled as the fictitious office of Dr. Rich Mahogany, this project addresses the influences of humor within the confines of hegemonic masculinity, mental health, and suicide. The goal of the analysis is to better understand, through a critical deconstruction, the ways in which Man Therapy successfully combats stigma in men’s mental health, while at the same time, perhaps, reifying hegemonic discourses that have the potential to abject parts of the target audience.
Building governance on fragile grounds: lessonsfrom Romania
Authors: Buzogány Aron
Published: October 2015

Establishing structures of environmental governance is an important goal of external policy actors but a notoriously difficult one to achieve in states with weak regulatory capacities. Building on newer developments in governance research, this contribution offers contextual specifications for factors mediating external regulatory influence. The paper analyses the emergence and the effectiveness of environmental governance in two explorative case studies dealing with the provision of drinking water and, respectively, nature protection from Romania. The main finding is that external influence can lead to the emergence of new modes of environmental governance if supported by capable sectoral administration and pro-change stakeholders.
Urban translations: Regeneration through the lens of actor-networking
Authors: Dobson Stephen
Published: October 2015

Economic policies and action to support ‘entrepreneurial’ city growth and regeneration have included attempts to improve the local knowledge base, encourage enterprise and empower local businesses. However, the exact means is cause for recent criticism. An emphasis on flagship amenity projects, retail centres and gentrification has drawn concerns from commentators, who have pointed towards a relative lack of expenditure of public money that directly benefits disadvantaged communities. This paper explores Actor-Network Theory as a means to appreciate regeneration as necessarily place based and presents a study of the development of a large mountain bike trail located in a large post-industrial, urbanized green space in one of Sheffield’s most deprived areas. Indicators of success for this project point towards an effective balance across four key areas: (1) local people’s health and fitness, (2) increasing tourism and visitation to Sheffield, (3) benefits to local ecology and landscape and (4) the realization of city-wide economic benefits. An Actor-Network Theory perspective is outlined here as providing a useful lens for evaluating regeneration as an act of innovation along with the networks which support it.
Sales Role-Plays and Mock Interviews
Authors: Mani Sudha , Kothandaraman Prabakar , Kashyap Rajiv , Ashnai Bahar
Published: October 2015

Sales competitions provide students with opportunities to apply their understanding of sales. Despite a long tradition of scholarship on sales role-plays, the answer to what drives student performance in sales competitions remains elusive. In this research, we examine how motivation (work engagement) and ability (cognitive aptitude and selling-related knowledge) affect student performance in sales role-play competitions. We also examine how success in sales role-plays engenders job attainment for the students. Using data from a sales competition held at a large public university in the United States, we provide empirical evidence that both motivation and ability affect sales performance. But, contrary to expectation, they have a substitution effect and not a complementary one. We also find evidence that success in sales role-plays translates into improved success in job interviews and that this effect is stronger for students with greater cognitive aptitude, that is, sales role-play performance complements the cognitive aptitude of the student to improve their mock interview performance.
Tracing policy movements: Methods for studying learning and policy circulation
Authors: Wood Astrid
Published: October 2015

Policy flows are not quantifiable and calculating processes but part of the uneven movement of ideas and experiences that involves power and personalities. Processes of learning and policy circulation have thus proven difficult to study especially as the exchanges taking place between actors and localities rarely lead directly to uptake. This paper outlines a conceptual and methodological framework for conducting policy mobilities research by attending to the plethora of ordinary practices – be it through engagements with fellow practitioners, their toolbox of material solutions, or a particular moment of discovery – that form the assemblages of learning. The paper then unveils a set of procedures for unravelling the assemblage, first by “following the people” and their understandings of mobile policy; second, by “following the materials” to experiment with a Latourian approach to materiality; and finally, by “following the meetings”, that is, the conferences, workshops and seminars where the people and materials mingle. The proposed methodology is sensitive to the ephemeral, ethereal and experiential assemblages that carve and sustain the pathways for the movement of knowledge. This interpretation of the methods for studying mobile knowledge is a critical predecessor to any empirical analysis of policy mobilities.
Advertising, information, and space: Considering the informal regulation of the Los Angeles landscape
Authors: Sedano Elisabeth J
Published: October 2015

This article analyzes a municipal inventory of billboards within the City of Los Angeles. It has long been rumored that thousands of the billboards in the city were illegal; since completing their inventory, city agents now claim that only a fraction of billboards are illegal. I argue herein that a close reading of the inventory reveals over half of the billboards in Los Angeles either lack permits or are out of compliance with their permits and are thereby illegal. While some city agents work to strengthen the city’s regulation of signage, others fail to enforce sign laws, protect the signs from appearing illegal, and push to rewrite the sign code to legalize technically illegal signs. I argue that these contradictory actions evidence informality as the city’s mode of regulating signage, and I seek to understand how state actors, as unique individuals, play a part in the creation of this informal landscape. Using theories on advertising and urban space, and drawing in information theory to understand the concatenation of information and space, I tie the varied experiences, knowledges, and actions of individual state actors to the overarching informality of the state’s regulation of outdoor advertising.
Effect of agmatine on experimental vascular endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Nader MA , Gamiel NM , El-Kashef H , Zaghloul MS
Published: October 2015

This study was designed to investigate the effect of agmatine sulfate (AG, CAS2482-00-0) in nicotine (NIC)-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) in rabbits. NIC was administered to produce VED in rabbits with or without AG for 6 weeks. Serum lipid profile, serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase generation, serum nitrite/nitrate, serum vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and aortic nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) levels were analyzed.Treatment with AG markedly improves lipid profile and prevented NIC-induced VED and oxidative stress. The mechanism of AG in improving NIC-induced VED may be due to the significant reduction in serum VCAM-1 levels and aortic NF-κB. Thus, it may be concluded that AG reduces the oxidative stress, nitric oxide production, VCAM-1 levels, and aortic NF-κB expression, thereby consequently improving the integrity of vascular endothelium.
The Continuing Convergence of Journalism and PR
Authors: Macnamara Jim
Published: October 2015

The influence of public relations (PR) on media content has been shown to be substantial, and research indicates that it is growing through new media practices. However, the interrelationship between journalism and PR remains obscured by paradoxical discourses and stereotypes such as “spin doctors.” This article identifies gaps in the literature and current understandings, and reports findings from in-depth interviews with senior editors, journalists, and PR practitioners in several countries that provide new insights into how the fields of practice interact which not only debunk some myths but also expose a need for improved transparency and standards to ensure ethical media practice.
Marketing a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul
Authors: Lumpkins Crystal Y. , Vanchy Priya , Baker Tamara A. , Daley Christine , Ndikum-Moffer Florence , Greiner K. Allen
Published: October 2015

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks colorectal cancer (CRC) as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States; African American (AA) men are at even greater risk. The present study was from a larger study that investigates the church’s role as a social marketer of CRC risk and prevention messages, and whether religiously targeted and tailored health promotion materials will influence screening outcome. We used an integrated theoretical approach to explore participants’ perceptions of CRC risk and prevention and how promotion messages should be developed and socially marketed by the church. Six focus groups were conducted with men from predominately AA churches in the Midwest. Themes from focus group discussions showed participants lacked knowledge about CRC, feared cancer diagnosis, and feared the procedure for screening. Roles of masculinity and the mistrust of physicians were also emergent themes. Participants did perceive the church as a trusted marketer of CRC but believed that promotional materials should be cosponsored and codeveloped by reputable health organizations. Employing the church as a social marketer of CRC screening promotion materials may be useful in guiding health promotions and addressing barriers that are distinct among African American men.