bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Makes Terrorism Tick in Africa? Evidence from Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram
Authors: Mutanda Darlington
Published: June 2017

This article, with reference to some of the biggest terrorist groups on the African continent, focuses on the challenges that nations face in combating the spread and effects of terrorism. While numerous studies have been undertaken to explain the causes, dynamics, and effects of terrorist groups, this work particularly dwells on how these groups sustain their operations. Additionally, the article implements document analysis in order to examine the challenges of addressing Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram in Africa. Fascinatingly, what emerges is that terrorist groups are highly organized. The article also argues that military strategy forms the backbone of terrorist survival. By avoiding direct combat, the groups are capable of prolonged episodes of fighting. While several campaigns have been waged to deal with terror, the scope under which these have been planned and executed explains why terrorism has survived for so long. The fact that conventional armies are not willing to commit as many foot soldiers as possible implies that terrorists will always be difficult to overcome. The article thus largely uses ‘military lens’ to analyze why terrorism has managed to upset conventional armies. Policy makers will find the article useful as the war on terror rages on, especially in stepping up counterterrorism measures.
Clonal fuzzy intelligent system for fault diagnosis of cracked beam
Authors: Parhi Dayal R , Sahu Sasmita
Published: June 2017

Cracks, faults, or damages are serious threat to the current and future performance of the system. For decades, research work is being carried out on the dynamic behavior of the structural elements for fault diagnosis. The modern types of damage detection methods use the dynamic response from the signals of the beams. In this article, a robust fault diagnostic tool based on clonal selection algorithm and fuzzy logic has been proposed. Theoretical and finite element analyses are done to model the crack and to find the effect of the presence of cracks changes on the vibrational characteristic (natural frequencies) of a fixed–fixed beam. The inputs to (Clonal Selection Algorithm-Fuzzy Logic) system are the first three relative natural frequencies and the outputs from the system are the relative crack depth and relative crack location. Experimental validations with the theoretical results have been carried out to check the robustness of the predicted algorithm.
Management of Severe Equinovalgus in Patients With Cerebral Palsy by Naviculectomy in Combination With Midfoot Arthrodesis
Authors: Dussa Chakravarthy U. , Döderlein Leonhard , Forst Raimund , Böhm H. , Fujak Albert
Published: June 2017

Background:

Equinovalgus deformity is the second most common deformity in cerebral palsy and may be flexible or rigid. Several operative methods from joint sparing to arthrodesis have been described with varying success rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of naviculectomy in combination with midfoot arthrodesis (talo-cuneiform and calcaneocuboid arthrodesis) in the correction of a rigid equinovalgus foot deformity in cerebral palsy.

Methods:

Forty-eight rigid equinovalgus feet were operated upon in 30 patients from 2008 to 2013. Of these, 44 feet in 26 patients with cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System III, IV, or V) with follow-up of more than 2 years were included in the study. The mean age at surgery was 18.1 years. The outcomes were measured objectively using radiographic angles and subjectively using 5 questions to be answered by the caregiver. The feet were then graded into excellent, good, fair, and poor. The mean follow-up was 5.0 ± 1.7 years.

Results:

Excellent to good results were obtained in 81% of the feet. Both objective and subjective outcomes improved significantly postoperatively ( P < .001). Three feet in 2 patients were graded as poor and underwent a revision operation for pain and recurrence.

Conclusions:

Naviculectomy in combination with midfoot arthrodesis enabled a good 3-dimensional correction of the forefoot. However, the procedure did not necessarily correct the fixed subtalar joint deformity. Several additional bony and soft-tissue procedures were necessary to achieve a complete correction in these difficult feet.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Measurement and Structural Invariance of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Hispanic and Caucasian Firefighters: A Bias-Corrected Bootstrap Confidence Intervals Approach
Authors: Arbona Consuelo , Fan Weihua , Schwartz Jonathan , Pao Christine , Tran Jana K. , Buser Sam
Published: June 2017

This study compared across Hispanic and Caucasian firefighters the relative fit of the four-factor Emotional Numbing and Dysphoria posttraumatic stress disorder models to the more recently proposed Dysphoric Arousal five-factor model. As hypothesized, the Dysphoric Arousal five-factor model emerged as the best fitting model within each ethnic group and it also showed measurement invariance between groups (configural invariance). Results of multigroup confirmatory factor analyses and a bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals analytic approach indicated that the five factor model also demonstrated invariance in factor loadings (metric invariance) and item-level intercepts (scalar invariance) across the two ethnic groups. Results indicate that the Dysphoric Arousal five factor model captures similar psychological constructs across Caucasian and English-speaking Hispanic firefighters. Therefore, observed factor scores are comparable across ethnic groups and can be combined when examining predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder severity.
Perioperative and Anesthetic Considerations in Atrioventricular Septal Defect
Authors: Ross Faith J. , Nasr Viviane G. , Joffe Denise , Latham Gregory J.
Published: June 2017

Atrioventricular septal defect results from a failure of normal endocardial cushion fusion during embryologic cardiac development. This developmental aberration results in defects in the atrial and/or ventricular septum and malformation of the atrioventricular valves. The pathophysiology of atrioventricular septal defect is variable, and ranges from mild left to right shunting similar to a simple atrial septal defect to complex single-ventricle heart disease. This review focuses on the spectrum of atrioventricular septal defect from partial to complete, without associated cardiac defects.
Correlation Between Nasal Epithelial Injury and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Using a Series of Small Molecule Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitors Investigated for Reversal of Leptin Resistance in Obesity
Authors: Brown Alan P. , Saravanan Chandrassegar , Devine Patrick , Magnifico Maria , Gao Jiaping , Beaulieu Valerie , Ma Fupeng , Yasoshima Kayo , Barnes-Seeman David , Yamada Ken
Published: June 2017

This research provides a cautionary example when evaluating changes in behavioral end points with respect to postulated pharmacologic activity. Various small molecule substrate mimetic protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors were investigated as pharmacologic agents for decreasing food consumption using intranasal (IN) dosing as a means for direct nose-to-brain delivery along the olfactory/trigeminal nerve pathways. Although food consumption was decreased in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, nasal discharge was observed. Studies were conducted to investigate local effects on the nasal airway and to develop structure–activity relationships. Intranasal administration of PTP1B inhibitors at ≥0.03 mg/d to DIO mice produced dose-dependent injury to various cell types of the nasal epithelia. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors with calculated log octanol >3.0 were the most toxic. Whereas a pharmacologically inactive analog of a PTP1B inhibitor produced nasal injury, along with decreased food consumption, the marketed IN drug ketorolac produced no lesions at the same dose of 0.3 mg/d and only minor changes at 3 mg/d. Rat skin fibroblast cells were exposed in vitro to PTP1B inhibitors, ketorolac, paraquat, and the detergent sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NDS) followed by measures of cytotoxicity. The most potent PTP1B inhibitors were similar to NDS, whereas ketorolac was the least toxic compound. Cytotoxic potency in vitro was similar to in vivo. In conclusion, PTP1B inhibitors injured nasal epithelium through a mechanism independent of PTP1B inhibition and likely due to nonspecific cytotoxicity such as disruption of the cell membrane. Decreased food consumption in DIO mice was due to toxicity rather than a pharmacologic mode of action.
Design and fabrication of aluminum honeycomb structures based on origami technology
Authors: Wang Lijun , Saito Kazuya , Gotou You , Okabe Yoji
Published: June 2017

Aluminum alloy honeycomb structures were designed based on origami technology, and the specimens were fabricated by a new fabrication technology (i.e. a press and folding process). In folding process, a new folding device was successfully developed to achieve automatic fabrication of honeycomb structure. To prove the practicability of developed device, the honeycomb cores with claws were fabricated by this device, which were used to compare the mechanical properties with that bonded by common adhesive. The deformation behaviors and mechanical properties of honeycomb structures were investigated by the flatwise compressive test and three-point bending test. The load–displacement curve obtained at the room temperature showed that the load increased to a peak value and then tended rapidly to a constant. Besides, the deformation process approximately categorized into three zones, namely linear-elastic zone, plastic-plateau zone, and densification zone. The experimental results suggested that regardless of specimen type, the bending stiffness and compressive strengths were approximately 0.32 KN·m2and 0.39 MPa, respectively; revealing the bonded method by aluminum claws did not dramatically affect the mechanical properties of honeycomb structure. Moreover, the elastic deformation of honeycomb structure was numerically studied by the finite element analysis.
Reclaiming sociological reduction: Analysing the circulation of management education in the periphery
Authors: Alcadipani Rafael
Published: June 2017

Management knowledge and practices have been circulating worldwide for a long time, and business and management schools are central locations where management knowledge and practices have been produced. Few studies discuss how this circulation occurs in the periphery in general and how management education from the United States has circulated in the periphery in particular. Using historical research, this article aims to reclaim the notion of sociological reduction, a notion developed by Brazilian scholar in the 1950s, to make sense of how US management education was implemented in a Brazilian management school. By doing so, this article contributes to the analysis of the spread of US management education grounded in a postcolonial approach and addresses calls for analysing epistemologies from the periphery.
Evidence-based medicine and contemporary certification: Analysis of the American Board of Vascular Medicine endovascular board examination
Authors: Slovut David Paul , Gray Bruce H , Saiar Amin , Bates Mark C
Published: June 2017

Since 2005, the American Board of Vascular Medicine (ABVM) endovascular examination has been used to certify vascular practitioners. Annual rigorous review has confirmed it is psychometrically valid and reliable. However, the evidence basis underlying the examination items has not been studied systematically. The aim of this study was to adjudicate class of recommendation (COR) and level of evidence (LOE) for the 2015 ABVM endovascular examination and establish an additional feedback mechanism for examination improvement based on contemporary evidence-based guidelines. We performed a pooled consensus process to classify each of the 110 items in the 2015 ABVM endovascular examination by COR and LOE as detailed in the current guideline statements. We added additional categories for items that were not eligible for assignment using traditional current evidence-based metrics: ‘COR X’, cannot be determined, not applicable, or simple recognition; and ‘LOE X’, cannot be determined or not applicable. COR classifications were assigned in the following proportion: Class I=15%, Class II=40%, Class III=3%, COR X=42%. LOE classifications were assigned in the following proportion: Level A=12%, Level B=34%, Level C=32%, LOE X=22%. Our analysis showed that nearly half of the 2015 ABVM endovascular examination items were supported by strong scientific evidence or fact-based knowledge. COR and LOE analysis yielded notably different results. Use of alternate classification schema may be powerful tools for improving certification exams in healthcare.
Openness to messages about English as a foreign language: Working with learners to uncover purpose to study
Authors: Sampson Richard J.
Published: June 2017

As a compulsory classroom subject in an environment in which it is rarely used, English as a foreign language might seem to have very little connection to students’ present or future lives. There may be a disconnect between various circulating messages about English, and experiences of little day-to-day English use. This article presents understandings that evolved through an action research project with undergraduate students in Japan. The study was instigated due to a gap between the expectations of industry for graduates’ English abilities, and perceptions by learners. Data were collected from 48 Japanese science and technology students in two of the author’s first-year, compulsory English classes. Change-action activities encouraged participants to engage with messages about English they carried with them into the classroom. Analysis revealed students to be very capable of describing and discussing detailed discourses absorbed from past teachers, family and peer-group members, and society and the media. These ideas had varying motivational and affective resonance for learners. Over the research, the faculty of change-action activities to foster reflection, share understandings and introduce new information seemed to reduce the discrepancy with industry expectations.
The phonetics of code-switched vowels
Authors: Muldner Kasia , Hoiting Leah , Sanger Leyna , Blumenfeld Lev , Toivonen Ida
Published: June 2017

Aims and Objectives:

This study investigates the effects of code-switching on vowel quality, pitch and duration among English–French bilinguals. Code-switching has been claimed to influence the morphology, syntax and lexicon, but not the phonology of the switched language. However, studies on voice-onset time have found subtle phonetic effects of code-switching, even though there are no categorical phonological effects. We investigate this further through the following three questions: (1) Are F1 and F2 influenced in the process of code-switching? (2) Are code-switched words hyper-articulated? (3) Does code-switching have an effect on vowel duration before voiced and voiceless consonants?

Methodology:

To address our research questions we relied on an insertional switching method where words from one language were inserted into carrier phrases of the other to simulate English–French code-switching environments. Bilingual speakers were recorded while they read code-switched sentences as well as sentences that did not involve code-switching, that is, monolingual sentences.

Data and Analysis:

The vowels of target words in the recorded utterances were compared – code-switched contexts against monolingual contexts – for vocalic duration, F0, F1 and F2.

Findings/Conclusions:

Like previous voice-onset time studies, our results indicate that code-switching does not shift the phonology to that of the embedded language. We did, however, find subtle lower level phonetic effects, especially in the French target words; we also found evidence of hyper-articulation in code-switched words. At the prosodic level, target switch-words approached the prosodic contours of the carrier phrases they are embedded in.

Originality:

The approach taken in this study is novel for its investigation of vowel properties instead of voice-onset time.

Significance:

This new approach to investigating code-switching adds to our understanding of how code-switching affects pronunciation.
Northern Ireland and Brexit: Three effects on ‘the border in the mind’
Authors: Gormley-Heenan Cathy , Aughey Arthur
Published: June 2017

For those who spoke on behalf of Leave voters, the result on 23 June 2016 meant the people of the United Kingdom were taking back ‘control’ or getting their ‘own country back’. However, two parts of the United Kingdom did not vote Leave: Scotland and Northern Ireland. Here, the significant counterpoint to ‘taking back control is “waking up in a different country”’, and this sentiment has unique political gravity. Its unique gravity involves two distinct but intimately related matters. The first concerns the politics of identity. The vote was mainly, if not entirely, along nationalist/unionist lines, confirming an old division: unionists were staking a ‘British’ identity by voting Leave, and nationalists an Irish one by voting Remain. The second concerns borders. The Good Friday/Belfast Agreement of 1998 meant taking the border out of Irish politics. Brexit means running the border between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom across the island as a sovereign ‘frontier’. Although this second matter is discussed mainly in terms of the implications for free movement of people and goods, we argue that it is freighted with meanings of identity. Brexit involves a ‘border in the mind’, those shifts in self-understanding, individually and collectively, attendant upon the referendum. This article examines this ‘border in the mind’ according to its effects on identity, politics and the constitution, and their implications for political stability in Northern Ireland.
Critical political economy, free movement and Brexit: Beyond the progressive’s dilemma
Authors: Parker Owen
Published: June 2017

The progressive’s dilemma suggests that a trade-off exists between, on the one hand, labour and welfare rights underpinned by solidarity and shared identity and, on the other hand, open immigration regimes. With reference to debates on EU free movement in the United Kingdom, it is argued (1) that a progressive European critical political economy literature of the Left has a tendency to accept this dilemma and resolve it in favour of the former; (2) that it does so because it erroneously conflates the free movement of people with the (increasingly neoliberal) free movement of goods, capital and services; and (3) that it could and should treat human mobility as qualitatively different and, consequently, need not accept the terms of the progressive’s dilemma. The argument has important implications for a progressive politics in general and for the Left’s (particularly the Labour Party’s) position in the United Kingdom on free movement (and, by extension, on Brexit).
Friction forces and patient-centredness: Understanding how established logics endure during infrastructure transformation
Authors: Vassilakopoulou Polyxeni , Grisot Miria , Aanestad Margunn
Published: June 2017

In this article, we examine three cases of e-health solutions for patients in Norway. For the analysis of the three cases, we focused on friction forces that come into play when different established arrangements need to change to accommodate novelty. We argue that the design of new technologies was shaped by friction related to institutionalised practices, regulatory regimes and entrenched patient roles. These friction forces connect the past with the present, come into action when aiming for novelty and result to the perpetuation of constituents of the past during change processes. Specifically, the e-health solutions under study were strongly influenced by established healthcare provision logics. All three initiatives expanded the healthcare information infrastructure towards the patients with as little disruption to established arrangements as possible.
Selective demarketing
Authors: Farquhar Jillian Dawes , Robson Julie
Published: June 2017

Selective demarketing is a strategic option for a firm to manage customers who are or are likely to be a poor fit with its offering. Research has investigated related areas such as customer profitability and relationship dissolution but, as yet, studies have not offered a robust conceptualization of selective demarketing. Based on research into value co-destruction, this study argues that these customers effectively destroy value by misusing or misunderstanding how to integrate their operant resources with those of the firm. As firms exist within a wider service system, this failure to integrate resonates throughout the system. To demarket selectively, firms should develop and deploy higher order operant resources to disengage with or discourage these customers. This study develops a conceptualization of selective demarketing through adopting a firm and systems perspective derived from value destruction.
A design for a more efficient, upper room germicidal ultraviolet air disinfection luminaire
Authors: Milonova S , Brandston HM , Rudnick S , Ngai P , Simonson K , Rahman SF , Nardell E
Published: June 2017

This paper describes a novel optical design principle for an upper room germicidal ultraviolet luminaire developed to limit the transmission of airborne diseases, particularly tuberculosis. A prototype was built to demonstrate the principle, and tests were conducted to determine its total ultraviolet (UV)-C output, biological effectiveness, and safety for lower room occupants. The prototype outperformed frequently used luminaires in total UV-C output, luminaire efficiency, and biological effectiveness against aerosolised Mycobacterium, while remaining safe for lower room occupants. The results presented here suggest that the design principle is ready for real-world application to mitigate the spread of airborne infectious diseases.
Liberal-democratic states should privilege parental efforts to instil identities and values
Authors: Robinson Andrew M.
Published: June 2017

Liberal-democratic states’ commitments to equality and personal autonomy have always proven problematic with respect to state regulation of relations between parents and children. In the parental authority literature, positions have varied from invoking children’s interests to argue for limitations on parental efforts to instil identities and values to invoking parental rights to justify state privileging of such efforts. This article argues that liberal-democratic states should privilege parental efforts to raise their children to share their identities and values. Its approach is distinctive in two ways: (1) it engages in interdisciplinary reflection upon selected findings in psychological literature on immigrant youth, acculturation and identity development to assess philosophical arguments about parental authority; and (2) it argues that children’s, and not parental, interests should be viewed as the primary basis for parental rights to instil identities and values. Ultimately, the article argues, parental authority to instil identities and values is justified by children’s interests in psychological wellbeing and personal autonomy.
Proton Grid Therapy: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Henry Thomas , Ureba Ana , Valdman Alexander , Siegbahn Albert
Published: June 2017

In this work, we studied the possibility of merging proton therapy with grid therapy. We hypothesized that patients with larger targets containing solid tumor growth could benefit from being treated with this method, proton grid therapy. We performed treatment planning for 2 patients with abdominal cancer with the suggested proton grid therapy technique. The proton beam arrays were cross-fired over the target volume. Circular or rectangular beam element shapes (building up the beam grids) were evaluated in the planning. An optimization was performed to calculate the fluence from each beam grid element. The optimization objectives were set to create a homogeneous dose inside the target volume with the constraint of maintaining the grid structure of the dose distribution in the surrounding tissue. The proton beam elements constituting the grid remained narrow and parallel down to large depths in the tissue. The calculation results showed that it is possible to produce target doses ranging between 100% and 130% of the prescribed dose by cross-firing beam grids, incident from 4 directions. A sensitivity test showed that a small rotation or translation of one of the used grids, due to setup errors, had only a limited influence on the dose distribution produced in the target, if 4 beam arrays were used for the irradiation. Proton grid therapy is technically feasible at proton therapy centers equipped with spot scanning systems using existing tools. By cross-firing the proton beam grids, a low tissue dose in between the paths of the elemental beams can be maintained down to the vicinity of a deep-seated target. With proton grid therapy, it is possible to produce a dose distribution inside the target volume of similar uniformity as can be created with current clinical methods.
The Meanings of Helping: An Analysis of Cystic Fibrosis Patients’ Reasons for Participating in Biomedical Research
Authors: Christofides Emily , Stroud Karla , Tullis Diana Elizabeth , O’Doherty Kieran
Published: June 2017

Research participants often report wanting to help as a reason for participation, but who they want to help and why is rarely explored. We examined meanings associated with helping among 21 adults with cystic fibrosis (CF)—a group with high participation in research. Meanings included helping to advance research, helping others with CF, helping as their job, helping themselves, helping because they are special, and helping to give back. While some meanings were primarily oriented toward helping others, some also involved hoping for benefits for oneself, and some included feelings of responsibility. Despite indicating that they understood that research is not designed to help them directly, participants nevertheless hoped that it might. We discuss implications for research ethics oversight.
Endovascular treatment of wide-neck intracranial bifurcation aneurysms with ‘Y’-configuration, double Neuroform® stents-assisted coiling technique: Experience in a single center
Authors: Castaño C , Terceño M , Remollo S , García-Sort MR , Domínguez C
Published: June 2017

Background

Intracranial wide-neck aneurysms at the arterial bifurcations, especially in the aneurysms where the bifurcating branches emanate directly from the base of the aneurysm, have been particularly difficult on which to perform endovascular treatment. The ‘Y’-configuration, double stent-assisted coil embolization is an option for the treatment of these difficult aneurysms, allowing the closure of the aneurysm, preserving the parent arteries.

Material and methods

In a nine-year period, 546 intracranial aneurysms in 493 patients were treated at our center by endovascular approach. We have reviewed the medical records and arteriographies from November 2007 to January 2017 of 45 patients who were treated using ‘Y’-configuration double Neuroform® stent-assisted coil embolization.

Results

All patients were successfully treated. The location of the aneurysms were: middle cerebral artery (MCA) 20 (44.4%), anterior communicating artery (AComA) 17 (37.7%), basilar four (8.9%), internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation three (6.6%) and posterior communicating artery (PComA) one (2.2%). The mRS at hospital discharge was: mRS 0: 42 (93.3%), mRS 1: 1 (2.2%), mRS 2: 1 (2.2%) and mRS 5: 1 (2.2%). The Modified Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification, in the control at six months, was: Class I: 41 (91.1%), Class II: 2 (4.4%), Class IIIa: 1 (2.2%) and Class IIIb: 1 (2.2%). Forty-four (97.8%) patients had a good outcome (mRS < 2) at six months. One (2.2%) patient had a poor outcome (mRS > 2) at six months that was due to sequelae of SAH. There was no mortality at six months.

Conclusions

This technique is safe and effective for the endovascular treatment of difficult wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, allowing the stable closure of the aneurysm, preserving the parent arteries.
Rapid and Rigorous Qualitative Data Analysis
Authors: Watkins Daphne C.
Published: June 2017

Despite the advantages of using qualitative data to advance research and practice, applied researchers agree that the most daunting task is trying to analyze the data rapidly and rigorously. This article introduces a quick and comprehensive qualitative analysis strategy called the rigorous and accelerated data reduction (RADaR) technique. The RADaR technique involves using tables and spreadsheets from general purpose, word processing software to develop all-inclusive data tables that undergo several revisions. These revisions, called “data reduction,” help produce shorter, more concise data tables. The RADaR technique converts raw, textual data into a more manageable and user-friendly format. It is rigorous because of the systematic analysis that occurs during each step of the process, and it is accelerated because the time required to review and reduce each phase of the data table becomes shorter as the user produces more condensed and concise presentations of the textual data.
Cytokine and chemokine levels in the heart tissue of aged rats following severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Amaral Rízia Callou , Barbeiro Denise Frediani , Koike Marcia Kiyomi , Mady Charles , Machado Marcel Cerqueira César , Pinheiro da Silva Fabiano
Published: June 2017

Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is a disease associated with high mortality and characterized by overwhelming systemic inflammation. Older people have a prolonged hospital stay and worst prognosis, when affected by this disease. Our group hypothesized, thus, that the systemic inflammatory response in the elderly would promote more organ damage when compared to the young. We sought to investigate the effect of systemic inflammation on the gene expression of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in the hearts of older and younger rats in an animal model of AP. AP was induced in all rats by injection of 0.5 mL of 2.5% taurocholate. There were two healthy age-matched control groups. An array of 79 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors was measured in samples of cardiac tissue taken from the AP rats after 10 h, and from control rats. Older healthy rats had significantly higher levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and CCL1 gene expression than younger ones ( P < 0.05), but all other measurements were similar among the study groups. This study indicates the systemic inflammation may show unique features for different organs in the body, but older animals with systemic inflammation are similar to the young regarding the cardiac inflammatory response.
Generic Drug User Fee Act II: The positive features for generic drug industry
Authors: Prajapati Jignesh , Patel Darshit
Published: June 2017

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Generic Drug Industry have completed negotiations for the reauthorization of the Generic Drug User Fee Act (GDUFA II). The agreement is now with Congress, which must write it into legislation in order for it to become effective. GDUFA II addresses questions that arose with the implementation of GDUFA I. One of the primary concerns with GDUFA I was that it did not provide any relief for small business whereas GDUFA II addresses relief for small business. GDUFA II has carved out a subcategory for Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), which are independent facilities contracted by abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) sponsors to manufacture their generic drugs. GDUFA II will have a fee structure very different from GDUFA I. The distribution of user fee categories will show the shift from facilities to applications and the addition of two new user types. GDUFA II is structured to allow FDA to continue on the path forward to improve patient access to quality and affordable generic drugs. As per the GDUFA II commitment, the FDA will work with generic drug makers on a closer and more timely basis to speed the review of ANDAs.
Chronic cervical radiculopathic pain is associated with increased excitability and hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) in large-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons
Authors: Liu Da-Lu , Wang Xu , Chu Wen-Guang , Lu Na , Han Wen-Juan , Du Yi-Kang , Hu San-Jue , Bai Zhan-Tao , Wu Sheng-Xi , Xie Rou-Gang , Luo Ceng
Published: June 2017

Cervical radiculopathic pain is a very common symptom that may occur with cervical spondylosis. Mechanical allodynia is often associated with cervical radiculopathic pain and is inadequately treated with current therapies. However, the precise mechanisms underlying cervical radiculopathic pain-associated mechanical allodynia have remained elusive. Compelling evidence from animal models suggests a role of large-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons and plasticity of spinal circuitry attached with Aβ fibers in mediating neuropathic pain. Whether cervical radiculopathic pain condition induces plastic changes of large-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons and what mechanisms underlie these changes are yet to be known. With combination of patch-clamp recording, immunohistochemical staining, as well as behavioral surveys, we demonstrated that upon chronic compression of C7/8 dorsal root ganglions, large-diameter cervical dorsal root ganglion neurons exhibited frequent spontaneous firing together with hyperexcitability. Quantitative analysis of hyperpolarization-activated cation current ( Ih) revealed that Ih was greatly upregulated in large dorsal root ganglion neurons from cervical radiculopathic pain rats. This increased Ih was supported by the enhanced expression of hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-modulated channels subunit 3 in large dorsal root ganglion neurons. Blockade of Ih with selective antagonist, ZD7288 was able to eliminate the mechanical allodynia associated with cervical radiculopathic pain. This study sheds new light on the functional plasticity of a specific subset of large-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons and reveals a novel mechanism that could underlie the mechanical allodynia associated with cervical radiculopathy.
Coaching style and attitudes toward doping in Chinese athletes: The mediating role of moral disengagement
Authors: Chen Zuosong , Wang Dong , Wang Kun , Huang Tao
Published: June 2017

Previous studies in Western countries indicated that coaching style had significant influence on athletes’ attitudes toward doping. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between coaching style and attitudes toward doping among Chinese athletes. The potential mediating role of moral disengagement was examined. Participants were 203 athletes (Mean age = 19.0 years, 36.9% females) from the Fujian Provincial Sports Team, China. Athletes’ perception of autonomy-supportive and controlling coaching style was assessed using the adapted Health Care Climate Questionnaire and the Coach Controlling Behaviors Scale, respectively. Moral disengagement in sport was assessed using a scale developed by the authors. The Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale was adapted to measure athletes’ attitudes toward doping. Structural equation modelling was used to establish to assess the mediation effects. The results from structural equation model testing showed that autonomy-supportive coaching style had no direct effect on attitudes toward doping, and the indirect path through moral disengagement was also not significant. Controlling coaching style had an indirect and positive effect on attitudes toward doping through moral disengagement. Results indicated that controlling coaching style was positively associated with attitudes toward doping among Chinese athletes. The relationship was mediated by moral disengagement. Autonomy-supportive coaching style was not associated with attitudes toward doping. The findings provided evidence supporting the important role of moral disengagement in mediating the positive relationship between controlling coaching style and attitudes toward doping among Chinese athletes. The findings indicated that avoiding construction of controlling coaching climate and reducing moral disengagement in sport may be relevant for reducing athletes’ pro-doping attitudes.
Biological maturity and the anthropometric, physical and technical assessment of talent identified U16 Australian footballers
Authors: Cripps Ashley J , Joyce Christopher , Woods Carl T , Hopper Luke S
Published: June 2017

This study compared biological maturation, anthropometric, physical and technical skill measures between talent and non-talent identified junior Australian footballers. Players were recruited from the under 16 Western Australian Football League and classified as talent (state representation; n = 25, 15.7 ± 0.3 y) or non-talent identified (non-state representation; n = 25, 15.6 ± 0.4 y). Players completed a battery of anthropometric, physical and technical skill assessments. Maturity was estimated using years from peak height velocity calculations. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the variables demonstrating the strongest association with the main effect of ‘status’. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the level of discrimination provided by the strongest model. Talent identified under 16 players were biologically older, had greater stationary and dynamic leaps and superior handball skill when compared to their non-talent identified counterparts. The strongest model of status included standing height, non-dominant dynamic vertical jump and handball outcomes (AUC = 83.4%, CI = 72.1%–95.1%). Biological maturation influences anthropometric and physical capacities that are advantageous for performance in Australian football; talent identification methods should factor biological maturation as a confound in the search for junior players who are most likely to succeed in senior competition.
Three-dimensional kinematic differences between accurate and high velocity kicks in rugby union place kicking
Authors: Sinclair J , Taylor PJ , Smith A , Bullen J , Bentley I , Hobbs SJ
Published: June 2017

Place kicking occurs many times during a rugby union game with more than half of all points scored coming from place kicking. Ball velocity is an important biomechanical indicator of kicking success, but it also evident that the ball must be kicked accurately to pass between the posts. This study aimed to identify biomechanical differences in rugby place kicking kinematics when kicking towards a specific target and for maximum velocity. Ten male rugby union kickers performed place kicks in two conditions: (1) for maximum velocity and (2) towards a pre-defined target. Lower extremity kinematics were obtained using an optoelectric motion capture system operating at 500 Hz. Differences in lower extremity kinematics between the two kicking conditions were examined using paired t-tests. Higher ball velocities were obtained when kicking for maximum velocity. Foot linear velocity, knee extension velocity and hip extension velocity were also found to be greater when kicking for maximum velocity. Ankle dorsiflexion and peak external rotation were found to be greater in the accuracy condition. The findings suggest that rugby kickers may have selected distinct kicking mechanics characterised by reduced joint angular velocities and a more externally rotated foot position in a deliberate attempt to improve precision, sacrificing ball velocity and thus the distance that the ball can be kicked. The specific findings from the current work have implications for coaches and applied practitioners which may facilitate improvements in kicking performance.
Ultrasonographic examination of the ruptured cord after collagenase treatment or needle fasciotomy for Dupuytren’s contracture
Authors: Strömberg J. , Vanek P. , Fridén J. , Aurell Y.
Published: June 2017

Local treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture, either by collagenase or needle fasciotomy, allows disruption of the pathological cord during forced extension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cord before and after both treatments by ultrasound. A total of 39 patients with a minimum of 20° contracture in the metacarpophalangeal joint were included and randomized to treatment with either collagenase (20 patients) or needle fasciotomy (19 patients). The distance between the distal and the proximal parts of the ruptured cord was measured by ultrasound and the difference in passive joint movement before and after treatment was measured with a goniomenter. There were no significant differences between the collagenase and needle fasciotomy groups in the size of the rupture or gain of mobility. Most cords treated with collagenase and subsequent forced extension had the same ultrasonographic appearance as cords disrupted mechanically by needle fasciotomy.

Level of evidence: III
Parochial Empathy Predicts Reduced Altruism and the Endorsement of Passive Harm
Authors: Bruneau Emile G. , Cikara Mina , Saxe Rebecca
Published: June 2017

Empathic failures are common in hostile intergroup contexts; repairing empathy is therefore a major focus of peacebuilding efforts. However, it is unclear which aspect of empathy is most relevant to intergroup conflict. Although trait empathic concern predicts prosociality in interpersonal settings, we hypothesized that the best predictor of meaningful intergroup attitudes and behaviors might not be the general capacity for empathy (i.e., trait empathy), but the difference in empathy felt for the in-group versus the out-group, or “parochial empathy.” Specifically, we predicted that out-group empathy would inhibit intergroup harm and promote intergroup helping, whereas in-group empathy would have the opposite effect. In three intergroup contexts—Americans regarding Arabs, Hungarians regarding refugees, Greeks regarding Germans—we found support for this hypothesis. In all samples, in-group and out-group empathy had independent, significant, and opposite effects on intergroup outcomes, controlling for trait empathic concern.
Decolonizing place in early childhood studies: Thinking with Indigenous onto-epistemologies and Black feminist geographies
Authors: Nxumalo Fikile , Cedillo Stacia
Published: June 2017

This article aims to center Indigenous onto-epistemologies and Black feminist geographies in considerations of place, environment, and “nature” in early childhood studies. We consider how these perspectives might enact knowledge-making that politicizes, unsettles, and (re)stories place-based studies of childhood. In particular, we are interested in possibilities for unsettling the dominance of EuroWestern knowledges in both normative and critical encounters with nature/culture and human/non-human dualisms in environmental and place-based childhood studies, particularly in working from the premise that anthropogenic vulnerabilities, anti-Blackness, and settler colonialism are intimately entangled within North American contexts. While noting the tensions between posthuman geographies, Indigenous onto-epistemologies, and Black feminist geographies, we consider how together they might enrich critical place-attuned early childhood studies. Our intent is to contribute to ongoing dialogues on the urgency of anti-racist, decolonial, and non-anthropocentric approaches within current times of environmental precarity.
“Caballito blanco, ¡vuelve pa’ tu pueblo!”: Troubling and reclaiming the historical foundations of Chilean early childhood education
Authors: Castillo Ximena Galdames
Published: June 2017

In accordance with the white patriarchal foundations of the early childhood education field of the global north, Chile’s early childhood education has a colonial and androcentric origin which has been left unquestioned. Reviews of Chilean early childhood education omit/ignore other socio-political agendas, such as class, gender, and ethnicity that still shape the current landscape. This article reconstructs the foundations of Chilean early childhood education through a reconceptualized mestiza history of the present. This approach challenges the neutrality of Chilean early childhood education and seeks to reclaim it by examining the underpinning regimes of truth that re-colonize children and women moving within and inhabiting the field. Analyses show how two main strands shape(d) early childhood education and care: social (and currently, multiagency) policies, and curriculum and pedagogy. The relationship between these strands has been recursive and contradictory and overlapping over time. However, their mixture creates an illusion of literal transposition as a syncretic effect, which under close examination exposes its fault lines.
Be/longing: Reciprocal mentoring, pedagogies of place, and critical childhood studies in the time of Trump
Authors: Nagasawa Mark K , Swadener Beth Blue
Published: June 2017

This essay focuses on the important, but often taken-for-granted, roles that mentoring and collaborative inquiry play in rethinking childhood studies and situates our work in a time of resurgent racism and xenophobia in the United States—as well as invigorated movements to affirm human rights and social justice. It represents a co-mentoring dialogue, spanning over a decade, about the complexities of embodying critical, activist scholarship within dominant (White, Western, heteronormative, and Global North) assumptions about childhood, families, and communities. Our co-interrogation of these deeply encoded assumptions has been driven by a shared question of how to span the seemingly disparate discourse communities of critically engaged scholars and mainstream early childhood professionals in a variety of community contexts. These efforts have been guided by learning from Indigenous and Global South epistemologies and Black and Chicana/Latina/Mestiza feminisms. To illustrate what continues to be a reciprocal mentoring relationship, we use critical personal narrative to discuss key influences, literature, pedagogies of place, and exigencies of sustaining critical childhood studies movements in the current moment.
Comparing the use of space in selfies on Chinese Weibo and Twitter
Authors: Roberts Jessica , Koliska Michael
Published: June 2017

Selfies are a ubiquitous practice worldwide in which social media users create and share cultural artifacts that go beyond mere idealized or narcissistic self-presentations. As a cultural phenomenon, selfies reflect not just personal impressions but also communal values of modern life. This study analyzes the use of place in selfies as a defining visual element of self-representation in the United States and China. In particular, this research examines differences and commonalities in the places used to create meaning in selfies in the two national contexts. Our research shows that the deliberate use of places plays a critical role in the presentation of self within selfies both in the United States and China. While there are significant differences in some aspects of selfie construction, the selection of places for selfies followed similar patterns of public and private spaces in both countries, privileging the domestic and commercial most of all, and providing some support for the dominance of a global online culture over the influence of a specific national culture in presentations of the self.