bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contingency detection in a complex world
Authors: Northrup Jessie Bolz
Published: September 2016

The present article proposes a new developmental model of how young infants adapt and respond to complex contingencies in their environment, and how this influences development. The model proposes that typically developing infants adjust to an increasingly complex environment in ways that make it easier for them to allocate limited attentional resources and increase opportunities for positive learning experiences. Increased positive experiences with contingency lead to improvements in contingency detection, social behavior, and, ultimately, the development of social and communicative competency. Research relevant to the proposed model will be reviewed and analyzed. In addition, implications for atypical development in the case of autism spectrum disorder will be examined. Specifically, it is predicted that difficulty detecting and responding to increasingly complex contingencies in the environment would lead to particular deficits in interacting with the social world due to the inherent relative complexity of the social world compared to the non-social world. Furthermore, experiences with an unpredictable and confusing social world may lead individuals to increase their experiences with predictability and contingency through restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Limitations and areas for future research are presented.
Pathological and Clinical Analysis of Vascular Catheterization Models in Rats, with Exploration of Interventions to Improve Clinical Tolerance
Authors: Allavena Rachel E. , West Heather , Gale Joanna , Debrue Marie
Published: September 2016

Permanent vascular catheterization for intravascular access is one of the most commonly applied techniques used on rodents in pharmacology studies. However, use of the intravascular catheters is complicated by nontolerance due to thromboembolic disease and sepsis. We have undertaken an extensive pathologic and clinical analysis of an intravascular catheterization model in Wistar Han and Sprague-Dawley rats, with a particular focus on carotid artery catheterization with or without jugular vein catheterization, in order to define the pathologic mechanisms behind nontolerance and define clinical end points to ensure maximal animal welfare. Further, we have explored various potential solutions to increase the tolerance of the procedure. In these studies, indwelling catheters were found to cause a high degree of thromboembolic disease with infarction in the brain, cecal tip, and kidneys being the primary causes of nontolerance. Loss of greater than 10% body weight was determined to be the most sensitive indicator of nontolerance and was closely correlated with degree of renal parenchymal loss. Sepsis was noted as a very rare complication, indicating that routine aseptic surgical techniques are adequate for preventing this complication.
Studying Associations Between Heart Failure Self-Management and Rehospitalizations Using Natural Language Processing
Authors: Topaz Maxim , Radhakrishnan Kavita , Blackley Suzanne , Lei Victor , Lai Kenneth , Zhou Li
Published: September 2016

This study developed an innovative natural language processing algorithm to automatically identify heart failure (HF) patients with ineffective self-management status (in the domains of diet, physical activity, medication adherence, and adherence to clinician appointments) from narrative discharge summary notes. We also analyzed the association between self-management status and preventable 30-day hospital readmissions. Our natural language system achieved relatively high accuracy ( F-measure = 86.3%; precision = 95%; recall = 79.2%) on a testing sample of 300 notes annotated by two human reviewers. In a sample of 8,901 HF patients admitted to our healthcare system, 14.4% ( n = 1,282) had documentation of ineffective HF self-management. Adjusted regression analyses indicated that presence of any skill-related self-management deficit (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.1, 1.6]) and non-specific ineffective self-management (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = [1.2, 2]) was significantly associated with readmissions. We have demonstrated the feasibility of identifying ineffective HF self-management from electronic discharge summaries with natural language processing.
New mobile realities in mature staples-dependent resource regions: Local governments and work camps
Authors: Ryser Laura M , Halseth Greg , Markey Sean , Morris Marleen
Published: September 2016

In resource-dependent regions, work camps have reshaped workforce recruitment and retention strategies and relationships with communities as they are increasingly deployed within municipal boundaries. This has prompted important, but controversial, questions about local government policies and regulations guiding workforce accommodations to support rapid growth in resource regions. Even as mobile workforces become more prevalent, however, few researchers have examined the development, operations, and decommissioning of these work camps. Drawing upon the experiences of local governments in Australia, Canada, Scotland, and the United States, this research examines how mobile workforces are shaping the opportunities and challenges of planning and local government operations through work camps integrated in mature staples-dependent resource regions. Our findings reveal that while some industries have taken the initiative to implement new protocols and operating procedures to improve the quality and safety of work camp environments, local governments have underdeveloped policy tools and capacities to guide the development, operations, and decommissioning of work camps. Failure to purposefully address work camps as a land-use issue, however, is significant for mature staples-dependent towns that ultimately fail to capture taxation revenues while incurring the accelerating costs for infrastructure and services associated with large mobile workforces.
Weighing in the balance
Authors: Donson Fiona , Parkes Aisling
Published: September 2016

A substantial body of research now exists indicating that parental imprisonment can produce multiple negative effects on dependent children. While the criminal justice system can respond to this post-imprisonment through positive interventions, an important question arises as to whether courts should take into account the impact of imprisonment on the children of offenders at the point of sentencing. The recognition of children’s rights in many jurisdictions has prompted courts to develop approaches that take account of these important third party considerations. This article will explore how the courts of South Africa and England and Wales have made space for the rights of children of offenders within the sentencing process and consider whether Ireland might adopt such an approach. Central to this process is how relevant information regarding dependent children can best be presented to the sentencing court. The article will therefore examine the potential introduction of child impact statements into the Irish sentencing process, and the extent to which probation officers are suited to adapting their current pre-sanction report role to include child impact information.
Managerial implications of rocking the floor by employees
Authors: Hassan Ibn e , Batool Faryal , Hassan Masood ul
Published: September 2016

Voice is a proactive self-expressive behaviour of employees which has various positive impacts and is a potential contribution towards organization effectiveness. Existing studies have highlighted a difference between two types of voice, promotive and prohibitive. Although both types of voice benefit the organization, prohibitive voice implies an inherent challenge. The study hypothesizes that a manager may take prohibitive voice as a challenging activity and may perceive employees with promotive voice as loyal ones and those with a prohibitive voice as threatening for the organization. Further it aims to examine the managers’ response towards voice in form of evaluation of performance and the mediating effect of managers’ perceived loyalty and threat on this judgement. To empirically test the proposed model, data were collected by employees and their supervisors working at various private servicing and manufacturing organizations through survey questionnaires. Results revealed that performance evaluation is negatively related with perceived loyalty and positively associated with perceived threat.
Characteristics and factors that differentiate Internet users and non-users as information seekers
Authors: Lwoga Edda Tandi , Chigona Wallace
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the information needs and information-seeking patterns of users and non-users of the Internet among rural women in Tanzania. The study used mixed research sequential design, wherein the initial qualitative phase informed the design of the cross-sectional questionnaire surveys. The study was conducted in three rural districts in Tanzania that have telecentres: Sengerema, Kongwa and Kilosa districts. In 2014, the study conducted focus group discussions (FGDs): six FGDs with 37 Internet users, and six with 36 non-users. In 2015, questionnaire surveys were administered to 90 users and 90 non-users of Internet from telecenters. The findings showed that there were similarities in the major information needs and information seeking patterns of both users and non-users of Internet, although some variations were noted. Demographic characteristics related to education level, income and number of information sources played a key role in discriminating between Internet users and non-users. This study provides empirical findings for telecenters, libraries and other rural information providers to develop and offer relevant user-centered information services that are gender sensitive, to facilitate equitable access to relevant information for rational decision-making.
Modifications of tau protein after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats are similar to those occurring in Alzheimer’s disease – Hyperphosphorylation and cleavage of 4- and 3-repeat tau
Authors: Fujii Hiroki , Takahashi Tetsuya , Mukai Tomoya , Tanaka Shigeru , Hosomi Naohisa , Maruyama Hirofumi , Sakai Norio , Matsumoto Masayasu
Published: September 2016

Epidemiological studies have suggested a close relationship between cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To clarify the pathological association of tau dynamics in both diseases, we performed comprehensive studies on the posttranslational modification of tau in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) in rats. The present study suggests that both 4-repeat and 3-repeat tau isoforms are hyperphosphorylated in cerebral I/R, similar to the case in AD. The generation of a 60-kDa Asp421-truncated tau in cerebral I/R preceded the emergence of a 17-kDa 3-repeat tau fragment and a 25-kDa 4-repeat tau fragment. The regional redistribution of tau from the neuropil to neuronal perikarya in our stroke model is thought to share similarity with that occurring in AD. In addition, immunofluorescence staining revealed the formation of axonal varicosities in cerebral I/R. Altered tau distribution may influence microtubule stability, disturbances in axonal transport, and the resulting formation of axonal varicosities. The staining profiles of granules in the ischemic cortex that were immunopositive for RD3, RD4, and AT8 in neuronal perikarya and that were argyrophilic on Gallyas-Braak staining were similar to those in AD. These findings suggest that transient cerebral ischemia shares a common pathology with AD, in the modification of tau protein.
Comparison of two PET radioligands, [11C]FPEB and [11C]SP203, for quantification of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 in human brain
Authors: Lohith Talakad G , Tsujikawa Tetsuya , Siméon Fabrice G , Veronese Mattia , Zoghbi Sami S , Lyoo Chul Hyoung , Kimura Yasuyuki , Morse Cheryl L , Pike Victor W , Fujita Masahiro , Innis Robert B
Published: September 2016

Of the two 18F-labeled PET ligands currently available to image metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), [18F]FPEB is reportedly superior because [18F]SP203 undergoes glutathionlyation, generating [18F]-fluoride ion that accumulates in brain and skull. To allow multiple PET studies on the same day with lower radiation exposure, we prepared [11C]FPEB and [11C]SP203 from [11C]hydrogen cyanide and compared their abilities to accurately quantify mGluR5 in human brain, especially as regards radiometabolite accumulation. Genomic plot was used to estimate the ratio of specific-to-nondisplaceable uptake ( BPND) without using a receptor blocking drug. Both tracers quantified mGluR5; however [11C]SP203, like [18F]SP203, had radiometabolite accumulation in brain, as evidenced by increased distribution volume ( VT) over the scan period. Absolute VT values were ∼30% lower for 11C-labeled compared with 18F-labeled radioligands, likely caused by the lower specific activities (and high receptor occupancies) of the 11C radioligands. The genomic plot indicated ∼60% specific binding in cerebellum, which makes it inappropriate as a reference region. Whole-body scans performed in healthy subjects demonstrated a low radiation burden typical for 11C-ligands. Thus, the evidence suggests that [11C]FPEB is superior to [11C]SP203. If prepared in higher specific activity, [11C]FPEB would presumably be as effective as [18F]FPEB for quantifying mGluR5 in human brain.
Inverse relationship between brain glucose and ketone metabolism in adults during short-term moderate dietary ketosis: A dual tracer quantitative positron emission tomography study
Authors: Courchesne-Loyer Alexandre , Croteau Etienne , Castellano Christian-Alexandre , St-Pierre Valérie , Hennebelle Marie , Cunnane Stephen C
Published: September 2016

Ketones (principally β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate (AcAc)) are an important alternative fuel to glucose for the human brain, but their utilisation by the brain remains poorly understood. Our objective was to use positron emission tomography (PET) to assess the impact of diet-induced moderate ketosis on cerebral metabolic rate of acetoacetate (CMRa) and glucose (CMRglc) in healthy adults. Ten participants (35 ± 15 y) received a very high fat ketogenic diet (KD) (4.5:1; lipid:protein plus carbohydrates) for four days. CMRa and CMRglc were quantified by PET before and after the KD with the tracers, 11C-AcAc and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), respectively. During the KD, plasma ketones increased 8-fold ( p = 0.005) while plasma glucose decreased by 24% ( p = 0.005). CMRa increased 6-fold ( p = 0.005), whereas CMRglc decreased by 20% ( p = 0.014) on the KD. Plasma ketones were positively correlated with CMRa (r = 0.93; p < 0.0001). After four days on the KD, CMRa represented 17% of whole brain energy requirements in healthy adults with a 2-fold difference across brain regions (12–24%). The CMR of ketones (AcAc and β-hydroxybutyrate combined) while on the KD was estimated to represent about 33% of brain energy requirements or approximately double the CMRa. Whether increased ketone availability raises CMR of ketones to the same extent in older people as observed here or in conditions in which chronic brain glucose hypometabolism is present remains to be determined.
Multi-modal assessment of neurovascular coupling during cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion using remote middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Sutherland Brad A , Fordsmann Jonas C , Martin Chris , Neuhaus Ain A , Witgen Brent M , Piilgaard Henning , Lønstrup Micael , Couch Yvonne , Sibson Nicola R , Lauritzen Martin , Buchan Alastair M
Published: September 2016

Hyperacute changes in cerebral blood flow during cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion are important determinants of injury. Cerebral blood flow is regulated by neurovascular coupling, and disruption of neurovascular coupling contributes to brain plasticity and repair problems. However, it is unknown how neurovascular coupling is affected hyperacutely during cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion. We have developed a remote middle cerebral artery occlusion model in the rat, which enables multi-modal assessment of neurovascular coupling immediately prior to, during and immediately following reperfusion. Male Wistar rats were subjected to remote middle cerebral artery occlusion, where a long filament was advanced intraluminally through a guide cannula in the common carotid artery. Transcallosal stimulation evoked increases in blood flow, tissue oxygenation and neuronal activity, which were diminished by middle cerebral artery occlusion and partially restored during reperfusion. These evoked responses were not affected by administration of the thrombolytic alteplase at clinically used doses. Evoked cerebral blood flow responses were fully restored at 24 h post–middle cerebral artery occlusion indicating that neurovascular dysfunction was not sustained. These data show for the first time that the rat remote middle cerebral artery occlusion model coupled with transcallosal stimulation provides a novel method for continuous assessment of hyperacute neurovascular coupling changes during ischaemia and reperfusion, and offers unique insight into hyperacute ischaemic pathophysiology.
“This Method, I Think, Can Shed New Light”
Authors: Gollub Erica L. , Dévieux Jessy , Michele Jean-Gilles , Pierre Ste-Rose Suzette , Neptune Sandra , Pelletier Valerie
Published: September 2016

Improving the reproductive health of immigrant populations requires understanding the specific context of risk and need. As part of a field trial of the FemCap™, a woman-initiated cervical barrier contraceptive, we conducted postintervention focus group discussions (FGDs) with 20 women (five FGDs) of Haitian background, the majority of whom were born in Haiti and spoke Haitian Créole at home, at a community health center in south Florida. Participants discussed the role of religion and inequitable gender norms in Haitian traditions about family planning decisions and provided important insights into the gender-power nuances of their partnership dynamics vis à vis the use of female barrier methods. Encouraged by more equitable gender norms in the United States, participants were eager to serve as health education agents, with strong altruistic sentiments toward other Haitian girls and women who they felt could be encouraged to negotiate for greater reproductive decision-making power.
The Dr Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 2016: Occupational alienation – A concept for modelling participation in practice and research
Authors: Bryant Wendy
Published: September 2016

The Dr Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 2016, given on June 29th 2016 at the 40th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the College of Occupational Therapists, held at the Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate, UK.
Anisotropic yield surface identification of sheet metal through stereo finite element model updating
Authors: Wang Yueqi , Coppieters Sam , Lava Pascal , Debruyne Dimitri
Published: September 2016

Finite element model updating is a powerful technique to inversely identify material behaviour. A profound understanding of plastic anisotropy of sheet metal is crucial in controlling complex sheet forming applications through finite element simulations. In this contribution, a generic stereo finite element model updating approach combining stereo digital image correlation and finite element model updating is described to identify the plastic anisotropy of sheet metal DC06 which is represented by Hill’s 1948 yield criterion. The feasibility of stereo finite element model updating is illustrated by applying the proposed method to an Erichsen bulging test. Additionally, it is found that the unknown friction coefficient between the punch and the sheet can be simultaneously identified. Finally, the reliability of the identified parameters is scrutinized.
An experimental validation of volume conservation assumption for aluminum alloy sheet metal using digital image correlation method
Authors: Xie Xin , Li Junrui , Sia Bernard , Bai Tian , Siebert Thorsten , Yang Lianxiang
Published: September 2016

This article shows an experimental validation of the volume conservation assumption (zero plastic volume change assumption) for aluminum alloy (AA6000) sheet metal. A series of tensile tests were conducted. During the tensile tests, an optimized digital image correlation setup was used to simultaneously measure three principal strain components. The experimental results show that, at locations outside the necking band, AA6000 strictly follows the zero plastic volume change assumption throughout the duration of the test. Inside the necking band, AA6000 follows the zero plastic volume change assumption in the elastic range and early plastic range. However, before failure, a visible volume strain increase can be found inside the necking band, which shows that, in the deep plastic zone, AA6000 does not always follow the volume conservation assumption. The experiment plan, measurement setup optimization, experimental results and data analysis are shown in detail.
Multi-criteria decision making to support waste management: A critical review of current practices and methods
Authors: Goulart Coelho Lineker M , Lange Liséte C , Coelho Hosmanny MG
Published: September 2016

Solid waste management is a complex domain involving the interaction of several dimensions; thus, its analysis and control impose continuous challenges for decision makers. In this context, multi-criteria decision-making models have become important and convenient supporting tools for solid waste management because they can handle problems involving multiple dimensions and conflicting criteria. However, the selection of the multi-criteria decision-making method is a hard task since there are several multi-criteria decision-making approaches, each one with a large number of variants whose applicability depends on information availability and the aim of the study. Therefore, to support researchers and decision makers, the objectives of this article are to present a literature review of multi-criteria decision-making applications used in solid waste management, offer a critical assessment of the current practices, and provide suggestions for future works. A brief review of fundamental concepts on this topic is first provided, followed by the analysis of 260 articles related to the application of multi-criteria decision making in solid waste management. These studies were investigated in terms of the methodology, including specific steps such as normalisation, weighting, and sensitivity analysis. In addition, information related to waste type, the study objective, and aspects considered was recorded. From the articles analysed it is noted that studies using multi-criteria decision making in solid waste management are predominantly addressed to problems related to municipal solid waste involving facility location or management strategy.
Obesity Prevention Program in Childcare Centers: Two-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Natale Ruby A. , Messiah Sarah E. , Asfour Lila S. , Uhlhorn Susan B. , Englebert Nicole E. , Arheart Kristopher L.
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

To assess the impact of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention “Healthy Caregivers–Healthy Children” (HC2) on dietary patterns and body mass index percentile (PBMI) over 2 school years.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Childcare centers.

Participants:

Low-income families.

Intervention:

Intervention centers (N = 12) received HC2 which consisted of (1) menu modifications, (2) a healthy eating and physical activity curriculum for children, and (3) a parent curriculum for healthy meal preparation, reinforced through a role-modeling curriculum. Control centers (N = 16) received an injury prevention/safety intervention.

Measures:

Child PBMI and parent report of child’s consumption of fruits/vegetables and unhealthy food.

Analysis:

Confirmatory factor analysis verified the psychometric properties of factor scores for children’s consumption of fruits/vegetables and unhealthy food. Growth curve analysis assessed the impact of HC2 on change in consumption of fruits/vegetables and unhealthy food and PBMI over 2 school years.

Results:

Children in the intervention group (n = 754) had a negative slope (β = −1.95, standard error [SE] = 0.97, P = .04), indicating less increase in PBMI versus control children (n = 457). Stratified analyses showed that obese children in the intervention arm had a significantly higher increase in fruit/vegetable consumption versus control group obese children (β = 0.24, SE = 0.08, P = .003).

Conclusion:

The HC2 intervention resulted in the maintenance of healthy PBMI over 2 preschool years among low-income multiethnic children. These findings support efforts to implement healthy weight programs in the childcare setting.
The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Alcohol Use Among Adults in the United States
Authors: Dodge Tonya , Clarke Paige , Dwan Rita
Published: September 2016

Objective:

To synthesize published literature that has tested the relationship between physical activity and alcohol use.

Data Source:

A systematic review of literature published between January 2005 and May 2015 was conducted by searching the databases: PsychInfo, Medline, and Pubmed.

Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria: must have tested for the relationship between physical activity and alcohol use; used adult samples within the United States. Exclusion criteria: utilized samples from outside the United States, adolescents, or alcohol dependent and heavy drinkers.

Data Extraction:

Data were extracted from studies that achieved a quality score of 4 or greater. The following information was recorded for each study: sample characteristics, the variable that served as the predictor, study design, covariates included in analyses, and the direction/nature of the relationship.

Data Synthesis:

The search captured 1036 unique articles, 16 of which were included in the final systematic review.

Results:

Nearly 88% of the studies with college students and 75% of studies with nonstudent adults reported a positive relationship between physical activity and alcohol use.

Conclusion:

Research published in the past decade implies a positive relationship between physical activity and alcohol use. Findings have important implications for the design of health promotion programs targeting physical activity and alcohol use.
Prevalence and Correlates of Missing Meals Among High School Students—United States, 2010
Authors: Demissie Zewditu , Eaton Danice K. , Lowry Richard , Nihiser Allison J. , Foltz Jennifer L.
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

To determine the prevalence and correlates of missing meals among adolescents.

Design:

The 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study, a cross-sectional study.

Setting:

School based.

Participants:

A nationally representative sample of 11 429 high school students.

Measures:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner consumption; demographics; measured and perceived weight status; physical activity and sedentary behaviors; and fruit, vegetable, milk, sugar-sweetened beverage, and fast-food intake.

Analysis:

Prevalence estimates for missing breakfast, lunch, or dinner on ≥1 day during the past 7 days were calculated. Associations between demographics and missing meals were tested. Associations of lifestyle and dietary behaviors with missing meals were examined using logistic regression controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and grade.

Results:

In 2010, 63.1% of students missed breakfast, 38.2% missed lunch, and 23.3% missed dinner; the prevalence was highest among female and non-Hispanic black students. Being overweight/obese, perceiving oneself to be overweight, and video game/computer use were associated with increased risk of missing meals. Physical activity behaviors were associated with reduced risk of missing meals. Students who missed breakfast were less likely to eat fruits and vegetables and more likely to consume sugar-sweetened beverages and fast food.

Conclusion:

Breakfast was the most frequently missed meal, and missing breakfast was associated with the greatest number of less healthy dietary practices. Intervention and education efforts might prioritize breakfast consumption.
Stiffness modeling, analysis and evaluation of a 5 degree of freedom hybrid manipulator for friction stir welding
Authors: Sun Tao , Wu Hao , Lian Binbin , Qi Yang , Wang Panfeng , Song Yimin
Published: September 2016

In order to meet the requirements of large downward force and high stiffness performance for the friction stir welding process, this paper proposes a 5 degree-of-freedom hybrid manipulator as friction stir welding robot. It is composed of a 3 degree-of-freedom redundant parallel module and a 2 degree-of-freedom rotating head. Semi-analytical stiffness model of the hybrid manipulator is firstly established by compliance models of the two substructures. Virtual work principle, deformation superposition principle and twist/wrench mapping model are applied to this compliance modeling process. A novel instantaneous stiffness performance index is then proposed on the basis of instantaneous energy defined by reciprocal product of external payload screw and corresponding deformation screw. It solves the problems of inconsistent physical unit of linear/angular stiffness and is able to evaluate overall and worst-case stiffness performance. Next, stiffness/compliance experiments are carried out to verify the stiffness model and the novel instantaneous stiffness performance index. Finally, stiffness performance of 5 degree-of-freedom hybrid manipulator is thoroughly discussed in terms of engineering requirements, worst-case stiffness performance and stiffness singularities. It can be summarized that the semi-analytical stiffness model and the novel instantaneous stiffness index are effective in analyzing and evaluating stiffness performance of the 5 degree-of-freedom hybrid manipulator.
Analysis and optimisation of packed-bed thermal reservoirs for electricity storage applications
Authors: White Alexander J , McTigue Joshua D , Markides Christos N
Published: September 2016

Several emerging electrical energy storage technologies make use of packed-bed reservoirs to store thermal energy for subsequent conversion back to electricity. The present paper describes analysis and optimisation of such reservoirs under transient and steady-state cyclic operation. The focus is on thermodynamic issues, but a simple costing model is also included in order to determine the influence of cost factors on the main design parameters. A major part of the paper is devoted to segmentation (or layering) of the packed beds, which has previously been proposed as a means of simultaneously attaining high storage efficiency and full utilisation of the reservoirs. As illustrative examples, three different reservoirs are modelled, corresponding to the hot and cold thermal stores of a pumped thermal energy storage system, and a larger thermal store suitable for integration with adiabatic compressed air energy storage.
Victor Almon McKusick (21 October 1921–22 July 2008): Philosophical approach and historiography
Authors: Poling Mikaela I
Published: September 2016

While many authors have surveyed the contributions of Victor Almon McKusick, MD (21 October 1921–22 July 2008) to establishing the field of medical genetics, no authors have reviewed his significant contributions as an historian to the field of the history of medicine. In discussing relevant biographical themes and their functional influence in his life, his philosophical approach to the study of the history of medicine and his unique historiography, blending various major schools of thought into a hybrid analytical approach to historical research, was evaluated. The evaluation drew on a series of interviews conducted with McKusick in 2004 and 2005, review of a selection of his published historical contributions, and review of secondary sources.
Improved shunt damping with two negative capacitances: An efficient alternative to resonant shunt
Authors: Berardengo M , Thomas O , Giraud-Audine C , Manzoni S
Published: September 2016

This paper deals with piezoelectric shunt damping enhanced with negative capacitances. A novel electrical circuit layout is addressed, based on the use of two negative capacitances. It is shown that the shunt performances, in terms of vibration reduction and stability margins, are increased as compared with the classical single negative capacitance layouts. Then, the article focuses on the comparison of a simple resistive shunt, enhanced by a pair of negative capacitances, with a classical resonant shunt. It is shown that the newly proposed enhanced resistive shunt can show equivalent performances in terms of vibration attenuation than the resonant shunt, with at the same time an increased robustness to frequency detuning, in the case of mono-modal damping. The broadband control capability of the resistive shunt coupled to the new negative capacitance layout is also evidenced. The main part of the work is analytical, and then the model is validated by an extensive experimental campaign at the end of the paper.
Sharing, Caring, and Responsibility in Higher Education Teams
Authors: Akbari Mohsen , Kashani Sayed Hesam , Hooshmand Chaijani Milad
Published: September 2016

In recent decades, there has been a growing attention toward using teamwork and the commitment and productivity of teams to improve the quality of education and research in higher education institutes. To achieve these goals, the leadership style of team leaders and group organizational citizenship behavior (GOCB) of team members who exceed their formal roles are of high importance. This article explores the effects of shared leadership on group commitment and productivity of 70 university teams. It also investigates whether GOCB mediates the effect of shared leadership on team commitment and productivity. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and SmartPLS software are applied to investigate the relationship between variables. The results show that shared leadership has both direct and indirect (through GOCB) effects on team commitment and productivity. Shared leadership affects GOCB, team commitment, and team productivity. Furthermore, GOCB affects team commitment and team productivity.
Impact of a Pharmacy-Cardiology Collaborative Practice on Dofetilide Safety Monitoring
Authors: Quffa Lieth H. , Panna Mark , Kaufmann Michael R. , McKillop Matthew , Dietrich Nicole Maltese , Franck Andrew J.
Published: September 2016

Background: Limited studies have been published examining dofetilide’s postmarketing use and its recommended monitoring. Objective: To evaluate the impact of a collaborative pharmacy-cardiology antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) monitoring program on dofetilide monitoring. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed to assess if a novel monitoring program improved compliance with dofetilide-specific monitoring parameters based on the Food and Drug Administration’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. Results: A total of 30 patients were included in the analysis. The monitoring parameters evaluated included electrocardiogram, serum potassium, serum magnesium, and kidney function. The primary outcome evaluated was the composite of these dofetilide monitoring parameters obtained in each cohort. In the standard cohort, 245 of 352 (69.6%) monitoring parameters were completed versus 134 of 136 (98.5%) in the intervention group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: A collaborative pharmacy-cardiology AAD monitoring program was associated with a significant improvement in dofetilide monitoring. This improvement could potentially translate into enhanced patient safety outcomes, such as prevention of adverse drug reactions and decreased hospitalizations.
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis With Botulinum Toxin
Authors: Ahmad Jamal , Ahmad Stacy H. , Jones Kennis
Published: September 2016

Background:

This study examined the effect of botulinum toxin upon plantar fasciitis through a randomized, controlled, and blinded trial.

Materials:

Between 2012 and 2015, 50 patients presented with plantar fasciitis. Twenty-five patients each randomly received an IncobotulinumtoxinA (IBTA) or saline injection of their affected foot. Pre- and postinjection function and pain were graded with the Foot and Ankle Ability Measures (FAAM) and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. All 50 study patients who randomly received either placebo or IBTA presented at 6 and 12 months after injection.

Results:

At 6 months, the mean FAAM increased from 35.9 to 40.9 of 100, and the mean pain score decreased from 8.4 to 7.9 of 10 within the placebo group. At 6 months, the mean FAAM increased from 36.3 to 73.8 of 100, and mean pain score decreased from 7.2 to 3.6 of 10 within the IBTA group. These postinjection scores were significantly better than the placebo group ( P = .01). At 12 months after injection, the IBTA group maintained significantly better function and pain than the placebo group ( P < .05). By that time, 0 (0%) and 3 (12%) patients who received IBTA and saline, respectively, underwent surgery for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis ( P < .005).

Conclusion:

Compared with placebo saline injection, using IBTA to treat plantar fasciitis resulted in significantly better improvement in foot function and pain. IBTA also lessened the need for operative treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Level of Evidence:

I, Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.
Response Inconsistency of Patient-Reported Symptoms as a Predictor of Discrepancy Between Patient and Clinician-Reported Depression Severity
Authors: Conijn Judith M. , Emons Wilco H. M. , Page Bethan F. , Sijtsma Klaas , Van der Does Willem , Carlier Ingrid V. E. , Giltay Erik J.
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which discrepancy between self-reported and clinician-rated severity of depression are due to inconsistent self-reports. Response inconsistency threatens the validity of the test score. We used data from a large sample of outpatients ( N = 5,959) who completed the self-report Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II) and the clinician-rated Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). We used item response theory based person-fit analysis to quantify the inconsistency of the self-report item scores. Inconsistency was weakly positively related to patient–clinician discrepancy (i.e., higher BDI-II scores relative to MADRS scores). The mediating effect of response inconsistency in the relationship between discrepancy and demographic (e.g., ethnic origin) and clinical variables (e.g., cognitive problems) was negligible. The small direct and mediating effects of response inconsistency suggest that inaccurate patient self-reports are not a major cause of patient–clinician discrepancy in outpatient samples. Future research should investigate the role of clinician biases in explaining clinician–patient discrepancy.
Differences and Trading
Authors: Moules Nancy J. , Estefan Andrew , McCaffrey Graham , Tapp Dianne M. , Strother Douglas
Published: September 2016

This article is the first of a three-part report of a research study that used hermeneutic inquiry to examine the effects of childhood cancer on the relationship between the parents of the child. In Part 1, we identity the topic of investigation and the relevant literature; describe the research question, method, and design; and begin our interpretations of the data with a focus on the couples who remained together and those who experienced relationship demise. In this analysis, we discovered that issues of difference and trading played a strong role in how the couples fared in their relationships. In Part 2 of this series, we focus on further interpretations, and in Part 3, we discuss the implications of the study for other parents and for health care professionals.
Estimating stability boundaries of distributed-delay oscillators via two-stage numerical integration
Authors: Ozoegwu Chigbogu Godwin
Published: September 2016

A procedure based on the concept of full-discretization and numerical integration is established in this work for the stability analysis of periodic distributed-delay oscillators governed by delay integro-differential equations (DIDEs). DIDEs can be found as models of mechanical systems suffering from distributed-delay feedback, such as regenerative machine tool vibrations modeled by distributed force and wheel shimmy. Unstable vibrations in such systems are systematically avoided/controlled if the boundaries between the stable and unstable subspaces are established. The presented method involves the two-stage application of numerical integration to the governing DIDE. While the first-stage application discretizes and converts the distributed delay to fine series of short discrete delays, the second-stage application results in discrete solutions paving the way for a new method of constructing a finite monodromy operator. The error and convergence of the method are studied. It is found that the presented method is of the same convergence as that of the well-accepted first-order semi-discretization method, but more computationally efficient in terms of time savings. A number of case study DIDEs that have already been studied in the literature using methods of semi-discretization and spectral finite elements are studied with the presented method. It is seen that the presented method is valid as it produces stability results that compare well with those of the earlier works.
Solving a class of fractional optimal control problems by the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation
Authors: Rakhshan Seyed Ali , Effati Sohrab , Vahidian Kamyad Ali
Published: September 2016

The performance index of both the state and control variables with a constrained dynamic optimization problem of a fractional order system with fixed final Time have been considered here. This paper presents a general formulation and solution scheme of a class of fractional optimal control problems. The method is based upon finding the numerical solution of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, corresponding to this problem, by the Legendre–Gauss collocation method. The main reason for using this technique is its efficiency and simple application. Also, in this work, we use the fractional derivative in the Riemann–Liouville sense and explain our method for a fractional derivative of order of [Formula: see text]. Numerical examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the formulation and solution scheme.
Modeling of nonlinear torsional vibration of the automotive powertrain
Authors: Idehara Sérgio J , Flach Fernando L , Lemes Douglas
Published: September 2016

A vibration model of the powertrain can be used to predict its dynamic behavior when excited by fluctuations in the engine torque and speed. The torsional vibration resulting from torque and speed fluctuations increases the rattle noise in the gearbox and it should be controlled or minimized in order to gain acceptance by clients and manufactures. The fact that the proprieties of the torsional damper integrated into the clutch disc alter the dynamic characteristic of the system is important in the automotive industry for design purposes. In this study, bench test results for the characteristics of a torsional damper for a clutch system (torsional stiffness and friction moment) and powertrain torsional vibration measurements taken in a passenger car were used to verify and calibrate the model. The adjusted model estimates the driveline natural frequency and the time response vibration. The analysis uses order tracking signal processing to isolate the response from the engine excitation (second-order). It is shown that a decrease in the stiffness of the clutch disc torsional damper lowers the natural frequency and an increase in the friction moment reduces the peak amplitude of the gearbox torsional vibration. The formulation and model adjustment showed that a nonlinear model with three degrees of freedom can represent satisfactorily the powertrain dynamics of a front-wheel drive passenger car.
Fuzzy robust fault estimation scheme for a class of nonlinear systems based on an unknown input sliding mode observer
Authors: Sedigh Ziyabari Hamideh , Aliyari Shoorehdeli Mahdi
Published: September 2016

In this study, a novel fuzzy robust fault estimation scheme is developed for a class of nonlinear systems when both fault and disturbance are considered. The proposed scheme includes component fault with a nonlinear distribution matrix; as a result, the Takagi–Sugeno model is used to create multiple models. While the Takagi–Sugeno model is used for only the nonlinear distribution matrix of the fault signal, a larger category of nonlinear systems will be considered. This paper presents the problem of robust fault estimation based on fuzzy nonlinear observers, the first one is a fuzzy unknown input observer and the other one is a fuzzy sliding mode observer. The approach decoupled the faulty subsystem from the rest of the system through a series of transformations. Then, the objective is to design a fuzzy unknown input observer guaranteeing the asymptotic stability of the error dynamic using the Lyapunov method and completely removing disturbances; meanwhile, a fuzzy sliding mode observer is designed for a faulty subsystem to generate an estimation of fault based on a quadratic Lyapunov function and some matrices inequality convexification techniques. The sliding motion affects only the faulty subsystem through a novel reduced order fuzzy sliding mode observer; meanwhile, all disturbances are completely removed by fuzzy unknown input observer. Sufficient conditions are established in order to guarantee the convergence of the state estimation error and the results are formulated in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Thus, an exact fault estimator is determined on the basis of linear matrix inequality conditions while the estimation fault is completely insensitive to the disturbance. Finally, a simulation study on an electromagnetic suspension system is presented to demonstrate the g performance of the results compared with a pure sliding mode observer.
Designing Journalism Capstone Units That Demonstrate Student Skills
Authors: Cullen Trevor
Published: September 2016

There are considerable differences in the structure, content, and delivery of tertiary journalism degrees in Australia as identified in a 2014 Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) Innovation and Development Project report on graduate qualities and journalism curriculum renewal. To address this situation, the author argues for journalism capstone units, designed by both journalism educators and news editors, to include a series of agreed criteria and standards to guide journalism educators, and for journalism students to demonstrate not only a broad knowledge base together with research and communication skills but also entrepreneurial skills to help them adapt to new media markets and jobs.
Opportunities and Challenges for Initial Implementation of Solutions Journalism Coursework
Authors: Thier Kathryn
Published: September 2016

As journalism schools continue to respond to industry disruption, some are adding curricula about practices that reframe traditional journalism. In this article, I examined experiences of some of the first university instructors of solutions journalism—critical reporting on responses to social problems—to explore the opportunities and challenges of initial coursework implementation. Using the nominal group technique and interpretative phenomenological analysis, I found two themes: (a) solutions journalism courses inspire and (b) teaching an emerging practice within an established field. Findings suggest this pedagogy is important as disruption continues and need increases to find effective journalism practices and education strategies.