bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strain mapping and correlative microscopy of the alveolar bone in a bone–periodontal ligament–tooth fibrous joint
Authors: Jang Andrew , Prevost Richard , Ho Sunita P
Published: July 2016

This study details a method to calculate strains within interradicular alveolar bone using digital volume correlation on X-ray tomograms of intact bone–periodontal ligament–tooth fibrous joints. The effects of loading schemes (concentric and eccentric) and optical magnification on the resulting strain in alveolar bone will be investigated with an intent to correlate deformation gradients with data sets from other complementary techniques. Strain maps will be correlated with structural and site-specific mechanical properties obtained on the same specimen using atomic force microscopy and atomic force microscopy–based nanoindentation technique. Specimens include polydimethylsiloxane as a standard material and intact hemi-mandibles harvested from rats. X-ray tomograms were taken at no-load and loaded conditions using an in situ load cell coupled to a micro X-ray computed tomography unit. Digital volume correlation was used to calculate deformations within alveolar bone. Comparison of strain maps was made as a result of different loading schemes (concentric vs eccentric) and at different magnifications (4× vs 10×). Virtual sections and strain maps from digital volume correlation solutions were aligned with structure and reduced elastic modulus to correlate datasets of the same region within a specimen. Strain distribution between concentrically and eccentrically loaded complexes was different but illustrated a similar range. Strain maps of homogeneous materials (polydimethylsiloxane) resulting from digital volume correlation at different magnifications were similar. However, strain maps of heterogeneous materials at lower and higher magnification differed. The digital volume correlation technique illustrated a dependence on optical magnification specifically for heterogeneous materials such as bone. The results at a higher optical magnification highlight the potential for extracting deformation at higher resolutions. Correlation of data spaces from different complementary techniques is plausible and could provide insights into biological and physicochemical processes that lead to functional adaptation of tissues and joints.
Book Review: Regina M. Abrami, William C. Kirby & F. Warren McFarlan, Can China Lead? Reaching the Limits of Power and Growth
Authors: Jacob Wallace
Published: July 2016

Regina M. Abrami, William C. Kirby & F. Warren McFarlan, Can China Lead? Reaching the Limits of Power and Growth, 2014, New Delhi: Harvard Business Review Press, Printed in India by Gopsons Papers Ltd, xviii + 257 pp, ₹1,500.00 (Hard). ISBN 9781422144152
Trade and Distributional Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops in India: A CGE Analysis
Authors: Chatterjee Amrita , Pohit Sanjib , Ghose Arpita
Published: July 2016

Against the background of declining agricultural productivity and a large population, genetically modified (GM) crops could play a key role in India. The current article uses a modified GTAP model to study empirically the overall impacts of the adoption of GM cotton, soybean, maize and rice on various sectors of the Indian economy through computable general equilibrium analysis. The impacts of a compulsory labelling policy and positive and negative preference shifts towards GM rice by Indian consumers are also analysed along with the effects on income distribution. The results indicate that productivity improvements from GM technology adoption in India have a significant positive impact on India’s production, trade and welfare. Even a possible ban on the import of GM rice from India by European Union (EU) will not have any negative welfare impact on Indian consumers, though the export of Indian rice will be much lower.

JEL Classification: C68, D33, D61, F17, O11
Optimization study of a piezoelectric bistable generator with doubled voltage frequency using harmonic balance method
Authors: Liu Weiqun , Formosa Fabien , Badel Adrien
Published: July 2016

Bistable generator for vibration energy harvesting is one of the most promising solutions to reach practically enhanced performance. Due to the buckled–spring–mass–specific behavior, the deformation of the piezoelectric transducer is nonlinearly dependent on the displacement, especially in the inter-well motion case. An analytical model is developed using harmonic balance analysis for the buckled–spring–mass generator architecture. Contrary to the usual method, a special doubled frequency voltage solution in the inter-well motion case is assumed in harmonic balance analysis to obtain an accurate predictive model, which is validated by experimental results. The influence of five critical parameters on the performance is thoroughly discussed. Design rules are then deduced: low damping ratio, properly high coupling level, matched load, optimal buckling level, and low characteristic frequency are required to get optimal performance in the inter-well motion case. Besides, we show some interesting results about the parameter optimization study.
Equi-biaxial fatigue behaviour of magnetorheological elastomers in magnetic fields
Authors: Zhou Yanfen , Johnson Mark , Wen Shipeng , Betts Anthony , Jerrams Stephen
Published: July 2016

The equi-biaxial fatigue behaviour of silicone-based magnetorheological elastomers in external magnetic fields was studied. Wöhler curves relating fatigue life to stress amplitude and dynamic stored energy for magnetorheological elastomers with a range of magnetic particle contents were derived. It was found that the fatigue life of magnetorheological elastomers in magnetic fields was higher than that without magnetic fields. Under constant stress amplitude conditions, the presence of magnetic fields resulted in longer times for the samples to undergo large deformations and thus complex modulus ( E*) decreased at a slower rate during the fatigue process, especially for low stress amplitudes. Magnetorheological elastomer samples tested in the presence of magnetic fields reached limiting values of E* at failure ranging from 1.28 to 1.44 MPa. The application of magnetic fields was found to have negligible influence on the damping loss factor of magnetorheological elastomers containing various volume fractions of carbonyl iron particles.
Self-sensing cementitious composites incorporated with botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials for smart infrastructures
Authors: Han Baoguo , Wang Yunyang , Ding Siqi , Yu Xun , Zhang Liqing , Li Zhen , Ou Jinping
Published: July 2016

The botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials were incorporated into cementitious materials to develop a new type of self-sensing cementitious composites, and then the mechanical, electrically conductive, and piezoresistive behaviors of the developed self-sensing cementitious composites with botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials were comprehensively investigated. Moreover, the modification mechanisms of botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials to cementitious materials were also explored. The experimental results show that the compressive strength and the elasticity modulus of the self-sensing cementitious composites botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials decrease with the increase in the botryoid hybrid nano-carbon material content, while the Poisson’s ratio does the opposite. The percolation threshold zone of the self-sensing cementitious composites botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials is from 2.28 to 3.85 vol.%. The optimal content of botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials is 3.38 vol.% for piezoresistivity of the self-sensing cementitious composites botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials. The amplitude of fractional change in resistivity goes up to 70.4% and 28.9%, respectively, under the monotonic compressive loading to failure and under the repeated compressive loading within elastic regime. The piezoresistive stress/strain sensitivity reaches (3.04%/MPa)/354.28 within elastic regime. The effective modification of botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials to electrically conductive and piezoresistive properties of cementitious materials at such low content is attributed to their botryoid structures, which are beneficial for the dispersion of botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials and the formation of conductive network in cementitious materials. The use of botryoid hybrid nano-carbon materials provides a new bottom–up design and fabrication approach for nano-engineering multifunctional cementitious composites.
A bistable piezoelectric oscillator with an elastic magnifier for energy harvesting enhancement
Authors: Wang Guang-Qing , Liao Wei-Hsin
Published: July 2016

Bistable oscillator has been recognized as an effective means by which to improve the linear resonant energy harvesting performance for its unique double-well restoring force potential. As oscillating in a high-energy orbit, the oscillator should be located at a distance from one stable to the other with a much higher velocity or acceleration. However, the vibration level in environment would be too low to provide the oscillator with a larger velocity to overcome the potential well barrier. This article is focused on the enhancement of a bistable piezoelectric oscillator with an elastic magnifier for high-energy orbit harvesting. The elastic magnifier positioned between the bistable piezoelectric oscillator and the base is to amplify the base vibration level in order to provide the bistable piezoelectric harvester with large movement. A 2-degree-of-freedom nonlinear lumped-parameter model of the bistable piezoelectric harvester with an elastic magnifier (bistable piezoelectric harvester + elastic magnifier) is derived to exhibit the large-amplitude periodic oscillation behaviors. With the comparison of the electromechanical responses obtained from theory and experiment, the results show that the output displacement, tip velocity, and harvesting voltage under open-circuit condition of the bistable piezoelectric harvester + elastic magnifier configuration are 15 mm, 1500 mm s−1, and 13 V, respectively, while those of the only bistable piezoelectric harvester configuration are 1 mm, 120 mm s−1, and 2 V under the excitation level of 8.69 m s−2 and frequency of 16 Hz. It is verified that the bistable piezoelectric harvester with an elastic magnifier can generate larger output performance than that of the bistable piezoelectric harvester without elastic magnifier at several excitation frequencies and levels.
Deformable force amplification frame promoting piezoelectric stack energy harvesting: Parametric model, experiments and energy analysis
Authors: Chen Wusi , Wang Ya , Deng Wei
Published: July 2016

This article presents a nonlinear parametric model of force amplification ratio and an electromechanical model to couple the deformable frame with the piezoelectric stack in order to promote high-efficiency energy harvesting from human walking locomotion. Two improved frames (Frames I and II) are developed based on the modeling and simulation results. The experiments verified these modeling and simulation results that improved frames demonstrate a higher amplification ratio (8.4 for Frame II and 8.0 for Frame I), in comparison to the original frame (3.5). The experiments also verified these results that under the simulated walking excitation (100 N, ~1.4 Hz), the piezoelectric stack coupled with Frame II produces 4.1 mJ energy during each step, higher than the stand-alone stack (0.16 mJ) and the stack with the original frame (0.64 mJ). Note that the energy conversion efficiency of Frame II (9.1%) is even lower than that of Frame I (10.7%) and the stand-alone stack (25.8%). As such, this article concludes that the energy output of the piezoelectric stack depends largely on the frame deformations in terms of seven coupled frame parameters, instead of only one frame parameter (tilt angle), as commonly used in the referenced literature.
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Hypertension in Hemophilia: Cross-Sectional Analysis of a National Discharge Register
Authors: Seaman Craig D. , Apostolova Mariya , Yabes Jonathan , Comer Diane M. , Ragni Margaret V.
Published: July 2016

Introduction:

Improved life expectancy of persons with hemophilia (PWHs) has led to a greater interest in the role of age-related chronic diseases, such as hypertension, in this cohort. Several observational studies have reported an increased prevalence of hypertension in PWHs; however, this has not been assessed using a large, national database in the United States.

Aims:

We hypothesized the prevalence of hypertension is increased in PWHs and compared the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors among patients with and without hemophilia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional analysis was performed using discharge data among adult males from the National Inpatient Sample over the 3-year period, 2009 to 2011. Hypertension was compared across groups using Rao-Scott χ2 test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of hypertension in patients with hemophilia after adjustment for hypertension-associated risk factors.

Results:

The prevalence of hypertension in patients with hemophilia was less than the prevalence of hypertension in patients without hemophilia (39.5% vs 56.3%, P < .001). Hemophilia was associated with a decreased odds of hypertension after adjusting for associated risk factors (odds ratio: 0.87; 95% confidence interval: 0.81-0.94).

Conclusion:

In contrast to the findings of several other recent studies, we report a decreased prevalence of hypertension in PWHs. The discrepancy among the reported prevalence of hypertension in our study and several others highlights the potential biases inherent to retrospective and cross-sectional studies and underscores the need for well-designed prospective studies to determine the true incidence of hypertension in PWHs, which may lie somewhere in between our findings and the findings of others.
Can Parenting Intervention Prevent Cascading Effects From Placement Instability to Insecure Attachment to Externalizing Problems in Maltreated Toddlers?
Authors: Pasalich Dave S. , Fleming Charles B. , Oxford Monica L. , Zheng Yao , Spieker Susan J.
Published: July 2016

Multiple placement changes disrupt continuity in caregiving and undermine well-being in children in child welfare. This study conducted secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial to examine whether a relationship-based intervention, Promoting First Relationships© (PFR), reduced risk for a maladaptive cascade from placement instability to less secure attachment to elevated externalizing problems. Participants included caregivers (birth or foster/kin) of toddlers (10–24 months) recently transitioned to their care because of child welfare placement decisions. Although main effects of PFR on security and externalizing problems were not previously observed, this study’s results revealed that PFR attenuated the association between multiple placement changes (baseline) and less security (postintervention) and that the indirect effect of placement instability on greater externalizing problems (6-month follow-up) via less security was evident only in toddlers in the comparison condition. These findings shed light on how a history of multiple caregiver changes may influence toddlers’ risk for poor adjustment in subsequent placements, and the promise of supporting caregivers through a parenting intervention to prevent such risk.
Safety Assessment of Alkyl PEG/PPG Ethers as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Fiume Monice M. , Heldreth Bart , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Andersen F. Alan
Published: July 2016

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel assessed the safety of 131 alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polypropylene glycol ethers as used in cosmetics, concluding that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be nonirritating. Most of the alkyl PEG/PPG ethers included in this review are reported to function in cosmetics as surfactants, skin-conditioning agents, and/or emulsifying agents. The alkyl PEG/PPG ethers share very similar physiochemical properties as the alkyl PEG ethers, which were reviewed previously by the CIR Expert Panel and found safe when formulated to be nonirritating. The alkyl PEG ethers differ by the inclusion of PPG repeat units, which are used to fine-tune the surfactant properties of this group. The Panel relied heavily on data on analogous ingredients, extracted from the alkyl PEG ethers and PPG reports, when making its determination of safety.
Safety Assessment of Microbial Polysaccharide Gums as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Fiume Monice M. , Heldreth Bart , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Andersen F. Alan
Published: July 2016

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel assessed the safety of 34 microbial polysaccharide gums for use in cosmetics, finding that these ingredients are safe in cosmetic formulations in the present practices of use and concentration. The microbial polysaccharide gums named in this report have a variety of reported functions in cosmetics, including emulsion stabilizer, film former, binder, viscosity-increasing agent, and skin-conditioning agent. The Panel reviewed available animal and clinical data in making its determination of safety.
Romanticised chefs and the psychopolitics of gastroporn
Authors: Mentinis Mihalis
Published: July 2016

The article discusses the figure of the celebrity chef and explores what can be called the culinary metaphorics of the self. It is argued that this ubiquitous contemporary figure is represented in terms borrowed from Romanticism, something that allows it to function in a way analogous to the Lacanian ‘Name-of-the-Father’. Furthermore, the article probes into the culinary esthetics and its relation to the production of the self. It is argued that contemporary culinary culture can be understood as a rite of passage that corresponds to certain neoliberal transitional demands in relation to the self.
Appealing broadly or narrowing down? The impact of government experience and party organization on the scope of parties’ issue agendas
Authors: van Heck Sjoerd
Published: July 2016

Why do parties offer broad or narrow policy agendas to voters? Taking up the call to focus more on ‘issue diversity’ in election campaigns, this article argues that agenda scope is informed by (1) parties’ experience with government participation and (2) their internal organizational structure. Non-governing challengers, which are losers in the current system, seek to change the political status quo by focusing on a few issues only, whereas mainstream parties have an incentive to reinforce existing patterns of competition and thus distribute their attention across a wide range of issues. However, the extent to which parties respond to these external stimuli depends on intraparty politics. Party leaders seek to satisfy vote- and office-seeking motivations and want to ‘appeal broadly’, whereas activists want the party to ‘speak to the base’ and narrow down its issue appeals. Analyses of party agendas in 18 European democracies (1950–2013) support these expectations.
An integrated real-time structural damage detection method based on extended Kalman filter and dynamic statistical process control
Authors: Jin Chenhao , Jang Shinae , Sun Xiaorong
Published: July 2016

Real-time structural parameter identification and damage detection are of great significance for structural health monitoring systems. The extended Kalman filter has been implemented in many structural damage detection methods due to its capability to estimate structural parameters based on online measurement data. Current research assumes constant structural parameters and uses static statistical process control for damage detection. However, structural parameters are typically slow-changing due to variations such as environmental and operational effects. Hence, false alarms may easily be triggered when the data points falling outside of the static statistical process control range due to the environmental and operational effects. In order to overcome this problem, this article presents a novel real-time structural damage detection method by integrating extended Kalman filter and dynamic statistical process control. Based on historical measurements of damage-sensitive parameters in the state-space model, extended Kalman filter is used to provide real-time estimations of these parameters as well as standard derivations in each time step, which are then used to update the control limits for dynamic statistical process control to detect any abnormality in the selected parameters. The numerical validation is performed on both linear and nonlinear structures, considering different damage scenarios. The simulation results demonstrate high detection accuracy rate and light computational costs of the developed extended Kalman filter–dynamic statistical process control damage detection method and the potential for implementation in structural health monitoring systems for in-service civil structures.
Psychosocial interventions for people with dementia: An overview and commentary on recent developments
Authors: Oyebode Jan R , Parveen Sahdia
Published: July 2016

An influential review in 2010 concluded that non-pharmacological multi-component interventions have positive effects on cognitive functioning, activities of daily living, behaviour and mood of people with dementia. Our aim here is to provide an up-to-date overview of research into psychosocial interventions and their impact on psychosocial outcomes. We focused on randomised controlled trials, controlled studies and reviews published between October 2008 and August 2015, since the earlier review. The search of PsychInfo, Medline and the Cochrane database of systematic reviews yielded 61 relevant articles, organised into four themes echoing key phases of the care pathway: Living at home with dementia (five reviews, eight studies), carer interventions (three reviews, four studies), interventions in residential care (16 reviews, 12 studies) and end-of-life care (three reviews, two studies), along with an additional group spanning community and institutional settings (six reviews, two studies). Community findings suggested that appointment of dementia specialists and attention to case management can produce positive outcomes; physical therapies, cognitive training and modified cognitive behaviour therapy also had a range of benefits. There was more limited evidence of positive benefits for people with dementia through interventions with family carers. Thirty-two articles focused on the management of ‘behavioural symptoms’ through a range of interventions all of which had some evidence of benefit. Also a range of multi-component and specific interventions had benefits for cognitive, emotional and behavioural well-being of people with dementia in residential settings, as well as for quality of life. Overall, interventions tended to be short term with impact only measured in the short term. We recommend further research on interventions to promote living well in the community post-diagnosis and to address end-of-life care. Development of psychosocial interventions would benefit from moving beyond the focus on control of behaviours to focus on wider aspects of life for people with dementia.
Considerations and values in decision making regarding mechanical ventilation for older patients with severe to very severe COPD
Authors: Jerpseth Heidi , Dahl Vegard , Nortvedt Per , Halvorsen Kristin
Published: July 2016

Background

The different considerations involved in decisions regarding whether or not to initiate mechanical ventilation for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are challenging for health professionals.

Aim

To investigate the considerations and values that influences decision-making regarding mechanical ventilation in older patients (≥65-years-old) with severe to very severe COPD. Furthermore, it aims to elucidate how physicians involve their patient in decision-making process.

Participants and setting

Seven intensive care physicians and seven physicians working in the respiratory units at two university hospitals and two district hospitals in Norway.

Methods

This study had a qualitative design consisting of focus group interviews with 14 physicians. The data was analysed according to the interpretative contexts: self-understanding, critical common-sense understanding and theoretical understanding.

Results

Decisions regarding mechanical ventilation were mainly based on the physicians' own experiences, their perceptions of the patients' situation, and biomedical data. The patients were not involved in the decision-making and such decisions were only occasionally made in a multi-professional context.

Conclusion

To decide whether older patients with severe COPD should be treated with mechanical ventilation is both medically and ethically challenging for physicians. Decision making in this context seems to be mainly driven by a paternalistic attitude, since the physicians interviewed in our study, in general, make such decisions without involving either the patient, their next of kin or the nurses. There is a need for broader cooperation between health professional and for the involvement of patients in the decision-making process regarding mechanical ventilation in cases of late stage COPD.
Vaccinate-or-mask: Ethical duties and rights of health care providers in obtaining or refusing the influenza vaccination
Authors: Richardson Stephanie , Weaver Kathryn
Published: July 2016

There is much controversy over the effectiveness of the influenza vaccination; yet, globally, many health institutions are implementing policies that require health providers to either receive the influenza vaccination or wear a surgical mask. This vaccinate-or-mask policy has caused great hullabaloo among health care providers and the institutions wherein they work. In light of the limitations to best practice evidence, we conducted an analysis of the policy and its implications based first on the bioethical principles of beneficence, nonmaleficience, respect for autonomy, and justice and then on the ethical theories of Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. The most important ethical issue was threat to patient safety and welfare in the event of receiving care from a health provider who chose to forego the influenza vaccination and surgical mask requirement. We concluded that policies requiring health care providers to receive the influenza vaccination or wear a surgical mask are only partially supported by the bioethical principle approach; however, they are clearly justified from a deontological standpoint. That is, Kant would argue the rightness of the policy as a moral imperative for health care providers to not impose a health risk to those they serve and for health care institutions to ensure professional care giver vaccination. In further considering the vaccinate-or-mask policy in terms of the utilitarian “greatest good for the greatest number”, we determined that Mill would argue that this type of policy is ethically right and just, but also that policies solely requiring immunization would be ethical as public well-being is promoted.
Quality and the rise of value-added in education: The case of Ireland
Authors: Brown Martin , McNamara Gerry , O’Hara Joe
Published: July 2016

This paper examines the rise of value-added as a measure of quality in education. As a point of departure, the paper begins with an analysis of the rise of the concept of quality in education and discusses how, at times, various contradictory determinants of quality have managed to influence the evaluation and assessment frameworks of most countries. Leading on from this, the second part of the paper provides a discussion on the use of value-added as a determinant of quality in education. Finally, the study concludes with a discussion on the challenges relating to the introduction of value-added into the Irish education system, a development which will, arguably, become a contentious educational reform initiative within the future landscape of Irish education.
Teacher professionalism beyond numbers: A communicative orientation
Authors: Nordin Andreas
Published: July 2016

In the European neo-liberal policy context, there has been an increase in pressure on teachers to exercise a type of professional responsibility that contributes to the development of a competitive knowledge-based economy. From a communication theory perspective, this paper examines if it is at all possible to talk of professional responsibility in a policy context characterised by individualisation, standardisation and accountability. Methodologically, this text joins a critical tradition of educational policy research, which emphasises the need to combine critical examination with empirical analysis. Critical discourse analysis has been used for the systematic analysis portion of this text. Central official policy texts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the European Union and the 2011 school reforms in Sweden have been analysed. The results show that while demands for increased professional responsibility among teachers have been made by policy actors at different levels, the neo-liberal policy context offers limited opportunities for teachers to actually exercise this type of professional responsibility, if seen as a communicative practice based on the idea of relative autonomy. The paper concludes with a prospective discussion in which teacher professionalism is linked to the creation and maintenance of ‘spaces of communication’, as well as a look at the challenges faced by policy makers at all levels if they are to facilitate such spaces.
Thank You for Participating in Security
Authors: McHendry George F. (Guy)
Published: July 2016

Airport security procedures enact a performative repertoire of security policies and procedures that govern airport security. Using my own body to register the affective modes of airport security, I engage participatory critical rhetoric as a method to assess airport security’s repertoire of rhetorical performances. Affect is a particularly valuable concept for understanding the ways travelers are conditioned to comply with Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) directives as they move through security checkpoints. The screening processes perform acts of security that stand in tension with the resistive politics they enable. In this essay, I argue that security and resistance are performative modes ( security performative and resistance performative) enacted in TSA’s airport security checkpoints. These modes produce a secured airport and a defiant public. Bodies that TSA “secures” enact affective states of security (and anxiety).
Examining Organizational Citizenship Behavior in the Context of Human Resource Development
Authors: Rose Kevin
Published: July 2016

Over the past three decades, scholarship on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) has grown tremendously and now enjoys a place of relative importance in the managerial, behavioral, and psychological literature. Researchers have traditionally focused their attention on understanding the nomological network of OCB, including its antecedents, predictors, correlates, and outcomes. Such work has also expanded to include cross-disciplinary investigations in areas such as health care, education, public organizations, and service industries, to name a few. Despite the relative prominence of OCB in other literature bases, OCB receives only minimal attention in the field of human resource development (HRD). The purpose of this integrative literature review was to examine and synthesize the available literature on OCB with specific consideration to the aims of the HRD field, namely, performance and learning and development. I present a synthesis of the relevant literature and conclude with a proposed research agenda and implications for HRD theory and practice.
Thoracic Aortic Graft Infections Secondary to Propionibacterium Species
Authors: Pineda Danielle M. , Tyagi Samuel , Dougherty Matthew J. , Troutman Douglas A. , Calligaro Keith D.
Published: July 2016

Aortic graft infections are a rare occurrence, most commonly secondary to gram-positive organisms ( Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species). We present 2 cases of thoracic aortic graft infections secondary to anaerobic bacteria, Propionibacterium species. The first case, a 40-year-old male, was found to have an anastomotic aneurysm at the distal anastomosis of a previous thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair. During the open repair of his anastomotic aneurysm, the original graft was not incorporated and cultures later speciated Propionibacterium acnes. The second case is a 44-year-old male with a history of abdominal aortic coarctation that was repaired with a thoracic aorta to aortic bifurcation graft as a child who presented with flank pain and was found on imaging to have fluid around his bypass graft. His operating room (OR) cultures also grew out Propionibacterium species. Both patients were treated with graft excision, revascularization, and long-term antibiotics. Anaerobic bacteria are a rare cause of aortic graft infections. Upon review of the literature, these are the first 2 cases of thoracic aortic graft infections secondary to Propionibacterium species. The cultures for both patients took almost a week to speciate, highlighting the importance of following cultures long term. Anaerobic bacteria should be recognized as a cause of latent graft infections.
Exploring the Suburban Ideal
Authors: Warner Elyse , Johnson Louise , Andrews Fiona
Published: July 2016

This article reports on how photo elicitation interviewing (PEI) was experienced by eight participants in a qualitative phenomenological study of suburban lived experiences. Adopting a respondent-controlled approach, participants were required to photograph at least 10 aspects of their suburb that they perceived to be good and problematical and then explain the meaning of their images as part of a follow-up interview. This discussion also involved in-depth reflection on the photography exercise itself, with analysis revealing that taking photographs was perceived to be a purposeful exercise that offered a range of benefits. It gave a new perspective and appreciation for the community, while also helping to ensure their meanings were conveyed to the interviewers. The photography task was not without challenges. While some of these challenges influenced the images captured, the findings of this study highlight the importance for qualitative researchers who use PEI to not only consider the benefits and limitations for the research but also give due consideration to the experiences of the participant photographers.
Product design pattern based on big data-driven scenario
Authors: Yu Conggang , Zhu Lusha
Published: July 2016

This article discusses about new product design patterns in the big data era, gives designer a new rational thinking way, and is a new way to understand the design of the product. Based on the key criteria of the product design process, category, element, and product are used to input the data, which comprises concrete data and abstract data as an enlargement of the criteria of product design process for the establishment of a big data-driven product design pattern’s model. Moreover, an experiment and a product design case are conducted to verify the feasibility of the new pattern. Ultimately, we will conclude that the data-driven product design has two patterns: one is the concrete data supporting the product design, namely “product–data–product” pattern, and the second is based on the value of the abstract data for product design, namely “data–product–data” pattern. Through the data, users are involving themselves in the design development process. Data and product form a huge network, and data plays a role of connection or node. So the essence of the design is to find a new connection based on element, and to find a new node based on category.
Endometrial changes after methotrexate treatment: Relation with multiple nabothian cysts and future pregnancies
Authors: Balaouras Dimitrios , Chitzios Dimitrios , Daniilidis Angelos , Tantanasis Theocharis , Mavromatidis Georgios , Loufopoulos Aristotelis , Nasioutziki Maria , Asimakopoulos Efstratios
Published: July 2016

A clinical study was conducted in order to validate the effect of methotrexate on 30 patients with ectopic pregnancy (EP). A typical ultrasound appearance of multiple cysts of Naboth in the cervix was observed on six cases that are studied below. Endometrial sample with endogyn was retrieved from the six cases after the treatment with methotrexate was complete. The cytological results were studied and there were many changes found in the endometrial cells, in their cores, and some inflammatory cells as well. Two out of the six cases studied show more profound evidence. The cellular appearance of the endometrium after the treatment is discussed, in relation to the presence of multiple Nabothian cysts, as a result of inflammatory reaction, and the possibility of any influence in the capacity for a future pregnancy.
The effect of study type on research ethics committees’ queries in medical studies
Authors: Happo Saara M , Halkoaho Arja , Lehto Soili M , Keränen Tapani
Published: July 2016

Background:

Medical research involving human subjects must be evaluated by a research ethics committee (REC) before a study is initiated. However, knowledge of REC decision processes, particularly in relation to evaluating the risk–benefit balance in various study types, appears scant.

Methods:

The study protocols and records of a Finnish university hospital REC were surveyed for a time span of 5 years. All study procedures in each study plan were examined, and the studies were divided into clinical drug trials, clinical trials with medical devices, studies with other invasive interventions, studies with non-invasive physical procedures, and non-physical procedures only.

Results:

In clinical drug trials, the REC posed queries more frequently about the risk–benefit ratio and less frequently about study methods and participant-related issues in comparison with other study types. Relative to other studies, those with non-physical procedures were subject to more frequent queries related to reliability of the study methodology and to data protection and confidentiality. Most of the queries focused on the recruitment process.

Conclusions:

The emphasis on risk–benefit evaluation in clinical drug trials may arise from RECs’ concern that clinical drug trials are most often conducted on patients and may involve new chemical entities with limited safety data. The relative scarcity of method queries in relation to clinical drug trials may indicate high scientific quality of industry-sponsored research, whereas the elevated percentage of these queries in investigator-initiated studies with non-physical procedures may suggest a need for better scientific education of independent clinical investigators.
Gatekeeping beyond geographical borders: Developing an analytical model of transnational journalism cultures
Authors: Hellmueller Lea
Published: July 2016

This study takes a theoretical approach of gatekeeping by assessing how transnational networks of news gathering indicate a shift in the conceptualization of journalism culture. Research on journalism culture, which has traditionally been conceptualized within a national system, is linked with the historical development of globalization to propose an analytical conceptualization of journalism culture in a transnational news-gathering environment. Based on empirical studies from the past six decades, the study presents three analytical levels of transnational journalism culture—evaluative, cognitive, and performative—that might provide a conceptual framework for empirical studies interested in news construction in a transnational space.
Factors impacting on menstrual hygiene and their implications for health promotion
Authors: Lahme Anne Mutunda , Stern Ruth , Cooper Diane
Published: July 2016

Background:

In the lives of women, puberty is marked by the onset of menarche. From this stage onwards until menopause, reproductive health and menstrual hygiene are important aspects of women’s lives. In Zambia’s Western Province, the natural process of menstruation is a taboo and dealt with secretly. Information and knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls is inadequate. This paper explores the factors influencing the understanding, experiences and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in Mongu District, Western Province of Zambia.

Methods:

An explorative study design was used by means of six focus group discussions conducted with 51 respondents, aged 13–20 years, from three secondary schools. Their age at menarche was 11–15. For data analysis thematic content analysis was used.

Results:

The paper shows that the girls suffer from poor menstrual hygiene, originating from lack of knowledge, culture and tradition, and socio-economic and environmental constraints, leading to inconveniences, humiliation and stress. This leads to reduced school attendance and poor academic performance, or even drop outs, and ultimately infringes upon the girls’ human rights.

Conclusion:

To address these shortcomings, a ‘super setting approach’ is recommended, in which a Health Promoting School could improve the girls’ individual and group needs, and a community setting which would address the broader socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions. This would enable creating a supportive environment for the girls to manage their periods. To successfully utilize the approach, all stakeholders (parents, teachers, children, governments and communities) should cooperate to generate context-specific solutions for creating safe menstrual care, and better and dignified conditions for adolescent girls. Therefore, this calls for comprehensive, strident advocacy for policy changes at national level, and mediation and involvement at community level.
Elements of News Literacy
Authors: Craft Stephanie , Ashley Seth , Maksl Adam
Published: July 2016

Focus groups with teenagers (ages 15–18) were conducted to understand how they define news; what motivates them to consume news; what news sources they use; and how much knowledge about the news media industry, content, and effects they bring to the task of consuming and thinking critically about the news. Findings suggested exposure to news came largely incidentally via social media and/or parents; participants expressed the sense that news would find them. These teens saw news as depressing, conflict-ridden, and something that, although important, was of less value to them than to adults. Considered in light of a media literacy model adapted for news, these focus group participants exhibited a basic sense of news literacy but lacked the kind of knowledge about news industries, content, and effects that could better direct their own exposure, understanding, and subsequent civic engagement.
How Much Is Short-Term Glucose Prediction in Type 1 Diabetes Improved by Adding Insulin Delivery and Meal Content Information to CGM Data? A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Zecchin Chiara , Facchinetti Andrea , Sparacino Giovanni , Cobelli Claudio
Published: July 2016

Background:

In type 1 diabetes (T1D) management, short-term glucose prediction can allow to anticipate therapeutic decisions when hypo/hyperglycemia is imminent. Literature prediction methods mainly use past continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) readings. Sophisticated algorithms can use information on insulin delivered and meal carbohydrate (CHO) content. The quantification of how much insulin and CHO information improves glucose prediction is missing in the literature and is investigated, in an open-loop setting, in this proof-of-concept study.

Methods:

We adopted a versatile literature prediction methodology able to utilize a variety of inputs. We compared predictors that use (1) CGM; (2) CGM and insulin; (3) CGM and CHO; and (4) CGM, insulin, and CHO. Data of 15 T1D subjects in open-loop setup were used. Prediction was evaluated via absolute error and temporal gain focusing on meal/night periods. The relative importance of each individual input of the predictor was evaluated with a sensitivity analysis.

Results:

For a prediction horizon (PH) ≥ 30 minutes, insulin and CHO information improves prediction accuracy of 10% and double the temporal gain during the 2 hours following the meal. During the night the 4 methods did not give statistically different results. When PH ≥ 45 minutes, the influence of CHO information on prediction is 5-fold that of insulin.

Conclusions:

In an open-loop setting, with PH ≥ 30 minutes, information on CHO and insulin improves short-term glucose prediction in the 2-hour time window following a meal, but not during the night. CHO information improves prediction significantly more than insulin.
If PBMs Guard Access to Drugs, Then Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodies? (Who Will Guard the Guardians?)
Authors: Carter Alan W. , Heinemann Lutz
Published: July 2016

Insulin prices in the United States have risen dramatically in recent years, yet pharmacies cannot provide a stable price for a given insulin due to factors that are not widely understood. This commentary discusses the complex and obscure factors that drive today’s insulin prices with a discussion of the other players, besides the insulin manufacturer, who benefit from higher prices. An open discussion is critical regarding this drug and others that are essential to the lives of millions of people with diabetes. We’ll also explore whether the market introduction of biosimilar insulin will impact insulin prices.
Standardized Documentation in Pediatric Diabetology
Authors: Hofer Sabine E. , Schwandt Anke , Holl Reinhard W. ,   Austrian/German DPV Initiative
Published: July 2016

This article gives a short summary of standardized documentation for pediatric diabetology from a European perspective. The approach chosen by the Austrian/German DPV (Diabetes Patienten Verlaufsdokumentation) group is detailed. The electronic health record used is briefly described, as are external benchmarking reports and national and international comparisons. Similar initiatives like the Hvidore study group, the SWEET initiative (Pediatric Diabetes: Working to Create Centers of Reference in Europe), and the T1DExchange (Type 1 Diabetes Exchange Registry) are compared to the DPV effort.
Ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease: evidence to date and place in therapy
Authors: Engel Tal , Kopylov Uri
Published: July 2016

Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with uncertain etiology. Biologic agents have revolutionized the treatment of CD but nonresponders remain a challenge. Ustekinumab is an interleukin 12/23p40 inhibitor that was recently found effective in treating CD. We reviewed the current literature regarding the efficacy of ustekinumab in treating CD and concluded that ustekinumab is a novel, promising and relatively safe agent for the treatment of moderate to severe CD. Additional data from randomized controlled studies and real-life cohorts are pending.
Success of Student Internship in Engineering Industry
Authors: Prabhu B. Vittaldasa , S. Aditya Kudva
Published: July 2016

Student internship plays a major role in transforming the engineering interns to ready-to-use professionals. Learning at the workplace has become a challenge for the interns due to several issues. A knowledge gap analysis has been depicted considering all stakeholders of the internship, including the intern, faculty, institution and the industrial organization. This article identifies and discusses these issues and provides a framework for effective learning and above-mentioned transformation considering the engineering industry. The role of the faculty is very important to successfully pursue an internship programme. The article also discusses, in detail, the role of the faculty in the success of the programme.