bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Rule by Manufacture: Measurement Regulation and Metal Weight Production in the Qin Empire
Authors: Li Kin Sum (Sammy)
Published: August 2017

After annexing his opponent states, the Qin First Emperor in 221 bce issued an edict to regulate the measurement system of lengths, volumes, and weights throughout the empire. This edict was inscribed on a great number of metal objects to be used as prototypes or standards for the measurement system. How the molds for the weights and crucibles of metal were prepared are essential questions regarding the production of these standards. By examining the weights and tracing the history of their industrial production, this article focuses on studying their material features, which enable us to understand the operation of the Qin foundries that produced them and their relationships with the government. It is hypothesized that the weights were produced at multiple local workshops rather than in a centrally administered factory, but that the foundries’ production methods were determined by the government’s political agenda to communicate its regulation policy to its subordinates. In addition, the study explores the Qin industrial organization and how the maintenance and large-scale distribution of the standardized weights reflected the policy implementation of the Qin empire. 

Après avoir annexé les Etats qui s’opposaient encore à lui, le premier empereur des Qin promulgua en 221 avant notre ère un édit qui fixait les systèmes de mesure pour les longueurs, volumes et poids dans tout l’empire. Cet édit fut gravé sur un grand nombre d’objets métalliques devant servir de prototypes ou d’étalon. L’une des questions essentielles que pose la production de ces poids-étalons est la façon dont étaient préparés les moules pour façonner les poids et les creusets où était fondu le métal. En examinant les poids-étalons qui ont subsisté et en retraçant l’histoire de leur production industrielle, cet article concentre l’attention sur leur matérialité, ce qui nous permet de comprendre le fonctionnement des fonderies des Qin qui les ont produites, et leurs rapports avec le gouvernement. Il avance l’hypothèse que les poids furent produits dans de nombreux ateliers locaux plutôt que dans une fonderie centrale administrée par l’Etat, mais que les méthodes de production mises en œuvre par ces ateliers étaient déterminées par le gouvernement, qui avait pour objectif de faire systématiquement connaître et appliquer ses règlementations à ses subordonnés. De plus, cet article explore l’organisation industrielle des Qin et la façon dont l’entretien et la distribution à grande échelle des poids standardisés reflètent plus largement les méthodes de mise en œuvre des politiques décidées par l’Etat impérial des Qin.
Correcting Surface Wave Bias in Structure Function Estimates of Turbulent Kinetic Energy Dissipation Rate
Authors: Scannell Brian D. , Rippeth Tom P. , Simpson John H. , Polton Jeff A. , Hopkins Joanne E.
Published: August 2017

The combination of acoustic Doppler current profilers and the structure function methodology provides an attractive approach to making extended time series measurements of oceanic turbulence (the rate of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation ε) from moorings. However, this study shows that for deployments in the upper part of the water column, estimates of ε will be biased by the vertical gradient in wave orbital velocities. To remove this bias, a modified structure function methodology is developed that exploits the differing length scale dependencies of the contributions to the structure function resulting from turbulent and wave orbital motions. The success of the modified method is demonstrated through a comparison of ε estimates based on data from instruments at three depths over a 3-month period under a wide range of conditions, with appropriate scalings for wind stress and convective forcing.
An Extreme Value Model for U.S. Hail Size
Authors: Allen John T. , Tippett Michael K. , Kaheil Yasir , Sobel Adam H. , Lepore Chiara , Nong Shangyao , Muehlbauer Andreas
Published: August 2017

The spatial distribution of return intervals for U.S. hail size is explored within the framework of extreme value theory using observations from the period 1979–2013. The center of the continent has experienced hail in excess of 5 in. (127 mm) during the past 30 yr, whereas hail in excess of 1 in. (25 mm) is more common in other regions, including the West Coast. Observed hail sizes show heavy quantization toward fixed-diameter reference objects and are influenced by spatial and temporal biases similar to those noted for hail occurrence. Recorded hail diameters have been growing in recent decades because of improved reporting. These data limitations motivate exploration of extreme value distributions to represent the return periods for various hail diameters. The parameters of a Gumbel distribution are fit to dithered observed annual maxima on a national 1° × 1° grid at locations with sufficient records. Gridded and kernel-smoothed return sizes and quantiles up to the 200-yr return period are determined for the fitted Gumbel distribution. These results are used to illustrate return levels for hail greater than a given size for at least one location within each 1° × 1° grid box for the United States.
Inflammatory Factor Profiles One Hour following Vocal Fold Injury
Authors: Welham Nathan V. , Lim Xinhong , Tateya Ichiro , Bless Diane M.
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Inflammatory factors are key mediators of wound healing processes following injury, and their modulation may improve healing outcomes. The objective of this study was to characterize in vivo inflammatory factor and extracellular matrix (ECM) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels 1 hour after vocal fold injury.

Methods

Five Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral vocal fold injury, 5 rats were reserved as uninjured controls, and 1 rat was subjected to unilateral vocal fold injury and reserved for histology. Tissue was harvested 1 hour after injury. Real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine the mRNA expression profiles of inflammatory factors nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κ β), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), transforming growth factor beta isoform 1 (TGF-β1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), as well as ECM genes hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) 1, HAS-2, procollagen 1, procollagen 3, and elastin, in the injured samples compared with the uninjured controls.

Results

Injury resulted in subepithelial bleeding throughout the vocal fold. The COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and HAS-1 mRNA expression levels were significantly up-regulated 1 hour after injury compared with the uninjured controls.

Conclusions

Inflammatory factor and ECM gene expression changes occur in vocal fold wound sites as early as 1 hour after injury. These results should inform future efforts to attenuate vocal fold scarring via the modulation of inflammatory factors.
A short dance-exercise intervention as a strategy for improving quality of life in inactive workers
Authors: Barranco-Ruiz Yaira , Mandic Sandra , Paz-Viteri Susana , Guerendiain Marcela , Sandoval FaustoVinicio , Villa-González Emilio
Published: August 2017

Objective:

To investigate the effects of a short exercise intervention based on the use of a Zumba Fitness® programme on the quality of life (QoL) in inactive adult workers.

Design:

Non-experimental pre-test/post-test study involving one experimental group of inactive university workers.

Setting:

Riobamba in the Andean region of central Ecuador.

Methods:

A total of 60 inactive adults working at a university (age: 39 ± 1.0 years; 80% women, who used to perform < 150 min of moderate-vigorous physical activity per week) completed a 5-week Zumba Fitness® exercise intervention (three classes per week, 60 minutes per class; outside of work hours). QoL was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) administered at baseline, post-intervention and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analysed using a per-protocol analysis.

Results:

The 5-week intervention improved six out of eight subscales of QoL, including general health (baseline: 63.6±2.51; post-intervention: 68.0±2.5; p = .007), physical role (baseline: 82.1±3.8; post-intervention: 90.6±3.3; p = .029), emotional role (baseline: 71.3±5.0; post-intervention: 88.3±3.9; p = .001), social functioning (baseline: 76.9±2.6; post-intervention: 83.9 ± 2.6; p = .010), vitality (baseline: 60.4±2.8; post-intervention: 69.8±2.4; p < .001), mental health (baseline: 72.4±2.5; post-intervention: 80.4±2.3; p < .001) and the health transition perception item (baseline: 53.9±3.5; post-intervention: 63.6±3.1; p = .001). No statistical differences were found between post-intervention and 2-month follow-up; however, the majority of subscales which improved post-intervention (general health, emotional role, social functioning, vitality and mental health) were maintained at 2-month follow-up showing differences ( p < .05) compared to baseline.

Conclusion:

A 5-week exercise intervention based on Zumba Fitness® programme could improve QoL in inactive adult workers and most improvements could be maintained at 2 months post-intervention.
Social Ties and the Job Search of Recent Immigrants
Authors: Goel Deepti , Lang Kevin
Published: August 2017

This article highlights a specific mechanism through which social networks help in job search. The authors characterize the strength of a network by its likelihood of providing a job offer. Using a theoretical model, they show that the difference between wages in jobs found using networks versus those found using formal channels decreases as the network becomes stronger. The authors verify this result for recent immigrants to Canada for whom a strong network is captured by the presence of a “close tie.” Furthermore, structural estimates confirm that the presence of a close tie operates by increasing the likelihood of generating a job offer from the network rather than by altering the network wage distribution.
When Misconduct in Public Office is Really a Sexual Offence
Authors: Sjölin Catarina , Edwards Helen
Published: August 2017

Misconduct in Public Office (MiPO) covers a wide and varied range of conduct. Beyond the defendant’s public office, there is no unifying conduct or result. A conviction for MiPO could represent putting pressure on a council official to move the route of a proposed road, or a police officer abusing his/her position for sexual gain. Sexual misconduct prosecuted as MiPO falls outside the usual regime for prosecuting and sentencing sexual offences, both obscuring the conduct by the label of MiPO and avoiding sexual offence specific consequences. To examine what kind of sexual offending MiPO has been covering, we analysed newspaper reports and appellate decisions since 2002. This enabled us to identify the conduct MiPO was being used to cover at charge, plea and conviction (or acquittal) stages. We found a significant amount of sexual misconduct being prosecuted as MiPO. We then analysed the sexual conduct to determine the “wrongs” involved, identifying particular categories. This enabled us to propose a new sexual offence (based on the Sexual Offences Act 2003 offences that are not founded on lack of consent), which marks the sexual wrong and enables a focus on the defendant’s abuse of position rather than the victim’s vulnerability. This article outlines the basis for our proposal to the Law Commission for reform of the common law offence of MiPO (as our second response to their consultations). Currently at the stage of Policy Development, the Commission aims to publish its report later this year.
Slum rehabilitation and housing the poor
Authors: Jain A. K.
Published: August 2017

The necessity to work out an action plan together with careful consideration of location of housing, planning requirements and availability of building materials, mobilising finances and a time bound programme for slum rehabilitation and housing for the poor have been discussed. The need to identify the stockholders and actors and to mobilise them in housing delivery programme have been emphasised. Also participation of the community, cooperatives and private sectors in the above are essentially to be included in the overall scheme.
Social dimensions of economic development: An overview
Authors: Ghosh Arun Kumar
Published: August 2017

It is now recognised that the basic objective of economic development is the expansion of human capabilities. There are important non-economic factors such as education, health and nutrition which can enhance human capabilities and consequently promote economic growth. If a large section of population particularly weaker sections is deprived of the capabilities because of illiteracy, ill health and malnourishment, thus the opportunities offered by the “well functioning market” cannot be utilised by the people. Therefore, it is necessary to provide education and health facilities to these sections of society to make them capable of utilising the opportunities generated through expansion of market due to structural reforms.
Women's empowerment through NGO interventions: A framework for assessment
Authors: Panda Smita Mishra
Published: August 2017

Empowerment of women is high on the agenda in development plans and policies. NGOs have proved to have the potential to facilitate the process of empowerment among women. In this paper an attempt has been made to arrive at an operational definition of empowerment based on a literature review. The definition encompasses a few key elements such as power, autonomy and self-reliance, entitlement, participation, awareness development and capacity building. For a proper understanding of the process of empowerment, a systems view is presented in which all the relevant inter-linked elements have been analysed, such as the external agency (NGO), target group, development project/programme, immediate environments of the target group and external agency, and the macro-environment in which the target group and the NGO exist. Such a systems view would throw light on the differential impact of similar NGO initiated projects and processes on different target groups/communities. Further a seven-step process of assessment of women's empowerment is discussed within the systems framework. The steps are-assessments of the macro-environment, the external agency environment, the external agency, the target group environment, the target group, the development programme/ project and lastly integration of the assessment process. Such a framework will help the organisations involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of development projects from the point of view of understanding, incorporating and assessing empowerment related issues at the grassroot level.
Development of SCs and STs: The success so far
Authors: Chakrabarty Gurupada
Published: August 2017

This paper looks into the past trend and current status of rural literacy and basic education in the major States and of population groups within the States, to assess relative performance of the States and groups. Observed differentials in performance is then related to some aspects of State policies, social movements and popular action/apathy in progressive and backward States. Some policy implications flowing out of these have been indicated.

Household income has been analysed to draw a comparative picture of SCs, STs and others in terms of level and distribution of income, incidence and intensity of poverty. The results show that our efforts to improve the socio-economic condition of SCs and STs seem to have failed to make any significant impact on their lives even after decades of planning.
Participatory Forest Management in India: An overview and some emerging issues
Authors: Misra V. K. , Shabbeer S. N.
Published: August 2017

Joint Forest Management (JFM) represents a radical departure from the tradition of centralised forest management in India. Forest Department (FD) all over the country has started to forge alliances with local communities to regenerate degraded forests adjoining villages. The strides it has made in less than a decade-with 20 states issuing JFM orders; large numbers of forest officers, NGOs and villagers experimenting with new approaches and relationships; and between four to five million hectares of degraded forests regenerating under local care are remarkable. The local community is given more formal access and usufruct rights over a forest patch which they regenerate by protection and plantation. Given its potential of restoring both the health of our forest and the self respect and dignity of impoverished forest users through assured access to forest resources for securer livelihoods, enthusiastic supporters of JFM have understandably tended to monitor positive impacts of achievements through studies and research. A set of studies were conducted during 1995-96 on self-initiated Community Forest Management (CFM) and Joint Forest Management (JFM) systems, with the aim to largely serve as the benchmark or baseline studies to gain a preliminary understanding. Juttadapalem, a small tribal village in the district of Vishakapatnam, A.P., is one of the sites where SPWD supported a research programme in collaboration with Andhra University, Vishakapatnam. The present paper discusses the findings of the sub-network on ecology and economics with Juttadapalem as a case study.
Panchayati Raj and environmental management
Authors: Mathew George
Published: August 2017

The 73rd Constitution Amendment Act, making Panchayats at three levels ‘Institutions of Self-government’ has also provided a list of subjects to be brought under the Panchayats. Among the 29 subjects mentioned in the Eleventh Schedule, land improvement, land consolidation, soil conservation, water management, social forestry, minor forest produce, non-conventional energy sources, sanitation, and maintenance of assets, are subjects related to environmental management.

In the fifty years after Independence there was a statutary vacuum at the local level for planning and implementing programmes which protect the life and property of the people and improve their quality of life. The idea was that whatever the people's needs were, they could be dealt with from the top, the relics of an imperial structure, through the departments and their officials. Now we know that this approach has never been sensitive to local necessities.

If we accept Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as the defacto third tier of governance, all administrative, planning and implementation activities should converge at the district level from the Gram Sabhas, Village Panchayats and Block Samitis. The Constitution has made provisions for this in Article 243. People's representatives taking decisions in tandem with the experts, is the ideal situation to protect the environment and ecological balance.
Culture and aging
Authors: Willigen John van , Chadha N.K. , McDonald Juliana
Published: August 2017

An attempt is made to integrate the two diverse concepts viz., ‘culture’ and aging based on different theoretical perspectives. During the course of life, individual learns to imbibe cultural ‘norms’ and ‘experiences’. Thus ‘chronological’ age and ‘cultural’ age are related yet distinct entity. Age stratification leads to formation of a ‘age-based subculture’, which brings with it varied negative implications.
Financial and social security in old age in India
Authors: Rajan S. Irudaya
Published: August 2017

The concept of social security is highly relevant for individuals in times of dependency, like childhood, old age, sickness, accident and unemployment. In the present article origin of the concept of social security system in India is traced. Various schemes for government employees, labourers in organized sectors as well as for those employed in unorganized sectors have been enumerated. Schemes for elderly have been detailed. Further Kerala state has shown a significant demographic transition due to longevity, fertility rate etc. Hence social security system in Kerala state has been systematically analysed especially for elderly group.
Ageing, illness and healthy ageing
Authors: Dey A.B. , Soneja Shubha
Published: August 2017

People all over the world are living longer. This unprecedented population-ageing trend has profound effects on society and its institutions including health care. Genetic and molecular abnormalities associated with ageing are now better understood, though our knowledge of the process of senescence is grossly incomplete. Increased life expectancy is invariably associated with greater demand for health care and has led to the emergence of care of the elderly as a distinctive discipline in medicine. Multiple degenerative diseases are common features of old age. A substantial proportion of these chronic disabling conditions can be prevented or postponed. A greater focus is thus needed on prevention and health maintenance. Several modifiable factors related to lifestyle and environment have been known to have adverse impact on health in later life. There is enormous scope for improvement in health in old age, which is determined by access to information and resources. There are also several limitations to individuals’ ability to change the determinants of health; most important among them being environment and socio-economic inequalities.
Computer usage and acceptability in the elderly
Authors: Chakravarty Indrani
Published: August 2017

Used in conjunction with human mind's ability, computers provide the necessary enhancement to surpass the limits of human activities, A study was carried out on the usage of computers as an alternate mode of information exchange for a group of elderly persons who are keen to keep themselves mentally active in the years of declining physical activities. A special computer familiarisation course was designed for this purpose. Results are based on the response analysis of the aged persons in Calcutta Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Calcutta.
Agrarian legislation in Jharkhand region of Bihar: A historical perspective
Authors: Sharan Ramesh
Published: August 2017

Since time immemorial, Jharkhand region of Bihar happens to be the homeland of large number of people primarily tribals. Although the history of the area is obscure, it seems that various tribal groups came in the area, cleared the forest and settled in the valleys. They developed their own set of traditions and customs determining ownership, use and succession of land and common property resources. However, after living in relative isolation, the area has witnessed outside impositions since Mughal period. Each phase of history has brought new challenges and threats over the resources of these people, both individual and common property resources. The tribals in Jharkhand have a long history, both violent and non-violent protests in the area. The history of formal agrarian legislation bagan in the British period and each protest led to a new set of legislation in the area. The process continues till date. The present paper makes a modest attempt to discuss briefly the Agrarian legislation in the Jharkhand region of Bihar in a historical perspective namely in pre-British, British and post-Independence period.
Socio-economic problems of Ghasis
Authors: Jha Ganga Nath
Published: August 2017

Ghasis is one of the twentythree groups of Scheduled Castes in Bihar. This is one of the most backward groups. The present paper, besides outlining the Constitutional safeguards and development programmes for SC's, describes the socio-economic problems of Ghasis. It is based on a sample study of two villages in Ranchi district. It points out that the community not only has a very low level of literacy but also suffers from resourcelessness, living virtually on the verge of starvation.
Industrial pollution and health hazards in Jharkhand
Authors: Sarkar Bijay
Published: August 2017

The minimal environmental measures associated with intra-national North South divide has aggravated the industrial pollution scenario in Jharkhand to the point of a catastrophe. The state of air and water pollution in some industrial cities in Jharkhand and the concomitant health hazards have been delineated. The alternative ideology of development has been visualised.
Investigating thermal performance of an ice rink cooling system with an underground thermal storage tank
Authors: Tutumlu Hakan , Yumrutaş Recep , Yildirim Murtaza
Published: August 2017

This study deals with mathematical modeling and energy analysis of an ice rink cooling system with an underground thermal energy storage tank. The cooling system consists of an ice rink, chiller unit, and spherical thermal energy storage tank. An analytical model is developed for finding thermal performance of the cooling system. The model is based on formulations for transient heat transfer problem outside the thermal energy storage tank, for the energy needs of chiller unit, and for the ice rink. The solution of the thermal energy storage tank problem is obtained using a similarity transformation and Duhamel superposition techniques. Analytical expressions for heat gain of the ice rink and energy consumption of the chiller unit are derived as a function of inside design air, ambient air, and thermal energy storage tank temperatures. An interactive computer program in Matlab based on the analytical model is prepared for finding hourly variation of water temperature in the thermal energy storage tank, coefficient of performance of the chiller, suitable storage tank volume depending on ice rink area, and timespan required to attain an annually periodic operating condition. Results indicate that operation time of span 6–7 years will be obtained periodically for the system during 10 years operating time.
Development and Testing of the Nurse Manager EBP Competency Scale
Authors: Shuman Clayton J. , Ploutz-Snyder Robert J. , Titler Marita G.
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of an instrument to measure nurse manager competencies regarding evidence-based practice (EBP). The Nurse Manager EBP Competency Scale consists of 16 items for respondents to indicate their perceived level of competency on a 0 to 3 Likert-type scale. Content validity was demonstrated through expert panel review and pilot testing. Principal axis factoring and Cronbach’s alpha evaluated construct validity and internal consistency reliability, respectively. Eighty-three nurse managers completed the scale. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 16-item scale with two subscales, EBP Knowledge ( n = 6 items, α = .90) and EBP Activity ( n = 10 items, α = .94). Cronbach’s alpha for the entire scale was .95. The Nurse Manager EBP Competency Scale is a brief measure of nurse manager EBP competency with evidence of validity and reliability. The scale can enhance our understanding in future studies regarding how nurse manager EBP competency affects implementation.
Bespoke versus off-the-shelf ankle-foot orthosis for people with stroke: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tyson Sarah F , Vail Andy , Thomas Nessa , Woodward-Nutt Kate , Plant Sarah , Tyrrell Pippa J
Published: August 2017

Objective:

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two designs of ankle-foot orthosis on people with stroke.

Design:

The study design was an assessor-blind, multicentre randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

The setting was community stroke services.

Participants:

A total of 139 community-dwelling stroke survivors with limited mobility were recruited.

Interventions:

The two most commonly used types of ankle-foot orthosis (bespoke and off-the-shelf) were chosen.

Main measures:

The main measures of the study were as follows: short- (6 weeks) and long-term (12 weeks) effects on stroke survivors’ satisfaction; adverse events; mobility (Walking Handicap Scale); fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale–International (FES-I)) and walking impairments (gait speed and step length using the 5-m walk test).

Results:

Long-term satisfaction was non-significantly higher in the off-the-shelf group: 72% versus 64%; OR (95% CI) = 0.64 (0.31 to 1.3); P = 0.21. No statistically significant differences were found between the orthoses except that the off-the-shelf group had less fear of falling at short-term follow-up than the bespoke group: mean difference (95% CI) = −4.6 (−7.6 to −1.6) points on the FES-I; P = 0.003.

Conclusion:

No differences between off-the-shelf and bespoke ankle-foot orthoses were found except that participants in the off-the-shelf orthosis group had less fear of falling at short-term follow-up.
Serotonin and brain function: a tale of two receptors
Authors: Carhart-Harris RL , Nutt DJ
Published: August 2017

Previous attempts to identify a unified theory of brain serotonin function have largely failed to achieve consensus. In this present synthesis, we integrate previous perspectives with new and older data to create a novel bipartite model centred on the view that serotonin neurotransmission enhances two distinct adaptive responses to adversity, mediated in large part by its two most prevalent and researched brain receptors: the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors. We propose that passive coping (i.e. tolerating a source of stress) is mediated by postsynaptic 5-HT1AR signalling and characterised by stress moderation. Conversely, we argue that active coping (i.e. actively addressing a source of stress) is mediated by 5-HT2AR signalling and characterised by enhanced plasticity (defined as capacity for change). We propose that 5-HT1AR-mediated stress moderation may be the brain’s default response to adversity but that an improved ability to change one’s situation and/or relationship to it via 5-HT2AR-mediated plasticity may also be important – and increasingly so as the level of adversity reaches a critical point. We propose that the 5-HT1AR pathway is enhanced by conventional 5-HT reuptake blocking antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), whereas the 5-HT2AR pathway is enhanced by 5-HT2AR-agonist psychedelics. This bipartite model purports to explain how different drugs (SSRIs and psychedelics) that modulate the serotonergic system in different ways, can achieve complementary adaptive and potentially therapeutic outcomes.
Exploring Responsible Neuroimaging Innovation: Visions From a Societal Actor Perspective
Authors: Arentshorst Marlous E. , de Cock Buning Tjard , Broerse Jacqueline E. W.
Published: August 2017

Apart from the scientific unknowns and technological barriers that complicate the development of medical neuroimaging applications, various relevant actors might have different ideas on what is considered advancement or progress in this field. We address the challenge of identifying societal actors and their different points of view concerning neuroimaging technologies in an early phase of neuroimaging development. To this end, we conducted 16 semistructured interviews with societal actors, including governmental policy makers, health professionals, and patient representatives, in the Netherlands. We show how the contextual aspects of applications and underlying features of the ideal health system determine the desirability. Neuroimaging developments are perceived as innovations that will optimize the current health system or as opportunities to change existing structures and practices of the current health system more radically. Insights into and understanding of these visions show incongruence between visions regarding desirable medical neuroimaging use and potential conflicting visions regarding the embedding of neuroimaging applications. We conclude that it is possible to prospectively identify incongruent visions and analyze when these visions will most likely come into conflict with each other. Such an analysis might provide a reflective space, beyond personal and political interest, suitable as a starting point for joint reflection and mutual learning in order to manage medical neuroimaging innovations towards more responsible applications.
Calcium channel blockade with nimodipine reverses MRI evidence of cerebral oedema following acute hypoxia
Authors: Rowland Matthew J , Ezra Martyn , Winkler Anderson , Garry Payashi , Lamb Catherine , Kelly Michael , Okell Thomas W , Westbrook Jon , Wise Richard G , Douaud Gwenaëlle , Pattinson Kyle TS
Published: August 2017

Acute cerebral hypoxia causes rapid calcium shifts leading to neuronal damage and death. Calcium channel antagonists improve outcomes in some clinical conditions, but mechanisms remain unclear. In 18 healthy participants we: (i) quantified with multiparametric MRI the effect of hypoxia on the thalamus, a region particularly sensitive to hypoxia, and on the whole brain in general; (ii) investigated how calcium channel antagonism with the drug nimodipine affects the brain response to hypoxia. Hypoxia resulted in a significant decrease in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), a measure particularly sensitive to cell swelling, in a widespread network of regions across the brain, and the thalamus in particular. In hypoxia, nimodipine significantly increased ADC in the same brain regions, normalizing ADC towards normoxia baseline. There was positive correlation between blood nimodipine levels and ADC change. In the thalamus, there was a significant decrease in the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in resting state functional MRI and an apparent increase of grey matter volume in hypoxia, with the ALFF partially normalized towards normoxia baseline with nimodipine. This study provides further evidence that the brain response to acute hypoxia is mediated by calcium, and importantly that manipulation of intracellular calcium flux following hypoxia may reduce cerebral cytotoxic oedema
Cerebral hemodynamics in the different phases of migraine and cluster headache
Authors: Hansen Jakob M , Schankin Christoph J
Published: August 2017

Headache is one of the most common ailments; migraine is one of the most prevalent and disabling neurological disorders and cluster headache presents as one of the most excruciating pain disorders. Both are complex disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of headache. A key feature is that various triggers can set off an attack providing the opportunity to explore disease mechanisms by experimentally inducing attacks. This review summarizes neuroimaging and hemodynamic studies in human in provoked and spontaneous attacks of migraine and cluster headache. Cerebral hemodynamics during different phases of the migraine attack demonstrate alterations in cerebral blood flow and perfusion, vessel caliber, cortical and sub-cortical function, underscoring that migraine pathophysiology is highly complex. Migraine attacks might begin in diencephalic and brainstem areas, whereas migraine aura is a cortical phenomenon. In cluster headache pathophysiology, the hypothalamus might also play a pivotal role, whereas the pattern of cerebral blood flood differs from migraine. For both disorders, alterations of arterial blood vessel diameter might be more an epiphenomenon of the attack than a causative trigger.

Studying cerebral hemodynamics in provocation models are important in the search for specific biomarkers in the hope to discover future targets for more specific and effective mechanism-based anti-headache treatment.
Deep spatiotemporal models for robust proprioceptive terrain classification
Authors: Valada Abhinav , Burgard Wolfram
Published: August 2017

Terrain classification is a critical component of any autonomous mobile robot system operating in unknown real-world environments. Over the years, several proprioceptive terrain classification techniques have been introduced to increase robustness or act as a fallback for traditional vision based approaches. However, they lack widespread adaptation due to various factors that include inadequate accuracy, robustness and slow run-times. In this paper, we use vehicle-terrain interaction sounds as a proprioceptive modality and propose a deep long-short term memory based recurrent model that captures both the spatial and temporal dynamics of such a problem, thereby overcoming these past limitations. Our model consists of a new convolution neural network architecture that learns deep spatial features, complemented with long-short term memory units that learn complex temporal dynamics. Experiments on two extensive datasets collected with different microphones on various indoor and outdoor terrains demonstrate state-of-the-art performance compared to existing techniques. We additionally evaluate the performance in adverse acoustic conditions with high-ambient noise and propose a noise-aware training scheme that enables learning of more generalizable models that are essential for robust real-world deployments.
Sepsis after uterine artery embolization-assisted termination of pregnancy with complete placenta previa: A case report
Authors: Wang Yinfeng , Huang Xiufeng
Published: August 2017

Uterine artery embolization (UAE)-assisted induction of labor is an alternative method of managing pregnant women with complete placenta previa (CPP). Sepsis secondary to UAE, although rare, is a serious complication. We herein present a case of severe sepsis following UAE-assisted termination of a pregnancy at 27 gestational weeks in a woman with CPP. The woman developed a high-grade fever and elevated inflammatory indices following UAE. She did not recover until the infected tissue was removed by emergency cesarean section. This case suggests that the increasing use of UAE for termination of pregnancy in women with CPP requires awareness regarding the possibility of serious sepsis associated with this procedure.
Re-establishing an occupational identity after stroke – a theoretical model based on survivor experience
Authors: Walder Kim , Molineux Matthew
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Annually, approximately five million people worldwide are left with a permanent disability following a stroke, often with ongoing occupational issues. A deeper understanding of the emerging picture of occupational disruption and identity reconstruction after stroke is needed to inform client-centred practice.

Method

In-depth interviews using constructivist grounded theory methodology were conducted with six Queensland (Australia) adult stroke survivors. Data analysis identified themes which were woven into an overarching theory about the process of reintegration back into the community and living a meaningful life.

Findings

The central process of adjustment for all participants was reconstruction of an occupational identity, facilitated through connections within and across three domains – self, others and reality. Connecting with self involved emotional management; motivation; confidence; occupational engagement; and seizing control. Connecting with others included being understood; belonging; receiving help; and interactions. Connecting with reality meant confronting the impact on daily life and one's unfolding life story according to three realities: past reality, the reality of the stroke and future reality.

Conclusion

Exploring how stroke survivors form and maintain connections across the domains of self, reality and others provides a framework to ground occupational therapy services in the reality of individual needs from an occupational perspective.
Distribution of CGRP and CGRP receptor components in the rat brain
Authors: Warfvinge Karin , Edvinsson Lars
Published: August 2017

Background

Calcitonin gene-related peptide and its receptor, consisting of receptor activity-modifying protein 1 and calcitonin receptor-like receptor, are of considerable interest because of the role they play in migraine and recently developed migraine therapies.

Methods

To better understand the function of this neuropeptide, we used immunohistochemistry to determine a detailed distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide, receptor activity-modifying protein 1 and calcitonin receptor-like receptor in the rat brain in a region of 0.5–1.5 mm lateral to the midline. We found calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity in most of the neurons of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, thalamic nuclei, hypothalamic nuclei and brainstem nuclei. In contrast, receptor activity-modifying protein 1 and calcitonin receptor-like receptor immunoreactivity were found almost exclusively in the neuronal processes in the investigated regions.

Conclusion

Overall, the degree of expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor components in the central nervous system is astonishingly complex and suggestive of many different brain functions, including a possible role in migraine. However, currently, the presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide and the nature of its receptors throughout the brain is an enigma yet to be solved.
Sunlight irradiance and habituation of visual evoked potentials in migraine: The environment makes its mark
Authors: Lisicki Marco , D’Ostilio Kevin , Erpicum Michel , Schoenen Jean , Magis Delphine
Published: August 2017

Background

Migraine is a complex multifactorial disease that arises from the interaction between a genetic predisposition and an enabling environment. Habituation is considered as a fundamental adaptive behaviour of the nervous system that is often impaired in migraine populations. Given that migraineurs are hypersensitive to light, and that light deprivation is able to induce functional changes in the visual cortex recognizable through visual evoked potentials habituation testing, we hypothesized that regional sunlight irradiance levels could influence the results of visual evoked potentials habituation studies performed in different locations worldwide.

Methods

We searched the literature for visual evoked potentials habituation studies comparing healthy volunteers and episodic migraine patients and correlated their results with levels of local solar radiation.

Results

After reviewing the literature, 26 studies involving 1291 participants matched our inclusion criteria. Deficient visual evoked potentials habituation in episodic migraine patients was reported in 19 studies. Mean yearly sunlight irradiance was significantly higher in locations of studies reporting deficient habituation. Correlation analyses suggested that visual evoked potentials habituation decreases with increasing sunlight irradiance in migraine without aura patients.

Conclusion

Results from this hypothesis generating analysis suggest that variations in sunlight irradiance may induce adaptive modifications in visual processing systems that could be reflected in visual evoked potentials habituation, and thus partially account for the difference in results between studies performed in geographically distant centers. Other causal factors such as genetic differences could also play a role, and therefore well-designed prospective trials are warranted.
Introduction to a Special Issue on Simulation Studies as a Means of Informing Psychoeducational Testing and Assessment
Authors: Benson Nicholas F.
Published: August 2017

This introduction provides a brief overview of simulation studies and outlines the organization of this special issue. Simulation studies provide a valuable, albeit underutilized, means of informing psychoeducational testing and assessment. The goal of this special issue is to equip applied researchers and clinicians with knowledge and skills needed to conduct simulation studies. It is envisioned that increased adoption of this innovative practice will ultimately improve the quality of psychoeducational tests, testing and assessment practices, and clinical decision making.
Comparative developmental toxicity evaluation of di-n-hexyl phthalate and dicyclohexyl phthalate in rats
Authors: Ahbab Müfide Aydogan , Güven Celal , Koçkaya Evrim Arzu , Barlas Nurhayat
Published: August 2017

To investigate the effects of di- n-hexyl phthalate (DHP) and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) on the development of fetus and placenta in utero, pregnant rats were exposed to DHP or DCHP at dosages of 0, 20, 100, and 500 mg/kg bw/day, by gavage, on gestational days 6–19. Anogenital distance (AGD) and AGD–body weight1/3 ratio of female fetuses decreased in all treatment groups in a non-dose–response way. The ossification centers of bones and the intensity of Alizarin red stain of the fetuses decreased in all treatment groups. The white blood cell levels of fetuses in DHP and DCHP exposed groups increased at all dosages. Mean cell hemoglobin, hemoglobin concentrations, and hemoglobin levels of all DHP and DCHP treated male and female fetuses were reduced. Histopathologic changes (hemorrhage in labyrinth, degeneration of spongiotrophoblast, hemorrhage, decreased and irregular vessel formation, and edema in the basal zone) were observed in placentas at high dosages of DHP and DCHP. In contrast, there was no change in weight gain of dams in DHP and DCHP exposed groups compared to control, but resorption rate, reduced fetal weight, delayed ossification, placental disruption, and hematologic parameters clearly indicated that in utero DHP and DCHP exposure resulted in intrauterine growth retardation in rats.
Adopting the edTPA: Cross-Systems Processes and Decisions in Wisconsin
Authors: Hanley-Maxwell Cheryl , Wycoff-Horn Marcie
Published: August 2017

Adoption of the edTPA as part of new teacher licensing and/or program approval requirements has created heated discussions among teacher educators. Among the discussion topics is the supposition that state-level bureaucrats have been the sole source of the decision to require the edTPA, with little input from the preparation programs. This article describes how a university–state agency workgroup, in response to administrative code requirements, investigated various performance measures, identified and discussed many of the controversies, and then recommended adoption of the Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA/edTPA) to fulfill two assessment roles: (a) candidate licensing and (b) teacher education program evaluation. Also included is a discussion of the factors that led to the associated decisions.
Inclusive and Special Educator Preparation and the edTPA
Authors: Rice Nancy , Drame Elizabeth
Published: August 2017

Introduction to the special issue of Teacher Education and Special Education ( TESE) on issues related to the educational Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) in the preparation of inclusive and special educators.
Coexisting Agency and Stewardship Governance in Family Firms: An Empirical Investigation of Individual-Level and Firm-Level Effects
Authors: Madison Kristen , Kellermanns Franz W. , Munyon Timothy P.
Published: August 2017

This article theoretically and empirically intertwines agency and stewardship theories to examine their distinct and combined influences on family firms. Primary matched triadic data from CEOs, family employees, and nonfamily employees in 77 family firms suggest that agency and stewardship governance affects individual-level behavior and firm-level performance. Specifically, agent behavior is highest under conditions of coexisting low agency governance and high stewardship governance and is lowest when agency and stewardship governance coexist at high levels. Furthermore, when high levels of agency and stewardship governance coexist, family firm performance is the highest. Theoretical implications and future research directions are discussed.