bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Sociodemographic Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in El Salvador
Authors: Navarro-Mantas Laura , Velásquez Marta J. , Lemus Soledad de , Megías Jesús L.
Published: June 2018

Violence against women is currently one of the major problems in El Salvador. However, the country lacks existing data to address this issue. The recent coming into effect of the Ley Especial Integral para una Vida Libre de Violencia para las Mujeres (LEIV) [Comprehensive Law for a Life Free of Violence Against Women] urgently calls for the dimensions of the problem to be understood. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of physical, sexual, emotional, and controlling violence, which Salvadoran women aged 15 to 64 years suffer at the hands of their current partners or ex-partners, and the association of such violence with sociodemographic factors. The target population of the study is composed of Salvadoran women aged 15 to 64, from which a representative sample of 1,274 women was obtained. The results reveal that 54.4% of Salvadoran women reported having suffered some type of physical, sexual, or psychological violence during their lives. Psychological control (41.2%) was the most frequent form of violence, followed by emotional violence (39%), physical violence (22.5%), and sexual violence (13.3%). Women’s number of children, marital status, and age were the main factors associated with violence. This study provides information needed to develop victim care measures and training programs for professionals. The study also provides evidence of the impact of public policies and prevention programs already in place.
Investigation of binary blends of m-aramid and sodium ionomer: Mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties
Authors: Balasubramanian R , Park Sujin , Kim Sam Soo , Lee Jaewoong
Published: June 2018

Novel hybrid blend with the composition of m-aramid and sodium ionomers with different weight ratio percentage were prepared by the solution blending technique. The prepared composite films were characterized by the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The phase structure, compatibility, and morphologies of the composite film were investigated with SEM, DMA, XRD, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The TGA of the composite films shows improvement in the thermal stability. The temperature corresponding to 5% ( T 5%) weight losses is in the range of 101–414°C. The storage modulus (in the range of 01.55–3.0 GPa) and glass transition temperature (in the range of 244–276°C) decreased with an increase in the content of sodium ionomers. The tensile strength of the composite films is in the range of 160–185 MPa. This effective approach shows a potential application in the field of m-aramid-based composites.
Social Media and Committed Relationships: What Factors Make Our Romantic Relationship Vulnerable?
Authors: Abbasi Irum Saeed
Published: June 2018

Many competing social networking websites (SNSs) have gained popularity among Internet users. SNSs offer a new way of communicating with known and unknown connections under the umbrella of “friends.” Online communications can quickly become aggressive as uninhibited users tend to exchange intimate details and are prone to developing an emotional intimacy with their online friends. Research supports that an excessive SNSs use adversely affects romantic relationships due to jealousy, envy, suspicion, surveillance, and infidelity. SNSs use is also linked to low relationship commitment due to the presence of online alternative attractions and also due to the time and emotional investments that are made outside the dyadic relationship. In the current study, we examined 252 married and romantically committed partners (167 females, 85 males) between the ages of 18 to 73 years ( M = 28.27, SD = 12.02). We explored the connection between participants’ age and SNSs addiction and also their age with the total number of SNSs accounts. We further examined whether SNSs addiction is linked to romantic relationship commitment. Lastly, we examined whether SNSs addiction is connected to the total number of SNSs accounts. The results revealed that age is significantly negatively related to SNSs addiction and the total number of accounts. Younger participants had higher SNSs addiction scores and reported having a greater number of SNSs accounts. SNSs addiction was also negatively linked to romantic relationship commitment. Finally, individuals who had higher SNSs addiction scores also reported having a greater number of SNSs accounts than those with low SNSs addiction scores. Results from the present study are pertinent and can help counselors customize a treatment plan based on SNSs users’ age and relationship status.
A Synopsis of Ricoeur’s Phenomenology of the Will: Implications for Nursing Practice, Research, and Education
Authors: Freysteinson Wyona M.
Published: June 2018

The will is a word that nurses may use to describe their patients’ actions or inactions. This concept has been extensively addressed by religions, psychologists, and philosophers. Ricoeur offered a phenomenology of the will in which three overarching key concepts were uncovered: decision, action, and consent. In this article, Ricoeur’s elaborative and exhaustive description of these three concepts is summarized. Examples as to how a phenomenology of the will may guide nurses in their day-to-day clinical practice in caring are provided. In research, Ricoeur’s phenomenology of the will may be used as a heuristic to guide phenomenological studies. An introduction to the will may act as a bridge between the art and science of nursing, providing nursing students with a greater understanding of the meaning of and need to provide holistic care.
How to Encourage Employees’ Acceptance of Performance Appraisal Systems in Korean Nonprofit Organizations? An Empirical Exploration of the Influence of Performance Monitoring Systems and Organizational Culture
Authors: Kim Min Young , Oh Hyun Gyu , Park Sung Min
Published: June 2018

As the consequences of the raise in the roles that nonprofit organizations play in providing public services, there is a need to generate solutions for the financial scandals involving nonprofit organizations that have ensued. Nonprofit organizations receive government funding as “third-party agents” of the government to deliver the meaningful outcomes required on performance measures. Many nonprofit organizations utilize performance appraisal systems to improve their accountability and demonstrate organizational trustworthiness. This study employs confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical multiple regression to examine data from the 2013 Korean Nonprofit Sector Survey. The results are as follows: (a) The current human resources and organizational monitoring systems in Korea play the most significant role in increasing employees’ acceptance of performance appraisal systems (APAS); (b) Korean nonprofit organizations’ new public management (NPM) culture is positively associated with APAS; and (c) the type of organizational culture (NPM or Confucian) moderates the relationship between performance monitoring systems (PMS) and APAS among nonprofit organization employees.
Multi-Level Governance: Explaining the “climate-focused” behavior of Chinese exporting companies
Authors: Huang Yitian
Published: June 2018

While being increasingly aware of the importance of adopting climate-friendly business strategies, Chinese exporting companies have been active in taking “climate-related” actions but moderate in taking “climate-focused” actions. This article presents a preliminary attempt to apply Multi-Level Governance theories to explain the behavior of Chinese exporting companies toward climate change mitigation. It argues that the convergence of state-centered climate politics and market-oriented climate governance, which has a multi-level feature, has shaped the “climate-focused” behavior of Chinese exporting companies. Specifically, nation-states, multinational enterprises, and non-governmental organizations have contributed in the following ways: (1) at the global level, nation-states co-established and interpreted international norms, which generally justify the stance of the Chinese government, have been an indirect source of influence; (2) at the national level, the Chinese government has been the most influential actor, which has put emphasis on energy-saving when interpreting and operationalizing international norms; (3) at the industrial level, multinational enterprises and international non-governmental organizations have been influential contributors by playing a proactive role in launching and running low-carbon initiatives; and (4) transnational public–private partnerships launched in China and some developed countries have offered limited momentum.
Big Data and AI – A transformational shift for government: So, what next for research?
Authors: Pencheva Irina , Esteve Marc , Mikhaylov Slava Jankin
Published: June 2018

Big Data and artificial intelligence will have a profound transformational impact on governments around the world. Thus, it is important for scholars to provide a useful analysis on the topic to public managers and policymakers. This study offers an in-depth review of the Policy and Administration literature on the role of Big Data and advanced analytics in the public sector. It provides an overview of the key themes in the research field, namely the application and benefits of Big Data throughout the policy process, and challenges to its adoption and the resulting implications for the public sector. It is argued that research on the subject is still nascent and more should be done to ensure that the theory adds real value to practitioners. A critical assessment of the strengths and limitations of the existing literature is developed, and a future research agenda to address these gaps and enrich our understanding of the topic is proposed.
Hybridizing the institutional logics of performance improvement and budgetary stewardship in English and Welsh local government
Authors: Ferry Laurence , Eckersley Peter
Published: June 2018

This article introduces and applies a three-stage process to show how advocates of the conflicting institutional logics of budgetary stewardship and performance improvement in English and Welsh local authorities created a hybrid logic. Drawing on interviews with officers in 25 councils, it demonstrates how cooperative working environments meant that hybridization proceeded largely ‘peacefully’, in contrast to previous studies of more competitive contexts that found it occurs on a ‘battlefield’. We argue that the nature of conflict within the hybridization process, along with the power dynamics between representatives of different logics, shapes the nature and sustainability of the resulting hybrid.
Modeling and adaptive compensation of tooth surface contour error for internal gearing power honing
Authors: Han Jiang , Zhu Yonggang , Xia Lian , Tian Xiaoqing , Yuan Bin
Published: June 2018

The machining of high precision gears requires a strict and accurate co-movement relationship controlled by the electronic gearbox between the moving axes of the gear machine tools. This article proposes a tooth surface contour error modeling method and an adaptive electronic gearbox cross-coupling controller for internal gearing power honing. First, the electronic gearbox model is structured according to the generative machining principle of internal gearing power honing and the tooth surface contour error is established by means of homogeneous coordinate transformation and meshing principle. Then, the adaptive electronic gearbox cross-coupling controller is designed, which comprises the electronic gearbox cross-coupling controller and the fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative controllers whose universes of membership functions in fuzzy rules are optimized by particle swarm optimization to improve the adaptability and robustness to disturbance fluctuation and model uncertainty of the system. Finally, experiments are carried out on a self-developed gear numerical control system. The results have demonstrated that the estimated tooth surface contour error using the proposed method is very close to the actual one, and the proposed adaptive electronic gearbox cross-coupling controller can effectively reduce the tracking error and the tooth surface contour error when compared to the electronic gearbox cross-coupling controller and non–electronic gearbox cross-coupling controller (electronic gearbox controller without cross-coupling and adaptive compensation).
Changing the training paradigm for learning: A model of human capital development
Authors: Calábria Felipe Alves , Melo Fagner José Coutinho de , Albuquerque Andre Philippi Gonzaga de , Jerônimo Taciana de Barros , Dumke de Medeiros Denise
Published: June 2018

This article presents the Tetrahedron of Innovation Processes model that aims to diagnose, through the understanding and analysis of the three vertices, areas that need improvements in training to generate a change in knowledge. The present research is intended to show the managers of a company in the energy sector the relationship between training and development programs and how their application can help the organization to design an organizational context orienting human behavior towards activities of learning and innovation. The model can be used to understand the relationship between capacity and internal resources on the influence of employee skills in information processing, creativity, and critical thinking by encouraging employee behavior, guiding a flow of knowledge to the company. Given the context, the model was able to ponder and classify the main aspects that must be improved for the development of human capital in the company studied and can help to find significant solutions for the necessary improvements to occur. With this, the article brings a paradigm shift in training and learning that will aid in the development of human knowledge.
Electric vehicles in China: A review of current policies
Authors: Li Wenbo , Yang Muyi , Sandu Suwin
Published: June 2018

Prompted by the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, the Chinese government has set ambitious targets for the uptake of electric vehicles. To achieve these targets is however a challenging task, due to various barriers in the uptake of electric vehicles, at both micro- and macro-levels. A range of monetary and non-monetary incentives has been implemented, or being considered for implementation, to overcome these barriers. This paper reviews these incentives with a view to assess the extent to which they are likely to remove the barriers in the uptake of electric vehicles. The review suggests that the primary focus of these incentives is to remove the micro-level barriers, such as high upfront costs, poor technical performance, and insufficient charging infrastructure. Limited attention has been paid to the macro-level barriers (for example, fragmented authority and local protectionism), despite ample evidence suggesting that these barriers could significantly impede the uptake of electric vehicles. Further, these incentives have tended to rely on regulation-based measures to remove the barriers. Only in the recent years, there appears to be a gradual shift towards market-based measures. This shift could improve the effectiveness of electric vehicle policies. The effectiveness of these policies could be enhanced if one recognizes the underlying macro-level barriers that are likely to protract or distort the implementation of market-based measures. This paper also provides some recommendations to remove these macro-level barriers.
Cognitive Maps: Some People Make Them, Some People Struggle
Authors: Weisberg Steven M. , Newcombe Nora S.
Published: June 2018

The proposal that humans can develop cognitive maps of their environment has a long and controversial history. We suggest an individual-differences approach to this question instead of a normative one. Specifically, there is evidence that some people derive flexible maplike representations from information acquired during navigation, whereas others store much less accurate information. Our research uses a virtual-reality paradigm in which two routes are learned and must be related to each other. It defines three groups: integrators, nonintegrators, and imprecise navigators. These groups show distinctive patterns of spatial skills and working memory, as well as personality. We contrast our approach with research challenging the cognitive-map hypothesis and offer directions for rapprochement between the two views.
Breast cancer mortality and screening mammography in New Zealand: Incidence-based and aggregate analyses
Authors: Taylor Richard , Gregory Marli , Sexton Kerry , Wharton Jessica , Sharma Nisha , Amoyal Georgina , Morrell Stephen
Published: June 2018

Objective

To investigate trends in breast cancer mortality in New Zealand women, to corroborate or negate a causal association with service screening mammography.

Method

Cumulated mortality rates from breast cancer deaths individually linked to incident cases diagnosed before and after screening commencement were compared, in women aged 50–64 (from 2001) and aged 45–49 and 65–69 (from 2006). Trends and differences in aggregate invasive breast cancer mortality (1975–2013) were assessed in relation to introduction of mammography screening targeting women aged 50–64 and 45–69. Joinpoint analysis was also undertaken.

Results

The reduction in incidence-based cumulated breast cancer mortality before and after the introduction of screening was −15% (p = 0.006) for women aged 45–69, and 17% (p = 0.005) for those aged 50–64. Aggregate mortality declined by −34% (2005–13 compared with 1992–98) in the age group 50–64, and by –28% among women aged 45–49 and –25% among women aged 65–74. For women aged 50–64 the 2-joinpoint model shows a 1990 turning point, from prior rising mortality to a mean −1.8% decline per annum, coinciding with improvements in primary treatment of breast cancer; and a steepening of the decline (−3.0% p.a.) from the late 1990s, coinciding with the introduction of service mammography screening.

Conclusion

Breast cancer mortality declines occurring since the advent of screening mammography in New Zealand are consistent with other incidence-based and aggregate studies of screening mammography in populations, individual-based cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials.
Advance care planning for frail older people in China: A discussion paper
Authors: Deng Ren-Li , Duan Jia-Zhong , Zhang Jiang-Hui , Miao Jia-Rui , Chen Liu-Liu , LEE Diana TF
Published: June 2018

As the aging population, including frail older people, continues to grow in Mainland China, quality of life and end-of-life care for frail older people has attracted much attention. Advance care planning is an effective way to improve end-of-life care for people with advanced diseases, and it is widely used in developed countries; however, it is a new concept in Mainland China. The effects of advance care planning and its acceptability in Mainland China are uncertain because of its culture-sensitive characteristics. The objective of this article is to discuss the serious social issue of caring for frail older people and illustrate the possibility of implementing advance care planning in nursing homes in Mainland China through a review of relevant literature, which will focus on legislation, healthcare system engagement, public engagement, and cultural issues. Recommendations to promote and implement advance care planning include choosing nursing homes as a proper setting, establishing an ethical climate, and enhancing public awareness.
Keep Calm and Carry On: Emotion Regulation in Entrepreneurs’ Learning from Failure
Authors: Fang He Vivianna , Sirén Charlotta , Singh Sheetal , Solomon George , von Krogh Georg
Published: June 2018

While failure urges entrepreneurs to learn, it also generates strong emotions that may hinder learning behaviors. Drawing on affective events theory, we develop a model reconciling the countervailing effects of failure. In particular, we focus on failure velocity—rate at which failure events are experienced—to understand entrepreneurs’ learning from failure. Survey data from entrepreneurs in the information technology industry reveals an inverted U–shaped relationship between failure velocity and learning behaviors. Emotion regulation moderates this relationship. When failure velocity rises beyond an inflection point, its relationship with learning behaviors is more positive for entrepreneurs with higher emotion regulation.
The behavior of cracked multiferroic composites: Fully coupled thermo-electro-magneto-elastic analysis
Authors: Aboudi Jacob
Published: June 2018

The response of cracked multiferroic composites that are subjected to thermo-electro-magneto-elastic loading is established by employing a two-scale analysis. To that end, the fully coupled constitutive and governing equations are utilized in the analysis. This form a generalization of a one-way thermal coupling analysis in which the electro-magneto-elastic field does not affect the thermal field. The micro-scale analysis is based on a micromechanical model which is capable of predicting the effective stiffness tensor of the undamaged multiferroic composite as well as the concentration tensors which enable the computation of the local field from the applied thermo-electro-magneto-elastic far-field. The macro-scale analysis provides the response of the cracked composite of periodic microstructure to the applied loading. It is based on the combined use of the representative cell method and the higher order theory. In the framework of the representative cell method, the problem for a periodic composite which is discretized into numerous identical cells is reduced to a problem of a single cell in the discrete Fourier transform domain. In the framework of the higher order theory, the governing equations and interfacial and periodic conditions formulated in the transform domain are solved by dividing the single cell into several subcells and imposing these conditions in an average (integral) sense. Results exhibit the responses caused by the application of mechanical, electric, magnetic, thermal, and heat flow loadings on two types of cracked periodically layered composites and provide comparisons between the predictions of the full and one-way thermal coupling analyses.
Integrating a Serious Game Into Case-Based Learning
Authors: Addy Tracie M. , Dube Derek , Croft Catherine , Nardolilli Jonathan O. , Paynter Orville C. , Hutchings Michelle L. , Honsberger Michael J. , Reeves Philip M.
Published: June 2018

Background. Gaming can augment case-based learning (CBL) when students play the role of characters in the accompanying narrative and apply their knowledge.

Aim. This article describes how an educational game was integrated into a CBL activity aimed to teach students the immunological basis behind how the Ebola virus evades the immune response.

Method. The CBL activity and game were co-developed to align with learning objectives relative to basic immunology. The exercise was implemented during a rigorous summer enrichment program with US domestic and international high school students. Quasi-experimental and exploratory correlational research designs were employed to assess student engagement and learning gains, and relationships to various factors including game playing attributes and goal orientations.

Results. Students found the CBL activity to be engaging and improve their understanding of the material. Comparison of pre-/post-test knowledge scores corroborated such findings. Increased student frequency of playing the game was associated with higher post-knowledge scores. Various student attributes were associated with increased learning and game play.

Conclusions. Gaming integrated within case studies has the potential to enhance students’ engagement and learning by allowing learners to explore challenging biological processes in a digital environment.
Don’t Shoot the Messenger: Experiences of Delivering Prognostic Information in the Context of Advanced Cancer
Authors: Masterson Melissa P. , Applebaum Allison J. , Buda Kara , Reisch Sally , Rosenfeld Barry
Published: June 2018

The study of prognostic understanding is imperative as the trend toward individualized medicine continues. However, without guidelines for discussing prognosis, palliative care clinicians face challenges presenting prognostic information in a way that optimizes patient understanding, psychological adjustment, and decision-making. The present study draws on the experiences of experts in the field of palliative care in order to examine the communication of prognostic information. Fifteen oncology, psycho-oncology, and palliative care professionals with expertise in doctor–patient communication participated in semi-structured interviews that focused on identifying the breadth of factors underlying prognostic understanding, as well as methods to identify and quantify this understanding. Three independent raters utilized a thematic content analysis framework to identify core themes that reflected unique aspects of prognostic understanding. Interviews yielded 2 types of information. Participants described the multifaceted nature of prognostic understanding and identified 5 distinct elements of prognostic understanding: understanding of current state of disease, life expectancy, curability, decline trajectory, and available treatment options. Participants also offered “best practice” techniques, including methods for determining a patient’s preferences for and understanding of prognostic information, assessing patient fears and concerns, and communicating medical uncertainties. Results emphasize the need for clinicians to join with patients to ensure that prognostic information is well understood. These results highlight the salience of health information preferences and strategies to provide comprehensive prognostic information, compassionately and with respect for each individual patient.
Physical Activity Correlates in Middle School Adolescents: Perceived Benefits and Barriers and Their Determinants
Authors: Roth Sarah E. , Gill Monique , Chan-Golston Alec M. , Rice Lindsay N. , Crespi Catherine M. , Koniak-Griffin Deborah , Cole Brian L. , Upchurch Dawn M. , Prelip Michael L.
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of benefits and barriers and their relationship with physical activity (PA) among predominantly Latino middle school students. Data were collected in a cross-sectional survey of 4,773 seventh-grade students recruited from a large, urban school district in Los Angeles. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to assess determinants of benefits and barriers as well as their association with self-reported PA. Differences in benefits and barriers were observed by gender, ethnicity, and body size. Barriers were negatively correlated with all three PA outcomes while benefits were positively associated with exercising at least 60 min daily. A deeper understanding of benefits and barriers can facilitate the development of interventions and collaborative efforts among physical education teachers, school nurses, and administrators to implement comprehensive approaches that encourage students’ participation in PA inside and outside of the classroom.
Helping With Meal Preparation and Children’s Dietary Intake: A Literature Review
Authors: Quelly Susan B.
Published: June 2018

Most children and adolescents do not meet dietary recommendations that may result in poor diets contributing to obesity. This systematic literature review was conducted to examine associations between helping with meal preparation at home and dietary quality, intake of specific foods, and/or dietary-related perceptions among youth. A search of databases using key terms was conducted for studies meeting criteria. This literature review included 15 studies using a cross-sectional descriptive design, with two studies also including a longitudinal design. Data were self-reported (or parent-reported) using various surveys and/or interviews. Study findings supported positive associations between youth involvement in home meal preparation and improvement in overall dietary quality, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, greater preference for vegetables, and higher self-efficacy for cooking and choosing healthy foods. Further research is needed to develop efficacious meal preparation interventions involving parents and their children to promote this mealtime behavior with many potential health benefits.
Battleground States and Local Coverage of American Presidential Campaigns
Authors: Milita Kerri , Ryan John Barry
Published: June 2018

Analyses of television news and major newspapers have led to the critique that “the media” ignore the issues in campaigns, which could explain studies that show limited effects for media coverage on knowledge. These studies overlook great variation in the quantity and quality of news coverage in local information environments. Using data collected from local newspaper websites during the 2012 American presidential election, we show the quality and quantity of local news campaign coverage differ substantially between battleground and nonbattleground states. In an effort to differentiate themselves from other news outlets, newspapers in battleground states play up the local angle (e.g., candidate visits), resulting in less attention to issues in their stories. These findings suggest the voters most important to the election outcome (i.e., those in battleground states) may have less information on candidate issue positions available within their local media market.
Examining the Overlap Between ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Using Candidate Endophenotypes of ADHD
Authors: Salunkhe G. , Weissbrodt K. , Feige B. , Saville C. W. N. , Berger A. , Dundon N. M. , Bender S. , Smyrnis N. , Beauducel A. , Biscaldi M. , Klein C.
Published: June 2018

Objective: Recent discussions of aetiological overlap between ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) require comparative studying of these disorders. Method: We examined performance of ASD patients with (ASD+) and without (ASD–) comorbid ADHD, ADHD patients, and controls for selected putative endophenotypes of ADHD: Intrasubject Variability (ISV) of reaction times, working memory (WM), inhibition, and temporal processing. Results: We found that patients with ADHD or ASD+, but not ASD–, had elevated ISV across the entire task battery and temporal processing deficits, and that none of the groups were impaired in WM or inhibition. High levels of ISV and generally poor performance in ASD+ patients were only partially due to additive effects of the pure disorders. Conclusion: Overall, we conclude that, within our limited but heterogeneous task battery, ISV and temporal processing deficits are most sensitive to ADHD symptomatology and that controlling for ADHD comorbidity is mandatory when assessing ISV in autism.
Interventional Echocardiography of the MV: What the Interventionalist Wants to Know
Authors: Mitrev Ludmil , Desai Nayan , Awad Ahmed , Sabir Sajjad
Published: June 2018

The past 2 decades have seen a proliferation of transcatheter mitral valve (MV) therapies, which are less invasive and distinct from surgical MV repair or replacement. The commonly used MV transcatheter therapies include (1) percutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy (PMBC) for rheumatic mitral stenosis; (2) edge-to-edge repair with the MitraClip for mitral regurgitation; (3) valve-in-valve implantation in bioprosthetic MV, native MV, or mitral ring; and (4) closure of paravalvular leaks (PVLs). This article will focus on the use of echocardiography in the diagnosis, patient selection, procedural guidance, and postprocedural follow-up for PMBC, with notes on the role of transesophageal echocardiography in transcatheter interventions for prosthetic valve degeneration and PVL closure.
Future Technology
Authors: Kohorst Kelly , Pretorius Mias
Published: June 2018

Mitral regurgitation is the most common valvular disease and significant (moderate/severe) mitral regurgitation is found in 2.3% of the population older than 65 years. New transcatheter minimally invasive technologies are being developed to address mitral valve disease in patients deemed too high a risk for conventional open-heart surgery. There are several features of the mitral valve (saddle-shaped noncalcified annulus with irregular leaflet geometry) that make a transcatheter approach to repair or replacing the valve more challenging compared with the aortic valve. Several devices are under investigation for transcatheter mitral valve replacement, and also for mitral valve repair targeting the mitral valve leaflets, chordae tendinae, and mitral annulus. The MitraClip device is the only Food and Drug Administration–approved device to treat mitral regurgitation by targeting the mitral leaflets. There are eight minimally invasive devices being studied in humans that target the mitral annulus, and at least two devices being studied in animal models. There are 5 devices in clinical trials for minimally invasive approaches targeting the chordae tendinae. More than 10 different transcatheter mitral valves are in various stages of development and clinical trials. These transcatheter mitral valves can be delivered either through a transseptal, transapical, transaortic, or left atriotomy approach. It seems likely that transcatheter treatment approaches to mitral valve disease will become more common, at least in the sick and elderly patient population.
Chemokine Expression Is Involved in the Vascular Neogenesis of Ewing Sarcoma: A Preliminary Analysis of the Early Stages of Angiogenesis in a Xenograft Model
Authors: Giner Francisco , López-Guerrero José A , Fernández-Serra Antonio , Machado Isidro , Mayordomo-Aranda Empar , Peydró-Olaya Amando , Llombart-Bosch Antonio
Published: June 2018

Background

Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is the second most common bone cancer in pediatric patients. Angiogenesis is a major factor for tumor growth and metastasis. Our aim was to carry out a histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization of the neovascularization established between xenotransplanted tumors and the host during the initial phases of growth in nude mice in three angiogenesis experiments (ES2, ES3, and ES4).

Methods

The original human EWS were implanted subcutaneously on the backs of three nude mice. Tumor pieces 3 mm–4 mm in size from early passages of Nu432, Nu495, and Nu471 were also implanted subcutaneously on the backs of three sets (ES2, ES3, and ES4) of athymic Balb-c nude mice (n = 14 each). The animals were sacrificed at 24, 48, and 96 hours and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after implantation to perform histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular studies (neovascularization experiments).

Results

We observed histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical changes in the xenografted tumor at different times after implantation. Chemokine ligand expression peaked twice, once during the first 48 hours and again in the second week. We observed that tumor cells in contact with murine peritumoral stroma presented higher expression of chemokine ligands as well as more tumor cells around the capillary vessels. Mouse serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels peaked twice, once in the first hours and then in the second week after tumor implantation.

Conclusion

Chemokines and other angiogenic factors may be relevant in the angiogenic mechanism during tumor growth. This model provides information on the early stages of the angiogenic process and could be a useful tool in researching anti-angiogenic drugs for new therapeutic strategies in EWS.
Frontline Employee Feedback-Seeking Behavior: How Is It Formed and When Does It Matter?
Authors: Auh Seigyoung , Menguc Bulent , Imer Pinar , Uslu Aypar
Published: June 2018

This research comprises two studies that extend the literature on the proactive behavior of feedback seeking. Study 1 uses cross-sectional data from frontline employees across 51 apparel stores to examine how feedback seeking is formed and under what conditions. The results suggest that the development of feedback-seeking behavior is contingent on a feedback-seeking climate and the relationship between an employee and his or her supervisor. Study 2 uses longitudinal data collected across three time periods from multiple respondents (i.e., frontline employees and managers) not only to replicate the findings from Study 1 but also to explore when feedback seeking matters. The findings reveal that managers should target employees who are less (vs. more) satisfied with their jobs because such employees perceive more instrumental value from feedback as a means to improve customer service and sales performance. The findings from this research provide insights that managers can use to increase feedback-seeking behavior from employees and effectively identify and manage the conditions under which feedback seeking will occur to greater or lesser degrees.
Active control of thermal buckling and vibration for a sandwich composite laminated plate with piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite actuator facesheets
Authors: Li Jinqiang , Li Fengming , Narita Yoshihiro
Published: June 2018

The present paper is concerned with the active control of thermal buckling and vibration of a sandwich composite laminated plate with piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite actuator facesheets in a thermal environment. An active temperature feedback control strategy is proposed for the thermal buckling of the composite sandwich plate. The results of numerical simulations show that the piezoelectric actuator can significantly improve the thermal buckling characteristics of the composite plates. The influence of the active thermal buckling control gain on the damping ratio and natural frequency of the structure is also investigated. From the numerical results it is observed that the active thermal buckling control with temperature feedback gain can not only enlarge the critical buckling temperature but can also reduce the resonant amplitude of the structure. Furthermore, the optimization problem is studied and it is found that the critical buckling temperature can be optimized by varying the fiber orientation in the piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite layer. The active thermal buckling control method presented in this paper working in combination with the vibration control strategy can significantly improve the stability of the laminated composite plates. The present study will be useful for designing laminated composite structures used in the thermal environment.
Parents’ experiences of their adolescent’s mental health treatment: Helplessness or agency-based hope
Authors: Brown Jenny
Published: June 2018

This article explores some core findings from a qualitative investigation of parents’ experiences of their child’s treatment in an adolescent mental health service in Sydney, Australia. In particular, the research question was, “How does parents’ involvement in the child/adolescent’s treatment influence their perception of how they can be helpful in their child’s recovery?” The theme of parent hope emerged from the broad qualitative exploration of parent’s experience of their involvement in their adolescent’s intensive treatment program. A purposive sample of 14 sets of parents participated, being interviewed at admission, discharge, and 6 months following their adolescent’s discharge. A continuum of high, moderate, and low levels of hope were evident in this parent sample 6 months after their treatment involvement. The strongly emergent theme was the relationship between parents’ hope and agency/self-efficacy. Parents who remained more passive in expecting expert helpers to fix their child experienced reduced hope months after finishing the program. When parents positively changed their interaction with their child, they felt a more sustained hopefulness. These findings generate the hypothesis that if parents are actively involved in changing themselves as part of their child’s treatment, they experience increased hope and effectiveness in contributing to their child’s recovery.
The prevalence of anxiety on the empty-nest elders in China
Authors: Wang Lei , Shentu Qunfei , Xu Banghua , Liang Ying
Published: June 2018

This study aims to review the pooled prevalence of anxiety disorders among empty-nest elderly in China. Nine studies and 4245 empty-nest elders in China were included in this meta-analysis. A combined effect size with 95 percent confidence intervals was calculated to indicate the magnitude of the effect. The results indicated that the pooled prevalence of anxiety disorders among empty-nest elderly in China was 41.0% (95% confidence interval: 26%–56%). In addition, the different regions in China show different prevalence of anxiety. We speculated that the prevalence varies based on the different methods performed in the empty-nest elderly.
The effect of input on bilingual adolescents’ long-term language outcomes in a foreign language instruction context
Authors: Huang Becky H , Chang Yung-Hsiang Shawn , Zhi Mingxia , Niu Luping
Published: June 2018

The aim of the current study is twofold: to examine the effects of input on bilingual adolescents’ long-term second language (L2) outcomes in a minority/foreign language context; and to understand the interaction between input and other potential predictors of L2 outcomes, specifically environmental variables, learners’ motivation and language learning aptitude. Participants included 97 Mandarin–English bilingual adolescents in Taiwan who learned English as an L2 between the ages of two to eleven. All participants completed a listening comprehension and a story-telling task in English and two standardized language learning aptitude tests. Participants and their parents filled out a detailed questionnaire providing information about family demographics and in-class and out-of-class L2 input. Correlation and multivariate regression analyses revealed that input played an important role in long-term L2 listening comprehension outcome, but not in speech production outcomes. The results also showed that environmental variables and language learning aptitude significantly predicted long-term L2 listening comprehension and speech production outcomes. Finally, out-of-class L2 input outweighed instructional input and current input outweighed early input. Since most previous research on the role of input in long-term L2 outcomes was conducted in a majority/societal language context, the present study contributes to the topic by specifying the effect of input in L2 acquisition in a minority/foreign language context.
How does maternal education influence the linguistic environment supporting bilingual language development in child second language learners of English?
Authors: Sorenson Duncan Tamara , Paradis Johanne
Published: June 2018

Aims:

In monolingual situations, mothers with higher levels of education are more likely to provide their children with enriched linguistic input. However, in bilingual situations, the relationship between maternal education and input is more complex because education may have occurred in one, but not both, of the languages. This study details this complexity by examining the relationship between maternal education and linguistic input in a group of children learning English as a second language (L2).

Method:

Participants were 89 immigrant/refugee children, living in Canada with diverse first languages (L1s). They completed a story-telling task in their L2 and parent reports provided a measure of L1 development. Parents also answered detailed questionnaires about family demographics and linguistic input within the family.

Results:

Regression modeling revealed that cumulative exposure to the L2 in school, maternal L2 fluency, relative quantity of L1/L2 use by the mother (input) and by the child (output) all influenced children’s L1 and L2 development. Relative quantity of input and maternal L2 fluency were, in turn, influenced by the amount of education mothers had completed and the language in which that education occurred. In instances where mothers were educated primarily in the L1, higher levels of education were associated with relatively more L1 input. For mothers who were educated predominantly in the L2, higher levels of education were associated with relatively more L2 input. Across both groups, mothers with higher levels of education had higher L2 fluency.

Conclusion:

This study revealed a complex relationship between the amount of education a mother has, the language in which that education occurred and the linguistic input she provides to her children. This complexity highlights that monolingual studies about input and environment may not offer a sufficiently nuanced perspective to account for the greater levels of variability found in bilingual situations.

Originality:

Previous research has offered valuable insights into the relationship between individual difference factors and bilingual acquisition. This study moves the field forward through the consideration of the interaction between factors in shaping bilingual acquisition.
Lessons from the study of input effects on bilingual development
Authors: Hoff Erika
Published: June 2018

This special issue commentary draws seven lessons from the four papers on input and bilingual development: (1) the environments in which children become bilingual vary widely, (2) capturing the relevant features of those environments is difficult, (3) input is shaped by the larger social context, (4) language skill is multifaceted, (5) the relation of input to language skill may be different for different facets of language, (6) not just input, but also language use affect language development, (7) studies of the relation of input to bilingual development provide a unique window onto basic processes of language development.
Diagnosis and analysis of abnormal noise in the pure electric vehicle’s air condition compressor at idle
Authors: Zhiwei Cheng , Yigang Lu
Published: June 2018

A pure electric vehicle may produce an abnormal ‘clicking noise’ when idling, especially as start-up, which can be a serious problem in terms of product performance. In this paper: (1) professional evaluators carry out subjective evaluations and the abnormal noise-generation mechanism and its transfer path are analysed; (2) the mode shape and sound pressure distribution are both simulated using the finite element method; (3) the AC compressor’s sound source is identified and located in the main frequency domain using the acoustic array and image formation method, so vibration and interior vehicle noise measurements from the compressor are carried out; and (4) based on the established causes of the abnormal noise, three effective approaches – structure reinforcement, manufacturing process improvement and start-up control optimization – are presented to help prevent abnormal noises from the AC compressor.
Belonging and culturally nuanced communication in a refugee early childhood centre in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Mitchell Linda , Bateman Amanda
Published: June 2018

As a concept, ‘belonging’ is acknowledged to be complex, culturally determined and multifaceted. The processes of supporting belonging through early childhood education, especially where different cultural beliefs require understanding and negotiation, are not well understood. This is certainly the case for refugee children and families within early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand. Coming to belong is a particular challenge for these families who have been forcibly displaced from their home country. This article analyses documentation and video and interview data from a research study in an early childhood centre for refugee children and families. The ways in which cultural values and communication modes of gesture, spoken language, voice tone and dance were integrated within the curriculum are examined. A main argument is that pedagogy which incorporates key cultural constructs that refugee families bring with them strengthens a sense of belonging.