bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fires, statistics, ignition sources, and passive fire protection measures
Authors: Troitzsch Juergen H.
Published: April 2016

Although the number of fires continuously decreases, there are still too many fatalities. A comprehensive review of fire statistics shows upholstered furniture to cause most fire deaths, followed by electrical distribution fires. In transportation, car and bus fires are a major problem. European and US fire regulations provide a reasonable level of fire safety, but too low for cars and buses. The elimination of the open-flame upholstered furniture test in California is problematic. The fire safety performance levels that flame-retarded products achieve in mandatory fire tests and full-scale studies show the efficacy of flame retardants and of barriers. Flame retardants are not generally unsafe for humans and the environment. European Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, US Environmental Protection Agency studies, and GreenScreen show ways to identify safer flame retardant systems. A balanced approach involving facts from fire statistics, adapting fire regulations, and improving products fire safety will help to reduce fire losses.
Intrapair Similarity of Computer Self-Efficacy in Turkish Adolescent Twins
Authors: Deryakulu Deniz , Mcilroy David , Ursavaş Ömer Faruk , Çalışkan Erkan
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate genetic and environmental influences on computer self-efficacy. A total of 165 Turkish twin-pairs participated in the study. Participants’ mean age was 12.45 ( SD = 1.82). The results of paired t-test comparisons showed no significant differences in monozygotic, and both same-sex and opposite-sex dizygotic twin-pairs’ levels of computer self-efficacy. Correlations were calculated to test intrapair similarity for computer self-efficacy. The monozygotic correlation for computer self-efficacy was .443 and the same-sex dizygotic correlation was .472, suggesting no genetic contribution to computer self-efficacy but providing support for environmental influences. Interpretations of results and potential directions for future research are presented.
Redefining the Roles of Parents and Social Structure in the Educational Outcomes of Cambodian Young Adults
Authors: Eng Sothy , Mulsow Miriam , Kostina-Ritchey Erin , Zvonkovic Anisa
Published: April 2016

In this article, we examine the roles of Coleman’s social capital in university attendance among Cambodian young adults, utilizing grounded theory that includes in-depth interviews with 10 purposefully selected third-year university students. Results indicate that self-motivation, parental expectations, extended family assistance, mentors’ assistance, sibling inspirations, and social norms serve as student-acquired resources that facilitate university attendance. Under Coleman’s framework, numerous studies concentrate on the role of authoritative figures (e.g., parents or parents’ networks) in children’s developmental trajectories, viewing parents as sole distributors of resources to children whose outcomes depend on what they receive—in the absence of which, their positive developmental outcomes would be negated. This study, however, provides further evidence that children are capable of assisting each other, motivating themselves, and overcoming adverse social norms to help them advance academically, in the absence or lack of parental attention and/or involvement. This study suggests that individuals’ self-motivation be integral in social capital concepts.
Central Venous Access in the Pediatric Population With Emphasis on Complications and Prevention Strategies
Authors: Duesing Lori A. , Fawley Jason A. , Wagner Amy J.
Published: April 2016

Central venous catheters are often necessary in the pediatric population. Access may be challenging, and each vessel presents its own unique set of risks and complications. Central venous catheterization is useful for hemodynamic monitoring, rapid fluid infusion, and administration of hyperosmolar medications, including vasopressors, antibiotics, chemotherapy, and parenteral nutrition. Recent advances have improved the catheters used as well as techniques for insertion. A serious complication of central access is infection, which is associated with morbidity, mortality, and significant financial costs. Reduction of catheter‐related bloodstream infections is realized with use of ethanol locks, single lumens when appropriate, and prudent adherence to insertion and maintenance bundles. Ultrasound guidance used for central venous catheter placement improves accuracy of placement, reducing time and unsuccessful insertion and complication rates. Patients with central venous catheters are best served by multidisciplinary team involvement.
An early Holocene age for the Vatn landslide (Skagafjörður, central northern Iceland): Insights into the role of postglacial landsliding on slope development
Authors: Decaulne Armelle , Cossart Etienne , Mercier Denis , Feuillet Thierry , Coquin Julien , Jónsson Helgi Páll
Published: April 2016

Recent research in northern Iceland has highlighted a significant period of rock slope instability during the early Holocene due to the combined effects of postglacial rebound, relative sea-level fall, and glacially oversteepened mountain slopes. Using the Vatn landslide (Skagafjörður, central northern Iceland) as an example, this paper focuses on this period and describes the sequence of events that led to landsliding. Geomorphic mapping, stratigraphical evidence, and both radiocarbon and tephra dating were applied. Collectively, the data acquired indicate that the landslide occurred between 11,400 and 10,790 cal. yr BP. However, while rock slope failure represents a significant disintegration of mountain slopes, this study suggests that large postglacial landslides might also play a role in arresting sediment transport from other hillslope processes rather than contributing large volumes of sediment.
NewAccess for depression and anxiety: adapting the UK Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Program across Australia
Authors: Cromarty Paul , Drummond Aaron , Francis Tamara , Watson Julianne , Battersby Malcolm
Published: April 2016

Objective:

NewAccess is a Low Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (LiCBT) early intervention pilot, for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. In November 2015 the Australian Government Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services specifically highlighted the program, stating, “Primary Health Networks will.…be encouraged and supported to work towards better utilisation of low intensity ‘coaching’ services for people with lesser needs, building on evaluations of programmes such as the NewAccess model of care, and the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies model of stepped care implemented in the United Kingdom.” NewAccess runs in three sites (Adelaide, Canberra and North Coast New South Wales) based on the successful UK Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) model. NewAccess involves training in evidence-based interventions, regular clinical supervision and recording outcome measures every session. Key performance indicators include functional recovery,loss of diagnosis, return to employment and early intervention.

Conclusions:

Adaptation to Australia accommodated contextual issues such as geographical isolation and infrastructure of the healthcare system. Initial recovery rates and projected economic viability for NewAccess are very promising, supporting wider adoption of an IAPT model across Australia. In addition it has resulted in the emergence of a new Australian workforce in community mental health with the LiCBT ‘Coach’.
Comparative Studies of Collaborative Team Depression Care Adoption in Safety Net Clinics
Authors: Ell Kathleen , Wu Shinyi , Guterman Jeffrey , Schulman Sandra-Gross , Sklaroff Laura , Lee Pey-Jiuan
Published: April 2016

Purpose:

To evaluate three approaches adopting collaborative depression care model in Los Angeles County safety net clinics with predominantly Latino type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods:

Pre–post differences in treatment rates and symptom reductions were compared between baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups for each approach: (a) Multifaceted Depression and Diabetes Program (MDDP) grant–hired social workers dedicated for depression care, (b) Diabetes–Depression Care-Management Adoption Trial (DCAT) supported care (SC) by clinic social workers in diabetes disease management teams, and (c) DCAT-automated care-management technology-facilitated care (TC) model. All social workers were guided by a depression care protocol.

Results:

All approaches significantly increased treatment rate, the largest improvement being MDDP (40%), followed by TC (30%) and then SC (20%). Similar patterns were found in symptom improvement (≥50% depression score reductions) and self-rated health. TC was the only approach to significantly improve patient diabetes self-care.

Discussion:

Activated social workers and technology facilitation provide promising effective adoption of collaborative depression team care in safety net.
Incidence of Delirium Among Patients Having Cancer Injected With Different Opioids for the First Time
Authors: Tanaka Rei , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Sato Tetsu , Shino Michihiro , Matsumoto Teruaki , Mori Keita , Omae Katsuhiro , Osaka Iwao
Published: April 2016

Background:

Despite the risk of drug-induced delirium, it is difficult to avoid the use of opioids in palliative care. However, no previous study has carefully investigated how the development of delirium varies among patients injected with different opioids for the first time.

Objectives:

To reveal the difference in the incidence of delirium between different opioids.

Design:

The incidence of delirium was compared among 114 patients who had started morphine, oxycodone, or fentanyl injection at Shizuoka Cancer Center between June 2012 and September 2014.

Results:

The incidence of delirium was 28.9% in the morphine group (n = 38), 19.5% in the oxycodone group (n = 41), and 8.6% in the fentanyl group (n = 35). There was a significant difference between the morphine and fentanyl groups (Fisher’s exact test, P = 0.04) but not between the morphine and oxycodone groups (P = 0.43) nor between the oxycodone and fentanyl groups (P = 0.21).

Conclusions:

The incidence of delirium after the commencement of fentanyl injection was significantly lower, suggesting that fentanyl is a useful opioid injection drug from the perspective of delirium risk.
Fatigue and fretting fatigue life prediction of double-lap bolted joints using continuum damage mechanics-based approach
Authors: Sun Ying , Voyiadjis George Z , Hu Weiping , Shen Fei , Meng Qingchun
Published: April 2016

Fatigue and fretting fatigue are the main failure mode in bolted joints when subjected to cyclic load. Based on continuum damage mechanics, an elastic–plastic fatigue damage model and a fretting fatigue damage model are combined to evaluate the fatigue property of bolted joints to cover the two different failure modes arisen at two possible critical sites. The predicted fatigue lives agree well with the experimental results available in the literature. The beneficial effects of clamping force on fatigue life improvement of the bolted joint are revealed: part of the load is transmitted by friction force in the contact interface, and the stress amplitude at the critical position is decreased due to the reduction in the force transmitted by the bolt. The negative effect of fretting damage on the bolted joint is also captured in the simulation.
An Institutional Perspective on Accountable Care Organizations
Authors: Goodrick Elizabeth , Reay Trish
Published: April 2016

We employ aspects of institutional theory to explore how Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) can effectively manage the multiplicity of ideas and pressures within which they are embedded and consequently better serve patients and their communities. More specifically, we draw on the concept of institutional logics to highlight the importance of understanding the conflicting principles upon which ACOs were founded. Based on previous research conducted both inside and outside health care settings, we argue that ACOs can combine attention to these principles (or institutional logics) in different ways; the options fall on a continuum from (a) segregating the effects of multiple logics from each other by compartmentalizing responses to multiple logics to (b) fully hybridizing the different logics. We suggest that the most productive path for ACOs is to situate their approach between the two extremes of “segregating” and “fully hybridizing.” This strategic approach allows ACOs to develop effective responses that combine logics without fully integrating them. We identify three ways that ACOs can embrace institutional complexity short of fully hybridizing disparate logics: (1) reinterpreting practices to make them compatible with other logics; (2) engaging in strategies that take advantage of existing synergy between conflicting logics; (3) creating opportunities for people at frontline to develop innovative ways of working that combine multiple logics.
Teaching Hospitals and the Disconnect Between Technology Adoption and Comparative Effectiveness Research: The Case of the Surgical Robot
Authors: Makarov Danil V. , Li Huilin , Lepor Herbert , Gross Cary P. , Blustein Jan
Published: April 2016

The surgical robot, a costly technology for treatment of prostate cancer with equivocal marginal benefit, rapidly diffused into clinical practice. We sought to evaluate the role of teaching in the early adoption phase of the surgical robot. Teaching hospitals were the primary early adopters: data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project showed that surgical robots were acquired by 45.5% of major teaching, 18.0% of minor teaching and 8.0% of non-teaching hospitals during the early adoption phase. However, teaching hospital faculty produced little comparative effectiveness research: By 2008, only 24 published studies compared robotic prostatectomy outcomes to those of conventional techniques. Just ten of these studies (41.7%) were more than minimally powered, and only six (25%) involved cross-institutional collaborations. In adopting the surgical robot, teaching hospitals fulfilled their mission to innovate, but failed to generate corresponding scientific evidence.
Investigating the Self
Authors: Jean-Charles Alex
Published: April 2016

The author utilized a screenplay as performance ethnography to add depth and an alternative means of conveying the stories of young Black Caribbean Franco males living in the Diaspora. The dialogue allowed the audience to witness the conflicting relationship that the youth experienced with technology (surveillance in particular) as both a source of oppression and potential source of freedom. The author posited that this freedom would lead to forgiveness (rooted Arendt’s work on vita activa) and ultimately love and conscientization (found in Freire’s work Pedagogy of the Oppressed) but can only emerge when given the space to be expressed through art, music, movement, or any nonwritten communication that did not further silence the participants.
ADHD Is Highly Prevalent in Patients Seeking Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorders
Authors: Notzon Daniel P. , Pavlicova Martina , Glass Andrew , Mariani John J. , Mahony Amy L. , Brooks Daniel J. , Levin Frances R.
Published: April 2016

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of ADHD and determine an effective screening test for ADHD in a population-seeking treatment for cannabis use disorders. Method: The Conners Adult ADHD Diagnostic Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition ( DSM-IV; CAADID) was used to generate sensitivity and specificity data for ADHD screening tests, which were then administered to 99 participants seeking treatment for cannabis use disorders to estimate ADHD prevalence. Results: The prevalence estimated from the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) was 45% (sensitivity = 0.88, sensitivity of 0.75), from the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) 34% (sensitivity = 0.80, specificity = 0.91), from the WURS + CAARS 36% (sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.95), and from the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) 46% (sensitivity = 0.61, specificity = 0.86). Conclusion: The prevalence of ADHD in adults seeking treatment for cannabis use disorders is estimated to be between 34% and 46%. The WURS paired with the CAARS provides excellent sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ADHD in this population.
The Global Epidemiologic Transition
Authors: Atiim George A. , Elliott Susan J.
Published: April 2016

Globally, there has been a shift in the causes of illness and death from infectious diseases to noncommunicable diseases. This changing pattern has been attributed to the effects of an (ongoing) epidemiologic transition. Although researchers have applied epidemiologic transition theory to questions of global health, there have been relatively few studies exploring its relevance especially in the context of emerging allergic disorders in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this article, we address the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of epidemiologic transition theory. After a brief review of the literature on the evolution of the epidemiologic transition with a particular emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa, we discuss existing frameworks designed to help inform our understanding of changing health trends in the developing world. We subsequently propose a framework that privileges “place” as a key construct informing our understanding. In so doing, we use the example of allergic disease, one of the fastest growing chronic conditions in most parts of the world.
Reducing the Role of the Food, Tobacco, and Alcohol Industries in Noncommunicable Disease Risk in South Africa
Authors: Delobelle Peter , Sanders David , Puoane Thandi , Freudenberg Nicholas
Published: April 2016

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) impose a growing burden on the health, economy, and development of South Africa. According to the World Health Organization, four risk factors, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, account for a significant proportion of major NCDs. We analyze the role of tobacco, alcohol, and food corporations in promoting NCD risk and unhealthy lifestyles in South Africa and in exacerbating inequities in NCD distribution among populations. Through their business practices such as product design, marketing, retail distribution, and pricing and their business practices such as lobbying, public relations, philanthropy, and sponsored research, national and transnational corporations in South Africa shape the social and physical environments that structure opportunities for NCD risk behavior. Since the election of a democratic government in 1994, the South African government and civil society groups have used regulation, public education, health services, and community mobilization to modify corporate practices that increase NCD risk. By expanding the practice of health education to include activities that seek to modify the practices of corporations as well as individuals, South Africa can reduce the growing burden of NCDs.
Implementation of Policies and Strategies for Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in Malawi
Authors: Lupafya Phindile Chitsulo , Mwagomba Beatrice L. Matanje , Hosig Kathy , Maseko Lucy M. , Chimbali Henry
Published: April 2016

Malawi is a Sub-Saharan African country experiencing the epidemiological transition from predominantly infectious to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) with dramatically increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Malawi’s 2011-2016 Health Sector Strategic Plan included NCDs, and an NCD Control Program was established with subsequent development of a National Action Plan for prevention and management of NCDs launched in 2013. The current study was designed to identify gaps in implementation of NCD control program policies and action plan strategies by describing current efforts toward prevention and management of NCDs in Malawi with emphasis on challenges and opportunities. Semistructured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from Malawi Ministry of Health personnel (senior officers, service providers, health education officers, and nutritionists) in 10 health districts and 3 central hospitals. Frequencies were generated for quantitative data. Qualitative data were used to generate themes and most common responses. Results showed that current services focus on facility-based NCD screening and clinical services rather than active screening, prevention, and community awareness and outreach, although respondents emphasized the importance of prevention, lifestyle education, and community outreach. Respondents indicated inadequate resources for NCD services including financial capital, human resources, equipment and supplies, and transportation. While Malawi has begun to address NCDs, policy and practice implications include (a) better integration of services within the existing infrastructure with emphasis on capacity building; (b) greater implementation of planned NCD activities; (c) a stronger, more comprehensive data management system; and (d) innovative funding solutions.
Cognitive Impairment Among the Aging Population in a Community in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Adebiyi Akindele O. , Ogunniyi Adesola , Adediran Babatunde A. , Olakehinde Olaide O. , Siwoku Akeem A.
Published: April 2016

Background. Vascular risk models can be quite informative in assisting the clinician to make a prediction of an individual’s risk of cognitive impairment. Thus, a simple marker is a priority for low-capacity settings. This study examines the association of selected simple to deploy vascular markers with cognitive impairment in an elderly population. Method. This cross-sectional study assessed the cognitive functions of older persons 65 years and older in southwest Nigeria. Vascular parameters and risk factors were also measured. Analysis was done using SPSS, and logistic regression was used to explore the association between cognitive impairment and certain vascular risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, diabetes, and pulse pressure. Results. The study population comprised 623 participants (29.1% men) with mean age 73 ± 8.9 years. Having mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure in the fourth quartiles (27% and 29.9%, respectively) was significantly associated with cognitive impairment ( p = .001, p < .001). Predicted cardiovascular risks of 10% or more was significantly associated with cognitive impairment ( p < .001). After adjusting for age, gender, educational level, and years of smoking, those with MAP in the fourth quartile were up to 3 times more likely to have cognitive impairment compared to those within the first quartile. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that among elderly Nigerians, MAPs of 114 mmHg and more was an independent predictor of cognitive impairment. This is a simple measure that is available in low-capacity areas.
A Tri-Method Approach to a Review of Adventure Tourism Literature: Bibliometric Analysis, Content Analysis, and a Quantitative Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Cheng Mingming , Edwards Deborah , Darcy Simon , Redfern Kylie
Published: April 2016

This article provides an objective, systematic, and integrated review of the Western academic literature on adventure tourism to discover the theoretical foundations and key themes underlying the field by combining three complementary approaches of bibliometric analysis, content analysis, and a quantitative systematic review. A total of 114 publications on adventure tourism were identified that revealed three broad areas of foci with adventure tourism research: (1) adventure tourism experience, (2) destination planning and development, and (3) adventure tourism operators. Adventure tourism has an intellectual tradition from multiple disciplines, such as the social psychology of sport and recreation. There is an underrepresentation of studies examining non-Western tourists in their own geographic contexts or non-Western tourists in Western geographic contexts. Our findings pave ways for developing a more robust framework and holistic understanding of the adventure tourism field.
Learning through dissonance: Critical service-learning in a juvenile detention center as field experience in music teacher education
Authors: Nichols Jeananne , Sullivan Brian M.
Published: April 2016

Though many pre-service music teachers have received exemplary instruction in their high school music programs, these programs may not be representative of the social, cultural, and economic diversity of their broader communities. This insularity may hinder their perceptions of their community as they step into an increasingly diverse school environment. The Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center (CCJDC) Arts Project was adopted as a critical service-learning course in order to introduce pre-service music teachers to students and ways of teaching that may be different from what they typically encounter through their university field experiences. Participants in the project designed and facilitated music and arts experiences with the incarcerated youth once per week over an entire semester. In this case study we examine the experiences of six pre-service music teachers who participated in the CCJDC Arts Project during 2012, looking for moments of “dissonance,” which Kiely defines as incongruities between participants’ past experiences and the challenging reality they encounter through the project. Entry into the facility, interactions with the youth at the facility, and the musical practices shaped by the needs of the facility all worked in tandem to challenge participants’ latent expectations and beliefs about their community, and to heighten their awareness of the sociocultural systems that shape their future students, their developing teaching practices, and their own privileged positions in school and society.
Psychosocial distress in women diagnosed with gynecological cancer
Authors: Warren Narelle , Melrose Deirdre M , Brooker Joanne E , Burney Sue
Published: April 2016

Many women with gynecological cancer report psychosocial distress, and clarification of the risks, vulnerabilities, and protective factors is required. The aim of this study was to investigate the lived experience of gynecological cancer patients and to understand the factors that underlie psychosocial distress. Semi-structured interviews with seven women diagnosed with gynecological cancer revealed the role of social support, or its absence, selective withholding of information, and existential loneliness in women’s experience of distress. Social support provided a buffer against distress, while feelings of alienation and being alone exacerbated distress. Interventions to address these concerns may lead to improved quality of life for this patient group.
Learning English during the summer: A comparison of two domestic programs for pre-adolescents
Authors: Tragant Elsa , Serrano Raquel , Llanes Àngels
Published: April 2016

Contexts that promote intensive second language (L2) experiences (typically, stay abroad, immersion, etc.) are reported to facilitate language development; yet, little is known about such programs when they are addressed to school-age learners in their home country. The present study examines the experiences of learners aged 11–13 years who participated in two domestic summer programs: a group of 58 learners on an overnight summer camp and a group of 47 learners at a language school. While the learners on both programs received English lessons on a daily basis, only those in the summer camp were exposed to English during non-language related activities. L2 development was assessed by administering three productive tasks and students’ experiences were recorded using questionnaires and via on-site observations. Our results indicate that the learners in both settings underwent significant L2 improvement in spite of the short duration of the two programs (three to four weeks). The results also highlight the challenge that domestic intensive programs face in seeking to maximize L2 use.
The Impact of Lung Ventilation on Some Cytokines after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Toikkanen V. , Rinne T. , Nieminen R. , Moilanen E. , Laurikka J. , Porkkala H. , Tarkka M. , Mennander A.
Published: April 2016

Background and Aims:

Cardiopulmonary bypass induces a systematic inflammatory response, which is partly understood by investigation of peripheral blood cytokine levels alone; the lungs may interfere with the net cytokine concentration. We investigated whether lung ventilation influences lung passage of some cytokines after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Material and Methods:

In total, 47 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled, and 37 were randomized according to the ventilation technique: (1) No-ventilation group, with intubation tube detached from the ventilator; (2) low tidal volume group, with continuous low tidal volume ventilation; and (3) continuous 10 cm H2O positive airway pressure. Ten selected patients undergoing surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass served as a referral group. Representative pulmonary and radial artery blood samples were collected for the evaluation of calculated lung passage (pulmonary/radial artery) of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 and interleukin 8) and the anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 immediately after induction of anesthesia (T1), 1 h after restoring ventilation/return of flow in all grafts (T2), and 20 h after restoring ventilation/return of flow in all grafts (T3).

Results:

Pulmonary/radial artery interleukin 6 and pulmonary/radial artery interleukin 8 ratios ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.05, respectively) decreased, while pulmonary/radial artery interleukin 10 ratio ( p = 0.001) increased in patients without cardiopulmonary bypass as compared with patients with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Conclusions:

The pulmonary/radial artery equation is an innovative means for the evaluation of cytokine lung passage after coronary artery bypass grafting. The mode of lung ventilation has no impact on some cytokines after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients treated with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Management of pretibial lacerations: How patients' well-being is affected by their management
Authors: Vasdeki Dionysia , Naji Shetha , Kelsey Clare , Khan Irfan Ullah
Published: April 2016

Background

Pretibial lacerations remain one of the commonest problems in plastic surgery. There is still no evidence of superiority of either a conservative or surgical approach for their management, nor any documentation regarding patients' performance following each approach.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of all patients treated for pretibial lacerations/haematomas in our unit, from May 2013 till April 2014 who were offered surgical or conservative management. Conservative management included washout of wound and application of non-adhesive dressings; the patients were discharged home on the same day and followed up in dressing clinic. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score was used to assess patients' well-being during healing time.

Results

There were 38 patients; 21 opted for conservative management and 17 for skin grafting, after consultation. Overall, 66% of conservatively managed wounds were completely healed and patients were discharged. Mean healing time was 66.28 (13–172) days and required 3.43 (1–8) visits to the unit. In the surgically managed group, 88% of the patients had their wounds completely healed with a mean healing time of 69.5 (14–147) days and 5.87 (2–11) visits to the unit required. Of the conservatively managed patients, 55.6% scored 0 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale, denoting fine health, while only 7.6% of the surgically managed patients scored zero. In total, 77.8% of the conservatively managed patients reported they would not have a chosen a skin graft if given the choice again.

Conclusion

This study shows that satisfactory healing of pretibial lacerations may be achieved without surgical intervention in a high-risk group of patients, who reported good overall performance during healing time.
Seasonal and time of day variation related to the daily incidence of major traumatic injury in a large US city
Authors: Kieltyka Jude , Nicolson Norman G , Crandall Marie
Published: April 2016

Background

Trauma is a major burden on the healthcare system of Chicago with greater than 9000 major injuries annually. If fluctuations in trauma could be predicted by ecologic variables, more effective allocation of hospital and pre-hospital resources could be achieved.

Methods

The Illinois Trauma Registry was retrospectively analyzed to investigate several group-level factors potentially related to the incidence of major traumatic injury from 1999 through 2009. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses evaluated the effects of weekday, maximum daily temperature, rain, snow, and major holidays on daily trauma incidence.

Results

A total of 107,546 trauma admissions occurred during the study period and were included in the analysis. Time of day (peak hours 22:00 to 02:00, odds ratio (OR) 2.66), weekday (OR 1.27 for Friday and Saturday), mean daily temperature, rain, snow, and four holidays were found to be associated with differential risks of trauma. Martin Luther King, Jr. day was protective, with OR 0.86; Independence Day, Halloween, and New Years Eve all experienced higher trauma burdens than monthly, weather-weighted averages.

Conclusions

Several ecologic variables were found to be associated with the incidence of traumatic injury in Chicago, accounting for 40.0% of the daily variance. These results will help inform staffing decisions.
Outcomes of eye injuries with retained intraocular foreign material at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town
Authors: Rice James Clarke , Steffen Jonel
Published: April 2016

Background

Retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB) is a specific subgroup of open globe injury which is often preventable with appropriate use of eye protection. We describe the spectrum of injuries resulting in IOFB, outcomes and complications following vitrectomy surgery and context specific risk factors which may influence outcomes at our hospital.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of 43 consecutive cases of IOFB that underwent vitrectomy surgery.

Results

The median age was 34.6 years and 95.3% were male. The presenting visual acuities ranged from 6/6 (LogMAR 0.00) to Perception of Light (PL) with a median of Hand Motions (HM) (Interquartile Range (IQR) 6/24-HM). Hammering metal was the most common cause of injury (44.2%); 72% of injuries occurred while performing premeditated high-risk activities. The foreign body was metallic in 76.7% of cases and penetrated the cornea in 69.8% of cases. Lens injury occurred in 65.1%. The retina was impacted in 36 cases (83.7%), four of which impacted the macula. Macula impact was associated with poor visual outcome ( p = 0.049, Fisher’s exact). Four cases (9.3%) had endophthalmitis. The median final visual acuity was 6/24 (IQR 6/9–6/60). Visual acuity improved in 63.4.0%. Ten cases (23.8%) were worse than 3/60. Better presenting vision was associated with better visual outcomes ( p = 0.049, Fisher’s exact). The Ocular Trauma Score predicted outcomes well in better prognosis categories but underestimated final visual outcomes in the poor prognosis category. Central corneal scarring contributed to reduced visual outcomes.

Conclusion

The majority of IOFB injuries are preventable with appropriate use of eye protection. Visual outcomes are better than other causes of open globe injury. Resource constraints contribute to suboptimal final visual outcomes.
Extending media multiplexity theory to the extended family: Communication satisfaction and tie strength as moderators of violations of media use expectations
Authors: Taylor Samuel Hardman , Ledbetter Andrew M
Published: April 2016

Guided by media multiplexity theory (MMT), this article reports results of an experimental study examining how participants say they would respond to hypothetical changes in media use (i.e. increasing or decreasing use frequency) by an extended family member. After contending that MMT addresses both media use patterns and expectations, we employed expectancy violations theory (EVT) to consider the extent to which communication satisfaction (CS) and tie strength moderate evaluations of media use violations. Results supported MMT’s prediction that tie strength would moderate the extent to which the violation was perceived as important, whereas, following EVT, CS with the relative moderated perception of the violation’s valence. Beyond highlighting possible outcomes of media use violations, these results commend the nature of the relationship as a motivating force for media selection in interpersonal contexts.
Education in civic participation: Children, seniors and the challenges of an intergenerational information and communications technology program
Authors: Gamliel Tova
Published: April 2016

This article investigates an intergenerational information and communications technology (ICT) program that seeks expressly to enhance children’s civic participation by placing them in mutually educational encounters with seniors. Applying Devine’s model of the interrelationship among structure, power, and agency, it problematizes this goal by analyzing the dialectics of the power relations between seniors and children who maintain a technology-driven relationship. The data were gathered via qualitative participant-observation in two elementary schools. The results reveal clashing implications for children’s empowerment as computer “teachers” and their experiencing of agency. Implementation of Devine’s theoretical model sheds light on the meanings of the stereotyped terms “digital natives” and “digital immigrants,” as well as on the a-stereotyped senior’s identity as “digital consumers.” The conclusions suggest that the technological gap may not be definitive in confirming young people’s supremacy in the generational hierarchy, signaling the need for caution in handling this gap via civic empowerment in an educational setting.
Sexual Assault and Justice for Older Women: A Critical Review of the Literature
Authors: Fileborn Bianca
Published: April 2016

This article provides a critical review of current literature on the sexual assault of older women—including an exploration of the specific features and emotional and physical impacts of older women’s experiences—and highlights current gaps and future directions for research, practice, and theory. A review of the literature indicates that older women constitute only a small proportion of victim/survivors. However, there is evidence to suggest that existing research underestimates the extent of this issue. Older women face particular barriers to disclosure and accessing the justice system, resulting in their experiences remaining hidden. Many of these barriers also contribute toward older women’s experiences being ignored, dismissed, or downplayed by potential bystanders. These barriers are explored in depth in this article and include cultural context, ageism, cognitive and health impairments, and living in a residential care setting. Responding to, and preventing, the sexual assault of older women requires a tailored approach—and we currently lack sufficient insight to develop appropriate responses. In closing, this article considers how we might work toward achieving “justice” for older women victim/survivors.
Does It Pay to Build Through the Draft in the National Basketball Association?
Authors: Motomura Akira , Roberts Kelsey V. , Leeds Daniel M. , Leeds Michael A.
Published: April 2016

Many National Basketball Association executives and analysts claim that the best way to contend for a championship is to get very high draft picks, which may require losing many games. We test whether building through the draft promotes winning in several ways. We test whether having more and higher draft picks promotes improvement and whether giving draft picks more playing time helps teams win more. We find that the draft is not necessarily the best road to success. An excellent organization and General Manager better enable teams to succeed even without high draft picks.
Complexity and Organizational Communication
Authors: Poutanen Petro , Siira Kalle , Aula Pekka
Published: April 2016

In recent years, a growing body of literature has emerged from the intersection of complex systems science and organizational communication. However, due to the incoherence and immaturity of complexity science, this body of research is slightly disorganized. This article explores this research node using a meta-paradigmatic framework to untangle and clarify the different paradigmatic assumptions in the field of organizational communication research that has adopted the complexity science perspective. Our analysis reveals five research clusters that differ from each other in their understanding of what complexity is and in how they define communication. Based on our analysis, we present suggestions for finding common ground and point the way towards a future research agenda in complexity-based research in the areas of organizational communication and human resource development (HRD). In addition, we discuss the implications and possibilities that the complexity perspective can offer for HRD in practice.
Reliability analysis on the drive system of a gear-type oil pump with variable displacement
Authors: Wang Xiaolan , Liu Xubing , Wang Yansong , Liu Xintian , Guo Hui
Published: April 2016

The service life of a gear-type oil pump with variable displacement is affected by the reliability of its drive system. To analyse the reliability of the drive system and improve the service life of the oil pump, a virtual prototype model was established based on real conditions and multi-body dynamic theory. The model was validated according to bench test results. And simulation results were in good agreement with test results. A numerical method was used to simulate the dynamics model and the dynamic meshing forces of gear pairs were obtained. A reliability evaluation model of the drive system was built. The reliability of each part and the entire drive system were calculated. And system reliability was analysed and discussed when 45 steel or 40Cr was utilised as the material for the drive system. The results provided a foundation for the reliability design and the dynamic optimisation of a gear-type oil pump with variable displacement.
Tool path planning and milling surface simulation for vehicle rear bumper mold
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhang Song , Li Zhe , Li Jianfeng
Published: April 2016

Sculptured surfaces have been widely used in various engineering applications. With the development of five-axis machining technology, five-axis machine tool has played a more and more important role in manufacturing sculptured surfaces. This article proposed a complete five-axis machining process planning for vehicle rear bumper mold. First, a numerical model considering tool inclination was developed to predict topography and surface roughness in ball-end milling processes. And then experimental verification was conducted. Second, according to the simulation results, it can be concluded that surface roughness decreases significantly with the tilt angle increasing from 0° to 5°. When the tilt angle is 10°, surface roughness gets the smallest value. What is more, surface roughness increases slightly from 10° to 30°. In the case of the permitted surface roughness, larger feed rate per tooth and the radial cutting depth can be chosen. Finally, a process strategy was made through the analysis of the mold in which the parameters were chosen according to the simulation results above.
An evidential sensor fusion method in fault diagnosis
Authors: Jiang Wen , Wei Boya , Xie Chunhe , Zhou Deyun
Published: April 2016

Dempster–Shafer evidence theory is widely used in information fusion. However, it may lead to an unreasonable result when dealing with high conflict evidence. In order to solve this problem, we put forward a new method based on the credibility of evidence. First, a novel belief entropy, Deng entropy, is applied to measure the information volume of the evidence and then the discounting coefficients of each evidence are obtained. Finally, weighted averaging the evidence in the system, the Dempster combination rule was used to realize information fusion. A weighted averaging combination role is presented for multi-sensor data fusion in fault diagnosis. It seems more reasonable than before using the new belief function to determine the weight. A numerical example is given to illustrate that the proposed rule is more effective to perform fault diagnosis than classical evidence theory in fusing multi-symptom domains.
Auto-identification of engine fault acoustic signal through inverse trigonometric instantaneous frequency analysis
Authors: Ning Dayong , Hou Jiaoyi , Gong Yongjun , Zhang Zengmeng , Sun Changle
Published: April 2016

The acoustic signals of internal combustion engines contain valuable information about the condition of engines. These signals can be used to detect incipient faults in engines. However, these signals are complex and composed of a faulty component and other noise signals of background. As such, engine conditions’ characteristics are difficult to extract through wavelet transformation and acoustic emission techniques. In this study, an instantaneous frequency analysis method was proposed. A new time–frequency model was constructed using a fixed amplitude and a variable cycle sine function to fit adjacent points gradually from a time domain signal. The instantaneous frequency corresponds to single value at any time. This study also introduced instantaneous frequency calculation on the basis of an inverse trigonometric fitting method at any time. The mean value of all local maximum values was then considered to identify the engine condition automatically. Results revealed that the mean of local maximum values under faulty conditions differs from the normal mean. An experiment case was also conducted to illustrate the availability of the proposed method. Using the proposed time–frequency model, we can identify engine condition and determine abnormal sound produced by faulty engines.
Emotional reactions of different interface formats: Comparing digital and traditional board games
Authors: Fang Yu-Min , Chen Kuen-Meau , Huang Yi-Jhen
Published: April 2016

Some games provide both traditional board games and digital versions at the same time in the market. Why the rise of virtual games has not forced traditional physical board games to disappear? Do traditional physical games evoke different emotional reactions and interpersonal relationships? This article explored the subjects’ preferences toward traditional and digital versions of the same game and investigated social interaction while playing games. Based on Norman’s three emotional design levels—visceral, behavioral, and reflective levels—this study examined players’ satisfaction degree. This study also applied Positive and Negative Affect Schedule to measure subjects’ emotional reactions. Monopoly and Jenga games were selected as stimuli. A total of 77 subjects received tests of three different interface formats (physical, desktop, and tablet) and then filled out the questionnaire. The findings successfully evidenced the significant differences between digital and traditional board games. The statistical results indicated that satisfaction degrees of digital games declined in visceral, behavioral, and reflective levels. Traditional games not only evoked users’ stronger emotional reactions but also received higher preferences. Traditional games could improve interpersonal relationships as well.