bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Movement-oriented labour NGOs in South China: Exit with voice and displaced unionism
Authors: Chen Feng , Yang Xuehui
Published: March 2017

Movement-oriented labour NGOs in China are groups committed to the advancement of workers’ collective interests in a way very similar to that of trade unions in other countries. As the gap between workers’ demands for collective bargaining and their lack of union representation widens, the role of movement-oriented labour NGOs has increased. These NGOs are led and driven by former workers who have a strong consciousness of workers’ rights and who fought in the workplace for their fellow workers’ interests as well as their own. The leadership shown by former workers significantly accounts for the behavioural patterns and strategic choices of movement-oriented labour NGOs. The study reported in this article uses two descriptive concepts to characterize the emergence and role of movement-oriented labour NGOs: exit with voice and displaced unionism. The former refers to the social process by which former workers become activists of movement-oriented labour NGOs, while the latter points to a grass-roots labour movement facilitated from outside the factory gates. This article argues that, while having performed a trade union-like role and promoted worker-led collective bargaining, movement-oriented labour NGOs embody a fundamental predicament of the Chinese labour movement, which is that organized labour activism in the Chinese workplace is largely prohibited.
Britain’s Older Employees in Decline, 1990–2006: A Panel Analysis of Pay
Authors: Smeaton Deborah , White Michael
Published: March 2017

Older employees’ wages and earnings declined over the period 1991–2006, when compared with younger employees. The overall fall in relative wages was about 18 per cent, and for relative earnings 21 per cent. The article argues that this change was predictable in view of the pressures of ‘globalization’ resulting in increased competition, and intensified technological and organizational change, for many employers from the 1990s onward. The relative fall in older female and male employees’ pay had set in by the mid-1990s and it proceeded over the whole period to 2006.
Analysis of personalized production organizing and operating mechanism in a social manufacturing environment
Authors: Jiang Pingyu , Ding Kai
Published: March 2017

Current manufacturing industry has witnessed the trends of socialization, personalization, and servitization, which prompts the appearance of social manufacturing paradigm. This article addresses the personalized production organizing and operating mechanism in social manufacturing. Socialized manufacturing resources spring up in fine-grained markets and self-organize into social communities to participate in different phases of product lifecycle. A socialized production network integrating different socialized manufacturing resources/social communities is organized to create personalized products. The framework and key aspects for socialized production network operating are discussed. The discussion on personalized production organizing and operating mechanism will reveal the future manufacturing philosophy.
Tool requirement and pre-scheduling optimization model of the tool flow system of a digital workshop
Authors: Lei Qi , Zeng Li , Song Yuchuan
Published: March 2017

A new mathematical method and an optimization model are proposed in this study to solve the tool requirement and pre-scheduling optimization problems involved in the tool flow system of digital workshops. This model aims to minimize the system makespan under the constraint of the tool purchase cost. A double-layer genetic algorithm based on the heuristic algorithm is then developed. This algorithm not only combines the advantages but also avoids the weaknesses of the two algorithms. Finally, a case study is conducted to validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed algorithm and the tool-machine dual-resource pre-scheduling optimization model.
A reduced mesh movement method based on pseudo elastic solid for fluid–structure interaction
Authors: Zhong Jize , Xu Zili
Published: March 2017

A reduced mesh movement method based on pseudo elastic solid is developed and applied in fluid–structure interaction problems in this paper. The flow mesh domain is assumed to be a pseudo elastic solid. The vibration equation for the structure and the pseudo elastic solid together is derived by applying the displacement continuity condition on the fluid–structure interface. Considering that the actual fluid–structure coupled vibration for structures often appears to be associated with low-order modes, the nodal displacements for the structure and the flow mesh can be computed using the modal superposition of a few low-order modes. Coupled fluid–structure computations are performed for flutter problems of a beam and wing 445.6 using the present method. The calculated results are consistent with the data reported in other references. The computing time is reduced by 65.5% for the beam flutter and 54.8% for the wing flutter compared with the pre-existing elastic solid method.
Developing risk or resilience? Effects of slum upgrading on the social contract and social cohesion in Kibera, Nairobi
Authors: Mitra Shreya , Mulligan Joe , Schilling Janpeter , Harper Jamilla , Vivekananda Janani , Krause Lisa
Published: March 2017

In Kibera, an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, major development efforts are underway – namely, the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme (Kibera Pilot), the Nairobi Railway Relocation Action Plan, and the National Youth Service-led Kibera Slum Upgrade Initiative. This paper assesses how such interventions affect the social contract and social cohesion, and hence the resilience of Kibera residents. We examine the extent to which different types of slum upgrading efforts address risks in Kibera, particularly around conflict and flooding. Our findings show that these interventions can reduce conflict, crime, insecurity and flood risks, and subsequently strengthen resilience in highly dense and complex urban environments, if they do three things: first, include processes that build the social contract (such as meaningful consultation of residents and social accountability mechanisms); second, build bridging social capital between ethnic groups and avoid reducing bonding capital within groups; and third, integrate different sectoral interventions.
Huber cubature particle filter and online state estimation
Authors: Guo Runxia , Gan Quan , Zhang Junwei , Guo Kai , Dong Jiankang
Published: March 2017

The cubature particle filter, which utilizes the third-degree spherical–radial cubature rule to generate proposal distribution, performs inaccurately when the measurement noises deviate from the Gaussian probability distribution. To improve the performance of cubature particle filter, the update process is recast by making use of the Huber technique which could generate robustness with respect to deviations from the assumed Gaussian noise. Moreover, the general resampling process is replaced by fine variety resampling approach, and as a result the degeneracy phenomenon is effectively reduced. The improved state estimation algorithm is named as Huber cubature particle filter (HCPF). The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is illustrated via an aircraft actuator model and the experimental results are provided to support the theoretical results.
Robust control of nonholonomic wheeled mobile robot with past information: Theory and experiment
Authors: Roy Spandan , Nandy Sambhunath , Kar Indra Narayan , Ray Ranjit , Shome Sankar Nath
Published: March 2017

In this article, a robust hybrid control method is presented for efficient path tracking control of a nonholonomic wheeled mobile robotic system under parametric and nonparametric variations. The present control law is a paradigm shift to control a wheeled mobile robot over a predefined trajectory by fusing the best features of the switching control logic as well as time-delayed control logic. The proposed hybrid control strategy aims at reducing the effort required for modeling the complex wheeled mobile robotic systems by approximating the unknown dynamics using input and feedback information of past time instances. Furthermore, the proposed methodology significantly reduces the approximation error arising from finite time-delay through the switching logic without any prior knowledge of the uncertainty bound. A new stability analysis for the time-delayed control is proposed which establishes an analytical relation between the controller performance and the approximation error. Performance of the proposed hybrid controller is tested with a real-life wheeled mobile robot and improved tracking performance is observed compared to conventional robust control strategies even with the incorporation of dynamic parametric uncertainties.
Repetitive model predictive control for precise control of complex trajectory tracking in dual-stage actuator systems
Authors: Lin Chi-Ying , Chang Chih-Yuan
Published: March 2017

This article presents a predictive control methodology for the precise tracking of complex reference commands in dual-stage actuator systems. To improve synchronized motion control performance, a cost function was applied to account for dual-stage actuator tracking error as well as tracking error in the first-stage actuator. The dual-stage actuator control system uses repetitive model predictive control with two repetitive controllers to reduce the occurrence of periodic errors. As in precision machining, a complex reference trajectory containing two dynamic tracking signals with non-trivial magnitude and frequency orders in a motor/piezoelectric-driven dual-stage actuator system was used to evaluate the practicability of the proposed repetitive model predictive control method. Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed repetitive model predictive control system in enhancing the periodic tracking control of dual-stage actuator systems, even when subjected to persistent short pulse disturbance.
Scharnhorst’s Mentor: Count Wilhelm zu Schaumburg-Lippe and the Origins of the Modern National Army
Authors: White Charles E.
Published: March 2017

Imperial count of the Holy Roman Empire and sovereign ruler Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst zu Schaumburg-Lippe (1724–1777) established in his small state of Schaumburg-Lippe the prototype of the nation in arms decades before the French levée en masse. Count Wilhelm also founded an educational institution designed to educate and train both civilian and military leaders in homeland defence. He was also the first German prince to condemn aggressive, offensive war. His most famous student was Gerhard von Scharnhorst. After Prussia’s catastrophic defeat in 1806, Scharnhorst was able to lay the foundations of a modern Prussian military along the lines of Count Wilhelm’s national army. Using primary and secondary source material, this article analyses the tremendous contribution of Count Wilhelm zu Schaumburg-Lippe to modern military history.
Enhancing Indigenous Health Promotion Research Through Two-Eyed Seeing: A Hermeneutic Relational Process
Authors: Hovey Richard B. , Delormier Treena , McComber Alex M. , Lévesque Lucie , Martin Debbie
Published: March 2017

The intention of this article is to demonstrate how Indigenous and allied health promotion researchers learned to work together through a process of Two-Eyed Seeing. This process was first introduced as a philosophical hermeneutic research project on diabetes prevention within an Indigenous community in Quebec Canada. We, as a research team, became aware that hermeneutics and the principles of Haudenosaunee decision making were characteristic of Two-Eyed Seeing. This article describes our experiences while working with each other. Our learning from these interactions emphasized the relational aspects needed to ensure that we became a highly functional research team while working together and becoming Two-Eyed Seeing partners.
The control of an active seat with vehicle suspension preview information
Authors: Alfadhli Abdulaziz , Darling Jocelyn , Hillis Andrew J
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a novel, simple and reliable control strategy for an active seat suspension, intended for use in a vehicle, which attenuates the harmful low-frequency vertical vibration at the driver’s seat. An advantage of this strategy is that it uses measurable preview information from the vehicle suspension. The control force is calculated from this preview information and controller gains obtained by optimising an objective function using a genetic algorithm (GA) approach. The objective function optimises ride comfort in terms of the Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility factor, taking into account constraints on both the allowable seat suspension stroke and actuator force capacity. This new controller is evaluated using both simulation and experimental tests in both the frequency and time domains. The simulation model is based upon a linear quarter vehicle model and a single degree of freedom seat suspension. Experimental tests are performed using a multi-axis simulation table and an active seat suspension. Finally, the performance of the active seat suspension is analysed and compared to a passive system, demonstrating significant acceleration attenuation of more than 10 dB across a broad frequency range. Consequently, this has the potential to improve ride comfort and hence reduce the driver’s fatigue using a reliable and cost-effective control method.
Analysis and comparative study of ferrofluid lubricated circular porous squeeze film-bearings
Authors: Shah Rajesh C , Patel Dilip B
Published: March 2017

Based on ferrohydrodynamic theory by R. E. Rosensweig and continuity equation for film as well as upper and lower porous regions, a general modified Reynolds equation for ferrofluid (FF) lubricated circular discs porous squeeze film-bearings is derived by assuming the validity of the Darcy’s law in the porous regions. The effects of porosity, slip velocity, anisotropic permeability and rotation at both the discs are also included for the study. Here, the FF is controlled by oblique and radially variable magnetic field. The effect of porosity is included because of its advantageous property of self-lubrication, and oblique variable magnetic field is important because of its advantage of generating maximum field at the required active contact zone of the bearing design systems. Using Reynolds equation, different circular porous squeeze film-bearing design systems (e.g. exponential, secant and parallel (flat)) are studied and compared for load-carrying capacity. During the course of investigation, it is observed that uniform magnetic field does not affect on the performances of the bearing systems.
Non-compressible ABIs are associated with an increased risk of major amputation and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with critical limb ischemia
Authors: Singh Gagan D , Armstrong Ehrin J , Waldo Stephen W , Alvandi Bejan , Brinza Ellen , Hildebrand Justin , Amsterdam Ezra A , Humphries Misty D , Laird John R
Published: March 2017

Ankle–brachial indices (ABIs) are important for the assessment of disease burden among patients with peripheral artery disease. Although low values have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes, the association between non-compressible ABI (ncABI) and clinical outcome has not been evaluated among patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). The present study sought to compare the clinical characteristics, angiographic findings and clinical outcomes of those with compressible (cABI) and ncABI among patients with CLI. Consecutive patients undergoing endovascular evaluation for CLI between 2006 and 2013 were included in a single center cohort. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were then compared between the two groups. Among 284 patients with CLI, 68 (24%) had ncABIs. These patients were more likely to have coronary artery disease ( p=0.003), diabetes ( p<0.001), end-stage renal disease ( p<0.001) and tissue loss ( p=0.01) when compared to patients with cABI. Rates of infrapopliteal disease were similar between the two groups ( p=0.10), though patients with ncABI had lower rates of iliac ( p=0.004) or femoropopliteal stenosis ( p=0.003). Infrapopliteal vessels had smaller diameters ( p=0.01) with longer lesions ( p=0.05) among patients with ncABIs. After 3 years of follow-up, ncABIs were associated with increased rates of mortality (HR 1.75, 95% CI: 1.12–2.78), MACE (HR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.35–3.03) and major amputation (HR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.11–3.45) when compared to patients with cABIs. In conclusion, ncABIs are associated with higher rates of mortality and adverse events among those undergoing endovascular therapy for CLI.
A systematic review of the association between emotions and eating behaviour in normal and overweight adult populations
Authors: Devonport Tracey J , Nicholls Wendy , Fullerton Christopher
Published: March 2017

A systematic review was completed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search of four electronic databases (2004–2015) yielded 60,017 articles, of which 29 met inclusion criteria. Included studies performed poorly on data quality analysis in terms of randomisation and controlling for confounding factors. Participant’s body mass index scores range from 19.73 (standard deviation = 1.54) to 28.4 (standard deviation = 1.4) kg/m2. Where positive and negative affects were compared, food was more likely to be consumed in response to positive affect. With regard to discrete emotions; stress, depression and sadness consistently elicited eating behaviours that fall outside of nutritional recommendations (e.g. increased food intake or poor nutritional food choices). The role of moderators including individual differences in dietary restraint and emotional eating, as well as methodological considerations, such as means of eliciting and measuring emotions, may account for equivocality with regard to some emotion and eating associations. This article concludes with recommendations for future research and implications for practice.
Exploring possible predictors and moderators of an executive function training for children with an autism spectrum disorder
Authors: de Vries Marieke , Verdam Mathilde GE , Prins Pier JM , Schmand Ben A , Geurts Hilde M
Published: March 2017

Previously, a total of 121 children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) performed an adaptive working memory (WM)-training, an adaptive flexibility-training, or a non-adaptive control (mock)-training. Despite overall improvement, there were minor differences between the adaptive and mock-training conditions. Moreover, dropout was relatively high (26%). In the current study we explored potential predicting and moderating factors to clarify these findings. The effects of intelligence, autism traits, WM, flexibility, reward sensitivity and Theory of Mind on dropout, improvement during training, and improvement in everyday executive functioning (EF), ASD-like behavior, and Quality of Life (QoL) were studied. None of the predictors influenced dropout or training improvement. However, 1) more pre-training autism traits related to less improvement in EF and QoL, and 2) higher reward sensitivity was related to more improvement in QoL and ASD-like behavior. These findings suggest that these EF-training procedures may be beneficial for children with fewer autism traits and higher reward sensitivity. However, the exploratory nature of the analyses warrant further research before applying the findings clinically.
Decentralized polynomial trajectory generation for flight formation of quadrotors
Authors: Sayyaadi Hassan , Soltani Ali
Published: March 2017

This paper deals with the decentralized polynomial trajectory generation for the formation flight of a leader–follower network of quadrotors. The proposed decentralized trajectory planning method guarantees stability of the formation in missions with aggressive trajectories or low information exchange frequencies or data loss. Moreover, designed formation protocol ensures robustness of the formation against variations of the network communication topology. First, quadrotor translational dynamics is represented as a quadruple integrator by linearizing and differentiating its equations of translational motion. Then, a formation control law for a leader–follower network of the quadruple integrators is designed by implementing robustness properties of linear quadratic regulator design method and special characteristics of the network graph. Moreover, sufficient condition for the robustness of the formation against possible variations of the communication topology is addressed. According to the represented trajectory generation algorithm, once a follower receives information from its neighbors (e.g. coefficients of their intended polynomial trajectories), it plans a polynomial trajectory. To generate proper trajectories, integral of squared magnitude of error between the snap of the trajectory and its determined value by the formation control law over a finite horizon time should be minimized. The optimization problem can be formulated as a quadratic problem, which can be solved in real time. Furthermore, actuators limits can be imposed on the optimization problem as inequality constraints. As it is validated in the simulations, this predictive model of the trajectory generation provides stability of the formation in operations with aggressive trajectories or low information update frequencies or probability of data packets loss. Additionally, the quadrotors track the planned trajectories via implementing a hierarchical nonlinear trajectory tracking controller including a position controller and a geometrical attitude controller. Stability of the tracking error dynamics is proven by Lyapunov stability theorem. Expected capabilities of the formation control law, trajectory generation method and nonlinear trajectory tracking controller are examined in numerical simulations. In all of the simulations, an experimentally verified full model of a specific quadrotor taken from literatures is used.
Medical overpayment estimation: A Bayesian approach
Authors: Musal Rasim M. , Ekin Tahir
Published: March 2017

Overpayment estimation using a sample of audited medical claims is an often used method to determine recoupment amounts. The current practice based on central limit theorem may not be efficient for certain kinds of claims data, including skewed payment populations with partial overpayments. As an alternative, we propose a novel Bayesian inflated mixture model. We provide an analysis of the validity and efficiency of the model estimates for a number of payment populations and overpayment scenarios. In addition, learning about the parameters of the overpayment distribution with increasing sample size may provide insights for the medical investigators. We present a discussion of model selection and potential modelling extensions.
Books, bothies and thinking in place: a new contribution to geographies of the book
Authors: Hunt Rachel
Published: March 2017

This article considers a unique type of book: the ‘bothy book’. These are cultural artefacts formed within bothies, simple shelters which now form a historic feature of the contemporary Scottish rural landscape. These books stress the co-mingling of person and place where environments are continually made, and remade, created and shaped, through the practices users are part of, and party to. These books push the boundaries of Ogborn and Withers’, ‘geographies of the book’, opening this subfield to these conflicting circumstances and new ‘books’ to be studied. These books are also thoroughly entangled in the ‘dwelling’ lifeworld of these buildings and hence are both representational and performative as well as material objects. This larger problematic is traced in this article through the narratives of bothy users, using their words to provide insight into dwelling in such buildings and, through this, the overarching relationship between ‘Hut Thought Word’.
Angiographic Dissection Patterns and Patency Outcomes After Balloon Angioplasty for Superficial Femoral Artery Disease
Authors: Fujihara Masahiko , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Sasaki Shinya , Nanto Kiyonori , Utsunomiya Makoto , Iida Osamu , Yokoi Yoshiaki
Published: March 2017

Purpose: To investigate the angiographic dissection patterns after balloon angioplasty for superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions, the clinical outcome associated with each dissection pattern, and the predictive factors for severe dissection. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter analysis examined 621 patients (mean age 72.8±9.5 years; 414 men) with 748 symptomatic de novo SFA lesions treated with endovascular therapy. Vessel dissection after the initial balloon angioplasty procedure was graded into 7 types according to a modified version of the coronary artery classification types A to F. Severe vessel dissection patterns were defined as type C or higher. Nitinol stent implantation was performed in 555 (74.2%) lesions for residual stenosis >30% or flow-limiting dissection; 193 lesions (25.8%) were treated with balloon angioplasty only. To determine the clinical outcomes associated with each dissection pattern and identify predictive factors for severe dissection, 2-year follow-up data for the 193 lesions treated with balloon angioplasty only were analyzed for primary patency and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). Results: No dissection was found in 16% (120/748) of lesions, and types A and B dissections were seen in 19% (142/748) and 23% (172/748), respectively. Dissection grades above type C were observed in 42% of cases, most frequently type D (180/748, 24%) and less often type C (37/748, 5%), type E (67/748, 9%), and type F (30/748, 4%). The bailout stent implantation rate increased according to dissection severity. At up to 2 years, the severe dissection group (types C–F) showed a significantly lower patency rate (p<0.001) and higher clinically driven TLR (p<0.001) compared to the nonsevere group (no dissection and types A and B dissections). Severe dissection was a significant risk factor for restenosis, which rose progressively from types C to F. Multivariate analysis identified a small reference vessel diameter <5 mm (p=0.001), lesion length >15 cm (p=0.001), and chronic total occlusion (p<0.001) as independent predictors of severe dissection. In subgroup analysis, vessels with a small reference diameter and TASC II C and D lesions had a higher prevalence of severe dissection. Conclusion: Severe dissection was found in 42% of cases after PTA. A small vessel diameter and/or TASC II C/D lesions were related to a high incidence of dissection. Severe dissection during procedures employing balloon angioplasty only could affect long-term patency.
Lessons Learned Regarding Handling and Deployment of the Absorb Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold in Infrapopliteal Arteries
Authors: Varcoe Ramon L. , Thomas Shannon D. , Rapoza Richard J. , Kum Steven
Published: March 2017

Purpose: To describe relevant technical details with which to facilitate safe and effective use of the Absorb coronary bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) in lower extremity arteries. Technique: The Absorb BVS is a balloon-expandable, poly-l-lactide structure covered in a poly-d,l-lactide bioresorbable polymer that contains the antiproliferative drug everolimus. As a polymeric structure, it has a number of unique physical, handling, and imaging properties that may differ from metallic stents and pose a challenge to the interventionist. Attention must be paid to lesion selection, preparation, scaffold sizing, deployment, and postdilation to achieve optimal outcomes. A detailed description of these issues and deployment techniques is offered based on experience using this BVS in below-the-knee arteries. Conclusion: The Absorb BVS may have application in the infrapopliteal circulation; however, its unique properties warrant careful consideration before use in the lower limb.
Statistics-based full-scale three-dimensional geometric model and fiber length distribution for carbon fiber needled felt
Authors: Song Leilei , Zhao Yufen , Li Jialu , Chen Li , Geng Wei , Chen Xiaoming
Published: March 2017

In this study, the fiber-shift method is presented to generate the three-dimensional geometric model of carbon fiber needled felt, and curved carbon fiber is regarded as beam under pure bending. The finite mixture model is applied to describe the fiber length distribution for the experiments and models. Closed model, open model and cut model are proposed, and cut model is thought to be more close to reality. A series of analytical methods are proposed to investigate the full-scale three-dimensional geometric model. The fiber-length distributions of cut models with different dimensions are obtained. The results show that, with the increasing of border length of cut model, the percentage of carbon fiber been cut is getting smaller, and the average fiber length is increased. In addition, the compression and needling process of pre-needling technique are simulated, and the needling hole obtained by simulation is similar to reality.
Potential Contributions of Antioxidants to Cancer Therapy: Immunomodulation and Radiosensitization
Authors: Thyagarajan Anita , Sahu Ravi P.
Published: March 2017

Antioxidants play important roles in the maintenance of cellular integrity and thus are critical in maintaining the homeostasis of the host immune system. A balance between the levels of pro-oxidants and antioxidants defines the cellular fate of genomic integrity via maintaining the redox status of the cells. An aberration in this balance modulates host immunity that affects normal cellular signaling pathways resulting in uncontrolled proliferation of cells leading to neocarcinogenesis. For decades, there have been scientific debates on the use of antioxidants for the treatment of human cancers. This review is focused on current updates on the implications of antioxidant use as adjuncts in cancer therapy with an emphasis on immunomodulation and radiosensitization.
Cholinergic activation suppresses palmitate-induced macrophage activation and improves acylation stimulating protein resistance in co-cultured adipocytes
Authors: Wu Jing , Jiao Zhou-yang , Li Rui-zhen , Lu Hui-ling , Zhang Hao-hao , Cianflone Katherine
Published: March 2017

Acylation-stimulating protein (ASP), produced through activation of the alternative complement immune system, modulates lipid metabolism. Using a trans-well co-culture cell model, the mitigating role of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR)-mediated cholinergic pathway on ASP resistance was evaluated. ASP signaling in adipocytes via its receptor C5L2 and signaling intermediates Gαq, Gβ, phosphorylated protein kinase C-α, and protein kinase C-ζ were markedly suppressed in the presence of TNFα or medium from palmitate-treated RAW264.7 macrophages, indicating ASP resistance. There was no direct effect of α7nAChR activation in 3T3-L1 cell culture. However, α7nAChR activation almost completely reversed the ASP resistance in adipocytes co-cultured with palmitate-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further, α7nAChR activation could suppress the production of pro-inflammatory molecules TNFα and interleukin-6 produced from palmitate-treated co-cultured macrophages. These results suggest that macrophages play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ASP resistance and α7nAChR activation secondarily improves adipose ASP resistance through suppression of inflammation in macrophages.

Impact statement

1. Adipocyte–macrophage interaction in acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) resistance 2. Lipotoxicity induced inflammatory response in ASP resistance 3. A vicious circle between lipotoxicity and inflammatory response in ASP resistance 4. Cholinergic modulation of inflammatory response in adipocyte and macrophage
Constrained Inclusion
Authors: Negrón-Gonzales Genevieve
Published: March 2017

This article examines the ways in which citizenship status uniquely shapes both the access and persistence of undocumented community college students in the Central Valley of California. Drawing on more than 2 years of qualitative fieldwork, it is argued that undocumented community college students navigate an institutional landscape of “constrained inclusion,” characterized by a disconnect between the promise of inclusion embodied in recent legislation and the reality that citizenship status continues to encumber their educational experiences.
Aortic Customized Stent-Graft Treatment of Postnephrectomy Renal Pedicle Arteriovenous Fistula
Authors: Manresa-Manresa Francisco , Sánchez-Rodríguez José María , Nacarino-Mejías Verónica , Peiró de las Heras Javier , Ponce-González Juan Francisco
Published: March 2017

A postnephrectomy renal acquired arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare clinical entity that may cause high-output heart failure. Most of the cases are identified time along after surgery. We present a case of a postnephrectomy renal AVF treated with aortic customized stent-graft.
Controlling the family-wise error rate in multi-arm, multi-stage trials
Authors: Crouch Luis A , Dodd Lori E , Proschan Michael A
Published: March 2017

Background and aims:

Multi-arm, multi-stage trials have recently gained attention as a means to improve the efficiency of the clinical trials process. Many designs have been proposed, but few explicitly consider the inherent issue of multiplicity and the associated type I error rate inflation. It is our aim to propose a straightforward design that controls family-wise error rate while still providing improved efficiency.

Methods:

In this article, we provide an analytical method for calculating the family-wise error rate for a multi-arm, multi-stage trial and highlight the potential for considerable error rate inflation in uncontrolled designs. We propose a simple method to control the error rate that also allows for computation of power and expected sample size.

Results:

Family-wise error rate can be controlled in a variety of multi-arm, mutli-stage trial designs using our method. Additionally, our design can substantially decrease the expected sample size of a study while maintaining adequate power.

Conclusion:

Multi-arm, multi-stage designs have the potential to reduce the time and other resources spent on clinical trials. Our relatively simple design allows this to be achieved while weakly controlling family-wise error rate and without sacrificing much power.
Evaluation of different recall periods for the US National Cancer Institute’s PRO-CTCAE
Authors: Mendoza Tito R , Dueck Amylou C , Bennett Antonia V , Mitchell Sandra A , Reeve Bryce B , Atkinson Thomas M , Li Yuelin , Castro Kathleen M , Denicoff Andrea , Rogak Lauren J , Piekarz Richard L , Cleeland Charles S , Sloan Jeff A. , Schrag Deborah , Basch Ethan
Published: March 2017

Aims:

The US National Cancer Institute recently developed the PRO-CTCAE (Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events). PRO-CTCAE is a library of questions for clinical trial participants to self-report symptomatic adverse events (e.g. nausea). The objective of this study is to inform evidence-based selection of a recall period when PRO-CTCAE is included in a trial. We evaluated differences between 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-week recall periods, using daily reporting as the reference.

Methods:

English-speaking patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were enrolled at four US cancer centers and affiliated community clinics. Participants completed 27 PRO-CTCAE items electronically daily for 28 days, and then weekly over 4 weeks, using 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-week recall periods. For each recall period, mean differences, effect sizes, and intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate agreement between the maximum of daily ratings and the corresponding ratings obtained using longer recall periods (e.g. maximum of daily scores over 7 days vs 1-week recall). Analyses were repeated using the average of daily scores within each recall period rather than the maximum of daily scores.

Results:

A total of 127 subjects completed questionnaires (57% male; median age: 57). The median of the 27 mean differences in scores on the PRO-CTCAE 5-point response scale comparing the maximum daily versus the longer recall period (and corresponding effect size) was −0.20 (−0.20) for 1-week recall, −0.36 (−0.31) for 2-week recall, −0.45 (−0.39) for 3-week recall, and −0.47 (−0.40) for 4-week recall. The median intraclass correlation across 27 items between the maximum of daily ratings and the corresponding longer recall ratings for 1-week recall was 0.70 (range: 0.54–0.82), for 2-week recall was 0.74 (range: 0.58–0.83), for 3-week recall was 0.72 (range: 0.61–0.84), and for 4-week recall was 0.72 (range: 0.64–0.86). Similar results were observed for all analyses using the average of daily scores rather than the maximum of daily scores.

Conclusion:

A 1-week recall corresponds best to daily reporting. Although intraclass correlations remain stable over time, there are small but progressively larger differences between daily and longer recall periods at 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively. The preferred recall period for the PRO-CTCAE is the past 7 days, although investigators may opt for recall periods of 2, 3, or 4 weeks with an understanding that there may be some information loss.
Eco-efficient mortars with incorporation of phase change materials
Authors: Cunha Sandra , Aguiar José , Ferreira Victor
Published: March 2017

Nowadays, the construction is one of the main European sectors responsible for the high levels of energy consumption and raw material extraction. Increasingly, the energy consumption from renewable sources and industrial waste reuse are the only ways to minimize these environmental and societal problems. Simultaneous incorporation of phase change materials and fly ash in the mortars increases the energy efficiency and decreases the waste materials landfilled. The development of mortars with phase change materials and fly ash incorporation contributes to a significant improvement of the building comfort parameters and the environmental quality. The phase change materials possess the capability to normalize the temperature flux inside the buildings, using the solar energy as resource. The main purposes of this study were the physical, mechanical, and thermal characterization of mortars with phase change materials and fly ash incorporation. It was concluded that the phase change materials and fly ash simultaneous incorporation leads to homogeneous and suitable mortars with increased thermal behavior compared with the phase change material addition alone.
Pedagogical injustice and counter-terrorist education
Authors: O’Donnell Aislinn
Published: March 2017

This article addresses the way in which the securitisation of education, effected through initiatives in counter-terrorism such as Prevent, leads to what I call ‘pedagogical injustice’ for students and teachers. It analyses the implications of the pre-crime agenda in the space of the classroom and draws upon literature on epistemic injustice, communicative injustice and institutional prejudice to explain why bringing counter-terrorist legislation into education undermines the educational endeavour. It argues that by re-framing the Prevent agenda in the language of therapy, resilience and well-being, indicators guiding its implementation that might otherwise be seen as illegitimate or even illegal forms of profiling are given credence in the spheres of education and other domains which demand pastoral care from professionals. By targeting ideas instead of focusing on violence, Prevent undermines educators. Foucault describes this kind of blurring of discourses as ubuesque and examines the veneer of legitimacy given when professionals engage in discourses and practices beyond their specific expertise. This new figure is the counter-terrorist educator operating between the spheres of security, psychology and education. To contest this image of education and outline the dangers of this approach, we turn to Arendt’s writings on education and her commitment to ‘training the imagination to go visiting’.
Melanoma in pregnancy
Authors: Still Rebecca , Brennecke Shaun
Published: March 2017

Melanoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in pregnancy and has a high metastatic potential. As the incidence of melanoma increases, careful clinical evaluation of suspicious skin lesions remains the mainstay of early diagnosis. There is controversy in the literature as to whether pregnancy-associated melanoma has worse survival than other melanomas. Any changing-pigmented lesion should be biopsied, regardless of pregnancy hyperpigmentation. Increased lymphangiogenesis in pregnancy is associated with increased metastasis – timely diagnosis is therefore imperative. While the effect of oestrogen and progesterone on melanoma is under investigation, it is generally accepted that oral contraceptive use in not contraindicated after a diagnosis of melanoma in pregnancy. Subsequent pregnancy should be delayed for two to three years after a diagnosis of melanoma with a high risk of recurrence.
People’s Perceptions of the Benefits of Natural Beekeeping and Its Positive Outcomes for Forest Conservation
Authors: Chanthayod Souvick , Zhang Weizhe , Chen Jin
Published: March 2017

Natural beekeeping is an alternative livelihood for poor people in rural areas with poor accessibility and important for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. We set out to answer the following two questions: (a) Can beekeeping really provide a significant contribution to local people’s income generation? (b) Do beekeepers have a strong willingness to protect natural forest? To do this, we systematically sampled and interviewed 60 beekeepers and 60 nonbeekeepers from 12 villages in three districts of Oudomxay Province, Lao PDR. We found that beekeeping households have a significant marginally higher income compared with nonbeekeeping households. Meanwhile, beekeepers also showed a significant concern for forest protection. Factors constraining the sustainability of beekeeping include chemical pesticide use, lack of technology, and several others. Governmental agencies and conservation organizations thus could promote natural beekeeping in rural areas for both a partial income source and regional biodiversity conservation.
Journalists and Political Sources in Nigeria
Authors: Ciboh Rodney
Published: March 2017

The relationship between journalists and political sources has been characterized by a tug of war between reporters and officials where top politicians have the upper hand in the coproduction of news through their ability to provide critical information subsidies that most news media rely on. The dynamic of the journalist–source relationship has, however, mostly been analyzed in stable high-income democracies. This article goes beyond existing research by analyzing the relationship between reporters and officials in Nigeria, in principle, a democracy but in practice, a hybrid regime where journalists face substantial political pressures. Through a combination of content analysis and in-depth interviews, it shows how journalists in Nigeria are not only dependent on the information subsidies found in the West but also affected by politicians using positive (monetary awards) and negative (intimidation and violence) tangible incentives that go well beyond information subsidies. The article argues that this shapes the nature of coproduction of news in Nigeria and that more broadly, the resources available to politicians to influence journalists through such positive tangible incentives and the degree to which they, with impunity, can use negative tangible incentives, should be key dimensions for future comparative work on relations between reporters and officials as political communication research goes beyond stable democracies where money handouts and violence is unlikely to be the key factors influencing news production.
A Test of the Differential Involvement Hypothesis
Authors: Unnever James , Owusu-Bempah Akwasi , Deryol Rustu
Published: March 2017

This research draws on longitudinal data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) to examine whether African Americans report more trouble with the police than Latinos, Whites, and members of other racial groups after controlling for self-reported offending and other covariates. We tested whether the average self-reports of trouble with the police varied across the neighborhood clusters included within the PHDCN and generated a series of negative binomial models to assess whether African Americans self-reported more trouble with the police than others. The results generated from the unconditional hierarchical model showed that the average self-reports of trouble with the police did not significantly vary across the neighborhoods. The negative binomial results indicate that African Americans report significantly more trouble with the police while controlling for the respondents’ levels of offending, level of impulsivity, levels of anxiety and depression, gang membership, their family’s criminal involvement, whether they or their parents had serious mental health issues, the respondents’ current and expected economic conditions, their racial affinity, as well as other individual characteristics.
Being Better Than My Dad
Authors: Leath Seanna
Published: March 2017

Fatherhood is a turning point in the life of many men, but for men who lacked a father figure while growing up, the birth of a child may be the catalyst for a fresh start. Researchers have called for qualitative investigations into African American fathers’ parenting beliefs and practices that consider their social contexts within the broader research discourse on parenthood. Such investigations can inform the way we frame African American fathers in research, thereby improving theoretical suggestions for better supporting Black men in their roles as caretakers. The present case study details the experiences of a young African American man, Tron, who was participating in a larger church-based intervention program focused on strengthening father–child relationships among African American families. Findings highlight how Tron’s story serves as a positive counternarrative against the prevailing negative stereotype of African American men as absentee parents. Thematic coding analysis revealed several major themes, and the current article focuses on Tron’s decisions to transform his experience growing up without a father into a dedicated resolve to remain actively present in his son’s life, a process that the author refers to as “intergenerational change.” Finally, this case study helps to mitigate the dearth of positive research on African American fathers by challenging deficit-based research narratives.