bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound directed self-assembly processing of nanocomposite materials with ultra-high carbon nanotube weight fraction
Authors: Greenhall J , Homel L , Raeymaekers B
Published: September 2018

We introduce a new process to manufacture polymer nanocomposite materials reinforced with an ultra-high weight fraction of aligned carbon nanotubes. This process is based on using ultrasound directed self-assembly, which employs the force associated with a standing ultrasound wave to concentrate and align carbon nanotubes dispersed in the polymer matrix. In contrast with existing manufacturing processes, which typically limit the carbon nanotube weight fraction to approximately 1 wt.%, we demonstrate manufacturing polymer nanocomposite materials with more than 10 wt.% of aligned carbon nanotubes along a single line. We accomplish this by first dispersing 1 wt.% percent of carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix, and using ultrasound directed self-assembly to concentrate and align the carbon nanotubes along a single line. Then, we trim the excess material around the single line of aligned carbon nanotubes to retain a nanocomposite material with an ultra-high weight percent of aligned carbon nanotubes. We also manufacture polymer nanocomposite materials with different weight percent of aligned carbon nanotubes along multiple parallel lines, and with randomly oriented carbon nanotubes. We experimentally measure the mechanical properties of the polymer nanocomposite materials, and find that the ultrasound directed self-assembly process results in specimens with aligned carbon nanotubes that display a significant increase in ultimate tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and moduli of resilience and toughness, compared to benchmark materials including polymer nanocomposite materials with randomly oriented carbon nanotubes, and virgin polymer matrix material.
Preparation of high-performance microfiber synthetic leather base using thermoplastic polyurethane/sulfonated polysulfone electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Zhao Baobao , Qian Xiaoming , Qian Yao , Fan Jintu , Feng Yan , Duo Yongchao , Zhang Heng
Published: September 2018

Compared to natural leather, microfiber synthetic leather has many excellent qualities, such as chemical resistance and physical and mechanical properties. However, preparation of microfiber synthetic leather with a high water vapor transmission rate (WVT), moisture absorption and wearing comfort property is still a challenge. In this study, we prepared thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/sulfonated polysulfone (SPSf) electrospun nanofibers and applied them to a microfiber synthetic leather base (MSLB). The effects of TPU/SPSf nanofiber content on the structure and properties of the MSLB were investigated. The results indicated that the TPU/SPSf nanofibers with an average diameter of 0.12 µm were well distributed at all directions in the MSLB. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed four T g peaks, further demonstrating the existence of TPU/SPSf nanofibers. With the increase of TPU/SPSf nanofiber content from 0 to 30 wt%, the contact angles decreased gradually from 111.64° to 67.07°, leading to 55.19% improvement in the WVT value (from 2868.96 to 4452.24 g/(m2•24 h)) and 26.25% improvement in the moisture absorption (from 628.70% to 793.75% mm/s). Simultaneously, when the nanofiber content was 30 wt%, the nanofibers tended to bundle and 6.79% decrement of air permeability was observed. Specifically, the softness of the MSLB was improved by 88.55%. Moreover, the thermal stability and the tear strength were also obviously enhanced. Consequently, this research provided a feasible and promising way to prepare a high-performance MSLB using TPU/SPSf nanofibers.
Prevalence of Comorbidities among Older Head and Neck Cancer Survivors in the United States
Authors: Eytan Danielle F. , Blackford Amanda L. , Eisele David W. , Fakhry Carole
Published: September 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) at the time of their cancer diagnosis and during their survivorship trajectory. The second aim was to evaluate the differences in comorbidities developed according to treatment type received.

Study Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional.

Setting

SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results)–Medicare linked database.

Subjects and Methods

Individuals with a first‐incident primary diagnosis of HNSCC from 2004 to 2011 per the SEER‐Medicare database were included in analysis. The presence or absence of 30 comorbid conditions of interest was identified during distinct periods and analyzed according to treatment with surgery alone, primary (chemo)radiation, or surgery with (chemo)radiation.

Results

The study population consisted of 10,524 individuals diagnosed with HNSCC, with a mean age of 74.8 years. At diagnosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes were the most prevalent comorbidities, and they increased over time. The probability of developing treatment‐related comorbidities such as pneumonia, dysphagia, weight loss, malnutrition, and dental issues rose significantly in the short and long term following treatment (P <. 05). By 5 years from cancer diagnosis, patients were most likely to have newly diagnosed hypertension, dysphagia, anemia, and weight loss. Primary surgery alone was associated with a lower risk of diagnosis with these treatment‐related comorbidities, as compared with treatments involving radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy in the primary or adjuvant settings (P <. 05).

Conclusions

There is a large burden of comorbidities among patients following HNSCC treatment, which warrant clinical attention during surveillance.
Evidence‐Based Medicine in Otolaryngology Part 9: Valuing Health Outcomes
Authors: Caulley Lisa , Hunink Myriam G. , Kilty Shaun , Metha Vikas , Scangas George , Rodin Danielle , Randolph Gregory , Shin Jennifer J.
Published: September 2018

Decisions about resource allocation are increasingly based on value trade‐offs between health outcomes and cost. This process relies on comprehensive and standardized definitions of health status that accurately measure the physical, mental, and social well‐being of patients across disease states. These metrics, assessed through clinical trials, observational studies, and health surveys, can facilitate the integration of patient preferences into clinical practice. This ninth installment in the Evidence‐Based Medicine in Otolaryngology Series is a practical overview of health outcome valuation, as well as the integration of both quality and quantity of life into standardized metrics for health research, program planning, and resource allocation. Tools for measuring preference‐based health states, measures of effectiveness, and the application of metrics in economic evaluations are discussed.
Hand-sewn trileaflet valve in the right ventricular outflow tract
Authors: Ishimaru Kazuhiko , Araki Kanta , Sakamoto Shigeru , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: September 2018

A 4-year-old girl with pulmonary regurgitation after complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot, underwent an alternative surgical repair for pulmonary valve replacement. Hand-sewn trileaflet valve reconstruction using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is a feasible method for pulmonary regurgitation in such a young child in whom a large-sized bioprosthetic valve cannot be implanted.
Do shared self-expanding activities have to be physically arousing?
Authors: Tomlinson Jennifer M. , Hughes Erin K. , Lewandowski Gary W. , Aron Arthur , Geyer Rachel
Published: September 2018

Participation in shared self-expanding activities benefits both relationships and the self. However, most studies use tasks that combine self-expansion and arousal within one activity, making it difficult to know what drives the benefits. We tested the distinct effects of self-expansion and arousal in four studies. In Studies 1 and 2, 35 married couples and 106 friend pairs completed experiments manipulating self-expansion and arousal. Self-expansion (and not arousal) predicted relationship and individual outcomes. In Studies 3 and 4, 200 married individuals and 202 individuals thinking of a close friend reported perceptions of self-expansion and arousal during activities. Simultaneous regressions showed self-expansion, controlling (or not controlling) for arousal, predicted relationship, and individual outcomes. Results suggest that self-expansion is central for deriving benefits of shared activities, while arousal does not seem to be necessary.
Autonomous flight and cooperative control for reconstruction using aerial robots powered by smartphones
Authors: Loianno Giuseppe , Mulgaonkar Yash , Brunner Chris , Ahuja Dheeraj , Ramanandan Arvind , Chari Murali , Diaz Serafin , Kumar Vijay
Published: September 2018

Advances in consumer electronics products and the technology seen in personal computers, digital cameras, and smartphones phones have led to the price/performance ratio of sensors and processors falling dramatically over the last decade. In particular, many consumer products are packaged with small cameras, gyroscopes, and accelerometers, all sensors that are needed for autonomous robots in GPS-denied environments. The low mass and small form factor make them particularly well suited for autonomous flight with small flying robots. In this work, we present the first fully autonomous smartphone-based system for quadrotors. We show how multiple quadrotors can be stabilized and controlled to achieve autonomous flight in indoor buildings with application to smart homes, search and rescue, monitoring construction projects, and developing models for architecture design. In our work, the computation for sensing and control runs on an off-the-shelf smartphone, with all the software functionality embedded in a smartphone app. No additional sensors or processors are required for autonomous flight. We are also able to use multiple, coordinated autonomous aerial vehicles to improve the efficiency of our mission. In our framework, multiple vehicles are able to plan safe trajectories avoiding inter-robot collisions, while concurrently building in a cooperative manner a three-dimensional map of the environment. The work allows any consumer with any number of robots equipped with smartphones to autonomously drive a team of quadrotor robots, even without GPS, by downloading our app and cooperatively build three-dimensional maps.
Determinants of county migrant regularization policymaking in the United States: Understanding temporal and spatial realities
Authors: Visser M.Anne , Simpson Sheryl-Ann
Published: September 2018

While immigration policymaking has traditionally been the sole prerogative of nation states, research has documented increased instances of migration policymaking at sub-national levels across migrant-receiving societies. This paper examines the temporally and spatially distinctive dynamics that underscore the adoption of these policies at the county level in the United States. The study considers the implementation of migrant labor market regularizations (LRs) for the time period 2004–2014. LRs are defined as discrete arenas of policymaking at the sub-national level that affect aspects of migrant workers’ status in labor markets and include laws and ordinances related to: anti-solicitation, language access, local enforcement of federal immigration law, and employment verification. Utilizing a multilevel event histories model, we analyze data from a unique dataset of over 5000 LR policies across 2959 counties in the United States, and address two research questions: (1) What are the social, economic, and political factors that influence the adoption of LRs by counties and municipalities in the United States; and (2) do policy adoption trends that occurred during 2004–2014 indicate a unique type of diffusion pattern? We find that the adoption of LRs by county governments are influenced by the racialization of immigration discourse and by policy behaviors at the municipal and state government levels, while economic characteristics of the local labor market and perceived ethnic competition from migrants have little direct impact on the probability of policy adoption.
Safety Evaluation for Turnarounds at Diamond Interchanges: Assessing the Texas U-Turn
Authors: Dixon Karen K. , Avelar Raul E. , Dastgiri Maryam Shirinzadeh , Dadashova Bahar
Published: September 2018

Texas frontage road turnarounds at diamond interchange locations are a common treatment in the State of Texas. This configuration, also often referred to as the Texas U-turn, allows vehicles traveling on a one-way frontage road to access the opposing direction one-way frontage road via a U-turn before the terminal intersections at the diamond interchange. This technique removes two potential left-turn maneuvers from the adjacent at-grade intersections. The frontage road turnaround has operational benefits that result from shifting vehicles that would typically be occupying the intersection. The safety of these turnaround configurations, however, is not well known. This paper focuses on the observed safety performance of these turnaround configurations at diamond freeway interchanges in Texas. The authors first developed a large randomly sampled data set to facilitate a statistically reliable assessment of U-turn safety performance for Texas interchanges. Next they conducted a safety performance assessment at locations with and without turnarounds and determined that site features that significantly influence the number of crashes include the volume of cross street traffic, the cross street right-turn configuration at frontage roads, the minimum radius in the turnaround, the longitudinal distance from the U-turn exit to the closest downstream driveway, and the number of lanes on each frontage road. The safety performance findings at locations with and without turnarounds suggests that an agency could construct a turnaround to enhance facility operations with the knowledge that construction will not adversely impact safety. Although the research introduced in this paper focuses on Texas locations, the findings should be applicable to similar facilities in other states if the turnaround conditions are similar.
Using Google’s Passive Data and Machine Learning for Origin-Destination Demand Estimation
Authors: Sana Bhargava , Castiglione Joe , Cooper Drew , Tischler Dan
Published: September 2018

Origin-destination (OD) data collection methods are steadily attempting to move from conventional survey techniques (roadside interview, license plate, etc.) toward using passively collected big data sources such as those based on global positioning system (GPS) and cell phone call detail records (CDR). In this study, a new passive data source, Google’s Aggregated and Anonymized Trips (AAT), was used to derive hourly OD demand matrices for the San Francisco Bay Area. Since the AAT dataset contains relative flows or weights as opposed to absolute trips, machine learning techniques were applied to convert them with the help of observed OD flows from expanded household travel survey. Several machine learning models were trained to perform quite well for both training and test data. However, it was found that the multi-layer perceptron (MLP), a neural networks approach, resulted in the best performing model for the conversion. Additionally, all models were used for predictions in a hypothetical application context where input AAT data were scaled by different growth factors. This exercise showed that, even though the trip predictions of all models were close to each other initially, they varied widely for different magnitudes of OD markets and growth factors.
News from the East: Perceptions of the Free Movement of Persons in the Polish Popular Press
Authors: Clement Andrew Anzur
Published: September 2018

The free movement of persons in the EU has been thought of as reflecting an ideal of supranational solidarity within the single market. However, over the past decade, it has become a source of political contention among European peoples. Much attention has been paid to Western European, anti-EU sentiment regarding Central Eastern European migration. Yet euroskeptic populism has recently risen within the eastern EU as well. Despite this phenomenon, less attention has been given to discursive views of the free movement of persons in the eastern expansion countries. This contribution takes issue with transactionalist and utilitarian approaches to identity formation. It argues that resilient national identity shapes the perception of national interests regarding the market-based citizenship promoted by the EU institutions. Through qualitative analysis of the high-circulation popular Polish press, this study finds that when viewed through national identity–based interest perceptions, the free movement of persons is not framed in terms of “actual” economic benefits or opportunities. Instead, it is framed as a dubious benefit of EU integration, in relation to many obligations of EU membership. In contrast, the press discourse examined here frames intra-Union migration as the continuing unfortunate necessity of emigration. Thus, national identity conceptions may influence the eastern EU press narrative, causing it to frame the free movement of persons negatively, in terms of perceived interests.
Ethnic Condominium and Illiberalism in Macedonia
Authors: Crowther William
Published: September 2018

Over the course of the past ten years the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization–Democratic Party for national Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) has progressively extended its control over Macedonian political, social, and economic life, restricting the space for democratic discourse and limiting completion. Throughout this period it has acted in concert with elites representing the country’s Albanian minority and has included Albanian political parties, currently the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) as minority coalition partners. This article will examine the conditions that gave rise to illiberalism in Macedonia and the interaction between ethnic politics and the retreat from democracy.
“The Minor Would Hinder the Mother in Finding Employment:” Child Protection and Women’s Paid Work in Early State Socialist Hungary
Authors: Varsa Eszter
Published: September 2018

This article discusses the role of child protection and residential care institutions in mediating the tension between women’s productive and reproductive responsibilities in early state socialist Hungary. At a time when increasing numbers of women entered paid work in the framework of catch-up industrialization but the socialization of care work was inadequate, these institutions substituted for missing public child care services. Relying on not only policy documents but more than six hundred children’s case files, including Romani children’s files, from three different locations in Hungary as well as interviews with former children’s home residents and personnel, the article examines the regulatory framework in which child protection institutions and caseworkers operated. It points to the differentiated forms of pressure these institutions exercised on Romani and non-Romani mothers to enter paid work between the late 1940s and the early 1950s from the intersectional perspective of gender and ethnicity. Showing that prejudice against “Gypsies” as work-shy persisted in child protection work across the systemic divide of the late 1940s, the article contributes to scholarship on state socialism and Stalinism that emphasizes the role of historical continuities. At the same time, reflecting on parental invention in using child protection as a form of child care, the article also complicates a simplistic social control approach to residential care institutions in Stalinist Hungary.
The Limits of Regionalization: The Intergovernmental Struggle over EU Cohesion Policy in the Czech Republic
Authors: Baun Michael , Marek Dan
Published: September 2018

What explains national variation in the implementation of EU Cohesion Policy, in particular when it comes to the role of regions in Structural Funds management? This is an important question because, as some scholars have claimed, Cohesion Policy has the potential to empower regions and promote regionalization in Europe. Particularly in the new CEE member states, where relations between central and subnational authorities often remain unsettled or in a state of flux, the ability of regional authorities to exercise a substantial role in Cohesion Policy implementation could significantly impact intergovernmental relations and the balance of power between the central state and regions. This article examines this question in the case of one CEE member state, the Czech Republic, where the role of regions in Structural Funds management has been a particularly contentious issue over the course of three programming periods beginning in 2004. The article argues that the standard explanation in the literature for variation in Cohesion Policy implementation—national constitutional arrangements and governmental traditions—cannot explain the change of implementation systems in the Czech Republic because these remained constant over the three programming periods under investigation. Instead, the Czech case suggests the primary importance of regional administrative capacity and performance as a factor affecting Cohesion Policy implementation, while domestic politics and EU-level influences play important though secondary roles.
JAT—More Than Flying: Constructing Yugoslav Identity in the Air
Authors: Subotić Jelena
Published: September 2018

This article revisits the history of Yugoslavia to trace the unique ways in which the national airline Yugoslav Airlines (JAT) served as a powerful tool of Yugoslav, and then post-Yugoslav, Serbian state identity construction from 1975 to 2013, when JAT ceased to exist. I analyze the complete archives of the JAT Review to trace the stunning reconstruction of Yugoslav state identity over time: from the height of the Yugoslav “brand” in the 1970s as the country served a pivotal role in the Non-Aligned Movement, to the slow decline in pan-Yugoslav identity and the rise of sub-Yugoslav nationalisms throughout the 1980s, to the final dissolution of the country and collapse of Yugoslav identity in the 1990s. Building on insights from the nation-branding literature, I conduct a textual and visual analysis of articles, photographs, and ads that appeared on the pages of the JAT Review. The analysis points to the complex and often contradictory ways in which Yugoslavia constructed its multiple identities to project power and status in the international sphere, while simultaneously maintaining citizen loyalty at home.
The Production of (Un)deserving and (Un)acceptable: Shifting Representations of Migrants within Political Discourse in Slovakia
Authors: Kissová Lenka
Published: September 2018

The article examines political discourse in Slovakia, particularly the representations of and ideas about refugees and the relevant topics employed in political, explanations and representations of refugees constructed and employed within political argumentation. The text reveals the main discursive legitimation strategies present in the political framing of refugees, resulting in the non-acceptance of non-Christian refugees. Among these, positive us- and negative other-representation, together with denial, moral evaluation, and discursively declared risk based on religion, prove to be the main ones employed for symbolic and physical boundary construction. In this case, the dividing line between “Slovaks” and “others” has been formed around cultural (religious) adaptability, consequently connected to (un)deservingness of solidarity. Different topics are employed before and after adoption of the European Union refugee redistribution system. Economic interests, border protection, and organized crime are applied as main themes of legitimation strategies in the pre-quota period, while cultural interest, identity protection, and terrorism are employed in the post-quota period. They function as a background for argumentation, knowledge production, political decision-making and wider identity-building and national self-determination processes. In the wider context of globalization and Europeanization trends, Christianity becomes an iconic response to global changes and it is used as a mobilizing tool for invoking nationalist and anti-European Union sentiment. Moreover, as the political strategies and responses employed in other Central and Eastern European countries are similar, the Slovak case might be applied more generally and, thus, provide a deeper understanding of the political responses and state-building processes of other countries in the region.
The Sources of Anti-Muslim Prejudice in Poland
Authors: Golebiowska Ewa
Published: September 2018

Using data from a nationally representative survey of Poles, the principal question I examine is whether anti-Muslim prejudice in Poland primarily stems from negative stereotypes of Muslims, a general discomfort with difference (or ethnocentrism), or threats related to economic insecurity. I also seek to determine whether interpersonal contact with Muslims dilutes prejudice toward Muslims as a group and investigate how the links between stereotyping and ethnocentrism on the one hand and anti-Muslim prejudice on the other depend on respondents’ education. While I find that anti-Muslim prejudice is shaped by negative stereotypes of Muslims and pessimistic perceptions of Poland’s economy, it primarily reflects a more general discomfort with difference. As expected, the strength of the link between stereotypes of Muslims and prejudice toward them depends on how educated Poles are.
The Prenatal Rating of Efficacy in Preparation to Breastfeed Scale: A New Measurement Instrument for Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-efficacy
Authors: McKinley Erin M. , Knol Linda L. , Turner Lori W. , Burnham Joy J. , Graettinger Kristine R. , Hernandez-Reif Maria , Leeper James D.
Published: September 2018

Background:

Breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding intention are two modifiable factors that influence rates of breastfeeding initiation.

Research Aims:

(1) To develop a scale to measure prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy, and (2) test its psychometric properties by determining the internal consistency and reliability, and (3) assess the relationships between prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding intention.

Methods:

Cross-sectional prospective one-group survey design was used. A convenience sample of pregnant patients attending an obstetrics and gynecology clinic ( N=124) completed a survey at the recruitment site that assessed demographics, breastfeeding intention, and breastfeeding self-efficacy theory constructs. Retest surveys ( n=14) were taken home and returned to the researcher by mail after completion.

Results:

Cronbach’s alpha for the 39-item scale was .98 (test) and .97 (retest) with an item-to-total correlation range of .54 to .78. A four-factor solution for the scale was retained. Test-retest indicated each factor was significant and highly correlated: Individual Processes (.88, p < .001), Interpersonal Processes (.893, p < .001), Professional Advice (.919, p < .001), and Social Support (.880, p < .001). Overall prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy score was highly correlated (.610, p <.001) with breastfeeding intention scores.

Conclusions:

The Prenatal Rating of Efficacy in Preparation to Breastfeed Scale is a valid and reliable measure of a prenatal women’s self-efficacy in preparation to breastfeed. Measuring the level of self-efficacy could alert prenatal women and health professionals to individual skill sets.
Amok: a mirror of time and people. A historical review of literature
Authors: Imai Hissei , Ogawa Yusuke , Okumiya Kiyohito , Matsubayashi Kozo
Published: September 2018

The conceptualization of psychiatric disorders changes continuously. This study examined ‘amok’, a culture-bound syndrome related to sudden mass homicide, to elucidate changing and varied concepts. A historical review of 88 English articles revealed that the meanings and assumed causes of amok have changed over time. These changes appear to have been affected by social events, medical discoveries, knowledge of descriptors and occasionally, the benefit to users. In other words, the concept of amok changes depending on the history of society and the knowledge and intention of people at the time. We should consider in detail what we focus on when diagnosing a disorder.
Valuing studies in higher education: Symbolic means and strategies of students negotiating their position in the library and information science field
Authors: Moniarou-Papaconstantinou Valentini
Published: September 2018

The library and information science field attempts to legitimize its position in higher education, in a ‘culture of uncertainty’, where boundaries are fluid. The position of LIS in the hierarchical classification of academic subjects is influenced by the changes in both the field of higher education and in the information environment, creating expectations for the emergence of new fields of study, research and professional practices. The purpose of this paper is to examine how LIS students position themselves in their field of study and the resources they use in processes of meaning-making. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with students from the three LIS departments operating in Greece at the undergraduate level. The results showed that the academic knowledge content of the object, the assignment of scientific characteristics to it, the signifier of the book, the form of professional practice and, above all, technology are the most prominent resources among those that most young people utilized in their effort to negotiate the symbolic class (i.e. the dominant cultural categories which give meaning to the social world).
The Impact of Tissue Storage Conditions on Rat Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Yield and the Future Clinical Implications
Authors: Olushanu Modinat , Collins Andrew , Li Ying , Li Daqing
Published: September 2018

Trauma causes spinal cord injury, and the devastating consequences of the injury are due to the failure of the damaged central nervous system (CNS) axons to regenerate. Previous studies have shown that olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a unique type of glial cell and they can promote regeneration of CNS axons to aid recovery after spinal cord injury. Transplantation of OECs, in particular from the olfactory bulb (OB), is considered one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for the repair of CNS injuries, including spinal cord injury. Transplantation of OECs can be autologous or allogenic. Here we focused on the less invasive and more error-proof allograft approach which needs a collection of donor OB tissue for OEC production. In this study, we investigated the effects on the yield and proportions of OECs and olfactory nerve fibroblasts (ONFs) from storing OB tissue in various media for periods of 24 and 48 hours. The OEC yield contributes to the viability of a successful cell transplant. We concluded that storing OB tissue for a period longer than 24 hours negatively impacted the total cell number and subsequently the OEC population. This study provides useful information for future clinical applications.
Growth Factor-Mediated Tenogenic Induction of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Is Altered by the Microenvironment of Tendon Matrix
Authors: Roth Susanne Pauline , Schubert Susanna , Scheibe Patrick , Groß Claudia , Brehm Walter , Burk Janina
Published: September 2018

Age-related degenerative changes in tendon tissue represent a common cause for acute tendon pathologies. Although the regenerative potential of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) was reported to restore functionality in injured tendon tissue, cellular mechanisms of action remain partly unclear. Potential tenogenic differentiation of applied MSC is affected by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The current study presents an in vitro model to evaluate the combined extrinsic effects of decellularized equine tendon matrix, transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3) and bone morphogenetic protein 12 (BMP12) on the tenogenic fate of equine adipose tissue-derived MSC. Monolayer MSC cultures supplemented with TGFβ3 and BMP12 as well as MSC cultured on tendon matrix scaffolds preloaded with the growth factors were incubated for 3 and 5 days. Histological evaluation and real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that growth factor-mediated tenogenic induction of MSC was modified by the conditions of the surrounding microenvironment. While the gene expression pattern in monolayer cultures supplemented with TGFβ3 or TGFβ3 and BMP12 revealed an upregulation for collagen 1A2, collagen 3A1, tenascin c, scleraxis and mohawk ( p < 0.05 ), the presence of tendon matrix led to an upregulation of decorin and osteopontin as well as to a downregulation of smad8 ( p < 0.05). Preloading of scaffolds with either TGFβ3, or with TGFβ3 and BMP12 promoted a tenocyte-like phenotype and improved cell alignment. Furthermore, gene expression in scaffold culture was modulated by TGFβ3 and/or BMP12, with downregulation of collagen 1A2, collagen 3A1, decorin, scleraxis, smad8 and osteopontin, whereas gene expression of tenascin c was increased. This study shows that growth factor-induced tenogenic differentiation of equine MSC is markedly altered by topographical constraints of decellularized tendon tissue in vitro. While TGFβ3 represents an effective mediator for tenogenic induction, the role of BMP12 in tenogenesis may be of modulatory character and needs further evaluation.
Predictive factors for special care units admission and in-hospital mortality among geriatric patients that presented to the emergency department of a teaching hospital
Authors: Lim Khai Yen , Nik Ab Rahman Nik Hisamuddin
Published: September 2018

Background:

The world population is experiencing ageing and this phenomenon certainly gives significant impact to the social, economic as well as health care services globally.

Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of geriatric patients treated in critical zone in an emergency department of a teaching hospital and the factors associated with special care units admission and in-hospital mortality.

Methods:

A single-centre prospective cross-sectional study was carried out from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 at the Emergency Department Hospital at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. All patients aged 60 years and above were included. Systematic random sampling was used. Variables were analysed using simple and multiple logistic regressions.

Results:

The total number of patients included in this study was 328, 55.8% were male and the mean age was 70.6 (standard deviation: 7.5) years. The commonly presenting diseases in this study were cardiovascular (31.4%), infectious (29.6%), neurological (14.9%) and respiratory (12.5%). Out of the 328 patients studied, 187 (57.0%) were admitted to general wards and 110 (33.5%) to special care units. A total of 55 patients (16.8%) succumbed within the period of in-hospital treatment. The factors associated with special care units admission were the usage of non-invasive ventilation and the administration of inotropic support. The factors associated with in-hospital mortality were blood urea level, serum albumin level and the application of mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion:

Geriatric patients who presented to emergency department requiring ventilator and inotropic support had been observed to exhibit worse outcome. The associated factors for special care units admission and in-hospital mortality had been identified, and this will enable better settings cater to the needs for critically ill geriatric patients.
Evaluation of dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Şener Alp , Kurtoğlu Çelik Gülhan , Özhasenekler Ayhan , Gökhan Şervan , Tanrıverdi Fatih , Kocaoğlu Salih , Neşelioğlu Salim , Erdoğan Serpil
Published: September 2018

Background:

Community-acquired pneumonia is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in all age groups. Oxidant and antioxidant mechanisms play an important role in the pathogenesis and mortality of community-acquired pneumonia.

Objectives:

In this study, the role of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in the diagnosis and prognosis of community-acquired pneumonia was investigated.

Methods:

This was a prospective, controlled, observational study involving 73 community-acquired pneumonia patients and 68 healthy volunteers.

Results:

The native thiol and total thiol, which are thiol/disulfide homeostasis components, were significantly lower in the community-acquired pneumonia group. It was also found that the native thiol was lower in the high-risk community-acquired pneumonia group and that the native thiol and total thiol were associated with the Pneumonia Severity Index, CRB65 (confusion, respiratory rate, blood pressure, ⩾65 years old), and CURB65 (confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, blood pressure, ⩾65 years old) scores. The thiol compound levels were also associated with the C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. However, there was no significant difference between the survivors and non-survivors in terms of the thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated the important role that oxidative stress plays in the pathogenesis of community-acquired pneumonia. The thiol/disulfide homeostasis biomarkers especially the native thiol and index-1 levels were significantly lower in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Further studies are needed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters in community-acquired pneumonia.
Music and cultural prejudice reduction: A review
Authors: Miranda Dave , Gaudreau Patrick
Published: September 2018

Music is often believed to be a universal cultural language that may bring different people together, in harmony. In this article, we review studies that examined interrelations between music and prejudice reduction during youth development. More specifically, our aim is to reflect on potential circumstances under which music listening and music making reduce cultural prejudice in childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood. We argue that this research theme is important but understudied. Nonetheless, the rare published empirical studies that we found ( N = 13) cover a broad repertoire of research methods and outcomes that point to pertinent research directions for cultural attitude change, intergroup processes, positive intergroup contact, and empathy. Overall, although more research is needed, these preliminary findings suggest that music may have some potential to reduce cultural prejudice during youth development.
Save this Honorable Court: Shaping Public Perceptions of the Supreme Court Off the Bench
Authors: Krewson Christopher N.
Published: September 2018

Scholars believe that justices on the U.S. Supreme Court strategically respond to—but rarely shape—public opinion. This article provides a new perspective on judicial behavior. Looking “off the bench,” I find evidence that justices actively shape perceptions of the Court through their public speeches. In particular, I employed a randomized field experiment and a randomized survey experiment to analyze the causal effects of attending a speech and reading about it in the news. For the field experiment, I assigned law students with reservations to a public speech by Justice Sotomayor to take a survey just before or just after the event. For the separate survey experiment, I assigned individuals in a treatment group to read news coverage of the speech before responding to survey questions. I find that, among attendees, justices improve their own favorability and change beliefs about the importance of law in judicial decision making. Among those who read of the speech, justices also change perceptions of the politicization of the Court and strengthen institutional loyalty. These findings have important implications for our understanding of judicial behavior and public perceptions of the Court.
L1CAM Immunopositivity in Anaplastic Supratentorial Ependymomas: Correlation With Clinical and Histological Parameters
Authors: Chavali Pooja , Rao Shilpa , Palavalasa Sravya , Bevinahalli Nandeesh , Muthane Yasha T. C. , Sadashiva Nishanth , Santosh Vani
Published: September 2018

Supratentorial ependymomas (ST EPNs) are molecularly characterized, of which the RELA fusion positive tumors are the most common and aggressive subgroup. Moreover, histologically, anaplastic ST EPN (ST-AE) often mimic other central nervous system primary high-grade tumors resulting in a diagnostic dilemma. We aimed to study a cohort of ST-AE; evaluate the expression of two RELA fusion-associated markers—L1CAM and p65 (NF-κB); and correlate their expression with clinical and histological parameters. Cases of ST-AE diagnosed in our department from January 2011 to June 2016 (n = 72) were reviewed. A battery of immunohistochemical markers was employed. A total of 65 confirmed ST-AE were included in the study. Age ranged from 9 months to 60 years. There was a slight predominance in the pediatric population (57%). Male-to-female ratio was 1:1.16. Histomorphological features were varied and mimicked other high-grade tumors in several cases. L1CAM immunopositive tumors constituted 26% of cases and were predominantly seen in young children, in the frontoparietal location, and exhibited clear cell morphology with calcification. A consistent pattern of L1CAM immunopositivity was noted in paired primary and recurrent tumor samples. Our study portrays the varied clinical and histomorphological spectrum of ST-AE. The study emphasizes the association of L1CAM immunopositivity with a wide spectrum of histological parameters, literature on which is scant till date. Since ST EPN-RELA are tumors with aggressive behavior, such a correlation would be clinically relevant, particularly when there is limited access to molecular testing.
The Validity of Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire in Croatia
Authors: Babarović Toni , Šverko Iva
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Croatian paper-and-pencil and Internet versions of the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). The CDDQ is based on the theoretical taxonomy of difficulties in career decision-making and comprises three major clusters of difficulties: Lack of readiness, lack of information, and inconsistent information that are further divided into 10 specific types of difficulties. The paper-and-pencil version and the Internet version were filled out by 451 and 568 high school students, respectively. Both versions of the Croatian CDDQ showed to be reliable and structurally equivalent measures. A hierarchical cluster analysis and confirmatory factor analysis generally supported the three-cluster classification system of career decision-making difficulties, with the exception of the Dysfunctional Beliefs Scale that was not significantly associated with any of the other scales. The associations between the CDDQ Scales on the one hand, and two measures of career maturity—Student Career Construction Inventory and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale—were moderate and negative and thus supported the concurrent validity of the CDDQ. The results suggest revising the dysfunctional beliefs subscale or using the CDDQ without this scale in counseling practice.
Encapsulated sour cherry pomace extract: Effect on the colour and rheology of cookie dough
Authors: Petrović Jovana , Pajin Biljana , Lončarević Ivana , Šaponjac Vesna Tumbas , Nikolić Ivana , Ačkar Đurđica , Zarić Danica
Published: September 2018

In this study, the effect of encapsulated sour cherry pomace extract on the physical characteristics of the cookie dough (colour, textural and rheological properties) was investigated. Sour cherry pomace extract encapsulated in whey (WE) and soy proteins (SE) was incorporated in cookie dough, replacing 10% (WE10 and SE10) and 15% (WE15 and SE15) of wheat flour. The dough samples containing encapsulates had the grey-blue colour ( b* values significantly decreased compared to control sample). Due to the presence of anthocyanins, a* values of the dough colour increased significantly with the addition of encapsulates. The addition of soy protein encapsulate increased hardness, resistance to extension and viscosity of cookie dough and decreased deformation compliance ( J), while the addition of whey encapsulate caused dough softness, higher deformation compliance and lower values of viscosity compared to control sample. Values of storage and loss modulus, G′ and G″, significantly decreased when wheat flour was replaced with WE and increased when the flour was replaced with soy protein encapsulate. The addition of soy protein encapsulate resulted in higher cookie hardness.
An Introductory Guide to Organizational Neuroscience
Authors: Murray Micah M. , Antonakis John
Published: September 2018

The time is ripe for a renewed and interdisciplinary approach to organizational research that incorporates neuroscientific techniques. Like all methods, they have methodological, analytical, and interpretational limitations; however, the potential gains from using these techniques are far more considerable. We have therefore assembled a succinct yet authoritative collection of articles on the topic of neuroscience in organizational research, to serve as a solid introduction to the methods of neuroscience and what they can accomplish. The special topic is organized into two parts. The first includes a set of accessible reviews of the palette of brain imaging, mapping, and stimulation techniques (fMRI, fNIRS, EEG, MEG, and NIBS) as well as examples of the application of neuroscience methods to various disciplines including economics, marketing, finance, organizational behavior, neuroethology, as well an integrative translational critique on a variety of applications. The second is a collection of articles resulting from a competitive call for submissions that cover various neuroscience topics but also address important methodological and philosophical issues. The articles lay out a roadmap for the effective integration of neuroscientific methods into organizational research.
How Does Innovation Emerge in a Service Ecosystem?
Authors: Chandler Jennifer D. , Danatzis Ilias , Wernicke Carolin , Akaka Melissa Archpru , Reynolds David
Published: September 2018

To advance the study of innovation in complex settings, this study integrates the innovation, institutional theory, philosophy, and service-dominant logic literatures. Exploring the emergence of innovation and service ecosystem dynamics, researchers take an abductive approach anchored in over 4 years of case study data regarding a high technology solution in an Internet-of-Things setting. By framing innovation as a systemic process, the study reveals that (1) institutional reconciliation is an overlooked phase of innovation, (2) ideas are refined by four types of institutional reconciliation pressures (tensions, divergences, expected value, and service), and (3) innovation is influenced by plasticity in four ways (recursivity, temporality, complementarity, and continuity). Based on these findings, the authors outline a research agenda regarding four principles of innovation as a systemic process. The findings suggest that managers should nurture norms, rules, and beliefs through a systemic process that facilitates the emergence of innovation.