bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 2-legged XY parallel flexure motion stage with minimised parasitic rotation
Authors: Hao Guangbo
Published: March 2014

XY compliant parallel manipulators (aka XY parallel flexure motion stages) have been used as diverse applications such as atomic force microscope scanners due to their proved advantages such as eliminated backlash, reduced friction, reduced number of parts and monolithic configuration. This paper presents an innovative stiffness centre based approach to design a decoupled 2-legged XY compliant parallel manipulator in order to better minimise the inherent parasitic rotation and have a more compact configuration. This innovative design approach makes all of the stiffness centres, associated with the passive prismatic (P) modules, overlap at a point that all of the applied input forces can go through. A monolithic compact and decoupled XY compliant parallel manipulator with minimised parasitic rotation is then proposed using the proposed design approach based on a 2-PP kinematically decoupled translational parallel manipulator. Its load–displacement and motion range equations are derived, and geometrical parameters are determined for a specified motion range. Finite element analysis comparisons are also implemented to verify the analytical models with analysis of the performance characteristics including primary stiffness, cross-axis coupling, parasitic rotation, input and output motion difference and actuator nonisolation effect. Compared with the existing XY compliant parallel manipulators obtained using 4-legged mirror-symmetric constraint arrangement, the proposed XY compliant parallel manipulators based on stiffness centre approach mainly benefits from fewer legs resulting in reduced size, simpler modelling as well as smaller lost motion. Compared with existing 2-legged designs with the conventional arrangement, the present design has smaller parasitic rotation, which has been proved from the finite element analysis results.
The influence of the dynamic response of the rider’s body on the open-loop stability of a bicycle
Authors: Doria Alberto , Tognazzo Mauro
Published: March 2014

The passive response of the rider’s body to bicycle oscillations is experimentally studied by means of laboratory tests. Lumped element models of the rider’s body are developed and the relevant stiffness and damping parameters are identified from experimental results. The biomechanical model of the rider is coupled with the benchmark model of the bicycle and open-loop stability analysis is carried out. Results show that the stiffness and damping parameters of the waist do not strongly affect bicycle stability. Uncontrolled arm stiffness has a very detrimental effect on stability and destroys the self-stabilization mechanism. Arm damping has a more complex effect and reduces the self-stability region.
Type synthesis of 2R2T parallel mechanisms based on motion equivalent chain method
Authors: Ye Wei , Fang Yuefa , Guo Sheng , Qu Haibo
Published: March 2014

In this paper, the motion equivalent chain method is proposed and then applied to the type synthesis of a class of 2R2T parallel mechanism. The equivalent serial chains are synthesized for a specific 2R2T motion pattern based on screw theory. Feasible limb structures that provide a constraint couple and a constraint force are enumerated according to the reciprocity of the twist and wrench systems. Several motion equivalent single loop chains are constructed with the equivalent serial chains. Using motion equivalent single loop chains to replace the equivalent serial chains, a class of 2R2T parallel mechanisms is obtained based on the foundation of motion equivalent single loop chain structures.
An identification method for key geometric errors of machine tool based on matrix differential and experimental test
Authors: Li Dianxin , Feng Pingfa , Zhang Jianfu , Yu Dingwen , Wu Zhijun
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a key geometric errors identification method for machine tools based on matrix differential and experimental test. An error model for a machine tool was established by regarding the three-axis machining center as a multi-body system. The sensitivity coefficients of the machining error with respect to the geometric errors were determined using the matrix differential method, and the degree of influence of the geometric errors on the machining accuracy under ideal conditions was discussed. Using the 12-line method, 21 geometric errors of the machine tool were identified, allowing the three-dimensional volumetric error distributions of the machine tool to be mapped. Experimental results allow the degree of influence of the geometric errors on the machining accuracy under actual conditions to be confirmed. Finally, the key geometric errors affecting the machining accuracy were identified by a combination of matrix differential and experimental test. This paper provides guidance for the machine tool configuration design, machining technology determination, and geometric error compensation.
Three approaches to coordinated bargaining: A case for power-based explanations
Authors: Ibsen Christian Lyhne
Published: March 2014

This article discusses three theoretical approaches to the study of coordinated collective bargaining, each positing different causal mechanisms: rational choice, rationalist institutionalism and discursive institutionalism. Each approach involves a different view of the exercise of power and distributional consequences. The three approaches are applied to the critical cases of Sweden and Denmark. The conclusion drawn is that coordination is not purely cooperative, and that cooperation is itself conditioned by power relations. Thus power must be placed at the heart of coordination studies.
On a class of optimal covariate-adjusted response adaptive designs for survival outcomes
Authors: Biswas Atanu , Bhattacharya Rahul , Park Eunsik
Published: March 2014

A class of optimal covariate-adjusted response adaptive procedures is developed for phase III clinical trials when the treatment response is a survival time and there is random censoring. The basic aim is to develop an allocation design by combining the ethical aspects with statistical precision in a reasonable way under the presence of covariate information. Considering minimisation of total hazards as the ethical requirement, the proposed procedure is assessed in terms of the assignment to the better treatment and the efficiency (i.e. power) to detect a small departure in treatment effectiveness. The applicability of the proposed methodology is also illustrated using a real data set.
Analysis of clustered competing risks data using subdistribution hazard models with multivariate frailties
Authors: Ha Il Do , Christian Nicholas J , Jeong Jong-Hyeon , Park Junwoo , Lee Youngjo
Published: March 2014

Competing risks data often exist within a center in multi-center randomized clinical trials where the treatment effects or baseline risks may vary among centers. In this paper, we propose a subdistribution hazard regression model with multivariate frailty to investigate heterogeneity in treatment effects among centers from multi-center clinical trials. For inference, we develop a hierarchical likelihood (or h-likelihood) method, which obviates the need for an intractable integration over the frailty terms. We show that the profile likelihood function derived from the h-likelihood is identical to the partial likelihood, and hence it can be extended to the weighted partial likelihood for the subdistribution hazard frailty models. The proposed method is illustrated with a dataset from a multi-center clinical trial on breast cancer as well as with a simulation study. We also demonstrate how to present heterogeneity in treatment effects among centers by using a confidence interval for the frailty for each individual center and how to perform a statistical test for such heterogeneity using a restricted h-likelihood.
Interpersonal stress, not depression or hopelessness, predicts suicidality in university students in Macao
Authors: Zaroff Charles Mark , Wong Hon Lam , Ku Lisbeth , Van Schalkwyk Gertina
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, which states that an individual will desire death when they perceive themselves to be a burden to others, and experience social isolation, has received much support, but has not been directly assessed in non-Eurocentric individuals.

Methods:

Joiner’s Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (measuring both perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) and measures of depression, hopelessness, gender, relationship status and region of residence were evaluated as risk factors for suicidality after controlling for response biases. Participants were 273 undergraduate university students of Chinese ethnicity between the ages of 17 and 23 years in Macao.

Results:

The predictors in sum distinguished between the presence and absence of suicidality (χ2 = 62.759, p < .01). Perceived burdensomeness ( p < .01) and relationship status ( p < .01) made significant contributions to the presence of suicidality. Low internal consistency prevented thwarted belongingness from being assessed as a risk factor.

Conclusions:

Interpersonal variables may account for the seemingly disparate risk factors for suicide.
Energy harvesting using the FER–FEO phase transformation in [011] cut single crystal PIN-PMN-PT
Authors: Dong Wen D , Finkel Peter , Amin Ahmed , Cunefare Kenneth A , Lynch Christopher S
Published: March 2014

This study addresses the effects of frequency and load resistance on energy harvesting using a mechanically excited ferroelectric rhombohedral to ferroelectric orthorhombic phase transformation in [011] cut Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 (PIN-PMN-PT) single crystals. The crystals were mechanically driven through the phase transformation, and voltage across a resistive load was measured. The effects of frequency and resistive load on the electrical energy generated were measured. Over the range of frequencies and load impedances tested, the crystals behaved as a charge source. The current increased linearly with frequency, and the voltage increased linearly with load impedance. Impedance matching to maximize the energy harvested is discussed. The energy harvested using the phase transformation was on average 27 times, with a peak of 108 times, the energy harvested using the same crystals operating in the linear piezoelectric regime under the same stress excitation amplitude.
Assessment of Levels of Hospice Care Coverage Offered to Commercial Managed Care Plan Members in California
Authors: Chung Kyusuk , Jahng Joelle , Petrosyan Syuzanna , Kim Soo In , Yim Victoria
Published: March 2014

The implementation of the Affordable Care Act that provides for the expansion of affordable insurance to uninsured individuals and small businesses, coupled with the provision of mandated hospice coverage, is expected to increase the enrollment of the terminally ill younger population in hospice care. We surveyed health insurance companies that offer managed care plans in the 2014 California health insurance exchange and large hospice agencies that provided hospice care to privately insured patients in 2011. Compared with Medicare and Medicaid hospice benefits, hospice benefits for privately insured patients, particularly those enrolled in managed care plans, varied widely. Mandating hospice care alone may not be sufficient to ensure that individuals enrolled in different managed care plans receive the same level of coverage.
Application of a large deformation nonlinear-viscoelastic viscoplastic viscodamage constitutive model to polymers and their composites
Authors: Abu Al-Rub Rashid K , Tehrani Ardeshir H , Darabi Masoud K
Published: March 2014

Based on the effective stress concept in continuum damage mechanics and the large deformation theory, a viscodamage model, coupled with Schapery-type nonlinear-viscoelasticity and Perzyna-type viscoplasticity constitutive models, is used in order to simulate and predict the inelastic and time-dependent damage behavior of polymeric materials and their composites. The thermo-viscodamage model is presented as a function of temperature, total effective strain, damage history, and a damage-driving force expressed in terms of the deviatoric stress invariants in the undamaged configuration. This expression for the damage force allows for the distinction between the influence of compression and extension loading conditions on damage nucleation and growth. Also, the ability of the constitutive model for predicting the tertiary creep, which shows the nonlinear behavior of polymers during damage growth and nucleation, is presented. The numerical algorithm for integrating the coupled constitutive model is implemented in the finite element software Abaqus via the user-material subroutine UMAT. The model capability in predicting the nonlinear-viscoelastic, viscoplastic, and damage behavior of polymers is demonstrated through comparison of model predictions with experimental measurements in different loading conditions including creep tests and constant strain rate tests over a range of stress levels, strain rates, and temperatures. Also, a general thermodynamic framework for deriving a coupled viscoelastic–viscoplastic–viscodamage constitutive model is presented.
Impact of Health Literacy on Medication Adherence
Authors: Zhang Ning Jackie , Terry Amanda , McHorney Colleen A.
Published: March 2014

Objective: To systematically review the literature and estimate the effect size of the relationship between health literacy and medication adherence through meta-analysis. Data Sources: Databases searched included Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; 1982-2013), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA; 1970-2013), MEDLINE OVID (1966-2013), PubMed (1966-2013), PsycInfo (1966-2013), and Web of Science (1966-2013). Study Selection and Data Extraction: Inclusion criteria were as follows: English language; published through May 1, 2013; medication adherence as the outcome variable; use of validated measures of health literacy and medication adherence; availability of a direct (not mediating) relationship between health literacy and medication adherence; and identifiable effect size and statistical significance of the relationship. Exclusion criteria were as follows: duplicated results, irrelevant results, conference abstracts, proceeding papers, books, dissertations, reviews, editorial letters, continuing education units, or book reviews. Data included author, publication year, disease area, sample size, sampling method, location, study design, effect size of the relationship between health literacy and medication adherence, and measures of health literacy and medication adherence. Data Synthesis: There is a small statistically significant and positive association between health literacy and medication adherence. In the conservative results, the unweighted and weighted correlation coefficients were 0.081 and 0.056 with P values <0.001. In the less conservative results, the unweighted and weighted correlation coefficients were 0.088 and 0.072. Conclusions: The relationship between health literacy and medication adherence is statistically significant but weak. It is plausible that health literacy has a mediator relationship with other adherence determinants. Future research should explore such relationships.
Noteworthy Literature in Regional Anesthesia 2013
Authors: Fiegel Matthew J.
Published: March 2014

The regional anesthesia literature was quite active in the calendar year 2013. In typical fashion, the literature was composed of articles representing neuraxial analgesia, peripheral nerve blocks, patient outcomes, regional anesthesia adjuvant medications, and patient safety. The goal of this article is to summarize and present the most relevant articles from each of these arenas.
The Year in Review
Authors: Ing Richard J. , Twite Mark D.
Published: March 2014

Congenital cardiac anesthesiology is a young and rapidly growing subspecialty. It embraces a large spectrum of congenital and acquired heart diseases, which now affect the entire life span of patients from “cradle to grave.” One of the challenges faced by congenital cardiac anesthesiologists is reading the large amount of relevant literature from the fields of cardiology, cardiac surgery, intensive care medicine, and anesthesiology. This review highlights some of the current themes in the literature during the past year.
Relationally Reflexive Practice
Authors: Hibbert Paul , Sillince John , Diefenbach Thomas , Cunliffe Ann L.
Published: March 2014

In this article we explain how the development of new organization theory faces several mutually reinforcing problems, which collectively suppress generative debate and the creation of new and alternative theories. We argue that to overcome these problems, researchers should adopt relationally reflexive practices. This does not lead to an alternative method but instead informs how methods are applied. Specifically, we advocate a stance toward the application of qualitative methods that legitimizes insights from the situated life-with-others of the researcher. We argue that this stance can improve our abilities for generative theorizing in the field of management and organization studies.
Signaling Service Quality via Website e-CRM Features
Authors: Tian Jenny , Wang Sophia
Published: March 2014

This article evaluates the electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) features on hotel websites and examines the effectiveness of e-CRM quality as a signal that conveys information about unobservable hotel service quality. Complementary findings from two studies are presented. In Study 1, the results from lab experiments show that hotel e-CRM quality had positive effects on potential customers’ expectations for service quality, trust in and satisfaction with the hotel website, and intentions to purchase from the website. In Study 2, observational data collected from an influential hotel review website show a positive relationship between a hotel’s basic, proactive, and partnership e-CRM and the hotel’s rank in its region. Both studies found that smaller hotels and hotels with lesser known brands benefited more from better e-CRM. These findings suggest that a well-designed e-CRM system may help less visible hotels to gain advantages in the increasingly competitive online marketplace.
Partial acute transverse myelitis is a predictor of multiple sclerosis in children
Authors: Meyer P , Leboucq N , Molinari N , Roubertie A , Carneiro M , Walther-Louvier U , Cuntz-Shadfar D , Leydet J , Cheminal R , Cambonie G , Echenne B , Rondouin G , Deiva K , Mikaeloff Y , Rivier F
Published: March 2014

Background:

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) in children is a rare and often severe disease for which there are few known prognostic factors, particularly the subsequent risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis.

Objectives:

To determine the clinical course and prognostic factors after a first episode of ATM in children.

Methods:

Thirty children below 16 years of age diagnosed with a first neurological episode of ATM were included retrospectively. Clinical evaluation, treatment, laboratory, and MRI data were collected.

Results:

Median age at onset was 11 years (range 3–15 years). Follow-up data were available for a median of 4 years (range 0.5–16.7 years). Five patients subsequently had a diagnosis of MS (17%), which was associated with acute partial transverse myelitis (odds ratio 5; 95% confidence interval 2.3–11), with a 60% probability of having a relapse at five years ( p < 0.01). The 2011 Verhey criteria correctly identified MS in children with the highest specificity (96%) and sensitivity (80%).

Conclusion:

Acute partial transverse myelitis and brain MRI abnormalities at initial presentation are significantly predictive of a subsequent diagnosis of MS in children with ATM. These findings suggest that closer brain MRI monitoring after acute partial transverse myelitis might make the earlier introduction of disease-modifying therapies possible.
Addressing reciprocity between families and schools: Why these bridges are instrumental for students’ academic success
Authors: Tran Yune
Published: March 2014

One instrumental step in promoting overall children’s academic success across the trajectory of early childhood, elementary, middle, and secondary grades is purposefully establishing positive linkages for families and schools through a shared partnership. By facilitating an ongoing collaborative approach to sustain family engagement practices both in and out of the classroom, schools can help to build parents’ capacity to effectively support their children’s academic development. This article is an overview of the literature based on research from the last two decades on the effects of family involvement and home to school partnerships to student academic achievement within a US context. It addresses the sociocultural implications for establishing home and school partnerships with school-wide pedagogical recommendations in supporting diverse families and K-12 educators in the collaborative work for the educational success of all children. Finally, the article identifies methods to proactively engage all families with a paradigm shift on rethinking traditional methods to skills of cultural competence that honors family backgrounds, validates cultural strengths, and corroborates with the contributions that families make to engender academic success for their children.
School improvement plans and student achievement: Preliminary evidence from the Quality and Merit Project in Italy
Authors: Caputo Andrea , Rastelli Valentina
Published: March 2014

This study provides preliminary evidence from an Italian in-service training program addressed to lower secondary school teachers which supports school improvement plans (SIPs). It aims at exploring the association between characteristics/contents of SIPs and student improvement in math achievement. Pre-post standardized tests and text analysis of SIPs were performed regarding a sample of 248 schools (13,816 students) participating in the project. Results show differences in planning strategies: better school improvements are associated with the ability to carry out a careful analysis of the context, prioritize elements in the diagnostic phase of the process and detect specific improvement goals.
Equitable learning outcomes: Supporting economically and culturally disadvantaged students in ‘formative learning environments’
Authors: Clark Ian
Published: March 2014

The central and distinguishing thesis of social and cultural perspectives on outcome equity is that public school classrooms are culturally biased environments. Such environments disaffect children who arrive at school from the economic or cultural margin. The ‘formative learning environment’ (FoLE) establishes and sustains legitimate partnerships for the purpose of supporting learning and minimizing the outcome inequities experienced by students from conditions of social adversity. Research consistently finds that when children learn in FoLEs, they begin to participate actively in their own learning progression by consciously monitoring and regulating product-oriented learning. The focus of the article is placed upon the conceptual knowledge required to design FoLEs which shield marginalized and disaffected students from academic failure.
The actual and potential participation of primary school pupils at parents’ evenings: A challenge to the established order
Authors: Inglis Gillian H
Published: March 2014

As curricular development in Scotland espoused the importance of pupil participation, the extent to which this has been embedded across teachers’ pedagogy into assessment and reporting practices warranted investigation. This article reports a mixed-methods study with parents, pupils and teachers from three Scottish primary schools that examined pupils’ participation in parents’ evenings. Findings revealed that pupils did not attend meetings but were relied upon as a source of preparation by attending parents. Adults rationalized excluding pupils from the perspective of protecting children or indicated a perceived tension between parental and pupil participation. While teachers and parents proposed passive pupil attendance based upon age and meeting content, many pupils were positively disposed towards potential attendance and envisioned more participatory roles during the meetings. I will conclude by suggesting that parents’ evenings practice merits careful revision to reflect current educational discourse.
Addressing math anxiety in the classroom
Authors: Finlayson Maureen
Published: March 2014

In today’s educational systems, students of all levels of education experience math anxiety. Furthermore, math anxiety is frequently linked to poor achievement in mathematics. The purpose of this study is to examine the causes of math anxiety and to explore strategies which pre-service teachers have identified to overcome math anxiety. The methodology included conducting surveys with 70 pre-service teachers in Canada and completing a critical analysis of the data to provide an overview of the causes of math anxiety. These data indicate that pre-service teachers have encountered math anxiety in many situations. These causes include: lack of self-confidence, fear of failure; teaching styles; ineffective learning practices, and non-engagement of students. Furthermore, these data indicate that facing math anxiety have empowered the participants to devise strategies which have enabled them to overcome math anxiety. The author suggests that an improved understanding of math anxiety hold implications for all students and educators of mathematics.
Effect of prenatal Qi exercise on mother–infant interaction and behavioral state
Authors: Ji Eun Sun , Lundeen Sally P , Lee Jia
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal Qi exercise on mother–infant interaction and the behavioral state of the infant. A prospective, quasi-experimental design was used in 70 healthy pregnant women of more than 18 weeks of gestation. Pregnant women in the intervention group received 90 minutes of prenatal Qi exercise twice a week for 12 weeks. Prenatal Qi exercise group’s Nursing Child Assessment of Feeding Scale scores was higher in mother’s sensitivity to cues, responses to distress, socioemotional growth fostering, and cognitive fostering and for children in responsiveness. There was no significant difference in Anderson Behavioral State Scoring System scores between groups. The results suggested that prenatal Qi exercise is a valuable approach to positively influence mother–infant interaction postdelivery.
Glazing daylighting performance and Trombe wall thermal performance of a modular façade system in four different Portuguese cities
Authors: Sacht Helenice M. , Bragança Luis , Almeida Manuela , Caram Rosana
Published: March 2014

The need to reduce energy consumption in buildings leads to the development of new façade systems that can be energy efficient; thus, contributing significantly to heat transfer between outdoor and indoor spaces. Here, the versatility and flexibility of the modules are key attributes. For this purpose, this study focused on the thermal performance of Trombe walls and glazings and the glazing daylighting performance of a modular façade system in four different Portuguese cities. Computational simulations for the thermal performance of different arrangements of the modules were accomplished with the DesignBuilder software, while the glazing daylighting performance was studied by means of Ecotect and Desktop Radiance software, and compared with the transmittance curves of glazings. Occupancy profile and internal gains were fixed according to the Portuguese reality for both studies. The main characteristics considered in this research were the use of two double glazings, four different Portuguese climates and one or two Trombe walls in the façade. According to results, the use of Trombe walls and double self-cleaning glazing in the façade showed an important reduction in the energy consumption as well as better daylighting performance.
Between engagement and ironic ambiguity: Mediating subjectivity in narrative journalism
Authors: Harbers Frank , Broersma Marcel
Published: March 2014

This article explores how narrative journalism challenges dominant assumptions about objectivity by taking the mediating subjectivity of the reporter as a structuring principle for stories. By comparing the coverage of the Middle East conflict by British award-winning reporter Robert Fisk and Dutch novelist/reporter Arnon Grunberg we show how overt subjectivity is displayed in different manners and how this affects the persuasiveness of reporting. Fisk adopts a personal–engaged subjectivity that fits in with the tradition of ethnographic realism and in that respect abides by the fundamental maxims of traditional journalism. Conversely, Grunberg displays a personal–ironic subjectivity that resembles cultural phenomenology and constantly calls into question whether journalism is able to represent reality univocally. We argue that both approaches fit in with a broader cultural development that disputes the possibility of objective truth and questions the corresponding epistemological procedures. Nevertheless, the latter approach particularly raises doubt among readers and critics because it subverts the profession’s claim to truth.
Decade-long trends in the characteristics, management and hospital outcomes of diabetic patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Tisminetzky Mayra , Joffe Samuel , McManus David D , Darling Chad , Gore Joel M , Yarzebski Jorge , Lessard Darleen , Goldberg Robert J
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

Our objectives were to describe recent trends in the characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in diabetic as compared with non-diabetic patients hospitalized with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods:

We reviewed the medical records of 2537 persons with (n = 684) and without (n = 1853) a history of diabetes who were hospitalized for STEMI between 1997 and 2009 at 11 medical centres in Central Massachusetts.

Results:

Diabetic patients were more likely to be older, female and to have a higher prevalence of previously diagnosed comorbidities. Diabetic patients were more likely to have developed important in-hospital complications and to have a longer hospital stay compared with non-diabetic patients. Between 1997 and 2009, there was a marked decline in hospital mortality in diabetic (20.0%–5.6%) and non-diabetic (18.6%–7.5%) patients.

Conclusion:

Despite reduced hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with STEMI, diabetic patients continue to experience significantly more adverse outcomes than non-diabetics.
Glory Hunters, Sugar Daddies, and Long-Term Competitive Balance Under UEFA Financial Fair Play
Authors: Sass Markus
Published: March 2014

This article analyzes the long-term effects of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Financial Fair Play on competitive balance using a multiperiod adaption of a professional team sports model. This study accounts for the empirical fact that a club’s market size is positively affected by historic success. An increasingly successful club can attract more and more supporters and thus yield higher revenues that lead to even more success and an ever-growing market size. It is argued that this development will result in an utmost uneven contest if so-called sugar daddies are prevented from overspending by Financial Fair Play and thus cannot longer outweigh a club’s smaller market size.
How Often Do States Study Each Other? Evidence of Policy Knowledge Diffusion
Authors: Glick David M. , Friedland Zoe
Published: March 2014

Although the policy diffusion literature comprises a large number of methodologically sophisticated papers, very little is known about basic issues such as how often states actually look at others’ policies, whose policies they look at, and when they look. We study policy research briefs prepared for legislators to focus on policy knowledge diffusion. We find that policy researchers frequently reported on others’ policies. We also find that factors such as innovativeness and proximity affect how often a state’s policies are studied. More generally, we find evidence of fairly sophisticated learning as policy makers looked at others’ policies in nuanced and varied ways. Our findings suggests that information about policies diffuses through systematic and targeted research during the policy-making process. This policy research disproportionately focuses on neighbors and states likely to have good policies, but it also uncovers ideas from less obvious states.
Nutrition Controversies
Authors: Rust Rosanne
Published: March 2014

Nutrition controversies abound, particularly in an age of vast information and technology. Scientific information is often disseminated so quickly, via news outlets or lay bloggers, that the factual details are left out and in-depth analysis is omitted. Our food supply and our environment are intertwined, yet from a public health standpoint there seems to be a disconnection between what our society wants, and what it may need, in terms of nutrition and disease prevention. We want our food supply to be safe, available, affordable, fresh, and tasty. We also want our environment to be minimally affected, animal rights to be upheld, and less waste to occur. We need to provide adequate nutrition that promotes health to a diverse population at a reasonable cost. This article will address some current nutrition controversies surrounding genetically modified organisms in our food supply, sugars, calories, and high-protein diets; as well as a recommendation for helping your patients choose a healthy diet and adopt healthy dietary behaviors is reviewed.
The greedy giants: Centralized television in post-authoritarian Indonesia
Authors: Armando Ade
Published: March 2014

This article essentially shows how the development of commercial television in Indonesia has conflicted with the country’s media democratization, as illustrated by the growth of local media in the past 15 years. Compared to print media and radio, which are decentralized, Indonesia’s television industry is dominated by five large media corporations that are all based in the capital city of Jakarta. As a consequence, this fails to leave much growing space to television stations at a local level, which would be needed to strengthen Indonesia’s democratization. Media owners have successfully influenced the government in establishing a set of policies that sustain their dominance of the industry. Players within the television industry have even successfully swayed the direction of the broadcasting decentralization mandated by the Broadcasting Bill during Indonesia’s early political Reform period. The influence of these ‘Jakarta television stations’ stunted the development of television stations outside of Jakarta. Not only it deprives local actors of the economic value of developing their own television industry would bring, it also has resulted in the the loss of television's potential in functioning as a public sphere facilitating social control over democratic processes. Although the Reform era promised a new age of media democratization, the centralization of commercial television actually worsened media monopolies that were thought to have been done away with in post-Suharto Indonesia.
Learning by clicking: An experiment with social media democracy in Indonesia
Authors: Gazali Effendi
Published: March 2014

This article revisits the current interplay between the government, the market, civil society, and the media in contemporary Indonesian political communication. Previous research showed a striking increase in the numbers of both Internet and social media users as well as cases of social media influence on the democratization process. Some scholars have pointed out the limitations of social media, such as the simplified narratives, larger media systems, and dominant meta-narratives. This includes the ‘many clicks, little sticks’ phenomenon, meaning that only a few of the many clicks resulted in widespread activism in the vast social media environment. This article includes more recent and nuanced interpretations from the various actors. The activists have continued their experiments—providing two-way information, encouraging rapid interaction, creating much participation, and expanding role decentralization. In a ‘network of networks’ spirit they have been doing a lot of clicking, and learning a lot in the process.
Instability of the distal radioulnar joint
Authors: Zimmerman R. M. , Jupiter J. B.
Published: March 2014

The distal radioulnar joint is a complex structure necessary for forearm motion and force transmission across the wrist. Anatomic and biomechanical advances have revealed broad contributions to distal radioulnar joint stability and refined our understanding of the forces acting across it. Instability often co-occurs with other modes of pathology, such as arthrosis or malunion; and appropriate diagnosis and treatment require a comprehensive understanding of all contributing factors. Distal radioulnar joint instability can be broadly categorized as primary, post-traumatic or post-surgical. Treatment strategies include percutaneous, arthroscopic, soft-tissue, osteotomy and arthroplasty techniques. The purpose of this article is to review distal radioulnar joint instability and its management.
The effect of pregnancy on venous valve repair to the sapheno-femoral junction for varicose veins
Authors: Dijkstra Martijn L , Khin Nyan Y , Coroneos John C , Hazelton Stuart , Lane Rodney J
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

Pregnancy represents a special situation where both the mechanical and hormonal instigating factors of varicose veins are reversible with the venous valve cusps preserved. Exostent venous valve repairs are a physiological alternative which minimises stimulus to collateral growth (recurrence). The study purpose was to assess the effect of pregnancy on the durability of valve repairs.

Methods:

In a prospective study of 36 limbs, 20 young females (30 ± 4.7 years) had an exostent implanted to the terminal valve of the saphenofemoral junction for varicose veins. At routine long-term follow up (9.7 ± 3.8 years), 38 pregnancies were completed (mean: 1.8, range: 1–4). The controls were a non-pregnant group of limbs ( n = 386).

Results:

At 9.7 years, the internal diameter of the greater saphenous vein (GSV) changed from 7.8 ± 2.8 mm preoperatively to 4.5 ± 1.4 mm post-operatively. Recurrence was associated with reflux, preoperative deep system and ovarian vein involvement. Pregnancy induced 33.3% recurrences compared with non-pregnant controls (4.7%) similarly treated or 22.8% compared with non-pregnant ablative controls. At 9.7 years, symptomatic improvement continued with significantly better CEAP status (described later) (31CSEAP preoperative to 6CSEAP) with no further truncal ablation (strip, laser) required.

Conclusions:

Venous valve repairs can withstand the special stresses of pregnancy. There is no need to ablate the GSV. This approach is contrary to the traditional dictum; the treatment of varicose veins should be delayed until the family is completed.
An inexpensive solution for motion analysis
Authors: Hansen Clint , Gibas David , Honeine Jean-Louis , Rezzoug Nasser , Gorce Philippe , Isableu Brice
Published: March 2014

This study investigated the reliability of the recently released low-cost NaturalPoint OptiTrack 250e camera system across different measurement designs. Results are compared to an already well-established motion capture system from Vicon Motion Systems Ltd (Oxford, UK). The OptiTrack performed well across measurement conditions. Provided with the AMASS software kit from C-Motion (Germantown, MD, USA), nine distances from three rigid bodies (ten markers) were used to calculate measurement accuracy. Independent t-tests, a one-way multivariate analysis of variance, intra-class correlation coefficients, and the standard error of measurement were computed for all conditions to evaluate the differences and the reliability of the systems. The results suggest that the NaturalPoint OptiTrack 250e camera system is a reliable working system that can certainly be used in biomechanics and other related fields.
Risk adjustment of health-care performance measures in a multinational register-based study: A pragmatic approach to a complicated topic
Authors: Moger Tron Anders , Peltola Mikko
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

Health-care performance comparisons across countries are gaining popularity. In such comparisons, the risk adjustment methodology plays a key role for meaningful comparisons. However, comparisons may be complicated by the fact that not all participating countries are allowed to share their data across borders, meaning that only simple methods are easily used for the risk adjustment. In this study, we develop a pragmatic approach using patient-level register data from Finland, Hungary, Italy, Norway, and Sweden.

Methods:

Data on acute myocardial infarction patients were gathered from health-care registers in several countries. In addition to unadjusted estimates, we studied the effects of adjusting for age, gender, and a number of comorbidities. The stability of estimates for 90-day mortality and length of stay of the first hospital episode following diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is studied graphically, using different choices of reference data. Logistic regression models are used for mortality, and negative binomial models are used for length of stay.

Results:

Results from the sensitivity analysis show that the various models of risk adjustment give similar results for the countries, with some exceptions for Hungary and Italy. Based on the results, in Finland and Hungary, the 90-day mortality after acute myocardial infarction is higher than in Italy, Norway, and Sweden.

Conclusion:

Health-care registers give encouraging possibilities to performance measurement and enable the comparison of entire patient populations between countries. Risk adjustment methodology is affected by the availability of data, and thus, the building of risk adjustment methodology must be transparent, especially when doing multinational comparative research. In that case, even basic methods of risk adjustment may still be valuable.
A Reevaluation of the Effectiveness of Homoeoprophylaxis Against Leptospirosis in Cuba in 2007 and 2008
Authors: Golden Isaac , Bracho Gustavo
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

In 2007 and 2008, Cuban health officials conducted large homoeoprophylaxis interventions against rising rates of leptospirosis caused by extensive hurricane damage. Published results showed that the interventions were highly successful, but some questions regarding possible confounders were raised. The objective of this research was to assess the influence of potential confounders on initial results.

Design:

Weekly leptospirosis reporting data entries for 9 years were checked to ensure data consistency. Some errors in weekly reports for 2000-2008 were discovered, and corrected, and the changes incorporated in this analysis. The corrected data was reanalyzed to investigate the impact of potential confounders.

Results:

New analyses of the timing and extent of vaccination and chemoprophylaxis in 2007 and 2008 and changes in leptospirosis notifications were presented.

Conclusions:

The results support the previous conclusions that homoeoprophylaxis can be used to effectively immunize people against targeted infectious diseases such as leptospirosis.
Human Rights Violations and Mental Illness
Authors: Mfoafo-M’Carthy Magnus , Huls Stephanie
Published: March 2014

The literature review identifies and examines human rights violations experienced by individuals with mental illness on a global level. In addition, the intent is to explore how current legislation either reinforces or supports these violations. The authors conducted an extensive review of the existing literature on mental health and human rights violations. Keywords were used to exhaust databases on this subject matter and to collect data, interpretations, and government publications on mental health and human rights. Individuals with mental illness are experiencing human rights violations on a global scale both within and outside of psychiatric institutions. These violations include denial of employment, marriage, procreation, and education; malnutrition; physical abuse; and negligence. This information was reviewed and compiled into the following article, along with interpretations of current implications and suggestions for future research. It is evident that more supports need to be instilled, especially within the context of low- and middle-income countries lacking adequate staffing and accessible services. Furthermore, legislation needs to be modified, updated, or created with relevant systems in place to make these laws enforceable.
A General Model for Cost Estimation in an Exchange
Authors: Barlev Benzion , Tzur Joseph
Published: March 2014

Current Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) state that the cost of an asset acquired for cash is the fair value (FV) of the amount surrendered, and that of an asset acquired in a non-monetary exchange is the FV of the asset surrendered or, if it is more “clearly evident,” the FV of the acquired asset. The measurement method prescribed for a non-monetary exchange ignores valuable information about the “less clearly evident” asset. Thus, we suggest that the FV in any exchange be measured by the weighted average of the exchanged assets’ FV estimations, where the weights are the inverse of the variances’ estimations. This alternative valuation process accounts for the uncertainty involved in estimating the FV of each of the asset in the exchange. The proposed method suits all types of exchanges: monetary and non-monetary. In a monetary transaction, the weighted average equals the cash paid because the variance of its FV is nil.
Effect of fast cooling on microstructure and toughness of heat affected zone in high strength offshore steel
Authors: Yan H. Q. , Wu K. M. , Wang H. H. , Li L. , Yin Y. Q. , Wu N. C.
Published: March 2014

E690 is a newly developed high strength high toughness steel for offshore structures. The effect of different cooling modes on the microstructure and toughness of the heat affected zone in E690 weldment were investigated in this work. The outcome of microstructural examinations and mechanical tests showed that fast cooling immediately after submerged welding can reduce the width of heat affected and coarse grained zones, as well as improving the low temperature impact toughness. It was also shown that reduction in the grain size of the parent austenite and having lower amounts of retained austenite within bainitic structure are the main causes of the observed improvement.
Biology of tissue factor pathway inhibitor
Authors: Wood Jeremy P. , Ellery Paul E. R. , Maroney Susan A. , Mast Alan E.
Published: March 2014

Recent studies of the anticoagulant activities of the tissue factor (TF) pathway inhibitor (TFPI) isoforms, TFPIα and TFPIβ, have provided new insight into the biochemical and physiological mechanisms that underlie bleeding and clotting disorders. TFPIα and TFPIβ have tissue-specific expression patterns and anticoagulant activities. An alternative splicing event in the 5′ untranslated region allows for translational regulation of TFPIβ expression. TFPIα has 3 Kunitz-type inhibitor domains (K1, K2, K3) and a basic C terminus, whereas TFPIβ has the K1 and K2 domains attached to a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol–anchored C terminus. TFPIα is the only isoform present in platelets, whereas endothelial cells produce both isoforms, secreting TFPIα and expressing TFPIβ on the cell surface. TFPIα and TFPIβ inhibit both TF–factor VIIa–dependent factor Xa (FXa) generation and free FXa. Protein S enhances FXa inhibition by TFPIα. TFPIα produces isoform-specific inhibition of prothrombinase during the initiation of coagulation, an anticoagulant activity that requires an exosite interaction between its basic C terminus and an acidic region in the factor Va B domain. Platelet TFPIα may be optimally localized to dampen initial thrombin generation. Similarly, endothelial TFPIβ may be optimally localized to inhibit processes that occur when endothelial TF is present, such as during the inflammatory response.