bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-Factor Model of Employee Passion: An Empirical Study in the Indian Context
Authors: Gaan Niharika , Mohanty Kalyani
Published: January 2017

Although the passion that people demonstrate at work would appear to be a topic of considerable interest and importance to organizational scholars and practitioners, the extant literature scarcely discusses the construct of it without further investigation. The study of Vallerand et al. (2003) pertaining to the area of passion has made profound theoretical contribution confirming the precepts of positive psychology (Seligman, 2002). However, the behavioural outcomes such as working on holidays, or out-of-work outcomes such as constantly thinking about work when not at work (work rumination) sharing a nomological network with the construct, has not been examined by them, as argued by Perrewe et al., (2014). Further, the comprehensive work shown by Zigarmi et al. (2011) in defining the Work Passion (WP) construct suffers from methodological lacunae. Given that the extant literature on work passion calls for further examination, the pertinent study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of Passion scales based on the model proposed by Zigarmi et al. (2011).

Four dimensions of a process model constituting work cognition, work affect, job wellbeing, and work intention along with work rumination as an integral part of work passion were examined. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of corporate professionals heralding spectrum of industries to validate the passion scale. The principal component analysis was performed which extracted four factors (work cognition, work affect, job well-being & work rumination) out of five factors to validate the construct. However, in order to confirm the validity of the scale, the structural equation modeling analysis was adopted which further indicated that the three-factor structure of work passion (work cognition, work affect, and work rumination) was the best fit model in comparison to the four-factor models.

Incidentally, the emergence of work rumination as an important dimension of WP construct has confirmed the dualistic nature of the passion construct as stated by Vallerand et al. (2003) through its dualistic status as positive and negative work rumination. The triadic nature of WP can be prospective as well as retrospective in nature; where people tend to think about issues that have occurred in the past or anticipatively ruminate about issues and demands that may arise at work (Cropley & Zijlstra, 2011). The intriguing nature of the present study suggesting cognitions (work cognition), affects (work affects), and behaviours (work rumination) to be preceding the formation of dualistic status of passion (harmonious and obsessive passion) provides a good basis for future investigation.
Loudness, Annoyance and dBA in Evaluating Low Frequency Sounds
Authors: Persson Kerstin , Björkman Martin , Rylander Ragnar
Published: January 2017

The study reported here was undertaken to evaluate annoyance and loudness of low frequency sounds, to establish a reason for the discrepancy between the dB(A) unit and annoyance after exposure to low frequency sounds.

Annoyance was evaluated by 98 test subjects who were exposed for 4 × 30 minute periods while studying. Four continuous fan noises centred at 80, 250, 500 and 1000 Hz were used as exposure noises. The relative annoyance of a low frequency noise and reference, noises were evaluated at the same dB(A) level using category scales. Noise levels betwen 40 and 70 dB(A) were included.

Loudness estimates for pure tones at 63, 80, 250 and 1000 Hz were made by 12 subjects using magnitude estimation. Equal loudness contours were obtained at 45, 60 and 75 dB SPL.

The loudness functions and contours derived were largely in agreement with ISO R/226, 1961. The estimations of loudness were higher than the degree of annoyance for these exposure noises. This effect became less pronounced towards the lower frequencies. The relation of the annoyance contours and the dB(A) demonstrates that the dB(A) weighting underestimates annoyance for frequencies below about 200 Hz.
The Effects of Vertical Mechanical Vibration on Standing Man
Authors: Herterich J. , Schnauber H.
Published: January 2017

The evaluation of vibrations affecting the whole body of man marks an area in which a number of aspects will have to be investigated further. Among those especially important are effects of vibrations on standing man and also the question of the effects of impulsive vibrations.

In the scope of the performed experiments the relation between exposure to and strain on the standing man have been investigated concerning sinusoidal as well as impulsive vibrations. For the aforementioned case an appropriate evaluation pattern will be presented Also in the field of impulsive vibrations, supplementary results were gained The basis of these tests were field investigations on working systems under impulsive vibrations which will also be described.
Energy Absorption of Vibration in the Hand for Higher Frequencies
Authors: SöRensson Anna , Burström Lage
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study has been to develop a measurement method to study the absorption of vibration energy on exposure to high frequency vibrations.

The developed measurement method consists of specially constructed equipment for measurement and analysis of the subject's absorption of vibration energy. In this study the energy absorption from the exposure to white noise vibration within the frequency-range 20 to 5000 Hz has been studied. Five female and five male subjects were involved in this study.

The results show that the developed method of measurement works satisfactorily and gives reliable results for the energy absorption within the frequency-range 20 to 4000 Hz. Furthermore, the results show that the subjects absorb vibration energy even for frequencies above 1000 Hz. The results also show that the energy absorption is dependent upon factors such as gender, the level of the vibration and the frequency.
Rethinking Gaia: Stengers, Latour, Margulis
Authors: Clarke Bruce
Published: January 2017

At its inception innocent of philosophical or metaphysical designs, the Gaia hypothesis of James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis was soon liberated from the precincts of scientific cultivation to enter into cultural free association. Nonetheless, scientific and scholarly attention and debate have long precipitated a bona fide discourse of Gaia theory. Moreover, intellectually serious extra-scientific figures of Gaia have also been on the rise in the last decade. This essay treats a selection of these newer Gaian figures, specifically, Isabelle Stengers’s Gaia the Intruder and Bruno Latour’s secular Gaia, in relation to Lovelock’s Gaia and Lynn Margulis’s evocations of autopoietic Gaia. When nuanced through second-order systems theory, the discourse of autopoietic Gaia satisfies Stengers’s and Latour’s demands for a non-holistic, heterogeneous yet coherent Gaia concept fit for communicative efficacy in the so-called Anthropocene epoch.
Solvent cleaning and wettability of technical steel and titanium surfaces
Authors: Becker Stefan , Merz Rolf , Hasse Hans , Kopnarski Michael
Published: January 2017

The ability of the cleaning agents such as cyclohexane, acetone, isopropanol and hydrogen peroxide to remove oil from technical steel and titanium samples was studied in systematic experiments. The composition of the organic residues and the layer thickness on the differently cleaned surfaces were determined via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, and the corresponding water contact angles were measured. The ability of the cleaning agents to remove oil was found to increase in the following order: acetone, isopropanol, cyclohexane and hydrogen peroxide. The relationship between the chemical composition of the residues and the observed contact angles is investigated, and a quantitative correlation is developed.
Evaluation of phosphorus adsorption capacity of various filter materials from aqueous solution
Authors: Adhikari Rekha A , Bal Krishna KC , Sarukkalige Ranjan
Published: January 2017

Rapid urbanisation has significantly increased the impervious surface along with increase in pollutants such as nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), sediments, oil, and hydrocarbon in stormwater. Their removal is important as they adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem and the environment. Thus, this study evaluated the performance of various adsorbent materials (red gum mulch, pine mulch, flyash, oyster shell, sawdust, clay, sand, zeolite, dolomite, alum and lime sludges) for the removal of phosphorus from synthetic stormwater. Among them, alum and lime sludges appeared to be the most effective in removing phosphorus. Further analysis showed that alum and lime sludges remove 99 and 90% phosphorus within 60 minutes from the synthetic stormwater. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the lime and alum sludges could be highly useful as a sustainable and cheap filter media for stormwater treatment systems that are enriched in phosphorus.
Synthesis and characterization of MnxOy–ZnxOy/AC adsorbents for adsorptive removal of H2S from natural gas
Authors: Zhang Jiao J , Wang Wen Y , Shen Li P , Wang Guo J , Song Hua
Published: January 2017

Adsorbents consisting of MnxOy, ZnxOy, and MnxOy–ZnxOy supported on activated carbon (AC) have been successfully prepared and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), specific surface area (BET) and SEM. The results show that Mn is present in the forms of Mn3+ and Mn4+, and Zn is present in the form of Zn2+. Mn and Zn mainly exist in the forms of MnO2 and ZnO respectively, as the active components of the adsorbents. MnO2–ZnO/AC was found to exhibit the best H2S desulfurization performance. At 313 K, the breakthrough time was 108 min, the saturated sulfur capacity was 334.7 mg/g, and the degree of desulfurization was 74.2%. The H2S removal capacities of the different adsorbents decreased in the order: MnO2–ZnO/AC > ZnO/AC > MnO2/AC > AC. The MnO2–ZnO/AC adsorbent retained some activity for removal of H2S after regeneration at 643 K for 2 h in air.
Effect of Various Factors on the Sorption of Endosulphan on Two Indian Soils
Authors: Rawat Jagdish Prasad , Iraqi S.M. Umar , Singh Rishi Pal
Published: January 2017

The effects of exchangeable cations (H+ and Na+), organic matter, non-ionic and anionic surfactants, and temperature on the sorption of endosulphan on two different types of soils were studied. Adsorption studies were performed using the batch technique and adsorption isotherms for all effects/treatments were in close agreement with the Freundlich equation. The adsorptive capacity of endosulphan towards organic matter and clay content in the natural forms of both soils was also evaluated by calculating the corresponding values of the specific adsorption capacity for organic matter, Kom, and the clay content, Kc. Various thermodynamic parameters such as the thermodynamic equilibrium constant (K0), standard free energy changes (ΔG0), standard enthalpy changes (ΔH0) and standard entropy changes (ΔS0) have been calculated in order to predict the nature of the isotherms.
Binary Adsorption of Vapours in Active Carbons Described by the Combined Theories of Myers—Prausnitz and Dubinin (II)
Authors: Stoeckli F. , Wintgens D. , Lavanchy A. , Stöckli M.
Published: January 2017

The new MPD method, described recently, has been applied to the adsorption of benzene +1,2-dichloroethane vapours by a typical active carbon at 293 K. A total of 102 experiments have been carried out for adsorbed mole fractions between 0.06 and 0.94. Good agreement was found between the experimental and calculated values of the selectivity of the carbon for benzene, which decreased as the mole fraction of benzene increased. This variation reflects the heterogeneity of the carbon, which is taken into account by the DR equation. Although the liquid mixture is ideal, deviations from Raoult's law are observed in the adsorbed state, indicating a clear preference for benzene. The values of the activity coefficients obtained from the liquid/solid equilibrium improve the fit of the MPD method.
The Adsorption of Sulphonate on Fluorite Single Crystals as Examined by in-situ FT-IR Internal Reflectance Spectroscopy
Authors: Yehia Ahmed , Atia Asem A. , Ateya Badr G.
Published: January 2017

The adsorption densities of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate (AOT) at the surface of a fluorite single crystal were calculated from in situ FT-IR internal reflection spectroscopic data. The results were analyzed according to the modified Frumkin isotherm in order to evaluate the lateral interaction coefficient, a, and the adsorption free energy change, ΔGθ0. The adsorption kinetics of AOT at a fluorite internal reflection element (IRE) were studied. In addition, by monitoring the –CH2 adsorption band using polarized light, it was possible to investigate the orientation of the adsorbed species on the fluorite IRE surface.
Some Surface Properties of Activated Carbons Prepared by Gasification with Different Gases
Authors: Attia Amina A.
Published: January 2017

A non-activated carbon ‘D’ was obtained by carbonizing date pits at 773 K in a limited supply of air. Activated carbons were obtained by gasifying portions of ‘D’ with air at 773 K, carbon dioxide at 1123 K, or steam at 1173 K, all to different burn-offs between 15% and 60%. The adsorption of nitrogen at 77 K and of carbon dioxide at 298 K was investigated using a volumetric adsorption apparatus of a conventional type. The adsorption of water vapour at 298 K and the chemisorption of pyridine at 423 K was followed by means of quartz spring balances.

Gasification with oxidizing gases increased the surface area and total pore volume, as measured by nitrogen or carbon dioxide adsorption. In most cases, comparable surface areas were measured by nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The adsorption of water vapour depended on the percentage burn-off and the gasification conditions. Chemisorption of pyridine at 423 K was found to be related to the chemistry of the surface rather than to the surface area or total pore volume.
Adsorption of Chromium(VI) Ions on to TiO2 from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Hongxiang Fu , Gongxuan Lu , Shuben Li
Published: January 2017

The study of the adsorption of the CrVI ion on to TiO2 not only provides information on the removal of heavy metal ions from polluted aqueous solutions; but is also useful for further investigation of the photocatalytic decontamination of the CrVI ion or of CrVI–organic species which co-exist as pollutants with TiO2 when the latter is used as a stable and highly efficient photocatalyst. It has been found that dark adsorption of the CrVI ion on to TiO2 is mainly dependent on the acidity of the system and the initial concentration of the CrVI ion. As the pH of the system increases, so the extent of adsorption of the CrVI ion decreases. The greatest adsorption was obtained with an initial CrVI ion concentration of ca. 300 μmol/l. The presence of phosphate or acetate ions in the system dramatically decreases the adsorption efficiency of the CrVI ion. In contrast, the addition of formic acid leads to a limited increase in the extent of CrVI ion adsorption. Other organic ions and organic compounds examined showed no interference in CrVI ion adsorption. FT-IR spectroscopic methods were used for the characterization of CrVI ion adsorption on to TiO2.
Ion-Exchange Equilibria of Transition Metals and Potassium Ions on an Inorganic Ion-Exchanger: Zirconium(IV) Iodophosphate
Authors: Nabi S.A. , Islam A. , Rahman N.
Published: January 2017

The ion-exchange equilibria of various divalent transition metal ion (Co2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+)/K+ systems have been studied over the temperature range 30–60°C on zirconium(IV) iodophosphate (ZIP). The exchange isotherms were constructed by means of a batch technique for M(NO3)2/KNO3 media of 0.01 mol/kg ionic strength, where M = Co2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ or Cu2+. The selectivity sequence was determined as Co2+ < Zn2+ < Cd2+ < Cu2+. Thermodynamic equilibrium constants and values of ΔG0, ΔS0 and ΔH0 were evaluated for the exchange process.
Monitoring the Hydrothermal Crystallization of Ga/ZSM-5 Using Sorption and other Conventional Techniques
Authors: Awate S.V. , Joshi P.N. , Kim T.H. , Kim K.I. , Shiralkar V.P.
Published: January 2017

Sorption techniques have been employed for monitoring progress in the hydrothermal crystallization of synthetic MFI-type gallosilicate from a (TEBA)2O–Na2O–Ga2O3–SiO2–H2O system at 453 K. The samples obtained at different stages in the crystallization process were also examined by other conventional techniques such as XRD, IR, TG/DTA, N2 adsorption and chemical analysis. The influence of the crystallinity on the BET surface area and on the micropore void volume was examined using low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The sorption uptake behaviour was studied on samples of varying crystallinity using different sorbate probe molecules such as water, n-hexane and cyclohexane. The amount of sorbate uptake was found to be sensitive to the crystallinity of the sample and the characteristics of the probe molecules employed. The crystallinity as estimated by XRD methods has been compared with that obtained by sorption uptake using different probe molecules. In comparison to other sorbates, the uptake of n-hexane was found to yield a more realistic estimation of the degree of crystallization of the intermediate phases. The crystallinity evaluated from the uptake of n-hexane was found to be in close agreement with that estimated by XRD methods as compared to the crystallinity evaluated using other conventional techniques. The correlation between the crystallinity obtained by sorption measurements and by other methods such as XRD, IR, TG/DTA and N2 adsorption was discussed and compared.
A Radiochemical Study of the Kinetics and Mechanism of Caesium Ion Adsorption on Potassium Copper Nickel Hexacyanoferrate(II)
Authors: Ishfaq Malik Muhammad , Safdar M.
Published: January 2017

The adsorption of caesium ions on potassium copper nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) (KCNF) was carried out under optimum conditions to ascertain whether such adsorption occurred via an ion-exchange process. The results show that the adsorption takes place by means of a pure caesium-potassium ion-exchange reaction. Batch kinetic studies of the replacement of potassium ions on KCNF by caesium ions were carried out in aqueous solution at a pH value of 4.0 over the temperature range 293–333 K at a caesium ion concentration of 7.5 × 10−3 mol/l. From the various thermodynamic quantities calculated, it was deduced that the ion-exchange process was endothermic.

Kinetic studies of caesium adsorption on KCNF were carried out as a function of the particle size of KCNF and of the temperature. The data obtained at a caesium ion concentration of 7.5 × 10−7 mol/l fitted the film diffusion model. Different physical parameters such as the effective diffusion coefficient and the activation energy were calculated. From an Arrhenius plot at a caesium ion concentration of 7.5 × 10−7 mol/l, the activation energy was evaluated as 19.3 kJ/mol, thereby confirming the film diffusion nature of the process. However, the data obtained at the higher caesium ion concentration of 7.5 × 10−3 mol/l could not be interpreted via the particle diffusion model but rather by a fast chemical reaction model. At this concentration, the reaction followed shell progressive reaction kinetics as confirmed by the linear Arrhenius plot obtained. This plot gave an activation energy of 68.5 kJ/mol for the process, thereby confirming the applicability of shell progressive reaction kinetics under these circumstances.
Turning New Public Management theory into reality: Performative struggle during a large scale planning process
Authors: Merkus Sander , Veenswijk Marcel
Published: January 2017

Within the literature of governance and policy making in the context of planning, the notion of performativity is specifically conceptualized as the self-fulfilling property of performances – such as story-telling – that shape public reality. One specific stream of performativity researchers – dominant in the realm of organization studies – focuses on the enactment of academic theory into reality. We contribute to this idea of bringing theory into being by conceptualizing purposive performative agents who strive to enact a specific theory in reality. Our paper demonstrates through which mechanisms the theory of New Public Management has shaped the reality of public governance at the will of one powerful performative agent. Using a perspective based on performative struggle, our interpretative case study – focused on a large policy process – exhibits how New Public Management doctrine gains influence at the expense of other public management theories. In conclusion, we claim that our findings offer a potential perspective for understanding through which dynamics certain agents aim to shape the public realm in alignment with their preferred theoretical propositions.
The met and unmet need for refractive correction and its determinants in 7-year-old children
Authors: Hashemi Hassan , Yekta Abbasali , Saatchi Mohammad , Jafarzadehpur Ebrahim , Nabovati Payam , Khabazkhoob Mehdi
Published: January 2017

Refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment and at the same time the most treatable cause of visual impairment in children and students. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of the unmet need for refractive correction and the spectacle coverage rate among 7-year-old Iranian children with refractive errors. The present cross-sectional study was performed in 2013 through multistage cluster sampling across eight cities in Iran. For all students, noncycloplegic autorefraction was done by a technician. The unmet need for glasses was defined as the ratio of people who did not have glasses or their vision with their current glasses was worse than 6/12 despite achieving 6/12 or better visual acuity with proper correction. A total of 67 schools were selected by multistage cluster sampling; 4106 subjects participated in the study (response rate, 89%), and 48.2% ( n = 1979) were girls. The prevalence of spectacle need was 4.11% (95% confidence interval [CI: 3.19–5.04]), the unmet need was 2.74% (95% CI [1.89–3.59]), and the spectacle coverage rate (met need/[met need + unmet need]) was 33.3%. Also, the unmet need in children whose families were in the lower income quartile was 7.14 times the rate seen in children in the upper income quartile. The concentration index for the unmet need was −.27 (±.05). The findings of this study confirm that in light of the detrimental effects of refractive errors in schoolchildren’s academic progress and their future, identification of the students who live in poorer families and have multiple risk factors for developing vision disorders should be a health priority.
Complete Load-Deflection Response and Initial Imperfection Analysis of Single-Layer Lattice Dome
Authors: Chen Xin , Shen Shi-Zhao
Published: January 2017

The whole process of load-deflection response is analyzed for two single-layer lattice dome of big size as practical examples. The nonlinear behaviours of the perfect domes and their deflection shapes at several points after buckling are at first investigated. Two methods for imperfection analysis are then suggested. It is proved that single-layer lattice dome is very sensitive to initial imperfections and the suggested methods can be applied to real analysis.
Experimental Development of Self-Deployable Structures
Authors: Neogi Depankar , Douglas Craig , Smith David R.
Published: January 2017

Deployable space structures are prefabricated structures which can be transformed from a closed, compact configuration to a predetermined expanded form in which they are stable and can bear loads. The present research effort investigates a new family of deployable structures, called self-deployable structures. Unlike other deployable structures, which have rigid members and moving joints, the self-deployable members are flexible while the connecting joints are rigid. The joints store the predefined geometry of the deployed structure in the collapsed state. The self-deployable structure is stress-free in both deployed and collapsed configurations and results in a self-standing structure which acquires its structural properties after a chemical reaction. Reliability of deployment is one of the most important features of the self-deployable structure, since it does not rely on mechanisms that can lock during deployment. The unit building block of these structures is the self-deployable structural element. Several of these elements can be linked to generate more complex building blocks such as a triangular or tetrahedral structures. Different self-deployable structural element and self-deployable structure concepts are investigated in the present research work, and the performance of triangular and tetrahedral prototype structures are experimentally explored.
Rural end-of-life care from the experiences and perspectives of patients and family caregivers: A systematic literature review
Authors: Rainsford Suzanne , MacLeod Roderick D , Glasgow Nicholas J , Phillips Christine B , Wiles Robert B , Wilson Donna M
Published: January 2017

Background:

End-of-life care must be relevant to the dying person and their family caregiver regardless of where they live. Rural areas are distinct and need special consideration. Gaining end-of-life care experiences and perspectives of rural patients and their family caregivers is needed to ensure optimal rural care.

Aims:

To describe end-of-life care experiences and perspectives of rural patients and their family caregivers, to identify facilitators and barriers to receiving end-of-life care in rural/remote settings and to describe the influence of rural place and culture on end-of-life care experiences.

Design:

A systematic literature review utilising the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Data sources:

Four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched in January 2016, using a date filter of January 2006 through January 2016; handsearching of included article references and six relevant journals; one author contacted; pre-defined search terms and inclusion criteria; and quality assessment by at least two authors.

Results:

A total of 27 articles (22 rural/remote studies) from developed and developing countries were included, reporting rural end-of-life care experiences and perspectives of patients and family caregivers. Greatest needs were informational (developed countries) and medications (developing countries). Influence of rural location included distances, inaccessibility to end-of-life care services, strong community support and importance of home and ‘country’.

Conclusion:

Articulation of the rural voice is increasing; however, there still remain limited published rural studies reporting on patient and family caregivers’ experiences and perspectives on rural end-of-life care. Further research is encouraged, especially through national and international collaborative work.
The Effect of the External Environment on Bureaucratic Representation: Assessing the Passive to Active Representation Link
Authors: Capers K. Jurée
Published: January 2017

The literature on the link between passive and active representation is well established, but there is still some debate on why and how passive representation translates into active representation in some settings and not others. Some scholars suggest the salience of the policy issue and discretion to act yields a linkage between passive and active representation, while others contend researchers are simply identifying correlates of the two concepts not linkages. However, many studies miss the dynamic relationship between representation and the external environment, so this research explains the manner in which external, environmental pressures influence bureaucratic discretion and active representation. Interdependences between service organizations and the external environment can restrict bureaucratic discretion through resource dependence and cues of expectations and professional norms, or bureaucrats may use the relationship to enhance their discretion. Using an original dataset of the 1,800 largest U.S. school districts over two school terms, I compare the level of disparity in academic grouping across racial groups in two distinct external environments, racially balanced and imbalanced school districts, and find that minority bureaucrats use their discretion to improve the odds of minority students’ assignment to gifted education, but external, environmental control moderates the significance of active representation. The passive to active representation link is weakened based on the operating policy environment. This work offers some insight on the restrictions and limits to active representation, and the empirical findings hold implications for the governance of public organizations and the outcomes of public policies.
Do Unto Others: On the Importance of Reciprocity in Public Administration
Authors: Oliver Adam
Published: January 2017

There is an extensive literature across the humanities and social sciences on reciprocity as a fundamental driver of human behavior, and yet attempts to bring the main arguments from the diverse literatures together in a single interdisciplinary space remain scarce. This article aims to collate many of the main arguments from these literatures with the intention of speculating how reciprocity might be used to inform institutional structures, management practices, and public policy. This is significant, because the recent literature on public sector policy design tends to attach import to entirely self-regarding and/or altruistic motivations as fundamental drivers of human action, but, with some notable exceptions, says little directly on the role that reciprocity might have to play in motivating performance improvements. The lack of attention paid to reciprocity in the literature on human motivation and public policy design is problematic if one concludes that reciprocating behaviors are a major determinant of group cooperation and success.
Radiography and abdominal CT compared with sacroiliac joint CT in the diagnosis of sacroiliitis
Authors: Melchior Julian , Azraq Yusef , Chary-Valckenaere Isabelle , Rat Anne-Christine , Texeira Pedro , Blum Alain , Loeuille Damien
Published: January 2017

Background

The presence of structural sacroiliitis is strong evidence for the diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Purpose

To assess the performance of abdominal computed tomography (CT) and pelvic plain radiography for the diagnosis of structural sacroiliitis compared with sacroiliac CT (SI joint CT) considered the reference technique in patients with SpA.

Material and Methods

All SpA patients eligible for biologic treatment were selected from 2005 to 2012. An assessment of sacroiliitis was based on radiography according to the modified New York criteria and on abdominal CT and SI joint CT scans depending on the presence of erosion on at least two consecutive slices. A senior rheumatologist and radiologist independently scored the grade and diagnosis of structural sacroiliitis for the three imaging modalities. After a consensus reading of conflicting examinations (radiography and CT), a final diagnosis of structural sacroiliitis was attained.

Results

Of the 72 patients selected, sacroiliitis was diagnosed on radiography, abdominal CT, and SI joint CT in 40, 31, and 44 patients, respectively. Inter-reader agreements for the grade of sacroiliitis were substantial for the three imaging modalities, with a weighted kappa range of 0.63–0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–0.83), and they were moderate for the diagnosis of sacroiliitis, with a kappa range of 0.50–0.55 (95% CI, 0.32–0.74). The sensitivity and specificity were 79.1% and 70.5%, respectively, for radiography and 82.1% and 100%, respectively, for abdominal CT.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the relevance of abdominal CT for the diagnosis of structural sacroiliitis, with good sensitivity and excellent specificity. These imaging techniques avoid unnecessary examinations.
Use of the injection test to indicate the oesophageal balloon position in patients without spontaneous breathing: a clinical feasibility study
Authors: Chen Han , Yang Yan-Lin , Xu Ming , Shi Zhong-Hua , He Xuan , Sun Xiu-Mei , Luo Xu-Ying , Chen Guang-Qiang , Zhou Jian-Xin
Published: January 2017

Objective

To investigate the clinical feasibility of the injection test for balloon placement during oesophageal pressure measurement in patients without spontaneous breathing.

Methods

The injection test was performed in 12 mechanically ventilated patients under deep sedation and paralysis. During withdrawal of the balloon from the stomach and air injection into the gastric lumen of the catheter, the presence of the injection test wave in the balloon pressure tracing indicated that the whole balloon was positioned above the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). The positive pressure occlusion test was performed at different balloon positions.

Results

In each patient, the injection test wave appeared at a distinct balloon depth, with a mean ± standard deviation of 41.9 ± 3.3 cm and range from 37 cm to 47 cm. The optimal ratio of changes in the balloon and airway pressure (0.8–1.2) during the positive pressure occlusion test was obtained when the balloon was located 5 cm and 10 cm above the LES in nine (75%) and three (25%) patients, respectively.

Conclusions

The injection test is feasible for identification of the whole balloon position above the LES during passive ventilation. The middle third of the oesophagus might be the optimal balloon position.
Some Functional Characteristics of Adrenal Medullary Tumors in Aged Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Bosland M. C. , Bär A.
Published: January 2017

Neither analysis of the urinary catecholamine metabolites vanillylmandelic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol nor blood pressure measurements allowed the detection of adrenal medullary tumors or hyperplasia in 115 aged male Wistar rats (70 rats, 24 months of age and 45 rats, 30 months of age). Histochemical examination of the adrenal glands demonstrated that the 55 hyperplastic and 25 neoplastic lesions of the medulla usually had little or no chromaffinity. Chromaffinity was found comparable to normal medulla in only three tumors examined histochemically. Of these tumors, two were partially and one completely chromaffin-positive, but all three were small and did not result in elevated blood pressure or catecholamine metabolite excretion values. These observations indicate that excessive catecholamine synthesis and release is not a feature of adrenomedullary tumors and hyperplasia occurring spontaneously in aged male Wistar rats.
Lesions of Porcine Necrotic Ear Syndrome
Authors: Richardson J. A. , Morter R. L. , Rebar A. H. , Olander H. J.
Published: January 2017

Porcine necrotic ear syndrome is a disease of swine characterized by large erosive lesions at the margin of the pinna(e). The gross and microscopic characteristics of the lesions were studied in 38 pigs selected from eight affected swine herds. The progression of the lesions was examined in a herd of 174 weaned pigs in a total confinement nursery. The lesions began as a superficial vesicular dermatitis associated with superficial auricular trauma and progressed to become exudative and encrusted. Localized lesions slowly healed or sporadically progressed to deep necrotic ulcers. The early lesions resembled the epidermal changes produced by Staphylococcus hyicus. Deep ulceration and necrosis was attributed to the invasion of streptococci into the dermis resulting in cellulitis, vasculitis, thrombosis, ischemia, and necrosis.
Spontaneous Swine Glomerulonephritis in Littermates from a Leukemic Sow
Authors: Shirota K. , Nomura Y. , Saito Y.
Published: January 2017

Spontaneous glomerulonephritis was found in seven six-month-old littermates from a leukemic sow. Light microscopy of the glomerular lesions showed proliferation of the mesangial cells and increase of the mesangial matrix with deposition of homogeneous materials. All glomeruli were affected, but the severity of the lesions varied among pigs. The glomerular capillary walls had local and segmental changes such as thickening and/or irregularity. Electron microscopy revealed dense deposits in the mesangial, paramesangial, subendothelial, subepithelial, and intramembranous areas. The mesangial and paramesangial deposits were most characteristic and prominent. In five of seven pigs, the clusters of extracellular spherical microparticles with a diameter ranging from 25 to 60 nm were observed in the subepithelial, intramembranous, subendothelial, and mesangial areas. No conspicuous lesions were noted in other organs.
Effect of Diet on Longitudinal Bone Growth and Osteochondrosis in Swine
Authors: Woodard J. C. , Becker H. N. , Poulos P. W.
Published: January 2017

Weanling gilts were fed either a 12% or 16% protein diet for 10 weeks. Animals fed the 12% protein diet had reduced body weights and reduced longitudinal bone growth as measured in the distal radial growth plate. There was no difference in the growth plate widths between the two animal groups, but there was a significant reduction in the daily rate of cell production in the proliferative zone of animals fed the 12% protein diet. No effect of diet on the rate of expansion of the epiphysis at the articular-epiphyseal junction of the distal femur or humerus could be detected. All animals in both groups had morphologic cartilage lesions consistent with early changes associated with osteochondrosis (OCD), and there was no difference in the lesion morphology between the dietary groups. Areas of disorderly endochondral ossification in the radial growth plate were associated with perpendicular growth cartilage infractions. Growth plate lesions were characterized by increased widths of the maturing cartilage zone without increased width of the proliferative zone or an increase in the daily rate of cell production. Focal growth plate lesions developed because of a transitory inhibition of cartilage mineralization and resorption. Disorderly foci of endochondral ossification beneath articular cartilage were characterized by an area of chondrocyte necrosis which prevented normal cartilage matrix mineralization. Lamellae of cartilage necrosis were also present within the reserve zone of the articular cartilage. These were associated with abnormalities of the cartilage canal vessels, and chondrocyte necrosis was considered to precede degenerative changes in articular cartilage matrix. Since similar changes were rarely seen in the distal metacarpal (tarsal) bones of the dew claws, endogenous trauma was considered an important factor in lesion pathogenesis. The possibility that a basic cartilage matrix abnormality might represent the primary cause of OCD is discussed.
Articular Cartilage Blood Vessels in Swine Osteochondrosis
Authors: Woodard J. C. , Becker H. N. , Poulos P. W.
Published: January 2017

Perfusion studies in swine with early lesions of osteochondrosis demonstrated that lamellar areas of chondrocyte necrosis within reserve zones of growth areas occurred only in regions of nonperfused articular cartilage. Articular cartilage with a similar anatomical location was perfused in some animals. Occasionally, nonperfused articular cartilage showed vascular alterations within cartilage canals without evidence of significant perivascular or lamellar necrosis. By light microscopy, some vessels within or adjacent to nonperfused articular cartilage had normal morphology; however, ultrastructural abnormalities were found in some vessels of all cartilage canals adjacent to necrotic cartilage lamella. Minimal alterations were in the few cartilage canal vessels that appeared normal by light microscopy, and the surrounding chondrocytes showed only minimal alterations. Early cartilage canal alterations were seen in the endothelium of cartilage canal capillaries, and ultrastructural changes in these vessels were similar to those described with experimentally induced, direct vascular injury. Vascular injury was followed by leakage of plasma and cells into the interstitial space of the cartilage canal. Necrosis of the vessel wall and interstitial tissue caused the cartilage canals to appear empty or to be filled with fibrin-like material. Although the vascular changes could be considered as part of the normal process of cartilage maturation and cartilage canal chondrification, observations suggest that in domestic swine the attendant cartilage necrosis and chondrolysis is exuberant. It is suggested that alterations in cartilage canal vessels play a major role in the pathogenesis of articular cartilage lesions that are found in osteochondrosis of swine.
Microscopic Features of Canine Renal Dysplasia
Authors: Picut C. A. , Lewis R. M.
Published: January 2017

Forty-five cases of renal dysplasia in dogs are examined. Microscopic lesions of dysplasia include asynchronous differentiation of nephrons, persistent mesenchyme, persistent metanephric ducts, atypical tubular epithelium, and dysontogenic metaplasia. These may be distinguished from secondary lesions including compensatory hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the nephron and a variety of degenerative and inflammatory lesions. Although morphological features of renal dysplasia in dogs differ somewhat from those in man, microscopic criteria used in the diagnosis of human dysplasia may be useful when applied to the dog.
Ultrastructure and Stereology of Leukocytes and Platelets of Normal Foxes and a Fox with a Chediak-Higashi-like Syndrome
Authors: Fagerland J. A. , Hagemoser W. A. , Ireland W. P.
Published: January 2017

Peripheral blood leukocytes and platelets from five normal foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) and a fox with phenotypical characteristics of Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) were examined by electron microscopy. Lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and platelets from the affected fox contained giant membrane-bound granules that resembled lysosomes. In eosinophils and neutrophils from the affected fox and a normal fox, relative cell volume occupied by granules and number of granules per unit area were calculated. Relative cell volume occupied by granules was the same in both foxes, but there were significantly fewer granules per unit area in the affected fox. This result is consistent with the idea that the giant granules arose from fusion of pre-existing, normal-sized granules, as occurs in CHS. In platelets from the affected fox, no osmiophilic granules were seen. Our findings agree with those from studies of CHS-affected blood cells in other species.
What Makes a Better Smeller?
Authors: Majid Asifa , Speed Laura , Croijmans Ilja , Arshamian Artin
Published: January 2017

Olfaction is often viewed as difficult, yet the empirical evidence suggests a different picture. A closer look shows people around the world differ in their ability to detect, discriminate, and name odors. This gives rise to the question of what influences our ability to smell. Instead of focusing on olfactory deficiencies, this review presents a positive perspective by focusing on factors that make someone a better smeller. We consider three driving forces in improving olfactory ability: one’s biological makeup, one’s experience, and the environment. For each factor, we consider aspects proposed to improve odor perception and critically examine the evidence; as well as introducing lesser discussed areas. In terms of biology, there are cases of neurodiversity, such as olfactory synesthesia, that serve to enhance olfactory ability. Our lifetime experience, be it typical development or unique training experience, can also modify the trajectory of olfaction. Finally, our odor environment, in terms of ambient odor or culinary traditions, can influence odor perception too. Rather than highlighting the weaknesses of olfaction, we emphasize routes to harnessing our olfactory potential.
Clinical prediction and the idea of a population
Authors: Armstrong David
Published: January 2017

Using an analysis of the British Medical Journal over the past 170 years, this article describes how changes in the idea of a population have informed new technologies of medical prediction. These approaches have largely replaced older ideas of clinical prognosis based on understanding the natural histories of the underlying pathologies. The 19th-century idea of a population, which provided a denominator for medical events such as births and deaths, was constrained in its predictive power by its method of enumerating individual bodies. During the 20th century, populations were increasingly constructed through inferential techniques based on patient groups and samples seen to possess variable characteristics. The emergence of these new virtual populations created the conditions for the emergence of predictive algorithms that are used to foretell our medical futures.
Relational comparison revisited
Authors: Hart Gillian
Published: January 2017

This article revisits the idea of relational comparison that grew out of my earlier research in post-apartheid South Africa in order to put it to work in new ways. First I clarify distinctively different modalities of ‘comparison’ and their political stakes, and go on to specify how the ‘relational’ in relational comparison refers to an open, non-teleological conception of dialectics at the core of Marx’s method. I then engage with sharply polarized urban studies and subaltern studies debates cast in terms of Marxism vs. postcolonialism/poststructuralism and suggest how distinctions among comparative modalities help to reconfigure the terms of the debates. The article lays the groundwork for a larger project that focuses on understanding resurgent nationalisms, populisms, and racisms in different regions of the world in relation to one another in the era of neoliberal forms of capitalism. More broadly I suggest how relational comparison, extended to include conjunctural analysis, can be used as a method for practicing Marxist postcolonial geographies.
Social geography(ies) III
Authors: Del Casino Vincent J.
Published: January 2017

This report examines how social geography engages with nonhuman subjects; in this case, bugs. The report focuses on how social geography is rethinking its core concepts of difference and inequality through scholarship that examines the relations between bugs and human inequality, bug management and molecular intervention on/in bugs, and the biosocial relations bugs help forge. It does so while opening up what bugs – not just insects, but also a wider range of bugs, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites operating within and beyond the human body – offer to our theorization and examination of everyday social life.