bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depressive Symptom Trajectories, Aging-Related Stress, and Sexual Minority Stress Among Midlife and Older Gay Men
Authors: Wight Richard G. , Harig Frederick , Aneshensel Carol S. , Detels Roger
Published: June 2015

We concatenate 28 years of historical depressive symptoms data from a longitudinal cohort study of U.S. gay men who are now midlife and older ( n = 312), with newly collected survey data to analyze trajectories of depressive symptomatology over time and their impact on associations between current stress and depressive symptoms. Symptoms are high over time, on average, and follow multiple trajectories. Aging-related stress, persistent life-course sexual minority stress, and increasing sexual minority stress are positively associated with depressive symptoms, net of symptom trajectories. Men who had experienced elevated and increasing trajectories of depressive symptoms are less susceptible to the damaging effects of aging-related stress than those who experienced a decrease in symptoms over time. Intervention efforts aimed at assisting gay men as they age should take into account life-course depressive symptom histories to appropriately contextualize the health effects of current social stressors.
Is radial artery Doppler scanning mandatory for use as coronary bypass conduit?
Authors: Yadava Om Prakash , Dinda Amit Kumar , Mohanty Bikram K , Mishra Rekha , Ahlawat Vikas , Kundu Anirban
Published: June 2015

Background

Screening of the radial artery prior to harvesting as a conduit for coronary bypass may be performed clinically by the Allen test or by Doppler ultrasound. In a developing country like ours, the use of resources for Doppler studies may be questioned when Allen tests lead to a low rate of clinical sequelae. However, the rare occurrence of hand ischemia may be devastating and could justify the routine use of Doppler screening. This study aimed to address this question.

Methods

One hundred patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were screened by the modified Allen test and Doppler ultrasound for suitability of use of a radial artery conduit. After harvesting, proximal and distal segments of the radial artery were subjected to histopathological examination.

Results

Of the 95 patients deemed suitable for radial artery grafting, 6 had mild calcification on Doppler ultrasound and 9 had calcification on histopathological examination. While Doppler showed atherosclerosis in 9 patients, only 6 had histopathological evidence of this (false-positive rate 3%). Of the 6 patients with histopathologic evidence of atherosclerosis, 2 were negative on Doppler (false-negative rate 2%).

Conclusion

Routine preoperative Doppler screening of the radial artery in the setting of limited resources is not justified. On the other hand, the time-tested Allen test which is easy to perform, interpret, and reproduce can be safely used as the sole screening test to harvest the radial artery.
Thirty-day outcomes after lobectomy or segmentectomy for lung cancer surgery
Authors: Ohtsuka Takashi , Kamiyama Ikuo , Asakura Keisuke , Kohno Mitsutomo
Published: June 2015

Background

Although lobectomy has been the standard operation for clinical T1aN0M0 non-small cell lung cancer, recent studies have shown that segmentectomy could be a substitute for lobectomy. However, the differences between lobectomy and segmentectomy in terms of perioperative complications have not been fully evaluated.

Methods

Between February 2006 and February 2013, 100 patients underwent lobectomy and 111 underwent segmentectomy for clinical T1aN0M0 non-small-cell lung cancer. We performed a retrospective comparison of perioperative morbidity, age, sex, pulmonary function, and Charlson comorbidity index in the 2 groups. Data were analyzed for all patients and for their propensity score-matched pairs.

Results

The incidence of postoperative complications in the segmentectomy group ( n = 21, 19%) was significantly higher than that in the lobectomy group ( n = 7, 7%; p < 0.01). The average operative time of 263 ± 64 min and estimated blood loss of 133 ± 125 mL for segmentectomy were significantly greater than those for lobectomy (201 ± 61 min and 88 ± 101 mL). In propensity score-matched analysis, the mean operative time of 270 ± 70 min for segmentectomy was longer than that for lobectomy (202 ± 67 min). Postoperative complications were more frequent in the segmentectomy group than in the lobectomy group (19.6% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Although segmentectomy offers preservation of pulmonary function, significantly more postoperative complications occurred in the segmentectomy group. Surgeons should bear in mind that complications can happen more frequently after segmentectomy than after lobectomy for T1aN0M0 non-small-cell lung cancer.
Chest injuries related to surfing
Authors: Sano Atsushi , Yotsumoto Takuma
Published: June 2015

Background

Surfing is a popular sport in coastal areas, which can be associated with chest injuries.

Methods

Between 2008 and 2013, 6 patients were referred to our hospital with chest injuries sustained during surfing. Clinical data were collected from their medical records and analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Patient age ranged from 35 to 52 years. Five of the 6 patients were male. Four patients were injured in August, and the other two were injured in September and October. Rib fractures were observed in 3 of the 6 patients. The other 3 patients were diagnosed with chest contusions only. Hemothorax occurred in one patient. No lacerations were observed in any of the 6 patients.

Conclusion

Chest injuries associated with surfing are usually blunt chest injuries; however, they may occasionally be life-threatening.
Surgery for huge mediastinal tumors
Authors: Motus Igor Ya , Bazhenov Alexander V , Massard Gilbert
Published: June 2015

Background

Mediastinal tumors can reach a huge size and give rise to serious surgical and oncological problems.

Methods

A review of 18 patients with huge mediastinal tumors was performed. Ages ranged from 16 to 61 years, and 10 were male. In 4 cases, exploratory thoracotomies had been undertaken in other hospitals; in one patient, the tumor recurred after incomplete resection. We performed a median sternotomy in 17 patients and a lateral thoracotomy in one. Radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy was administered in cases found to be malignant.

Results

In 15 patients, the tumor was removed completely. In one patient, the operation was palliative because of vena caval and atrial invasion, and another had exploration only; biopsies revealed malignant transformation in these 2 patients. The blood loss was 425–2530 mL (average 690 mL); bleeding was fatal in one patient. Tissue diagnosis showed mature teratomas in 10 patients. Foci of malignant transformation were found in 5 cases. Chemodectoma was found in one patient, and thymoma in two. Patients with mature teratomas are free of disease. Two patients with malignant teratomas died from tumor recurrence despite irradiation and chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Clinical and oncological problems lie in the fact that malignant transformation of the tumor is diagnosed only after surgery. Extensive blood loss is a crucial surgical problem. Median sternotomy is the optimal operative approach. Surgical treatment of mature mediastinal tumors results in good outcomes unless malignancy is detected.
Drug treatment in a Swedish women’s prison
Authors: Nylander Per Åke
Published: June 2015

This article describes life in a drug-treatment wing (a prison therapeutic community) in a Swedish women’s prison, and aims to analyse prisoners’ and prison officers’ relations and identities, through observation field notes and interviews with staff and prisoners. The studied prison has a drug-treatment programme based on Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy, with external therapists. Within the treatment wing, prison officers are abandoning the traditional staff identity for one of ‘co-therapist’. The female prisoner-identity is initially that of the ‘traditional prisoner’, but is often replaced by other situational identities such as the ‘conscious addict’ and the ‘good group-member’. In cases of frustration and threats in the wing, the more traditional identities might temporarily be ‘re-activated’. This might be a source of confusion and inner conflict, especially for the prisoners.
Perceived similarity in emotional reaction profiles between the self and a close other as a predictor of emotional well-being
Authors: Cheng Yanhua , Grühn Daniel
Published: June 2015

Individuals’ reaction tendencies in emotional situations may influence their social relationships. In two studies, we examined whether perceived similarity in emotional reaction tendencies between the self and a close other was associated with individuals’ emotional well-being. Participants rated how the self and a close other (mother in Study 1; a self-nominated close other in Study 2) would react in various situations. Individuals who perceived greater similarity between the self and the close other reported more positive affect, less negative affect, lower perceived stress, and higher life satisfaction than those who perceived less self–other similarity. Furthermore, stress exposure moderated the effects of self–other similarity on perceived stress. In summary, greater perceived similarity with one’s close others seems beneficial for social–emotional adaptation.
Show versus tell? The effects of mating context on women’s memory for a man’s physical features and verbal statements
Authors: Horgan Terrence G. , Broadbent Julie , McKibbin William F. , Duehring Autumn J.
Published: June 2015

Does women’s memory for a man’s features and verbal statements vary as a function of whether they are thinking about him as a short- versus long-term mate? Evolutionary psychology suggests that a man’s physical attributes might matter more to women seeking a short- versus a long-term mate. In a laboratory experiment, female undergraduates watched a videotaped male introducing himself after they had been encouraged to think of him as either a short- or long-term mate. Women’s memory for his features and verbal statements was then tested. Compared to women in the long-term context, women in the short-term context demonstrated better memory for his features and worse memory for his verbal statements. The implications of these findings for adaptive memory are discussed.
Investigating the Properties of the General Factor (M) in Bifactor Models Applied to Big Five or HEXACO Data in Terms of Method or Meaning
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Watson P. J. , Biderman Michael , Ghorbani Nima
Published: June 2015

This project applied a bifactor model, which specifies a general factor that accounts for the common variance among all scale items, and group factors that reflect additional common variance among clusters of items. This general factor is designated as “M” because of a presumption in the research literature that its origins are to be found in method. The model was applied in eight samples using nine datasets and across three different personality measures, including the Big Five and the HEXACO. Inclusion of M significantly increased model fit and increased the variance explained of items. Evidence showed that M did not reflect aspects of method such as random error or an acquiescent response bias. M correlated positively with variables suggesting psychological adjustment and negatively with variables pointing toward maladjustment. M showed unique relationships with constructs suggesting psychological adjustment over and beyond the Big Five. Data supported an interpretation of M as a synthesizing function within the self and thus suggested that M was a construct revealing substantive psychological meaning rather than mere method.
Significance of the ADC ratio in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions
Authors: Zhao Jinli , Guan Haitao , Li Minda , Gu Hongmei , Qin Jufeng , Wu Xianhua
Published: June 2015

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has high sensitivity but low specificity for breast cancer, and consequently, new techniques to improve the specificity of breast MRI in diagnosing breast cancer are under development.

Purpose

To assess the ability of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) compared with the ADC ratio (ADCr) to differentially diagnose benign compared with malignant breast lesions.

Material and Methods

Forty-eight women with breast lesions (average age, 45 years) underwent MRI scanning including T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) scanning and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The average ADC and ADCr values for both lesions and pectoralis major muscles (ADCrmuscle and ADCrmuscle) were measured in patients with malignant ( n = 25) and benign ( n = 23) breast lesions. The ADCr of the contralateral breast (ADCr contralateral) was also evaluated. All histology was confirmed by pathological analysis of biopsied tissue. ADC and ADCr values were analyzed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

For benign lesions compared with malignant lesions, lesion-side ADC was 1.45 vs. 1.05, respectively ( P < 0.001), normal-side ADC was 1.82 vs.1.64 ( P = 0.002), ADCrmuscle was 1.35 vs. 0.9 ( P < 0.001), and ADCrcontralateral was 0.79 vs. 0.64 ( P = 0.001). ADCrmuscle showed higher sensitivity (82.61%) and specificity (96.00%) than ADCrcontralateral (60.87% and 92.00%, respectively) and ADC (69.57% and 96.00%) for discriminating malignant from benign lesions. The AUC using ADCrmuscle had higher discriminatory power (0.92, P < 0.001) for malignant versus benign breast lesions compared with either ADC (0.82, P < 0.001) or ADCrcontralateral (0.78, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The ADCrmuscle value showed higher sensitivity and specificity and improved diagnostic accuracy compared with either ADC or ADCrcontralateral in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions.
Shear-wave elastography in invasive ductal carcinoma: correlation between quantitative maximum elasticity value and detailed pathological findings
Authors: Cho Eun Yoon , Ko Eun Sook , Han Boo-Kyung , Kim Rock Bum , Cho Sooyoun , Choi Ji Soo , Hahn Soo Yeon
Published: June 2015

Background

Further information is needed regarding whether histopathological characteristics affect breast tumor elasticity.

Purpose

To determine whether maximum elasticity values vary according to tumor-stroma ratio, dominant stroma type, or presence of fibrosis in invasive breast cancer.

Material and Methods

This study included 71 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified (IDC NOS) who underwent breast shear-wave elastography (SWE). Maximum elasticity (Emax) values were retrospectively correlated with pathological findings that included tumor-stroma ratio, dominant stroma type (collagen, fibroblast, lymphocyte), and fibrosis. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine variables independently associated with Emax.

Results

High histologic grade was significantly correlated with higher Emax ( P = 0.042). Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression negatively correlated with high elasticity values ( P = 0.013 and P = 0.03, respectively). Breast cancers that exhibited higher cellularity demonstrated a greater level of stiffness that was not statistically significant (ρ = 0.153; P = 0.193). While dominant stroma type and fibrosis did not affect Emax ( P = 0.197 and P = 0.598, respectively), lesion size was significantly associated with Emax (ρ  = 0.474, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only lesion size was significantly associated with Emax ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The composition of tumors did not affect their Emax.
Parents’ perspectives on the appropriateness of a parent-delivered intervention for improving the social play skills of children with ADHD
Authors: Wilkes-Gillan Sarah , Bundy Anita , Cordier Reinie , Lincoln Michelle , Hancock Nicola
Published: June 2015

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate parents’ perspectives of the appropriateness of a parent-delivered play-based intervention, The Ultimate Guide to Making Friends. The intervention was designed to improve the social play skills of children with ADHD.

Method

One month post-intervention, seven parents of children with ADHD participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Interviews ranged from 40–60 minutes. Parents were asked about their perceptions of the intervention: experience, benefits, logistics that supported or hindered participation and satisfaction with the intervention for themselves and their children. Data were analysed thematically using constant comparative methods, whereby two researchers worked independently to analyse emergent themes.

Findings

Thematic analysis revealed a single core theme of reframing: a process whereby both parents and their children were assisted to develop new perspectives regarding their social skills and interactions. The core theme comprised three sub-themes: (1) connecting with the intervention; (2) parent and child benefits resulting from a new perspective; and (3) continued everyday use of the intervention materials and strategies.

Conclusion

The intervention was appropriate from parents’ perspectives. The core theme of reframing and sub-themes collectively related back to the following aspects of appropriateness: (a) a positive experience; (b) relevant and important to their/their child’s needs; (c) beneficial; (d) a socially and ecologically valid approach, fitting their everyday lives; and (e) promoting change that continued over time.
A qualitative evaluation of occupational therapy-led work rehabilitation for people with inflammatory arthritis: Perspectives of therapists and their line managers
Authors: Prior Yeliz , Amanna Evangeline A , Bodell Sarah J , Hammond Alison
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Occupational therapy-led work rehabilitation for employed people with inflammatory arthritis and work problems was piloted in five hospitals in the United Kingdom. This qualitative study explored the views of participating occupational therapists and their line managers about the work rehabilitation training received and conducting the intervention, with particular focus on the structured interview used, the Work Experience Survey – Rheumatic Conditions.

Method

Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with occupational therapists ( n = 9), followed by telephone interviews with their line managers ( n = 2). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed by three researchers to maximize validity.

Results

The main themes emerging from the occupational therapists’ interviews were: varying levels of prior knowledge and experience of work rehabilitation, initial concerns about the feasibility of a lengthy work assessment in practice and increased confidence in delivering work rehabilitation as the study progressed. The line managers’ interviews generated themes around the positive impact of the work rehabilitation training the occupational therapists received, and changes in their practice.

Conclusion

The Work Experience Survey – Rheumatic Conditions was considered a good choice of work assessment which can be implemented in practice. Once therapists had provided the work intervention several times, their confidence and skills increased.
Looking Askance at Picketty’s Inequality from the Third World
Authors: Barkin David
Published: June 2015

Inequality in the rich countries is inextricably bound to the continuing impoverishment and polarization in the Third World. Picketty’s focus on conditions within the richer countries deflects attention from the mechanisms that exacerbate the process within the Global South. By not considering the structural and class-based nature of economic processes, his analysis cannot contribute to an understanding of the nature and dynamics of inequality in Mexico or its terrible impacts on society and the environment. The significant mobilizations by indigenous peoples and peasants are ineffective in halting the advance of international capital in its drive to control the economy in alliance with domestic elites.
Effects of carbon nanotubes’ dispersion on effective mechanical properties of nanocomposites: A finite element study
Authors: Poorsolhjouy Aidin , Hassan Naei Mohammad
Published: June 2015

Effects of volume fraction and random dispersion of carbon nanotubes on effective mechanical properties of carbon nanotube-reinforced nanocomposites are studied at continuum level using finite element methods. Utilizing a continuum model of tubes with specific pairing of elastic properties and wall thickness for describing carbon nanotubes, representative volume elements with non-uniform distribution of uniaxial nanotubes within a base matrix are generated. Furthermore, a dispersion quantification technique is employed to quantify nanotubes’ dispersion degree. Finite element simulations are carried out in six independent loading conditions, while applying periodic boundary conditions to the models. Homogenizing the models and using the formulations of linear elasticity, equivalent mechanical properties of the models are computed and the effects of the aforementioned influential parameters as well as the modeling volume size are investigated. The results demonstrate that in volume fractions higher than 5%, the effects of carbon nanotubes’ dispersion become more significant and if increasing the volume fraction leads to bigger agglomerations and subsequently worse dispersion, the effective properties of the composite as a whole will decrease. Moreover, the pre- and post-processing procedures implemented are verified by analyzing previously studied models available in the literature and comparing the corresponding results.
Scale effects on the heat release rate, smoke production rate, and species yields for a vegetation bed
Authors: Santoni Paul-Antoine , Romagnoli Elodie , Chiaramonti Nathalie , Barboni Toussaint
Published: June 2015

The burning of a vegetation bed was investigated employing the cone calorimeter and the furniture calorimeter for testing on a small and a large scale. Heat release rate, smoke production rate, and species yields were measured at both scales and with two different setups at the full scale. The results show a clear influence of the scale on: the peak of heat release rate, the smoke extinction area, the soot yield, and the rate of smoke release. The species yields appear to depend not only on the burning scale but also on the experimental setup. This study clearly shows that even for litter with high packing ratio, the results obtained at bench scale cannot be extended directly to the full scale.
Contribution of NRG1 Gene Polymorphisms in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Zhu Wen-Ye , Jiang Pei , He Xin , Cao Ling-Juan , Zhang Li-Hong , Dang Rui-Li , Tang Mi-Mi , Xue Ying , Li Huan-De
Published: June 2015

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible association between temporal lobe epilepsy and NRG1 gene polymorphisms. A total of 73 patients and 69 controls were involved in this study. Genomic DNAs from the patients and controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction method. There was an association of rs35753505 (T>C) with temporal lobe epilepsy (χ2 = 6.730, P = .035). The frequency of risk allele C of rs35753505 was significantly higher (69.9%) in patients compared to controls (55.8%) (χ2 = 6.023, P = .014). Interestingly, the significant difference of NRG1 genotype and allele frequency only existed among males, but not females. In addition, no statistically significant association was found between rs6994992, rs62510682 polymorphisms, and temporal lobe epilepsy. These data indicate that rs35753505 of NRG1 plays an important role in conferring susceptibility to the temporal lobe epilepsy in a Chinese Han population.
Patient Mood and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Votruba Kristen L. , Persad Carol , Giordani Bruno
Published: June 2015

This retrospective study investigated the relationship between self-reports and caregiver perceptions of patients’ depressive symptoms and the respective ability of these reports to predict instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) beyond what is accounted for by cognitive abilities in 71 patients with mild Alzheimer disease. Patients completed the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, and caregivers completed the Behavior Rating Scale for Dementia assessing their perception of patients’ depressive symptoms. Caregivers also completed IADL items from the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory. Cognitive measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination, Logical Memory from the Wechsler Memory Scale III, and Trail Making Test, Part B. The relationship between self-reported depressive symptoms and caregiver report of patients’ depressive symptoms showed a trend toward significance ( r = .22, P = .06). Measures of depressive symptoms significantly predicted 12.5% of the variance in IADLs performance, beyond that accounted for by patient demographics and cognitive functioning. Interestingly, patients’ reports, rather than caregivers’, were particularly useful in this prediction.
The Relationship Between Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy and Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Authors: Tagawa Ryo , Hashimoto Hiroshi , Nakanishi Aki , Kawarada Youjirou , Muramatsu Tomohiro , Matsuda Yasunori , Kataoka Kouhei , Shimada Aiko , Uchida Kentaro , Yoshida Atsushi , Higashiyama Shigeaki , Kawabe Joji , Kai Toshihiro , Shiomi Susumu , Mori Hiroshi , Inoue Koki
Published: June 2015

Background:

The relationship between medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) and cognitive impairment in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) remains unclear. We examined this relationship using voxel-based specific regional analysis system for Alzheimer disease (VSRAD) advance software, which allowed us to quantify the degree of MTA on images obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Methods:

Thirty-seven patients diagnosed with DLB were recruited and scanned with a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. All MRI data were analyzed using VSRAD advance. The target volume of interest (VOI) included the entire region of the entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. The degree of MTA was obtained from the averaged positive z-score ( Z score) on the target VOI, with higher scores indicating more severe MTA. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R), which strengthened the measures of memory and language more than MMSE, were used to assess the presence of cognitive impairment.

Results:

A negative correlation was found between the Z score and MMSE total scores or the HDS-R total scores. A stepwise multiple regression analysis performed to adjust the covariate effects of sex, age, the onset age of the disease, duration of DLB, years of education, and donepezil treatment showed that the HDS-R total scores were independently associated with the Z score, whereas MMSE total scores were not.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that MTA is related to cognitive impairment in patients with DLB, particularly the regions of orientation, immediate and delayed recall, and word fluency.
‘Once upon a time …’: Orphanhood, childhood studies and the depoliticisation of childhood poverty in southern Africa
Authors: Ansell Nicola
Published: June 2015

Policy, interventions and research concerning southern African children remain dominated by a focus on AIDS-related orphanhood, although the association between orphanhood and disadvantage is highly questionable. I argue that the trope of the AIDS orphan serves a range of agendas, including for academic research. In particular, orphans represent the quintessential child-agent, celebrated in fairytales and fiction. Finally, I examine how this has led to a policy response – education bursaries – that cannot adequately address childhood poverty in the region.
A strategy for wear analysis using numerical and experimental tools, applied to orbital type hydraulic motors
Authors: Furustig J , Almqvist A , Pelcastre L , Bates CA , Ennemark P , Larsson R
Published: June 2015

An accurate and reliable wear analysis requires detailed knowledge of the tribological conditions of the studied system. In this work, a numerical model which can quantify wear and is applicable to hydraulic motors is developed. Detailed tribological knowledge can be acquired through strategic experimental testing and numerical simulations. The model is constructed to include the effect on wear from varying lubricant film thickness. The development of the wear model includes consideration of wear observed in the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of tested motors. The model is of the Archard type, in which the k-value is estimated from experiments, after considering the effect of lubrication. The contact pressure is the solution to a lubrication model that governs both the hydrodynamics of the lubricant film and the direct contact between the rough surfaces. To validate the model, a hydraulic motor is run at different operating conditions and the apparent wear depth is analysed after the tests. Numerical simulations mimicking the same configuration are performed and the predicted wear depths are compared to the experimental results. Similarities and differences are discussed and it is evident that a clear correlation exists between the wear predicted with the model and the measurement data of the apparent wear in the hydraulic motor. There are also discrepancies because of the model simplicity and the uncertainty in the specifications of the tested system. The results imply that wear analysis using numerical simulations aid the understanding of wear in machinery. The combined knowledge of physical conditions on different important scales enables in-depth analysis with numerical tools which cannot be achieved through experimental investigations alone. Furthermore, the numerical model can be refined leading to better wear predictions.
Vibration analysis and acoustic identification for a power-split planetary gear set
Authors: Zou Liang , Yu Haisheng , Zhang Jianwu , Guo Han
Published: June 2015

Vibration and acoustic characteristics of a new power-split hybrid transmission with a four-shaft planetary for passenger car are investigated in this research. A dynamic model with three degrees of freedom for the new compound planetary is established in pure electric driving mode. The numerical analysis for distinctive natural frequencies and corresponding vibration modes of this system are produced. Furthermore, in order to identify the noise source, acoustic and vibration experiments are carried out. Moreover, the finite element model for the shell cover is studied for verification of structure vibration resonant frequencies. It is demonstrated by comparison between numerical results and test data that the noise at frequency of 692 Hz is evidently related to the transverse vibration of motor E1 shaft, and the structure vibration of shell cover at frequency of 2930 Hz is exactly contributed to noise source at frequency near 3029 Hz.
Design and analysis of engine timing silent chain system
Authors: Cheng Yabing , Yin Shuaibing , Meng Cuihong , Wang Xiaopeng , Liu Huan
Published: June 2015

Based on the meshing principle of silent chain and the structure of an automobile engine, timing silent chain system including involute tooth sprocket, guide plate, tension plate, and silent chain is designed in this paper. Dynamics analysis model is built, and vibration of the chain system is studied. The link tensile force and the contact force between link and other components, and the transmission error of crankshaft sprocket and exhaust camshaft sprocket are analyzed. The design and analysis method of the timing silent chain system is proposed. The wear elongation of the timing silent chain system is studied through the road test. The wear morphology of the link plate and pin working surface are observed. Analysis results show that the design method of the timing silent chain system is feasible. The major wear mechanism of the pin is fatigue wear, and the major wear mechanism of the link plate is fatigue wear and abrasive wear. The results of the dynamic simulation and the experimental research show that the design and analysis method of timing silent chain system is scientific and feasible, and wear resistant of the timing silent chain system is high.
An arc-light-based method for estimation of contact strip wear
Authors: Hayasaka Takamasa , Shimizu Masatoshi , Akagi Hirofumi
Published: June 2015

A measured contact-loss ratio is used to estimate current-collection performance. There are two types of methods used to estimate the contact-loss ratio. One is to measure all the contact losses, including small ones; the other is to measure only contact losses that are greater than 5 ms in duration. The extent of wear of a contact strip caused by arc discharges varies as a function of the amount of electric charge. This fact makes it possible to manage the wear on a contact strip. This paper shows a calculation method for the amount of electric charge based on the output of a contact-loss measurement as well as the expected lifetime of the contact strip and the creation of a maintenance threshold level for of the contact strip.
Effect of vertical step height on boarding and alighting time of train passengers
Authors: Holloway Catherine , Thoreau Roselle , Roan Tyng-Rong , Boampong Derrick , Clarke Theresa , Watts David , Tyler Nick
Published: June 2015

New train stock or train services are continually being added to the network in the UK. Their design, in conjunction with European Regulations on train floor and rail height, means there is often a gap between train and platform necessitating at least one physical step. This paper presents the results from a series of experiments testing the time required to board or alight a train across three different gap heights. The experiments were designed to test for the effect of age and luggage type on the time to board or alight. As expected, more steps result in a longer time required to board or alight. More interesting is the effect of age and luggage on time to board and alight with younger people being relatively unaffected by the presence of steps and luggage, whereas both these factors hinder elderly people. The quantification of these effects has implications for accessibility of train services and for train dwell times and can be used by others in the design and planning stages of rail projects.
How big should the pilot study for my cluster randomised trial be?
Authors: Eldridge Sandra M , Costelloe Ceire E , Kahan Brennan C , Lancaster Gillian A , Kerry Sally M
Published: June 2015

There is currently a lot of interest in pilot studies conducted in preparation for randomised controlled trials. This paper focuses on sample size requirements for external pilot studies for cluster randomised trials. We consider how large an external pilot study needs to be to assess key parameters for input to the main trial sample size calculation when the primary outcome is continuous, and to estimate rates, for example recruitment rates, with reasonable precision. We used simulation to provide the distribution of the expected number of clusters for the main trial under different assumptions about the natural cluster size, intra-cluster correlation, eventual cluster size in the main trial, and various decisions made at the piloting stage. We chose intra-cluster correlation values and pilot study size to reflect those commonly reported in the literature. Our results show that estimates of sample size required for the main trial are likely to be biased downwards and very imprecise unless the pilot study includes large numbers of clusters and individual participants. We conclude that pilot studies will usually be too small to estimate parameters required for estimating a sample size for a main cluster randomised trial (e.g. the intra-cluster correlation coefficient) with sufficient precision and too small to provide reliable estimates of rates for process measures such as recruitment or follow-up rates.
Clinical characteristics and mental health outcomes for women admitted to an Australian Mother–Baby Unit: a focus on borderline personality disorder and emotional dysregulation?
Authors: Yelland Chris , Girke Teresa , Tottman Charlotte , Williams Anne Sved
Published: June 2015

Objective:

To describe the clinical population of women admitted to a Mother–Baby Unit in Adelaide, South Australia and to evaluate changes during admission in both Axes I and II diagnoses of maternal mental health, and in mother–infant relationships.

Method:

Both clinical and self-report assessments of maternal mental health were made at admission and discharge, and self-report comparisons of the mother–infant relationship.

Results:

Depressive illnesses (46.2%) were found to be the most prevalent conditions leading to admission, with rates of psychosis (10.3%) and bipolar disorder (3.4%) being lower. A high incidence of borderline personality disorder (23.1%) was found clinically, with almost half the admitted women showing features of borderline personality disorder on a self-report measure at admission. Significant improvements in maternal mental health and the mother–infant relationship were found at the time of discharge.

Conclusions:

Admission to this Mother–Baby Unit on mothers’ self-report scales showed improvement in mothers’ mental health and the relationship that they have with their infant. Given the high prevalence of borderline personality disorder and emotional dysregulation identified within the population, treatment implications and possible consequences for the infant are discussed for this client group.
High-Tech Invention
Authors: Lauer Claire
Published: June 2015

This article proposes a more complex consideration of the idea-generation stage of the document design process. Survey data collected from multiple sections of graphic design and technical communication classes show that design software and other technology can help students generate solutions to design problems by enabling them to realize design options that they may not have known exist and to adopt a bricolage approach to design that facilitates the process. The author makes several recommendations for how instructors can negotiate the sketching-software divide in their classrooms to ensure that the invention process is optimized for all students.
Including Social Opportunities During Small Group Instruction of Preschool Children With Social-Communication Delays
Authors: Lane Justin D. , Gast David L. , Shepley Collin , Ledford Jennifer R.
Published: June 2015

Young children with disabilities are less likely to display prosocial behaviors than their typically developing peers. One method for increasing social skills is embedding opportunities for social interactions during academic instruction. The purpose of this study was to teach functional sight words to young children in a small group arrangement, while embedding opportunities to engage in social behaviors. A multiple probe design across behaviors replicated across participants was used to evaluate the effects of using constant time delay to teach sight words. Children learned to read targeted sight words and some of their peers’ words. Secondary social measures suggest children acquired some social information about a peer when the information was presented via instructive feedback and learned to share materials during instructional sessions. Implications for practitioners and teachers are provided regarding (a) academic instruction and observational learning, (b) prerequisites for success in a small group arrangement, (c) embedding sharing during instruction, and (d) instructive feedback related to peer preferences.
Food Banking, Ethical Sensemaking, and Social Innovation in an Era of Growing Hunger in the United States
Authors: Elmes Michael B. , Mendoza-Abarca Karla , Hersh Robert
Published: June 2015

This article considers the critical role that food bank leaders play in sensemaking around the ethical and justice dimensions of hunger and food-related illnesses in the United States. It presents the discourses of industrial agriculture and food justice and, using an illustrative case study, proposes a preliminary model of ethical sensemaking. This model serves as a starting point for understanding how some (but not all) food bank leaders in the United States have been triggered to engage in ethical sensemaking and adopted a variety of innovative, sustainable, and just approaches to food banking that try to address the root causes of growing levels of hunger in the United States. The article concludes with an invitation to consider this investigation through the lens of Dewey’s moral imagination and Gergen’s forms of inquiry that generate practices to solve social problems and that invite researchers to participate in world-making.
Multi-frequency rotor vibration suppressing through self-optimizing control of electromagnetic force
Authors: Jianfei Yao , Jinji Gao , Weimin Wang
Published: June 2015

In this paper, the attention is confined to the suppression of multi-frequency rotor vibration. A method to control rotor’s multi-frequency periodic vibration in rotor-bearings system is proposed which uses active magnetic exciter (AME) to produce active control force to suppress rotor’s vibration and to reach a self-optimizing control of the rotor vibration. The control strategies include an arithmetic to optimize the amplitudes and phases of the control current using on-line self-optimizing algorithms in AME and applied multiple frequency-matched control force that AME generates to reduce the measured amplitudes of rotor. The model of rotor-bearings system with AME is established firstly. An active vibration control scheme for controlling transverse vibration of the rotor due to multi-frequency excitation is designed. The whole circle search algorithm and fast optimizing search algorithm about the amplitude and phase of control current are proposed. Finally, the experiments for controlling multi-frequency vibration of the rotor are carried out on the rotor-bearings test rig. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method can effectively suppress the rotor vibration for multi-frequency components through self-optimizing control of electromagnetic force.
Vibration control of magnetostrictive plate under multi- physical loads via trigonometric higher order shear deformation theory
Authors: Ghorbanpour Arani Ali , Khoddami Maraghi Z , Khani Arani H
Published: June 2015

For the first time in this research, a feedback control system is used to study the free vibration response of rectangular plate made of magnetostrictive material. In this regard, magnetostrictive plate (MsP) is analyzed by trigonometric higher order shear deformation theory that involved six unknown displacement functions and does not require shear correction factor. The MsP is supported by elastic medium as Pasternak foundation which considers both normal and shears modules. Also the MsP undergoes in-plane forces in x and y directions. Considering simply supported boundary condition, six equations of motion are derived using Hamilton’s principle and solved by differential quadrature method. Results indicate the effect of aspect ratio, thickness ratio, elastic medium, compression and tension loads on vibration behavior of MsP. Also, findings show the controller effect of velocity feedback gain to minimize the frequency as far as other parameters become ineffective. These findings can be used to active noise and vibration cancellation systems in many structures.
Frontline Employee Customer-Oriented Attitude in the Presence of Job Demands and Resources
Authors: Yoo Jaewon (Jay) , Arnold Todd J.
Published: June 2015

This study investigates the interactive effect of job demands and resources in influencing the development of a frontline employee’s customer-oriented attitude (COA) and deep versus surface acting behaviors. Results demonstrate that job resources, such as perceived organizational support and perceived customer participation, can positively influence an employee’s COA, which subsequently promotes deep over surface acting behaviors. Such positive relationships, however, are significantly and adversely affected by a job demand, perceived crowding, and a job stressor, perceived job insecurity. Specifically, contextual demands weaken the positive influence of job resources upon the development of a COA, also weakening the positive influence of a COA upon deep acting while promoting the occurrence of surface acting. From a managerial perspective, such findings highlight the importance of understanding the potentially negative influence of a stressful, demanding work environment, even upon employees who possess a very positive attitude toward helping customers.
Treatment of feline giardiasis during an outbreak of diarrhoea in a cattery: potential effects on faecal Escherichia coli resistance patterns
Authors: Tysnes Kristoffer Relling , Luyckx Katrien , Cantas Leon , Robertson Lucy J
Published: June 2015

Objectives

An outbreak of diarrhoea involving 16 cats at a cattery in Norway was investigated. Treatment and control of the outbreak were the primary objectives, but the effects of treatment on the antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from faeces were also investigated.

Methods

Faecal samples were investigated for Giardia cysts by immunofluorescence microscopy, and multi-locus genotyping was performed to determine the Giardia genotype. Faecal E coli were assessed, before and after treatment for giardiasis, for antimicrobial resistance.

Results

The outbreak was probably caused by Giardia duodenalis, Assemblage F. Although infection was eliminated in most cats following treatment with fenbendazole, over 30% of the infected cats required a second treatment round (combined fenbendazole and metronidazole). Investigation of sensitivity to antibacterial drugs of E coli that had been isolated both prior to and following treatment demonstrated that fenbendazole treatment may select for resistant bacteria.

Conclusions and relevance

Controlling Giardia infections in dense cat populations can be challenging, and requires strict hygiene measures. In cases where fenbendazole alone does not result in treatment success, a combination treatment with fenbendazole and metronidazole may be effective. Although this study did not include untreated controls, we suggest that the potential for changes in gut microbiota and antimicrobial resistance development should be considered when choosing antiprotozoal drugs, particularly in cases of treatment failure and where repeat treatment is required.
Metal projectile injuries in cats: review of 65 cases (2012–2014)
Authors: Vnuk Drazen , Capak Hrvoje , Gusak Valentina , Maticic Drazen , Popovic Maja , Brkljaca Bottegaro Nika
Published: June 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of different types of injuries caused by various types of projectiles among urban, suburban and rural cats of different ages in order to predict the type of injury sustained.

Methods

For the period 1 January 2012 to 30 April 2014, the medical records of cats with metal projectile injuries (PIs) were searched from the archive of the university’s small animal diagnostic imaging centre. Age, sex, owner address, admission during a weekend or on a working day, month of admission, projectile position (head and neck; thoracic region; abdominal region, including lumbosacral spine; forelimbs; and hindlimbs, including tail), number of projectiles, presence of a wound and fracture related to the projectile, and the type of projectile were recorded for each cat.

Results

Sixty-five cats with PIs were admitted during the defined period. In 38.5% of cats the projectiles found upon radiography were incidental findings. The frequency of PIs peaked in March. Airgun projectiles were found in 80.0% of the cats. PIs in two or more body regions were found in 29.2% of the cats. Among the cats that had only been shot in one body region, the projectile was most frequently found in the abdominal region, including the lumbosacral spine (41.3%).

Conclusions and relevance

These results might prompt clinicians to evaluate closely and screen for feline PIs in emergency situations.