bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Banks, Courts and International Law
Authors: Fabbrini Federico
Published: February 2017

In May 2014, 26 Member States of the EU concluded an intergovernmental agreement on the transfer and mutualization of contribution to the Single Resolution Fund (SRF). This international treaty constitutes a core component of the second pillar of the European Banking Union – the Single Resolution Mechanism, to wind down failing banks in the Euro-zone – and complements an EU regulation adopted by the European Parliament and the Council creating the SRF. This article critically analyses the choice to use international law to adopt the rules on transfer and mutualization of contributions to the SRF. As the article maintains, resort to an intergovernmental agreement in this case was not necessary from a legal point of view. In fact, the justification for the use of international law in this case rested on a flawed legal argument, namely that EU regulations cannot impose financial obligations on the states. Moreover, as the article explains, resort to international law is unsound from a policy point of view. The use of an international treaty to regulate the transfer and mutualization of contributions to the SRF opens the door for national courts' review of the agreement – a prospect which contrasts with the constitutional logic of leaving decisions about economic questions in the political process. In light of these weaknesses, the article explains that the intergovernmental agreement was tolerated by the European Parliament to secure completion of the Banking Union before the 2014 EU elections, but concludes suggesting that a pressing constitutional challenge for the European Parliament is to devise legal and political mechanisms to prohibit the Member States from acting outside the EU legal order whenever the Treaties provide for the powers and means to act within the Union.
A Critical Analysis of the Application of State Aid Rules to Sport
Authors: Nicolaides Phedon
Published: February 2017

This article examines the application of state aid rules to sport and sport infrastructure. Sporting activities and their public financing fall within the scope of Article 107(1) TFEU when such activities are economic in nature. The article examines under which conditions sport is an economic activity. The public funding of sport infrastructure such as stadiums and arenas raises state aid issues at four levels: The owners of the infrastructure, the constructors, the operators, and the users. This article examines the conditions under which state aid is either removed or made to be compatible with the internal market.
Article 17 of the Fifa Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players
Authors: Parrish Richard
Published: February 2017

Article 17 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players governs the consequences of a unilateral termination of a professional footballer's employment contract without just cause. The interpretation of this measure by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the manner through which the FIFA Disciplinary Code enforces such awards, raises questions as to the compatibility of the regime with EU competition and free movement laws. To avoid rendering unenforceable awards in the territory of the EU, CAS panels should apply EU law more systematically and consistently.
Saying All the Right Things and Still Getting it Wrong
Authors: Waddington Lisa
Published: February 2017

This article explores and reviews the approach of the Court of Justice of the EU to defining disability under the Employment Equality Directive and concentrates, in particular, on the two most recent cases which were decided in 2014: Z and Kaltoft and the relevance of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), to which the EU is a party. The article argues that the Court's approach to defining disability, as applied in practice, is not compatible with either the wording or spirit of the CRPD, and there is a real danger that the CJEU's mistaken approach will also trickle down to national courts. This is in spite of the fact that the Court pays lip service to the social contextual model of disability as outlined in the CRPD in its judgments.
Excessive Public Debt and Social Rights in the Eurozone Periphery
Authors: Chrysogonos Kostas , Zolotas Triantafyllos , Pavlopoulos Anastasios
Published: February 2017

In recent years a number of Eurozone Member States that had accumulated excessive public debt during the last decade were forced to apply for financial assistance in the form of loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other Eurozone Member States. The bailout programmes have been accompanied by extremely strict conditions, which have led to the devastating curtailment of social expenditure. In turn this has led to disproportionate infringements of social and economic rights. This paper examines the reconcilability of its austerity measures using the example of the most heavily indebted state, Greece. The measures were finally incorporated in acts of secondary European law, with the rights entrenched in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. The authors conclude that the strict austerity dictated by the Troika has undermined the European social constitutional order to the extent that it could be described as a fraude aux Traités.
Reducing Over-Reliance on Credit Rating Agencies
Authors: Athanassiou Phoebus L. , Theodosopoulou Aikaterini
Published: February 2017

This paper provides an overview of recent credit rating-related initiatives in the US and EU, including those at the level of some of the world's leading central banks, together with an assessment of the remaining challenges. The authors argue that (i) notwithstanding concerns over the objectivity and reliability of their ratings, credit rating agencies have, by and large, offered reasonably good estimates of credit quality, (ii) careful consideration is necessary before settling with alternatives, as opposed to complements, to their ratings, (iii) greater transparency in issuer financial information, and improvements in the internal assessment capabilities of financial firms are pre-requisites if reliance on credit ratings is to be further reduced. The authors also conclude that, while central banks have done a lot to reduce their reliance on credit ratings, any further decoupling of their collateral frameworks from credit ratings, beyond the field of sovereign issues, will pose a considerable challenge for them.
The Luxembourg ‘Double Look’
Authors: Sarmiento Daniel
Published: February 2017

The interpretation given by the Court of Justice of the European Union (Court of Justice) in the Gauweiler case is mostly in line with the proposal submitted by Advocate General Cruz Villalón in his Opinion. However, the difference in the Court and the Advocate General's perspectives, and the silence of the Court on some matters in contrast with the vocal position of the Advocate General, prove that the Gauweiler case could have been ruled quite differently. This paper will analyse how the Opinion and the judgment of the Court of Justice undergo parallel levels of analysis, and how, despite their apparent differences, each document plays a similar but autonomous role.
On the Unsustainability of Constitutional Pluralism
Authors: Kelemen R. Daniel
Published: February 2017

For years, the Court of Justice of the European Union (Court of Justice) and national constitutional courts – particularly the German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht; FCC) – have engaged in what developmental psychologists might term ‘parallel play’. The courts have played alongside each other, but not with each other. They have shared an interest in the same object (ultimate legal supremacy), and each has seen that object as its own. Many EU law scholars have celebrated this unsettled state of affairs, labelling it ‘constitutional pluralism’. But constitutional pluralism is unsustainable, and just as children grow out of parallel play, so too must Europe's courts. The FCC's reference to the Court of Justice in the Gauweiler case not only has profound implications for the survival of the Eurozone, but the case also seems to signal the end of an era: Europe's two most powerful courts must finally confront the incompatibility of their positions on the issue of Kompetenz-Kompetenz.
‘All Bad Things Must Come to an End’
Authors: Nicolaides Phedon
Published: February 2017

This article examines the new EU rules on the resolution of banks and their conformity with Article 107 TFEU. Normally, state aid rules apply to national measures. However, EU law that came into effect on 1 January 2016 extended the application of state aid rules to the decisions and actions of the Single Resolution Board. This article argues that, although compliance with Article 107 TFEU by the Single Resolution Board will make its decisions more complicated, it will also bring about much needed uniformity in the resolution of banks across the EU.
From Veto Players to Agenda-Setters?
Authors: Fasone Cristina , Fromage Diane
Published: February 2017

National parliaments (NPs) had long been excluded from the European integration process and were in many Member States at best kept informed and rarely involved in daily EU affairs. With the Lisbon Treaty and its introduction of the Early Warning System (EWS), as well as the Political Dialogue initiated by former Commission President Barroso, NPs have now become full actors in the EU. Through the Political Dialogue, they can express their opinion on the Commission Annual Work Programme and influence the Commission's agenda. Now, through control of the respect of the principle of subsidiarity, and provided that their reasoned opinions attain the defined thresholds, they can potentially strike down an existing proposal. However the EWS leads to NPs still being constrained to a limited, reactive role: as ‘quasi veto-players' and not one of ‘agenda-setter’. Recent developments in favour of the introduction of a ‘green card’ would change this situation profoundly as NPs would eventually be able to prompt the Commission to make legislative proposals on their behalf. This article sheds light on the evolving role of NPs in EU policymaking from the Lisbon Treaty onwards, from veto players to proactive institutions committed to the good functioning of the EU.
The Practical and Theoretical Problems with ‘Balancing’
Authors: van der Sloot Bart
Published: February 2017

In the realm of privacy and data protection – as in the fundamental rights framework in general – balancing has become the standard approach for dealing with legal disputes. It comes, however, with a number of practical and theoretical problems. This article analyses those problems and compares the method of balancing with the original approach of most human rights frameworks, such as the European Convention on Human Rights. It does so by analysing two cases in detail: the European Court of Human Right's case Delfi v. Estonia and the Court of Justice of the EU's judgment Coty v. Stadtsparkasse. From this analysis, it follows that the concept of balancing signals a shift away from the deontological and towards a utilitarian understanding of fundamental rights. This is not only of theoretical importance, as it could also mean that in time, human rights frameworks as such might become redundant.
Private Companies and the Transfer of Data to Law Enforcement Authorities
Authors: De Busser Els
Published: February 2017

The need for law enforcement authorities cooperating with private companies is not new. Personal data retained by private companies can be necessary for the purpose of preventing, detecting, investigating and prosecuting criminal offences.

Besides issues with purpose limitation and retention periods, companies are developing products that aim to protect citizens' privacy and data by using encrypted software and building personal servers. Such products are good news for law-abiding citizens who are concerned with the protection of their personal data and privacy.

Such products however also protect data that are part of criminal offences such as child sexual exploitation and terrorism, making it difficult for law enforcement authorities to access these data for the purpose of preventing, investigating or prosecuting these criminal offences. Thus, essential questions are how law enforcement authorities should approach this additional challenge on the one hand and how legislators should react to this on the other hand.
The Preliminary Opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor and the Discretion of the European Commission in Enforcing Competition Law
Authors: Costa-Cabral Francisco
Published: February 2017

The Preliminary Opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) calls for data protection rights to be integrated in the enforcement of competition law in the EU. The EDPS proposes that the Commission should use its discretion to broaden the notion of consumer welfare to include those rights and apply competition rules based on consumer harm. Nevertheless, even though the Commission can prioritise consumer welfare, it cannot re-interpret this notion nor rely on consumer harm beyond limited situations. The EDPS nonetheless also proposes to safeguard competition on privacy (or data conditions) which, although not completely overlapping with data protection rights, allows the Commission to use its discretion to address many of the EDPS' concerns. Notably, the Commission can prioritise exploitation in digital markets and shape them through competition remedies. It is still unclear whether the Commission will do so, but the German Bundeskartellamt has recently announced an investigation along these lines.
One of Many Challenges after ‘Brexit’: The Institutional Framework of an Alternative Agreement — Lessons from Switzerland and Elsewhere?
Authors: Tobler Christa
Published: February 2017

Defining an alternative arrangement for the UK's future relationship with the European Union following ‘Brexit’ will raise both substantive and institutional issues. In the public debate, the latter tend to be underestimated. The present article is based on the thesis that, should the UK seek a market access agreement based on EU law rules, it will face strict institutional demands from the Union that go far beyond the element, often mentioned in the ‘Brexit’ debate in the context of EEA membership, of having to accept EU-made law as it comes. The thesis is derived from experience with the EU's legal arrangements with other partners, notably the EFTA States as well the current negotiations with Andorra, Monaco and San Marino.
Developments in France regarding the mandatory rotation of auditors: Do they enhance auditors’ independence?
Authors: Dattin Christine Fournès
Published: February 2017

Mandatory rotation of auditors or of audit firms has been the subject of extensive debate among academics, professionals, and regulators, especially since the financial crisis of the 2000s. Does rotation enhance auditors’ independence and audit quality? The research evidence on the impact of mandatory audit firm rotation on audit quality and auditor independence is inconclusive. This article offers a historical approach to understanding the implementation of mandatory rotation, based on the French case. The auditing profession in France is strongly regulated, with four main provisions designed to reinforce auditors’ independence: prohibitions on a priori and a posteriori incompatibilities, a 6-year audit tenure, a ban on non-audit services, and the use of joint audit. The rotation of auditors was merely an additional and non-compulsory tool. However, in 2014, the European Commission decided to implement the mandatory rotation of audit firms despite the opposition of the French accounting profession and regulators. Does this suggest that the French model was ineffective? It probably does not. In this specific context of France, a mandatory rotation of audit firms would seem unlikely to enhance audit quality.
Characteristics of patients seen by visiting psychiatrists through Medicare in a rural community mental health service with an established telemedicine service
Authors: Bidargaddi Niranjan , Schrader Geoffrey , Smith David , Carson Dean , Strobel Jörg
Published: February 2017

Objective:

We aimed to determine characteristics of patients receiving Medicare-funded face-to-face consultations by psychiatrists in a rural service with an established telemedicine service.

Methods:

For this study, 55 case-managed patients from four rural community mental health teams in South Australia provided information through questionnaires regarding psychological symptoms, quality of life, body mass index (BMI) and gave access to their Medicare data.

Results:

In a logistic regression, it was found that being younger was more likely associated with a Medicare psychiatric consultation ( p<0.05). Participants with at least one recorded visit to a Medicare psychiatrist consultation also tended to have lower levels of psychological distress at the end of the 4-year period, have a higher BMI, and more general practitioner consultations.

Conclusion:

The study provides clinicians and policy makers with preliminary information on the subtle differences in clinical profile of patients seen by Medicare-funded psychiatrists within an established state-managed telepsychiatry service.
Measuring University Students’ Group Work Contribution: Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Joo Min-Ho , Dennen Vanessa P.
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study is to validate the Group Work Contribution Scale, a scale that was developed for use as a self-assessment at the conclusion of a group project. Specifically, this scale measures the factors related to a learner’s participation within a school-based work team. A two-step validation process was conducted, using first exploratory and then confirmatory factor analysis. A total of 458 undergraduate students participated across two data collection sessions (231 and 227 participants). The refined Group Work Contribution Scale consists of four underlying factors: effort, initiative, responsibility, and backing-up behavior. The final 12-item scale for Group Work Contribution was confirmed via model fit indices.
Shared-Purpose Process: Implications and Possibilities for Student Learning, Development, and Self-Transformation
Authors: Eriksen Matthew , Cooper Kevin
Published: February 2017

This article presents a student-established, shared-purpose process used to increase student engagement with, commitment to, and responsibility for their learning. In addition to establishing a shared purpose for their course, the students establish and commit to ways of being, doing, and interacting with one another necessary to intentionally and mutually achieve the shared purpose and other meaningful learning outcomes. They also commit to an individual practice that they believe will increase the likelihood of achieving the shared purpose, as well as identify personal inhibitors to achieving it. This process represents a form of experiential/case-in-point, student-centered, transformative, and partnership learning that is relevant to leadership, team, and organizational development courses. Based on the established shared purpose, we share how to effectively facilitate additional partnership and in-class experiential learning opportunities over the course of the semester.
Blood is Thicker Than Water
Authors: Carmichael Sarah , Rijpma Auke
Published: February 2017

This article introduces a new dataset of historical family characteristics based on ethnographic literature. The novelty of the dataset lies in the fact that it is constructed at the level of the ethnic group. To test the possibilities of the dataset, we construct a measure of family constraints on women’s agency from it and explore its correlation to a number of geographical factors.
Special Considerations for the Acquisition and Wrangling of Big Data
Authors: Braun Michael T. , Kuljanin Goran , DeShon Richard P.
Published: February 2017

Organizational scientists must capitalize on the big data revolution to better understand the nomothetic, idiographic, multilevel, and/or dynamic processes that make up today’s workplace. Simultaneously, researchers must collect high-quality data and be careful, diligent, and deliberate during data wrangling and data analysis so that all results can be replicated and all inferences are appropriate. Unfortunately, big data create many uncommon challenges during data acquisition and data wrangling that must be considered and overcome to fulfill the promise and potential of big data. Specifically, during acquisition, organizational scientists must become familiar with concepts like web scraping and databases, determine how to divide big data files into manageable chunks for cleaning and analysis, all while ensuring not to violate data usage rules and regulations. Likewise, once acquired, to effectively wrangle data so that they are ready for analysis researchers must be able to handle multiple file formats and data encoding standards, utilize a variety of software to visualize and diagnose data structure, and be adept at using functions and algorithms to determine variable structure and evaluate records and variables for missing or erroneous information. The current article provides a concise definition of big data and addresses each of these novel challenges and concepts related to big data acquisition and wrangling, specifically focusing on providing guidance and recommendations. Finally, a detailed big data example, team development using play-by-play basketball data, is provided. Each step of the process of scraping the data from the web as well as wrangling the multilevel big data into tidy data form is discussed, accompanied by a supplemental R file that contains all of the code necessary for researchers to replicate the described procedure.
Effects of castration on penile extracellular matrix morphology in domestic cats
Authors: Borges Nathalia CS , Pereira-Sampaio Marco A , Pereira Vivian Alves , Abidu-Figueiredo Marcelo , Chagas Maurício Alves
Published: February 2017

Objectives

This study was undertaken to verify the possible modifications caused by hormonal deprivation in the extracellular matrix in the penises of neutered cats.

Methods

Twenty-seven penises from domestic shorthair cats were collected: 14 samples from intact cats and 13 from neutered cats. Sections were stained with Weigert’s resorcin-fuchsin, hematoxylin and eosin, and picrosirius red. Histomorphometric analysis was performed using light microscopy and image analysis software. The following parameters were analyzed: density of the elastic fibers and collagen fibers in the corpus spongiosum; density of the elastic fibers in the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum and the tunica albuginea of the corpus spongiosum; luminal area of the urethra; area of the corpus spongiosum; area of the corpus cavernosum; and thickness of the urethral epithelium. The data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk test to verify the normal distribution, and groups were compared using Student’s t-test; P <0.05 indicated statistically significant differences.

Results

Significant differences were observed between intact cats and neutered cats in the density of elastic fibers in the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum (8.13% ± 1.38% vs 3.11% ± 0.66%), tunica albuginea of the corpus spongiosum (4.37% ± 1.08% vs 3.30% ± 1.01%) and corpus spongiosum (6.28% ± 3.03% vs 4.10% ± 2.19%), and density of collagen fibers in the corpus spongiosum (34.11% ± 10.86% vs 44.21% ± 12.72%).

Conclusions and relevance

The results show a significant decrease in the density of the elastic fibers and a significant increase of the density of the collagen fibers in the corpus spongiosum in neutered animals. This suggests that the compliance of the periurethral region is reduced, and these changes could be a predisposing factor for urethral obstructive disease.
Effects of laser peening on fretting wear behaviour of alloy 718 fretted against two different counterbody materials
Authors: Anand Kumar S , Sundar R , Ganesh Sundara Raman S , Gnanamoorthy R , Kaul R , Ranganathan K , Bindra K S
Published: February 2017

This paper deals with the effects of laser peening on fretting wear behaviour of a nickel-based superalloy, alloy 718, fretted against two different counterbody materials (alumina and SAE 52100 steel). Laser peening was carried out on alloy 718. Microstructural characterization of laser peened surface was done by electron back-scattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Surface roughness, nanoindentation hardness, and residual stress of both laser peened and unpeened samples were determined. Fretting wear tests were conducted on unpeened and laser peened samples using two different counterbody materials (alumina and SAE 52100 steel balls). The results show that nanocrystallites formed in the surface and near-surface regions and compressive residual stress were induced after laser peening. Hardness increased due to grain refinement at the surface and near-surface regions. There was no significant change in the surface roughness. The laser peened sample exhibited lower tangential force coefficient values compared to unpeened samples at all loads, which may be attributed to higher hardness. Samples fretted against alumina counterbody exhibited higher tangential force coefficient compared to samples fretted against steel counterbody. Owing to increased surface hardness and higher compressive residual stress, laser peened samples exhibited lower fretting wear damage compared to unpeened samples. Due to tribochemical reactions, the wear volume of unpeened and laser peened samples fretted against alumina counterbody was higher than that of the samples fretted against steel counterbody.
Freedom, democracy, and values: Perception of freedom of choice and readiness to protest
Authors: Passini Stefano
Published: February 2017

In so-called democracies, although several political measures have recently curbed citizens’ personal freedom (e.g., 2001 US Patriot Act), no major demonstrations have been organized against such restrictions. The main idea underlying this manuscript is that citizens living in democracies often have an overestimated perception of their freedom of choice. This perception may lead to the risk of not recognizing possible restrictions of liberties with the consequence of being less prepared to protest in order to defend them. Some sociopsychological variables that prevent or favor the recognition of these limitations of freedom of choice in democracies are considered. In particular, a value-based political orientation and a strong moral stance toward social equality are thought to lead citizens to have a more active evaluation of institutional policies regardless of the political system they live in.
‘You feel like your whole world is caving in’: A qualitative study of primary care patients’ conceptualisations of emotional distress
Authors: Geraghty Adam WA , Santer Miriam , Williams Samantha , Mc Sharry Jennifer , Little Paul , Muñoz Ricardo F , Kendrick Tony , Moore Michael
Published: February 2017

General practitioners are tasked with determining the nature of patients’ emotional distress and providing appropriate care. For patients whose symptoms appear to fall near the ‘boundaries’ of psychiatric disorder, this can be difficult with important implications for treatment. There is a lack of qualitative research among patients with symptoms severe enough to warrant consultation, but where general practitioners have refrained from diagnosis. We aimed to explore how patients in this potentially large group conceptualise their symptoms and consequently investigate lay understandings of complex distinctions between emotional distress and psychiatric disorder. Interviews were conducted with 20 primary care patients whom general practitioners had identified as experiencing emotional distress, but had not diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Participants described severe emotional experiences with substantial impact on their lives. The term ‘depression’ was used in many different ways; however, despite severity, they often considered their emotional experience to be different to their perceived notions of ‘actual’ depression or mental illness. Where anxiety was mentioned, use appeared to refer to an underlying generalised state. Participants drew on complex, sometimes fluid and often theoretically coherent conceptualisations of their emotional distress, as related to, but distinct from, mental disorder. These conceptualisations differ from those frequently drawn on in research and treatment guidelines, compounding the difficulty for general practitioners. Developing models of psychological symptoms that draw on patient experience and integrate psychological/psychiatric theory may help patients understand the nature of their experience and, critically, provide the basis for a broader range of primary care interventions.
Social ecology of resilience and Sumud of Palestinians
Authors: Marie Mohammad , Hannigan Ben , Jones Aled
Published: February 2017

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of theoretical perspectives and practical research knowledge in relation to ‘resilience’, the resilience of Palestinians in particular and the related concept of ‘Sumud’. ‘Sumud’ is a Palestinian idea that is interwoven with ideas of personal and collective resilience and steadfastness. It is also a socio-political concept and refers to ways of surviving in the context of occupation, chronic adversity, lack of resources and limited infrastructure. The concept of ‘resilience’ has deep roots, going back at least to the 10th century when Arabic scholars suggested strategies to cope with life adversity. In Europe, research into resilience extends back to the 1800s. The understanding of resilience has developed over four overlapping waves. These focus on individual traits, protective factors, ecological assets and (in the current wave) social ecological factors. The current wave of resilience research focuses on the contribution of cultural contextualisation and is an approach that is discussed in this article, which draws on Arabic and English language literature located through a search of multiple databases (CINAHL, British Nursing Index, ASSIA, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE). Findings suggest that ‘Sumud’ is linked to the surrounding cultural context and can be thought of as an innovative, social ecological, approach to promoting resilience. We show that resilience is a prerequisite to ‘Sumud’, meaning that the individual has to be resilient in order to stay and not to leave their place, position or community. We close by pressing the case for studies which investigate resilience especially in underdeveloped countries such as Palestine (occupied Palestinian territories), and which reveal how resilience is embedded in pre-existing cultural contexts.
Political memoirs and intimate confessions: Analysing four US gay liberation/gay rights militants’ memoirs
Authors: Marche Guillaume
Published: February 2017

The US gay liberation and gay rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s are a contested historical and sociological terrain. We analyse the narrative reconstruction of militant identities in the memoirs of four gay movement militants – Martin Duberman, Amy Hoffman, Karla Jay, Arnie Kantrowitz. The article focuses on the way authors account for the interplay between their self-discovery through sexuality and through militancy. We endeavour to fully appreciate the interaction of the personal and the social in order to gauge the degree to which confessions about sexuality take on a meaning that escapes authors’ control, or whether that meaning is a reflection of the authors’ agency. After a brief summary of how the authors tell about their sexual history, the article analyses the four authors’ distinctly different genders, generations, and political options as pertinent variables for comparison among the memoirs.
Working with the cracks in the rigging in researching early childhood professional development
Authors: Barron Ian , Taylor Lisa , Nettleton Jan , Amin Shabnam
Published: February 2017

This article seeks to explore the development of the relationship between a group of early childhood academics from the same university and practitioners from a particular early years setting in the north of England into an innovative professional development and research project (2-Curious). The article uses Foucauldian notions of heterotopia to theorise an approach to professional development and research concerned with examining the discourses and practices associated with provision for two-year-old children. In place of a transmission model of professional development and scientific preoccupations with research purity, the authors explore what is offered by an alternative approach that involved a broader engagement with ideas, feelings and the body, and the layering of research complexity. The authors consider what emerges when the practitioners take the learning from the project back into their own settings, and conclude by considering the possibilities and complexities of academics and practitioners working together to research and represent what emerged from the project.
How changing conditions make us reconsider the relationship between immigration attitudes, religion, and EU attitudes
Authors: de Vreese Claes H
Published: February 2017

In a world where attitudes towards immigration and the European Union are at the forefront of political and economic agendas across the continent, this Special Issue is highly relevant and well timed. This Forum article reviews the Special Issue and summarizes lessons learned and identifies open, remaining and new, questions. As a future research agenda, it is advised to pay attention to (a) differentiation in EU attitudes, (b) the role of national political elites, (c) the changing communications environment, and (d) the role of religion and religious attitudes.
A fast ray casting method for sound refraction at shear layers
Authors: Sarradj Ennes
Published: February 2017

The application of microphone arrays for aeroacoustic measurements in wind tunnels with an open test section requires to consider the sound refraction at the shear layer. Several methods are available for this that are either applicable to special scenarios such as planar or cylindrical thin shear layers or that require considerable computational effort. The paper concerns a new method for general application—ray casting—that is based on a ray tracing method. Ray tracing is briefly revisited and it is shown that the computational effort becomes quite high especially for large mapping grids. The ray casting approach with its interpolation technique is introduced. A time reversal technique is the key to make this approach very efficient and fast. Finally, the approach is demonstrated using two example results from simulation and from a practical measurement.
Sustaining Community Partnership Across Transition in District Leadership
Authors: LeChasseur Kimberly
Published: February 2017

This case of district turnover was developed as part of a project with state leaders and funders supporting local early education systems development. Understanding strategic and reactive activities during district leadership transition can be useful in assisting educators and their partners to prepare for sustainability. In this case, early education efforts supported by a district–community partnership, Childhood Advancing Partnership (CAP), were threatened by turnover of many central administration positions at the same time, shortly before an economic downturn. Due to strategic planning, hiring a supportive new superintendent, and organizing community support, the partnership with CAP was sustained across transitions within the district.
Optimization of the target profile for asymmetrical rail grinding in sharp-radius curves for high-speed railways
Authors: Zeng Wei , Yang Yue , Qiu Wen-Sheng , Xie Huan , Xie Su-Chao
Published: February 2017

Asymmetrical rail grinding in sharp-radius curves could reduce the side wear of railheads and enhance curve capacity of rail vehicles. The wheel/rail contact performance and curve capacity could be further improved by the optimization of the asymmetrical rail grinding target profile. In order to modify the target profile smoothly, the nonuniform rational B-spline curve with adjustable weight factors is used to establish a parameterized model of railhead curves in the asymmetrical grinding region. The indices of contact performance and curve capacity for different weight factors are obtained using experiment design and service performance simulation. Two Kriging surrogate models are proposed, in which the design variables are the adjustable weight factors, and the response parameters are the indices of contact performance and curve capacity, respectively. The multi-objective optimization model of the target profile is established, in which the objective functions are the two Kriging surrogate models of contact performance and curve capacity. The optimized weight factors are sought using a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II, and the corresponding optimal target profile is obtained. The wheel/rail service performance simulation before and after optimization indicates that the contact performance and curve capacity are improved significantly.
Energy absorbing composite structure for frontal pedestrian protection in electric light vehicles
Authors: Valladares David , Alba Juan J , Altubo Ines
Published: February 2017

This article collects the development of a frontal composite structure for electric light vehicles (concretely within L7e European category), which has been required to fulfil energy absorption capabilities for pedestrian protection. An initial design made of a composite sandwich structure (glass fibre skins with polyvinyl chloride foam core) was proposed and a prototype was manufactured and tested against impact. Then, a numerical model was created and the impact test was simulated by the finite element method. After adjusting the numerical model to the real performance of the component, the initial material configuration of the sandwich composite was optimized according to design objectives involving safety, current regulations and repairability.
Multi-objective gate assignment based on robustness in hub airports
Authors: Zhang Hong-Hai , Xue Qing-Wen , Jiang Yu
Published: February 2017

To enhance the robustness of the gate assignment, reduce the possibility of flight conflict, and improve the quality of passenger services, a multi-objective gate assignment model is proposed by minimizing flight conflict probability and number of flights assigned to aprons. The biogeography-based optimization algorithm is used to solve the proposed model with a new method for estimating the conflict probability. The simulation results show that the ratio of interval time of two flights assigned to the same gate between 60 and 120 min is as high as 82% when the rate of the flights assigned to aprons is controlled below 0.4. This means that the robustness increases greatly, and the probability of flight conflicts decreases, which is beneficial to the implement of flight assignment plan. In addition, the biogeography-based optimization algorithm is more effective to solve the proposed model and very easy to find out the optimal solutions.
The closed-loop kinematics modeling and numerical calculation of the parallel hexapod robot in space
Authors: Bai Long , Dong Zhi-Feng , Ge Xin-Sheng
Published: February 2017

The Lie group Denavit–Hartenberg method and application in the parallel hexapod robot are researched. The hexapod robot and the ground form opened and closed loop alternately; the complete kinematics equation cannot be derived by Denavit–Hartenberg method with a trigonometric function type. The complete kinematics model of the hexapod robot is constructed with the improved Denavit–Hartenberg method. The numerical solving strategy is schemed. The simulation results provide the positive and athwart kinematics response relation during the lift and forward patterns in space. The research shows that the complete kinematics model can be constructed by the Lie group Denavit–Hartenberg method; the numerical calculation method can solve the pose–attitude response correctly.
Image correction for cone-beam computed tomography simulator using neural network corrector
Authors: Chen Chin-Sheng , Hsu Cheng-Yi , Chen Shih-Kang , Lin Chih-Jer , Hsieh Ching-Hao , Liu Yi-Hung
Published: February 2017

In this article, a neural network corrector is proposed to correct the image shift, yielding the degradation of three-dimensional image reconstruction, for each slice captured by cone-beam computed tomography simulator. There are 3 degrees of freedom in tube module of simulator; the central point of tube module should be aligned with the central point of detector module to guarantee the accurate image projection. However, the mechanism manufacturing and assembling tolerance will let the above aim cannot be met. Here, a standard kit is made to measure the image shift by 1° step from −10° to 10°. The measure data will be the input training data of proposed neural network corrector, and the corrected translation position will be the output of neural network corrector. The Levenberg–Marquardt learning algorithm adjusts the connected weights and biases of the neural network using a supervised gradient descent method, such that the defined error function can be minimized. To avoid the problem of overfitting and improve the generalized ability of the neural network, Bayesian regularization is added to the Levenberg–Marquardt learning algorithm. After the training of neural network corrector, the different target position commands are fed into the neural network corrector. Then, the corrected data from neural network corrector are fed to be the new position command to verify the image correction performance. Moreover, a phantom kit is made to check the corrected performance of the neural network corrector. Finally, the experimental results verify that the image shift can be reduced by the neural network corrector.
Development of a collaborative material management system for offshore platform projects using agent technology
Authors: Han Duanfeng , Zhou Qinghua , Li Jinghua , Wang Jiaxuan , Yang Boxin , Sun Miaomiao
Published: February 2017

Accuracy management of production materials plays an important role in offshore platform projects. To improve both the efficiency and accuracy of material management in offshore platform projects, a novel material management system characterized by the notion of a material information unit was proposed in light of a review of the industrial Internet of Things and multi-agent technology. The material information unit is used to carry data on production materials and serve as a basic information unit in the system. Furthermore, agents of different functions are employed to tackle assorted tasks. Using this system, material information can be precisely recorded, tracked, and traced during the manufacture of offshore platforms. In addition to this system, an algorithm targeting at multi-agent negotiation is designed. Finally, a prototype system is developed to verify the feasibility and efficiency of this material management process.
Comparing the efficiency and robustness of state-of-the-art experimental designs for stated choice modeling: A simulation analysis
Authors: Zhu Hai , Luo Xia , Li Yanjin , Zhu Ying , Huang Qian
Published: February 2017

Among the ways to construct experimental designs having been proposed, orthogonal design, uniform design, and D-efficient design are state-of-the-art methods. This article provides detailed comparisons on the efficiency and robustness among these methods with three case studies in multinomial logit and mixed multinomial logit models. ND-error values and the departures of D-errors corresponding to misspecification of prior information are used as measurements of design efficiency and design robustness, respectively. Design methods are described, and designs with various numbers of runs are constructed. The results indicate that (a) when parameter priors are available, D-efficient design method outperforms the other two methods, in terms of design efficiency, while uniform design and orthogonal design methods are comparable with each other; (b) there will be efficiency loss when D-efficient design that constructed for specific model is implemented in other ones; (c) all three methods have comparable robustness against misspecifications in parameter prior values; however, the effect of misspecification in prior distribution is massive when D-efficient design is used in mixed multinomial logit model; and (d) when parameter priors are unknown, uniform design is suggested to be used in the construction of experimental designs.
Thermal decomposition analysis in a sphere of combustible materials
Authors: Lebelo Ramoshweu Solomon , Makinde Oluwole Daniel , Chinyoka T
Published: February 2017

In this article, we look at spontaneous combustion due to exothermic chemical reaction taking place within a stockpile of combustible material. The model includes mass and energy balance equations in a spherical domain. The complicated chemical reaction is simplified by considering a one-dimensional process. The differential equations governing the problem are solved using semi-implicit finite difference method. The effects of kinetic parameters embedded within the system are analyzed and the results are expressed graphically and discussed accordingly.
Medication management of chronic pain
Authors: Slipp Marlene , Burnham Robert
Published: February 2017

Background:

The prevalence of chronic pain is high and increasing. Medication management is an important component of chronic pain management. There is a shortage of physicians who are available and comfortable providing this service. In Alberta, pharmacists have been granted an advanced scope of practice. Given this empowerment, their availability, training and skill set, pharmacists are well positioned to play an expanded role in the medication management of chronic pain sufferers.

Objective:

To compare the effectiveness and cost of a physician-only vs a pharmacist-physician team model of medication management for chronic nonmalignant pain sufferers.

Method:

Data was analyzed for 89 patients who had received exclusively medication management at a rural Alberta multidisciplinary clinic. 56 were managed by a sole physician. 33 were managed by a team (pharmacist + physician). In the team model, the physician did the medical assessment, diagnosis, and established a treatment plan in consultation with the patient and pharmacist. The pharmacist then provided the ongoing follow-up including education, dose titration and side effect management and consulted with the physician as needed. Change in pain (Numerical Rating Scale) and disability (Pain Interference Questionnaire) over the course of treatment were recorded. The treatment duration and number of visits were used to calculate cost of care.

Results:

Both models of medication management resulted in significant and comparable improvements in pain, disability and patient perception of medication effectiveness. Patients in the physician-only group were seen more frequently and at a greater cost. The pharmacist-physician team approach was markedly more cost-effective, and patients expressed a high level of satisfaction with their medication management.

Conclusions:

The pharmacist-physician team model of medication management results in significant reductions of pain and disability for chronic nonmalignant pain sufferers at a reduced cost and is well accepted by patients.