bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Reported Elder Abuse and Rates of Admission to Skilled Nursing Facilities: Findings from a Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Dong XinQi , Simon Melissa A.
Published: June 2013

Background: Elder abuse is common and is a frank violation of an older adult's fundamental rights to be safe and free of violence. Our prior study indicates elder abuse is independently associated with mortality. This study aims to quantify the relationship between overall elder abuse and specific subtypes of elder abuse and rate of admission to skilled nursing facilities (SNF). Methods: A prospective population-based study conducted in Chicago of community-dwelling older adults who participated in the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP). Of the 6,674 participants in the CHAP study, 106 participants were reported to the social services agency for elder abuse. The primary predictor was elder abuse reported to the social services agency. The outcome of interest was the annual rate of admission to SNF obtained from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Poisson regression models were used to assess these longitudinal relationships. Results: The average annual rate of SNF for those without elder abuse was 0.14 (0.58) and for those with elder abuse was 0.66 (1.63). After adjusting for sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables, medical comorbidities, cognitive and physical function, and psychosocial wellbeing, older adults who have been abused had higher rates of SNF admission (RR 4.60 (2.85-7.42)). Psychological abuse (RR 2.31 (1.17-4.56)), physical abuse (RR 2.36 (1.19-4.66)), financial exploitation (RR 2.81 (1.53-5.17)) and caregiver neglect (RR 4.73 (3.03-7.40)) were associated with increased rates of admission to SNF, after considering the same confounders. Elder abuse is associated with a higher rate of SNF stay longer than 30 days (RR 6.27 (3.68-10.69)). Conclusion: Elder abuse was associated with increased rates of admission to SNF in this community population. Specific subtypes of elder abuse had a differential association with an increased rate of admission to SNF.
Analysis of the Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Atopic Dermatitis Using an ISAAC Questionnaire in 8,750 Korean Children
Authors: Baek Jin-Ok , Hong Soyoung , Son Dong-Koog , Lee Jong-Rok , Roh Joo-Young , Kwon Ho-Jang
Published: June 2013

Background: Since 1995, epidemiologic studies of atopic disorders using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire have been performed in many countries, including the Republic of Korea. The prevalence, burden and risk factors of atopic dermatitis were surveyed in these studies, which helped to enhance their comparability among different areas and age groups, as well as to clarify the nature of atopic dermatitis and other atopic disorders. Methods: From 21 facilities, 8,750 children were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The data were collected via the Internet using a questionnaire based on the Korean-language version of the ISAAC study format. Results: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis over the previous 12 months was 14.4%. The prevalence in preschool children was significantly higher than in elementary school children. Family history of atopic diseases, diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis and diagnosis of food allergy were positively associated with atopic dermatitis in both preschool and elementary school children. In addition, raising pets was positively associated with atopic dermatitis in preschool children. In elementary school children, female gender, secondhand smoking, breastfeeding, changing the parents' house to a newly built one during the first year of life, diagnosis of asthma and diagnosis of allergic rhinitis were positively associated with atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in preschool and elementary school children in Korea is similar to that of children in other developing countries. The risk factors for atopic dermatitis are different in preschool and elementary school children. More detailed strategies will be necessary to reduce atopic dermatitis in both age groups.
Sampling Tree Fragments from Forests
Authors: Chung Tagyoung , Fang Licheng , Gildea Daniel , Štefankovič Daniel
Published: June 2013

We study the problem of sampling trees from forests, in the setting where probabilities for each tree may be a function of arbitrarily large tree fragments. This setting extends recent work for sampling to learn Tree Substitution Grammars to the case where the tree structure (TSG derived tree) is not fixed. We develop a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm which corrects for the bias introduced by unbalanced forests, and we present experiments using the algorithm to learn Synchronous Context-Free Grammar rules for machine translation. In this application, the forests being sampled represent the set of Hiero-style rules that are consistent with fixed input word-level alignments. We demonstrate equivalent machine translation performance to standard techniques but with much smaller grammars.
Commerce, Culture, and Civilization in Greek Enlightenment and Contemporary European Thought
Authors: Kostantaras Dean
Published: June 2013

Abstract

This article describes the interaction between Greek readers, writers, and publishers during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, giving particular attention to the challenges faced by the latter in obtaining financial support for their endeavors. These contingencies exerted a significant influence on the form and content of Greek discourse as expressed in one striking instance by the efforts made on the part of Greek intellectuals to publicly reimagine the role of commerce and its practitioners in the rise or rehabilitation of nations. In addition therefore to providing a revealing view of what one historian of the period has called “the linguistic construction of class,” the Greek literary preoccupation with commerce also serves as a valuable exhibit of “cultural transfer,” or the manner in which genres of thought originating in one setting may become naturalized within another to the point that they appear to have been generated from purely native sources and circumstances.
Limits to Despotism: Idealizations of Chinese Governance and Legitimizations of Absolutist Europe
Authors: Jacobsen Stefan Gaarsmand
Published: June 2013

Abstract

The term “oriental despotism” was used to describe all larger Asian empires in eighteenth century Europe. It was meaningful to use about the Ottoman, Mughal and Chinese empires. However, this did not mean that all Europeans writing on Asian empires implied that they were all tyrannies with no political qualities. The Chinese system of government received great interest among early modern political thinkers in Europe ever since it was described in the reports that Jesuit missionaries had sent back from China in the beginning of the seventeenth century. The descriptions of an ethical and political bond between emperor and administrators in China and of specific administrative organs in which age-old principles were managed made a great impression on many European readers of these reports. Although it did not remain an undisputed belief in Europe, many intellectuals held China to be a model of how the power of a sovereign could be limited or curbed within an absolutist system of government.

This article investigates three cases of how the models of China were conceived by theorists reading Jesuit reports and how they subsequently strategically communicated this model to the courts of Prussia, Austria, and Russia. These three ambitious European monarchies have been regarded to give rise to a form of “enlightened absolutism” that formed a tradition different from those of England and France, the states whose administrative systems formed the most powerful models in this period. Rather than describing the early modern theories about China’s despotism as a narrative parallel, but unrelated to the development of policy programs of the respective states, this article documents how certain elements of the model of China were integrated in the political writings of Frederick II of Prussia, Joseph II of Austria, and Catherine II of Russia. Thus, in addition to the history of political thought on China, the article adds a new perspective to how these monarchs argued for fiscal reforms and a centralization and professionalization of their administrations.
Canada and International Conflict Mediation
Authors: Jones Peter
Published: June 2013

Abstract

This article explores the attitudes of Canadian officials towards international conflict mediation and towards the potential for greater official Canadian involvement in the field. The study is based on extensive interviews with Canadian officials who have been involved in mediation at various points over a 20-year period. It finds that Canada, and particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), has taken a largely ad hoc approach to its involvement in the field. Prior to the initiation of this study, there had been no attempt to develop an institutional capacity in this field within DFAIT or to keep track of the personnel involved in such experiences, much less to develop a trained cadre of such individuals. This stands in contrast to the efforts of countries that have prioritized mediation as a foreign policy activity, such as some Scandinavian countries and Switzerland. Many of those interviewed pointed to these countries as potential models for Canada in this field, but it became apparent in discussions that most of those interviewees were not necessarily well-informed as to what these countries have done; there was just a general sense that these countries do it well and that Canada could learn from them. Moreover, none of the interviewees demonstrated significant familiarity with the vast literature on mediation. Those interviewed made recommendations as to how Canada might develop its official mediation capacities so as to play a more active and focused role in this field.
The Precautionary Principle: Is it Safe
Authors: Gignon Maxime , Ganry Olivier , Jardé Olivier , Manaouil Cécile
Published: June 2013

Abstract

The precautionary principle is generally acknowledged to be a powerful tool for protecting health but it was originally invoked by policy makers for dealing with environmental issues. In the 1990s, the principle was incorporated into many legislative and regulatory texts in international law. One can consider that the precautionary principle has turned into “precautionism” necessary to prove to the people, taking account of risk in decisions. There is now a risk that these abuses will deprive the principle of its meaning and value. When pushed to its limits, the precautionary principle can even be dangerous when applied to the healthcare field. This is why a critical analysis of the principle is necessary. Through the literature, it sometimes seems to deviate somehow from the essence of the precautionary principle as it is commonly used in relation to health. We believe that educational work is necessary to familiarize professionals, policy makers and public opinion of the precautionary principle and avoid confusion. We propose a critical analysis of the use and misuse of the precautionary principle.
Complementary Imaging Techniques for Charcoal Examination and Identification
Authors: Hubau Wannes , den Bulcke Jan Van , Kitin Peter , Brabant Loes , Van Acker Joris , Beeckman Hans
Published: June 2013

Identification of ancient charcoal fragments is a valuable tool in reconstructing past environments and determining natural and anthropogenic disturbances, and for understanding past cultures and societies. Although in Europe such studies are fairly straightforward, utilising charcoal records from the tropics is more complicated due to the species-richness of the natural vegetation. Comprehensive databases have greatly aided identification but often identification of charcoalified woods from the tropics relies on minute anatomical features that can be difficult to observe due to preservation or lack of abundance.

This article illustrates the relative potential of four imaging techniques and discusses how they can provide optimal visualisation of charcoal anatomy, such that specific difficulties encountered during charcoal examination can be evaluated and fine anatomical characters can be observed enabling high-level identification of charcoal (and wood) taxa. Specifically reflected Light Microscopy is often used to quickly group large numbers of charcoal fragments into charcoal types. Scanning Electron Microscopy and High-Throughput X-ray Computed Tomography are employed to observe fine anatomical detail. More recently X-ray Computed Tomography at very high resolution has proved successful for imaging hidden or ‘veiled’ anatomical features that cannot be detected on exposed surfaces but need three-dimensional volumetric imaging.
Two new species of Austrophthiracarus (Acari: Oribatida: Phthiracaridae) from New Zealand
Authors: LIU DONG , ZHANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: June 2013

The genus Austrophthiracarus (Acari: Oribatida: Phthiracaridae) was represented in New Zealand by four species prior to this work. In this paper, two new species of Austrophthiracarus are described from the South Island, New Zealand: Aus-trophthiracarus cronadun sp. nov. collected near Cronadun, Buller and Austrophthiracarus tawhai sp. nov. from Catlins State Forest, Otago. A key to all known species of Austrophthiracarus in New Zealand is provided.
A new cave-dwelling talitrid genus and species from Japan (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Talitridae)
Authors: WHITE KRISTINE N. , LOWRY JAMES K. , MORINO HIROSHI
Published: June 2013

An independently derived, blind, cave-dwelling amphipod, Minamitalitrus zoltani gen. nov., sp. nov. is described from the Hoshino-do cave on the island on Minami–Daitō jima, Okinawa, Japan. This genus belongs to the Talitrus group of 15 genera and is the first record of the group from Japan. Several characters support the new genus, particularly the re-duced biramous pleopods.
Tarsal tetramery and extreme size reduction in Anillini (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae): the case of Typhlocharis Dieck, 1869; description of three new species and definition of a new intra-generic species group
Authors: PÉREZ-GONZÁLEZ SERGIO , ZABALLOS JUAN P.
Published: June 2013

Tarsal tetramery is a rare condition within Carabidae, only found in some members of the endogean tribe Anillini and some cases of Gehringiini. Reduction of tarsomere numbers is also reported in endogean members of other families (e.g. Cur-culionidae or Staphylinidae). Recent fieldwork in southwestern Spain provided specimens of three new species of the en-dogean Anillini Typhlocharis Dieck, 1869: T. baeturica n.sp., T. scrofa n.sp. and T. tetramera n.sp. The new species share extreme body size reduction (less than 1.1 mm), a gula partially fused to the cephalic capsule, with diffuse lateral sutures, and four tarsomeres in all the legs. Tarsal tetramery is recorded for the first time within the genus Typhlocharis and it is contrasted with the described cases in Anillini. Typhlocharis scrofa n.sp. and T. tetramera n.sp. have club-shaped gono-coxites, reminiscent of the unguiform-like morphology observed in T. quadridentata (Coiffait, 1969), supporting the hy-pothesis of a transitional evolution of the shape of gonocoxites. The structure of the gula is studied within the genus and includes wide, narrow and diffuse morphologies. The implications of these features and data from the new species enable us to propose a reorganization of the systematics of the genus, creating and defining a new group of species, quadridentata group. An identification key for this species group is included. The new species provides more data on syntopic species and abundance rates, brief insights on the ecology of the genus.
Mudwigglus gen. n. (Nematoda: Diplopeltidae) from the continental slope of New Zealand, with description of three new species and notes on their distribution
Authors: LEDUC DANIEL
Published: June 2013

Three new free-living nematode species belonging to the genus Mudwigglus gen. n. are described from the continental slope of New Zealand. The new genus is characterised by four short cephalic setae, fovea amphidialis in the shape of an elongated loop, narrow mouth opening, small, lightly cuticularised buccal cavity, pharynx with oval-shaped basal bulb, and secretory-excretory pore (if present) at level of pharyngeal bulb or slightly anterior. Mudwigglus gen. et sp. n. differs from other genera of the family Diplopeltidae in the combination of the following traits: presence of reflexed ovaries, male reproductive system with both testes directed anteriorly and reflexed posterior testis, and presence of tubular pre-cloacal supplements and pre-cloacal seta. Mudwigglus patumuka gen. et sp. n. is characterised by gubernaculum with dorso-cau-dal apophyses, vagina directed posteriorly, and short conical tail with three terminal setae. M. macramphidum gen. et sp. n. is characterised by long fovea amphidialis, cylindrical buccal cavity, gubernaculum without apophyses, vagina at right angle to body surface, and conico-cylindrical tail without terminal setae. M. plebeius gen. et sp. n. is characterised by cylindrical buccal cavity with cuticularised ring, gubernaculum with dorso-caudal apophyses, females with vagina direct-ed posteriorly, and conico-cylindrical tail with two terminal setae. Diplopeluta nellyae Vincx and Gourbault, 1992 is trans-ferred to Mudwigglus gen. n. based on observations of paratypes from New Caledonia, and of specimens from the New Zealand continental slope, which both show the presence of two testes facing anteriorly. M. macramphidum gen. et sp. n. was restricted to a single site on Chatham Rise crest (350 m water depth), whereas M. patumuka gen. et sp. was recorded from six sites on western Chatham Rise (350–2800 m). M. plebeius gen. et sp. n. was recorded from 13 sites on Chatham Rise and two sites on Challenger Plateau (264–2300 m). Mudwigglus nellyae comb. n. was restricted to two Challenger Plateau sites. All Mudwigglus gen. n. species appear to be restricted to subsurface sediments.
Aerosol Size Distribution, Particle Concentration, and Optical Property Variability near Caribbean Trade Cumulus Clouds: Isolating Effects of Vertical Transport and Cloud Processing from Humidification Using Aircraft Measurements
Authors: Rauber Robert M. , Zhao Guangyu , Di Girolamo Larry , Colón-Robles Marilé
Published: June 2013

This paper examines the effect of trade wind cumulus clouds on aerosol properties in the near-cloud environment using data from the Rain in Cumulus over the Ocean (RICO) campaign. Aerosol size distributions, particle concentrations, and optical properties are examined as a function of altitude and distance from cloud, at ambient relative humidity (RH) and adjusted to a constant RH to isolate effects of humidification from other processes.

The cloud humidity halo extended about 1500–2000 m from the cloud edge, with no clear altitude dependence on horizontal extent over an altitude range of 600–1700 m. The combined effects of vertical transport of aerosol by clouds and cloud processing contributed to the modification of aerosol size distributions within the clouds' humidity halos, particularly close to the cloud boundaries. Backscatter at 532 nm, calculated from the aerosol properties, exhibited no distinguishable trend with altitude within 400 m of cloud edges, increased toward lower altitudes beyond 400 m, and decreased away from cloud boundaries at all altitudes. The mean aerosol diameter was found to rapidly decline from 0.8 to 0.4 μm from near the cloud boundary to the boundary of the humidity halo. Aerosol optical depth at 532 nm within the layer between 600 and 1700 m increased near exponentially from 0.02 to 0.2 toward the cloud boundaries within the humidity halo. These trends agreed qualitatively with past space-based lidar measurements of trade wind cloud margins, although quantitative differences were noted that likely arose from different sampling strategies and other factors.
Fundamentally Unacceptable yet Occasionally Unavoidable: China’s Options on External Interference in the Middle East
Authors: Shichor Yitzhak
Published: June 2013

China’s ‘non-interference’ policy is not a new phenomenon. It originates in pre-modern Chinese history when the Empire had been isolated from the rest of the world, as well as in the Mao era when the Chinese–even if they had the will to interfere–did not have the capabilities. Post-Mao and post-Cold War, China has the capabilities but not yet the will to become more involved. Still, economic prosperity and growing political prominence have forced Beijing to compromise. Fundamentally, China’s first option remains ‘non-interference’ and settling of conflicts by the parties concerned. Yet if this fails, then the Chinese prefer an intervention by a regional or professional organisation. If this attempt too, fails, then, reluctantly, Beijing turns to the United Nations Security Council as an option. The worst option is external and independent intervention. All these options are evident in China’s Middle East policy.
Why Did Austrian Business Oppose Welfare Cuts? How the Organization of Interests Shapes Business Attitudes Toward Social Partnership
Authors: Paster Thomas
Published: June 2013

In recent decades, business interests became protagonists of welfare retrenchment in many countries. In contrast, Austria’s national business organization, the WKÖ (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich), defended welfare programs and social partnership against government initiatives to dismantle them. Drawing on interviews and media reports, this article analyzes the reasons for this deviation, focusing on reforms in two fields: (a) public pensions and (b) social insurance administration. The article suggests that the institutional setup of interest representation in Austria explains this stance better than alternative explanations that focus on competitive advantages. The article identifies compulsory membership, equal voting rights, and encompassing organization as the relevant features of the institutional setup. These features shaped the WKÖ’s social policy attitudes in two ways: first, by ensuring a strong role for small firms, and second, by reducing the vulnerability of the organization to discontented minorities. The findings point to the importance of organizational structures in shaping associational policy preferences.
Face/core mixed mode debond fracture toughness characterization using the modified TSD test method
Authors: Berggreen Christian , Quispitupa Amilcar , Costache Andrei , Carlsson Leif A
Published: June 2013

The modified tilted sandwich debond (TSD) test method is used to examine face/core debond fracture toughness of sandwich specimens with glass/polyester face sheets and PVC H45 and H100 foam cores over a large range of mode-mixities. The modification was achieved by reinforcing the loaded face sheet with a steel bar, and fracture testing of the test specimens was conducted over a range of tilt angles. The fracture toughness exhibited mode-mixity phase angle dependence, especially for mode II dominated loadings; although, the fracture toughness remained quite constant for mode I dominated crack loadings. The fracture process was inspected visually during and after testing. For specimens with H45 core the crack propagated in the core. For specimens with an H100 core, the crack propagated between the resin-rich layer and the face sheet.
Prevalence of hepatitis C and B virus among patients infected with HIV: a cross-sectional analysis of a large HIV care programme in Myanmar
Authors: Zaw Sai Ko Ko , Tun Sai Thein Than , Thida Aye , Aung Thet Ko , Maung Win , Shwe Myint , Aye Mar Mar , Clevenbergh Phillipe
Published: June 2013

Co-infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or hepatitis B virus (HBV) influences the morbidity and mortality of patients with HIV. A cross sectional analysis was of 11,032 HIV-infected patients enrolled in the Integrated HIV Care Program from May 2005 to April 2012 and Epi-info 3.5 was used to determine the serological prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The mean ± standard deviation age of patients was 36 ± 8.4 years (adult cohort) and 7 ± 3 years (paediatric cohort). The sero prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C (anti HCV antibodies) and triple infection are 8.7%, 5.3% and 0.35%, respectively. Men who have sex with men are at the highest risk of being co-infected with hepatitis B while intravenous drug users are at the highest risk of being co-infected with hepatitis C. It is important to screen for hepatitis B and C in HIV infected people in order to provide quality care for HIV patients with co-infection.
Properties of ethylene–vinyl acetate filled with metal hydroxide
Authors: Sabet Maziyar , Hassan Azman , Ratnam Chantara Thevy
Published: June 2013

In this study, the properties of ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) and EVA filled with aluminum (aluminum trihydrate; ATH) and magnesium hydroxide (MH) as halogen-free flame-retardant materials were studied. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that MH in EVA matrix is platy in structure, considerably broad size distribution and well homogeneously distributed, whereas ATH particles are smaller and much more homogeneous in size. Addition of ATH or MH to EVA had an impressive affection on the thermal aging and flame tests but impaired the blend mechanical properties. This research explored that in comparison with ATH, addition of MH to EVA blends was more efficient and suitable in all mechanical, thermal, and flammability tests.
Dynamic output feedback control of constrained descriptor systems
Authors: Araújo José M , Barros Péricles R , Dórea Carlos ET
Published: June 2013

This paper aims to present an approach for design of dynamic output feedback compensators for linear discrete-time descriptor systems subject to state and control constraints. To this end, output-feedback controlled-invariant polyhedra are constructed by taking a pair of polyhedral sets: a controlled-invariant set and a conditioned-invariant set. By defining an augmented system composed of the original system plus the dynamic compensator, a control action can be computed online, which optimizes the contraction rate of the augmented state trajectory and enforces the constraints. The results are illustrated through numerical examples, which show that the proposed dynamic compensators outperform static feedback controllers under the same conditions.
An adaptive control mechanism for access control in large-scale distributed systems
Authors: Jiang Xiaofeng , Li Jun , Xi Hongsheng
Published: June 2013

The highly scalable infrastructure of large-scale distributed systems is very attractive for network services. However, data access is unpredictable in this environment for the reasons of loosely coupled nature and large-scale data storage of such systems. Today, an increasing number of network applications require not only considerations of computation capacity of servers but also accessibility for adequate job allocations. An effective and adaptive mechanism of access control is important in this environment. In our study, the client clustering is used to describe the behaviors of clients and the adaptive server clustering is used to divide the large-scale distributed system into relevant small-scale systems. Since the clients which are assigned to one server cluster have the similar behaviors, we can use the stochastic control and passive measurement to do reliable and adaptive accessibility estimation and client allocation in such a small-scale system. We call this adaptive mechanism of access control based on accessibility estimation and client clustering as ACEC, and the experimental results show that ACEC can significantly reduce the data access cost and guarantee the load balance and controllability of large-scale distributed systems.
Peer Production and Desktop Manufacturing
Authors: Kostakis Vasilis , Fountouklis Michail , Drechsler Wolfgang
Published: June 2013

Through the case of the Helix_T wind turbine project, this article sets out to argue two points: first, on a theoretical level, that Commons-based peer production, in conjunction with the emerging technological capabilities of three-dimensional printing, can also produce promising hardware, globally designed and locally produced. Second, the Commons-oriented wind turbine examined here is also meant to practically contribute to the quest for novel solutions to the timely problem of the need for (autonomous) renewable sources of energy, more in the sense of a development process than as a ready-to-apply solution. We demonstrate that it is possible for someone with partial initial knowledge to initiate a similar, complex project based on an interesting idea, and to succeed in implementing it through collaboration with Commons-oriented communities, while using peer-produced products and tools. Given the trends and trajectories both of the current information-based paradigm and the problems of the predominant industrial modes of production with all the collateral damage they entail, this may be considered a positive message indeed.
Strain, Negative Emotions, and Juvenile Delinquency
Authors: Lin Wen-Hsu , Dembo Richard , Sellers Christine S. , Cochran John , Mieczkowski Thomas
Published: June 2013

General strain theory (GST) is an established criminological theory. Although the theory has been examined by many and enjoys empirical support, some limitations of previous studies need to be addressed. Many previous studies rely heavily on samples from Western countries, mostly the United States; thus, possible cultural influences are ignored. Although a few studies have moved forward by using subjects from Asia (e.g., China, Korea), these studies only provide empirical results regarding whether GST is applicable in other cultures. However, these studies do not directly compare Western and Eastern countries. The present study used two samples from the United States and Taiwan to directly compare and contrast central GST propositions. Although most of the GST propositions are found to be similar between the U.S. and Taiwanese juveniles, some differences were also discovered. Explanation of these similarities and differences from their cultural perspectives are offered in this study.
Region and place I: Institutions
Authors: Tomaney John
Published: June 2013

The role of institutions in the promotion (or hindrance) of regional development has attracted increasing attention from scholars and policy-makers. This paper reviews recent contributions to this debate before sketching elements of a research agenda which addresses some key conjectural, methodological and political issues.
Primary red ear syndrome associated with cochleo-vestibular symptomatology: A paediatric case report
Authors: Picco Paolo P , D’Alessandro Matteo , Leoni Massimiliano , Doglio Matteo , Martini Alberto
Published: June 2013

Background

Red ear syndrome (RES), first described by Lance in 1996 in an adult series, may be primary or associated with headache syndromes, upper cervical disorders or vascular anomalies. Clinically the disease is characterised by recurrent episodes of reddening and burning pain in the auricle, usually elicited by different triggers. The prevalence of RES in the paediatric age group remains poorly understood. Several therapeutic approaches have been tried with heterogeneous clinical response.

Case results

We report a paediatric patient suffering from primary RES associated with debilitating cochleo-vestibular symptomatology causing severe discomfort. Three years after the disease onset, the patient also developed headache, with clinical features of migraine.

Discussion

The temporal and spatial association could suggest shared pathogenetic features between neurological (cochleo-vestibular) and vascular (red and burning ear) symptomatology, likely related to trigeminal autonomic reflex activation, although further studies are required for full comprehension of RES pathogenesis.
SUNCT/SUNA and neurovascular compression: New cases and critical literature review
Authors: Favoni Valentina , Grimaldi Daniela , Pierangeli Giulia , Cortelli Pietro , Cevoli Sabina
Published: June 2013

Background

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) are primary headache syndromes. A growing body of literature has focused on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of neurovascular compression in these syndromes.

Objective

The objective of this article is to assess whether SUNCT is a subset of SUNA or whether the two are separate syndromes and clarify the role of neurovascular compression.

Method

We describe three new SUNCT cases with MRI findings of neurovascular compression and critically review published SUNCT/SUNA cases.

Results

We identified 222 published SUNCT/SUNA cases. Our three patients with neurovascular compression added to the 34 cases previously described (16.9%). SUNCT and SUNA share the same clinical features and therapeutic options. At present, there is no available abortive treatment for attacks. Lamotrigine was effective in 64% of patients; topiramate and gabapentin in about one-third of cases. Of the 34 cases with neurovascular compression, seven responded to drug therapies, 16 patients underwent microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve (MVD) with effectiveness in 75%.

Conclusions

We suggest that SUNCT and SUNA should be considered clinical phenotypes of the same syndrome. Brain MRI should always be performed with a dedicated view to exclude neurovascular compression. The high percentage of remission after MVD supports the pathogenetic role of neurovascular compression.
School federation governing
Authors: Baxter Jacqueline , Wise Christine
Published: June 2013

This article examines the ways in which being a member of a federation governing body impacts upon the governor identities of individuals. Using an ideographic case study based upon a single academy federation, the investigation employs a framework for identity analysis to analyse qualitative in-depth interviews with members within governing organizations in the federation. The data reveal changing understandings around the term ‘governor’, the bifurcation of actual and perceived roles between the executive governing body and the advisory committees, and important insights into governor succession planning. The study concludes that future research into governor identities is important in terms of both governor role performance and the maturation and development of federation systems of school governance.
Expression of ideologies in media accounts of the 2003 and 2007 general elections in Nigeria
Authors: Oyeleye Lekan , Osisanwo Ayo
Published: June 2013

Existing studies on media representation of elections in Nigeria do not pay adequate attention to a critical linguistic perspective on language used in reporting electoral matters. Given the fact that ideologies are crucial in elections, this study investigates the ways that cover stories in two Nigerian news magazines, TELL and The News, express the ideological pursuits of social actors in the 2003 and 2007 general elections in Nigeria. The discourse patterns that expressed ideological pursuits in the reports were generally non-neutral. The discourse of the stories indicated an attempt to shape the perspective of readers in elections; the magazines held the view that they are responsible for the social orientation of the electorates. Ideologies are expressed, acquired, confirmed, changed and perpetuated through discourse. They are generally reproduced in the social practices of their members. Both TELL and The News magazines put to use the ideological polarization between the ideological structures of ingroups and outgroups, such that ingroups typically emphasize their own good deeds while they de-emphasise their bad deeds; on the other hand, outgroups de-emphasise or even totally deny their own bad deeds while they emphasise their good ones.
Accounting and power in religious institutions: Verona’s Santa Maria della Scala monastery in the Middle Ages
Authors: Leardini Chiara , Rossi Gina
Published: June 2013

The relation between accounting and power in religious institutions has received little attention from accounting historians. The present article therefore studies the case of the Santa Maria della Scala monastery in Verona (Italy) during the Middle Ages to explore whether and how accounting might support the domination structure and facilitate power relations within the organisation. A documentary analysis of primary and secondary sources confirms that accounting played a key role in reinforcing both hierarchical and horizontal power relations among friars.
Externalizing and Internalizing Behavior Problems, Peer Affiliations, and Bullying Involvement Across the Transition to Middle School
Authors: Farmer Thomas W. , Irvin Matthew J. , Motoca Luci M. , Leung Man-Chi , Hutchins Bryan C. , Brooks Debbie S. , Hall Cristin M.
Published: June 2013

Continuity and change in children’s involvement in bullying was examined across the transition to middle school in relation to externalizing and internalizing behavior problems in fifth grade and peer affiliations in fifth and sixth grades. The sample consisted of 533 students (223 boys, 310 girls) with 72% European American, 25% African American, and 3% Other. Although externalizing and internalizing behavior problems in fifth grade were related to bullying involvement in sixth grade, the prediction of stability and desistance in bullying and victimization status was enhanced by information about students’ peer group trajectories. Furthermore, peer group trajectories uniquely explained the emergence of bullying and victimization in middle school.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe)
Authors: Carvalho Janessa O. , Ready Rebecca E. , Malloy Paul , Grace Janet
Published: June 2013

The Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) is a 46-item questionnaire that measures behaviors associated with frontal subcortical deficits (apathy, disinhibition, and executive dysfunction) in adult neurologic populations. Based on findings from a previous exploratory factor analysis on the scale, the current study used confirmatory factor analysis to explore and potentially improve on the measurement model fit of current FrSBe scores. Model fit indices and reliabilities (measured using internal consistency reliability) were compared in the original and in several alternative models. The original scale demonstrated a generally good fitting model, although the best fitting model (referred to as the reduced model) removed eight items from the original measure and modestly improved model fit over the original FrSBe. Strong reliability was found in both versions. Results from the current study provide a critical first step in a potential FrSBe scale revision.
Active vibration absorber design for mechanical systems with frequency-varying excitations
Authors: Kai Chen-Yu , Huang An-Chyau
Published: June 2013

A conventional vibration absorber is valid when the external excitation frequency falls into the neighborhood of a specific value. It is not feasible for vibration suppression applications subject to frequency-varying excitations. In this paper, an adaptive controller is proposed to learn the disturbance spectrum in real time so that output vibration suppression can be achieved regardless of the variations in the excitation frequency. The Lyapunov-like analysis is used to verify the closed-loop stability and ensure boundedness of internal signals. Simulation cases show that the proposed strategy can give satisfactory performance.
Fault-tolerant tracker for a class of unknown interconnected large-scale sampled-data nonlinear systems with input constraint and actuator failure
Authors: Shiu Ya-Chiou , Tsai Jason Sheng-Hong , Guo Shu-Mei , Shieh Leang-San , Hang Zhu
Published: June 2013

Based on the model predictive control (MPC), the soft switching method, and the observer/Kalman filter identification (OKID) method, this paper presents the decentralized fault-tolerant trackers for a class of unknown interconnected large-scale multi-input multi-output sampled-data nonlinear systems with input constraint, actuator failure, and closed-loop decoupling properties. The off-line OKID method is utilized to determine decentralized appropriate (low-) order discrete-time linear models for the class of unknown interconnected large-scale sampled-data systems by using known input–output sampled data. Then, to overcome the effect of modeling error on the identified linear model of each subsystem, an improved observer with the high-gain property based on the digital redesign approach will be presented. So, decentralized multiple MPC controllers are designed beforehand by using the identified linear models. Once a fault is detected in each decentralized controller, one of the backup control configurations in each decentralized subsystem is switched to using the soft switching approach. Thus, the decentralized fault-tolerant control with the closed-loop decoupling property can be achieved through the above approach with a high-gain property decentralized observer/tracker.
Coupled axial-flexural-torsional vibration of Timoshenko frames
Authors: Yucel Adil , Arpaci Alaeddin , Tufekci Ekrem
Published: June 2013

In this study, free in-plane and out-of-plane bending vibrations of frame structures have been analyzed together with torsional vibration. Axial extension, rotational inertia and shear effects have also been considered. The frame structure has been designed to have two beams with doubly symmetric cross sections that are connected at various angles to each other. Natural frequencies have been obtained analytically by solving simultaneous linear equations of complex coefficients. Finite element and experimental modal analysis have also been conducted to verify the analytical results. The agreement among the results from the various methods has been found to be good.
Improvised Educational Devices
Authors: Kohn Nathaniel
Published: June 2013

Studying abroad changes students in unexpected and remarkable ways. This article shows how students in the University of Georgia Cannes Film Festival Study Abroad Program navigate paths toward more cosmopolitan worldviews, thanks in part to improvised educational practices. I write from an autoethnographic perspective, informed by Bhabha, Said, and Appiah, as I explore how my students’ study abroad experiences with the European Other awaken memories of my first encounters, as a wide-eyed Midwestern boy, with European cosmopolitanism decades ago.
The Identification of Early Gentrification in Tembalang Area, Semarang, Indonesia
Authors: Prayoga I Nyoman Tri , Esariti Landung , Dewi Diah Intan Kusumo
Published: June 2013

The authors study the effect of development in Tembalang post relocation of the Diponegoro University in 1995, and establish that social, economic and physical changes occurring demonstrate establishment of gentrification in the city. The study also assesses the effect of gentrification. The study uses quantitative and qualitative methods, applied on 130 dwellers as sample unit, and utilizes Discriminant Analysis to classify the gentrification characteristic, both using questionnaire and observation. The authors conclude that development in Tembalang demonstrates gentrification that is identified based on social change, changes in population, tendency of segregation, and area’s revitalization. Socially, gentrification has made Tembalang become more crowded; differences in dweller’s behaviour of home rented-newcomers and homeowner-newcomer and declining level of morality in Tembalang’s youth are also studied. Economically, effects of gentrification is demonstrated in over 65% population as economic condition have improved due to increase of business opportunities, rapid growth in trade and service activities in the main street corridors. The authors also show that gentrification leads to increased congestion and increased criminal activities. Physically, gentrification has decreased available green space although improvement in aesthetics in terms of architecture, cleanliness, and building permanency are observed. Disparity in infrastructure services distribution is also observed on account of gentrification.

[Formula: see text]
Party cohesion in presidential races
Authors: Yang Song , Limbocker Scott , Dowdle Andrew , Stewart Patrick A , Sebold Karen
Published: June 2013

Scholars have long been examining the presidential nomination process in the United States. In addition to studies considering the selection mechanism itself, there has been a movement towards analysing the contest even before voting begins. Campaign finance allows for a reliable and valid means to examine the year prior to the nomination with data that are not just vast in quantity but also consistent across time. Donors who gave to multiple campaigns represent a particularly important subset of elite participants in elections whose behaviour shed light on phenomena of parties functioning as a network. We find only rare instances of multiple donors giving across party and that Democratic contributors function as a far more cohesive unit. Also, without any supervising entity, the candidate that amasses the most shared donors goes on to win the nomination in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections.
It’s really not hip to be a hipster: Negotiating trends and authenticity in the cultural field
Authors: Michael Janna
Published: June 2013

Being ‘hip’ is nowadays considered a crucial source of social prestige in the fields of fashion and music which are in a state of constant flux and revaluation. Being ‘in the know’ of new developments in the cultural field has consequently been discussed as an alternative to a status hierarchy based on social class as Bourdieu described it. In-depth interviews with young people deeply involved in urban culture scenes reveal a different perspective: They dismiss following trends which is seen as shallow, boring and too easy. Instead, their central concerns are authenticity and individuality. While the participants emphasize their openness and acceptance of other people’s tastes, not submitting oneself to any set style regimes is considered admirable. Bourdieu’s concept of naturalness turns out to be a useful theoretical approach that captures the kind of authenticity that the interviewees are performing.
Mixed method approaches in open-ended, qualitative, exploratory research involving people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Ottmann Goetz , Crosbie Jenny
Published: June 2013

People with intellectual disabilities and their families are increasingly being asked to provide input into the services they receive. Under the aegis of the United Nation Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, support plans crucially depend on a participant’s articulation of his or her preferences and life goals. Yet, research highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches has not been published. This study compared the results of a suite of qualitative methods (questionnaire, focus group, semi-structured interview, “case in point” ethnographic observation, photographic images, and carer proxy response) by identifying the advantages and disadvantages of each method employed. It also foregrounds an effective mix of methods that is likely to produce an adequate representation of the views of people with disabilities within the context of open-ended exploratory questions.