bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Resolution Measurements of Turbulent Flow Close to the Sediment–Water Interface Using a Bistatic Acoustic Profiler
Authors: Brand Andreas , Noss Christian , Dinkel Christian , Holzner Markus
Published: February 2016

Velocity profile measurements at high spatial and temporal resolution are required for the detailed study of solute and momentum transfer close to the sediment–water interface. Still, not many devices allow such measurements in natural systems. Recently, a bistatic acoustic current profiler has become commercially available that allows the recording of profiles at down to 1-mm resolution with a maximum frequency of 100 Hz and a profile length of 3.5 cm. This study tested the ability to characterize the turbulent flow of this profiler in a laboratory flume and in a run of the river reservoir. The tests showed that average velocities were reliably measured in the upper 2.5 cm, while the flow statistics were affected by Doppler noise and signal decorrelation. The latter is caused by the decreasing overlap between the individual beam signals. Doppler noise can be estimated and accounted for by established correction procedures, but currently there is no method to quantify the influence of signal decorrelation. Both error sources mainly affect the measured variances of the velocities, while the Reynolds stresses are reliable as long as there is no interference with the solid bottom. In the field application, most problems arise because of the necessity of coordinate system rotation, since a perfect alignment of the profiler with the current is not possible. Also, because of the coordinate system rotation, the Reynolds stresses become contaminated by noise, which can be removed by low-pass filtering. Still, this filtering results in loss of the turbulent signal, which was estimated in this study to be between 2% and 10%.
Missed opportunities to keep children safe? National survey of injury prevention activities of children’s centres
Authors: Watson Michael Craig , Mulvaney Caroline , Timblin Clare , Stewart Jane , Coupland Carol A , Deave Toity , Hayes Mike , Kendrick Denise
Published: February 2016

Objective:

To ascertain the activities undertaken by children’s centres to prevent unintentional injuries in the under-fives and, in particular, the prevention of falls, poisoning and scalds.

Design:

A questionnaire was posted to managers of 851 children’s centres, using stratified cluster sampling. The questionnaire included questions on injury prevention activities undertaken by the centre, knowledge and attitudes to injury prevention, partnership working, and barriers and facilitators to injury prevention.

Setting:

England.

Results:

A response rate of 61% was achieved. Most respondents (98%) agreed that children’s centres can be effective in preventing accidents. Over half of the respondents (59%) did not know whether there was an injury prevention group in their area, and 22% did not know whether there was a home safety equipment scheme. Only 12% knew the major cause of injury deaths in children under five. A variety of activities were being undertaken including one to one advice and issuing leaflets. However, for some important topics such as baby walkers and disposal of unwanted medicines, no advice was being provided in some areas. Lack of funding (52%) and lack of capacity (39%) were the most common reasons cited as barriers to injury prevention activities.

Conclusion:

Injury prevention is an important activity undertaken by children’s centres. Given their position in the heart of the community, their potential as an agency to prevent injuries has been highlighted and recommended. Further support and resource will be needed if they are to fully develop their potential in preventing unintentional injuries in the home.
Corticospinal Excitability in the Hand Muscles is Decreased During Eye Movement with Visual Occlusion
Authors: Chujo Yuta , Jono Yasutomo , Tani Keisuke , Nomura Yoshifumi , Hiraoka Koichi
Published: February 2016

Corticospinal excitability in the hand muscles decreases during smooth pursuit eye movement. The present study tested a hypothesis that the decrease in corticospinal excitability in the hand muscles at rest during eye movement is not caused by visual feedback but caused by motor commands to the eye muscles. Healthy men ( M age = 28.4 yr., SD = 5.2) moved their eyes to the right with visual occlusion (dark goggles) while their arms and hands remained at rest. The motor-evoked potential in the hand muscles was suppressed by 19% in the third quarter of the eye-movement period, supporting a view that motor commands to the eye muscles are the cause of the decrease in corticospinal excitability in the hand muscles. The amount of the suppression was not significantly different among the muscles, indicating that modulation of corticospinal excitability in one muscle induced by eye movement is not dependent on whether eye movement direction and the direction of finger movement when the muscle contracts are identical. Thus, the finding failed to support a hypothetical view that motor commands to the eye muscles concomittantly produce motor commands to the hand muscles. Moreover, the amount of the suppression was not significantly different between the forearm positions, indicating that the suppression was not affected by proprioception of the forearm muscles when visual feedback is absent.
Differential Effects of 7 and 16 Groups of Muscle Relaxation Training Following Repeated Submaximal Intensity Exercise in Young Football Players
Authors: Sharifah Maimunah S. M. P. , Hashim H. A.
Published: February 2016

This study compares two versions of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training (7 and 16 muscle groups) on oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rates, rating of perceived exertion and choice reaction time. Football (soccer) players ( N = 26; M age = 13.4 yr., SD = 0.5) were randomly assigned to either 7 muscle groups PMR, 16 muscle groups PMR, or a control group. PMR training requires the participants to tense a muscle, hold the muscle contraction, and then relax it. Measurement was conducted prior to and after the completion of 12 sessions of PMR. The dependent variables were measured following four bouts of intermittent exercise consisting of 12 min. of running at 60% VO2max for 10 min. followed by running at 90% VO2max for 2 min. with a 3-min. rest for each bout. Lower VO2, heart rate, perceived exertion, and quicker reaction time were expected in both relaxation groups compared to the control group. The results revealed a significant reduction in heart rates and choice reaction time for both relaxation groups, but the longer version produced significantly quicker choice reaction time.
How Important is the Final Outcome to Interpret Match Analysis Data
Authors: Lupo Corrado , Tessitore Antonio
Published: February 2016

In a recent study, Lago-Penas and Gomez-Lopez (2014) demonstrated that during elite English soccer matches, the percentages of ball possession, entries into the final one-third of the pitch, and shots on goal were lower for the teams with a 1 goal up game status compared to those with 1 goal down condition. In addition, clubs with higher budgets preferred to control the match by dictating the play, primarily through ball possession. Elite soccer coaches may benefit from considering training protocols coherent with the financial budget of their clubs, but these considerations may be valuable also for non-elite soccer clubs. In this comment, studies of various team sports are reviewed, to indicate the need to consider different training drills in relation to competition level, playing positions, and match status of a specific sport discipline.
Attractive Contours of the Ebbinghaus Illusion
Authors: Sherman Joshua A. , Chouinard Philippe A.
Published: February 2016

There is debate as to whether or not the Ebbinghaus illusion is driven by high-level cognitive size contrast mechanisms as opposed to low-level biphasic contour interactions. In this study, we examine the variability in effects that are shared between this illusion and a different illusion that cannot be explained logically by a size contrast account. This comparison revealed that nearly one quarter of the variability for one illusion is shared with the other – demonstrating how a size-contrast account cannot be the sole explanation for the Ebbinghaus illusion.
Creating a Framework for Holistic Assessment of Aesthetics
Authors: Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: February 2016

Nilsson and Axelsson (2015) made an important contribution by linking recent scientific approaches from the field of empirical aesthetics with everyday demands of museum conservators of deciding which items to be preserved or not. The authors made an important effort in identifying the valuable candidates of variables — but focused on visual properties only and on quite high-expertise aspects of aesthetic quality based on very sophisticated evaluations. The present article responds to the target paper by developing the outline of a more holistic approach for future research as a kind of framework that should assist a multi-modal approach, mainly including tactile sense.
Traffic and Environmental Cues and Slow-Down Behaviors in Virtual Driving
Authors: Hsu Chun-Chia , Chuang Kai-Hsiang
Published: February 2016

This study used a driving simulator to investigate whether the presence of pedestrians and traffic engineering designs that reported to have reduction effects on overall traffic speed at intersections can facilitate drivers adopting lower impact speed behaviors at pedestrian crossings. Twenty-eight men ( M age = 39.9 yr., SD = 11.5) with drivers’ licenses participated. Nine studied measures were obtained from the speed profiles of each participant. A 14-km virtual road was presented to the participants. It included experimental scenarios of base intersection, pedestrian presence, pedestrian warning sign at intersection and in advance of intersection, and perceptual lane narrowing by hatching lines. Compared to the base intersection, the presence of pedestrians caused drivers to slow down earlier and reach a lower minimum speed before the pedestrian crossing. This speed behavior was not completely evident when adding a pedestrian warning sign at an intersection or having perceptual lane narrowing to the stop line. Additionally, installing pedestrian warning signs in advance of the intersections rather at the intersections was associated with higher impact speeds at pedestrian crossings.
Attendance Behavior of Ex-members in Fitness Clubs
Authors: Middelkamp Jan , Van Rooijen Maaike , Steenbergen Bert
Published: February 2016

The transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM) is often used to understand and predict health-related behavior. The objective of this study is to apply the TTM’s stages of change to examine patterns of attendance behavior at fitness clubs. A retrospective study was performed to study the later stages of change, using attendance data of members who cancelled their membership in 2012 in two European fitness chains, including 259,355 ex-members of 267 clubs. A sample of 400 was selected at random for analyses, M age = 32.1 yr. ( SD = 10.9; 64% males) and 34.7 yr. ( SD = 11.0; 51% males) for BasicFit and HealthCity. Regular attendance behavior was defined by at least four visits per month. In the past, all ex-members had purchased a membership and by that were considered to have entered the preparation stage, but 19.5% had never attended the club in 24 months. Of the ex-members, 10% demonstrated regular attendance behavior for six months, and 2.3% had regular attendance for 24 months. 49% did not attend the club for one full month but started regular attendance again. Significant positive correlations were found in attendance behavior between the 6th and 12th months ( r = .61), and the 12th and 24th months ( r = .45), suggesting that ex-members who attended for more than six months were more likely to have maintained their attendance behavior. With only 10% of the members demonstrating regular attendance behavior, it is evident that appropriate strategies have to be developed to improve attendance behavior and facilitate exercise behavior in fitness clubs.
Do Suicides From the Golden Gate Bridge Cluster?
Authors: Mackenzie Donald W. , Lester David , Manson Russell , Yeh Cynthia
Published: February 2016

Suicides from popular venues (known as “hotspots”) are often publicized and may result in imitation by subsequent suicides that may lead to clustering of the suicides over time. In order to examine whether the suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge showed clustering, data from the 224 suicides during 1999–2009 were analyzed using the Anderson-Darling Test was run on the data against a null hypothesis of a negative exponential distribution (as would be generated by a homogenous Poisson process). It was found that the data were almost a perfect fit for the Poisson distribution and so showed no evidence of clustering beyond that expected to occur by chance alone. This indicates that there was no imitation or contagion in the suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Boosting Performance on an Evaluative Math Test
Authors: Wieland Alice M. , Burnham Thomas A.
Published: February 2016

This study compared the effectiveness of goal activation versus self-affirmation and a control condition as interventions for increasing performance on an evaluative task (a difficult math test; N =  78; M age = 20.3 yr., SD = 1.9). Although there has been much recent literature on the effects of activating goals, the existing literature does not examine possible spillover effects of activating goals on performance tasks. Results indicated that goal activation resulted in significant performance enhancements over both the self-affirmation and control conditions, while self-affirmation did not improve performance significantly relative to the control condition. Additionally, interest in the task, as a cue for self-regulatory resources, mediated the effect of goal activation on increased performance.
Piezoelectric optimal delayed feedback control for nonlinear vibration of beams
Authors: Liu Canchang , Yue Shuchang , Zhou Jilei
Published: February 2016

An optimal delayed feedback control methodology is developed to mitigate the primary and super harmonic resonances of a flexible simply-simply supported beam with piezoelectric sensor and actuator. Stable vibratory regions of the feedback gains are obtained by using the stability conditions of eigenvalue equation. Attenuation ratio is used to evaluate the performance of vibration control by taking the proportion of peak amplitude of primary or super harmonic resonances for the suspension system with and without controllers. Optimal control parameters are obtained using an optimal method, which takes attenuation ratio as the objective function and the stable vibratory regions of the time delay and feedback gains as constraint conditions. The piezoelectric optimal controllers are designed to control the dynamic behaviour of the nonlinear dynamic system. It is found that the optimal feedback gains obtained by the optimal method result in a good control performance.
Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on platelet mitochondrial respiration and correlation with aggregation and bleeding: a pilot study
Authors: Mazzeffi Michael , Lund Lindsey , Wallace Karin , Herrera Anthony V , Tanaka Kenichi , Odonkor Patrick , Strauss Erik , Rock Peter , Fiskum Gary
Published: February 2016

Background:

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may cause platelet dysfunction, contributing to bleeding. There are no investigations of how CPB affects platelet mitochondrial respiration and what correlation this has with platelet aggregation and bleeding.

Methods:

We studied platelet mitochondrial respiration and aggregation in eighteen adult cardiac surgery patients having CPB. The relationships between respiration, aggregation and postoperative bleeding were analyzed.

Results:

Platelet respiration, reflected by the respiratory control ratio (RCR), was unchanged after CPB (mean difference in RCR= −0.02 (95% CI=−1.45 to 1.42), p=0.98). Further, there were no significant relationships between indexed adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP)-induced aggregation and the RCR (p=0.12 and p=0.41). Only post-CPB ADP - induced aggregation correlated with 24-hr chest tube output (p=0.04), but indexing for platelet count attenuated the effect (p=0.07).

Conclusion:

Platelet mitochondrial respiration is preserved after CPB and is not correlated with aggregation or bleeding. Only post-CPB, ADP-induced aggregation correlates with postoperative bleeding.
Combined use of iterative reconstruction and monochromatic imaging in spinal fusion CT images
Authors: Wang Fengdan , Zhang Yan , Xue Huadan , Han Wei , Yang Xianda , Jin Zhengyu , Zwar Richard
Published: February 2016

Background

Spinal fusion surgery is an important procedure for treating spinal diseases and computed tomography (CT) is a critical tool for postoperative evaluation. However, CT image quality is considerably impaired by metal artifacts and image noise.

Purpose

To explore whether metal artifacts and image noise can be reduced by combining two technologies, adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and monochromatic imaging generated by gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) dual-energy CT.

Material and Methods

A total of 51 patients with 318 spinal pedicle screws were prospectively scanned by dual-energy CT using fast kV-switching GSI between 80 and 140 kVp. Monochromatic GSI images at 110 keV were reconstructed either without or with various levels of ASIR (30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%). The quality of five sets of images was objectively and subjectively assessed.

Results

With objective image quality assessment, metal artifacts decreased when increasing levels of ASIR were applied ( P < 0.001). Moreover, adding ASIR to GSI also decreased image noise ( P < 0.001) and improved the signal-to-noise ratio ( P < 0.001). The subjective image quality analysis showed good inter-reader concordance, with intra-class correlation coefficients between 0.89 and 0.99. The visualization of peri-implant soft tissue was improved at higher ASIR levels ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Combined use of ASIR and GSI decreased image noise and improved image quality in post-spinal fusion CT scans. Optimal results were achieved with ASIR levels ≥70%.
Association of Hearing Impairment and Anxiety in Older Adults
Authors: Contrera Kevin J. , Betz Josh , Deal Jennifer , Choi Janet S. , Ayonayon Hilsa N. , Harris Tamara , Helzner Elizabeth , Martin Kathryn R. , Mehta Kala , Pratt Sheila , Rubin Susan M. , Satterfield Suzanne , Yaffe Kristine , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Lin Frank R. ,   for the Health ABC Study
Published: February 2016

Objective: The objective of the study is was investigate the association between hearing impairment and anxiety. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1,732 community-based adults aged 76 to 85 years who participated in the Health Aging and Body Composition (ABC) study. Logistic regression models were adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Hearing impairment was defined by the speech-frequency pure tone average. Anxiety was defined as reporting two symptoms of at least “a little” or one symptom “quite a bit” on the three-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Results: Compared with individuals with no hearing impairment, the odds of prevalent anxiety were higher among individuals with mild hearing impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.01, 1.73]) and moderate or greater hearing impairment (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = [1.14, 2.22]). Hearing aid use was not significantly associated with lower odds of anxiety. Discussion: Hearing impairment is independently associated with greater odds of anxiety symptoms in older adults.
Public Authorities and Intermunicipal Cooperation in a European Context
Authors: Lidström Anders
Published: February 2016

Although not entirely clear with regard to definitions and delimitations, the article by Savitch and Adhikari opens up for a comparative research agenda of considerable importance for better understanding the preconditions for how the metropolis can be governed. Their suggestion that public authorities are important for solving collective problems in the metropolitan areas is also relevant in a European context. There is already a tradition in Europe to establish cooperative arrangements between metropolitan local governments for tasks that requires a larger territorial scale, but Savitch and Adhikari direct our attention to private law arrangements, i.e. inter-municipal corporations. Also in Europe, these have become increasingly common, which may be understood in the light of the increasing marketization of local government. Although lacking in democratic legitimacy, they provide more flexibility and may also include private businesses in their governing body. However, knowledge about their occurrence and functions is limited, which calls for further, systematic and comparative research. In particular, it should be investigated whether they, as in the US, are more common in the metropolitan areas with the strongest resources.
Third Graders’ Reading Proficiency Reading Texts Varying in Complexity and Length
Authors: Mesmer Heidi Anne , Hiebert Elfrieda H.
Published: February 2016

The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (CCSS/ELA) focus on building student capacity to read complex texts. The Standards provide an explicit text complexity staircase that maps text levels to grade levels. Furthermore, the Standards articulate a rationale to accelerate text levels across grades to ensure students are able to read texts in college and the workplace on high school graduation. This study empirically examined how third graders at two reading proficiency levels performed with texts of differing degrees of complexity identified as the Grades 2 to 3 band within the CCSS. The study also investigated the influence on comprehension of two text lengths. Results suggest that the compounding effects of text complexity and length uniformly affected reading proficiency of third graders. Typically, when presented with two texts of the same complexity level, readers had lower comprehension in the lengthier version of the text than the shorter version. Features of the single level where performances on texts of different lengths were not statistically significant are described, as are implications for educational practice and future research.
Implicit and explicit evaluations of feminist prototypes predict feminist identity and behavior
Authors: Redford Liz , Howell Jennifer L. , Meijs Maartje H. J. , Ratliff Kate A.
Published: February 2016

Many people who endorse gender equality do not personally identify as feminists. The present research offers a novel explanation for this disconnect by examining people’s attitudes toward feminist prototypes—the central, representative feminist that comes to mind when they think of feminists as a group. Results from two samples support the hypothesis that both implicit and explicit attitudes toward feminist prototypes predict unique variance in feminist identity beyond gender-equality attitudes. Results from a second study show feminist identity to mediate between implicit prototypes and self-reported willingness to engage in feminist behaviors. Lastly, a third study shows feminist identity to mediate between implicit prototypes and actual feminist behavior. This is the first study to specifically examine the role of implicit attitudes and prototype favorability in understanding feminist identity and behavior, and the results suggest that promoting positive prototypes of feminists may be an effective route to encouraging feminist identity.
Coach Pilgrimage: Religion, pilgrimage, and tourism in contemporary Romania
Authors: Banica Mirel
Published: February 2016

More than 20 years after the fall of the Communist regime, we are witnessing the unprecedented development of religious pilgrimage in Romania, a country where, according to the latest census, 84 percent of the population self-identify as Orthodox Christian. Apart from the pilgrimages to well-known destinations (Jerusalem, Rome, etc.) organized by the Romanian Patriarchy’s Pilgrimage Bureau, a separate category is the improvised, hybrid pilgrimages, both religious and touristic, organized by individuals using hired minibuses. This type of pilgrimage has been called “coach pilgrimage” in the touristic jargon and mass media. In Romanian Orthodoxy (and in Orthodoxy Church, at large), the “pilgrimage” is understood today as a long wait in a queue. The aim is to touch the shrine containing the relics of a saint. Pilgrimage, as a ritual, is not centered on walking, as in Compostela, for example—a major difference between Eastern and Western Christianity. This article offers an ethnographic description of such a pilgrimage. The focus is on the methods of recruitment of the pilgrims, the choice of the place to be visited, as well as the role of the memory concerning Communism in shaping the pilgrims’ touristic and religious behavior. The analysis of this type of pilgrimages points to new forms of blending of tourism and religious travel, outside established institutional frameworks, as well as to changing notions of pilgrimage, movement, religious practice, and piety. The emergence of new “guiding” patterns and the rise of a new category, the “pilgrimage organizing guides,” are also investigated here.
Factors facilitating dementia case management: Results of online focus groups
Authors: de Lange Jacomine , Deusing Eline , van Asch Iris FM , Peeters José , Zwaanswijk Marieke , Pot Anne Margriet , Francke Anneke L
Published: February 2016

To obtain insight into facilitating factors for case management in dementia care, we conducted a qualitative study with 13 online focus groups (OFGs). Participants were professionals involved in dementia case management ( N = 99). We used mind-maps and the method of constant comparison for analysis. Participants perceived OFGs as a useful tool to explore their perspectives. The perceived advantage of OFGs was the flexibility and convenience of logging in at any time or place preferred. Five facilitating factors for case management were identified in the OFGs: 1. Good cooperation between partners; 2. Organisational embedding with an independent position of case managers; 3. Structural funding; 4. Competent case managers; 5. Familiarity with case management in the region. Good cooperation was essential for successful dementia case management and should thus be a primary concern for care providers.
A Brief History of Futures
Authors: Schultz Wendy L.
Published: February 2016

This article provides a brief overview of the development of futures thinking and futures studies as exploratory activities, as applied research, and as an academic field. Beginning with prehistory, the narrative divides the development of futures work into five waves: (1) the oral tradition, (2) the early written age, (3) enlightenment and extraction, (4) systems and cybernetics, and (5) complexity and emergence. It also highlights in broad strokes the intellectual, cultural, political, economic, technological, and social contexts that informed the evolution of futures thinking.
Thinking Futures
Authors: Alonso-Concheiro Antonio
Published: February 2016

Futures studies have made important advances in the last decades. They are now a somewhat consolidated field of study. And yet, for the field to mature, it must answer many open questions and tie many loose ends. A few of these questions (some perhaps questionable) are posed in this article.
Muslims' integration as a way to defuse the “Muslim Question”: insights from the Swiss case
Authors: Gianni Matteo
Published: February 2016

The article argues that in European public debates the Muslim Question is performed by and linked to the issues of Muslims' integration and recognition as political (unthreatening) subjects. I suggest that, in order to defuse the performative negative effects of the Muslim Question on Muslims' democratic agency, we should address it without rendering them invisible in the public sphere and in enhancing their political agency. Drawing from an analysis of the Swiss case I show that integration because adjustment entails a depoliticization and a normalization of Muslims' political agency. In this way, integration as a process acts as an alternative and as a way to empower Muslim political subjectivity and therefore the fairest way to tackle the undemocratic impact of the Muslim Question.
Pre-Service Teachers’ Responses to Student Behavior in a Mixed-Reality Environment
Authors: Black Jillian , Noltemeyer Amity L. , Davis Darrel R. , Schwartz Tammy
Published: February 2016

This study examined whether student gender and the type of student misbehavior affected the classroom management techniques of pre-service teachers. Participants were pre-service teachers who interacted with avatar students controlled by an actor in a mixed-reality environment. Avatar students’ behaviors were systematically coded along with their gender. Pre-service teachers’ responses were organized into four categories: coercion, retreatism, normative, and remunerative. Pre-service teachers’ use of proximity and tone of voice were also recorded. Data were analyzed using chi-square and ANOVA tests. Significant differences in pre-service teacher responses were found for type of avatar student misbehavior but not avatar student gender. Results and implications for future research are discussed.
Community-Based Needs Assessment of Neurodevelopment, Caregiver, and Home Environment Factors in Young Children Affected by HIV in Lima, Peru
Authors: Muñoz Maribel , Nelson Adrianne , Johnson Maureen , Godoy Nancy , Serrano Esther , Chagua Engerid , Valdivia Jesica , Santacruz Janeth , Wong Milagros , Kolevic Lenka , Kammerer Betsy , Vega Clemente , Vibbert Martha , Lundy Shannon , Shin Sonya
Published: February 2016

Background:

In many resource-poor settings such as Peru, children affected by HIV have a high prevalence of neurodevelopmental delays (NDDs) and remain excluded from adequate treatment.

Methods:

Community health workers (CHWs) administered NDD screening instruments to assess child development and associated caregiver and household factors in 14 HIV-affected parent–child dyads. Focus group discussion with caregivers was conducted to explore their needs and behaviors around early child stimulation and to assess their perceptions of the screening experience.

Results:

Over 70% of the children had abnormal classification in at least 1 (out of 5) developmental domains according to Ages and States Questionnaire–provided cutoff scores. Caregiver depression and stress were associated with abnormal development as were some parenting behavior factors. Knowledge about child development was low. Caregivers felt testing and discussing results with a CHW were very insightful. Reported caregiver behavior differed between caregivers with HIV-infected children and those with uninfected children.

Conclusion:

Taken together, these exploratory quantitative data suggest that parenting behaviors associated with low child development scores may be modifiable and that community-based testing is well received and informative to these HIV-infected caregivers.
Rapid discrimination of the phenotypic variants of von Willebrand disease
Authors: Roberts Jonathan C. , Morateck Patti A. , Christopherson Pamela A. , Yan Ke , Hoffmann Raymond G. , Gill Joan Cox , Montgomery Robert R. ,   the Zimmerman Program Investigators
Published: February 2016

Key Points

A novel ELISA-based VWF multiplex activity assay assigns VWD phenotype among a cohort of type 1 and 2 VWD with an overall accuracy of >88%. This assay shows correlation with traditional quantitative clinical VWF assays and may provide a rapid diagnostic method for variant VWD.
Basal and Post-ACTH Aldosterone and Its Ratios Are Useful During Adrenal Vein Sampling in Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: El Ghorayeb Nada , Mazzuco Tânia L. , Bourdeau Isabelle , Mailhot Jean-Philippe , Zhu Ping Shi , Thérasse Eric , Lacroix André
Published: February 2016

Context:

Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is required to identify a lateralized or bilateral aldosterone source in primary aldosteronism.

Objectives:

Our objectives were to compare basal and post-ACTH selectivity ratio (SR) and lateralization ratio (LR) and to determine the prevalence of basal contralateral suppression and its effect on surgical outcome.

Patients and Intervention:

Bilateral simultaneous adrenal vein samples were obtained before and after a 250-μg bolus of ACTH. Analyses were conducted on 171 technically successful AVS and on the subgroup of 66 operated patients with evaluable outcome data.

Results:

ACTH increased selectivity on both sides from 66.7% in basal samples (SR ≥ 2) to 91.8% poststimulation (SR ≥ 5). A discordance of lateralization between basal (LR ≥ 2) and post-ACTH (LR ≥ 4) values was observed in 28% of cases, which were mostly lateralized cases basally that became bilateral post-ACTH. Basal CL suppression is present in only 30% using absolute ratio of aldosterone between the opposite (nondominant) adrenal vein and the peripheral vein AOPP/AP below 1.5 vs in 77% using aldosterone/cortisol ratio (A/C)OPP/(A/C)P below 1.5. The absence of CL suppression was associated with a lower rate of response to adrenalectomy in terms of clinical and biochemical parameters with difference in clinical cure (55% vs 13% P = .0003) and overall cure (35% vs 9%, P = .0084) using AOPP/AP, but not when using (A/C)OPP/(A/C)P.

Conclusions:

Stimulation with ACTH is useful to improve selectivity of AVS but can frequently modify interpretation of lateralization. Basal ratios are as important as post-ACTH ratios to set an indication of adrenalectomy. AOPP/AP is superior to (A/C)OPP/(A/C)P to assess contralateral suppression. Infrequent CL suppression reveals frequent occurrence of contralateral hyperplasia in lateralized cases and helps predict postoperative outcomes.
How blockchain-timestamped protocols could improve the trustworthiness of medical science
Authors: Irving Greg , Holden John
Published: February 2016

Trust in scientific research is diminished by evidence that data are being manipulated. Outcome switching, data dredging and selective publication are some of the problems that undermine the integrity of published research. Here we report a proof-of-concept study  using a ‘blockchain’ as a low cost, independently verifiable method that could be widely and readily used to audit and confirm the reliability of scientific studies.
Making an intuitive decision: a neurophysiological perspective
Authors: Broom Mark
Published: February 2016

It became apparent, while searching the literature, as part of a PhD study exploring decision-making maturation of child health students, that the empirical and naturalistic models fail to recognise the biological drivers underpinning our thought processes. This article offers insight into the complexities of neurophysiology, providing understanding of an overlooked yet essential component of the decision-making process.
Upholding dignity
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: February 2016

In this article Richard Griffith considers the elements of dignity and the legal and professional requirements that underpin the concept.
Treatment of moderate hallux valgus by percutaneous, extra-articular reverse-L Chevron (PERC) osteotomy
Authors: Lucas y Hernandez J. , Golanó† P. , Roshan-Zamir S. , Darcel V. , Chauveaux D. , Laffenêtre O.
Published: February 2016

Aims

The aim of this study was to report a single surgeon series of consecutive patients with moderate hallux valgus managed with a percutaneous extra-articular reverse-L chevron (PERC) osteotomy.

Patients and Methods

A total of 38 patients underwent 45 procedures. There were 35 women and three men. The mean age of the patients was 48 years (17 to 69). An additional percutaneous Akin osteotomy was performed in 37 feet and percutaneous lateral capsular release was performed in 22 feet. Clinical and radiological assessments included the type of forefoot, range of movement, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle (AOFAS) score, a subjective rating and radiological parameters. The mean follow-up was 59.1 months (45.9 to 75.2). No patients were lost to follow-up.

Results

The mean AOFAS score increased from 62.5 (30 to 80) pre-operatively to 97.1 (75 to 100) post-operatively. A total of 37 patients (97%) were satisfied. At the last follow up there was a statistically significant decrease in the hallux valgus angle, the intermetatarsal angle and the proximal articular set angle. The range of movement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint improved significantly.. There was more improvement in the range of movement in patients who had fixation of the osteotomy of the proximal phalanx.

Conclusion

Preliminary results of this percutaneous approach are promising. This technique is reliable and reproducible. Its main asset is that it maintains an excellent range of movement. Take home message: The PERC osteotomy procedure is an effective approach for surgical management of moderate hallux valgus which combines the benefits of percutaneous surgery with the versatility of the chevron osteotomy whilst maintaining excellent first MTPJ range of motion. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:365–73.
For God, King, and Country: Nineteenth-Century Methodist Interpretations of the War of 1812
Authors: Robertson James Tyler
Published: February 2016

The War of 1812 almost ruined Episcopal Methodism in Upper Canada. During the War, the American itinerants were unable to travel in the land and, after the War, their detractors used their connection to America to undermine their influence in the loyal Province. This article offers two examples in order to highlight the ways in which the Methodists themselves used the war to prove their loyalty as well as their role in developing the land that would one day become Canada. The first example looks at how Methodists in the Reform party of the 1828 House of Assembly viewed their denomination’s role during and in the years following the War. The second example looks at the publication of two popular books in 1880 that defended the contribution American Methodists had made to the British war effort. These examples moved the issue of Methodist loyalty into the sphere of politics and public policy and showed how the ongoing interpretation of the War of 1812 continued to affect these Methodists throughout the nineteenth century.
Speaking about the War of 1812: Reinterpreting History in the Rhetoric Surrounding Canada’s Inter-War Diplomacy (1919–1939)
Authors: Mackenzie Hector
Published: February 2016

A remarkable feature of Canada’s external relations in the years between the two world wars of the twentieth century is the extent to which Canada’s conduct and speeches by its representatives on international affairs were dominated by imagery of North American harmony. Past clashes, most notably the War of 1812, or simply differences of views were forgotten or overlooked in the construction of a myth that served to justify inaction and the denial of commitments in imperial and world affairs. An aloof, unhelpful stance internationally was depicted more positively as a worthy example of peaceful attitudes and conduct. Thus, the inter-war period was dominated by rhetoric about ‘the longest undefended border in the world,’ ‘[more than a] century of peace in North America,’ and the contrast between the ‘New World’ and the ‘Old World’ in world affairs. No Canadian speech in an international forum seemed complete without some variation on these themes and without an admonition to Europeans and other miscreants to settle disputes by conciliation, negotiation and arbitration – rather than resort to war – as was the tradition in relations between Canada and the United States. This paper deals with the development, application and effect in the inter-war period of the lessons supposedly drawn from the experience and especially the aftermath of the War of 1812.
Changes in diabetes mortality in Sasovo district of Ryazan region during 2003—2013 years
Authors: Asfandiyarova Nailya Sayfullaevna , Nizov Aleksey Aleksandrovich , Zdol'nik Tat'yana Davydovna , Shatrova Irina Viktorovna , Budylin Aleksey Anatol'evich
Published: February 2016

Aim.To study the overall mortality, mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer (CVD, C) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Sasovo District of Ryazan Region during 2003—2013 years.Material and Methods.We studied the diabetes overall mortality, CVD and cancer mortality dynamics in Sasovo District of Ryazan region during 2003—2013 years. In 2003, the population of the district was 52 100 people, in 2013 — 45 316. In 2003 years, it was registered 550 patients with diabetes, in 2013 years — 736.The coefficients of overall mortality, mortality from diseases were calculated according to standard formulas per 1000 population.Results.It was revealed the reduction of total and cardiovascular mortality in the population (p<0,001) during period of observation. There is a trend towards reduction in total mortality and mortality from CVD in diabetic patients (p>0,05), but it is in 2—3,4 times higher than among the population The main causes of death in diabetic patients are CVD (67.8%) and cancer (10.9%), the dynamics of these figures were not observed.Conclusions.CVD and cancer are the leading cause of death in diabetes. Absence of changes in the level of CVD mortality, suggests the need for preventive measures for influence on this risk factor.
Ultrasound-assisted preparation of ZnO nanostructures: understanding the effect of operating parameters
Authors: Sikwal Niraj R. , Sonawane Shirish H. , Bhanvase Bharat A. , Ramisetty Kirankumar , Pinjari Dipak V. , Gogate Parag R. , Babu Rajulapati Satish
Published: February 2016

The present work deals with the use of ultrasound atomization for the preparation of zinc oxide nanostructures. The focus of the work is to understand the effect of different operating parameters, such as ultrasonic power dissipation, flow rate, concentration, and surface tension, on the final particle morphology obtained during the synthesis. The prepared nanostructures were observed under scanning electron microscope to understand the morphology of the synthesized nanostructures. It was established that the final characteristics of the nanostructures, in terms of shape and size, can be effectively controlled by controlling flow rate, precursor concentration, surface tension, and ultrasonic power dissipation. The droplet size was found to increase with an increase in the flow rate of an aqueous solution of zinc nitrate, ultrasonic power, and decrease in the loading of surfactant (polyvinylpyrrolidone). The present work has clearly established the utility of ultrasound-assisted synthesis of nanoparticles with clear evidence for obtaining desired characteristics based on controlled application.
The Many Contexts of Translation (Studies)
Authors: Dimitriu Rodica
Published: February 2016

This article examines the ways in which, in just a couple of decades, and in view of the interdisciplinary nature of Translation Studies, the key notion of context has become increasingly broader and diversified within this area of research, allowing for complex analyses of the translators’ activities and decisions, of translation processes and, ultimately, of what accounts for the meaning(s) of a translated text. Consequently, some (brief) incursions are made into a number of (main) directions of the discipline and the related kinds of contexts they prioritized in investigating translation both as process and product. In the second section of this introductory article, the issue of context is particularized through references to the contributions in this special volume, which add new layers of meaning to context, touching upon further perspectives from which this complex notion could be approached.
Developing Translingual and Transcultural Competence through Pedagogic Subtitling
Authors: Laviosa Sara
Published: February 2016

This paper expounds a language pedagogy that is framed within the ecological perspective on language learning elaborated by Leo van Lier (2000 Leo van Lier (2004) and Claire Kramsch (2009 and Claire Kramsch (2010) and adopts Maria Tymoczko’s (2007) holistic approach to cultural translation. Next, I report on a case study where the proposed methodology was integrated in the syllabus design of a 3-credit module I taught as part of a professional development course attended by secondary school EFL teachers at the University of Bari during the 2013-2014 academic year. Students analysed and translated salient scenes from the bilingual drama La stella che non c’è/The Missing Star (directed by Gianni Amelio, 2006). In so doing, they unveiled the connectedness between language and culture and how they both are “discursively constructed” in social contexts(van Lier, The Ecology 184).
Crystal structure of bis(triphenylphosphine-κP)bis(μ2-1H,1′H-2,2′-biimidazole-κ3
N,N′:N′)disilver(I) bis(tetrafluoroborate), C48H42Ag2B2F8N8P2
Authors: Wang Guo , Cui Yang-Zhe , Qiu Qi-Ming , Hu Ke-Yi , Jin Qiong-Hua
Published: February 2016

C48H42Ag2B2F8N8P2, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 9.0101(10) Å, b = 10.9001(12) Å, c = 13.1749(15) Å, α = 76.306(1)°, β = 74.078(1)°, γ = 78.373(2)°, V = 1195.9(2) Å3, Z = 1, R
gt
(F) = 0.0316, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.0771, T = 298(2) K.
Crystal structure of (E)-4-chloro-N′-(4-(diethylamino)benzylidene)benzohydrazide, C18H20ClN3O
Authors: Jiang Xue-Yue , Chen Lan-Lan , Hu Sen-Sen , Liu He-Yu , Xu Hua-Jie , Song Chong-Fu
Published: February 2016

C18H20ClN3O, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 10.0099(3) Å, b = 16.2337(6) Å, c = 21.0714(7) Å, β = 91.324(3)°, V = 3423.1(2) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt
(F) = 0.0381, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.1065, T = 291(2) K.
Inverse Methode zur Charakterisierung des mechanischen Frequenzverhaltens isotroper Werkstoffe
Authors: Weiß Manuel , Ilg Jürgen , Rupitsch Stefan J. , Lerch Reinhard
Published: February 2016

Es wird ein Verfahren zur Charakterisierung der Frequenzabhängigkeit der mechanischen
Eigenschaften von Festkörpern (Viskoelastizität) vorgestellt. Insbesondere Kunststoffe
zeigen häufig ein ausgeprägtes viskoelastisches Verhalten. Die Identifikation der
frequenzabhängigen mechanischen Materialparameter erfolgt durch die Inverse Methode, welche
auf der Anpassung von Simulationsergebnissen an zuvor durchgeführte Messungen
beruht. Hierzu werden durch einen Optimierungsalgorithmus die Simulationsparameter
schrittweise variiert. In diesem Beitrag wird eine angepasste Inverse Methode sowie die
generelle Vorgehensweise der Materialcharakterisierung erläutert. Zudem werden
viskoelastische Materialmodelle diskutiert und ihre Eignung anhand eines exemplarischen
Werkstoffs geprüft.
A Co-modeling Method Based on Component Features for Mechatronic Devices in Aero-engines
Authors: Wang Bin , Zhao Haocen , Ye Zhifeng
Published: February 2016

Data-fused and user-friendly design of aero-engine accessories is required because of their structural complexity and stringent reliability. This paper gives an overview of a typical aero-engine control system and the development process of key mechatronic devices used. Several essential aspects of modeling and simulation in the process are investigated. Considering the limitations of a single theoretic model, feature-based co-modeling methodology is suggested to satisfy the design requirements and compensate for diversity of component sub-models for these devices. As an example, a stepper motor controlled Fuel Metering Unit (FMU) is modeled in view of the component physical features using two different software tools. An interface is suggested to integrate the single discipline models into the synthesized one. Performance simulation of this device using the co-model and parameter optimization for its key components are discussed. Comparison between delivery testing and the simulation shows that the co-model for the FMU has a high accuracy and the absolute superiority over a single model. Together with its compatible interface with the engine mathematical model, the feature-based co-modeling methodology is proven to be an effective technical measure in the development process of the device.