bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The conditions and strategies for success of local currency movements
Authors: Kim Seon Mi , Lough Benjamin , Wu Chi-Fang
Published: March 2016

This study investigates the successful conditions and implementation strategies of local currency movements. Data for this study were collected using semi-structured interviews with six presidents or managers from five separate local currency agencies in the US, Canada, and the UK. Applying a grounded theory approach, this study finds that conditions associated with successful local currency movements include being located in less populated areas, in a small community with comparatively lower levels of household income, and in a community with prior experience with alternative economic movements. Successful implementation strategies include organizational strategies for seeking seed funding and merchant engagement, operational logistics, and communication and marketing skills. Additional leadership strategies comprise leaders’ previous experiences with community projects and their commitment to the community, employing a full-time coordinator, and engaging a group of leaders. Conclusions suggest practical implications to groups that may want to initiate local currency movements in their own communities.
Crime Seasonality: Examining the Temporal Fluctuations of Property Crime in Cities With Varying Climates
Authors: Linning Shannon J. , Andresen Martin A. , Brantingham Paul J.
Published: March 2016

This study investigates whether crime patterns fluctuate periodically throughout the year using data containing different property crime types in two Canadian cities with differing climates. Using police report data, a series of ordinary least squares (OLS; Vancouver, British Columbia) and negative binomial (Ottawa, Ontario) regressions were employed to examine the corresponding temporal patterns of property crime in Vancouver (2003-2013) and Ottawa (2006-2008). Moreover, both aggregate and disaggregate models were run to examine whether different weather and temporal variables had a distinctive impact on particular offences. Overall, results suggest that cities that experience greater variations in weather throughout the year have more distinct increases of property offences in the summer months and that different climate variables affect certain crime types, thus advocating for disaggregate analysis in the future.
Potential Effects of the Choice of Costing Perspective on Cost Estimates
Authors: Dewa Carolyn S. , Trojanowski Lucy , Cheng Chiachen , Hoch Jeffrey S.
Published: March 2016

Objective:

Because health care resources are constrained, decision-making processes often require clarifying the potential costs and savings associated with different options. This involves calculating a program’s costs. The chosen costing perspective defines the costs to be considered and can ultimately influence decisions. Yet reviews of the literature suggest little attention has been paid to the perspective in economic evaluations. This article’s purpose is to explore how the costing perspective can affect cost estimates.

Method:

As a vehicle for our discussion, we use service use data for clients enrolled in 6 Ontario early psychosis intervention programs. Governmental and nongovernmental payer costing perspectives are considered. We examine annual costs associated with early psychosis intervention clients enrolled for ≤12 months versus those enrolled for >12 months. This also allows for an assessment of the impact that choice of time horizon can make on the results.

Results:

The difference in total between group cost for hospital, emergency room, and physicians is $2499; the >12-month group has relatively higher mean costs. When all governmental and nongovernmental costs are considered, there is a mean between-group cost difference of $1272, with lower mean costs for the >12-month group.

Conclusions:

Although the Ministry of Health bears a large proportion of costs, other governmental agencies and the private sector can incur a sizeable share. This example demonstrates the potential importance of including other cost perspectives with the hospital sector in analyses as well as the impact of time horizon on cost estimates.
The Effect of Status on Identity Stability
Authors: Davis Jenny L. , Love Tony P.
Published: March 2016

Using 77 status-imbalanced dyads, we experimentally test the effect of status on identity stability, setting the stage for research on identity change. From an identity theory perspective, we hypothesize that those with higher status will maintain greater identity stability over the course of a task-oriented interaction than their relatively lower status partners. We further test the role of identity-discrepant information. Results indicate that higher status actors are better able to maintain stable identity meanings than those with lower status. However, this relationship dissipates when situational meanings contrast with high-status actors’ self-views. More generally, this indicates that high status positively affects identity stability, yet high-status actors remain vulnerable to situational inputs.
Decomposition and humification of dissolved organic matter in swine manure during housefly larvae composting
Authors: Wang Hang , Wang ShunYao , Li HongYi , Wang Bei , Zhou QianSheng , Zhang XinMing , Li Jing , Zhang ZhiJian
Published: March 2016

Housefly larvae ( Musca domestica) composting has been increasingly adopted as an efficient practice to achieve value-added swine manure bioconversion, but few researches have evaluated the features of compost maturity by examining the biochemical compositions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in compost. Here, we adopted spectrum fingerprint technologies to explore the related transformation mechanisms of DOM in compost by conducting field investigations in a full-scale housefly larvae composting farm. The 1-week composting with larvae significantly decreased DOM concentrations from 192.9 to 77.1 g kg−1. The hydrolysis of proteins and lipids were enhanced during composting, as well as a build-up of aromatic substances, while contents of fulvic- and humic-like substances were augmented on Day 5 and Day 6 (ranged from 0.04 to 0.65 and 0.11 to 0.59 for Fmax, respectively). Compared with traditional composting without the aid of larvae, the stronger biodegradation of DOM and the subsequent formation of humus in compost, led to a higher level of aromaticity and humification under housefly larvae bioconversion, generating a more stable bio-product for downstream utilisation.
Oxidative impairment and histopathological alterations in kidney and brain of mice following subacute lambda-cyhalothrin exposure
Authors: Pawar Nitin Nanasaheb , Badgujar Prarabdh Chandrakant , Sharma Laxman Prasad , Telang Avinash Gopal , Singh Karam P
Published: March 2016

Lambda cyhalothrin (LCT), a broad-spectrum type II (α-cyano) synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, is widely employed in various agricultural and animal husbandry practices for the control of pests. Acute and chronic exposure to LCT can elicit several adverse effects including oxidative stress. With the objective to investigate nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity of LCT in mice, we evaluated oxidative stress parameters and histological changes in the kidney and brain of LCT exposed mice. Swiss albino mice were divided randomly into four groups ( n = 6 per group) as: (A) corn oil/vehicle control; (B) 0.5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) LCT; (C) 1 mg/kg b.w. LCT; (D) 2 mg/kg b.w. LCT. Mice were treated orally for 28 days. LCT exposure significantly increased serum urea nitrogen, creatinine and urea levels. LCT exposure also increased lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion generation, nitrite level and decreased the level of reduced glutathione. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione- S-transferase were depleted significantly in both kidney and brain. Histological examination revealed marked histopathological changes in the kidney and brain of mice that were more pronounced at high dose of LCT. Thus, results of the present study indicate that 28 days oral exposure of LCT causes oxidative damage to the kidney and brain of mice which in turn could be responsible for nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Nevertheless, further detailed studies are required to prove these effects especially after long-term exposure.
Using Passive Data From a Meter to Complement Survey Data in Order to Study Online Behavior
Authors: Revilla Melanie , Ochoa Carlos , Loewe Germán
Published: March 2016

Surveys have been used as main tool of data collection in many areas of research and for many years. However, the environment is changing increasingly quickly, creating new challenges and opportunities. This article argues that, in this new context, human memory limitations lead to inaccurate results when using surveys in order to study objective online behavior: People cannot recall everything they did. It therefore investigates the possibility of using, in addition to survey data, passive data from a tracking application (called a “meter”) installed on participants’ devices to register their online behavior. After evaluating the extent of some of the main drawbacks linked to passive data collection with a case study (Netquest metered panel in Spain), this article shows that the data from the web survey and the meter lead to very different results about the online behavior of the same sample of respondents, showing the need to combine several sources of data collection in the future.
An automated multi-grid Chimera method based on the implicit hole technique
Authors: Liu Qiuhong , Qu Kun , Cai Jinsheng
Published: March 2016

An automated multi-grid overset grid algorithm is presented for accurate simulation of viscous flows around complex configurations. The algorithm is based on the implicit hole cutting technique optimized with an overset grid construction strategy, a grid cutting criterion and a multi-level overset grid cutting method. The enhanced method is more general than the original method, while preserving the high degree of automation of the implicit hole cutting algorithm. Moreover, a mesh sequencing and multi-grid Chimera strategy is proposed to achieve convergence acceleration of the flow calculations. The present Chimera algorithm is demonstrated through the solution of the flows over the NASA Common Research Model configurations. The results show that the present mesh sequencing and multi-grid strategy in the overset grid framework are very effective in increasing convergence of solution in comparison with the standard three-level multi-grid. Wing pressure comparisons indicate the pressure distribution varies with grid solution at the shock, and a higher grid resolution improves shock definition. Abrupt reductions in lift and drag coefficients are correlated with the side-of-body separation bubble as angle of attack is increased. And various modeling and grid resolution have a strong impact on predicting the side-of-body separation. The side-of-body separation decreases with grid refinement. And the bubble size from spalart-allmaras (SA) modeling is larger than that from shear stress transport model.
A robust semi-parametric warping estimator of the survivor function with an application to two-group comparisons
Authors: Hutson Alan D
Published: March 2016

In this note, we develop a new and novel semi-parametric estimator of the survival curve that is comparable to the product-limit estimator under very relaxed assumptions. The estimator is based on a beta parametrization that warps the empirical distribution of the observed censored and uncensored data. The parameters are obtained using a pseudo-maximum likelihood approach adjusting the survival curve accounting for the censored observations. In the univariate setting, the new estimator tends to better extend the range of the survival estimation given a high degree of censoring. However, the key feature of this paper is that we develop a new two-group semi-parametric exact permutation test for comparing survival curves that is generally superior to the classic log-rank and Wilcoxon tests and provides the best global power across a variety of alternatives. The new test is readily extended to the k group setting.
Impact of intervention targeting risk factors on chronic disease burden
Authors: Wanneveich Mathilde , Jacqmin-Gadda Hélène , Dartigues Jean-François , Joly Pierre
Published: March 2016

The aging of the population is accompanied by a sharp rise of chronic disease prevalences, such as dementia. These diseases generally cannot be prevented or cured and persist over time, with a progressive deterioration of health, requiring specific care. To reduce the burden of these diseases, it is appropriate to propose interventions targeting disease risk factors, but the association between most of these risk factors and mortality makes it difficult to anticipate the potential impact of such interventions. A method was previously proposed to estimate changes in disease prevalence following an intervention targeting subjects at a given age where the incidence of the disease is supposed to be null. Here, we propose a general framework to make projections for life expectancies with and without the disease, the age at onset, and the lifelong probability of the disease, and to evaluate the consequences of preventive interventions targeting risk factors on these various measures of disease burden. The methodology takes into account the mortality trend over calendar time and age in both healthy and diseased subjects, and the change in mortality due to the intervention. The method is applied to make projections for dementia in 2030 according to several scenarios of public health interventions.
Can microteaching be used for teaching postgraduate psychiatry residents in a small group?
Authors: Praharaj Samir Kumar
Published: March 2016

Objective:

The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of using microteaching for teaching postgraduate psychiatry residents in a small-group setting.

Methods:

Twelve postgraduate psychiatry residents attending the tutorial program were employed as study participants. Five of the consenting residents took part in the microteaching session in which subtopics were assigned. Feedback was obtained from the presenters and other participants regarding the microteaching session.

Results:

All of the presenters reported the microteaching session to be helpful in gaining a deeper understanding of the topic. Among the other participants, most found the microteaching exercise to be useful.

Conclusion:

Although preliminary, our findings suggest that microteaching can be used for training postgraduate psychiatry residents.
Revisiting Principles of Ethical Practice Using a Case Study Framework
Authors: Combes Bertina H. , Peak Pamela W. , Barrio Brenda L. , Lindo Endia J. , Hovey Katrina A. , Lim Okyoung , Peterson-Ahmad Maria , Dorel Theresa G. , Goran Lisa
Published: March 2016

A code of ethics serves as a compass, guiding professionals as they perform the roles associated with their profession. These codes are evidence to the public that professionals are concerned about the services they provide and the individuals to whom they are provided. Codes of ethics should be living documents, changing focus as the fields they represent change. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the current and historical changes to the Council for Learning Disabilities’ Principles of Ethical Practice and encourage discussion and reflection on employing these standards. In support of the latter, five case studies are presented to afford opportunities for practitioners to engage in professional discussions aimed at improving the services and practices provided to students with learning disabilities in general education settings.
Internet-Based Parent-Implemented Intervention for Young Children With Autism
Authors: Meadan Hedda , Snodgrass Melinda R. , Meyer Lori E. , Fisher Kim W. , Chung Moon Y. , Halle James W.
Published: March 2016

Both naturalistic communication and parent-implemented interventions are evidence-based practices for young children with disabilities, but demonstrations of effective methods for teaching parents to implement naturalistic interventions successfully with their children are still warranted. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a training and coaching program on parent implementation of naturalistic teaching strategies and on concomitant child communication skills using a telepractice service-delivery model (i.e., Internet-Based Parent-Implemented Communication Strategies [i-PiCS]). We found that parents learned to implement the targeted naturalistic teaching strategies with fidelity when, and only when, they were provided with training and coaching over the Internet. The parents’ implementation of these strategies also corresponded with positive changes in their children’s communication skills. The limitations and implications of this investigation are discussed.
Finite element analyses on punch shear behaviors of three-dimensional braided composites at microstructure level
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Zhang Wei , Gideon Rotich K , Gu Bohong , Sun Baozhong
Published: March 2016

The punch shear properties of three-dimensional carbon/epoxy braided composites were studied at quasi-static and high strain rates with finite element method at microstructure level. A microstructure model was developed to analyze the stress distribution and progressive damage of the braided composite panel with different thickness. The braiding yarns were considered as an elastic and transversely isotropic material. Ductile and shear criterion were used in finite element model to obtain the damage evolution. It was found that the braided composite exhibited high strain rate sensitivity under punch shear loading. The thickness influences the punch shear strength significantly. The braiding yarns at surface and corner parts have tensile and pullout failure modes, while at inner part have shear damage mode.
School Nurses Avoid Addressing Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Engh Kraft Lisbet , Rahm GullBritt , Eriksson Ulla-Britt
Published: March 2016

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global public health problem with major consequences for the individual child and society. An earlier Swedish study showed that the school nurses did not initially talk about nor mention CSA as one form of child abuse. For the child to receive adequate support, the disclosure is a precondition and is dependent on an available person prepared to listen. The aim of the study was to explore the ability of the school nurses to detect and support sexually abused children. It is a secondary analysis of focus group interviews with school nurses. Thematic analysis was performed. Results showed that the school nurses avoided addressing CSA due to arousal of strong emotions, ambivalence, and a complicated disclosure process. In order to detect CSA and support abused children, attentiveness of sexual abuse as a possible cause of physical and mental ill-health is crucial.
On Measuring the Sixth Basic Personality Dimension: A Comparison Between HEXACO Honesty-Humility and Big Six Honesty-Propriety
Authors: Thielmann Isabel , Hilbig Benjamin E. , Zettler Ingo , Moshagen Morten
Published: March 2016

Recent developments in personality research led to the proposition of two alternative six-factor trait models, the HEXACO model and the Big Six model. However, given the lack of direct comparisons, it is unclear whether the HEXACO and Big Six factors are distinct or essentially equivalent, that is, whether corresponding inventories measure similar or distinct personality traits. Using Structural Equation Modeling (Study 1), we found substantial differences between the traits as measured via the HEXACO-60 and the 30-item Questionnaire Big Six (30QB6), particularly for Honesty-Humility and Honesty-Propriety (both model’s critical difference to the Big Five approach). This distinction was further supported by Study 2, showing differential capabilities of the HEXACO-60 and the 30QB6 to account for several criteria representing the theoretical core of Honesty-Humility and/or Honesty-Propriety. Specifically, unlike the indicator of Honesty-Humility, the indicator of Honesty-Propriety showed low predictive power for some conceptually relevant criteria, suggesting a limited validity of the 30QB6.
Mapping Neuroscientists’ Perceptions of the Nature and Effects of Public Visibility
Authors: Koh Eun Jeong , Dunwoody Sharon , Brossard Dominique , Allgaier Joachim
Published: March 2016

How do neuroscientists “make sense” of public visibility in the context of their scientific work? Hierarchical cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling analyses of 24 in-depth interviews with U.S. neuroscientists produced word groups and concept maps related to possible “medialization” processes. Findings suggest that scientists are factoring new communication channels into their public visibility calculus, although one legacy medium, The New York Times, remains the holy grail of medialization.
Spatial Integration of Immigrants in Nordic Cities: The Relevance of Spatial Assimilation Theory in a Welfare State Context
Authors: Wessel Terje , Andersson Roger , Kauppinen Timo , Andersen Hans Skifter
Published: March 2016

This article investigates the relevance of spatial assimilation theory in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, and Stockholm. An important backdrop is the “Nordic model of welfare”: We assume that welfare generosity decreases the speed of spatial integration. The study uses non-Western immigrants as a target group and natives as a reference group. We register location in 2000 and 2008, and analyze integration in terms of neighborhood status and residential segregation. The results show, in all cities, a lack of aggregate upward mobility in the spatial hierarchy. We also find a negligible effect of upward earnings mobility on upward spatial mobility. Upward spatial mobility increases integration in ethnic terms, but other factors work in the opposite direction and contribute to prevailing segregation. The results as a whole strengthen the purported association between welfare state characteristics and spatial integration. Deviant outcomes, particularly in Helsinki, are explained by immigration history and housing market structure.
Overcoming Urban Growth Coalition: The Case of Culture-Led Urban Revitalization in Busan, South Korea
Authors: Joo Yu-Min , Hoon Park Se
Published: March 2016

Facing both neoliberalism and the persisting legacies of developmentalism, many South Korean cities continue to subscribe to strong growth-first ideologies, despite their deindustrialization and aging populations. The growth orientation in cities, however, is far from being limited to South Korea. In fact, the recently emerging discourse on urban shrinkage, which has been West-centric so far, is questioning the bias toward growth in cities, and calling for a paradigm shift. This article brings together the literatures on shrinking cities and urban politics to illustrate how an East Asian city, transforming from a developmentalist to an entrepreneurial city, could seek a development alternative to the one based on the neoliberal competition for capital. Specifically, it examines the case of Totatoga, a culture-led urban revitalization project in a declining, old commercial district of Busan. It explains how a new kind of state–society collaboration opportunely explored a development path other than growth.
Acute encephalopathy with combination dabrafenib/trametinib therapy
Authors: Cooper Jalyn , Kodali Dheeraj , Higa Gerald M
Published: March 2016

Biomarkers have improved the clinical application of numerous targeted agents used to treat solid tumors. In melanoma, the finding that approximately 60% of tumor cells harbor specific Val600 mutations of BRAF has increased the likelihood of response to certain agents aimed at inhibiting the mutant kinase. While dabrafenib is an effective anti-tumor agent with acceptable tolerability in patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma, we report the development (and outcome) of a previously unpublished acute toxic reaction observed in a patient receiving the drug.
Fiscal Implications of Fuel Taxation Adjustments
Authors: Palaiodimos George
Published: March 2016

This article assesses the fiscal implications of the 2012 Greek excise tax reform that involved the adoption of a common tax rate between automotive and heating diesel markets. Based on univariate and system estimation methods on demand models that account for linkages between energy markets, evidence of an elastic heating diesel demand is compared to automotive diesel demand with regard to excise taxation. Limited support of an immediate antiarbitrage effect is found in these diesel markets after the common rate adoption. This is attributed to the significant heating diesel stock accumulation and the longer horizon of relevant tax administration reforms. Ceteris paribus, the budgetary outcome of the 2012 reform is positive during its first year of implementation, evidenced by the higher rate introduced compared to the breakeven rate of €230/1,000 liters simulated in this analysis. Nevertheless, factors like income, weather conditions, and continuing arbitrage influence this outcome negatively.
Postsocialism, the psy-ences and mental health
Authors: Raikhel Eugene , Bemme Dörte
Published: March 2016

Over the past decades, the formerly socialist countries of East Central Europe and Eurasia have experienced a range of transformations which bear directly upon the domains of mental health, psychiatry, and psychology. In particular, the disciplines and professions concerned with the human mind, brain, and behavior (“the psy-ences”) were strongly affected by sociopolitical changes spanning the state-socialist and postsocialist periods. These disciplines’ relationship to the state, their modes of knowledge production, and the epistemic order and subjectivities they contributed to have all undergone dramatic ruptures. In this essay, we trace the literature on these issues across three thematic domains: (a) history and memory; (b) the reform of psychiatry in an era of global mental health; and (c) therapy and self-fashioning. We argue for a closer articulation between the social science and historical literature on socialism and its “posts” and the literature among anthropologists, sociologists, and historians on the sciences of the mind and brain, and we suggest that each of these literatures helps to critically open up and enrich the other.
A multi-spring component modelling approach for T-stub connections
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Zhang Jinfan , Jiang Jianqun
Published: March 2016

The connection is one of the most important members in the structural frame, and its behaviour greatly influences structural collapse patterns and anti-collapse ability. According to the concept of the component method, a semi-rigid beam-to-column connection can be defined as an assembly of a series of equivalent T-stubs and relevant components. In order to actualise the large deformation simulation of the connections, both axially and rotationally, a new multi-spring component model to evaluate properties of T-stub connections has been proposed in this article. The nonlinear property of a T-stub is described by a multi-spring system, which is used to trace the entire T-stub post-yield behaviour. A series of experiments with T-stub connections has been performed to calibrate the proposed model. The load curves and failure mode of the experiments, three-dimensional finite element method and multi-spring component modelling fit well with each other. A case study of beam-to-column semi-rigid connections has also been performed to further illustrate the usage of the T-stub component model in beam-to-column semi-rigid connections.
Media and juvenile delinquency: A study into the relationship between journalists, politics, and public
Authors: Ruigrok Nel , van Atteveldt Wouter , Gagestein Sarah , Jacobi Carina
Published: March 2016

Between 2007 and 2011, the number of registered juvenile suspects declined by 44 percent, but the Dutch public did not feel any safer. In this research, we study media coverage of youth crime and interview journalists and their sources in order to investigate the relationship between journalists, their sources, and the possible effects on the public with respect to fear of crime. We find an overrepresentation of youth crime in news coverage, especially in the popular press, and a stronger episodic focus over time. All media focus increasingly on powerful sources that focus on repressive framing, but this is especially found in the elite press. We conclude that news coverage in all media groups, although in different ways, does contribute to the fear of crime in society and the idea that repressive measures are needed. The fact that this fear of crime is also caused by news coverage is acknowledged, but neither journalists nor politicians are able or willing to change this.
Aneurysm Shrinkage Is Compatible With Massive Endoleak in the Presence of an Aortocaval Fistula
Authors: Sveinsson Magnus , Sonesson Björn , Resch Timothy A. , Dias Nuno V. , Holst Jan , Malina Martin
Published: March 2016

Purpose: To present a patient with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and aortocaval fistula who was successfully treated with endovascular aneurysm repair in spite of developing a massive endoleak. Case Report: A 70-year-old man with ruptured AAA and aortocaval fistula was treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). During 8 years of follow-up, he had massive perfusion of the aneurysm sac by retrograde flow from the inferior mesenteric artery into the caval vein through the aortocaval fistula. The aneurysm diameter decreased continuously in spite of the type II endoleak. This observation illustrates the mechanisms of sac expansion and may have therapeutic implications for complicated type II endoleaks and prevention of spinal cord ischemia in thoracic stent-grafting. Conclusion: EVAR can be applied in this rare setting because the ensuing high-flow endoleak is associated with sac shrinkage owing to depressurization by the caval shunt.
The Impact of Ethics Review on a Research-Led University Curriculum
Authors: Wynn L. L.
Published: March 2016

In the human sciences, a student research-centered pedagogy is constrained by institutional ethics review, yet there is little research on the impact of ethics review on research-led teaching. This article documents a range of ways that Australian universities are responding to ethics review of undergraduate human research. Forty teachers and administrators were interviewed at 14 universities using purposive sampling to document the range of ways teachers are avoiding ethics review or incorporating it into their curriculum. Some reported halting undergraduate research or evading ethics review, regarding it as meaningless bureaucracy divorced from actual ethical thinking. Those who incorporated ethics review into student research did so by collaborating with administrators. Institutions can facilitate research-led teaching by designing dedicated forms and decentralized review procedures for student research.
Polypropylene/hemp woody core fiber composites: Morphology, mechanical, thermal properties, and water absorption behaviors
Authors: Ngaowthong Chakaphan , Rungsardthong Vilai , Siengchin Suchart
Published: March 2016

Natural fiber composites composed of polypropylene, maleic anhydride-graft-polypropylene, and hemp woody core fiber were produced by two-roll mill mixing. The hemp woody core fiber was treated by alkaline. The morphology of the polypropylene/hemp woody core fiber composites was studied by scanning electron microscopy technique. The mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the polypropylene/hemp woody core fiber composites were determined in tensile, flexural tests, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively, and discussed. It was found that incorporation of hemp woody core fiber in polypropylene increased the tensile and flexural modulus. Note that the stiffness of short hemp woody core fiber/polypropylene composites was markedly improved. However, the flexural and impact strength of polypropylene/hemp woody core fiber composites was reduced compared to the neat polypropylene. Incorporation of hemp fiber increased the water uptake compared to the neat polypropylene. It was established that the Fick’s law was fairly applicable to the water absorption results. The stiffness and thermogravimetric analysis behavior of the polypropylene/hemp woody core fiber composites were markedly affected by the surface treatments.
Charging valve of the full hydraulic braking system
Authors: Chen Jinshi , Liu Xinhui , Wang Tongjian , Gong Xun , Sun Haixin , Wang Guoqiang , Chen Wei
Published: March 2016

It is known that the full hydraulic braking system has excellent braking performance. As the key component of the full hydraulic braking system, the parameters of the accumulator charging valve have a significant effect on the braking performance. In this article, the key parameters of the charging valve are analyzed through the static theoretical and an Advanced Modeling Environment for performing Simulation of engineering systems (AMESim) simulation model of the dual-circuit accumulator charging valve is established based on the real structure parameters first. Second, according to the results of the dynamic simulation, the dynamic characteristics of the charging pressure, the flow rate, and the frequency of the charging valve are studied. The key parameters affecting the serial production are proposed and some technical advices for improving the performance of the full hydraulic system are provided. Finally, the theoretical analysis is validated by the simulation results. The comparison between the simulation results and the experimental results indicates that the simulated AMESim model of the charging valve is accurate and credible with the error rate inside 0.5% compared with the experimental result. Hence, the performance of the charging valve meets the request of the full hydraulic braking system exactly.
Extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis in children with sickle cell disease – Which transducer, what measurement?
Authors: Deane Colin R , Freedman Benjamin J , Height Susan E , Rees David C
Published: March 2016

Background

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound is used to screen and assess the intracranial arteries of children with sickle cell disease. Recent findings suggest that extracranial internal carotid artery (eICA) stenosis is also a contributing factor to silent cerebral infarction. Stenosis has been measured using phased array transducers with no beam/flow angle correction and linear arrays with angle correction.

Methods

A total of 124 children undergoing TCD assessment were investigated for eICA velocities. Manual measurements of peak systolic velocity and TCD mean velocity were made with phased and linear array transducers.

Results

Peak systolic velocities ranged from 60 to 534 cm/s (median 126 cm/s) using the linear array and 53 to 394 cm/s (median 115 cm/s) using the phased array transducers. TCD mean ranged from 39 to 419 cm/s (median 81 cm/s) using the linear array and 34 to 295 cm/s (median 72 cm/s) using the phased array transducers.

Conclusions

There are advantages and disadvantages of each method, but stenoses were readily identified as focal velocity increases. We suggest thresholds for each transducer and recommend that imaging of the eICA forms part of screening for this group of children.
Recovery of upper extremity function following endoscopically assisted contralateral C7 transfer for obstetrical brachial plexus injury
Authors: Leblebicioglu G. , Ayhan C. , Firat T. , Uzumcugil A. , Yorubulut M. , Doral M. N.
Published: March 2016

Transfer of the contralateral C7 nerve for reconstruction of the brachial plexus in infants with obstetrical brachial plexus injury has rarely been reported. We developed a new endoscopy-assisted technique via the prevertebral (retroesophageal) route for the transfer of the contralateral C7 nerve in reconstruction of the brachial plexus. The reconstruction was performed in 20 infants (14 boys and six girls). Motor recovery was assessed using the Gilbert and Raimondi scales. The Narakas Sensory Grading System was used to evaluate hand sensation. The mean follow-up period was 45 months (SD 18.2). Of the 20 children, nine had contralateral C7 transfer to lower nerve roots, two had transfer to upper nerve roots and nine had transfer to both upper and lower roots. The postoperative shoulder and elbow functions were good or satisfactory according to the Gilbert classification in all children whose preoperative scores were poor. All patients with lower roots reconstruction (9) had satisfactory hand function. A total of 15 children had a Narakas score of S3. Our technique enables safe contralateral C7 transfer to the avulsed roots in severe obstetrical brachial plexus injury infants with a satisfactory functional recovery.

Level of evidence: Level IV
Performance of a Blood Glucose Monitoring System in a Point-of-Care Setting
Authors: Ottiger Cornelia , Gygli Nicole , Huber Andreas R. , Fernandez-Tresguerres Beatriz , Pardo Scott , Petruschke Thorsten
Published: March 2016

This study assesses and demonstrates that CONTOUR® XT-BGMS (CXT-BGMS) complies with the requirements of the German (RiliBÄK) and Swiss (QUALAB) quality control guidelines for point-of-care testing (POCT) and fulfills the ISO15197:2013 accuracy limits criteria under the routine conditions of a hospital point-of care setting. This single-center study was conducted in Switzerland using 105 venous blood samples from hospitalized patients. Each sample was tested in comparison to the hexokinase reference method. Compliance with POCT guidelines was assessed by daily BGMS measurements using control solutions. Accuracy of CXT-BGMS according to ISO limits was 98.41%. All control measurements were within the limits defined by RiliBÄK (within ± 11% of target values and root mean square error [RMSE] within RMSE limits), and QUALAB (within ± 10% of target values).
Toward Organizational Ambidexterity in the Hotel Industry
Authors: Úbeda-García Mercedes , Claver-Cortés Enrique , Marco-Lajara Bartolome , Zaragoza-Sáez Patrocinio
Published: March 2016

A few years ago and coinciding with the dilemma posed by March about the contradictions involved in exploration and exploitation learning, we saw the emergence of the “Organizational Ambidexterity” (OA) concept as a metaphor to define organizations that are able to develop exploitation and exploration learning at the same time. Despite the efforts made to discern the OA antecedents and moderating factors, a number of aspects still remain to be studied on the map of research into this topic. One of them is the role that human resources can play in ambidextrous learning. Special attention has also been paid in the field of human resource management to the link between high performance work systems (HPWS) and performance. Recent studies highlight the need to make further progress in this direction but using some organizational capacity as a mediating variable between HPWSs and performance. This article uses OA as the mediator variable in this relationship. The main objectives of this research are (a) to determine whether the utilization of an HPWS exerts a positive influence on OA, (b) to know the extent to which HPWSs and OA contribute to organizational performance, and (c) to verify the potential mediating role played by OA on the HPWS performance relationship. The theoretical model and the hypotheses proposed were tested using a sample of 100 Spanish hotels.
Can I Get a Job as a Futurist?
Authors: Hines Andy
Published: March 2016

The most frequently asked question I get in speaking with prospective foresight students is “can I get a job as a futurist?” I will make a case in this article that the lack of jobs and a career path in foresight is harming our long-term prospects as a field, and suggest a few things we can do about that. Three reasons are offered for why jobs are important to futurists: (1) Jobs are a way for us to influence organizations and the future, (2) jobs are a key consideration on the mind of those seeking to enter the field, and (3) jobs are a way to attract talent into the field. The current status of the job market for futurists is reviewed. The article concludes with five suggestions to improve the job prospects of futurists and, in turn, help build the field: (1) engage the jobs issue as a field, (2) build a profession, (3) develop a career ladder, (4) strengthen the academic base, and (5) promote the field. Preparing for our future is not a hobby, or a part-time job, but arguably the most important job that is drastically underfulfilled. The time is ripe for thinking about our own future as a field to achieve our common purpose of spreading foresight and doing our part to help make the world a better place.
Imaging of connective tissue diseases of the head and neck
Authors: Abdel Razek Ahmed Abdel Khalek
Published: March 2016

We review the imaging appearance of connective tissue diseases of the head and neck. Bilateral sialadenitis and dacryoadenitis are seen in Sjögren’s syndrome; ankylosis of the temporo-mandibular joint with sclerosis of the crico-arytenoid joint are reported in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus panniculitis with atypical infection are reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Relapsing polychondritis shows subglottic stenosis, prominent ear and saddle nose; progressive systemic sclerosis shows osteolysis of the mandible, fibrosis of the masseter muscle with calcinosis of the subcutaneous tissue and dermatomyositis/polymyositis shows condylar erosions and autoimmune thyroiditis. Vascular thrombosis is reported in antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome; cervical lymphadenopathy is seen in adult-onset Still’s disease, and neuropathy with thyroiditis reported in mixed connective tissue disorder. Imaging is important to detect associated malignancy with connective tissue disorders. Correlation of the imaging findings with demographic data and clinical findings are important for the diagnosis of connective tissue disorders.
Methods of nutrition surveillance in low-income countries
Authors: Tuffrey Veronica , Hall Andrew
Published: March 2016

Background

In 1974 a joint FAO/UNICEF/WHO Expert Committee met to develop methods for nutrition surveillance. There has been much interest and activity in this topic since then, however there is a lack of guidance for practitioners and confusion exists around the terminology of nutrition surveillance. In this paper we propose a classification of data collection activities, consider the technical issues for each category, and examine the potential applications and challenges related to information and communication technology.

Analysis

There are three major approaches used to collect primary data for nutrition surveillance: repeated cross-sectional surveys; community-based sentinel monitoring; and the collection of data in schools. There are three major sources of secondary data for surveillance: from feeding centres, health facilities, and community-based data collection, including mass screening for malnutrition in children. Surveillance systems involving repeated surveys are suitable for monitoring and comparing national trends and for planning and policy development. To plan at a local level, surveys at district level or in programme implementation areas are ideal, but given the usually high cost of primary data collection, data obtained from health systems are more appropriate provided they are interpreted with caution and with contextual information. For early warning, data from health systems and sentinel site assessments may be valuable, if consistent in their methods of collection and any systematic bias is deemed to be steady. For evaluation purposes, surveillance systems can only give plausible evidence of whether a programme is effective. However the implementation of programmes can be monitored as long as data are collected on process indicators such as access to, and use of, services. Surveillance systems also have an important role to provide information that can be used for advocacy and for promoting accountability for actions or lack of actions, including service delivery.

Conclusion

This paper identifies issues that affect the collection of nutrition surveillance data, and proposes definitions of terms to differentiate between diverse sources of data of variable accuracy and validity. Increased interest in nutrition globally has resulted in high level commitments to reduce and prevent undernutrition. This review helps to address the need for accurate and regular data to convert these commitments into practice.
Genome-wide gene expression analyses reveal unique cellular characteristics related to the amenability of HPC/HSCs into high-quality induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Gao Shuai , Tao Li , Hou Xinfeng , Xu Zijian , Liu Wenqiang , Zhao Kun , Guo Mingyue , Wang Hong , Cai Tao , Tian Jianhui , Gao Shaorong , Chang Gang
Published: March 2016

Background

Transcription factor-mediated reprogramming can efficiently convert differentiated cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Furthermore, many cell types have been shown to be amenable to reprogramming into iPSCs, such as neural stem cells, hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells (HPC/HSCs). However, the mechanisms related to the amenability of these cell types to be reprogrammed are still unknown.

Methods

Herein, we attempt to elucidate the mechanisms of HPC/HSC reprogramming using the sequential reprogramming system that we have previously established.

Results

We found that HPC/HSCs were amenable to transcription factor-mediated reprogramming, which yielded a high frequency of fully reprogrammed HPC/HSC-iPSCs. Genome-wide gene expression analyses revealed select down-regulated tumor suppressor and mesenchymal genes as well as up-regulated oncogenes in HPC/HSCs compared with mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), indicating that these genes may play important roles during the reprogramming of HPC/HSCs. Additional studies provided insights into the contribution of select tumor suppressor genes (p21, Ink4a and Arf) and an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factor (Snail1) to the reprogramming process of HPC/HSCs.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that HPC/HSCs carry unique cellular characteristics, which determine the amenability of HPC/HSCs to be reprogrammed into high-quality iPSCs.