bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The new political voice of young Americans: Online engagement and civic development among first-year college students
Authors: Metzger Molly W , Erete Sheena L , Barton Derek Lee , Desler Mary K , Lewis Dan A
Published: December 2014

We present findings from the first wave of a longitudinal study of civic and political engagement among undergraduate students at a mid-sized university in the Midwestern United States. We find that high school experiences of civic learning are a significant predictor of three of our four measures of civic and political engagement, namely, the likelihood of contacting a public official, participating in a protest, and engaging in collective problem-solving. Online political engagement appears to partially mediate the relationship between high school civic learning and offline political engagement. In terms of the specific aspects of high school civic learning that may be most salient to adolescents, the classroom experience of ‘meeting people who make society better’ emerges as the strongest predictor of students’ civic engagement. These findings suggest that citizenship norms among young adults may be shifting to new forums of engagement rather than simply eroding, as some current literature suggests.
Towards the implementation of ‘no evidence of disease activity’ in multiple sclerosis treatment: the multiple sclerosis decision model
Authors: Stangel Martin , Penner Iris Katharina , Kallmann Boris A. , Lukas Carsten , Kieseier Bernd C.
Published: December 2014

Objective:

The introduction of new and potent therapies for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) has increased the desire for therapeutic success. There is growing doubt that the mere reduction of relapse rate, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers are exclusive and appropriate factors to monitor the new aim of ‘no evidence of disease activity’ (NEDA). However, there is no generally accepted definition so far.

Methods:

To achieve the therapeutic aim of NEDA, a panel of MS experts searched the available literature on clinical and paraclinical outcomes to propose a test battery that is sensitive to detect disease activity in an everyday clinical setting.

Results:

The panel proposed to include, besides relapse rate, disability progression and MRI, neuropsychological outcome measures such as cognitive status, fatigue, depression and quality of life. To standardize the examinations in an economic and schematic way, a multifactorial model [multiple sclerosis decision model (MSDM)] that includes the domains ‘relapse’, ‘disability progression’, ‘MRI’, and ‘neuropsychology’ is proposed. The scheme reflects the complexity of the disease even in the early stages when scales such as the EDSS are not able to distinguish low levels of progression.

Conclusion:

The MSDM aims to support early treatment decisions and uncover timely treatment failure. Prospective investigations are required to prove that such a disease-monitoring concept leads to an early and effective silencing of disease activity.
Mantle cell lymphoma: observation to transplantation
Authors: Rajabi Babak , Sweetenham John W.
Published: December 2014

Mantle cell lymphoma as a rare non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma can present in different clinical presentations such as an aggressive form or a more indolent picture. Treatment modality is based on multiple factors including age, presence or absence of symptoms, and comorbidities. Watchful waiting is a reasonable approach for asymptomatic patients especially in elderly. In symptomatic patients, treatment is chemo-immunotherapy followed by maintenance immunotherapy or autologous bone marrow transplant. Allogeneic bone marrow transplant has a potential benefit of cure for relapsed/refractory cases, but it has a high mortality rate. Novel treatment with agents such as ibrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown promising results in relapse/refractory cases. We extensively review the most recent data on diagnostic and therapeutic management of mantle cell lymphoma through presenting two extreme clinical scenarios.
Primary lymphoma of the urinary bladder: A case report
Authors: Lala Sadiq , Shehata Adel M , Al Busaidy Salim S , Alozeni Ashraf A , Bhatnagar Gunmala
Published: December 2014

We report a rare case of primary non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type occurring in the urinary bladder. A 70-year-old woman presented with gross haematuria, and an abdominal CT scan revealed a bladder tumour which was resected endoscopically. Histopathological diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining and treated successfully with radiotherapy.
“Dry Mouth” From the Perspective of Traditional Persian Medicine and Comparison with Current Management
Authors: Heydarirad Ghazaleh , Choopani Rasool
Published: December 2014

Xerostomia is a common problem, particularly in an elderly population, with a range of causes that affect important aspects of life, such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Xerostomia has been explained in traditional medicine throughout history. Traditional Persian medicine, with more than 4000 years of history, consists of the sum total of all the knowledge and practices used in diagnosis, prevention, and exclusion in Iran from ancient times to the present. Based on leading Persian medical manuscripts, the current study focuses on the medieval concept of xerostomia as an important general disorder to review the aetiology of xerostomia and xerostomia types, the control and treatment of xerostomia by lifestyle modification, and medicinal plants for xerostomia suppression according to the theory and practice of traditional Persian medicine. Xerostomia was treated with 3 major approaches in traditional Persian medicine: lifestyle modification, simple single herbal remedies, and compound medicines. It appears that all the factors that cause xerostomia in current studies can be described by using the theories of traditional Persian medicine; furthermore, therapies aimed at both medicines (current and traditional) focus on protecting salivary glands and salivary flow. As a conclution while current managements of xerostomia are still inadequate and traditional approaches have found experimental support over the centuries, some of these traditional treatments may still be useful to current medicine as alternative medicine.
Triumph of the Underdogs? Comparing Twitter Use by Political Actors During Two Norwegian Election Campaigns
Authors: Larsson Anders Olof , Moe Hallvard
Published: December 2014

Social media are often discussed in terms of online novelties. However, especially within the broader field of political communication, the uses of such services, as Twitter, at the hands of political actors such as politicians and the parties to which they belong, have become something of a fixture of research in recent years. Although the study of political Twitter use has provided a series of insightful case studies, often focused on one single election or country, this article presents a comparative study looking at Twitter use at the hands of political actors during two Norwegian elections, 2011 and 2013. We are interested in what overarching tendencies can be discerned from these uses—specifically, if differing usages can be found between the two elections, suggesting developments pertaining to the normalization and equalization hypotheses respectively. This is examined by focusing on two main analytical areas: The level and type of activity undertaken by those up for election, and the repercussions that this activity appears to have in terms of popularity on the studied platform. In short, the results suggest that although Twitter largely remains an “elite” medium in the Norwegian context, smaller political and other actors are making use of the platform at hand to higher degrees than their more well-known peers. Tendencies of both hypotheses are traced in the data, and although the findings could signal an opening for “outsiders” in this regard, the sheer amount of traffic driving the tweets sent by high-end politicians suggest otherwise.
Children’s Sense of Security in Social Spaces
Authors: Imanian Sara
Published: December 2014

This article is a study of the sense of security of middle-class children in Iran. Through taking a grounded theory approach, it explores the concept of insecurity in homes and cities and children’s reactions to feeling insecure. To do so, Draw and Write, Picture-Aided Questionnaire, and interview were applied to 100 children between 7 and 14 years of age. The findings revealed an ever-present feeling of anxiety and helplessness which was rooted in the human security conditions and in children’s status in society. The children showed two different reactions of active and passive when facing this feeling. As a consequence of active strategy, children grow a sense of fear management, become optimistic, and feel satisfied. Those who passively react to feeling insecure grow a desire for power and become depressed and unable to trust others.
Hierarchy Formation and Self-Determination
Authors: Di Domenico Stefano I. , Fournier Marc A.
Published: December 2014

We examined how self-determination, the subjective experience of one’s behavior as internally initiated and personally endorsed, depends on one’s standing in real-world social hierarchies. We predicted that those with the traits most relevant to status attainment would be those afforded the most opportunities to be self-determining. We examined the trait of physical attractiveness, given its documented association with social status and no known association with self-determination. First-year undergraduates living in same-sex residences rated their housemates’ social status, while an independent set of observers rated the participants’ physical attractiveness. Consistent with prediction, physically attractive individuals attained the highest levels of social status; in turn, those who attained the highest levels of social status experienced the highest levels of self-determination. These findings provide new insights into self-determination as an inherently relational phenomenon and specifically highlight the formative influence of social status on people’s capacities for self-determination.
Transition to Adulthood as a Peer Project
Authors: Young Richard A. , Marshall Sheila K. , Wilson Leah J. , Green Amy R. , Klubben Laura , Parada Filomena , Polak Emily L. , Socholotiuk Krista , Zhu Ma
Published: December 2014

This study used an action theoretical framework and the action-project method to address the following research question: “How do youth jointly with peers construct, articulate, and act on goals and strategies pertinent to the transition to adulthood?” Fifteen young adult friendship dyads were studied over a 9-month period, using videotaped conversations and telephone monitoring. Peers jointly and intentionally engaged in actions and enacted goals related to young adult transition. Negotiating and maintaining friendship, constructing identity, and promoting career were the projects that emerged most frequently. These projects involved using a range of skills and resources that allowed the participants to take a number of functional steps in constructing and realizing their joint goals, including being intimate, humorous, and reciprocal with each other, providing support, sharing emotion, and exercising judgment. The findings illustrate how friendship, identity, and career promotion are jointly constructed and enacted by young adults.
Nanoausferritic matrix of ductile iron
Authors: Myszka D. , Wasiluk K. , Skoek E. , Świątnicki W.
Published: December 2014

Austempered ductile iron is known for its excellent mechanical properties resulting from special phase composition and austempering heat treatment. Typical microstructure consists of ferrite plates of micrometre size submerged in untransformed austenite matrix. It has been recently shown that by use of appropriate chemical composition of cast iron and well targeted heat treatment parameters, it is possible to reduce ferrite plates width to submicron or even nanometric size. This creates the potential to achieve even higher mechanical properties of austempered ductile iron. The paper describes the influence of applied heat treatment parameters on microstructure of selected austempered ductile iron grades. Conditions necessary to reduce size of phases to a nanometric scale by heat treatment in austempered ductile iron are discussed.
Electroless deposition of graded Ni–P coatings
Authors: Hadipour A. , M. Monirvaghefi S. , Bahrololoom M. E.
Published: December 2014

In this study, graded Ni–P coatings were deposited on copper substrates by electroless plating method. The surface morphology and cross-section observations were made using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. Degree of crystallinity was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results showed that the use of electroless Ni–P coatings with gradual change of phosphorus content led to an increase in surface smoothness and the formation of more compact nodules. The XRD patterns indicated that by heat treating, the amorphous phase of the high phosphorus layer was changed to crystalline phases, such as Ni, Ni2P and Ni3P. The graded Ni–P coatings had high wear resistance, and the coatings with the sequence of low P/medium P/high P layers from the substrate to the surface had the best wear resistance.
Integrin αvβ3 acting as membrane receptor for thyroid hormones mediates angiogenesis in malignant T cells
Authors: Cayrol Florencia , Díaz Flaqué María Celeste , Fernando Tharu , Yang Shao Ning , Sterle Helena Andrea , Bolontrade Marcela , Amorós Mariana , Isse Blanca , Farías Ricardo Norberto , Ahn Haelee , Tian Ye F. , Tabbò Fabrizio , Singh Ankur , Inghirami Giorgio , Cerchietti Leandro , Cremaschi Graciela Alicia
Published: December 2014

Key Points

We elucidate a molecular mechanism by which thyroid hormones sustain TCL survival. We demonstrate that the membrane receptor of THs, integrin αvβ3, constitutes a potential target for TCL.
Fabrication and investigation of the optoelectrical properties of MoS2/CdS heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Gu Weixia , Yang Fan , Wu Chen , Zhang Yi , Shi Miaoyuan , Ma Xiying
Published: December 2014

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)/cadmium sulfide (CdS) heterojunction solar cells were successfully synthesized via chemical bath deposition (CBD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The as-grown CdS film on a fluorine tin oxide (FTO) substrate deposited by CBD is continuous and compact. The MoS2 film deposited by CVD is homogeneous and continuous, with a uniform color and a thickness of approximately 10 nm. The optical absorption range of the MoS2/CdS heterojunction covers the visible and near-infrared spectral regions of 350 to 800 nm, which is beneficial for the improvement of solar cell efficiency. Moreover, the MoS2/CdS solar cell exhibits good current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and pronounced photovoltaic behavior, with an open-circuit voltage of 0.66 V and a short-circuit current density of 0.227 × 10-6 A/cm2, comparable to the results obtained from other MoS2-based solar cells. This research is critical to investigate more efficient and stable solar cells based on graphene-like materials in the future.
The roots of future rice harvests
Authors: Ahmadi Nourollah , Audebert Alain , Bennett Malcolm J , Bishopp Anthony , de Oliveira Antonio Costa , Courtois Brigitte , Diedhiou Abdala , Diévart Anne , Gantet Pascal , Ghesquière Alain , Guiderdoni Emmanuel , Henry Amelia , Inukai Yoshiaki , Kochian Leon , Laplaze Laurent , Lucas Mikael , Luu Doan Trung , Manneh Baboucarr , Mo Xiaorong , Muthurajan Raveendran , Périn Christophe , Price Adam , Robin Sabariappan , Sentenac Hervé , Sine Bassirou , Uga Yusaku , Véry Anne Aliénor , Wissuwa Matthias , Wu Ping , Xu Jian
Published: December 2014

Rice production faces the challenge to be enhanced by 50% by year 2030 to meet the growth of the population in rice-eating countries. Whereas yield of cereal crops tend to reach plateaus and a yield is likely to be deeply affected by climate instability and resource scarcity in the coming decades, building rice cultivars harboring root systems that can maintain performance by capturing water and nutrient resources unevenly distributed is a major breeding target. Taking advantage of gathering a community of rice root biologists in a Global Rice Science Partnership workshop held in Montpellier, France, we present here the recent progresses accomplished in this area and focal points where an international network of laboratories should direct their efforts.
Acute kidney injury survivors should have long-term follow-up
Authors: Vandenberghe Wim , Hoste Eric AJ
Published: December 2014

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequently occurring complication in ICU patients and is associated with decreased short- and long-term survival. Gammelager and colleagues showed that AKI patients are at increased risk for developing heart failure and myocardial infarction at long-term follow-up. Their study provides strong epidemiological data on cardiorenal syndrome type 3, and their findings help explain the worse long-term survival of AKI patients. Finally, it also highlights the need for specific follow-up programs for ICU survivors.
Nanomechanics of phospholipid LB film studied layer by layer with AFM
Authors: Li Yinli , Zhu Changjiang , Zhu Jichun , Liang Hao , Chen Dong , Zhao Huiling , Liu Bo
Published: December 2014

Background

Phospholipid, a main component of cell membrane, has been explored as a model system of the cell membrane and temporary scaffold materials in recent studies. The mechanical properties of phospholipid layers are essentially interesting since it is involved in several biological processes.

Results

Here, the nanomechanical properties such as indentation force, adhesion force and DMT (Derjaguin-Müller-Toporov) modulus of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films were analyzed layer by layer with Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) under deionized water condition.

Conclusions

The penetration distances in the indentation force curves are equal to the thicknesses of phospholipid films, and the yield forces of DSPC LB films in deionized water are smaller than that of similar lipid films in buffered solutions due to the influence of ions. Moreover, the DMT modulus of upper layer DSPC LB film is different from that of monolayer DSPC LB film due to the influence of their different substrates. Our results suggest that environment such as surrounding ions and substrate will strongly influence the measured nano-mechanical properties of the lipid bilayer, especially that of the down layer.
Patients reported outcome post-cochlear implantation: How severe is their dizziness?
Authors: Zawawi Faisal , Alobaid Faisal , Leroux Tony , Zeitouni Anthony G
Published: December 2014

Objectives

The reported prevalence of vestibular dysfunction after cochlear implantation (CI) is varies between different scientific papers. The aim of this study is to determine the reported post-implantation outcome in terms of dizziness, and to measure its impact on quality of life using the Dizziness handicap inventory (DHI).

Methods

This was a prospective questionnaire based study of postoperative cochlear implant patients. The questionnaire assessed the type and onset of dizziness in addition to the DHI.

Results

122 patients were recruited in this study, which is the largest sample size in the literature reported so far. Dizziness was evident in 45.9% of the population post-CI and in 27% pre-CI. The commonest subtype of the dizziness was unsteadiness followed by lightheadedness. The dizziness was mild in most of the patients.

Conclusion

Although mild, dizziness is a common complaint post-cochlear implantation. An understanding of symptoms helps counsel patients preoperatively.
Overview of major salivary gland cancer surgery in Ontario (2003–2010)
Authors: Eskander Antoine , Irish Jonathan , Freeman Jeremy , Gullane Patrick , Gilbert Ralph , Groome Patti A , Hall Stephen F , Urbach David R , Goldstein David P
Published: December 2014

Background

The primary objective of this study is to describe variations in incidence rates, resection rates, and types of surgical ablations performed on patients diagnosed with major salivary gland cancers in Ontario.

Methods

All major salivary gland cancer cases in Ontario (2003–2010) were identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry (n = 1,241). Variations in incidence rates, resection rates, and type of surgical therapy were compared by sex, age group, neighbourhood income, community population, health region, and physician specialty.

Results

Eight-year incidence rates per 100,000 vary significantly by sex (male: 15.5, female: 9.7), age (18–54 years: 6.7, 75+ years: 53.4), neighborhood income (lowest quintile: 11.8, highest quintile: 13.7), and community size (cities with a population greater than 1.5 million: 10.6, cities with a population of less than 100,000: 14.7). There was a significant correlation between the likelihood to receive a resection and age with the elderly (75+ years) being the least likely to receive resection (69%). Large differences in incidence and resection rates were observed by health region. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck surgeons provide the majority of total/radical resections (95%).

Conclusions

Major salivary gland cancer incidence rates vary by sex, age, neighborhood income, community size, and health region. Resection rates vary by age and health region. These disparities warrant further evaluation. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgeons provide the majority of major salivary gland cancer surgical care.
Evaluation of the Stage IB Designation of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System in Breast Cancer
Authors: Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , Ballman Karla V. , McCall Linda M. , Yi Min , Sahin Aysegul A. , Bedrosian Isabelle , Hansen Nora , Gabram Sheryl , Hurd Thelma , Giuliano Armando E. , Hunt Kelly K.
Published: December 2014

Purpose

The seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for breast cancer differentiates patients with T1 tumors and lymph node micrometastases (stage IB) from patients with T1 tumors and negative nodes (stage IA). This study was undertaken to determine the utility of the stage IB designation.

Patients and Methods

The following two cohorts of patients with breast cancer were identified: 3,474 patients treated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1993 to 2007 and 4,590 patients from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0010 trial. Clinicopathologic and outcomes data were recorded, and disease was staged according to the seventh edition AJCC staging system. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.

Results

Median follow-up times were 6.1 years and 9.0 years for the MD Anderson Cancer Center and ACOSOG cohorts, respectively. In both cohorts, there were no significant differences between patients with stage IA and stage IB disease in 5- or 10-year RFS, DSS, or OS. Estrogen receptor (ER) status and grade significantly stratified patients with stage I disease with respect to RFS, DSS, and OS.

Conclusion

Among patients with T1 breast cancer, individuals with micrometastases and those with negative nodes have similar survival outcomes. ER status and grade are better discriminants of survival than the presence of small-volume nodal metastases. In preparing the next edition of the AJCC staging system, consideration should be given to eliminating the stage IB designation and incorporating biologic factors.
Soy Protein Isolate Inhibits High-Fat Diet-Induced Senescence Pathways in Osteoblasts to Maintain Bone Acquisition in Male Rats
Authors: Chen Jin-Ran , Lazarenko Oxana P. , Blackburn Michael L. , Badger Thomas M. , Ronis Martin J. J.
Published: December 2014

Chronic consumption by experimental animals of a typical Western diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol during postnatal life has been demonstrated to impair skeletal development. However, the underlying mechanism by which high-fat, energy-dense diets affect bone-forming cell phenotypes is poorly understood. Here, we show that male weanling rats fed a diet containing 45% fat and 0.5% cholesterol made with casein (HF-Cas) for 6 weeks displayed lower bone mineral density and strength compared with those of AIN-93G–fed dietary controls. Substitution of casein with soy protein isolate (SPI) in the high-fat diet (HF-SPI) prevented these effects. The bone-sparing effects of SPI were associated with prevention of HF-Cas–induced osteoblast senescence pathways through suppression of the p53/p21 signaling pathways. HF-Cas–fed rats had increased caveolin-1 and down-regulated Sirt1, leading to activations of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and p53/p21, whereas rats fed HF-SPI suppressed caveolin-1 and activated Sirt1 to deacetylate PPARγ and p53 in bone. Treatment of osteoblastic cells with nonesterified free fatty acid (NEFA) increased cell senescence signaling pathways. Isoflavones significantly blocked activations of senescence-associated β-galactosidase and PPARγ/p53/p21 by NEFA. Finally, replicative senescent osteoblastic cells and bone marrow mesenchymal ST2 cells exhibited behavior similar to that of cells treated with NEFA and in vivo bone cells in rats fed the HF-Cas diet. These results suggest that (1) high concentrations of NEFA occurring with HF intake are mediators of osteoblast cell senescence leading to impairment of bone development and acquisition and (2) the molecular mechanisms underlying the SPI-protective effects involve isoflavone-induced inhibition of osteoblastic cell senescence to prevent HF-induced bone impairments.
Aspects of Mathematical Explanation: Symmetry, Unity, and Salience
Authors: Lange Marc
Published: December 2014

Unlike explanation in science, explanation in mathematics has received relatively scant attention from philosophers. Whereas there are canonical examples of scientific explanations (as well as canonical examples of nonexplanations, such as “the flagpole,” “the eclipse,” and “the barometer”), there are few (if any) examples that have become widely accepted as exhibiting the distinction between mathematical proofs that explain why some mathematical theorem holds and proofs that merely prove that the theorem holds without revealing the reason why it holds. This essay offers some examples of proofs that mathematicians have considered explanatory (or not), and it argues that these examples suggest a particular account of explanation in mathematics (at least, of those explanations consisting of proofs). The essay compares its account to Steiner's and Kitcher's. Among the topics that arise are proofs that exploit symmetries, mathematical coincidences, brute-force proofs, simplicity in mathematics, merely clever proofs, and proofs that unify what other proofs treat as separate cases.
Case Report: Mammary and rectal metastases from an ovarian cancer: report of two cases and review of literature
Authors: Amzerin Mounia , Garcia Camilo , Stanciu Claudia , Veys Isabelle , Awada Ahmad , Errihani Hassan , Gombos Andrea
Published: December 2014

In this paper we report two interesting cases of metastatic ovarian cancer. The first case is a patient who developed rectal and breast metastases mimicking an inflammatory breast cancer. In the second case, subclinical breast and axillary lymph node metastases were revealed by PET/CT. Metastases in the breast originating from solid tumors are extremely rare. The ovarian primitive is the fourth most common origin. The occurrence of breast metastasis is associated with an advanced disease and a poor prognosis. Their incidence is increasing since they are found more often due to better imaging techniques and to better treatment that, accordingly, improve patients’ survival. Thus, unusual sites of metastases are more and more reported. Indeed, some authors reported the occurrence of colorectal metastases from ovarian cancer. However, they remain much less frequent.
High‐performance digitization of natural history collections: Automated imaging lines for herbarium and insect specimens
Authors: Tegelberg Riitta , Mononen Tero , Saarenmaa Hannu
Published: December 2014

The digitization of natural history collections calls for new, efficient solutions. Digitization of millions of specimens, with reasonable digitization costs and high statistical repeatability requires increased automation and industrial‐scale work‐flows. However, the variation in specimen form, size and coloring creates challenges for digitization methodology, pushing development towards optional actions. In this paper, we report the results of the digitization of herbarium and beetle collections using automated imaging lines. The technology of the imaging lines was based on a common innovation, but the versions used were applied to either 2‐D sheets or small 3‐D objects. The aim was to develop processes for enhancing the digitization of natural history specimens, but at the same time, to produce end products with high quality. Results showed that the herbarium and beetle collections could be digitized by using automation at the rate of hundreds or thousands of individual specimens per day. This is 5–10 times faster than the more manual methods of digitization which were previously used. The produced data, images and specimen label data were uniform in quality and could be viewed within minutes after being produced. Results indicate that the efficiency of digitization can be raised for different types of natural history specimens by use of automation and well‐defined processes, and the increase in production rate does not reduce the quality of the end‐results.
Observation as a method of data collection in qualitative research
Authors: Phillips Robyn
Published: December 2014

Observation is a commonly used technique in qualitative research. The aim of the researcher as an observer is to witness and record everything, while causing minimal effect on events, in order to make sense of the ‘world’ from the viewpoint of those being observed.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome on the intensive care unit
Authors: Liew Felicity , Martin Daniel
Published: December 2014

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening condition that is common in critically ill patients. Historically, diagnosis has been difficult and prognosis has been poor, but the Berlin definition and developments in medical therapies provide promise that we can improve outcomes for these patients in the future.
Leading Change in Policing: Police Culture and the Psychological Contract
Authors: White Vernon , Robinson Susan
Published: December 2014

Police leaders have a complex and challenging role in which they balance a variety of demands related to operational areas while simultaneously managing the needs of the organisation for the future. In addition, the role of policing is constantly changing and is a much more complex role than in years and decades gone by. To fill this broader and more complex role effectively, police on the ground need leaders who are flexible and possess a broad range of consolidated policing skills and experience. The psychological contract is an important consideration in managing change. The psychological contract contains the spoken and tacit beliefs, understandings and obligations between the employer and employee, often setting out the dynamics of the relationship itself and the manner in which it operates. Breaching the psychological contract can have negative consequences for the organisation. It is argued that by developing and maintaining clearly articulated and widely circulated organisational expectations, the police leader can overtly manage the psychological contract, making the management of change easier to accomplish. In the truest sense, this is leading the way for the future of policing.
The Effects of Gender and Country on Stress and Resilience: A Comparative Study of Police Academy Recruits from Australia, China and Canada
Authors: Robinson Susan , MacCulloch Rachel , Arentsen Virginia
Published: December 2014

Policing is a stressful career. It not only involves shift work and working directly with the general public but is often a thankless, unpredictable and violent occupation. It is difficult to argue against the reality that police officers experience a range of unavoidable day-to-day stressors in undertaking their duties that the police organisation is unable to prevent or mitigate. It is important therefore to recruit people with good resilience skills and who can manage their stress levels in a positive way. The purpose of the research study was to examine the effects of gender and country on stress and coping in police recruits. Three classes of police recruits at academies in Australia, Canada and China completed a questionnaire that the authors developed to assess the longitudinal experiences of stress and resilience, and to identify lifestyle factors that might exacerbate stress or conversely contribute to better coping and greater stress resilience. This article reports on the first year of a three-year longitudinal study. As expected, it shows that resilience levels are high and stress levels are low in police recruits in the academy in all countries, except for Chinese males who showed significantly higher stress levels than their male and female counterparts. Social expectations for men in China may be a possible explanation for this difference.
An Analysis of Firearms Training Performance among Active Law Enforcement Officers in the USA
Authors: Thomasson John , Gorman Dean R. , Lirgg Cathy D. , Adams Douglas J.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of differing stressors, associated with common exercises for handgun training of law enforcement officers, on performance and heart rate. Law enforcement officers were tested in groups for static shooting, shooting with running, and simulated combat; shoot-house exercises were performed individually. The firearms exercises performed on hit rate percentages yielded a significant effect on performance. Post hoc testing indicated that simulation and shoot-house exercises were significantly different from all other drills. Static shooting hit rate and run-shoot hit rate drills were significantly different from the simulation and shoot-house drills, but were not significantly different from each other. The firearms exercises also resulted in a significant effect on heart rates. Post hoc testing indicated significant differences in only two comparisons: static shooting and shoot-house exercises, and static shooting and simulation. Finally, a Pearson's r correlation performed on hit rate percentages and heart rate data resulted in a significant negative correlation r = .49. The differences between exercises in both performance and heart rate suggest that training that is more similar to actual force-on-force situations decrease performance and increase heart rate. Based on these findings, it would seem that training programmes should incorporate a greater proportion of training time devoted to combat situations involving high-stress exercises.
The profile of journalist and the discourses on journalism: Investigating the changes in the working world of professional journalists in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Fígaro Roseli , Nonato Cláudia , Grohmann Rafael
Published: December 2014

This article discusses the quantitative and qualitative results from the research ‘The journalist profile and the discourses on journalism: Investigating the changes in the working world of professional journalists in São Paulo, Brazil’, which has as objective to understand the changes in the working world, in the professional profile of journalists and in theirs discourses. In the first part, we contextualize the research in these changes from the rise of capitalism, from media convergence and from the deep cultural changes introduced by the use of new technologies. In the second part, we report the methodological procedures that justify the composition of the sample of our research (the journalists). In the last part, we present the results of the research and the observations on the analysis of the professional profile of journalists from São Paulo, the Brazilian state that has the highest number of journalists, besides the challenges of the profession.
Pharmacogenetics in Central American healthy volunteers: interethnic variability
Authors: Céspedes-Garro Carolina , Naranjo María-Eugenia G. , Ramírez Ronald , Serrano Víctor , Fariñas Humberto , Barrantes Ramiro , LLerena Adrián , for CEIBA Consortium of the Ibero-American Network of Pharma
Published: December 2014

Ethnicity is one of the major factors involved in interindividual variability to drug response. This study aims to describe the frequency of the most relevant pharmacogenetic biomarkers and metabolic phenotypes in Central American healthy volunteers and to determine its interethnic variability. Twenty-six original research articles on allelic, genotypes or metabolic phenotype frequencies were analyzed, in which a total number of 7611 Central American healthy volunteers were included (6118 were analyzed for genotype and 1799 for metabolic phenotype). No reports were available for population from Belize and Honduras. The CYP2D6*4 and *5 frequencies in Amerindian populations from Costa Rica have shown to be among the highest frequencies so far reported in the world. Furthermore, NAT2*5 and *6 presented higher frequencies in admixed populations than in Amerindians, but, inversely, the NAT2*7 was more frequent in Amerindians compared to an admixed population. Likewise, different patterns of distribution have been shown in HLA-A*02, *03 and HLA-B*07 among Native populations from Latin America. Reports on Central American populations were also found for the CYP2C19, LDLR, CYP2E1, MDR1, G6PD, TP53, CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 biomarkers, but no data were available for the other 91 pharmacogenetic biomarkers revised in Central American populations. Differences in the frequency of some pharmacogenetic biomarkers and metabolic phenotypes were found, showing interethnic variability within Central American and with other Latin American populations.
Nur über seine Leiche: Knut Faldbakkens Maude danser als phantastische Groteske und Märchentravestie
Authors: Lemke Christiane
Published: December 2014

This essay argues that Knut Faldbakkens novel
Consideration of Internal Board Camera Optics for Triaxial Testing Applications
Authors: Salazar Sean E. , Coffman Richard A.
Published: December 2014

The application of small board cameras, located within a triaxial cell to determine radial and axial strain, was investigated. Specifically, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors were utilized in conjunction with precision pinhole apertures to capture images from within the triaxial cell. The cameras were fully immersed in electronics-grade silicone oil and were able to withstand cell pressures that are common to triaxial testing (up to 1034 kPa (150 psi)). The small size of the cameras allowed for implementation within the triaxial cell, thereby avoiding: (1) the cumbersome corrections that are required to account for refraction at the confining fluid–cell wall–air interfaces and magnification due to cell wall curvature, and (2) the amount of space required for outside-of-the-cell monitoring systems that utilize cameras. The final design of the cameras was based on an iterative testing process in which various types of small board cameras, lenses, and finally pinhole apertures were investigated. The advantages of the lensless pinhole aperture camera design included: (1) lack of optical aberrations, such as those encountered in traditional lensed camera systems, (2) practically infinite depth of field, allowing for sharp, close-up images, and (3) wide-angle field of view without the distortions that are associated with the use of wide-angle lenses. As discussed herein, the pinhole cameras were optimized for optical resolution and light entry to minimize the effect of diffraction patterns that are commonly associated with pinhole apertures. The resolution of the cameras was determined to be sufficient for the potential application of the cameras (volume measurements). The instrumentation presented herein provides a novel alternative to the state-of-the-art outside-of-the-cell photogrammetric instrumentation that is currently employed to monitor soil specimens during triaxial tests.
Performance Evaluation of a Plastic Foundation for Sewage Pipeline
Authors: Kim Seong-Kyum , Lee Dong-Hang , Lee Kwan-Ho
Published: December 2014

Earth pressure (i.e., the overburden pressure caused by hydraulic pressure and vehicle traffic loads) affects sewage pipelines. In particular, backfill materials and the execution of works considerably affect the amount of damage to sewage pipelines. A plastic foundation has been developed to reduce this damage. The load-deformation test results obtained using a universal testing machine show that the load of a rigid concrete pipe (a typical rigid pipe) increased when the contact angle of the lightweight plastic foundation increased. When the contact angle was 135°, as in case A1 in this study, 4.1 tons and 3.4 tons were measured at the sockets and pipe body, respectively. For a contact angle of 90° (case A2), the destructive strength was measured as 3.7 tons at the sockets and 2.9 tons at the pipe body. Overall, the deformation of the pipe resulted in tensile strain in the diametrical direction, and slight shrinkage occurred in the longitudinal direction of the pipe as a result of loading on a prefabricated lightweight plastic foundation. For the foundation of the polyethylene triple-wall corrugated pipe, 100 % new plastic was used for case B1, whereas 50 % recycled plastic was used for case B2. The results show that 1.49 tons were observed at 5 % of pipe strain for case B1, whereas 1.35 tons were observed at 5 % of pipe strain for case B2. The recycled plastic foundation showed a tendency to somewhat reduce the load relative to the foundation that consisted of original materials. The results of destructive strength tests on a plastic foundation show that case B1 featured 13.78 tons of loading and 5.16 mm of deformation, whereas case B2 showed 9.66 tons of loading and 5.41 mm of deformation.
Assessment of Physiological Load Testing of Total Knee Implants
Authors: Van Valkenburg Scott M. , Werner Frederick W. , Bhimji Safia , White Bruce F. , Asseman François B.
Published: December 2014

As the demands for total knee arthroplasty continue to rise, the methodologies for testing current and future devices may require refinement. Current standards have not been shown to simulate wear rates and patterns seen in explanation studies. The purpose of this study was to assess a combination of potentially more physiological testing protocols. Four identical TKAs were implanted into four fresh cadaver knees and tested in a knee simulator. Each knee was tested using the ISO load control testing standard (ISO 14243-1) and five novel testing protocols representing different activities of daily living. Motions were recorded between the tibia and femur (tibial rotation, anterior–posterior (AP) motion) and between the implant and bone (superior-inferior femoral condylar motion, tibial tray vertical motion). The total tibial AP cadaver motion varied from a total of 6.2 to 7.6 mm for the six loading protocols during a cycle of motion. For the ISO gait profile and the new gait, stair ascent and stair descent profiles, the range of tibial cadaver rotation varied from 9.2° with the ISO gait to 10.2° with the stair ascent. The crossover turn had a range of 16.3° and the pivot turn a range of 18.7°. Larger tibial tray AP motion, relative to the tibia, occurred with the pivot turn and crossover turn motions, compared to the gait motions or stair activities. This study supports the viability of new and alternative loading profiles. We suggest that these novel profiles should be considered by the ASTM or ISO as they seek to supplement or replace the profiles currently in use.
Experimental Research of Crack Propagation in Polymethyl Methacrylate Material Containing Flaws Under Explosive Stress Waves
Authors: Renshu Yang , Yanbing Wang , Dongming Guo , Huajun Xue
Published: December 2014

The crack propagation behavior of the material polymethyl methacrylate with flaws under the effects of explosive stress waves were studied using a digital laser dynamic caustics method. Four different kinds of experimental conditions were set: open joints, closed joints, confined pressure around the specimen, and double boreholes. A digital high-speed camera was utilized to record a series of dynamic caustics spots at the tip of the propagation wing cracks. The cracks' paths and the dynamic stress intensity factor (DSIF) at the tip of the two wing cracks are evaluated. Crack patterns, variation of DSIF, and the mechanisms of the wing cracking process are analyzed and discussed. The results provided an effective experimental basis for evaluating and designing directional controlled blasting for excavating rock faces and tunnels.
Experimental Assessment of Fly-Ash Stabilized and Recycled Mixes
Authors: Mráz Václav , Valentin Jan , Suda Jan , Kopecký Lubomír
Published: December 2014

The use of fly-ash stabilizers, materials from fluidized combustion fly-ash, and other solid coal-burning residues, which are called coal combustion by-products (CCB), have good potential for application in subgrade structures and roadbed materials of roads as well as in the structural pavement layers. One of the many factors limiting the application of some CCB sorts is the relatively low resistance in repetitive contact with water, volumetric changes, and the risk of partly unsatisfactory hygienic and environmental parameters. With respect to the aforementioned negative characteristics of CCB, which occurred primarily under the repetitive impact of water and freezing, the experimental examination focused on improving CCB resistance to frost and water, verification of volumetric changes, and improvement of pozzolana characteristics of CCB by increasing the percentage of fine particles in the original material (e.g., by means of mechanical and/or chemical activation, including combination of both types). At the same time, the road construction industry strives to find a suitable substitute for the traditionally applied hydraulic binders as well as expand the existing base of the binders applied. The experience with using CCB as a binder or binder component has not been as extensive so far as to allow any generalisation of conclusions. Therefore, the possibilities of applying alternative additives as a replacement for the binders traditionally applied have been researched. Another application of the coal combustion by-products tested was in cold recycling mixes. In this case, the fly-ash from fluidized combustion is used as a substitute for the hydraulic binder. The fly-ash tested was subjected to mechanical activation, while the parameters of the mix under scrutiny reflected the impact on the strength and deformation parameters of the mix; last but not least, the water susceptibility indicator was also monitored. From the environmental perspective of practical applicability of the mixes a chemical analysis and leaching tests have been done.