bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of the conductor’s goal orientation and use of shared performance cues on collegiate instrumentalists’ motivational beliefs and performance in large musical ensembles
Authors: Matthews Wendy K. , Kitsantas Anastasia
Published: May 2012

This study examined the effects of the conductor’s goal orientation (mastery vs. performance) and use of shared performance cues (basic vs. interpretive vs. expressive) on instrumentalists’ self-efficacy, collective efficacy, attributions, and performance. Eighty-one college instrumentalists from two musical ensembles participated in the study. It was hypothesized that instrumentalists who undergo a mastery goal-oriented rehearsal and experience a conductor’s use of expressive shared performance cues would report higher levels in all measures than those who undergo a performance goal-oriented rehearsal and are exposed to interpretive performance cues, which in turn surpass those who experience basic performance cues. Results indicated that participants in the mastery goal orientation condition reported higher levels of collective and self-efficacy beliefs and attributed the success or failure of the ensemble most frequently to the conductor’s use of rehearsal strategies (i.e., baton technique, verbal directions regarding the music). In addition, the conductor’s use of expressive shared performance cues had a significant impact on instrumentalists’ collective efficacy, self-efficacy, performance, and attributions. Findings of this study may provide some guidance on how conductors can create effective rehearsal environments.
The necessity of a multiscalar analysis of climate justice
Authors: Barrett Sam
Published: May 2012

This article suggests that a multiscalar and interdisciplinary construct is required to analyse climate justice as an appraisal of the distribution of climate finance for adaptation. The analysis of climate justice necessitates a determination of whether the inter- and intrastate distribution and ultimate effectiveness of climate finance for adaptation is realized across and between scales. This article finds current approaches to climate justice lacking in empirical research that can incorporate multiple scales. Using climate finance for adaptation projects as a proxy, the article applies theoretical frameworks from Geography and Political Science to realize climate justice as an accumulative top-down process.
Which Is More Effective to Prevent Enteral Nutrition–Related Complications, High‐ or Medium‐Viscosity Thickened Enteral Formula in Patients With Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy?
Authors: Ichimaru Satomi , Amagai Teruyoshi , Wakita Maki , Shiro Yoshihiko
Published: May 2012

Background:

Administration of thickened enteral formula (TEF) through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is becoming a common practice in Japan to prevent enteral nutrition (EN)–related complications. However, what constitutes an adequate viscosity of TEF remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical effects of TEFs with different viscosities administered through PEG.

Methods:

The subjects were 50 patients admitted to a single institution who underwent PEG placement. Viscosities of TEFs frequently administered to the patients were measured, and EN‐related complications, nutrition intakes, and clinical outcomes were compared between high‐ and medium‐viscosity TEFs during the first 2 weeks after TEF feeding initiation.

Results:

The measured viscosities of high‐ and medium‐viscosity TEFs were 10,382 ± 931 and 3492 ± 296 mPa·s, respectively. Protein and fluid intakes with TEF were significantly less in the high‐viscosity group. There was no significant difference in EN‐related complications, energy intakes, or clinical outcomes between high‐ and medium‐viscosity TEFs.

Conclusion:

In this study, high‐viscosity TEFs showed no statistical difference in either EN‐related complications or clinical outcomes, in comparison with medium‐viscosity TEF.
Cardiac Arrest Following Ketamine Administration for Rapid Sequence Intubation
Authors: Dewhirst Elisabeth , Frazier W. Joshua , Leder Marc , Fraser Douglas D. , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: May 2012

Given their relative hemodynamic stability, ketamine and etomidate are commonly chosen anesthetic agents for sedation during the endotracheal intubation of critically ill patients. As the use of etomidate has come into question particularly in patients with sepsis, due to its effect of adrenal suppression, there has been a shift in practice with more reliance on ketamine. However, as ketamine relies on a secondary sympathomimetic effect for its cardiovascular stability, cardiovascular and hemodynamic compromise may occur in patients who are catecholamine depleted. We present 2 critically ill patients who experienced cardiac arrest following the administration of ketamine for rapid sequence intubation (RSI). The literature regarding the use of etomidate and ketamine for RSI in critically ill patients is reviewed and options for sedation during endotracheal intubation in this population are discussed.
Evaluation of the synergistic effect of layered double hydroxides with micro- and nano-CaCO3 on the thermal stability of polyvinyl chloride composites
Authors: Ahamad Abdul , Patil Chetan B , Gite Vikas V , Hundiwale Dilip G
Published: May 2012

Synergistic stabilizing effect of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with micro- as well as nano-sized calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on thermal stability of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was studied and evaluated. Nano-sized CaCO3 was prepared in the laboratory by matrix-mediated growth and controlled (in situ deposition) technique. Crystal size of nano-CaCO3 was estimated by studying x-ray diffraction pattern. The PVC composites were prepared using Brabender Plastograph instrument. Various formulations were prepared by taking fixed amount of LDH and varying the concentration of micro-/nano-sized CaCO3. PVC sheets of 1 mm thickness were prepared on compression molding machine. Thermal stability in terms of thermal degradation was studied by thermogravimetric analyzer. Surface morphology and mechanical property were studied using scanning electron microscopy and universal tensile machine. Increase in the onset temperature of the PVC sheets was considered as imparting a better thermal stability to PVC. Better synergistic effect on the stabilization of PVC was observed in case of LDH with nano-sized CaCO3 and compared with micro-sized CaCO3.
A Metaphysical Kant: A Theological Lingua Franca?
Authors: Insole Christopher
Published: May 2012

I track a strand of intellectualist theology, running from Kant’s pre-critical into his critical work, whereby the divine will is constrained in its creative activity by the divine understanding. I suggest that Kant’s intellectualist theology continues to do important work in his mature conception of transcendental idealism, transcendental freedom and autonomy. I consider briefly how this might impact upon theological ethics, particularly in relation to the conflict between Kantian secularists and religious believers. I conclude by asking whether Kant’s intellectualist theology—with its Platonic strands—opens up possibilities for inter-faith dialogue.
The Future of Theological Ethics: Response to Christopher Insole
Authors: Gibbs Robert
Published: May 2012

I shift the focus from questions of rational theology to questions of law and interrogate the nature of ethics from the perspective of Jewish philosophy. The key critical issues for criticising Kant’s philosophy will be the separation of ethics and law and the reduction of the sollen of morality to a kind of necessity. Nonetheless, I suggest that Jewish thinkers will follow Kant in thinking about God first from the perspective of practical philosophy.
The Future of ‘Theological Ethics’: Returning the Gaze
Authors: Emon Anver M.
Published: May 2012

This article offers an Islamic legal perspective on the question posed by this symposium issue, namely the future of theological ethics. Concerned that abstract statements of value all too often play into an apologetics that hides more than it reveals, the article offers a paradigm that makes two specific contributions to the question of this symposium in a context of increasing tension over religious diversity in Europe and North America. First, it adopts a context-rich form of ethical engagement that weaves together commitments to theology and to our place in the world. Second, it provides a model by which to interrogate the assumptions and even the secular apologetics that arise in legal disputes involving contests about religion and the public sphere.
Early Development of Fear Processing
Authors: Leppänen Jukka M. , Nelson Charles A.
Published: May 2012

Considerable advances have been made in understanding how emotional information is coded in the brain and used in the service of adaptive behavior, yet the developmental origins of these processes remain relatively unexamined. In this article, we review recent studies in human infants and experimental animals that have highlighted the importance of the first years of life in the development of emotion-processing capacities, particularly the ability to respond preferentially to threat-alerting stimuli. We discuss mechanisms that might govern the development of these capacities and suggest directions for further research into the nature and functional significance of infants’ early-emerging biases in the perception of emotional information.
Statistical Learning
Authors: Aslin Richard N. , Newport Elissa L.
Published: May 2012

Statistical learning is a rapid and robust mechanism that enables adults and infants to extract patterns embedded in both language and visual domains. Statistical learning operates implicitly, without instruction, through mere exposure to a set of input stimuli. However, much of what learners must acquire about a structured domain consists of principles or rules that can be applied to novel inputs. It has been claimed that statistical learning and rule learning are separate mechanisms; in this article, however, we review evidence and provide a unifying perspective that argues for a single statistical-learning mechanism that accounts for both the learning of input stimuli and the generalization of learned patterns to novel instances. The balance between instance-learning and generalization is based on two factors: the strength of perceptual and cognitive biases that highlight structural regularities, and the consistency of elements’ contexts (unique vs. overlapping) in the input.
Human Reward Pursuit
Authors: Bijleveld Erik , Custers Ruud , Aarts Henk
Published: May 2012

Human reward pursuit is often found to be governed by conscious assessments of expected value and required effort. Yet research has also indicated that rewards are initially valuated and processed outside of awareness by rudimentary brain structures. Building on both of these findings, we propose a new framework for understanding human performance in the service of reward pursuit. We suggest that people initially process rewards unconsciously, which can boost effort and facilitate performance. Subsequently, people may process rewards more fully, which allows them to make strategic decisions on the basis of task conditions and to consciously reflect on the rewards. Intriguingly, these specific processes associated with full reward processing can cause its effects on performance to diverge from those of initial reward processing. In this article, we review recent research that supports this framework. Finally, we discuss how our framework may lead to a refined yet broadly applicable understanding of the human pursuit of rewards.
Protective Factors for Health Among Low-Socioeconomic-Status Individuals
Authors: Chen Edith
Published: May 2012

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a wide array of poor health outcomes. Nonetheless, some low-SES individuals maintain good physical health despite facing recurrent, severe adversities in life. This article describes a “shift-and-persist” model that explains why that is. The model states that in the midst of adversity, some low-SES children find role models who teach them to trust others, to better regulate their emotions, and to focus on their futures. Over a lifetime, these low-SES individuals may develop an approach to life that prioritizes shifting (accepting stress for what it is and adapting oneself to it) in combination with persisting (enduring life challenges by holding on to meaning and optimism). This combination of shifting and persisting strategies mitigates physiological responses to the barrage of stressors confronted by low-SES individuals and forestalls pathogenic sequelae that lead to chronic disease. Identifying health-relevant protective qualities that naturally occur in some low-SES individuals represents one important approach for improving the health of those who confront a lifetime of disadvantages.
Retrieval-Based Learning
Authors: Karpicke Jeffrey D.
Published: May 2012

Retrieval is the key process for understanding learning and for promoting learning, yet retrieval is not often granted the central role it deserves. Learning is typically identified with the encoding or construction of knowledge, and retrieval is considered merely the assessment of learning that occurred in a prior experience. The retrieval-based learning perspective outlined here is grounded in the fact that all expressions of knowledge involve retrieval and depend on the retrieval cues available in a given context. Further, every time a person retrieves knowledge, that knowledge is changed, because retrieving knowledge improves one’s ability to retrieve it again in the future. Practicing retrieval does not merely produce rote, transient learning; it produces meaningful, long-term learning. Yet retrieval practice is a tool many students lack metacognitive awareness of and do not use as often as they should. Active retrieval is an effective but undervalued strategy for promoting meaningful learning.
Attention to Information in Working Memory
Authors: Oberauer Klaus , Hein Laura
Published: May 2012

Working memory retains information and makes it available for processing. People often need to hold several chunks of information available while concentrating on only one of them. This process requires selective attention to the contents of working memory. In this article, we summarize evidence for both a broad focus of attention with a capacity of approximately four chunks and a narrow focus of attention that selects a single chunk at a time.
A simple mobility game for couples’ migration decisions and some quasi-experimental evidence
Authors: Abraham Martin , Nisic Natascha
Published: May 2012

This paper develops a new theoretical model for couples’ migration decisions, called the mobility game. The model describes migration decisions as reliant on the strategic interdependence of two partners. The important implications of this model are as follows: first, under complete information, a household move is the ‘natural’ solution for stable couples; second, incomplete information allows the tied mover to ‘blackmail’ the partner and thus to avoid the household move; and third, the decision to commute will depend mostly on the preferences of the potential commuter. The hypotheses derived from this theoretical framework are empirically testable, although the necessary information is difficult to measure. The hypotheses are tested employing a quasi-experimental design known as factorial survey, which allows one to vary systematically the incentives for moving. The empirical results confirm the importance of both strategic reasoning and mechanisms for solving problems of cooperation within the partnership.
Bistable vibration energy harvesters: A review
Authors: Pellegrini Sergio P , Tolou Nima , Schenk Mark , Herder Just L
Published: May 2012

Powering electronics without depending on batteries is an open research field. Mechanical vibrations prove to be a reliable energy source, but low-frequency broadband vibrations cannot be harvested effectively using linear oscillators. This article discusses an alternative for harvesting such vibrations, with energy harvesters with two stable configurations. The challenges related to nonlinear dynamics are briefly discussed. Different existing designs of bistable energy harvesters are presented and classified, according to their feasibility for miniaturization. A general dynamic model for those designs is described. Finally, an extensive discussion on quantitative measures of evaluating the effectiveness of energy harvesters is accomplished, resulting in the proposition of a new dimensionless metric suited for a broadband analysis.
Performance tests and mathematical model considering magnetic saturation for magnetorheological damper
Authors: Xu Zhao-Dong , Jia Da-Huan , Zhang Xiang-Cheng
Published: May 2012

As a semiactive control device, magnetorheological dampers have been paid more attention due to their high controllability, fast response, and low power demand. One of the important characteristics for magnetorheological dampers is magnetic saturation, that is, the maximum damping force will reach some value and no longer vary with the increasing input current, especially in the presence of large magnetic flux density. In order to take this problem into account fully, tests on a shear-valve mode magnetorheological damper are carried out to consider the effects of input current, displacement amplitude, and loading frequency on the properties of the magnetorheological damper during magnetic saturation situation first. Then, the magnetic saturation phenomenon of the magnetorheological damper is simulated using the finite element method, and the numerical simulation results are compared with the experimental results. Finally, a magnetic saturation mathematical model is proposed to describe the properties of the magnetorheological damper, and the numerical hysteresis curves of the proposed magnetic saturation mathematical model, the Bingham model, and the Bouc–Wen model are compared with the experimental results. It can be concluded that the magnetic saturation mathematical model can describe the influence of input current, displacement amplitude, and excitation frequency on the properties and the magnetic saturation property of the magnetorheological damper.
Smart polymeric coatings for damage visualization in substrate materials
Authors: Vidinejevs Sergejs , Aniskevich Andrey N , Gregor Andre , Sjöberg Marie , Alvarez Galina
Published: May 2012

For damage indication needs in polymer composites, three smart acrylic coatings based on microencapsulated crystal violet lactone leuco dye with embedded developer silica gel and methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate were elaborated. Damage visualization ability upon duralumin substrates was tested. Indentation tests were conducted in the interval of 0.0005–0.55 J of mechanical work. Digital image analysis was used for evaluation of the visual response in the form of “bruise” spots. The measure of response intensity was relative excess of blue color above achromatic gray in the scanned images of the “bruise” spots. This technique allowed detecting influence of the coating formulations onto the substrate damage visualization.
Multiple path generation by a flexible four-bar mechanism using ionic polymer metal composite
Authors: Jain Ravi K , Majumder Somajoyti , Dutta Ashish
Published: May 2012

This article presents a novel design of a flexible four-bar crank–rocker mechanism using ionic polymer metal composite for generating multiple paths, which can be applied in microassembly. In order to control the deflection of links and the resultant path, active ionic polymer metal composite patches are fixed on the coupler and are actuated by a voltage (0–3 V direct current). The main focus of this article is to determine the number, size, and location of the ionic polymer metal composite patches to be used on the coupler to get a desired path. A dynamic model of the mechanism is made in ADAMS software and the design parameters are identified. A mathematical model of ionic polymer metal composite patch is developed through experiments to achieve the bending moment relationship with voltage, and this is used while simulating its behaviors. The simulation results show that the proposed mechanism can generate multiple paths, using different voltages for ionic polymer metal composite activation. The proposed mechanism is then fabricated, and experiments are carried out to compare the experimental and simulation results. It is proved that the proposed new mechanism is superior to earlier designs of four bars using ionic polymer metal composite, and the paths generated can more effectively be controlled.
Biologically inspired reversible osmotic actuation through voltage-gated ion channels
Authors: Freeman Eric , Weiland Lisa
Published: May 2012

This study focuses on the development of a novel high-energy density actuator based on biomimicry principles. The system proposed here draws inspiration from plant motor cells and provides proof of concept for a highly configurable reversible osmotic actuator through the application of voltage-gated ion channels and action potentials. Computational methods are employed to measure the effectiveness of the proposed system in comparison to similar novel actuators.
Extending the operation range of electrorheological actuators for vibration control through novel designs
Authors: Krivenkov Konstantin , Ulrich Stephan , Bruns Rainer
Published: May 2012

Electrohydraulic actuators with electrorheological fluids were lately introduced for active vibration decoupling. They are suited especially for active isolation of heavy machines and apparatuses. Compared to conventional electrodynamic or hydraulic actuators, these electrorheological systems have considerable advantages because of very high force density and broad frequency range. However, the potential of the electrorheological technology does not remain used up to now completely. In this study, new designs are introduced, which extend the operation borders of the electrorheological actuators for vibration decoupling by utilization of hydrostatic as well as to hydrodynamic forces. The theoretically determined dynamic behaviors of the new actuator principles form the basis for the choice and adaptation of the electrohydraulic systems to special vibration isolation problems and show the advantages to conventional hydraulic actuators.
Strain enhancement in lead-free Bi0.5(Na0.78K0.22)0.5TiO3 ceramics by CaZrO3 substitution
Authors: Hong In-Ki , Han Hyoung-Su , Yoon Chang-Ho , Ji Han-Na , Tai Weon-Pil , Lee Jae-Shin
Published: May 2012

The effects of CaZrO3 substitution on the crystal structure, electric field–induced strain, and piezoelectric properties of Bi0.5(Na0.78K0.22)0.5TiO3 ceramics have been investigated. The CaZrO3 substitution resulted in a transition from ferroelectric tetragonal to pseudocubic symmetry with relaxor characteristics, leading to degradations in the piezoelectric coupling coefficient, electromechanical quality factor, and piezoelectric coefficient d33. However, the electric field–induced strain was significantly enhanced by the CaZrO3-induced phase transition and reached a highest value of S max/ E max = 617 pm/V when CaZrO3 content reached 3 mol%. The result supports a prediction that a large strain at the ferroelectric–relaxor transition region can be observed when the tolerance factor of the Bi-perovskite is decreased by the substitution of ABO3-type modifiers.
Caspase Inhibitors
Authors: Akpan Nsikan , Troy Carol M.
Published: May 2012

In ischemic stroke, apoptosis persists for days to weeks after the onset of an ischemic event. Cysteine-ASPartic proteASEs (caspases) are key mediators of apoptosis and neurodegeneration in stroke. The impact of caspase activity is not restricted to neuronal death, as caspases can exacerbate inflammation and alter glial function. Thus, caspases are logical therapeutic targets for this disease, but they have never been clinically evaluated due to a paucity of ideal drug candidates. Recent developments in caspase inhibition and drug delivery offer novel neuroprotective strategies for stroke, which are deliberated in this review.
A Novel Look at Astrocytes
Authors: Mack Andreas F. , Wolburg Hartwig
Published: May 2012

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels are located at the basolateral membrane domain of many epithelial cells involved in ion transport and secretion. These epithelial cells separate fluid compartments by forming apical tight junctions. In the brain, AQP4 is located on astrocytes in a polarized distribution: At the border to blood vessels or the pial surface, its density is very high. During ontogeny and phylogeny, astroglial cells go through a stage of expressing tight junctions, separating fluid compartments differently than in adult mammals. In adult mammals, this barrier is formed by arachnoid, choroid plexus, and endothelial cells. The ontogenetic and phylogenetic barrier transition from glial to endothelial cells correlates with the regenerative capacity of neuronal structures: Glial cells forming tight junctions, and expressing no or unpolarized AQP4 are found in the fish optic nerve and the olfactory nerve in mammals both known for their regenerative ability. It is hypothesized that highly polarized AQP4 expression and the lack of tight junctions on astrocytes increase ionic homeostasis, thus improving neuronal performance possibly at the expense of restraining neurogenesis and regeneration.
Modeling and optimization of passive and semi-active suspension systems for passenger cars to improve ride comfort and isolate engine vibration
Authors: Jayachandran Roshan , Krishnapillai Shankar
Published: May 2012

Suspension systems have been widely applied to vehicles, from the horse-drawn carriage with flexible leaf springs fixed at four corners, to the modern automobile with complex control algorithms. A good suspension system should provide a comfortable ride and good handling within a reasonable range of deflection. Though a passive suspension system can perform this task, its parameters are generally fixed, being chosen to achieve a certain level of the compromise between comfort and handling. The loads acting on the suspension system may be on-board and off-board, the latter being the road loads and the former being characterized mainly by vibrations induced by the engine. The primary object of this study is to improve ride comfort for a passenger car, first by optimising the values of stiffness and damping coefficient for a passive suspension system, and then by introducing a semi-active control system that makes use of sky-hook control methods.
Controlling the Commons
Authors: Németh Jeremy
Published: May 2012

In this paper, I outline and test a framework for analyzing control and freedom in urban public space. The framework, based on a model of the commons developed by legal scholar Lawrence Lessig, assesses control across three layers: physical, code, and content. I deploy the framework in a case involving a controversial proposal to erect a six-foot-high iron fence around Philadelphia’s iconic Independence National Historical Park. The framework proves a robust conceptual and operational means for analyzing how intended actions impact personal and group freedoms.
The Influence of Trust on Senior Investigating Officers’ Decision Making in High-Profile Critical Incidents
Authors: Wheatcroft Jacqueline M. , Alison Laurence A. , McGrory Daniel
Published: May 2012

This article examines the interpersonal relationships between lead commanders and senior investigating officers in high-profile critical incidents and focuses on the influence trust and mistrust have on investigative decision making of senior officers. Semistructured interviews were conducted with officers who have recent experience within lead command groups as senior officer, lead commander, and head of criminal investigation department or advisor in a number of high-profile critical incidents across the United Kingdom. Thematic analysis identified trust as the key emergent theme. Factors that either facilitate and/or inhibit the development of trust, such as previous experiences, perceptions of skills competence, ability, and theoretical contributions relative to trust building in organizational settings are reflected upon. Broadly speaking, the article indicates that previous knowledge and experience do influence the development of trust in organizational relationships. Trust development within critical incident management roles is thereby crucial to decision making in high-profile critical incidents. Policy implications are noted.
Police Response Time to In-Progress Burglary
Authors: Cihan Abdullah , Zhang Yan , Hoover Larry
Published: May 2012

The need for rapid response has been a perennial issue in policing. Although several studies have examined the effect of response time on apprehension probability, little attention has been given to the relationship between police response time and community characteristics. Using 2007 call for service data from the Houston Police Department and 2000 census statistics, the current study examines the relationship between police response time to in-progress burglary calls and neighborhood characteristics. In addition, the effects of incident characteristics on the likelihood of arrest are examined. The results suggest that disadvantaged neighborhoods enjoy a shorter police response whereas rapid response increases the probability of in-progress burglary apprehension.
How newspaper journalists reframe product press release information
Authors: Maat Henk Pander , de Jong Caro
Published: May 2012

Newspaper journalism is said to increasingly depend on PR sources and news agencies. However, news production evolves in several phases. There may be considerable source dependency in the news discovery phase, but sources may be less prominent in the later phases of news gathering and news writing. This study concentrates on the last two phases and analyzes how Dutch journalists rework product launch press releases into newspaper reports. Forty-nine pairs of releases and news reports were analyzed sentence by sentence. Compared to press releases, news reports provide less product or company information and more contextual information, provide less positive and more negative evaluations, and more often attribute information to sources. Overall, less than half of the information in the reports originates from the releases. A framing analysis learns that while releases adopt an advertising frame focused on selling the product, reports offer two kinds of reframing: they regularly recontextualize the release information by adding consumer information and occasionally reconceptualize the launch as a business move. Both the distancing operations and the reframings enhance the report’s usability to news consumers. However, radical transformations are rare: most reframings occur later on in the report and the primary frame of the source text is often left in place.
Claims of belonging: Recent tales of trouble in Canadian citizenship
Authors: Harder Lois , Zhyznomirska Lyubov
Published: May 2012

Canada’s Conservative government faced its first substantive controversy in its handling of the evacuation of Canadians from Lebanon during the July 2006 conflict in that country. Within a year, another controversy was spurred by the passport requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (in force since 2007). Upon applying for their passports, some people discovered that their Canadian citizenship was in doubt. Both cases raised similar questions in public debate and policy: what constitutes a Canadian citizen, what role do factors surrounding one’s birth and kinship ties have on one’s claim to citizenship and what obligations or attachments does a person have to undertake in order to be a citizen? But the cases also exposed differing responses towards the Canadians evacuated from Lebanon and the ‘Lost Canadians’ that reflect a racialized and ethnicized hierarchy of Canadian citizenship.
Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgendered People and Human Resource Development
Authors: Schmidt Steven W. , Githens Rod P. , Rocco Tonette S. , Kormanik Martin B.
Published: May 2012

Issues related to human resource development (HRD) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people such as workplace inclusion, employee affinity groups, and LGBT-specific diversity initiatives are being addressed in organizations more often now than ever before. This article explores the existing literature on LGBT issues in HRD and adult education through a systemic review to determine what research exists and what future directions are necessary. This review revealed a small core of research related to these issues. Existing work is mainly conceptual, and there is a lack of quantitative work. Topics of focus are related to organizational change and diversity efforts, with very little research on HR policy, career development, and workplace education. Key findings include that HR professionals have primarily served in a reactive role, rather than leading on these issues.
Resting State Changes in Functional Connectivity Correlate With Movement Recovery for BCI and Robot-Assisted Upper-Extremity Training After Stroke
Authors: Várkuti Bálint , Guan Cuntai , Pan Yaozhang , Phua Kok Soon , Ang Kai Keng , Kuah Christopher Wee Keong , Chua Karen , Ang Beng Ti , Birbaumer Niels , Sitaram Ranganathan
Published: May 2012

Background. Robot-assisted training may improve motor function in some hemiparetic patients after stroke, but no physiological predictor of rehabilitation progress is reliable. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) may serve as a method to assess and predict changes in the motor network. Objective. The authors examined the effects of upper-extremity robot-assisted rehabilitation (MANUS) versus an electroencephalography-based brain computer interface setup with motor imagery (MI EEG-BCI) and compared pretreatment and posttreatment RS-fMRI. Methods. In all, 9 adults with upper-extremity paresis were trained for 4 weeks with a MANUS shoulder-elbow robotic rehabilitation paradigm. In 3 participants, robot-assisted movement began if no voluntary movement was initiated within 2 s. In 6 participants, MI-BCI–based movement was initiated if motor imagery was detected. RS-fMRI and Fugl-Meyer (FM) upper-extremity motor score were assessed before and after training. Results. The individual gain in FM scores over 12 weeks could be predicted from functional connectivity changes (FCCs) based on the pre-post differences in RS-fMRI measurements. Both the FM gain and FCC were numerically higher in the MI-BCI group. Increases in FC of the supplementary motor area, the contralesional and ipsilesional motor cortex, and parts of the visuospatial system with mostly association cortex regions and the cerebellum correlated with individual upper-extremity function improvement. Conclusion. FCC may predict the steepness of individual motor gains. Future training could therefore focus on directly inducing these beneficial increases in FC. Evaluation of the treatment groups suggests that MI is a potential facilitator of such neuroplasticity.
Part I: Development of new heat source model applicable to micro electron beam welding
Authors: Gajapathi S S , Mitra S K , Mendez P F
Published: May 2012

A three-dimensional distributed heat source model is developed to represent an electron beam as a heat source, which is novel to micro electron beam welding. The power distribution across the cross-section of the beam is represented by a Gaussian function. Along the penetration depth in the solid, the energy decay of the electrons is modelled according to the electron penetration theory proposed by Kanaya and Okayama. Further, this study presents for the first time a theoretical approach to calculate the heating efficiency of an electron beam as a function of the atomic number of the target material only.
Effects of mix activated fluxes coating on microstructures and mechanical properties of tungsten inert gas welded AZ31 magnesium alloy joints
Authors: Li S Z , Shen J , Cao Z M , Wang L Z , Xu N
Published: May 2012

The effects of mix activated fluxes on the penetrations, microstructures and mechanical properties of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welded AZ31 magnesium alloy joints were studied. The results showed that an increase in the amount of TiO2 coating improved the weld penetration and depth/width ratio of the TIG welded AZ31 magnesium alloy seams. The α-Mg grains of the fusion zone (FZ) became fine gradually with the addition of CaF2 coating but coarsened sharply when the amount of TiO2 coating was over 70%. In addition, the porosities and total length of solidification cracks in the FZ were reduced by the CaF2 and TiO2 coatings. The ultimate tensile strength value of the welded joints increased with the addition of TiO2 coating but decreased sharply when more TiO2 coating was adopted.
Cell lineage analysis of acute leukemia relapse uncovers the role of replication-rate heterogeneity and microsatellite instability
Authors: Shlush Liran I. , Chapal-Ilani Noa , Adar Rivka , Pery Neta , Maruvka Yosef , Spiro Adam , Shouval Roni , Rowe Jacob M. , Tzukerman Maty , Bercovich Dani , Izraeli Shai , Marcucci Guido , Bloomfield Clara D. , Zuckerman Tsila , Skorecki Karl , Shapiro Ehud
Published: May 2012

Human cancers display substantial intratumoral genetic heterogeneity, which facilitates tumor survival under changing microenvironmental conditions. Tumor substructure and its effect on disease progression and relapse are incompletely understood. In the present study, a high-throughput method that uses neutral somatic mutations accumulated in individual cells to reconstruct cell lineage trees was applied to hundreds of cells of human acute leukemia harvested from multiple patients at diagnosis and at relapse. The reconstructed cell lineage trees of patients with acute myeloid leukemia showed that leukemia cells at relapse were shallow (divide rarely) compared with cells at diagnosis and were closely related to their stem cell subpopulation, implying that in these instances relapse might have originated from rarely dividing stem cells. In contrast, among patients with acute lymphoid leukemia, no differences in cell depth were observed between diagnosis and relapse. In one case of chronic myeloid leukemia, at blast crisis, most of the cells at relapse were mismatch-repair deficient. In almost all leukemia cases, > 1 lineage was observed at relapse, indicating that diverse mechanisms can promote relapse in the same patient. In conclusion, diverse relapse mechanisms can be observed by systematic reconstruction of cell lineage trees of patients with leukemia.
Male Reproductive Health After Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Kenney Lisa B. , Cohen Laurie E. , Shnorhavorian Margarett , Metzger Monika L. , Lockart Barbara , Hijiya Nobuko , Duffey-Lind Eileen , Constine Louis , Green Daniel , Meacham Lillian
Published: May 2012

The majority of children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with cancer will become long-term survivors. Although cancer therapy is associated with many adverse effects, one of the primary concerns of young male cancer survivors is reproductive health. Future fertility is often the focus of concern; however, it must be recognized that all aspects of male health, including pubertal development, testosterone production, and sexual function, can be impaired by cancer therapy. Although pretreatment strategies to preserve reproductive health have been beneficial to some male patients, many survivors remain at risk for long-term reproductive complications. Understanding risk factors and monitoring the reproductive health of young male survivors are important aspects of follow-up care. The Children's Oncology Group Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer (COG-LTFU Guidelines) were created by the COG to provide recommendations for follow-up care of survivors at risk for long-term complications. The male health task force of the COG-LTFU Guidelines, composed of pediatric oncologists, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, a urologist, and a radiation oncologist, is responsible for updating the COG-LTFU Guidelines every 2 years based on literature review and expert consensus. This review summarizes current task force recommendations for the assessment and management of male reproductive complications after treatment for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers. Issues related to male health that are being investigated, but currently not included in the COG-LTFU Guidelines, are also discussed. Ongoing investigation will inform future COG-LTFU Guideline recommendations for follow-up care to improve health and quality of life for male survivors.
Missing Data in Clinical Studies: Issues and Methods
Authors: Ibrahim Joseph G. , Chu Haitao , Chen Ming-Hui
Published: May 2012

Missing data are a prevailing problem in any type of data analyses. A participant variable is considered missing if the value of the variable (outcome or covariate) for the participant is not observed. In this article, various issues in analyzing studies with missing data are discussed. Particularly, we focus on missing response and/or covariate data for studies with discrete, continuous, or time-to-event end points in which generalized linear models, models for longitudinal data such as generalized linear mixed effects models, or Cox regression models are used. We discuss various classifications of missing data that may arise in a study and demonstrate in several situations that the commonly used method of throwing out all participants with any missing data may lead to incorrect results and conclusions. The methods described are applied to data from an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group phase II clinical trial of liver cancer and a phase III clinical trial of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. Although the main area of application discussed here is cancer, the issues and methods we discuss apply to any type of study.
Sarcopenia During Androgen-Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Smith Matthew R. , Saad Fred , Egerdie Blair , Sieber Paul R. , Tammela Teuvo L.J. , Ke Chunlei , Leder Benjamin Z. , Goessl Carsten
Published: May 2012

Purpose

To characterize changes in lean body mass (LBM) in men with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT).

Patients and Methods

We prospectively evaluated LBM in a prespecified substudy of a randomized controlled trial of denosumab to prevent fractures in men receiving ADT for nonmetastatic prostate cancer. LBM was measured by total-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at study baseline and at 12, 24, and 36 months. The analyses included 252 patients (132, denosumab; 120, placebo) with a baseline and at least one on-study LBM assessment. Patients were stratified by age (< 70 v ≥ 70 years) and by ADT duration (≤ 6 v > 6 months).

Results

Median ADT duration was 20.4 months at study baseline. Mean LBM decreased significantly from baseline, by 1.0% at month 12 (95% CI, 0.4% to 1.5%; P < .001; n = 248), by 2.1% at month 24 (95% CI, 1.5% to 2.7%; P < .001; n = 205), and by 2.4% at month 36 (95% CI, 1.6% to 3.2%; P < .001; n = 168). Men age ≥ 70 years (n = 127) had significantly greater changes in LBM at all measured time points than younger men. At 36 months, LBM decreased by 2.8% in men age ≥ 70 years and by 0.9% in younger men (P = .035). Men with ≤ 6 months of ADT at study entry (n = 36) had a greater rate of decrease in LBM compared with men who had received more than 6 months of ADT at study entry (3.7% v 2.0%; P = .0645).

Conclusion

In men receiving ADT, LBM decreased significantly after 12, 24, and 36 months.
Increased Body Mass Index Is Associated With Improved Survival in United States Veterans With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Carson Kenneth R. , Bartlett Nancy L. , McDonald Jay R. , Luo Suhong , Zeringue Angelique , Liu Jingxia , Fu Qiang , Chang Su-Hsin , Colditz Graham A.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Obesity increases the risk of death from many malignancies, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common form of NHL, the association between body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis and survival is unclear.

Patients and Methods

We evaluated the association between BMI at diagnosis and overall survival in a retrospective cohort of 2,534 United States veterans diagnosed with DLBCL between October 1, 1998 and December 31, 2008. Cox modeling was used to control for patient- and disease-related prognostic variables.

Results

Mean age at diagnosis was 68 years (range, 20 to 100 years); 64% of patients were overweight (BMI, 25 to < 30) or obese (BMI, ≥ 30). Obese patients were significantly younger, had significantly fewer B symptoms, and trended toward lower-stage disease, compared with other BMI groups. Cox analysis showed reduced mortality in overweight and obese patients (overweight: hazard ratio [HR], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.83; obese: HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.80), compared with normal-weight patients (BMI, 18.5 to < 25). Treatment during the rituximab era reduced the risk of death without affecting the association between BMI and survival. Disease-related weight loss occurred in 29% of patients with weight data 1 year before diagnosis. Cox analysis based on BMI 1 year before diagnosis continued to demonstrate reduced risk of death in overweight and obese patients.

Conclusion

Being overweight or obese at the time of DLBCL diagnosis is associated with improved overall survival. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for this association will require further study.
Bayesian Adaptive Randomized Trial Design for Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma
Authors: Trippa Lorenzo , Lee Eudocia Q. , Wen Patrick Y. , Batchelor Tracy T. , Cloughesy Timothy , Parmigiani Giovanni , Alexander Brian M.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

To evaluate whether the use of Bayesian adaptive randomized (AR) designs in clinical trials for glioblastoma is feasible and would allow for more efficient trials.

Patients and Methods

We generated an adaptive randomization procedure that was retrospectively applied to primary patient data from four separate phase II clinical trials in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. We then compared AR designs with more conventional trial designs by using realistic hypothetical scenarios consistent with survival data reported in the literature. Our primary end point was the number of patients needed to achieve a desired statistical power.

Results

If our phase II trials had been a single, multiarm trial using AR design, 30 fewer patients would have been needed compared with a multiarm balanced randomized (BR) design to attain the same power level. More generally, Bayesian AR trial design for patients with glioblastoma would result in trials with fewer overall patients with no loss in statistical power and in more patients being randomly assigned to effective treatment arms. For a 140-patient trial with a control arm, two ineffective arms, and one effective arm with a hazard ratio of 0.6, a median of 47 patients would be randomly assigned to the effective arm compared with 35 in a BR trial design.

Conclusion

Given the desire for control arms in phase II trials, an increasing number of experimental therapeutics, and a relatively short time for events, Bayesian AR designs are attractive for clinical trials in glioblastoma.