bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robots will dominate the use of our language
Authors: Brandstetter Jürgen , Bartneck Christoph
Published: September 2017

Robots are able to influence the usage of human language even after the interaction between the human and robot has ended. Humans influence each other in the usage of words, and hence, the robots they program indirectly affect the development of our society’s vocabulary. Most human–robot interaction studies focus on one robot interacting with one human. Studying the dynamic development of language in a group of humans and robots is difficult and requires considerable resource. We therefore conducted a social simulation of a human–robot communication network based on a real-world human–human network, allowing us to study how the centrality of the robots’ owners influences the propagation of words in the network and what influence the number of robots in the network has on achieving a fixation state. Our results show that robots owned by highly connected people have less effect on the dynamics of language than robots owned by less connected people. Highly connected people interact with many others and therefore are more strongly influenced by a greater number of people and their robots. We have found that 11% of the humans owning a robot is sufficient for the robots to dominate the development of the language resulting in 95% of the humans using or adopting their words.
The Relationship Between Positive Mental Health Literacy and Mental Well-Being Among Adolescents: Implications for School Health Services
Authors: Bjørnsen Hanne N. , Espnes Geir A. , Eilertsen Mary-Elizabeth B. , Ringdal Regine , Moksnes Unni K.
Published: September 2017

Mental health education is a central part of school nurses’ practice. Mental health literacy is an asset for health that educational initiatives can strengthen, and a significant determinant of mental health. This study was intended to examine the relationship between positive mental health literacy (PMeHL) and mental well-being to discuss its implications for school health services’ mental health education. The relationship was assessed using a multiple linear regression model controlling for relevant covariates. Data were derived from a cross-sectional school-based survey including 1,888 adolescents aged 15–21 years (response rate 97.3%). A weak gender difference was found in PMeHL. The regression model accounted for 41% of the variance in adolescents’ mental well-being; PMeHL was a significant explanatory variable of mental well-being. Accordingly, the current study found support for including PMeHL, or knowledge of how to obtain and maintain good mental health, as an integral component of school health services’ mental health education among adolescents.
The Effects of Revenue and Social Capital on Collective Governance: Implications for Political Complexity
Authors: Freeman Jacob , Keith Jonathan , Roberts Max , Owens Andrew
Published: September 2017

We evaluate two models that may explain variation in the inclusiveness of governments and their ability to provision public goods. The revenue model predicts that a government’s source of revenue determines whether elites invest in effective bureaucracy and the provision of public goods that benefit wide swaths of society or the extraction of resources from society to benefit a limited network. In this model, a cooperative society with high social capital is an outcome of effective, collective government. The combined model predicts that social capital has a semi-independent causal effect, in addition to revenue, on the inclusiveness of governments. Our results indicate that the combined model of collective governance fits the data on U.S. states better than the revenue model alone. The combined model of governance predicts that revenue and social capital moderate the population size–political complexity relationship, and data from the U.S. states are consistent with these predictions.
Comparison of Posterior Approach With Intramedullary Nailing Versus Lateral Transfibular Approach With Fixed-Angle Plating for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis
Authors: Mulligan Ryan P. , Adams Samuel B. , Easley Mark E. , DeOrio James K. , Nunley James A.
Published: September 2017

Background:

A variety of operative approaches and fixation techniques have been described for tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis. The intramedullary (IM) nail and lateral, fixed-angle plating are commonly used because of ease of use and favorable biomechanical properties. A lateral, transfibular (LTF) approach allows for direct access to the tibiotalar and subtalar joints, but the posterior, Achilles tendon–splitting (PATS) approach offers a robust soft tissue envelope. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of TTC arthrodesis with either a PATS approach with IM nailing or LTF approach with fixed-angle plating.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent simultaneous TTC arthrodesis with minimum 1 year clinical and radiographic follow up. Patients were excluded if they underwent TTC arthrodesis through an approach other than PATS or LTF, and received fixation without an IM nail or fixed-angle plate. Primary outcomes examined were union rate, revisions, and complications. Thirty-eight patients underwent TTC arthrodesis with a PATS approach and IM nailing, and 28 with a LTF approach and lateral plating.

Results:

The overall union rate was 71%; 76% (29 of 38 patients) for the PATS/IM nail group, and 64% (18 of 28) for LTF/plating group ( P = .41). Symptomatic nonunion requiring revision arthrodesis occurred in 16% (6 of 38) of the PATS/IM nail group versus 7% (2 of 28) in the LTF/lateral plating group ( P = .45). There were no significant differences in individual tibiotalar or subtalar union rates, superficial wound problems, infection, symptomatic hardware, stress fractures, or nerve irritations.

Conclusion:

Union, revision, and complication rates were similar for TTC arthrodesis performed with a PATS approach and IM nail compared with an LTF approach and fixed-angle plate in a complex patient population. Both techniques were adequate, especially when prior incisions, preexisting hardware, or deformity preclude options.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Evidence That the Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA) Subscales Should Not Be Scored: Bifactor Modelling, Reliability, and Validity in Clinical and Community Samples
Authors: Raykos Bronwyn , Erceg-Hurn David , McEvoy Peter , Byrne Susan M.
Published: September 2017

Aim: The Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA 3.0) is the most widely used instrument assessing psychosocial impairment secondary to eating disorder symptoms. However, there is conflicting advice regarding the dimensionality and optimal method of scoring the CIA. We sought to resolve this confusion by conducting a comprehensive factor analytic study of the CIA in a community sample ( N = 301) and clinical sample comprising patients with a diagnosed eating disorder ( N = 209). Convergent and discriminant validity were also assessed. Method: The CIA and measures of eating disorder symptoms were administered to both samples. Results: Factor analyses indicated there is a general impairment factor underlying all items on the CIA that is reliably measured by the CIA Global score. CIA Global demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusions: CIA Global is a reliable and valid measure of psychosocial impairment secondary to eating disorder symptoms; however, subscale scores should not be computed.
Evaluation and Management of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Valderrabano Pablo , McIver Bryan
Published: September 2017

In accordance with National Guidelines, we currently follow a linear approach to the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, with management decision based primarily on a cytological diagnosis following fine-needle aspiration biopsy. However, 25% of these biopsies render an indeterminate cytology, leaving uncertainty regarding appropriate management. Individualizing the risk of malignancy of these nodules could improve their management significantly. We summarize the current evidence on the relevance of clinical information, radiological features, cytological features, and molecular markers tests results and describe how these can be integrated to personalize the management of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. Several factors can be used to stratify the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. Male gender, large tumors (>4 cm), suspicious sonographic patterns, and the presence of nuclear atypia on the cytology are all associated with an increased cancer prevalence. The added value of current molecular markers in the risk stratification process needs further study because their performance seems compromised in some clinical settings and remains to be validated in others. Risk stratification is possible in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology using data that are often underused by current guidelines. Future guidelines should integrate these factors and personalize the recommended diagnostic and therapeutic approaches accordingly.
A payload swing suppression guaranteed emergency braking method for overhead crane systems
Authors: Chen He , Fang Yongchun , Sun Ning
Published: September 2017

In practice, since the working environments are usually complex, the emergency braking problem has been an important issue for overhead crane applications. To ensure safety and avoid accidents such as collision, when braking is required for a crane system, not only the trolley displacement, but also the payload swing, should be considered. However, the most commonly used industrial braking method, which stops the trolley immediately, may cause unavoidable severe payload swing, due to the lack of consideration for the system state couplings. Considering this fact, to obtain better braking control performance, in this paper, a novel emergency braking method is proposed, which successfully suppresses the payload swing during the braking process. In particular, the braking objective is divided into two parts, with an effective controller designed separately. Then a complete braking controller is obtained by combining the separate controllers properly, which can achieve fast trolley braking and efficient payload swing suppression. Finally, both simulation and experimental tests are included in this paper to illustrate the satisfactory control performance of the proposed method.
Vibration suppression of sprayer boom structure using active torque control and iterative learning. Part I: Modelling and control via simulation
Authors: Tahmasebi Mona , Mailah Musa , Gohari Mohammad , Abd Rahman Roslan
Published: September 2017

Since one of the influential factors that affects the spray distribution pattern is the spray boom movements which are mostly induced by soil unevenness, most of the recent sprayers are equipped with suspensions for improving the uniformity of spray application in the field. This paper investigates the suitability of improving the sprayer suspension dynamics performance by employing a robust intelligent control scheme, namely active torque control (ATC) based method in reducing the undesired vibration through a simulation study. The ATC scheme with a self-tuning fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative (PID) (ATC-STF-PID) controller was first designed and simulated. Then an artificial intelligence (AI) method using iterative learning (IL) was embedded and implemented into the ATC loop to compute the estimated inertial parameter of the system; this scheme is known as ATCAIL. Thereafter, the performance of the ATCAIL scheme is later compared to the ATC with artificial neural network (ATCANN), ATC-STF-PID and STF-PID controllers in time and frequency domains. The results of simulation work affirm that ATC-based schemes can improve the system performance of the active rolling suspension in relation to roll vibration suppression. In other words, both the ATCAIL and ATCANN schemes show better responses in comparison to the ATC-STF-PID controller scheme. The results also imply that the ATCAIL scheme is indeed effective in suppressing the vibration of a sprayer boom structure.
Digital Tools for Qualitative Research: Disruptions and Entanglements
Authors: Paulus Trena M. , Jackson Kristi , Davidson Judith
Published: September 2017

In this introduction to the special issue on digital tools for qualitative research, we focus on the intersection of new technologies and methods of inquiry, particularly as this pertains to educating the next generation of scholars. Selected papers from the 2015 International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry special strand on digital tools for qualitative research are brought together here to explore, among other things, blogging as a tool for meaning-making, social media as a data source, data analysis software for engaging in postmodern pastiche and for supporting complex teams, cell phone application design to optimize data collection, and lessons from interactive digital art that pertain to the use of digital tools in qualitative research. This collection disrupts common conceptions (and persistent misconceptions) about the relationship between digital tools and qualitative research and illustrates the entanglements that occur whenever humans intersect with the nonhuman, the human-made, or other humans.
Durable complete remission following anti-EGFR antibodies in recurrent metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Boudrias-Dalle Etienne , Cloutier Magali , Harvey Marjorie , Leblanc Guy , Besner-Morin Olivier , Adam Jean-Philippe
Published: September 2017

In this case report, we describe a patient who remains in complete remission two years after the discontinuation of anti-EGFR monotherapy as a third-line treatment, accompanied by persistent severe hypomagnesemia. A 45-year-old Caucasian woman with mCRC started chemotherapy with weekly cetuximab. After ten months of treatment, the therapy was stopped because the patient had persistent grade III hypomagnesemia despite amiloride, oral, and intravenous magnesium. A month later, the patient was switched to panitumumab 6 mg/kg every two weeks for four additional months to avoid weekly visits to the clinic. Following discontinuation of panitumumab, PET scans remain negative to this day, two years after anti-EGFR therapy discontinuation. No factor has been identified to explain the complete and sustained response experienced by this patient. Hypomagnesemia is a common adverse effect of anti-EGFR therapy that can lead to treatment interruption and discontinuation if severe. This case highlights the importance of pursuing anti-EGFR therapy when a response is observed in spite of severe hypomagnesemia. It also provides preliminary information that anti-EGFR therapy could be stopped after a complete response is obtained.
Risk factors for cefepime nonsusceptible Gram-negative infections in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients
Authors: Boyd AM , Perissinotti AJ , Nagel JL , Frame DG , Marini BL
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients undergo myelosuppressive chemotherapy to allow engraftment of stem cells and are at particularly high risk for bacterial infections and adverse outcomes. Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplant are at increased risk for healthcare-associated infections, including infections with multidrug-resistant pathogens. Cefepime is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for empiric therapy in hematopoietic cell transplant patients, but there is minimal data describing cefepime resistance rates, risk factors for resistance, and clinical outcomes associated with cefepime-resistant infections.

Methods

Adult (≥18 years old) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients with a culture positive for a gram-negative rod between January 2010 and January 2016 were spilt into two groups: cefepime susceptible and cefepime nonsusceptible . The primary objective of this study was to identify risk factors for cefepime nonsusceptible through multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 107 patients were included (27 cefepime nonsusceptible, 80 cefepime-susceptible), yielding a 25.2% nonsusceptibility rate. Multivariable analysis yielded age >60 years old, Klebsiella spp. infection, Acinetobacter spp. infection, healthcare exposures within 90 days, acute gastrointestinal graft-vs-host-disease, and chronic graft-vs-host-disease at multiple locations as significant risk factors for cefepime nonsusceptible. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of the model was 0.851. Thirty-day all-cause mortality (29.6% versus 16.3%, p = 0.13) and length of hospitalization (19 versus 12.5 days, p = 0.0650) were numerically higher in the cefepime nonsusceptible group.

Conclusions

Hematopoietic cell transplant patients with acute gastrointestinal graft versus host disease, extensive chronic graft-vs-host-disease, advanced age, previous healthcare exposures, or infections with Klebsiella and Acinetobacter are at increased risk for cefepime nonsusceptible. Patients infected with cefepime nonsusceptible pathogens may have higher rates of mortality and length of hospitalization.
From Flawed Design to Misleading Information
Authors: Rosenberg Steven A. , Elbaum Batya , Rosenberg Cordelia Robinson , Kellar-Guenther Yvonne , McManus Beth M.
Published: September 2017

It is a matter of concern when large, federally funded programs are evaluated using designs that produce misleading information. In this article, we discuss problems associated with an evaluation design that was adopted by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to document the performance of a major early intervention (EI) program, serving young children with developmental delays and disabilities. In particular, we focus on OSEP’s requirement that states use a single group pre–post comparison design to evaluate the impact of EI on child outcomes. We also provide a data-based illustration that shows this evaluation design cannot distinguish child progress that is due to EI services from changes associated with other factors, such as regression to the mean. We hope this work will support the adoption of evaluation designs that are more in line with accepted principles of program evaluation.
Tribological properties of trimellitates containing polymethacrylates viscosity modifiers
Authors: Zhao Yan , Li Weimin , Wang Xiaobo , Wang Jing
Published: September 2017

In the present work, physical property, film-forming property, and tribological performance of three trimellitates and their blends with polymethacrylates viscosity modifiers were investigated. The results showed that the addition of polymethacrylate can significantly improve the viscosity and low temperature fluidity of the base fluids, while exerting slight influence on the viscosity-temperature properties and film forming performance. Tribological tests showed that under boundary lubrication conditions, polymethacrylate modified lubricants exhibit better friction reducing properties over a wide range of temperature and load. However, under high temperature or high load, the performance is weakened. This phenomenon should be due to the formation and destruction of the physically absorbed layer of the polymethacrylate polymer molecular on the metal surface. Under moderate boundary lubrication conditions, the physically absorbed layer can effectively prevent the direct contact of rubbing surface, resulting in a reduction of friction coefficient, while under more severe boundary lubrication conditions, the adsorbed layer is destroyed and the friction coefficient increases again.
Study of tribofilms generation at different cutting speeds in dry machining hardened AISI T1 and AISI D2 steel
Authors: Yuan Junfeng , Dosbaeva Julia , Covelli Danielle , Boyd Jeremy , Fox-Rabinovich German S , Veldhuis Stephen C
Published: September 2017

Hard dry machining of AISI T1 and AISI D2 steels at comparable hardness (around 59 HRC) were performed at 50 m/min, 80 m/min and 100 m/min cutting speeds separately with uncoated alumina ceramic tool inserts (Al2O3 + TiC), in order to study the effect of cutting conditions on the generation of tribofilms. Comprehensive assessment of uncoated ceramic inserts in machining of T1 and D2 at different cutting speeds was made by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was shown that higher cutting speeds increased the formation of thermal protective and/or lubricating tribofilms. In machining D2 steel, more intensive formation of Cr-O tribo-oxides brought a lower wear rate; while in cutting T1 steel, a higher amount of W-O tribofilms generation provided better lubrication. At higher cutting speeds, wear/friction behaviour changes were attributed to differences in two factors: first, from a traditional micro-scale standpoint, the distribution of carbide within steels and the accumulation of thermal and mechanical damages during different cutting conditions; second, from a new nano-scale viewpoint, the generation of protective/lubricating tribofilms due to change of machining conditions.
Aspects contributing to tourism price competitiveness of South Africa
Authors: Plessis Engelina du , Saayman Melville
Published: September 2017

Although price has been indicated as strength for South Africa as a tourist destination, high price increases could change this perception over time. It was the aim of this study to determine the unique aspects of the tourism price competitiveness of South Africa as a destination. A total of 2727 structured questionnaire was emailed to tourism operators associated with South Africa as a tourist destination during 2013, of which 271 usable questionnaires were returned. The results indicate that 78% of the respondents regard South Africa to be competitive and 55% point out that a 5% price increase of tourism products and services is acceptable. Sixty-five percent indicated that price increase has a significant effect on the tourism sales. Fuel prices, inflation, exchange rate, electricity cost and labour costs were indicated as the aspects that exert the greatest influence on the competitiveness of South Africa as a destination.
Mental health screening of fathers attending early parenting services in Australia
Authors: Fletcher Richard , Dowse Eileen , St George Jennifer , Payling Tara
Published: September 2017

Paternal perinatal depression and anxiety is a common, though under-recognized mental health condition experienced by men during their transition to fatherhood. An opportunity to screen for paternal mental health issues occurs when parents present for assistance with the care of their baby at early parenting services (EPSs). There are 10 EPSs located across Australia that provide specialist, multidisciplinary interventions to support parents experiencing complex parenting difficulties. Using structured telephone interviews, this qualitative study explored the views of 18 professional staff from nine EPSs regarding screening, referral processes and acceptability of screening fathers for mental health issues. A thematic analysis revealed that most EPSs screened fathers for depression. Participants agreed screening was important and that routine approaches to screening would help normalize the process for both men and services. Despite this, no uniform, comprehensive approach to identifying the mental health needs of fathers was found. EPSs provide a unique opportunity to address the mental health needs of fathers. Results from this study point to the need for a national approach to the development of father-specific screening guidelines for EPSs to improve family well-being, in parallel to those informing the Australian National Perinatal Mental Health Initiative for mothers.
Open Right Hemicolectomy Is a Safe and Suitable Procedure for Surgical Training: A Comparative Study With 133 Patients
Authors: Hirche Z. , Zabaka K. , Hirche C. , Xiong L. , Willis S.
Published: September 2017

Background and Aims:

A right hemicolectomy is a technically demanding procedure and the quality of the operation influences the short- and long-term outcomes. An increasing number of certified centers employ surgeons who are specialized in this procedure. Residency training is obligatory, but trainee surgeons often cannot perform technically demanding procedures because of economical and certification requirements imposed on the center. This study was performed to evaluate the suitability of right hemicolectomy as a training procedure.

Material and Methods:

Between 2009 and 2013, 133 patients received a right hemicolectomy during cancer treatment. Patient data were analyzed in two cohorts: cohort 1 contained 90 patients who were operated by a resident under supervision, and cohort 2 included 43 patients who were operated by a specialized senior surgeon. Outcome and safety were evaluated by mortality rate, anastomotic leakage, complication rate, and operation time. The resection status and the number of resected lymph nodes were surrogate parameters for oncological quality. Gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, body mass index, and general risk factors were compared in both cohorts.

Results:

There was no significant difference in the rate of anastomotic leakage between the two groups (p = 0.799). Oncological criteria were met in both cohorts and the oncological quality was similar between groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in risk factors, operating time, postoperative complications, and mortality between the groups.

Conclusion:

Oncological open right hemicolectomy is a safe and suitable training procedure for residency training under standardized conditions.
Examining the role of flame topologies and in-cylinder flow fields on cyclic variability in spark-ignited engines using large-eddy simulation
Authors: Zhao Le , Moiz Ahmed Abdul , Som Sibendu , Fogla Navin , Bybee Michael , Wahiduzzaman Syed , Mirzaeian Mohsen , Millo Federico , Kodavasal Janardhan
Published: September 2017

In this work, we have studied cycle-to-cycle variation in a spark-ignited engine using large-eddy simulation in conjunction with the G-equation combustion model. A single cylinder of a four-cylinder port-fueled spark-ignited engine was simulated. A total of 49 consecutive full cycles were computed. The operating condition studied in this work is stoichiometric and stable and represents a load of 16 bar brake mean effective pressure and an engine speed of 2500 r/min. The computational fluid dynamics simulation shows good agreement in terms of in-cylinder pressure prediction with respect to the experiments and is also able to capture the range of cycle-to-cycle variation observed in experiments. Furthermore, neither the simulation nor the experiments show any distinguishable pattern in the sequence of high and low cycles. We numerically decoupled the effects of variations in equivalence ratio fields and velocity fields to isolate the effects of differences in the velocity field and differences in the equivalence ratio field on flame development and propagation. Based on this study, we inferred that for this engine, under the operating conditions studied, the differences in burn rates can be attributed to the differences in the velocity flow-field in the region around the spark gap during ignition. We then performed an analysis to identify the correlation between peak cylinder pressure and flame topologies over all the simulated cycles. We found that high cycles (higher peak cylinder pressure values) are strongly correlated to flatter flame volume shapes (flattened in the piston-to-head direction) and volumes that are more symmetric about the ignition axis. In addition, these kinds of flame volumes were found to correlate well with lower values of prior-to-ignition velocity going from the intake to the exhaust side (mean flow caused by tumble) at the spark and also higher values of prior-to-ignition velocity in the piston-to-head direction.
Forming Visual Expressions With Augmented Fashion
Authors: Genç Çağlar , Buruk Oğuz Turan , Özcan Oğuzhan , Yilmaz Sejda Inal , Can Kemal
Published: September 2017

Wearable devices have a crucial impact on our bodies since they directly affect our appearance. However, wearable design practitioners focus more on the practical functionalities of the technology, leaving more investigation needed on what kind of visual expressions the technology might enable on wearable devices. With a critical approach on this functional perspective, the authors conducted a design workshop with fashion design and engineering students in which they first created art expressions and then wearable devices by using technological components. This practitioner’s essay reflects on the resulting hands-on design experiences in new visual expressions that would not have been possible with just traditional materials.
Metonymy and visual representation: towards a social semiotic framework of visual metonymy
Authors: Feng William Dezheng
Published: September 2017

This study proposes that metonymy is fundamental to visual meaning making and develops a social semiotic framework to elucidate how conceptual metonymies are realized in both static and moving images. While we all accept that visual images are iconic, this study demonstrates systematically that they are also indexical (i.e. metonymic), in terms of their representation of both objects/events and abstract concepts. Based on the social semiotic visual grammar of Kress and Van Leeuwen’s Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design (2006), systems of metonymy in actional, reactional, classificational and analytical processes are developed to map out the types of metonymies in visual representation. The metonymy systems bring a wide array of resources under a coherent framework for analysts to scrutinize the choices of representation in visual media such as comics, film and TV commercial. This study develops current theories of multimodal metaphor and metonymy, on the one hand, and provides new insights into the process of visual meaning making, on the other.
Animating social work research findings: a case study of research dissemination to benefit marginalized young people
Authors: Rose Cameron , Flynn Catherine
Published: September 2017

Findings in social work research are often disseminated in a manner that excludes the subjects of that research. In the SHINE for Kids – MyLifeNow research collaboration between a social work researcher, a communication design researcher and communication design students, research findings were animated in a variety of styles for distribution by the charitable organization. SHINE for Kids is a non-profit organization that assists and advocates for children with parents in prison. Transcripts of social work interviews with the children were modified into screenplays to be animated by communication design students. The animated documentary has advantages over the expository documentary mode, including protecting the identity of the subject and creating an affective video that constitutes a dual-process model of entertainment providing for a more socially connected pleasure.
The embodied spatialities of being in nature: encountering the nature/culture binary in green/blue space
Authors: Couper Pauline R
Published: September 2017

The contact with nature provided by urban green and blue space is said to be beneficial for mental health, physical health, social contact and cohesion, and for learning and development among children. Yet the literature identifying these benefits fails to recognise that ‘nature’, as a category in binary relation with ‘culture’ (or ‘humans’), is a cultural construct. Acknowledging this inevitably raises questions about exactly what ‘contact with nature’ in such spaces might consist in. Taking inspiration from more-than-representational and more-than-human geographies, this article uses Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology to interrogate encounters with ‘nature’ through small boat sailing. I argue that being on a boat entails different embodied spatialities of being from terrestrial urban life, and that this heightens a sense of nature as Other. The nature/culture binary, while a cultural idea, is materially (re)produced through the ordering of space, particularly in dense urban areas. This implies that the significance of urban green/blue space may be not only the presence of non-humans (the green/blue) but also the nature of the space in which we encounter nature. There is, then, potential for cultural geography to contribute to a much more nuanced interrogation of how people experience urban green/blue space, foregrounding the cultural conditions that shape such experience.
Analysis of the conductivity property of live working shielding clothing
Authors: Su Ying , Wang Xiuchen , Li Yaping , Pan Zhen , Liu Zhe
Published: September 2017

Live working shielding clothing must be worn when working under the high-pressure environment. High voltage and electromagnetic waves are shielded by conducting principle, so as to reduce the harm to human body. At present, the relationship between the point to point resistance and the structure of clothing is not clear in the production and research of shielding clothing, its design, production, and test lack of theoretical guidance. In this paper, the electrical conductivity of the clothing is studied by measuring the point to point resistance of shielding clothing. The suitable method of measuring point to point resistance is designed, and test platform is build by U610E's digital multimeter and homemade special electrode and other equipment. The representative points are selected from the main latitude lines of clothing and the parts of contacting electrified equipment when wearing clothes, then measure the resistance value between different points. Through the analysis of the experimental results it can be found that, on the basis of good connection, the farther the distance between two points, the smaller the resistance value and the better the connectivity; the resistance value of the points that frequently contact with electrified equipment is significantly smaller than others; about the same distance of two points, if there is structure line in the middle, the resistance value is large; the structural complexity is proportional to the resistance value. It is concluded that the point to point resistance of shielding garment is related to the parts of contacting with electrified equipment during operation, the complexity of structure, and other relevant factors. In the design and production, we should focus on reducing the resistance value between the most distal of clothing, the parts of contacting electrification equipment and limbs, in order to increase its connectivity; the structural design of clothing should be simplified.
Fear and Loathing in San Diego: The X Games Fan and a Look Back at Made-for-TV Sport
Authors: Rinehart Robert
Published: September 2017

Hunter S. Thompson’s “Gonzo Journalism” arguably brought a new style to popular and populist writing. In this piece, I emulate some of his style to show how it felt to attend a sports extravaganza, The X Games, in 1997. I mirror some of the sensory aspects of being a spectator at these games, and offer some insights on how alternative/extreme/lifestyle sports have collided with transnational corporate structures.
Introduction: Decolonizing Autoethnography
Authors: Chawla Devika , Atay Ahmet
Published: September 2017

Can there be a decolonial autoethnography? If so, what could such an autoethnography look, sound, and feel like? If the possibility of decolonizing this mode of knowing does not exist, then what are the impediments—discursive, material, political, social—that disallow a move to decolonized autoethnographic work? Where would decolonization take us? What does it mean to write the self in and out of colonial historical frameworks? In this special issue, we bring to life such conversations through nine essays and a postscript that perform, ruminate, narrate—with a thoughtful tenderness—some versions of decolonized and postcolonial autoethnography. The essays illustrate the form that emerges when the colonial and postcolonial (both past and present) are taken as central concerns in autoethnographic writing.
Ultrasound-Guided Hydroneurolysis of the Median Nerve for Recurrent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Fried Scott M. , Nazarian Levon N.
Published: September 2017

Background: Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome is often associated with perineural scarring around the median nerve. Surgical options include relatively invasive procedures, such as fat pad grafting, ligament reconstruction, muscle transfer, and nerve wraps. All have limited success because of the possibility of repeated recurrent scarring postoperatively. Methods: We discuss a technique involving injection with external hydroneurolysis of the median nerve under ultrasound guidance for recurrent carpal tunnel. Injection enables a gentler dissection of the surrounding tissues compared with open external neurolysis, with less chance of recurrent scarring. This technique is a unique alternative to repeat operative intervention in recurrent carpal tunnel, as well as a prelude to repeat open decompression and salvage procedures. Results: Ultrasound-guided injection with external hydroneurolysis of the median nerve is a safer, more limited procedure compared with repeat open surgery, usually performed in an office setting. This procedure limits risk, anesthesia, and operating/recovery room expenses, offering relief in 70% to 80% of cases. Furthermore, in the 20% to 30% of patients with inadequate relief, surgery remains a viable option. US provides important information on the anatomy of the median nerve and carpal canal and can rule out covert pathology. Conclusions: We offer an alternative treatment for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome, a difficult problem for which many surgeons recommend nonoperative treatment. US provides objective data concerning residual nerve compression and allows for dynamic assessment. Theoretically, this also offers a viable solution for surgeons and their patients with recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome before being pressed to consider repeat open surgery.
Hyper-attenuating brain lesions on CT after ischemic stroke and thrombectomy are associated with final brain infarction
Authors: Cabral FB , Castro-Afonso LH , Nakiri GS , Monsignore LM , Fábio SRC , dos Santos AC , Pontes-Neto OM , Abud DG
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Hyper-attenuating lesions, or contrast staining, on a non-contrast brain computed tomography (NCCT) scan have been investigated as a predictor for hemorrhagic transformation after endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the association of hyper-attenuating lesions and final ischemic areas are poorly investigated in this setting. The aim of the present study was to assess correlations between hyper-attenuating lesions and final brain infarcted areas after thrombectomy for AIS.

Methods

Data from patients with AIS of the anterior circulation who underwent endovascular treatment were retrospectively assessed. Images of the brain NCCT scans were analyzed in the first hours and late after treatment. The hyper-attenuating areas were compared to the final ischemic areas using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS).

Results

Seventy-one of the 123 patients (65.13%) treated were included. The association between the hyper-attenuating region in the post-thrombectomy CT scan and final brain ischemic area were sensitivity (58.3% to 96.9%), specificity (42.9% to 95.6%), positive predictive values (71.4% to 97.7%), negative predictive values (53.8% to 79.5%), and accuracy values (68% to 91%). The highest sensitivity values were found for the lentiform (96.9%) and caudate nuclei (80.4%) and for the internal capsule (87.5%), and the lowest values were found for the M1 (58.3%) and M6 (66.7%) cortices.

Conclusions

Hyper-attenuating lesions on head NCCT scans performed after endovascular treatment of AIS may predict final brain infarcted areas. The prediction appears to be higher in the deep brain regions compared with the cortical regions.
Thou shalt not fail? Using theological impulses to critique the heroic bias in transformational leadership theory
Authors: Fourie Willem , Höhne Florian
Published: September 2017

Leaders whose mistakes are made public are often under pressure to relinquish their positions. The expectation that true leaders should be infallible is particularly pronounced in transformational leadership theory. Its heroic bias seems to point towards a conception of leadership that is at odds with the inevitability of human failure. In this article, we use impulses from Protestant theology to identify and critique the heroic bias in transformational leadership theory. We use theory from beyond leadership scholarship and from beyond its conventional Anglophone locations, to show that fallibility does not necessarily disable leaders from contributing to transformational changes. We show that the acknowledgement of leaders’ fallibility has the potential to correct unrealistic and problematic views of leaders’ influence, correct utopian expectations of processes of change and empower followers.
Civic education as social process: A case study of students’ protests in Córdoba, Argentina, 2010
Authors: Míguez Daniel , Hernández Andrés
Published: September 2017

This article’s aim is to provide, through a case study, new insights into current research on the civic education policies that encompassed the transition from authoritarian to democratic political regimes that took place as of the final years of the 20th century in Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Many of these studies parted from the assumption that citizenship could be promoted by imparting a universal set of rights and attitudes, which would not interact with pre-existent and varied conceptions of citizenship. By studying the midlevel students’ protests that took place in the city of Córdoba in Argentina in 2010, we show that even in societies that have undergone long dictatorial periods, there are pre-existent civic traditions that influence the implementation and effects of these policies. This leads to new recommendations on the importance of considering these traditions when designing and assessing civic education policies.
Tenecteplase versus alteplase before endovascular thrombectomy (EXTEND-IA TNK): A multicenter, randomized, controlled study
Authors: Campbell Bruce CV , Mitchell Peter J , Churilov Leonid , Yassi Nawaf , Kleinig Timothy J , Yan Bernard , Dowling Richard J , Bush Steven J , Dewey Helen M , Thijs Vincent , Simpson Marion , Brooks Mark , Asadi Hamed , Wu Teddy Y , Shah Darshan G , Wijeratne Tissa , Ang Timothy , Miteff Ferdinand , Levi Christopher , Krause Martin , Harrington Timothy J , Faulder Kenneth C , Steinfort Brendan S , Bailey Peter , Rice Henry , de Villiers Laetitia , Scroop Rebecca , Collecutt Wayne , Wong Andrew A , Coulthard Alan , Barber PA , McGuinness Ben , Field Deborah , Ma Henry , Chong Winston , Chandra Ronil V , Bladin Christopher F , Brown Helen , Redmond Kendal , Leggett David , Cloud Geoffrey , Madan Anoop , Mahant Neil , O’Brien Bill , Worthington John , Parker Geoffrey , Desmond Patricia M. , Parsons Mark W , Donnan Geoffrey A , Davis Stephen M
Published: September 2017

Background and hypothesis

Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase remains standard care prior to thrombectomy for eligible patients within 4.5 h of ischemic stroke onset. However, alteplase only succeeds in reperfusing large vessel arterial occlusion prior to thrombectomy in a minority of patients. We hypothesized that tenecteplase is non-inferior to alteplase in achieving reperfusion at initial angiogram, when administered within 4.5 h of ischemic stroke onset, in patients planned to undergo endovascular therapy.

Study design

EXTEND-IA TNK is an investigator-initiated, phase II, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint non-inferiority study. Eligibility requires a diagnosis of ischemic stroke within 4.5 h of stroke onset, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale≤3 (no upper age limit), large vessel occlusion (internal carotid, basilar, or middle cerebral artery) on multimodal computed tomography and absence of contraindications to intravenous thrombolysis. Patients are randomized to either IV alteplase (0.9 mg/kg, max 90 mg) or tenecteplase (0.25 mg/kg, max 25 mg) prior to thrombectomy.

Study outcomes

The primary outcome measure is reperfusion on the initial catheter angiogram, assessed as modified treatment in cerebral infarction 2 b/3 or the absence of retrievable thrombus. Secondary outcomes include modified Rankin Scale at day 90 and favorable clinical response (reduction in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale by ≥8 points or reaching 0–1) at day 3. Safety outcomes are death and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02388061
Environmental and task constraints influence footfall variability in track and field jumping events
Authors: Makaruk Hubert , Porter Jared Marak , Starzak Marcin
Published: September 2017

By analysis of footfall variability in the long jump, triple jump, and pole vault, the present study was designed to highlight gait variability patterns required in varied nested tasks. Twelve male athletes in each event who participated in one international and two national competitions were involved in this study. Twenty five pairs of 1-m Optojump Next system bars were used to evaluate relevant footfall placement. The footfall variability was taken to present the pattern of step regulation and onset of visual regulation. The main results of this study showed that pole vaulters manifested a highly consistent gait pattern, which was different than the pattern which appeared in the horizontal jumps. The results also revealed that the onset of step length adjustments in the horizontal jumps occurred significantly later during the zeroing-in phase of the approach run in comparison to those utilized by the pole vaulters. These findings indicate that locomotor pointing control in the long jump, triple jump, and pole vault produce specific footfall variability patterns due to different task and environmental constraints that need to be taken into account during training and competition settings.
Impact of health indicators on maintenance management and operation of power systems
Authors: Mazidi Peyman , Sanz Bobi Miguel A , Shayesteh Ebrahim , Hilber Patrik
Published: September 2017

This article proposes a maintenance management and risk reduction approach. The approach introduces two reliability-based indexes called condition indicator and risk indicator. Condition indicator is a unit-less parameter that comes directly from monitored condition of a component and converts the categorical condition into a numerical value. Risk indicator in megawatt represents the risk imposed by the health of a component onto the system. To demonstrate application of the indicators, they are implemented through an hourly network constraint unit commitment problem and applied in a test system where the analysis of impact of condition of the generators to the operation is the new contribution. The results demonstrate how addition of such indicators will impact the operation of the grid and maintenance scheduling. The results show the benefit for the system operator as the overall failure risk in the system is taken into account, and the benefit for the asset owner as the direct impact of the maintenance to be carried out can be investigated. Two of the main outcomes of the maintenance management and risk reduction approach are as follows: asset owners can analyze their maintenance strategies and evaluate their impacts in the maintenance scheduling, and system operators can operate the grid with higher security and lower risk of failure.