bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brief Experimental Analysis of Reading Deficits for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Fienup Daniel M. , Reyes-Giordano Kimberly , Wolosik Katarzyna , Aghjayan Anto , Chacko Anil
Published: September 2014

Reading difficulties are especially high among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although there are a number of empirically supported reading interventions for children with ADHD, there is little data to guide the selection of the most efficacious reading intervention for a specific child. Brief experimental analysis (BEA) is a procedure that directly compares the efficacy of various academic interventions with the goal of guiding the selection of the intervention that results in optimal efficacy. The current proof of concept study examined the efficacy of the BEA methodology for determining the relative effectiveness of seven reading interventions for children with ADHD. The seven interventions included empirically supported ADHD interventions as well as traditional interventions found in the BEA literature. Six children diagnosed with ADHD completed the proof of concept study. Results indicated that the BEA successfully determined an efficacious intervention for each participant. The efficacy of the interventions and the optimal intervention based on BEA procedures varied for each child, suggesting the importance of a BEA approach when comparing various interventions for reading in children with ADHD. Implications and future directions for selecting effective reading interventions for children with ADHD are discussed.
Overcoming the Barrier of Narrative Adherence in Conflicts Through Awareness of the Psychological Bias of Naïve Realism
Authors: Nasie Meytal , Bar-Tal Daniel , Pliskin Ruthie , Nahhas Eman , Halperin Eran
Published: September 2014

One significant socio-psychological barrier for peaceful resolution of conflicts is each party’s adherence to its own collective narrative. We hypothesized that raising awareness to the psychological bias of naïve realism and its identification in oneself would provide a path to overcoming this barrier, thus increasing openness to the adversary’s narrative. We conducted three experimental studies in the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Studies 1 and 2, conducted among Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Israelis, respectively, revealed that participants with hawkish political ideology reported greater openness to the adversary’s narrative when they were made aware of naïve realism bias. Study 3 revealed that hawkish participants at the baseline adhered to the ingroup narrative and resisted the adversary’s narrative more than dovish participants. They were also more able to identify the bias in themselves upon learning about it. This identification may explain why the manipulation led to bias correction only among hawkish participants.
Where Is the Human? Beyond the Enhancement Debate
Authors: Van Den Eede Yoni
Published: September 2014

Diverging definitions of what the human being is or should be polarize the ongoing debate about human enhancement between so-called bioconservatives and transhumanists. This essay seeks to review some of the central issues at stake in this discussion and in a wider sense within current, mostly philosophically oriented approaches that endeavor to understand “human being” or “human nature” in relation to technology. It does so specifically on the basis of a discussion of two recent works that thoroughly grapple with these topics.
Russian speakers’ L2 Chinese acquisition of wh-topicalization at the syntax–discourse interface
Authors: Dugarova Esuna
Published: September 2014

In recent second language (L2) research it has been proposed that unlike linguistic phenomena pertaining to internal interfaces, those at external interfaces pose greater difficulty to adult L2 learners and may not be fully acquired. It has further been pointed out that such problematic acquisition at the interface level should not be attributed to the entire interface and requires a more nuanced examination, and this is what the current article aims to provide. An empirical study reported here investigates whether Russian-speaking learners are able to acquire Chinese wh-topicalization that lies at the syntax–discourse interface, an instance of the external interface. The results indicate that although very advanced Russian speakers can acquire wh-topicalization in their L2 Chinese, the ability of wh-elements to topicalize in Russian–Chinese interlanguage grammars seems to be determined by an internal structure underlying Chinese wh-elements, and this is likely to be a variable that affects the linguistic behaviour at the interface level in the L2.
The effects of modified constraint-induced movement therapy combined with trunk restraint in subacute stroke: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bang Dae-Hyouk , Shin Won-Seob , Choi Sung-Jin
Published: September 2014

Objective:

To investigate the effects of a modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) with trunk restraint in subacute stroke patients.

Design:

Double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Rehabilitation clinic.

Participants:

Eighteen subacute stroke patients with moderate motor impairment.

Interventions:

The patients were treated with either mCIMT combined with trunk restraint or mCIMT for 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The mCIMT combined with trunk restraint group participated in structured intervention sessions for use of the more affected upper-extremity in task-oriented activities with trunk restraint for 1 hour per day, and with the less affected upper-extremity restrained for 5 hours per day weeks. The mCIMT group followed the same protocol without trunk restraint.

Main outcome measures:

The outcome measures included the action research arm test (ARAT), the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), the modified Barthel index (MBI), the motor activity log (MAL) and the maximal elbow extension angle during reaching (MEEAR) were completed at baseline and post intervention.

Results:

The mCIMT combined with trunk restraint group exhibited more improved in the ARAT, FMA, MBI, MAL and MEEAR compared with the mCIMT group. Statistical analyses showed significantly different in ARAT ( P = 0.046), FMA ( P = 0.008), MBI ( P = 0.001), MAL-AOU ( P = 0.024), MAL-QOM ( P = 0.010) and MEEAR ( P = 0.001) between groups.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that mCIMT combined with trunk restraint is more helpful to improve upper-extremity function than mCIMT only in subacute stroke patients with moderate motor impairment.
Juvenile Sexual Homicide Offenders
Authors: Khachatryan Norair , Heide Kathleen M. , Hummel Erich V. , Chan Heng Choon (Oliver)
Published: September 2014

Sexual homicide by a juvenile offender occurs approximately 9 times per year in the United States. Little is known about the post-incarceration adjustment of these offenders. The current study was designed to follow up 30 years later on a sample of eight adolescent sexual homicide offenders who were convicted of murder and sentenced to adult prison. The results indicated that six out of eight offenders were released from prison, and their mean sentence length was 12 years and 2 months. Four offenders out of the six released were rearrested, but none of the arrests were for homicide, sexual or otherwise. The post-incarceration arrests were for violent, drug-related, and property crimes, as well as possession of a firearm. Three out of the four recidivists have been recommitted to prison. Implications concerning the comparability of results to past research, time served in prison, and types of post-release offenses are discussed.
Triptan use in Italy: Insights from administrative databases
Authors: Da Cas Roberto , Nigro Anna , Terrazzino Salvatore , Sances Grazia , Viana Michele , Tassorelli Cristina , Nappi Giuseppe , Cargnin Sarah , Pisterna Alessia , Traversa Giuseppe , Genazzani Armando A
Published: September 2014

Introduction

In this drug utilization study, we aimed at assessing the pattern of triptan use in Italy by means of the drug prescription databases of two local health authorities, accounting for approximately 1 million citizens.

Methods

The study population included all residents aged 18 to 84 years in the Vercelli province (about 175,000 inhabitants) and in the Umbria region (about 885,000 inhabitants), who had at least one dispensation for triptans in 2012. A frequent user, who might be at risk of medication-overuse headache (MOH), was defined as a patient being dispensed at least 10 defined daily doses (DDD) of triptans every month for at least three consecutive months.

Results

Triptans were used by 0.7%–1% of the population. While most patients were dispensed fewer than 60 DDDs per year, about 10% of all triptan users were classified as frequent users. In both areas, patients below the age of 29 were less likely to be frequent users while the 40- to 49-year-old population was the most affected, with no sex difference. About two-thirds of frequent users persisted in this behavior for an additional three-month period in the following six months.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that approximately 10% of all triptan users in the Italian population are potentially at risk for MOH. An approach based on drug prescription databases could be useful to identify patients at risk for MOH.
Variation in organic matter characteristics of landfill leachates in different stabilisation stages
Authors: Gupta Abhinav , Zhao Renzun , Novak John T , Goldsmith C Douglas
Published: September 2014

This study investigates the effect of landfill age on landfill leachate characteristics; two aspects are focused here. One is ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254) property, as the discharge of landfill leachates to publically owned treatment works can cause interference with UV254 disinfection. The other is biorefractory organic nitrogen in leachates, as it can contribute to effluent nitrogen making it difficult to meet stringent effluent nitrogen regulations. To study variation in UV254-absorbing organic carbon and organic nitrogen, leachate samples ranging from cells with ages 2 to 30 y from a large landfill in Kentucky, were collected and fractionated on a basis of their molecular weight and chemical nature into humic acids, fulvic acids and a hydrophilic fraction. The effectiveness of long term landfilling and membrane treatment for organic matter and organic nitrogen removal was examined. Humic materials, which were the major UV254-absorbing substances, were mainly >1 kDa and they degraded significantly with landfill age. The hydrophilic organic fraction, which was the major contributor to organic nitrogen, was mainly <1 kDa and it became increasingly recalcitrant with landfill age. This study provides insight into the characteristics of the different leachate fractions with landfilling age that might aid the design of on-site leachate treatment techniques.
Escalation in international conflict management: A foreign policy perspective
Authors: Melin Molly M.
Published: September 2014

Efforts to resolve interstate disputes are often characterized by repeated engagement and evolving strategies. What explains a state’s decision to continue conflict resolution efforts but escalate their management strategy? Drawing from foreign policy literature, I argue that third parties escalate policies in response to past failures, shifting conflict dynamics and their relationship with the disputants. Analysis of management efforts from 1946 to 2001 reveals that the changing nature of the conflict, policy failures and relationships between the third party and disputants are integral to understanding the management decision process, but the effects of these factors depend on the management history.
X-linked Recessive Distal Myopathy With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Caused by a Novel Mutation in the FHL1 Gene
Authors: D’Arcy Colleen , Kanellakis Voula , Forbes Robin , Wilding Brendan , McGrath Meagan , Howell Katherine , Ryan Monique , McLean Catriona
Published: September 2014

FHL1 gene mutations are associated with reducing body myopathy, X-linked myopathy with postural muscle atrophy, scapuloperoneal myopathy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, and isolated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We describe a boy with a family history consistent with X-linked distal myopathy/cardiomyopathy. The boy first presented at age 14 years and was found to have distal wasting and weakness. Echocardiogram revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Muscle biopsy showed a vacuolar pathology with no reducing bodies. Sequencing of FHL1 revealed a novel hemizygous c.764G>C missense mutation in exon 8. This is the first report of a predominantly distal myopathy with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurring secondary to an FHL1 mutation.
Effect of extrusion reprocessing on the mechanical, thermal, rheological and morphological properties of nylon 6/talc nanocomposites
Authors: Kadam Pravin G , Mhaske Shashank T
Published: September 2014

In this study, the preparation of nylon 6/talc nanocomposites was studied by melt blending in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder having length/diameter ratio of 32:1 at a screw rotation speed of 100 r min−1. Concentration of nanotalc was varied from 1 phr to 5 phr in nylon 6. The composite samples were subjected to a series of three extrusion cycles, and the effect of reprocessing on the structural properties of materials was investigated. Properties such as mechanical (tensile flexural and impact), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry), morphological (scanning electron microscopy), rheological (viscosity vs. shear rate), and colour spectrophotometry were investigated. This study would enrich the knowledge about the recycling of nylon 6, with the additional aspect of the use of collected data from more complex system, that is, composite materials, where the nanotalc particles play a role in the interactions initiated by repeated extrusion processing. Mechanical, thermal, rheological and colour properties improved with the increase in nanotalc in nylon 6 and remained nearly unchanged up to second extrusion processing. However, all the properties decreased on third extrusion processing due to the degradation of nylon 6 matrix.
Exploration of Theoretical Models
Authors: Phillips Thelma M.
Published: September 2014

Obesity presents a public health challenge and is a serious chronic medical condition, associated with multiple co-morbidities and reduced survivability and longevity. Obesity accounts for about 300,000 deaths each year and is expected to cost the United States healthcare system almost 237 million dollars within the next decade. African American adolescents who retain weight after pregnancy are at the highest risk of becoming obese adults with the potential to develop chronic diseases or serious illnesses. The author explores non-nursing and nursing theories that could guide needed research to help understand the barriers that prevent weight loss and raise the risk of obesity among postpartum adolescents. After the exploration, Orem’s self-care theory was selected for the proposed study based on nursing interventions that could facilitate postpartum adolescents’ self-care and weight control behaviors.
A Science of Unitary Human Beings Perspective of Global Health Nursing
Authors: Baumann Steven L. , Wright Stephen G. , Settecase-Wu Corinne
Published: September 2014

The conceptual ideas of Martha E. Rogers, as taught by her in the early 1980s, are here revisited as a celebration of 100 years since her birth and as a way to look at global or universe health nursing in the digital age. Rogers’ correlates of unitary development are used as a matrix to consider contemporary issues in nursing and health. An example of how her vision has helped create and sustain a healing place for nurses and others called The Sacred Space Foundation in the United Kingdom is also briefly discussed. The authors hold that her unitary and optimistic vision remains relevant as a guide to nursing, and interdisciplinary research and innovation for global health in a rapidly changing world.
PhD or DNP
Authors: Bednash Geraldine , Breslin Eileen T. , Kirschling Jane M. , Rosseter Robert J.
Published: September 2014

Leading authorities from inside and outside of nursing are calling for a rapid increase in the number of nurses holding doctoral degrees. More nurses with the terminal degree are needed to serve as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, assume faculty roles, embark on research careers, and pursue top leadership positions. Today’s prospective nursing student can choose from doctoral programs focused on research or practice. The authors explore the differences in these degree options, expectations for students enrolled in these programs, key questions to ask when selecting a degree type, and the career choices available to doctorally-prepared nurses, including faculty positions.
An Exploratory Analysis of Cyber-Harassment of K-12 Teachers by Parents in Public School Settings
Authors: Foley Colby , May David C. , Blevins Kristie R. , Akers Jon
Published: September 2014

Although the topic of cyber-harassment in schools is one that has received significant media and research attention, much of that attention has been given to harassment against (and among) students. In this article, we examine responses from more than 5,700 public schoolteachers regarding their experiences with cyber-harassment by parents, a topic heretofore unexplored in the United States. Analyses suggest that victims of cyber-harassment are significantly more likely to teach in middle and high schools with large enrollments, be younger, and perceive their interactions with parents as largely negative. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Beliefs in Context
Authors: Hopkins Megan
Published: September 2014

Drawing on institutional theory, this study describes how cognitive, normative, and regulative mechanisms shape bilingual teachers’ language policy implementation in both English-only and bilingual contexts. Aligned with prior educational language policy research, findings indicate the important role that teachers’ beliefs play in the policy implementation process. However, findings also reveal several other dimensions of the policymaking process that contribute to the coupling of language policy and classroom practice, including district-level policy, administrative oversight, and teacher training policies. This study thus offers an institutional view of language policy implementation that accounts for teachers’ beliefs in a more nuanced and realistic way. Results from the study suggest the need to respond to both individual- and systems-level policy mechanisms—and the interplay between them—when designing school systems that address the educational needs of English language learners, whose presence is increasing in districts and schools across the United States.
Negotiating Subject Hierarchies
Authors: Lynch Raymond , McGarr Oliver
Published: September 2014

This article critically examines the relationship between recent educational policy and the advancement of second-level subject hierarchies in Ireland. The paradox of promoting an individual subject by means of the matriculation system, while also calling for a broad and balanced curriculum, is questioned. The apparent retreat from a commitment to comprehensive education is discussed with respect to a neo-liberal agenda in education and a modernist-vocational ideology of curriculum development. The article concludes with a discussion on the place of subject-based curricula and a call for more balanced debate around educational policy, which may result in the promotion of subject boundaries.
Growth Factor Use in Medication-Induced Hematologic Toxicity
Authors: Miller Rickey C. , Steinbach Alison
Published: September 2014

Myelosuppression is a dose-limiting adverse effect with antineoplastic therapy and nonchemotherapy medications. Clinicians have data and guidelines to provide direction for the management of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in patients with malignancies. Clinical situations outside oncology extrapolate these data along with limited data sets for those patients who demonstrate myelosuppressive effects from medications that are not traditionally considered cytotoxic. Pharmacological treatments can be used to help ameliorate the myelosuppressive toxicities. Recombinant technology has provided growth factors to counteract or lessen the degree of toxicity from myelosuppressive medications including chemotherapy. Clinical strategies and future trends on how to mitigate medication-related myelosuppression are discussed.
Disparities in herpes simplex virus type 2 infection between black and white men who have sex with men in Atlanta, GA
Authors: Okafor Netochukwu , Rosenberg Eli S , Luisi Nicole , Sanchez Travis , Rio Carlos del , Sullivan Patrick S , Kelley Colleen F
Published: September 2014

HIV disproportionately affects black men who have sex with men, and herpes simplex virus type 2 is known to increase acquisition of HIV. However, data on racial disparities in herpes simplex virus type 2 prevalence and risk factors are limited among men who have sex with men in the United States. InvolveMENt was a cohort study of black and white HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Atlanta, GA. Univariate and multivariate cross-sectional associations with herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence were assessed among 455 HIV-negative men who have sex with men for demographic, behavioural and social determinant risk factors using logistic regression. Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 was 23% (48/211) for black and 16% (38/244) for white men who have sex with men ( p = 0.05). Education, poverty, drug/alcohol use, incarceration, circumcision, unprotected anal intercourse, and condom use were not associated with herpes simplex virus type 2. In multivariate analyses, black race for those ≤25 years, but not >25 years, and number of sexual partners were significantly associated. Young black men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by herpes simplex virus type 2, which may contribute to disparities in HIV acquisition. An extensive assessment of risk factors did not explain this disparity in herpes simplex virus type 2 infection suggesting differences in susceptibility or partner characteristics.
Performing security absent the state: Encounters with a failed asylum seeker in the UK
Authors: Innes Alexandria J
Published: September 2014

Drawing on feminist research methodologies and theory, this article recentres critical security studies to focus on a migrant seeking an alternative form of security after his application for asylum was denied by the state. The two main objectives of this article are; first, to resituate a failed asylum seeker, Qasim, as an agent of international security as understood through his practice of seeking and obtaining security; and, second, to demonstrate a revised performative conceptualization of security through understanding the failed asylum seeker as practicing an embodied theorization of security. The encounter with Qasim shows alternative means of seeking security, which illustrates agency on the part of the migrant that exists actively outside of the state. This contests the positioning of migrants as passive victims and recognizes a way of being in the world that by necessity cannot rely on a state-based identity. Ethnographic methods, including participant observation and a narrative interview with Qasim, elucidate his practice of security and allow for the development of a theoretical conceptualization of security that remains true to a failed asylum seeker’s practice in the UK.
Patient advocacy
Authors: Toda Yumiko , Sakamoto Masayo , Tagaya Akira , Takahashi Mimi , Davis Anne J.
Published: September 2014

Background:

Advocacy is an important role of psychiatric nurses because their patients are ethically, socially, and legally vulnerable. This study of Japanese expert psychiatric nurses’ judgments of interventions for patient advocacy will show effective strategies for ethical nursing practice and their relationship with Japanese culture.

Objectives:

This article explores Japanese psychiatric nurses’ decision to intervene as a patient advocate and examine their ethical, cultural, and social implications.

Research design:

Using semi-structured interviews verbatim, themes of the problems that required interventions were inductively summarized by a qualitative analysis and their contexts and nursing judgments were examined.

Participants and research context:

The participants were 21 nurses with 5 or more years of experience in psychiatric nursing.

Ethical considerations:

The research was approved by Institutional Review Board of research site and study facilities. The participants gave written informed consent.

Findings:

Analysis of 45 cases showed that nurses decided to intervene when (a) surrounding people’s opinions impeded patients’ safety, (b) healthcare professionals’ policies impeded patients’ decision-making, (c) own violent behaviors impeded treatment and welfare services for patients, (d) own or families’ low acceptance of illness impeded patients’ self-actualization, (e) inappropriate treatment or care impeded patients’ liberty, and (f) their families abused patients’ property.

Discussion:

To solve conflicts between patients and their surrounding people, the nurses sought reconciliation between them, which is in accordance with Japanese cultural norms respecting harmony. When necessary, however, they protected patients’ rights against cultural norms. Therefore, their judgments cannot be explained by cultural norms alone.

Conclusion:

The findings indicate that the nurses’ judgments were based on respect for patients’ rights apart from cultural norms, and they first sought solutions fitting the cultural norms before other solutions. This seems to be an ethical, effective strategy if advocates know the culture in depth.
Nurses’ reflections on good nurse traits
Authors: Chen Shu-Yueh , Hsu Hui-Chen
Published: September 2014

Background:

Good nurses show concern for patients by caring for them effectively and attentively to foster their well-being. However, nurses cannot be taught didactically to be “good” or any trait that characterizes a good nurse. Nurses’ self-awareness of their role traits warrants further study.

Objectives:

This study aimed (a) to develop a strategy to elicit nurses’ self-exploration of the importance of good nurse traits and (b) to explore any discrepancies between such role traits perceived by nurses as ideally and actually important.

Research design:

For this mixed-method study, we used good nurse trait card play to trigger nurses’ reflections based on clinical practice. Nurse participants appraised the ideal and actual importance of each trait using a Q-sort grid. The gap between the perceived ideal and actual importance of each trait was examined quantitatively, while trait-related clinical experiences were analyzed qualitatively.

Participants and research context:

Participants were 35 in-service nurses (mean age = 31.6 years (range = 23–49 years); 10.1 years of nursing experience (range = 1.5–20 years)) recruited from a teaching hospital in Taiwan.

Ethical considerations:

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the study site.

Findings:

Good nurse trait card play with a Q-sort grid served as an icebreaker to help nurse participants talk about their experiences as embodied in good quality nursing care. Nurses’ perceived role–trait discrepancies were divided into three categories: over-performed, least discrepant, and under-performed. The top over-performed trait was “obedience.”

Discussion:

Patients’ most valued traits (“patient,” “responsible,” “cautious,” and “considerate”) were perceived by participants as ideally important but were under-performed, perhaps due to experienced nurses’ loss of idealism.

Conclusion:

Good nurse trait card play with Q-sort grid elicited nurses’ self-dialogue and revealed evidence of the incongruity between nurses’ perceived ideal and actual importance of traits. The top over-performed trait, “obedience,” deserves more study.
Rural–Urban Differences in the Prevalence of Chronic Disease in Northeast China
Authors: Wang Shibin , Kou Changgui , Liu Yawen , Li Bo , Tao Yuchun , D’Arcy Carl , Shi Jieping , Wu Yanhua , Liu Jianwei , Zhu Yingli , Yu Yaqin
Published: September 2014

Rural–urban differences in the prevalence of chronic diseases in the adult population of northeast China are examined. The Jilin Provincial Chronic Disease Survey used personal interviews and physical measures to research the presence of a range of chronic diseases among a large sample of rural and urban provincial residents aged 18 to 79 years (N = 21 435). Logistic regression analyses were used. After adjusting for age and gender, rural residents had higher prevalence of hypertension, chronic ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic low back pain, arthritis, chronic gastroenteritis/peptic ulcer, chronic cholecystitis/gallstones, and chronic lower respiratory disease. Low education, low income, and smoking increased the risk of chronic diseases in rural areas. Reducing rural–urban differences in chronic disease presents a formidable public health challenge for China. The solution requires focusing attention on issues endemic to rural areas such as poverty, lack of chronic disease knowledge, and the inequality in access to primary care.
Sports, morality and body: The voices of sportswomen under Franco’s dictatorship
Authors: Pujadas Xavier , Garai Beatriz , Gimeno Fernando , Llopis-Goig Ramón , Ramírez-Macías Gonzalo , Parrilla-Fernández José M
Published: September 2014

The aim of this research is to study sportswomen’s perceptions and experiences of women’s sport in Francoist Spain (1939–1975). The main objective is to analyse the social, moral and aesthetic elements that are present in the experience of these athletes. This study was carried out with an intentional sample of 24 women from Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, Catalonia and Valencia. They were interviewed by a network of researchers from six universities. Outstanding results show the existence of social limitations to start sports practice (particularly in the post-war period); the importance of sport as a character-building aspect; sport’s remarkable influence on their body self-concept; and the incidence on sports of the mainstream moral discourse, which created a female model that even affected sports clothing. The main conclusion is that sportswomen in that period were pioneers and had to fight against most of society in order to develop their facet as athletes, as they would not follow the established model.
Expanding the Psychological Wellness Threshold for Black College Women
Authors: Jones Lani V. , Ahn Suran , Chan Keith T.
Published: September 2014

Objectives:

This study investigated the effectiveness of a culturally congruent group intervention program entitled “Claiming Your Connections (CYC)” aimed at reducing stress and enhancing psychosocial competence (i.e., locus of control and active coping) among Black college women.

Method:

Using an experimental design, a total of 96 undergraduate Black college women recruited from four predominantly White institutions and one historically Black college and university were randomly assigned to either the CYC group ( n = 49) or the wait-list control group ( n = 47). The CYC group attended 10-week group intervention sessions. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test intervention effects for the outcome variables.

Results:

After the intervention, the CYC group reported a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress and external locus of control compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

Counseling implications and directions for the development of future culturally relevant practice interventions with this population are discussed.
Health and Writing
Authors: Freda Maria Francesca , Martino Maria Luisa
Published: September 2014

There is literary evidence stating that expressive writing affects health outcomes. Nevertheless, the processes underlying its benefits remain unclear. In our previous article, we described the benefits of writing; in this article, we investigate the meaning-making processes underlying the traumatic experiences of parents of children with leukemia in off-therapy. We collected the writings of 23 parents and grouped them according to the parents’ psychological outcome (low/good/high) with respect to anxiety, as assessed during a follow-up. We qualitatively analyzed the texts written by parents with good psychological outcomes to highlight their main meaning-making processes, that is, how they put into words the shattering experience, reordered the events, connected their emotions and the events, reevaluated the event, and reconstructed the time process. We found that parents with low/high outcomes articulated these processes differently. Furthermore, we discussed the uses and functions of written narration for each group.
Making Sense of the Transition From the Detroit Streets to Drug Treatment
Authors: Draus Paul , Roddy Juliette , Asabigi Kanzoni
Published: September 2014

In this article we consider the process of adjustment from active street sex work to life in structured substance abuse treatment among Detroit-area women who participated in a semicoercive program administered through a drug court. We examine this transition in terms of changes in daily routines and social networks, drawing on extensive qualitative data to illuminate the ways in which women defined their own situations. Using concepts from Bourdieu and Latour as analytical aids, we analyze the role of daily routines, environments, and networks in producing the shifts in identity that those who embraced the goals of recovery demonstrated. We conclude with a discussion of how the restrictive environments and redundant situations experienced by women in treatment could be paradoxically embraced as a means to achieve expanded opportunity and enhanced individual responsibility because women effectively reassembled their social networks and identities to align with the goals of recovery.
A Tool to Assess the Signs and Symptoms of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Blodgett Tom J. , Gardner Sue E. , Blodgett Nicole P. , Peterson Lisa V. , Pietraszak Melissa
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the inter-rater reliability of four clinical manifestations of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) among hospitalized adults with short-term indwelling urinary catheters using a tool developed for this purpose: the CAUTI Assessment Profile (CAP). Study participants included 30 non-pregnant English-speaking adults, recruited from two community hospitals. Three nurses assessed each participant for fever, suprapubic tenderness, flank tenderness, and delirium using standardized techniques. Based on the generalized Kappa statistic and 95% confidence intervals, there was evidence of strong inter-rater reliability for fever ( K = 1.00, 0.793-1.207), suprapubic tenderness ( K = 0.39, 0.185-0.598), and delirium ( K = 0.58, 0.379-0.792), but not for flank tenderness ( K = 0.29, −0.036 to 0.617). This study provides preliminary evidence that the CAP can be used to consistently identify these clinical signs and symptoms of CAUTI in hospitalized adults.
Double closed-loop adaptive rectification control of a shield tunneling machine with hydraulic actuator dynamics subject to saturation constraint
Authors: Yue Ming , Guo Lie
Published: September 2014

This paper is concerned with the control problem for a shield tunneling machine under a rectification condition in order to attain the accuracy requirement. With the enormous size of the complicated construction environment, it is a challenging issue to regulate attitude with high precision for practical tunneling. The difficulty is attributed to two main factors: the uncertain load acting on the shield body which is unavailable in advance and nonlinear factors caused by the hydraulic actuators, such as saturation, hysteresis and time delay. To tackle these problems, we propose a double closed-loop control strategy. First, with the aid of the equivalent load, a dynamic model in the case of regulating attitude is established; second, an adaptive sliding mode controller is presented by means of a synthesizing gradient algorithm and variable structure technology, as well as the stabilities of overall system are performed in the sense of Lyapunov stability theory and LaSalle's invariant principle; lastly, a thrust controller is proposed to make the hydraulic cylinders track the desired thrust force trajectories where the saturation of the hydraulic actuators is considered. Numerical simulations verify that the proposed double closed-loop control structure is simple but effective, which yields a potential value for a practical shield tunneling machine subject to actuator saturation constraints.
Wing rock control by finite-form adaptation
Authors: Lee Keum W , Ghorawat Prince , Singh Sahjendra N
Published: September 2014

The wing rock (self-excited rolling motion) of aircraft flying at high angle of attack adversely affects the handling qualities and maneuverability. This paper presents new adaptation algorithms in finite (integral-algebraic) form for the wing rock control. The objective is to stabilize the rolling motion, despite parameter uncertainties. Two adaptive control laws in finite form are derived for the trajectory control of the roll angle. The first control system is obtained by the realization of a speed-gradient adaptation law, and an immersion and invariance-based adaptive law is used for the second controller. Unlike the certainty-equivalent control laws, these adaptation laws include an integral term as well as a judiciously chosen nonlinear algebraic vector function. The algebraic function in the adaptation law provides stronger stability properties in the closed-loop system. Simulation results show that the designed adaptive controllers are capable of suppressing the wing rock motion of the model, despite uncertainties in the parameters.
An Empirical Study of Environmental Practices and Employee Ecological Behavior in the Hotel Industry
Authors: Chan Eric S. W. , Hon Alice H. Y. , Okumus Fevzi , Chan Wilco
Published: September 2014

This study examines the relationships among environmental knowledge, environmental awareness, environmental concern, and employee ecological behavior to implement green practices across the hotel industry. Structural equation modeling with a bootstrapping estimation was used with 385 employees from international tourist hotels in Hong Kong. The results show that environmental knowledge positively influences environmental concern and ecological behavior. In addition, employee environmental awareness mediates the relationship between environmental knowledge and concern, while both environmental awareness and concern appear to mediate the relationship between environmental knowledge and ecological behavior. The theoretical and practical implications of study results are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.
A quality–Value–Attitude Model
Authors: Kang Soo K. , Lee Choong-Ki , Lee Yong-Ki , Li Dong-Xin
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this study was to propose and test a quality–value–attitude model by examining the antecedents and relationships among these three constructs at the Shanghai Expo 2010. The results of the structural equation modeling revealed that controllable service quality characteristics, such as program content, staff, and convenience, significantly affected both visitors’ emotional and economic values that, in turn, influenced visitors’ attitude. The findings of the study render important conceptual insights for understanding mega-event attendees’ perceptions and provide practical implications for the event organizers and planners.
Beyond linguistic and party homogeneity
Authors: Dodeigne Jérémy , Gramme Pierre , Reuchamps Min , Sinardet Dave
Published: September 2014

Political parties are often thought of as unitary actors that have consistent preferences. This ‘hidden assumption’ means that heterogeneity within parties, and therefore intra-party dynamics, are overlooked in explaining attitudes. When it comes to devolution and federalisation, parties or MPs belonging to the same region are also often implicitly considered to have homogeneous viewpoints and attitudes. Relying on an original survey of MPs carried out during the Belgian political gridlock of 2010–2011, this article uncovers some of the key dimensions of the intra-party dynamics through analysis of MPs’ preferences towards institutional reform in Belgium. Far from being explained along party or community lines, our results demonstrate how MPs’ political and sociological background, national/regional identity, political career, and inter-community relations strongly shape their preferences.
Numerical simulation of cyclic variability in reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion with a focus on the initial temperature at intake valve closing
Authors: Jia Ming , Dempsey Adam B , Wang Hu , Li Yaopeng , Reitz Rolf D
Published: September 2014

Cyclic variations in dual-fuel reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion were investigated using multi-dimensional simulations of a light-duty diesel engine. By comparing results with measured pressure traces from 300 consecutive cycles, it was found that the standard deviation of the 50% burn point in reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion could be satisfactorily reproduced by monitoring the sensitivity of the 50% burn point to changes in initial in-cylinder temperature at intake valve closing in the simulations. Using this approach, the influences of fuel reactivity, diesel mass fraction, combustion mode, exhaust gas recirculation rate, intake pressure, and injection strategy on combustion stability were investigated. It was found that diesel/methanol reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion exhibits larger cyclic variations than diesel/gasoline at the same operating conditions due to the lower reactivity of methanol. Compared to gasoline homogeneous charge compression ignition and diesel partially premixed combustion, diesel/gasoline reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion showed the lowest cyclic variations for a given 50% burn point. When the 50% burn point was kept constant by adjusting the intake temperature, the introduction of exhaust gas recirculation and an increase in intake pressure resulted in decreased cyclic variations. Under the conditions tested in this study, with the employment of retarded injection timing, single injection, and increased injection pressure, the in-cylinder equivalence ratio becomes richer, which is helpful for the reduction in cyclic variations in reactivity-controlled compression ignition combustion. The overall results indicate that the present approach for describing cyclic variability is useful for practical applications.
A Practical Technique for Improving the Accuracy of Interviewer Observations of Respondent Characteristics
Authors: West Brady T. , Kreuter Frauke
Published: September 2014

Face-to-face household surveys sometimes ask field interviewers to record observations about selected characteristics of all sampled housing units. Some surveys ask interviewers to record judgments about potential respondents to serve as proxy measures of key variables. Past studies have shown that these judgments are prone to error, which has negative implications for survey estimators in terms of the bias and variance introduced by nonresponse adjustments based on the judgments. Practical techniques for reducing these errors are therefore needed. This article analyzes an intervention implemented in the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. The intervention was designed to provide field interviewers with observable predictors of a key auxiliary variable for which they were recording observations. The analysis shows evidence of a significant improvement in the quality of the observations. The article concludes with a discussion of directions for future work in this area.
Detection of urinary podocytes and nephrin as markers for children with glomerular diseases
Authors: Wang Pei , Li Min , Liu Qicai , Chen Bo , Ji Zequan
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this study was to detect the urinary podocytes and its related protein, nephrin, in the urine of the children with glomerular disease in order to analyze the relationship of the clinical testing with the significance of the glomerular disease. A total of 65 children with nephrotic syndrome were selected for this study. The podocytes and nephrin were detected in the urinary sediment by indirect immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting. The urinary podocytes and nephrin positive rates were 53.8% and 50.8%, respectively, in the children with glomerular disease. The serum total protein and albumin decreased in the podocyte-positive children, while the urine total protein at 24 h, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine were significantly elevated as compared to those of the podocyte-negative patients. Furthermore, the results were the same in the patients with positive nephrin as compared to that of the patients with negative nephrin. The podocyte number and nephrin level were significantly higher in the lupus nephritis group as compared to those of the other groups. Likewise, the podocyte number and nephrin level dramatically increased in the focal segmental glomerulosclerosis group as compared to those of the mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and minimal change disease groups. In addition, the podocyte numbers and nephrin expression were significantly higher in severe proteinuria group as compared to those of the mild proteinuria group. The urinary nephrin expression was positively related to podocyte and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio. We concluded that the detection of the urinary podocytes and nephrin could be taken as markers for children with glomerular disease, reflecting the type of the disease. Therefore, this can be used as a noninvasive method to evaluate the severity of the kidney disease in children.
Comparative evaluation of N-acetylcysteine and N-acetylcysteineamide in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in human hepatoma HepaRG cells
Authors: Tobwala Shakila , Khayyat Ahdab , Fan Weili , Ercal Nuran
Published: September 2014

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) is one of the most widely used over-the-counter antipyretic analgesic medications. Despite being safe at therapeutic doses, an accidental or intentional overdose can result in severe hepatotoxicity; a leading cause of drug-induced liver failure in the U.S. Depletion of glutathione (GSH) is implicated as an initiating event in APAP-induced toxicity. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a GSH precursor, is the only currently approved antidote for an APAP overdose. Unfortunately, fairly high doses and longer treatment times are required due to its poor bioavailability. In addition, oral and intravenous administration of NAC in a hospital setting are laborious and costly. Therefore, we studied the protective effects of N-acetylcysteineamide (NACA), a novel antioxidant, with higher bioavailability and compared it with NAC in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in a human-relevant in vitro system, HepaRG. Our results indicated that exposure of HepaRG cells to APAP resulted in GSH depletion, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, increased lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction (assessed by JC-1 fluorescence), and lactate dehydrogenase release. Both NAC and NACA protected against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by restoring GSH levels, scavenging ROS, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and preserving mitochondrial membrane potential. However, NACA was better than NAC at combating oxidative stress and protecting against APAP-induced damage. The higher efficiency of NACA in protecting cells against APAP-induced toxicity suggests that NACA can be developed into a promising therapeutic option for treatment of an APAP overdose.