bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Turbulent Dissipation Using a Tethered ADCP
Authors: Lucas N. S. , Simpson J. H. , Rippeth T. P. , Old C. P.
Published: April 2014

The structure function method for estimating the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy, previously validated for measurements from seabed fixed mounts, is applied to data from 1.2-MHz acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) instruments operating in pulse–pulse coherent mode and mounted in midwater below a tethered buoy. Movements of the buoy introduce additional relative velocity components, but it is hypothesized that these flow components should not seriously interfere with the turbulence information because (i) horizontal or vertical translation induces the same flow component in all cells of an ADCP beam and (ii) any rotation of the instrument about its center induces flow components that are normal to the beam direction, and thus neither affect the structure function. This hypothesis is tested by comparing a series of dissipation measurements from a moored ADCP with those from a free-falling Vertical Microstructure Profiler (VMP) shear probe deployed from a nearby research vessel. The results indicate generally good conformity in both mean and variability over almost two decades of dissipation rates. The noise level of the structure function estimates with the pulse–pulse coherent ADCP is close to that of the VMP at ~3 × 10−10 W kg−1. This approach offers the prospect of long time series measurements of dissipation rate from moorings, albeit with restricted vertical range of a few meters.
Spatial Optimal Interpolation of Aquarius Sea Surface Salinity: Algorithms and Implementation in the North Atlantic*
Authors: Melnichenko Oleg , Hacker Peter , Maximenko Nikolai , Lagerloef Gary , Potemra James
Published: April 2014

A method is presented for mapping sea surface salinity (SSS) from Aquarius level-2 along-track data in order to improve the utility of the SSS fields at short length [O(150 km)] and time [O(1 week)] scales. The method is based on optimal interpolation (OI) and derives an SSS estimate at a grid point as a weighted sum of nearby satellite observations. The weights are optimized to minimize the estimation error variance. As an initial demonstration, the method is applied to Aquarius data in the North Atlantic. The key element of the method is that it takes into account the so-called long-wavelength errors (by analogy with altimeter applications), referred to here as interbeam and ascending/descending biases, which appear to correlate over long distances along the satellite tracks. The developed technique also includes filtering of along-track SSS data prior to OI and the use of realistic correlation scales of mesoscale SSS anomalies. All these features are shown to result in more accurate SSS maps, free from spurious structures. A trial SSS analysis is produced in the North Atlantic on a uniform grid with 0.25° resolution and a temporal resolution of one week, encompassing the period from September 2011 through August 2013. A brief statistical description, based on the comparison between SSS maps and concurrent in situ data, is used to demonstrate the utility of the OI analysis and the potential of Aquarius SSS products to document salinity structure at ~150-km length and weekly time scales.
Precipitation Banding in Idealized Baroclinic Waves
Authors: Norris Jesse , Vaughan Geraint , Schultz David M.
Published: April 2014

Moist idealized baroclinic-wave simulations show the development of precipitation bands from a zonally uniform initial midlatitude jet. For a frictionless lower boundary, and with no latent-heat release or surface heat and moisture fluxes, warm advection is strong and a bent-back warm front forms. Although a narrow vertical-velocity maximum forms within the area of synoptic-scale ascent near the triple point, only a wide warm-frontal band forms. As surface roughness length increases between simulations to that of an ocean then a land surface, warm advection is reduced and the cold front becomes stronger relative to the warm front. A separate narrow rainband forms along the cold front, which is more intense and farther removed from the wide warm-frontal band when roughness length is greater. In the simulation with roughness length appropriate to the ocean, after the narrow band decays, the precipitation becomes oriented along the warm conveyor belt in the warm sector. When latent-heat release is included, this warm-sector precipitation evolves into multiple bands, which eventually weaken with the cyclone. When surface heat and moisture fluxes are included, the ascent at the surface cold front stays strong and a well-defined cold front of the anafront variety persists through this mature stage. The surface precipitation remains in a single intense band along and ahead of the cold front. Therefore, strong surface heat and moisture fluxes inhibit multiple bands, but a simulation with lower sea surface temperature (SST) more closely resembles the simulation without surface heat and moisture fluxes, demonstrating that the detailed structure and evolution of precipitation banding is sensitive to SST.
Differential extraction of endogenous and exogenous 25-OH-vitamin D from serum makes the accurate quantification in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays challenging
Authors: Lankes Ulrich , Elder Peter A , Lewis John G , George Peter
Published: April 2014

Background

Extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis is the method of choice when it comes to the accurate quantification of 25-OH-vitamin D in blood samples. It is generally assumed that the addition of exogenous internal standard allows for the determination of the endogenous analyte concentration. In this study we investigated the extraction properties of endogenous and exogenous 25-OH-vitamin D.

Methods

Eight samples were used for the evaluation of the extraction procedure and 59 patients’ samples for a method comparison. The methanol-to-sample ratio (v/v) and the sample-to-hexane ratio (v/v) were varied and the LC-MS/MS signals of endogenous 25-OH-vitamin D3, spiked 25-OH-vitamin D2 and internal standard of the extracts recorded. The optimized ‘in-house’ LC-MS/MS assay was compared to two automated chemiluminescence immunoassays from DiaSorin and Abbott.

Results

Mathematical analysis of the data revealed a differential extraction of endogenous 25-OH-vitamin D3, spiked 25-OH-vitamin D2 and non-equilibrated internal standard. Exogenous 25-OH-vitamin D can be measured accurately if a definite methanol-to-sample ratio is used. Endogenous 25-OH-vitamin D is affected by critical quantification issues due to a differential slope in the extraction profile. The actual 25-OH-vitamin D concentration can be one-third above the measured extractable concentration. Results confirm that the ‘in-house’ LC-MS/MS assay provides reproducible 25-OH-vitamin D results.

Conclusions

Discordant concentrations of 25-OH-vitamin D from LC-MS/MS assays can be caused by selection of suboptimal extraction conditions. Furthermore, a different sample pretreatment or solvent extraction system may result in a different dissociation and extraction yield of endogenous 25-OH-vitamin D and therefore contribute to variations of LC-MS/MS results.
A novel halogen-free flame retardant poly (vinyl alcohol) foam with intrinsic flame retardant characteristics prepared through continuous extrusion
Authors: Guo Dan , Bai Shibing , Wang Qi
Published: April 2014

This paper reported a novel halogen-free flame retardant poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) foam with intrinsic flame retardant characteristics prepared through continuous extrusion using water as blowing agent. The morphology, cellular structure, mechanical properties and flame retardancy of the foams were systematically investigated. The experiments showed that PVA was not only the flame retardant target foam matrix, but also played an important role in char forming reactions, water not only acted as plasticizer and blowing agent for PVA thermal foaming, but also an effective synergistic flame retardant by evaporation to cool the system and suppress the point of inflammability, and melamine phosphate (MP) as halogen-free flame retardant was well dispersed in PVA matrix due to the strong interaction between MP and PVA, and also acted as excellent heterogeneous nucleating agent for foaming. The prepared halogen-free flame retardant PVA foam had good cellular structure, excellent flame retardancy and mechanical properties, i.e. apparent density 0.25 g/cm3, average cell diameter 450 μm, cell density 103 cells/cm3, reaching UL94 V-0, LOI 35%, tensile strength 1.8 MPa and elongation at break 57.1%. The novel halogen-free flame retardant PVA foam has potential applications.
Influence of nano-sized TiO2 on the structural, electrical, and morphological properties of polymer-blend electrolytes PEO–PVC–LiClO4
Authors: Jayanthi S , Kulasekarapandian K , Arulsankar A , Sankaranarayanan K , Sundaresan B
Published: April 2014

Fabrication of nanocomposite polymer-blend electrolytes comprising polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl chloride, lithium perchlorate and titanium dioxide (TiO2) (27.03 nm) has been demonstrated using the famous solvent casting technique. AC impedance measurements were carried out in the frequency range of 1 Hz–10 MHz. The effect of filler on the ionic conductivity is explained on the basis of distribution of TiO2, Lewis acid–base interaction, polymer segment-ion coupling and aggloramation of TiO2. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra showed the occurrence of complexation and interaction among the components. The crystalline and amorphous phases of the complex were identified through X-ray diffraction. Atomic force microscope pictures of the samples confirmed the plasticizing action of nano TiO2.
Urban entrepreneurialism and the commodification of heritage in China
Authors: Su Xiaobo
Published: April 2014

This paper analyses urban entrepreneurialism in relation to the commodification of urban heritage in the context of China. The case study is Lijiang Old Town in Yunnan province. It is found that there are three markets through which profit is extracted from urban heritage: the tourist market, the real estate market and the capital market. These markets, ranging from simple to complex, reflect the Lijiang local government’s innovative efforts to deepen the commodification of urban heritage and enhance local competitiveness. By discussing how profit is distributed, I argue that Lijiang’s local government and its ruling elites have benefited more from tourist revenues than any other groups. An analysis of Lijiang’s demographical displacement demonstrates that urban heritage is implicated in the complicated choices made by ordinary individuals in the face of political control and capital accumulation.
Deferred imitation in 9-month-olds
Authors: Teiser Johanna , Lamm Bettina , Böning Mirjam , Graf Frauke , Gudi Helene , Goertz Claudia , Fassbender Ina , Freitag Claudia , Spangler Sibylle , Teubert Manuel , Lohaus Arnold , Schwarzer Gudrun , Knopf Monika , Keller Heidi
Published: April 2014

Studies investigating imitation are usually conducted with adult models in Western contexts; therefore, the influence of cultural context and the model’s age on infants' imitation is largely unknown. This study assessed deferred imitation in 9-month-old infants from the German middle-class ( N = 44) and the ethnic group of Nso in rural Cameroon ( N = 43). Infants either received an adult or an older child as a model. Moreover, the test material comprised varying degrees of target action difficulty. Across cultures and target actions infants imitated more when an adult model demonstrated the target actions. However, results revealed that infants did not show an adult model advantage for easier target actions, but only for those that were considered more difficult.
Genistein Protects Female Nonobese Diabetic Mice from Developing Type 1 Diabetes When Fed a Soy- and Alfalfa-free Diet
Authors: Guo Tai L. , Germolec Dori R. , Zheng Jian Feng , Kooistra Linda , Auttachoat Wimolnut , Smith Matthew J. , White Kimber L. , Elmore Susan A.
Published: April 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the phytoestrogen genistein (GEN) on the time of onset and/or the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in female nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, when administered GEN by gavage once every day for up to 180 days. Five groups of mice (approximately 24 animals/group; 6–7 weeks of age) were included: naive control, vehicle control (25 mM Na2CO3 in water), and 3 GEN treatment groups (2 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg). Mice were maintained on a soy- and alfalfa-free diet (5K96) during the study and were monitored for blood glucose changes every week. When compared to the vehicle control, exposure to 2-mg/kg GEN produced significant decreases ranging from 55 to 79% in the total incidences of diabetes (blood glucose ≥ 250 mg/dl) and severe diabetes (blood glucose ≥ 400 mg/dl) starting at week 14 of the study. However, during the later stages of the study (i.e., after week 23), the 2-mg/kg dose had no effect on disease incidence. In animals treated with 6-mg/kg and 20-mg/kg GEN, significant decreases in the total incidence of diabetes were observed starting at week 16, while the incidence of severe diabetes was significantly decreased with the changes being observed initially at weeks 18 and 17 for the 6-mg/kg and 20-mg/kg GEN treatment groups, respectively. Several lines of evidence, including histopathological analysis, suggested that GEN protected the pancreas from autoimmune destruction. However, this protective effect of GEN was absent when female NOD mice were maintained on NTP-2000 rodent diet, which contained 5% soybean meal and 7.5% alfalfa meal (the total concentrations of phytoestrogens ranged between 95 and 134 mg/kg). In summary, oral dosing of GEN reduced the incidence and increased the time to onset of T1D in female NOD mice but only when fed a soy- and alfalfa-free diet.
Methods for Systematic Reviews of Health Economic Evaluations
Authors: Mathes Tim , Walgenbach Maren , Antoine Sunya-Lee , Pieper Dawid , Eikermann Michaela
Published: April 2014

Introduction. The quality of systematic reviews of health economic evaluations (SR-HE) is often limited because of methodological shortcomings. One reason for this poor quality is that there are no established standards for the preparation of SR-HE. The objective of this study is to compare existing methods and suggest best practices for the preparation of SR-HE. Methods. To identify the relevant methodological literature on SR-HE, a systematic literature search was performed in Embase, Medline, the National Health System Economic Evaluation Database, the Health Technology Assessment Database, and the Cochrane methodology register, and webpages of international health technology assessment agencies were searched. The study selection was performed independently by 2 reviewers. Data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by a second reviewer. On the basis of the overlaps in the recommendations for the methods of SR-HE in the included papers, suggestions for best practices for the preparation of SR-HE were developed. Results. Nineteen relevant publications were identified. The recommendations within them often differed. However, for most process steps there was some overlap between recommendations for the methods of preparation. The overlaps were taken as basis on which to develop suggestions for the following process steps of preparation: defining the research question, developing eligibility criteria, conducting a literature search, selecting studies, assessing the methodological study quality, assessing transferability, and synthesizing data. Discussion. The differences in the proposed recommendations are not always explainable by the focus on certain evaluation types, target audiences, or integration in the decision process. Currently, there seem to be no standard methods for the preparation of SR-HE. The suggestions presented here can contribute to the harmonization of methods for the preparation of SR-HE.
Australian Public Preferences for the Funding of New Health Technologies
Authors: Whitty Jennifer A. , Ratcliffe Julie , Chen Gang , Scuffham Paul A.
Published: April 2014

Background. Ethical, economic, political, and legitimacy arguments support the consideration of public preferences in health technology decision making. The objective was to assess public preferences for funding new health technologies and to compare a profile case best-worst scaling (BWS) and traditional discrete choice experiment (DCE) method. Methods. An online survey consisting of a DCE and BWS task was completed by 930 adults recruited via an Internet panel. Respondents traded between 7 technology attributes. Participation quotas broadly reflected the population of Queensland, Australia, by gender and age. Choice data were analyzed using a generalized multinomial logit model. Results. The findings from both the BWS and DCE were generally consistent in that respondents exhibited stronger preferences for technologies offering prevention or early diagnosis over other benefit types. Respondents also prioritized technologies that benefit younger people, larger numbers of people, those in rural areas, or indigenous Australians; that provide value for money; that have no available alternative; or that upgrade an existing technology. However, the relative preference weights and consequent preference orderings differed between the DCE and BWS models. Further, poor correlation between the DCE and BWS weights was observed. While only a minority of respondents reported difficulty completing either task (22.2% DCE, 31.9% BWS), the majority (72.6%) preferred the DCE over BWS task. Conclusions. This study provides reassurance that many criteria routinely used for technology decision making are considered to be relevant by the public. The findings clearly indicate the perceived importance of prevention and early diagnosis. The dissimilarity observed between DCE and profile case BWS weights is contrary to the findings of previous comparisons and raises uncertainty regarding the comparative merits of these stated preference methods in a priority-setting context.
Spectral parametric segmentation of contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT to detect bone metastasis: feasibility sensitivity study using whole-body bone scintigraphy
Authors: Lee Young Han , Kim Sungjun , Lim Daekeon , Suh Jin-Suck , Song Ho-Taek
Published: April 2014

Background

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) images may be underutilized for the evaluation of skeletal metastasis. Spectral parametric segmentation of DECT can produce bone-iodine separated images, which have the potential to detect bone metastases.

Purpose

To evaluate the potential of bone-iodine separation in the detection of bone metastasis with spectral parametric segmentation of DECT images which are acquired at clinical follow-up for patients with prior malignancy.

Material and Methods

The institutional review board approved the protocol of this retrospective review. Chest DECT scans using fast kV-switching between 80 and 140 kVp were included in this study. Bone-iodine separated reformatted images were produced by spectral parametric segmentation of synthesized monochromatic images. All chest CT images of 702 metastatic lesions from 54 patients were retrospectively evaluated in terms of visualization of metastatic lesions compared with99mTc-MDP (methylene diphosphonate) whole-body bone scintigraphy (WBBS) as reference standard of diagnosis.

Results

Spectral parametric segmentation images of DECT visualized metastatic lesions in 92.3% ( n = 648/702). Osteoblastic metastases were delineated as subtle enhancing lesions on DECT in comparison to WBBS.

Conclusion

Spectral parametric segmentation of iodine from cortical and medullary bone allowed visualization of bone metastasis. DECT might be utilized for the screening or detection of bone metastases.
Potential contributions of remote sensing to ecosystem service assessments
Authors: Andrew Margaret E. , Wulder Michael A. , Nelson Trisalyn A.
Published: April 2014

Ecological and conservation research has provided a strong scientific underpinning to the modeling of ecosystem services (ESs) over space and time, by identifying the ecological processes and components of biodiversity (ecosystem service providers, functional traits) that drive ES supply. Despite this knowledge, efforts to map the distribution of ESs often rely on simple spatial surrogates that provide incomplete and non-mechanistic representations of the biophysical variables they are intended to proxy. However, alternative data sets are available that allow for more direct, spatially nuanced inputs to ES mapping efforts. Many spatially explicit, quantitative estimates of biophysical parameters are currently supported by remote sensing, with great relevance to ES mapping. Additional parameters that are not amenable to direct detection by remote sensing may be indirectly modeled with spatial environmental data layers. We review the capabilities of modern remote sensing for describing biodiversity, plant traits, vegetation condition, ecological processes, soil properties, and hydrological variables and highlight how these products may contribute to ES assessments. Because these products often provide more direct estimates of the ecological properties controlling ESs than the spatial proxies currently in use, they can support greater mechanistic realism in models of ESs. By drawing on the increasing range of remote sensing instruments and measurements, data sets appropriate to the estimation of a given ES can be selected or developed. In so doing, we anticipate rapid progress to the spatial characterization of ecosystem services, in turn supporting ecological conservation, management, and integrated land use planning.
Disciplinary Infractions Behind Bars
Authors: Tewksbury Richard , Connor David Patrick , Denney Andrew S.
Published: April 2014

Using data from one Midwestern state, this article investigates whether or not characteristics of importation and deprivation serve as predictors of receipt of institutional disciplinary infractions. The results of the logistic regression analyses indicate that both importation and deprivation factors were significant indicators of having received disciplinary infractions. Specifically, among 585 adult male inmates, data reveal that two importation measures and two deprivation measures were significant predictors of receipt of any disciplinary infractions. An inmate’s gang membership status and conviction for a sex offense are also found to have been significant indicators of having or not having received at least one serious disciplinary infraction. Policy implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Risk Factors for Poststroke Depression
Authors: De Ryck Annemieke , Brouns Raf , Geurden Marleen , Elseviers Monique , De Deyn Peter P. , Engelborghs Sebastiaan
Published: April 2014

Objective:

Depression after stroke or poststroke depression (PSD) has a negative impact on the rehabilitation process and the associated rehabilitation outcome. Consequently, defining risk factors for development of PSD is important. The relationship between stroke and depression is described extensively in the available literature, but the results are inconsistent. The aim of this systematic review is to outline conflicting evidence on risk factors for PSD.

Methods:

PubMed, Medline, and Web of Knowledge were searched using the keywords “stroke,” “depression,” and “risk factor” for articles published between January 01, 1995, and September 30, 2012. Additional articles were identified and obtained from a hand search in related articles and reference lists.

Results:

A total of 66 article abstracts were identified by the search strategy and 24 articles were eligible for inclusion based on predefined quality criteria. The methodology varies greatly between the various studies, which is probably responsible for major differences in risk factors for PSD reported in the literature. The most frequently cited risk factors for PSD in the literature are sex (female), history of depression, stroke severity, functional impairments or level of handicap, level of independence, and family and social support.

Conclusions:

Many risk factors are investigated over the last 2 decades and large controversy exists concerning risk factors for development of PSD. These contradictions may largely be reduced to major differences in clinical data, study population, and methodology, which underline the need for more synchronized studies.
Railway track inspection based on the vibration response to a scheduled train and the Hilbert–Huang transform
Authors: Tsai Hsin-Chu , Wang Chung-Yue , Huang Norden E , Kuo Tsai-Wen , Chieng Wei-Hua
Published: April 2014

With the development of high-density intercity railway networks, substantial investments are now required, in terms of labor and machinery, in order to be able to conduct safety inspections. This results in high operational costs. High-capacity and high-speed operations have resulted in levels of damage and deterioration of railway system components that have surpassed all expected values. Thus, traditional methods of periodic inspection, though still necessary, are no longer sufficient to detect the rapid development of defects on railway systems. Therefore, the direct use of operational trains as inspection vehicles to detect defects in real-time has become a current trend in the development of inspection techniques. This study applies an inspection technique previously reported in the literature to on-site testing of track. The response to vibrations on railway bridges, track system components and track irregularities are also studied. The effects are analyzed using the Hilbert–Huang transform approach. It is shown that the proposed data analysis method can be used in conjunction with the routine operation of trains to create a method for the monitoring of track defects.
Roadbed bearing capacity and deformations in a conventional and an improved turnout system
Authors: Jeon Sang-Soo
Published: April 2014

Research is being performed on improving turnout systems; this is to increase the speed of trains on existing rail systems. In this note, a comparison between conventional and improved turnout systems is performed in terms of impact ratios estimated from dynamic wheel/load tests performed in the field. The track performance, roadbed bearing capacity, and deformations of conventional and improved turnout systems are examined. Numerical results show that the dynamic wheel load, roadbed stress and roadbed deformations for the improved turnout system are substantially smaller than those for the conventional turnout system.
Modelling roughness effects for transitional low Reynolds number aerofoil flows
Authors: Liu S , Qin N
Published: April 2014

Roughness modelling at low Reynolds numbers of O(104–105) is of practical importance for micro air vehicles. This paper investigates the roughness modelling behaviour of the low Reynolds number shear stress transport model and the γ-Reθ shear stress transport model. Both include modelling flow transition and surface roughness effects. The roughness effects are modelled as sand grain roughness. A series of simulations using the two models have been performed on a NACA0012 aerofoil with comparisons to available experimental data. The results show that both of the models have the capability to reasonably predict the leading edge laminar separation bubble, transition and skin friction and, therefore, lift and drag on smooth surfaces. However, the two models behave very differently for the rough surface aerofoil. While the low Reynolds number shear stress transport model performs well, the γ-Reθ model fails to predict the transition on the rough aerofoil surface, resulting in inaccurate lift and drag prediction.
Biomechanical measurements of stopping and stripping torques during screw insertion in five types of human and artificial humeri
Authors: Aziz Mina SR , Tsuji Matthew RS , Nicayenzi Bruce , Crookshank Meghan C , Bougherara Habiba , Schemitsch Emil H , Zdero Radovan
Published: April 2014

During orthopedic surgery, screws are inserted by “subjective feel” in humeri for fracture fixation, that is, stopping torque, while trying to prevent accidental over-tightening that causes screw–bone interface failure, that is, stripping torque. However, no studies exist on stopping torque, stripping torque, or stopping/stripping torque ratio in human or artificial humeri. This study evaluated five types of humeri, namely, human fresh-frozen (n = 19), human embalmed (n = 18), human dried (n = 15), artificial “normal” (n = 13), and artificial “osteoporotic” (n = 13). An orthopedic surgeon used a torque screwdriver to insert 3.5-mm-diameter cortical screws into humeral shafts and 6.5-mm-diameter cancellous screws into humeral heads by “subjective feel” to obtain stopping and stripping torques. The five outcome measures were raw and normalized stopping torque, raw and normalized stripping torque, and stopping/stripping torque ratio. Normalization was done as raw torque/screw–bone interface area. For “gold standard” fresh-frozen humeri, cortical screw tests yielded averages of 1312 N mm (raw stopping torque), 30.4 N/mm (normalized stopping torque), 1721 N mm (raw stripping torque), 39.0 N/mm (normalized stripping torque), and 82% (stopping/stripping torque ratio). Similarly, fresh-frozen humeri gave cancellous screw average results of 307 N mm (raw stopping torque), 0.9 N/mm (normalized stopping torque), 392 N mm (raw stripping torque), 1.2 N/mm (normalized stripping torque), and 79% (stopping/stripping torque ratio). Of the five cortical screw parameters for fresh-frozen humeri versus other groups, statistical equivalence (p ≥ 0.05) occurred in four cases (embalmed), three cases (dried), four cases (artificial “normal”), and four cases (artificial “osteoporotic”). Of the five cancellous screw parameters for fresh-frozen humeri versus other groups, statistical equivalence (p ≥ 0.05) occurred in five cases (embalmed), one case (dried), one case (artificial “normal”), and zero cases (artificial “osteoporotic”). Stopping/stripping torque ratios were relatively constant for all groups at 77%–88% (cortical screws) and 79%–92% (cancellous screws).
The effectiveness of an education intervention to prevent chlamydia infection among Greenlandic youth
Authors: Rink Elizabeth , Montgomery-Andersen Ruth , Anastario Mike
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study was to implement a sexual health behavioural intervention in Greenland in order to reduce sexually transmitted infection rates among a population of Greenland youth. This behavioural intervention was called Inuulluataarneq (Having the Good Life). Inuulluataarneq’s objects included: (1) increase Greenlandic youth’s overall knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and sexual health; (2) increase parent/guardian-youth communication about topics related to sexually transmitted infections and sex; and (3) increase consistent condom use among Greenlandic youth. We hypothesised that increased awareness of sexually transmitted infections and sexual health as well as increased communication between parents/guardians and their adolescent children would influence sexual risk behaviour and reduce sexually transmitted infections among our sample population, with a focus on urine samples of chlamydia infection. Results indicate that the influence of having a parent/guardian to speak with about topics related to sex, including the consequences of pregnancy, are key protective factors in reducing sexually transmitted infections among Greenlandic youth. Inuulluataarneq demonstrates that intensive short-term education and skill-building delivered by a trained community member is an effective sexually transmitted infection prevention intervention method among young Inuit populations who live in small isolated Arctic communities.
Theorising context in psychology: The case of creativity
Authors: Glăveanu Vlad Petre
Published: April 2014

This article aims to address the issue of what context is and how it can be incorporated in psychological theory by using the case study of creativity research. It starts from a basic definition of context as the spatiotemporal continuum that, together with psychological phenomena, constitutes a totality and should be considered a single, integrated whole. As such, contexts are neither subjective, existing only in perception, nor are they a set of variables external to the person, but participate directly in the processes under study in psychology. We can therefore distinguish between “flat” theorising, one-dimensional and overconcerned with intra-psychological factors, and “3-D” models trying to articulate the psychological, the spatial (sociomaterial), and the temporal. These categories are illustrated by different theoretical approaches to creativity. It is argued here that a cultural psychological perspective on this phenomenon leads to a more “radical” contextualisation by focusing on extended actors, continuous action, dynamic artefacts, evolving audiences, and cumulative affordances. In the end, a short discussion of what contextual frameworks can offer us and the challenges we come against in establishing them is provided.
Supporting family learning and interaction through information and communications technology in public libraries in Taiwan
Authors: Sung Hui-Yun , Siraj-Blatchford John
Published: April 2014

This article presents findings from an action research pilot project, Involve Me, aiming to support family learning and interaction through information and communications technology in public libraries. Five workshops were developed and delivered between August and November 2013 in three public libraries in Taiwan. Technological resources used included computers and handheld devices. Four research methods: questionnaires, participant observation, recording, and social networking, were used to gather data. Evaluation of the workshops reflected a changing role of the researcher from a teacher to children to a facilitator of adult-child interaction through information and communications technology. The pilot project established that supporting family learning and interaction through information and communications technology in public libraries worked, but that further work was required. Building on the evidence collected in this project, academic-practice partnership for supporting adult-child dialogue through information and communications technology is considered an important area to go forward, which requires genuine institutional engagement.
Work engagement in nursing practice
Authors: Keyko Kacey
Published: April 2014

The concept of work engagement has existed in business and psychology literature for some time. There is a significant body of research that positively correlates work engagement with organizational outcomes. To date, the interest in the work engagement of nurses has primarily been related to these organizational outcomes. However, the value of work engagement in nursing practice is not only an issue of organizational interest, but of ethical interest. The dialogue on work engagement in nursing must expand to include the ethical importance of engagement. The relational nature of work engagement and the multiple levels of influence on nurses’ work engagement make a relational ethics approach to work engagement in nursing appropriate and necessary. Within a relational ethics perspective, it is evident that work engagement enables nurses to have meaningful relationships in their work and subsequently deliver ethical care. In this article, I argue that work engagement is essential for ethical nursing practice. If engagement is essential for ethical nursing practice, the environmental and organizational factors that influence work engagement must be closely examined to pursue the creation of moral communities within healthcare environments.
Preferences for autonomy in end-of-life decision making in modern Korean society
Authors: Kim Su Hyun
Published: April 2014

Background:

The demand for autonomy in medical decision making is increasing among Korean people, but it is not well known why some people prefer autonomy in decision making but others do not.

Research objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which Korean adults wished to exercise autonomy in the process of decision making regarding end-of-life treatment and to determine whether economic issues and family functioning, in particular, were associated with preferences for participation in decision making in Korean people.

Research design:

This study was a cross-sectional correlational study using a survey.

Participants and research context:

Data were collected using structured questionnaires from 354 patients or their families who visited ambulatory departments at two general hospitals in South Korea, recruited by the proportionate quota sampling method. Data analysis was performed using multinomial logistic regression analyses.

Ethical considerations:

The study was approved by the hospitals’ directors and the ethics committee of Kyungpook National University Hospital. Written informed consent was given by all participants.

Findings:

A majority of Korean people wanted to make autonomous decisions regarding treatment at the end of life. Preferences for autonomous decision making regarding end-of-life treatment, rather than relying on family, showed a significant increase in association with poor family functioning and low income.

Discussion:

Results of this study suggested the necessity for development of alternatives to a dominant traditional “family-centered” approach in Korean people, in order to enhance end-of-life decision making for people who wish to take an active role in the decision-making process.

Conclusion:

Healthcare providers need to examine not only patients’ preferred decision-making style but also any reasons for their choice, in particular, family conflict and financial burden.
Targeting and tailoring an intervention for adolescents who are overweight
Authors: Riiser Kirsti , Løndal Knut , Ommundsen Yngvar , Misvær Nina , Helseth Sølvi
Published: April 2014

There are important ethical issues to be examined before launching any public health intervention, particularly when targeting vulnerable groups. The aim of this article is to identify and discuss ethical concerns that may arise when intervening for health behavior change among adolescents identified as overweight. These concerns originate from an intervention designed to capacitate adolescents to increase self-determined physical activity. Utilizing an ethical framework for prevention of overweight and obesity, we identified three ethical aspects as particularly significant: the attribution of responsibility for health behavior, liberty to choose, and the effect on the participants’ psychosocial well-being. It is discussed whether and how measures can be taken to deal with these aspects. It seems evident that the ethical aspects are mainly concerned with the vulnerability of adolescents identified as overweight. However, we claim that when individual feedback and counseling is provided, tailored interventions have a unique potential to empower adolescents to make ethically anchored decisions about their own health behavior.
Competitive Mechanisms in Indian Power Sector
Authors: Sarangi Gopal K. , Mishra Arabinda
Published: April 2014

With the enactment of Electricity Act 2003, competition in the Indian power sector received a new nomenclature and is considered instrumental in driving the sector in a sustainable trajectory. An exploratory analysis of the development of the electricity market is carried out to understand the finer nuances of emerging competitive paradigm of the sector, its critical aspects, evolving trends and patterns and future outlooks. The analysis reveals that competition, as it has evolved over last decade or so, manifests a growing trend of an efficient, liquid and complete market phenomenon. The article also identifies key anomalies and distortions inhibiting the seamless growth of competition in the Indian power sector. More action is required in certain directions, such as enhancing liquidity of the market, addressing transmission congestion problems and dealing with open access constraints, controlling market power, giving teeth to the electricity regulatory commissions and importantly, addressing political economy concerns. It concludes that in order to carry forward the momentum, a cautious approach needs to be adopted and necessary ancillary measures are to be undertaken.
Development of Infrastructural Facilities in Public Sector on the Urban Fringe of Aligarh City
Authors: Banu Nasrin , Fazal Shahab
Published: April 2014

The present article attempts to show how distance from the urban centre plays an important role in transformation of infrastructure in the peripheral area of cities which is termed as urban fringe of Aligarh city. The distributional pattern of the indicators of infrastructure shows that their values decline along as we move from the city towards the peripheral area of an urban fringe. As we move from the centre of the city, the infrastructure facilities decline with the increase in distance. The nature of the urban fringe varies considerably according to the level of urbanisation, the economy and the geographical location from the urban centre. It is a common understanding that urban growth not only impacts natural and built environment but it also influences infrastructural structure in the urban fringe. Urbanisation offers livelihood choices for people in the urban fringe and also provides them better access to urban services and infrastructure.
Patients’ Perspectives on Antidepressant Treatment in Consultations With Physicians
Authors: Fosgerau Christina Fogtmann , Davidsen Annette Sofie
Published: April 2014

Patient perspectives on antidepressant treatment and physician attention, and responses toward these in consultations with patients diagnosed with depression, are rarely studied. We analyzed video-recorded consultations with general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists. We used conversation analysis and systemic functional linguistics and found that the perspectives patients expressed related to the possibility of achieving, and the inability to retain, a sense of agency. Patients also presented indirect expressions of shame and expressions suggesting alienation toward medical treatment. GPs attended to patient perspectives by talking about medication indirectly. When patients expressed their perspectives, GPs responded by being nonauthoritative but also without prompting patients to elaborate on their reflections. Psychiatrists responded authoritatively and never urged patients to reflect on their perspectives. Shared decision making did not take place because physicians did not explore patients’ perspectives in depth or offer their expertise by taking these perspectives into consideration.
Plantar Pressure Anomalies After Open Reduction With Internal Fixation of High-Grade Calcaneal Fractures
Authors: Hetsroni Iftach , Ben-Sira David , Nyska Meir , Ayalon Moshe
Published: April 2014

Background:

Plantar pressure abnormalities after open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) of intra-articular calcaneal fractures have been observed previously, but high-grade fractures were not selectively investigated and follow-up times were shorter than 2 years. The purpose of this study was to characterize plantar pressure anomalies in patients with exclusively high-grade calcaneal fractures after ORIF with a minimum 2 years of follow-up, and to test the association between plantar pressure distribution and the clinical outcome.

Methods:

The orthopaedic registry was reviewed to identify patients with isolated high-grade calcaneal fractures (Sanders types III-IV) who were operated on and had a minimum 2 years of follow-up. Sixteen patients were evaluated. Mean age was 47 years and follow-up was between 2 and 6 years. The Pedar-Mobile system was used to measure 3 loading and 3 temporal variables and compare these between the operated and the uninjured limbs.

Results:

Mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 76 ± 7 at latest follow-up. Bohler’s angle was 5 ± 8 degrees before surgery and 25 ± 7 degrees at latest follow-up. Stance was shorter in operated limbs ( P = .001). Timing of the peak of pressure was delayed in operated limbs under the hallux and the second toe ( P ≤ .03). Peak pressure, force time integral, and pressure time integral were increased under the lateral midfoot ( P ≤ .03) and decreased under the second metatarsal ( P ≤ .03). Force time integral was decreased under the first metatarsal ( P = .02) and under the hallux and the lateral toes ( P ≤ .05). Increased loading under the lateral midfoot and decreased loading under the lateral toes were correlated with poorer clinical outcome ( r = −.53, P < .05, and r = .63, P < .01, respectively).

Conclusions:

Side-to-side plantar pressure mismatch persisted at more than 2 years after ORIF of high-grade calcaneal fractures performed via lateral approach, despite improvement of Bohler’s angle. This was characterized by shortened stance phase, delayed timing of peak of pressure under the hallux and second toe, lateral load shift at the midfoot, and decreased toe pressures in operated limbs. Since loading abnormalities were correlated with the clinical outcome, modifications in treatment strategy that can improve foot loading may be desirable in these cases.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, case control.
Comments on Stuart et al.’s “Genetic Associations With Intimate Partner Violence in a Sample of Hazardous Drinking Men in Batterer Intervention Programs”
Authors: Bennett Larry W.
Published: April 2014

Stuart et al. correlate genetic characteristics of men in batterer intervention programs with their level of intimate partner violence (IPV). In this commentary, I address the generality of the results in light of the characteristics of the participants, speculate about possible effects of current and future genetic and biological research on potential consumers of such research, and place this research in the context on an ongoing criticism of batterer intervention programs by various constituents.
A New Piece to Understanding the Intimate Partner Violence Puzzle
Authors: DeWall C. Nathan , Way Baldwin M.
Published: April 2014

Numerous factors prompt intimate partner violence (IPV). Stuart and colleagues examined whether variations in two theoretically relevant genetic variants predispose some people toward perpetrating psychological aggression, physical aggression, and violence that causes the victim serious physical injury. This commentary discusses the importance of considering how the observed genetic risk factors for IPV may be best understood within the context of their interaction with environmental risk factors. By focusing on gene–environment interactions, future work may help identify not only who is at risk for IPV perpetration but also who may be buffered from it.