bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probiotics for the Treatment of Infantile Colic: A Systematic Review
Authors: Schreck Bird Anna , Gregory Philip J. , Jalloh Mohamed A. , Risoldi Cochrane Zara , Hein Darren J.
Published: March 2016

Objective:

To evaluate whether clinical data support the safety and efficacy of probiotics for the management of infantile colic.

Background:

Probiotics have been suggested as a potential strategy for infantile colic, and the specific species that have been studied in healthy infants are considered to be safe.

Methodology:

A systematic review was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of probiotic supplementation in infants with colic. RCTs with a primary end point assessing crying or fussing time were selected. A meta-analysis comparing “responders” to “nonresponders” in infants receiving probiotic versus control was conducted. The quality of trials selected was assessed.

Results:

Five RCTs assessing 2 different strains of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri in mostly breastfed infants were identified. Analysis of response rates showed that infants receiving probiotics had a 2.3-fold greater chance of having a 50% or greater decrease in crying/fussing time compared to controls ( P = .01). Probiotic supplementation was not associated with any adverse events.

Conclusion:

Supplementation with the probiotic L. reuteri in breastfed infants appears to be safe and effective for the management of infantile colic. Further research is needed to determine the role of probiotics in infants who are formula-fed.
SPEEK/PVDF binary membrane as an alternative proton-exchange membrane in vanadium redox flow battery application
Authors: Zhao Ling , Li Fuzhen , Guo Yanqing , Dong Yilun , Liu Jinying , Wang Yong , Kang Junrong , Zhou Gang , Liu Qifeng
Published: March 2016

Sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blends are employed to prepare the ion-exchange membranes for vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) application. The addition of the highly crystalline and hydrophobic PVDF effectively confines the swelling behavior of SPEEK. The vanadium ion permeability of SPEEK/PVDF membranes is one order of magnitude lower than that of Nafion117 membrane and SPEEK membrane. In VRB single-cell test, the SPEEK/PVDF binary membranes exhibit higher energy efficiency (EE) than recast SPEEK and Nafion117 at 30 mA cm−2. The blend membrane with 30 wt% of PVDF (S0.7P0.3) shows EE of 83.2% at 30 mA cm−2, which is superior to that of the Nafion117 and recast SPEEK membranes. In the self-discharge test, S0.7P0.3 membrane also possesses twice longer duration in open circuit decay test. These results indicate that the addition of PVDF is a simple and efficient way to improve the ion selectivity of SPEEK. With all the good properties and low cost, the SPEEK/PVDF membranes are expected to have excellent commercial prospects as ion-exchange membranes for VRB system.
A CAD-based approach for measuring volumetric error in layered manufacturing
Authors: Panda Biranchi Narayan , Bahubalendruni Raju MVA , Biswal Bibhuti Bhusan , Leite Marco
Published: March 2016

Rapid prototyping uses layered manufacturing technology to produce functional parts directly from 3D computer-aided design model without involving any tools and human intervention. Due to layer by layer deposition, volumetric error remains in the part which is basically the volumetric difference between computer-aided design model and the fabricated part. This volumetric error causes poor dimensional accuracy and surface finish, which has limited the widespread applications of rapid prototyping. Although rapid prototyping is able to produce functional parts in less build time with less material wastage, today many industries are looking for better surface quality associated with these parts. Literature discloses that the part quality can be improved by selecting proper build orientation that corresponds to minimum volumetric error. In support of this, current study presents a computer-aided design-based novel methodology to precisely measure the volumetric error in layered manufacturing process, in particular fused deposition modeling process. The proposed method accepts computer-aided design model of the part in .CAT format and automatically calculates volumetric error for different build orientations. An Excel function is integrated with it to determine optimum build orientation based on minimum volumetric error. Several simple and complex examples verified the robustness of our proposed methodology. We anticipate that the current invention will help future rapid prototyping users in producing high-quality products through an intelligent process planning.
The contribution of antiphospholipid antibodies to organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Taraborelli M , Leuenberger L , Lazzaroni M G , Martinazzi N , Zhang W , Franceschini F , Salmon J , Tincani A , Erkan D
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of clinically significant antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) to organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Patients with disease duration of less than 10 years and at least 5 years of follow-up were identified from two SLE registries. A clinically significant antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) profile was defined as: positive lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin IgG/M ≥ 40 G phospholipid units (GPL)/M phospholipid units (MPL), and/or anti-β2-glycoprotein-I IgG/M ≥ 99th percentile on two or more occasions, at least 12 weeks apart. Organ damage was assessed by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SDI). Univariate and multivariate analysis compared SLE patients with and without SDI increase during a 15-year follow-up.

Results

Among 262 SLE patients, 33% had a clinically significant aPL profile, which was associated with an increased risk of organ damage accrual during a 5-year follow-up in univariate analysis, and during a 15-year follow-up in the multivariate analysis adjusting for age, gender, race, disease duration at registry entry, and time. In the multivariate analysis, older age at diagnosis and male gender were also associated with SDI increase at each time point.

Conclusion

A clinically significant aPL profile is associated with an increased risk of organ damage accrual during a 15-year follow-up in SLE patients.
Effectiveness of timed and non-timed second appointments in improving uptake in breast cancer screening
Authors: Hudson Sue , Brazil Debbie , Teh William , Duffy Stephen W , Myles Jonathan P
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To estimate the effect on breast screening uptake of delayed, targeted, second timed appointments in women who did not take up an initial breast cancer screening appointment offer.

Methods

Non-attending women received a four-month delayed second timed appointment following non-response to the initial invitation and the normal open invitation sent to non-attenders. A comparison group was sent a four-month delayed additional open invitation.

Results

Response to the second timed appointments (percentage of re-invited women eventually attending in this episode) was 20%, corresponding to an estimated increase on total uptake of 6%. Response was highest in women who had previously attended screens. Response in the women offered an additional delayed open invitation was 7.5%, corresponding to an estimated 2.3% increase in overall uptake.

Conclusions

Second timed appointments were almost three times as effective as additional open invitation. They should be targeted at women most likely to attend. A randomized study of second timed appointments versus open invitations should be conducted.
Small scale yielding analysis for a disclination-nucleated Zener-Stroh crack interacting with a circular inclusion
Authors: Fan M , Zhang YM , Xiao ZM
Published: March 2016

The elastic-plastic fracture behavior of a Zener-Stroh crack nucleated by a wedge disclination dipole interacting with a nearby circular inclusion is investigated. It is known that a disclination is a strong source of internal stresses and energy, one possible way for the relaxation of the stresses can be in the form of an initiated crack. In the current work, the nucleated Zener-Stroh crack is simulated by a series of edge dislocations with distributed dislocation method. The influence of the disclination is accounted through crack surface traction free condition. To improve the analysis accuracy, the Irwin plastic zone correction is employed to evaluate the elastic-plastic fracture behavior at the sharp crack tip. Von Mises yielding criterion is applied in the plastic zone area to judge the yielding occurrence. Numerical results are given to study the influence of the disclination strength, disclination dipole arm as well as material properties on the stress intensity factor (SIF), plastic zone size (PZS), and crack tip opening displacement (CTOD). It is found that the property of the wedge disclination dipole has great effect on the stress field and the elastic-plastic fracture behavior of the Zener-Stroh crack. Either disclination strength or dipole arm increases, the SIF, PZS, and CTOD will increase significantly. For the same disclination, if the nucleated Zener-Stroh crack has a longer crack length, the SIF, PZS, and CTOD could be smaller. For a Zener-Stroh crack nucleated between the inclusion and the disclination dipole, the interaction between the disclination and inclusion greatly influences the elastic-plastic fracture behavior. However, this influence highly depends on material combinations of the two phases.
Deprescribing Potentially Inappropriate Preventive Cardiovascular Medication
Authors: Luymes Clare H. , van der Kleij Rianne M. J. J. , Poortvliet Rosalinde K. E. , de Ruijter Wouter , Reis Ria , Numans Mattijs E.
Published: March 2016

Background: The use of preventive cardiovascular medication by patients with low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is potentially inappropriate. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify barriers to and enablers of deprescribing potentially inappropriate preventive cardiovascular medication experienced by patients and general practitioners (GPs). Methods: A total of 10 GPs participating in the ECSTATIC trial (Evaluating Cessation of STatins and Antihypertensive Treatment In primary Care) audiotaped deprescribing consultations with low-CVD-risk patients. After initial conventional content analysis, 2 researchers separately coded all barriers to and enablers of deprescribing medication using framework analysis. We performed a within-case and cross-case analysis to explore barriers and enablers among both patients and GPs. Results: Patients (n = 49) and GPs (n = 10) expressed barriers and enablers with regard to the appropriateness of the medication and the deprescribing process. A family history for CVD was identified as a barrier to deprescribing medication for both patients and GPs. Patients feared possible consequences of deprescribing and were influenced by the opinion of their GP. Additionally, a presumed disapproving opinion from specialists influenced the GPs’ willingness to deprescribe medication. Conclusions: Patients appreciated discussing their doubts regarding deprescribing potentially inappropriate preventive cardiovascular medication. Furthermore, they acknowledged their GP’s expertise and took their opinion toward deprescribing into consideration. The GPs’ decisions to deprescribe were influenced by the low CVD risk of the patients, additional risk factors, and the alleged specialist’s opinion toward deprescribing. We recommend deprescribing consultations to be patient centered, with GPs addressing relevant themes and probable consequences of deprescribing preventive cardiovascular medication.
Filling Pews and Voting Booths
Authors: Audette Andre P. , Weaver Christopher L.
Published: March 2016

Declines in religious affiliation and church attendance in the United States have been well-documented, which political scientists often attribute to the prominence of the Religious Right in American politics. These scholars posit that the politicization of religion deters religious participation, especially among those on the political and theological left. However, the existing research looks only at aggregate trends in the involvement of religious organizations in politics and levels of religious participation. Using data from the National Congregations Study, a representative sample of American congregations, we examine the impact of politicization on church membership rates at the congregational level. Employing ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and cross-lagged structural equation models, we show that more politically active congregations were more likely to see growth in membership over time. Using data from the General Social Survey, we also offer evidence that partisans on both ends of the political spectrum are more likely to engage in religious switching than independents, suggesting that those joining new congregations may be politically motivated. Thus, while political activity may cost religions adherents at the aggregate level, politicization benefits individual churches by attracting members from a politically motivated niche market, signifying that political outreach can be an effective strategy for congregations.
Posteromedial Approach for Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Talar Process Fractures
Authors: Hsu Andrew R. , Scolaro John A.
Published: March 2016

Fractures of the posteromedial process of the talus are frequently the result of high-energy trauma to the lower extremity. The treatment of these uncommon injuries may be unfamiliar and challenging to many surgeons. Significant pain and disability can result if these injuries are not recognized or treated appropriately. Open reduction and internal fixation via a posteromedial approach with screws is a mainstay of operative treatment for simple fractures. In cases of fracture impaction and/or comminution, a medial uniplanar external fixator may be used to improve intraoperative fracture visualization and mini-fragment plates and screws can be used to secure areas of comminution.

Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.
Critical Social Work
Authors: Shimei Nur , Krumer-Nevo Michal , Saar-Heiman Yuval , Russo-Carmel Sivan , Mirmovitch Ilana , Zaitoun-Aricha Liora ,   Social Work For Change Group Members
Published: March 2016

This performance ethnography presents a multi-vocal dialog of a group of social workers and social work students dealing with personal and professional issues of critical social work. Performance ethnography is an innovative qualitative research method that uses a dramatic medium to bridge between theory and personal experiences and between research, teaching, and learning. Through personal writing and a discussion of an intervention story, we present our experience with critical social work. The play-like structure presents the group dialog as an important medium for encouraging critical reflexivity and for reviving theoretical critical social work concepts with personal and practical meanings.
Nonlinear hysteretic damping effects on the post-critical behaviour of the visco-elastic Beck’s beam
Authors: Luongo Angelo , D’Annibale Francesco
Published: March 2016

The effects of nonlinear hysteretic damping on the post-critical behaviour of the visco-elastic Beck’s beam are discussed in this paper. The model consists of an inextensible and shear-undeformable cantilever beam, internally and externally damped, loaded at the free end by a follower force. Equations are derived in finite kinematics by taking as the configuration variable the rotation [Formula: see text] of the cross-section, instead of the usual deflection v of the beam axis, thus making the description of the contact internal actions simpler. The linear stability analysis is carried out and results of the literature are re-obtained. Then, a multiple-scale approach is developed in order to evaluate the nature, super- or subcritical, and the amplitude of the limit-cycle, occurring close to the Hopf critical load. The effects of the nonlinear damping on the amplitude of the limit-cycle are finally discussed for different linear damping coefficients.
Will Indian Industrial Energy Consumer Continue to Buy Green Energy?
Authors: Sangroya Deepak , Nayak Jogendra Kumar
Published: March 2016

In India, a change in the consumption pattern has been observed among the industrial energy consumer since the past few years as they are shifting towards renewable energy sources for fulfilling their energy requirement. This study has used the theory of customer value to determine factors supporting development of industrial consumers’ relationship with green energy. Under the current scenario of climate change, it has become inevitable to maintain customers’ loyalty towards green energy. Perceived switching cost is a vital strategic tool for increasing customer loyalty towards a product or service. Therefore, in this study, the effect of various dimensions of customer value on perceived switching cost is examined in an industrial green energy market setting. Structural equation modelling technique is used to analyse data collected from 126 organisations by questionnaire survey. The results show that conditional value of green energy is having highest impact on perceived switching cost followed by functional value, social value, and emotional value.
Polyurethane foam-based radar absorbing sandwich structures to evade detection
Authors: Hunjra MAM , Fakhar MA , Naveed K , Subhani T
Published: March 2016

Polyurethane foam-based sandwich structures were developed for radar absorbing properties together with load bearing capability. The sandwich construction of radar absorbing structure comprised glass fiber epoxy matrix composite containing carbon black as front face skin, carbon fiber epoxy matrix composite as back face skin, and polyurethane foam reinforced with carbonyl iron or graphite powder as the core material. The quantity of carbon black in the front face skin composite was varied from 6 wt.% to 8 wt.%, while the loading of carbonyl iron and graphite powder in foam core was varied from 30 wt.% to 55 wt.% and 5 wt.% to 30 wt.%, respectively. The compression molding technique was used to prepare face skins and sandwich structures. Different combinations of the sandwich structures were characterized for a frequency range of 2–18 GHz using free space measurement method. The maximum attenuation of −31.85 dB was observed in a combination containing 6 wt.% carbon black in front face skin and 20 wt.% graphite powder in the foam core. The total reduction in radar cross-section demonstrated almost zero radar signature at nine different frequencies, whereas broad range attenuation of −10 dB was achieved.
Experimental, theoretical and numerical investigation of springback behavior of Al/composite/Al sandwich sheet
Authors: Jalali Aghchai Abdolhossein , Abolghasemi Amirali , Moradkhani Behrooz , Tajik Morteza
Published: March 2016

Springback is one of the most important defects which occur in sheet metal forming processes specially bending process. Springback occurs because of an elastic behavior during unloading process and leads to variation of bending angle from intended angle. In order to increase geometrical accuracy of formed parts, bending parameters should be chosen properly to compensate the springback effect on the arbitrary geometry. In the present study, the springback behavior of Al2024/Polyurethane-glass reinforced/Al2024 sandwich sheet has been investigated by using experimental, finite element and theoretical procedures. The results show that presented theoretical and finite element procedures can be used to predict amount of springback in sandwich sheets. Also results show that the amount of springback in sandwich sheets decreased by increasing process temperature and core thickness of sandwich sheets.
Beyond identity: Membership norms and regional organization
Authors: Thomas Daniel C.
Published: March 2016

What is a region and how can we best understand a state’s eligibility for membership in a regional political community? Scholars have sought to answer these questions in terms of geographic proximity and social-psychological identity, but neither concept can accommodate the contestation and change that characterize the social construction of regions. Instead, this article argues that the limits of regions are defined within regional organizations by member states’ governments plus supranational actors deliberating over a common definition of the characteristics that members and potential members are expected to share. The concept of membership norms thus offers powerful insights into how regional communities define who is eligible for membership, how these definitions change over time and the incentives they create for those seeking to promote or block an applicant state. The evolution of the European Union’s membership norms since the 1950s illustrates this argument.
Tanner’s Puberty Scale: Exploring the historical entanglements of children, scientific photography and sex
Authors: Roberts Celia
Published: March 2016

Globally, increasing numbers of children are thought to be going through early onset puberty. This much debated fact leads to significant concerns about young people’s sexualities, as early developers are thought to be more likely to engage in early sexual activity. Underpinning historical, national and subpopulation (including ‘racial’) comparisons is a standard measurement tool: the Tanner Scale of sexual development. The scale is based on James M. Tanner and R.H. Whitehouse’s ground-breaking longitudinal study of children’s growth undertaken in London between 1949 and 1971. This article explores the largely over-looked and under-theorized significance of the scale’s history, arguing that the study’s focus on children living in an English care institution and its material practices of documenting their growth, including photography, has important ethical and scientific implications for understanding sexual development as a bio-psycho-social process.
The correction coefficients for the building air-conditioning load accounting for the whole building hygrothermal transfer process for major cities in China
Authors: Wang Yingying , Liu Yanfeng , Wang Dengjia , Liu Jiaping
Published: March 2016

At present, the calculation software and design specifications related to building cooling and heating load are based mainly on heat transfer theory. The effect of building moisture transfer process on the air-conditioning load is rarely researched. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of the whole building hygrothermal transfer (WBHT) process on the indoor air temperature and relative humidity, wall inner surface temperature and moisture flux, sensible heat load, latent heat load and total air-conditioning load in different climates. A WBHT model was developed and validated by the analytic solution and experimental data. Three humidity regions in China were classified for summer and winter according to the different outdoor air relative humidity levels. The correction coefficients of air-conditioning load of major cities were obtained accounting for the WBHT process. Our results would provide a future reference for accurately calculating heating and cooling load of buildings in different climate regions.
The emergence of a “digital underclass” in Great Britain and Sweden: Changing reasons for digital exclusion
Authors: Helsper Ellen J , Reisdorf Bianca C
Published: March 2016

Research into reasons for Internet non-use has been mostly based on one-off cohort studies and focused on single-country contexts. This article shows that motivations for being offline changed between 2005 and 2013 among non- and ex-users in two high-diffusion European countries. Analyses of Swedish and British data demonstrate that non-user populations have become more concentrated in vulnerable groups. While traditional digital divide reasons related to a lack of access and skills remain important, motivational reasons increased in importance over time. The ways in which these reasons gain importance for non- and ex-user groups vary, as do explanations for digital exclusion in the different countries. Effective interventions aimed at tackling digital exclusion need to take into consideration national contexts, changing non-user characteristics, and individual experience with the Internet. What worked a decade ago in a particular country might not work currently in a different or even the same country.
Intimations of Oakeshott: A critical reading of his ‘Notebooks, 1922–86’
Authors: Hexter David , Kenny Michael , O’Sullivan Luke
Published: March 2016

The nature and worth of Michael Oakeshott’s contribution as a political thinker have long been the subject of deep disagreement within the community of Anglophone political theory. This is partly the product of a partial familiarity with Oakeshott’s corpus. During his lifetime, his body of published work had a rather slender appearance, comprising two major monographs, separated by some forty years, and two rather more accessible collections of essays on politics and history. Following his death in 1990, however, a much larger body of writings has become available. In particular, with the publication of his Notebooks, we are afforded the chance to form a nuanced and informed understanding of how the thinking in his texts interconnected, and to appreciate the range of intellectual influences and political preoccupations that characterised his work.
Community support for sex offender rehabilitation in Europe
Authors: Höing Mechtild A , Petrina Romulus , Hare Duke Laurie , Völlm Birgit , Vogelvang Bas
Published: March 2016

It is assumed that the public holds negative attitudes towards sex offenders, yet an increasing number of European volunteers are involved in sex offender rehabilitation programmes through Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA). Public attitudes and their correlates have been mainly studied in Anglo-Saxon countries; research in European countries other than the UK is scarce. To fill this gap, a web-based survey was held among web-panels in nine European countries ( n = 200 per country). Measures included awareness and knowledge about sex offenders, community attitudes towards sex offenders in the community (CATSO), attitudes towards the treatment of sex offenders (ATTSO), public attitudes towards sex offender rehabilitation (PATSOR), support for CoSA, and attitudes towards volunteers working with sex offenders. Results indicated that clear misperceptions were held by a minority. Attitudes tended to be negative, but not extremely, and differences between countries were significant. The amount of support for CoSA was considerable and mean attitudes towards volunteers working with sex offenders were positive. The lower educated held more negative attitudes. Since web-panels were probably not representative on key demographic markers, the results are only indicative. Professionals should especially address the lower educated, correct key misperceptions about recidivism of sex offenders, and provide information about processes of change in convicted sex offenders.
Effect of silibinin and vitamin E on the ASK1-p38 MAPK pathway in D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: Hashem Reem M , Hassanin Kamel MA , Rashed Laila A , Mahmoud Mohamed O , Hassan Mohamed G
Published: March 2016

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), a redox-sensor mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that activates p38 MAPK pathways in oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity in D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS) model, is a key central pathway in which specific targeting of ASK1 deactivation is of a great therapeutic potential. We tested the effect of silibinin and vitamin E in curative and prophylactic manner of treatment on the negative modulators of ASK1, thioredoxin1 (Trx1), thioredoxin reductase1 (TrxR1), and the protein phosphatase (PP5), whereas they have previously proven to have hepatoprotective effect. Either curative or prophylactic silibinin and vitamin E groups significantly decreased ASK1 and p38 MAPK levels through increasing the gene expression of Trx1, TrxR1, and PP5 to reduce the oxidative stress as demonstrated by decreasing the levels of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), TBARS and conjugated diene with a concomitant increase in the levels of GSH, CAT, and SOD. These results were confirmed by histopathology examination which illustrated progressive degenerative changes of hepatocytes such as hydropic degeneration, vacuolation, pyknosis, karyolysis, and loss of architecture of some cells in D-GalN/LPS treatment, and these features were alleviated with silibinin and vitamin E administration. In conclusion, silibinin and vitamin E decreased ASK1-p38 MAPK pathway through deactivating the upstream signalling ASK1 molecule via increasing the levels of Trx1 and TrxR1 as well as the PP5 to alleviate in D-GalN/LPS induced hepatotoxicity.
Barbershop Prostate Cancer Education
Authors: Hill Barry C. , Black David R. , Shields Cleveland G.
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this article is to identify characteristics of Black barbershop clients and barbers in an urban Midwestern city participating in a health promotion program called Affecting Cancer Together (ACT) that are associated with client knowledge about prostate cancer. Statistical analyses examined client and barber characteristics for their potential association with client prostate cancer knowledge, while controlling for ACT variables. Study findings suggested clients who are married (β = 0.99; confidence interval [CI] = 0.38, 1.59; p < .01) and have higher levels of education (β = 0.34; CI = 0.01, 0.67; p = .04) may be more likely to know more about prostate cancer. Barbers with at least “some college” education may be more effective in increasing client knowledge (β = 0.85; CI = 0.05, 1.64; p = .04). Trained peer-helper programs may consider prioritizing limited educational resources for barbers with at least some college education and incorporating the social support of spouses for making informed decisions. Considering the potential of barbershop programs to reach Black men about a serious racially disproportionate health issue, ameliorating adoption, implementation, effectiveness, and sustainment are an important public health priority for underserved populations.
Mincle-mediated anti-inflammatory IL-10 response counter-regulates IL-12 in vitro
Authors: Patin Emmanuel C , Willcocks Sam , Orr Selinda , Ward Theresa H , Lang Roland , Schaible Ulrich E
Published: March 2016

The role of macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) in anti-inflammatory responses has not yet been fully characterized. Herein, we show that engagement of Mincle by trehalose-dimycolate or mycobacteria promotes IL-10 production in macrophages, which causes down-regulation of IL-12p40 secretion. Thus, Mincle mediates both pro- as well as anti-inflammatory responses.
Should Hotels Respond to Negative Online Reviews?
Authors: Rose Mei , Blodgett Jeffrey G.
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine whether it is beneficial for service providers, such as hotels and restaurants, to respond to online negative reviews, and (a) whether company reputation is moderated by the number of negative versus positive reviews and (b) whether the underlying issue is attributed to controllable versus uncontrollable factors. To test the hypotheses, a 2 × 2 × 2 quasi-experimental design was utilized. Respondents were asked to imagine that they were planning a trip to New York City, were searching online for a hotel near Times Square, and were provided with several reviews. The results indicate, in general, that company reputation is adversely affected as the number of negative to positive reviews becomes greater. When service failures pertain to controllable factors, management responses can mitigate the adverse effects of negative reviews. When service failures stem from uncontrollable factors, company reputation is not adversely affected, and thus a response from management might not be necessary. A follow-up study examined whether the type of response matters. Findings revealed that an apology with assurance versus an apology with correction action is equally effective.
Experimental study of blast mitigation by foamed concrete
Authors: Tian Xinbang , Li Qingming , Lu Zhongyuan , Wang Zhihua
Published: March 2016

Field blast tests were performed to investigate the effects of foamed concrete panels on structural response. Foamed concrete specimen with two densities and aluminum-alloy front face sheet were studied. Effects of four key parameters, that is, blast impulse, foamed concrete density, thickness of foamed concrete panel, and the thickness of front face sheet, on structural response were studied using ballistic pendulum system and laser displacement transducer. Deformation of the back panel protected by foamed concrete and the failure modes of foamed concrete specimen when subjected to blast load were obtained. Experimental results indicate that foamed concrete can be used to attenuate blast load and reduce structural deformation effectively.
Digital curation and digital literacy: Evaluating the role of curation in developing critical literacies for participation in digital culture
Authors: Mihailidis Paul
Published: March 2016

Despite the increased role of digital curation tools and platforms in the daily life of social network users, little research has focused on the competencies and dispositions that young people develop to effectively curate content online. This paper details the results of a mixed method study exploring the curation competencies of young people in digital culture. Forty-seven college students from two institutions in the north-eastern United States used the social curation platform Storify to curate essays on the topic of income inequality. Their curated stories were coded to explore for narrative development, consistency, sourcing, analysis, and content type. Regression models were used to assess clarity and balance of the curated stories, and a detailed questionnaire explored dispositions towards curation as a relevant and effective mode for engagement in digital culture. The paper argues that curation can enhance core media analysis and storytelling skills, and an understanding about the role of peer-to-peer platforms and collaborative spaces in digital culture. The results advocate the utilization of student- and creation-driven pedagogies that embrace curation as core digital and media literacy competencies for young people in daily life.
Experiences of moral challenges in everyday nursing practice: In light of healthcare professionals’ self-understanding
Authors: Kristoffersen Margareth , Friberg Febe , Brinchmann Berit Støre
Published: March 2016

This study has two aims: firstly, to describe and interpret experiences of moral challenges in everyday nursing practice, as expressed in reflection groups, and secondly, to further interpret how healthcare professionals’ self-understanding can bring light to such challenges. Data consisted of eight reflection group conversations with healthcare professionals, and were analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. Three themes have been formulated: ‘Having to be affected in order to help the patient’, ‘Having to accept that colleagues do not always collaborate’, and ‘Having to endure organizational demands’. The comprehensive understanding highlights that despite healthcare professionals’ struggle with demanding aspects of caring for their patients, they strive to do good. The study concludes that supporting healthcare professionals when they experience moral challenges is important particularly because such challenges seem to involve a challenge to healthcare professionals’ self-understanding, which may ultimately lead to their questioning why they are struggling with demanding situations in caring for the patient.
Solitary synovial chondromatosis arising in the gluteus maximus bursa: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings
Authors: Sumida Kaoru , Kobayashi Noriko , Nambu Atsushi , Tago Masao , Shibuya Isao , Kawamoto Masashi
Published: March 2016

Chondral tumors in soft tissue are referred to as soft-tissue chondromas or extraskeletal chondromas, or as synovial chondromatosis if they arise in synovial tissue. We report the case of a 29-year-old man with synovial chondromatosis, also called synovial osteochondromatosis, which appeared in a solitary and extra-articular form. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography, the central portion of the tumor showed similar characteristics to bone marrow, despite the absence of any connection to adjacent bone. T2-weighted imaging displayed marked peripheral hyperintensity consistent with a cartilaginous area. These findings suggested the presence of enchondral ossification and were similar to those of skeletal osteochondroma, with the exception of the absence of attachment to bone. MRI is useful for distinguishing solitary synovial chondromatosis from other lesions, such as myositis ossificans, extraskeletal chondrosarcoma, and parosteal osteosarcoma.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Scully Aine , Cheung Irene
Published: March 2016

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. It is a potentially preventable disease and ideally suited to a screening program. CRC screening is an early detection strategy for occupational health nurses to offer in the workplace. Education and outreach are key components of this intervention. Many test options are available for CRC screening. This article is an integrative literature review that summarizes evidence to support colorectal screening in the workplace, offers screening recommendations from authoritative agencies, and provides guidance for occupational health nurses who plan to implement a screening program. Current screening limitations using fecal occult blood tests are addressed and an inventory of CRC screening activities in select countries is included.
Workers With Irregular Hours During Seasonal Work Surges
Authors: Butterfield Patricia
Published: March 2016

A significant proportion of the labor force works irregular hours during harvest, summer, or holiday work surges. Unfortunately such workers are often uninformed about the importance of sleep and fatigue management. Seasonally timed worker training can improve health and safety outcomes during work surges.
Flipping the Class
Authors: Arduser Lora
Published: March 2016

Business communication evolves and adapts to suit the times, and today’s workplace documents are increasingly multimodal. Therefore, business and professional communication specialists need to adapt to a new media workplace ecology—one that requires proficiencies with technologies such as video production, digital animation, and sound. Business and professional writing teachers, in turn, need to adopt teaching methods that include working with evolving technologies and be willing to teach multimodal skills to students. In this article I offer a case study of a flipped learning pedagogy to teach multimodal skills in the professional writing classroom.
Mental Health Consumer Experiences and Strategies When Seeking Physical Health Care
Authors: Ewart Stephanie B. , Bocking Julia , Happell Brenda , Platania-Phung Chris , Stanton Robert
Published: March 2016

People with mental illness have higher rates of physical health problems and consequently live significantly shorter lives. This issue is not yet viewed as a national health priority and research about mental health consumer views on accessing physical health care is lacking. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of mental health consumers in utilizing health services for physical health needs. Qualitative exploratory design was utilized. Semistructured focus groups were held with 31 consumer participants. Thematic analysis revealed that three main themes emerged: scarcity of physical health care, with problems accessing diagnosis, advice or treatment for physical health problems; disempowerment due to scarcity of physical health care; and tenuous empowerment describing survival resistance strategies utilized. Mental health consumers were concerned about physical health and the nonresponsive health system. A specialist physical health nurse consultant within mental health services should potentially redress this gap in health care provision.
Community- and hospital-based nurses’ implementation of evidence-based practice: are there any differences?
Authors: Mallion Jaimee , Brooke Joanne
Published: March 2016

The aim of this paper is to discuss the effect of nurses’ beliefs, knowledge, and skills on the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in hospital and community settings. EBP refers to the implementation of the most up-to-date robust research into clinical practice. Barriers have been well documented and traditionally include the negative beliefs of nurses as well as a lack of time, knowledge, and skills. However, with degree entry nursing and a focus on community health care provision, what has changed? A comprehensive search of contemporary literature (2010–2015) was completed. The findings of this review show that the traditionally acknowledged barriers of a lack of time, knowledge, and skills remained; however, nurses’ beliefs toward EBP were more positive, but positive beliefs did not affect the intentions to implement EBP or the knowledge and skills of EBP. Nurses in hospital and community settings reported similar barriers and facilitators.
Comparative Investigation of River Water Quality by OWQI, NSFWQI and Wilcox Indexes (Case study: the Talar River – IRAN)
Authors: Darvishi Gholamreza , Kootenaei Farshad Golbabaei , Ramezani Maedeh , Lotfi Eissa , Asgharnia Hosseinali
Published: March 2016

Rivers are considered as one of the main resources of water supply for various applications such as agricultural, drinking and industrial purposes. Also, these resources are used as a place for discharge of sewages, industrial wastewater and agricultural drainage. Regarding the fact that each river has a certain capacity for acceptance of pollutants, nowadays qualitative and environmental investigations of these resources are proposed. In this study, qualitative investigation of the Talar river was done according to Oregon Water Quality Index (OWQI), National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) and Wilcox indicators during 2011–2012 years at upstream, midstream and downstream of the river in two periods of wet and dry seasons. According to the results of OWQI, all of the values at 3 stations and both periods are placed at very bad quality category and the water is not acceptable for drinking purposes. According to NSFWQI, the best condition was related to the upstream station at wet season period (58, medium quality) and the worst condition was related to the downstream in wet season period (46, very bad quality). Also the results of Wilcox showed that in both periods of wet season and dry season, the water quality is getting better from upstream station to the downstream station, and according to the index classification, the downstream water quality has shown good quality and it is suitable for agriculture.
Study and Assessment of Low Frequency Noise in Occupational Settings
Authors: Shehap Adel M. , Shawky Hany A. , El-Basheer Tarek M.
Published: March 2016

Low frequency noise is one of the most harmful factors occurring in human working and living environment. Low frequency noise components from 20 to 250 Hz are often the cause of employee complaints. Noise from power stations is an actual problem for large cities, including Cairo. The noise from equipments of station could be a serious problem for station and for environmental area. The development of power stations in Cairo leads to appearing a wide range of gas turbines which are strong source of noise. Two measurement techniques using C-weighted along side the A-weighted scale are explored. C-weighting is far more sensitive to detect low frequency sound. Spectrum analysis in the low frequency range is done in order to identify a significant tonal component. Field studies were supported by a questionnaire to determine whether sociological or other factors might influence the results by using annoyance rating mean value. Subjects included in the study were 153 (mean = 36.86, SD = 8.49) male employees at the three electrical power stations. The (C-A) level difference is an appropriate metric for indicating a potential low frequency noise problem. A-weighting characteristics seem to be able to predict quite accurately annoyance experienced from LFN at workplaces. The aim of the present study is to find simple and reliable method for assessing low frequency noise in occupational environment to prevent its effects on work performance for the workers. The proposed method has to be compared with European methods.
Thinning in artificially regenerated young beech stands
Authors: Novák Jiří , Dušek David , Slodičák Marian
Published: March 2016

Although beech stands are usually regenerated naturally, an area of up to 5,000 ha year−1is artificially regenerated by beech in the Czech Republic annually. Unfortunately, these stands often showed insufficient stand density and, consequently, lower quality of stems. Therefore, thinning methods developed for naturally regenerated beech stands are applicable with difficulties. The paper evaluates the data from two thinning experiments established in young artificially regenerated beech stands located in different growing conditions. In both experiments, thinning resulted in the lower amount of salvage cut in following years. Positive effect of thinning on periodic stand basal area increment and on periodic diameter increment of dominant trees was found in the beech stand located at middle elevations. On the other hand, thinning effects in mountain conditions were negligible. Thinning focusing on future stand quality cannot be commonly applied in artificially regenerated beech stands because of their worse initial quality and lower density. However, these stands show good growth and response to thinning, hence their management can be focused on maximising beech wood production.
A Novel Triangular Shaped UWB Fractal Antenna Using Circular Slot
Authors: Shahu Babu Lal , Pal Srikanta , Chattoraj Neela
Published: March 2016

The article presents the design of triangular shaped fractal based antenna with circular slot for ultra wideband (UWB) application. The antenna is fed using microstrip line and has overall dimension of 24×24×1.6 mm
Model application for rapid detection of the exact location when calling an ambulance using OGC Open GeoSMS Standards
Authors: Sukic Enes , Stoimenov Leonid
Published: March 2016

The web has penetrated just about every sphere of human interest and using information from the web has become ubiquitous among different categories of users. Medicine has long being using the benefits of modern technologies and without them it cannot function. This paper offers a proposal of use and mutual collaboration of several modern technologies within facilitating the location and communication between persons in need of emergency medical assistance and the emergency head offices, i.e., the ambulance. The main advantage of the proposed model is the technical possibility of implementation and use of these technologies in developing countries and low implementation cost.