bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hunch without a Sound: Co-Constructing Meanings of Nonverbal and Verbal Interactions in Video Data
Authors: Hopper Mindy J. , Quiñones Sandra
Published: July 2017

This narrative account describes a collaborative qualitative video data analysis process between a bilingual Deaf female researcher and a bilingual Puerto Rican female researcher. Via three processing points, we examine our journeys to co-construct meanings from a single video data source which was part of a larger ethnographic study of an urban community change initiative. We highlight how our respective epistemologies informed the process of watching, analyzing, and interpreting nonverbal and verbal interactions from a video segment. The video watching process included a hunch and discovery of a critical incident. While engaging independently and collaboratively in analysis, we confirmed how the critical incident revealed concepts of access and participation. This article is distinctive in that it highlights Deaf epistemology and qualitative inquiry processes through video data analysis of nonverbal interactions. Our work contributes to the growing body of methodology literature emphasizing collaborative social practices for video data analysis.
Autoethnography as a Genre of Qualitative Research: A Journey inside Out
Authors: Hamdan Amani
Published: July 2017

In this article, I argue that an autobiographical narrative approach is highly suited to educational research. I discuss how a researcher's personal narrative, or autoethnography, can act as a source of privileged knowledge. I further argue that personal experience methods can be used on a variety of topics relevant to teaching and the field of education in order to expand knowledge. Autobiographical narrative is a research genre and a methodology. It offers opportunities to highlight identity construction as it covers various aspects of the narrator's life. In an attempt to contribute to literature based on Muslim women's educational experiences, I have disclosed a series of personal experiences. I have thereby demonstrated the value of autoethnography. When writing an autoethnography, the researcher can develop a deeper understanding of his or her own life. Moreover, reading an autoethnography, one is able to view how others live their lives, which can also contribute to a deeper understanding of life in general. Therefore, autoethnography—whether read or written—has a strong, educational merit.
Understanding the Language, the Culture, and the Experience: Translation in Cross-Cultural Research
Authors: Choi Jaeyoung , Kushner Kaysi Eastlick , Mill Judy , Lai Daniel W. L.
Published: July 2017

Achieving conceptual equivalence between two languages is a challenge in cross-cultural, cross-language research, as the research is conducted in a language that is not the researcher's or research team's first language. Therefore, translation provides an additional challenge in cross-cultural research. The comprehension and interpretation of the meaning of data is central in cross-cultural qualitative analysis. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the translation process and explore some of the challenges, such as difficulties in finding a suitable translator, and the importance of communication between the researcher and the translator.
Tribological properties of winding hoisting rope between two layers with different sliding parameters
Authors: Chang Xiang-dong , Peng Yu-xing , Zhu Zhen-cai , Wang Da-gang , Gong Xian-sheng , Zou Sheng-yong , Sun Shi-sheng , Xu Wen-xue
Published: July 2017

The friction and wear behavior exists in ultra-deep coal mine between multi-layer winding hoisting ropes, and it decreases the rope’s service life directly, which threatens the safety coal mine hoist. In order to obtain the tribological properties of winding hoisting rope, the effects of sliding velocity, displacement amplitude, and their combination on the tribological behavior of winding hoisting rope in ultra-deep coal mine were investigated on a self-made test rig. The results show that the effect of velocity on the coefficient of friction and temperature rise is more obvious than the stroke. Additionally, the mean value of the coefficient of friction in steady stage decreases from 0.721 to 0.524 with an increase in velocity and stroke at the same time. Furthermore, the temperature rise increases from about 3.43°C to 13.73°C with the velocity at stable stage, and the stroke has little influence on the temperature rise. Moreover, with the increase in velocity and stroke simultaneously, the damage in the wear region does not become more severe. In addition, the wear mechanisms include abrasive wear and adhesive wear, and its wear characteristics in the wear region are plastic deformation, pits, furrows, broken wires, cracking, and spalling.
Improved feature extraction using structured Fisher discrimination sparse coding scheme for machinery fault diagnosis
Authors: Wang Shuangyuan , Huang Yixiang , Gong Liang , Li Lin , Liu Chengliang
Published: July 2017

Vibration signals reflecting different kinds of machinery conditions are very useful for fault diagnosis. However, vibration signal characteristics are not the same for different types of equipment and patterns of failure. This available information is often lost in structureless condition diagnosis models. We propose a structured Fisher discrimination sparse coding–based fault diagnosis scheme to improve the feature extraction procedure considering both efficiency and effectiveness. There are three major components: (1) a structured dictionary for synthesizing the vibration signals that is learned by structure Fisher discrimination dictionary learning, (2) a tree-structured sparse coding to extract sparse representation coefficients from vibration signals to represent fault features, and (3) a support vector machine’s classifier on the features to recognize different faults. The proposed algorithm is verified on a standard bearing fault data set and a worm gear fault experiment. Test results have proved that the proposed method can achieve better performance with considerable efficiency and generalization ability.
Comparison of drug-eluting balloon angioplasty with self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent deployment in patients with complex femoropopliteal lesions
Authors: Teymen Burak , Akturk Suleyman , Akturk Ulku , Tdjani Muhammed
Published: July 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the drug-eluting balloon with self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent deployment in patients with complex femoropopliteal lesions.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients at our clinic with complex femoropopliteal artery lesions treated either with self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent or drug-eluting balloon. All patients had ankle-brachial index measured before and after the intervention, and regular clinical follow-up with Doppler ultrasonography was performed at six months and one year. Patients underwent peripheral angiography if needed.

Results

From April 2012 to July 2015, 107 patients with complex femoropopliteal lesions treated with using self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent ( N = 49, mean length 143.5 mm, mean follow-up of 14.1 ± 3.7 months) or drug-eluting balloon ( N = 58, mean length 140.6 mm, mean follow-up of 13.8 ± 4.1 months). The technical success rate was 100% in Supera® and 96.6% in drug-eluting balloon group. There were seven restenosis in self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent (SUS) group (84.8% patency) and 11 restenosis in drug-eluting balloon group (79.2% patency). A significant increase in the ankle-brachial index in both groups after intervention demonstrated a hemodynamic success (SUS group 0.45 ± 0.06, drug-eluting balloon group 0.43 ± 0.07). The mean Rutherford Becker Class significantly decreased in both groups after a follow-up of 12 months (SUS group 0.70 ± 0.73, drug-eluting balloon group 0.74 ± 0.75).

Conclusion

Deploying drug-eluting balloon or self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent in patients with complex femoropopliteal lesions are both safe and effective with high patency rates with no statistical difference for one-year primary patency rates between them.
Experimental assessment of rainwater management of a ventilated façade
Authors: Recatala Maria Arce , Morales Soledad Garcia , van den Bossche Nathan
Published: July 2017

Façades are not watertight systems in which the exterior surface of the cladding plays the role of the water shedding surface; the air space is the drainage plane; the exterior surface of the thermal insulation layer acts as water-resistive barrier, and the interior layer of the inner leaf is supposed to be the air barrier. The degree of watertightness of ventilated façades relies on the characteristics of the materials used, the geometry of the external cladding element, and edge profile of the joints. Hence, in this article, we extrapolate the laboratory testing to develop a holistic approach on the water management of ventilated façades. The laboratory test showed that 50% of the water deposited to the surface of the wall splashes back, 22% creates a runoff film along the exterior surface of the cladding, 27% infiltrates into the cavity behind the cladding, and <1% reaches the inner layer of the wall. Given these results, the moisture load has been determined for a range of wind-driven rain loads and vertical joint configurations. Such information can be used as input to hygrothermal simulations.
Psychology’s Replication Crisis and the Grant Culture: Righting the Ship
Authors: Lilienfeld Scott O.
Published: July 2017

The past several years have been a time for soul searching in psychology, as we have gradually come to grips with the reality that some of our cherished findings are less robust than we had assumed. Nevertheless, the replication crisis highlights the operation of psychological science at its best, as it reflects our growing humility. At the same time, institutional variables, especially the growing emphasis on external funding as an expectation or de facto requirement for faculty tenure and promotion, pose largely unappreciated hazards for psychological science, including (a) incentives for engaging in questionable research practices, (b) a single-minded focus on programmatic research, (c) intellectual hyperspecialization, (d) disincentives for conducting direct replications, (e) stifling of creativity and intellectual risk taking, (f) researchers promising more than they can deliver, and (g) diminished time for thinking deeply. Preregistration should assist with (a), but will do little about (b) through (g). Psychology is beginning to right the ship, but it will need to confront the increasingly deleterious impact of the grant culture on scientific inquiry.
Perspectives on Psychological Science: Right Way/Wrong Way Symposium
Authors: Gunnar Megan R.
Published: July 2017

In unpredictable times, it is perhaps even more important to contemplate the direction different fields of science are headed. In this article, I contemplate two directions of psychological science: the increasing integration of the study of psychology with other sciences and the concern of many sciences, including ours, with improving the reproducibility of our findings. Both of these are argued to be “right ways,” but these directions also have challenges that, unless carefully addressed, could detract from our ability to move the science of psychology forward. I detail these challenges along with a consideration of how to chart our science through the unpredictable waters we face at this point in history.
Going in Many Right Directions, All at Once
Authors: Fiske Susan T.
Published: July 2017

When asked whether the field is going in the right direction, my answer is “yes, mostly.” Policymakers’ respect and the public’s interest put us in the spotlight for our intrinsic strengths—but they also draw attention to our weaknesses as reflected by the replication crisis, about which reasonable opinions differ. Among other concerns, civility and mutual tolerance have sometimes been an issue in these debates. As an example of a constructive debate, our lab’s recent experience with mutually respectful engagement has advanced solving one scientific puzzle. Principles facilitating this adversarial collaboration include using our respective tribes as secure bases for exploration, sharing agreed-upon rigorous standards, and establishing mutual trust. Finally, my own career path has perhaps oriented me to rely on perseverance, flexibility, tolerance, and optimism for the field.
On innovative stochastic renewal process models for exact unavailability quantification of highly reliable systems
Authors: Briš Radim , Byczanski Petr
Published: July 2017

In previous research, we developed original methodology for high-performance computing which enables exact unavailability quantification of a real maintained highly reliable system containing highly reliable components with both preventive and corrective maintenance. Whereas the original methodology was developed for systems containing components with exponential lifetime distribution, the main objective of this article is generalization of the methodology by applying stochastic alternating renewal process models, so as to be used for unavailability quantification of systems containing arbitrary components without any restrictions on the form of the probability distribution assigned to time to failure and repair duration, that is, aging components will be allowed. For this purpose, a recurrent linear integral equation for point unavailability is derived and proved. This innovative equation is particularly eligible for numerical implementation because it does not contain any renewal density, that is, it is more effective for unavailability calculation than the corresponding equation resulting from the traditional alternating renewal process theory, which contains renewal density. The new equation undergoes the process of discretization which results in numeric formula to quantify desired unavailability function. The numerical process is elaborated for all previously intended stochastic component models. Found component unavailability functions are used to quantify unavailability of a complex maintained system. System is represented by the use of directed acyclic graph, which proved to be very effective system representation to quantify reliability of highly reliable systems.
Schizorevolutions versus microfascisms: The fear of anarchy in state securitisation
Authors: Karatzogianni Athina , Robinson Andrew
Published: July 2017

This article investigates the role of ‘anarchy’ in state securitisation. First, we discuss state hierarchies’ struggle with active and reactive anarchic networks, theorising a state in existential crisis, which exploits anti-anarchist discourses to respond to network threats. In the second part, we illustrate with examples the use of fear of anarchy in hierarchical productive structures of securitisation. As an ‘antiproduction assemblage’, the state treats logics stemming from the ‘social principle’ as a repressed Real, the exclusion of which underpins its own functioning. The scarcity and fear resulting from state terror ensure responses to this structural violence by reactive networks, while paradoxically also exacerbating reactive tendencies within social movements. In the concluding part, we discuss visions of desecuritising society, breaking away from majoritarian logics of control and the coming of other worlds counterposed to the hierarchies producing and reproducing an eternal loop of state and network terror.
Against reconciliation: Constituent power, ethics, and the meaning of democratic education
Authors: De Lissovoy Noah
Published: July 2017

Starting from autonomist theorist Antonio Negri’s concept of constituent power and from decolonial philosopher Enrique Dussel’s notions of obediential power and the ethics of exteriority, this study outlines key principles for democratic education in the present. The article contrasts these philosophical starting points with the work of John Dewey and offers a critique of his theory of democracy, showing that a critical conception of democracy should begin from the emphasis on relationality and collaboration that Dewey shares with Negri and Dussel, but should be developed in a way that is sensitive to the insurrectionary imagination and ethics that are foregrounded in the latter theorists. Specifying these emphases for the educational context, the author argues that we should rethink democratic education in the first instance in terms of trauma, rather than reconciliation; that we should look past familiar senses of criticality toward an affirmation of the agency of students and communities; and that we should center revolutionary desire within the framework of a pedagogy of longing.
Influence of community satisfaction with individual happiness: comparative study in semi-urban and rural areas of Tikapur, Nepal
Authors: Park Myung-Bae , Kim Chun-Bae , Ranabhat Chhabi , Kim Chang-Soo , Chang Sei-Jin , Ahn Dong-Won , Joo Young-Kyoo
Published: July 2017

Happiness is a subjective indicator of overall living conditions and quality of life. Recently, community- and national-level investigations connecting happiness and community satisfaction were conducted. This study investigated the effects of community satisfaction on happiness in Nepal. A factor analysis was employed to examine 24 items that are used to measure community satisfaction, and a multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of these factors on happiness. In semi-urban areas, sanitation showed a positive relationship with happiness. In rural areas, edu-medical services were negatively related to happiness, while agriculture was positively related. Gender and perceived health were closely associated with happiness in rural areas. Both happiness and satisfaction are subjective concepts, and are perceived differently depending on the socio-physical environment and personal needs. Sanitation, agriculture (food) and edu-medical services were critical factors that affected happiness; however, the results of this study cannot be generalized to high-income countries.
Egypt 5 Years After the Revolution
Authors: Al-Kandari Ali A. , Hasanen Mohammed M.
Published: July 2017

This study employs the uses and gratifications perspective to examine the motives that led a sample of 466 university students in Egypt to view television news and political programs and whether those motives and the frequency of exposure to media predict political efficacy, support for democracy, and political cynicism. The outcomes revealed that motives for viewing were Support in Discussions, Watchdog on Government, Reinforcement, Opinion Formation, Information, and the Free Marketplace of Information. Although Support in Discussions predicted political efficacy and the Free Marketplace of Information negatively predicted it, levels of prediction were not powerful. Support for democracy was weakly predicted by Information, Support in Discussions, the Free Marketplace of Information, and Watchdog on Government. Political cynicism was not predicted by any media variables. The motives for media use are discussed in relation to the political psyche of Egyptians and the political conditions affecting Egypt after the revolution.
Autoregressive Modeling of Drift and Random Error to Characterize a Continuous Intravascular Glucose Monitoring Sensor
Authors: Zhou Tony , Dickson Jennifer L. , Geoffrey Chase J.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have been effective in managing diabetes and offer potential benefits for use in the intensive care unit (ICU). Use of CGM devices in the ICU has been limited, primarily due to the higher point accuracy errors over currently used traditional intermittent blood glucose (BG) measures. General models of CGM errors, including drift and random errors, are lacking, but would enable better design of protocols to utilize these devices. This article presents an autoregressive (AR) based modeling method that separately characterizes the drift and random noise of the GlySure CGM sensor (GlySure Limited, Oxfordshire, UK).

Methods:

Clinical sensor data (n = 33) and reference measurements were used to generate 2 AR models to describe sensor drift and noise. These models were used to generate 100 Monte Carlo simulations based on reference blood glucose measurements. These were then compared to the original CGM clinical data using mean absolute relative difference (MARD) and a Trend Compass.

Results:

The point accuracy MARD was very similar between simulated and clinical data (9.6% vs 9.9%). A Trend Compass was used to assess trend accuracy, and found simulated and clinical sensor profiles were similar (simulated trend index 11.4° vs clinical trend index 10.9°).

Conclusion:

The model and method accurately represents cohort sensor behavior over patients, providing a general modeling approach to any such sensor by separately characterizing each type of error that can arise in the data. Overall, it enables better protocol design based on accurate expected CGM sensor behavior, as well as enabling the analysis of what level of each type of sensor error would be necessary to obtain desired glycemic control safety and performance with a given protocol.
Rehabilitation and Postoperative Management Practices After Osteochondral Allograft Transplants to the Distal Femur: A Report From the Metrics of Osteochondral Allografts (MOCA) Study Group 2016 Survey
Authors: Kane Marie S. , Lau Karlee , Crawford Dennis C.
Published: July 2017

Context:

We present the current spectrum of postoperative management practices for patients receiving distal femur osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplants.

Evidence Acquisition:

The Joint Restoration Foundation database was examined in cooperation with the Metrics of Osteochondral Allografts study group to identify 121 surgeons who had performed at least 1 OCA transplant in the past year; 63% of surgeons responded.

Study Design:

Clinical survey.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Results:

Postoperative weightbearing restrictions ranged from immediate nonweightbearing with full weightbearing by 12 weeks to immediate weightbearing as tolerated. Most surgeons who performed fewer (<10) OCA transplants per year followed the most restrictive protocol, while surgeons who performed more (>20) OCA transplants per year followed the least restrictive protocol. One-third of surgeons with the most restrictive protocol were more likely to change their protocol to be less restrictive over time, while none of those with the least restrictive protocol changed their protocol over time. Fifty-five percent of surgeons permitted return to full activity at 26 weeks, while 27% of surgeons lifted restrictions at 16 weeks.

Conclusion:

Characterization of the spectrum of postoperative management practices after OCA transplantation provides a foundation for future investigations regarding patient outcomes and associated cost to establish best practice guidelines. Fundamentally, surgeons with more experience with this procedure tended to be more aggressive with their postoperative rehabilitation guidelines. Most commonly, rehabilitation provided for some degree of limited weightbearing; however, the spectrum also included immediate full weightbearing practices.
In Vitro Analysis of the Differentiation Capacity of Postmortally Isolated Human Chondrocytes Influenced by Different Growth Factors and Oxygen Levels
Authors: Jonitz-Heincke Anika , Klinder Annett , Boy Diana , Salamon Achim , Hansmann Doris , Pasold Juliane , Buettner Andreas , Bader Rainer
Published: July 2017

Objective

In the present in vitro study, we analyzed the chondrogenic differentiation capacity of human chondrocytes postmortally isolated from unaffected knee cartilage by the addition of transforming growth factor–β1 (TGF-β1) and/or insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1) and different oxygen levels.

Design

After 14 and 35 days, DNA concentrations and protein contents of Col1, Col2, aggrecan as well as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of chondrocytes cultivated as pellet cultures were analyzed. Additionally, expression rates of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)–associated differentiation markers were assessed in monolayer cultures.

Results

All cultivated chondrocytes were found to be CD29+/CD44+/CD105+/CD166+. Chondrocytic pellets stimulated with TGF-β1 showed enhanced synthesis rates of hyaline cartilage markers and reduced expression of the non-hyaline cartilage marker Col1 under hypoxic culture conditions.

Conclusions

Our results underline the substantial chondrogenic potential of human chondrocytes postmortally isolated from unaffected articular knee cartilage especially in case of TGF-β1 administration.
Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis: A case report with review of literature
Authors: Siddiqui Shaista , Naaz Shazia , Ahmad Mehtab , Khan Zafar Ahmad , Wahab Shagufta , Rashid Basmah Abdur
Published: July 2017

Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) or Haberland syndrome is an uncommon sporadic neurocutaneous syndrome of unknown origin. The rarity and common ignorance of the condition often makes diagnosis difficult. The hallmark of this syndrome is the triad of skin, ocular and central nervous system (CNS) involvement and includes a long list of combination of conditions. Herein we report a case of a 5-month-old male child who presented to our centre with complaint of seizure. The patient had various cutaneous and ocular stigmatas of the disease in the form of patchy alopecia of the scalp, right-sided limbal dermoid and a nodular skin tag near the lateral canthus of the right eye. MRI of the brain was conducted which revealed intracranial lipoma and arachnoid cyst. The constellation of signs and symptoms along with the skin, ocular and CNS findings led to the diagnosis of ECCL.
Strategies of female members of parliament in developing empathy values to gain constituent support
Authors: Ridhahani
Published: July 2017

This qualitative research aims to describe the strategies applied by female parliamentary candidates to develop empathy values to gain constituent support in the legislative general election in 2014. Research subjects comprise 12 female members of parliament from seven regencies/cities in South Kalimantan who were chosen from different regencies/cities and different political parties. The research findings showed that in developing empathy values, female candidates were able to gain sufficient votes to be members of parliament. The strategies applied were as follows: first, the use of political marketing strategies that covered mapping or segmentation, positioning, and campaigns then monitoring and social capital strategies; second, socialization of empathy developing values conducted internally by meeting the constituents directly (door to door), whether individually or in groups; and third, utilizing their good social capital in relating to and working with other people. The social capital referred to covers: ability to build a network, build confidence, and attach themselves to Islamic values.
“Information Warfare” and Online News Commenting: Analyzing Forces of Social Influence Through Location-Based Commenting User Typology
Authors: Zelenkauskaite Asta , Balduccini Marcello
Published: July 2017

While most of the online participation research assumes the Western notion of fulfilling deliberative practices, online contexts have been also found to be an active battleground for so-called information warfare. To test the potential for online comments being used by cross-national political opponents, we analyze the case of online comments on the most active Lithuanian online news portal’s Russian-language edition. This news portal presents itself as a unique case, since Russia was found to engage in a support or mobilization of the compatriot community in the Baltic States by exercising “soft influence.”To analyze such “soft influence” our study proposed a framework called Commenting User Typology (CUT). The CUT combines three types of data points: a) content level (topic of the story category), b) user level (frequency of posting), and c) the timing and location of the posting to contribute to studies of online social influence.

We have applied the CUT framework to the commenting practices of 4,940 users who produced 34,038 comments over a month. In the analysis, we found that the majority of the users’ posts were low in topic variety and infrequent; followed by low in variety and frequent; high in topic variety and frequent; and high in topic variety and infrequent in posting. Moreover, while around a half of the comments come from Lithuania, 16% from Russia, yet more than 7% were found to mask IP addresses. Also, the results of this study suggest that more active participants tend to participate in more topic areas and that posting occurs faster in more active topic areas.

The implications of this study relate to online news portals overall as well as online news portals in the non-Western contexts or electoral totalitarian regimes as Russia. We argue that user-based analysis, such as the CUT-based approach we proposed, can be particularly relevant for contexts where deliberative practices are still in negotiation.
Science learning in early years: Effects of the Chinese television series Big Bird Looks at the World
Authors: Hsueh Yeh , Zhou Zongkui , Su Guimin , Lee June , Kitzmann Katherine
Published: July 2017

Big Bird Looks at the World, a Chinese co-production with Sesame Workshop, the producer of Sesame Street, uses science as a vehicle to promote curiosity, observation, and hands-on investigation among 3- to 7-year-old children. This study assessed the educational impact of Big Bird Looks at the World in a sample of 1860 children. Preschool and Grade 1–2 classrooms in Central and Southwestern China were randomized within schools to the experimental group (watched 42 11-minute episodes of Big Bird Looks at the World over a 7-week period) or the control group (engaged in normal class activities). Children’s Big Bird Looks at the World content knowledge, in terms of science vocabulary and science facts, was assessed through interviews at baseline and post-test; children’s responses were coded for quantitative analyses. Consistent with our assumptions based on cultural script theory, relatively brief exposure to Big Bird Looks at the World had significant benefits. Rural and urban children, children in preschool (ages 3–5) and Grades 1–2 (ages 6–7), and boys and girls all gained equally from exposure to the show. The results suggest that entertaining educational television has great potential for helping Chinese young children expand their science learning experiences.
Goal-striving Stress and Self-concept: The Moderating Role of Perceived Divine Control
Authors: DeAngelis Reed T.
Published: July 2017

No study has investigated whether personal religiousness could modulate goal-striving stress. To address this gap in the literature, the current study tests whether beliefs in divine control moderate the associations between goal-striving stress and self-concept (i.e. self-esteem and mastery). I analyze cross-sectional data from Vanderbilt University’s Nashville Stress and Health Study (2011-2014), a probability sample of non-Hispanic black and white adults aged 22 to 69 living in Davidson County, Tennessee (n = 1,252). Results from multivariate regression models indicated (1) goal-striving stress inversely associated with self-esteem and mastery, net of a number of statistical controls; (2) perceived divine control attenuated the inverse association between goal-striving stress and self-esteem; but (3) perceived divine control amplified the inverse association between goal-striving stress and mastery. Implications, limitations, and avenues for future research are discussed.
Child Mental Health Symptoms Following Parental Deployment: The Impact of Parental Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, Marital Distress, and General Aggression
Authors: Foran Heather M. , Eckford Rachel D. , Sinclair Robert R. , Wright Kathleen M.
Published: July 2017

The current study examined the impact of active duty service members’ symptoms following a combat deployment on child mental health symptoms. Soldiers from a brigade combat team ( N = 974) participated in the study 2 months following return from a 15-month combat deployment to Afghanistan, of which 169 soldiers (17.3%) reported having at least one child living at home. Results supported two research hypotheses examining the interrelationship between parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, general aggression, and marital distress on child mental health. First, the study documented a moderate association between parental PTSD symptoms and child mental health symptoms during the postdeployment reintegration period. This association was significant even after accounting for marital distress. Second, the study demonstrated that the impact of PTSD symptoms on child mental health symptoms may be explained by parental general aggression such that aggression mediated the PTSD symptoms–child mental health association.
Total Disc Replacement Versus Anterior-Posterior Interbody Fusion in the Lumbar Spine and Lumbosacral Junction: A Cost Analysis
Authors: Stubig Timo , Ahmed Malik , Ghasemi Amir , Nasto Luigi Aurelio , Grevitt Michael
Published: July 2017

Study Design:

Prospective observational cohort study.

Objectives:

To analyze clinical and economic results in patients with degenerative disc disease in the lumbar area for patients who received combined anterior and posterior fusion or total disc replacement (TDR).

Methods:

The study included 75 patients, 38 in the fusion group and 37 in the TDR group, who received either anterior/posterior fusion or TDR for lumbar disc disease from January 2005 to December 2008 with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. We collected data with regard to clinical parameters, demographics, visual analogue scale scores, Oswestry Disability Index scores, SF-36 and SF-6D data, surgery time, amount of blood loss, transfusion of blood products, number of levels, duration of hospital stay, and complications. For cost analysis, general infrastructure, theatre costs, as well as implant costs were examined, leading to primary hospital costs. Furthermore, average revision costs were examined, based on the actual data. Statistical analysis was performed using t tests for normal contribution and Mann-Whitney test for skew distributed values. The significance level was set to .05.

Results:

There was a higher surgery time, more blood loss, and longer hospital stay for the fusion group, compared with the TDR group. In addition, the hospital costs for the primary procedure and revision were 35% higher in the fusion group. The clinical data in terms of SF-36 and SF-6D showed no difference between these 2 groups.

Conclusions:

TDR is a good alternative to anterior and posterior lumbar fusion in terms of short follow-up analysis for clinical data and cost analysis. General advice cannot be given due to missing data for long-term costs in terms of surgical treatment of adjacent level or further fusion techniques.
The Prognostic Accuracy of Suggested Predictors of Failure of Medical Management in Patients With Nontuberculous Spinal Epidural Abscess
Authors: Stratton Alexandra , Faris Peter , Thomas Kenneth
Published: July 2017

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives:

To test the external validity of the 2 published prediction criteria for failure of medical management in patients with spinal epidural abscess (SEA).

Methods:

Patients with SEA over a 10-year period at a tertiary care center were identified using ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) diagnostic codes; electronic and paper charts were reviewed. The incidence of SEA and the proportion of patients with SEA that were treated medically were calculated. The rate of failure of medical management was determined. The published prediction models were applied to our data to determine how predictive they were of failure in our cohort.

Results:

A total of 550 patients were identified using ICD-10 codes, 160 of whom had a magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed diagnosis of SEA. The incidence of SEA was 16 patients per year. Seventy-five patients were found to be intentionally managed medically and were included in the analysis. Thirteen of these 75 patients failed medical management (17%). Based on the published prediction criteria, 26% (Kim et al) and 45% (Patel et al) of our patients were expected to fail.

Conclusions:

Published prediction models for failure of medical management of SEA were not valid in our cohort. However, once calibrated to our cohort, Patel’s model consisting of positive blood culture, presence of diabetes, white blood cells >12.5, and C-reactive protein >115 was the better model for our data.
Book Review: The Internationalization of Legal Education: The Future Practise of Law. Edited by William van Caenegem & Mary Hiscock
Authors: Sharma Prakash
Published: July 2017

The Internationalization of Legal Education: The Future Practise of Law. Edited by William van Caenegem & Mary Hiscock, Edward Elgar Publishing, Massachusetts, USA, 2014, xvii + 316 Pp., Paperback, £85. ISBN: 978-1-78347-453-0
Distal Musculotendinous T Junction Injuries of the Biceps Femoris: An MRI Case Review
Authors: Entwisle Tom , Ling Yuan , Splatt Alex , Brukner Peter , Connell David
Published: July 2017

Background:

Injury to the distal musculotendinous T junction (DMTJ) of the biceps femoris is a distinct clinical entity that behaves differently from other hamstring injuries due to its complex, multicomponent anatomy and dual innervation. Injury in this region demonstrates a particularly high rate of recurrence, even with prolonged rehabilitation times.

Purpose:

To describe the anatomy of the DMTJ of the biceps femoris and analyze the injury patterns seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to aid prognosis and rehabilitation and minimize the risk of recurrence.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Acute injury to the DMTJ of the biceps femoris was identified in 106 MRI examinations from 55 patients at a single institution. Each injury was classified as involving the long head, the short head, or both components of the DMTJ, with each component individually graded. Injuries were classified as recurrent if there was a previous MRI demonstrating an acute injury to the DMTJ or if there was scarring present at the site of an acute injury.

Results:

Of the 106 acute injuries to the DMTJ of the biceps femoris, isolated injury to the long head component was the most common (51%), with both components involved in [round 42.5% to 43%] of cases. Isolated injury to the short head component accounted for 7% of cases. The recurrence rate for reinjury to the DMTJ was 54% in this series. The date of prior injury was known in 45 of 57 recurrent cases, with 34 of these reoccurring within 3 months (76%) and 40 reoccurring within 12 months (89%). The recurrent injury was of a higher grade than the prior injury in 22 of 44 instances (50%), the same grade in 16 instances (36%), and a lower grade in 6 instances (14%). Thus, 86% of recurrent injuries were of the same or higher grade than prior injury.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that high-risk muscle injuries, such as that to the DMTJ of the biceps femoris, should be evaluated using MRI to determine the structural components involved and to assess the extent and severity of injury.
Sprint’s Social Media Ninja Program: A Model for Teaching Consumer Relations
Authors: Gilliland Rebecca A.
Published: July 2017

This study reviews the application of a new training model, Sprint’s Social Media Ninja program, an innovative approach to using new media to initiate change. Sprint recognized change management must occur from employee ambassadors to relevant audiences including consumers and other employees. By teaching volunteer employees the strategic message savvy and tactical strengths needed to address social media comments about Sprint, “Social Media Ninjas” have become active change agents in Sprint’s reputation management strategies, product launches, and turnaround story. These unmasked company employees volunteer to address questions, concerns, and comments about the company, as well as to start original conversations.
An Analysis of Personal Financial Literacy among Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Suri Amjad Khan , Purohit Sonal
Published: July 2017

This study investigates 389 expatriates in the UAE to examine their financial literacy level, relationship between the financial literacy and demographic characteristics. A questionnaire was used to study the financial literacy of expatriates from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The findings reveal that the financial literacy of expatriates is low, with an average answering only 52 per cent of the questions correctly. The low level of knowledge would limit their ability to make informed decisions. The study finds age, marital status, gender, country of origin, income, experience, education, employment status, work place activity, and household situation influence financial literacy and hence calls for initiatives to improve financial literacy among expatriates and for further research in this direction.
What’s Mine is Yours
Authors: Bramstedt Katrina A
Published: July 2017

This study is a long-term follow-up on the health and quality of life of Good Samaritan living organ donors who donated an average of 10 years ago. Thirteen donors (kidney, liver, and lung) completed 2 surveys. Data from the RAND 36-Item Health Survey showed that for all domains, as well as the physical and mental component summary scales, the Good Samaritan donor outcomes were superior to the general population ( P < .0001). Data from the European Living Donor Satisfaction Survey (EULID) showed that in all 8 theme areas, the donors reported statistically significant positive reactions as compared to negative reactions. With regard to self-reported health status, there was a strong, positive correlation between the RAND 36-Item Health Survey and the EULID (n = 13, Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.874). All but 1 donor reported good, very good, or excellent health status. Although donors overwhelmingly reported positivity about the donation experience, narrative comments about adverse events and recipient death must keep transplant teams alert to these critical areas. Good Samaritan organ donors come to the hospital healthy, give a gift to a stranger, and sometimes leave and linger disabled. Donor teams should be observing, questioning, and responding in an effort to maximize their welfare. This research is unique because investigation of the long-term health and psychosocial outcomes of Good Samaritan organ donors is rare. Existing studies that report long-term outcomes of kidney donors do not separately analyze Good Samaritan donor data from related living donors.
Indigenous Children’s Use of Language During Play in Rural Northern Canadian Kindergarten Classrooms
Authors: Eisazadeh Nazila , Rajendram Shakina , Portier Christine , Peterson Shelley Stagg
Published: July 2017

This article reports on research examining the social purposes of Indigenous kindergarten children’s language and their construction of Indigenous cultural knowledge within and through interactions with peers during dramatic play and play with construction materials. The participants are three teachers and 29 children from two rural northern Canadian Indigenous communities that are accessible only by plane and winter roads. Data sources are video-recordings of the children’s play interactions taken over 4 months and their teachers’ perceptions of the Indigenous knowledge that the children construct in their play. Unlike results of many standardized oral language assessments indicating deficits in Indigenous children’s language, our results showed that children used language for a wide range of purposes; a range that corresponds with results of previous studies of nonindigenous children’s play interactions. Participating Indigenous children most often used language for learning and language for imagining in their play. Their teachers were heartened to see that their students, most frequently the girls, also used language for disagreeing and asserting themselves. Teachers felt that children were constructing powerful cultural identities that would contribute to positive change, if they could use language in these ways outside their Indigenous communities, as well. Participating children took up Indigenous cultural meanings in their play, such as relationships with the land and among family members. In some cases, they created hybrid narratives, bringing together elements of popular culture as well as traditional Indigenous land-based activities, such as fishing and hunting, into their play interactions.
Gubernatorial entrepreneurship and United States federal-state interaction: The case of subnational regional greenhouse gas emissions trading
Authors: Biedenkopf Katja
Published: July 2017

This article provides an explanation for the adoption and partial abandonment of subnational regional greenhouse gas emissions trading systems on the United States’ East and West Coasts as well as the country's Midwest by focusing on gubernatorial entrepreneurship. The analysis is twofold: On the one hand, the article explores the motivations of governors to act as entrepreneurs, pushing for the adoption of the policy innovation ‘greenhouse gas emissions trading systems’. On the other, it examines the interaction between contextual factors and gubernatorial entrepreneurship, arguing that this can explain the adoption and abandonment of subnational regional greenhouse gas emissions trading systems. The analysis suggests that strong gubernatorial entrepreneurs can seize windows of opportunity for ambitious climate policy that are opened by a federal-state context in which the federal government is inactive, creating a regulatory void. In doing so, they take a risk due to the uncertainty of whether the policy will be (politically) successful. Since politicians often are risk averse, trying to avoid blame for policy failure, such proactive gubernatorial entrepreneurship requires strong motivations. With the increasing likelihood of imminent federal policy, additional governors can become active but their entrepreneurship tends to be weaker since they react to a different window of opportunity in which they take a lower risk than the strong gubernatorial entrepreneurs. Also their motivations tend to differ from those of the proactive gubernatorial entrepreneurs.