bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Quantitative Study on Gender Differences in Disclosing Child Sexual Abuse and Reasons for Nondisclosure
Authors: Okur Pinar , van der Knaap Leontien M. , Bogaerts Stefan
Published: July 2017

Despite the available literature on disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA), little is known about how gender affects disclosure. This article aims to quantitatively examine whether gender differences exist in formal (to legal or child protection authorities) and informal (to a family member or friend) disclosure of CSA and, if so, to assess whether this relation is associated with abuse characteristics and attitudes toward gender roles. The study also aimed to examine whether gender differences exist in reasons not to disclose CSA. Data of a sample of 586 participants, who reported to have experienced CSA committed by a single person, have been used for the analyses. There were no gender differences for formal disclosure, but the informal disclosure rate of CSA was 2.4 times higher for women than men, and this effect remained significant after controlling for abuse characteristics and attitudes, even though the gender difference decreased slightly. Furthermore, women and men reported different reasons for not disclosing CSA in their personal network. Women were more worried than men that family and friends would discover the abuse and reported more insecurity of what to do in this situation. Professionals in the field of CSA should consider a gender perspective when developing guidelines. Men have rarely been the subject of studies of disclosure after CSA. Professionals should focus more on general mental health outcomes of men that are not related with CSA directly, but where the effects of CSA may exert more indirectly through associations with other problems in life.
Racial Differences Among Juvenile Homicide Offenders: An Empirical Analysis of 37 Years of U.S. Arrest Data
Authors: Heide Kathleen M. , Michel Cedric , Cochran John , Khachatryan Norair
Published: July 2017

Homicides by juvenile offenders have been of great interest to the public and policymakers in the United States for four decades. Despite the concern over young murderers, many analyses have been limited to small clinical samples. Empirical studies using Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data, a national database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, have largely concentrated on analyzing basic victim, offender, and offense data or exploring gender differences. Racial differences, when explored with respect to juvenile homicide offenders (JHOs), largely have concentrated on White and Black offenders, given the low percentage involvement of American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and Asian and Pacific Islanders. This article used 37 years of SHR data (1976-2012; n = 52,916) to investigate differences between the four racial groups (White, Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Asian American/Pacific Islander). This article focused on three questions: First, did the offender and offense characteristics of all JHOs arrested during the study period vary by race? Second, did the characteristics of victims, weapons used, crime circumstances, and offender count in incidents in which JHOs killed single victims differ across racial groups? Third, are offender, victim, and offense characteristics predictive of racial classification? Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. The findings revealed more similarities than differences across the racial groups. Multinomial regression analyses revealed, however, that several variables were found to distinguish racial groups of JHOs in a predictive way: region, location, White victim, family victim, gun use, and homicide circumstance. Importantly, American Indian/Alaskan Native and Asian/Pacific Islander JHOs significantly differed from White and Black JHOs. In contrast to media depiction, gang-related homicides were significantly more likely to involve Asian/Pacific Islander juveniles than juveniles from the other racial groups. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Beyond Police Compliance With Electronic Recording of Interrogation Legislation: Toward Error Reduction
Authors: Zalman Marvin , Rubino Laura L. , Smith Brad
Published: July 2017

Video recording police interrogations is a widespread reform designed to reduce false confessions. An exploratory survey of Michigan police departments following the adoption of a video recording law indicates that the policy is uniformly followed. A significant number of agencies go beyond the law’s requirements by video recording in the investigation of all crimes and not only major felonies. Most recording captures both the interrogator and suspect. Prior to passage, half of the agencies supported the law and half were neutral. The law stimulated a quarter of the agencies to video record interrogations. A literature review and policy analysis suggests that video recording is a necessary but not a sufficient reform to reduce false confessions and wrongful convictions. Progress toward less confrontational investigative interviewing, used in several European countries and gaining a foothold in the United States, is recommended.
Thermoplastic elastomer based on LLDPE and EMA
Authors: Borah JS , Chaki TK , Kim DS
Published: July 2017

The effect of organoclay as well as controlled dicumyl peroxide (DCP) curing on the morphology and physicomechanical properties of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/ethylene-co-methylacrylate (EMA) blends was explored in this article. The nancomposites were melt-compounded in an internal mixer, HAAKE RHEOMIX, at 140°C and a rotor speed of 60 r min−1. The nanocomposites were then cured in a compression mold at 170°C for 12 min, and their morphology and physicomechanical properties were evaluated. Exfoliated morphology was observed for DCP-treated nanocomposites. DCP initiated grafting between polymer and clay platelets resulted in high degree of reinforcement in all nanoclay-filled samples through exfoliation of clay platelets as well as interfacial cross-linking and controlled cross-linking in the two polymer phases. Reprocessability studies showed that LLDPE/EMA/Cloisite®20A nanocomposites cured with DCP up to 0.5 wt% can easily be reprocessed.
Making Academic Social Capital Visible
Authors: Lutz Christoph , Hoffmann Christian Pieter
Published: July 2017

The reliable assessment of individual faculty members’ contributions is a key challenge in the governance of research institutions. Traditionally, scientific impact is estimated based on bibliographic analyses. With online platforms, particularly social media, gaining popularity among academics, new opportunities for the analysis of scientific impact arise. Proponents of the “altmetrics” approach hold that both general purpose social media and services tailored to the scientific community allow for a range of usage metrics that may inform scientific impact assessment. We propose that relational analyses of social media platforms may shed new light on these understudied dimensions of scientific impact and may enrich assessment efforts. Based on a sample of Swiss management scholars’ active on ResearchGate, we conduct a social network analysis, derive relational metrics, and correlate these metrics with bibliometrics, webometrics, and altmetrics to gauge their potential to inform scientific impact assessment, specifically in business and management research.
Palestinian Arabs and Jews at Work: Workplace Encounters in a War-Torn Country and the Grassroots Strategy of ‘Split Ascription’
Authors: Darr Asaf
Published: July 2017

What are the workplace manifestations of ongoing ethno-national conflict? How do co-workers on rival sides in war-torn countries cope with these manifestations? Interviews with nurses, nursing assistants and physicians in a Palestinian-Arab hospital and in a Jewish retirement home reveal how the broader ethno-national conflict in Israel penetrates the workplace. Problems arise for them when violence related to the conflict erupts outside the workplace and when patients express racist views during interactions with medical staff. This study finds that staff members respond with ‘split ascription’, a grassroots coping strategy that differentiates between a cooperative work environment and discriminatory structural elements of the employing organization. Split ascription challenges existing theories of interethnic relations in the workplace, as it combines both interactional and structural elements within a single coping strategy.
Vibration analysis of graphene sheets resting on the orthotropic elastic medium subjected to hygro-thermal and in-plane magnetic fields based on the nonlocal strain gradient theory
Authors: Ebrahimi Farzad , Barati Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2017

This paper develops a nonlocal strain gradient plate model for vibration analysis of the graphene sheets under in-plane magnetic field and hygro-thermal environments. For more accurate analysis of the graphene sheets, the proposed theory contains two-scale parameters related to the nonlocal and strain gradient effects. The graphene sheet is modeled via a two-variable shear deformation plate theory needless of shear correction factors. Governing equations of a nonlocal strain gradient graphene sheet on elastic substrate are derived via Hamilton’s principle. Galerkin’s method is implemented to solve the governing equations for different boundary conditions. Effects of different factors such as moisture concentration rise, temperature rise, nonlocal parameter, length scale parameter, elastic foundation, and magnetic field on vibration characteristics of the graphene sheets are examined.
Efficient detection of obstacles on tramways using adaptive multilevel thresholding and region growing methods
Authors: Wu Cheng , Qiang Xiang , Wang Yiming , Yan Changsheng , Zhai Guangyao
Published: July 2017

With the rapid development of light-rail public transportation, video-based obstacle detection is becoming an essential and foregoing task in driver assistance systems. The system should be able to automatically survey the tramway using an onboard camera. However, the functioning of the system is challenging due to the presence of various ground types, different weather and illumination conditions, as well as varying time of acquisition. This article presents a real-time tramway detection method that deals efficiently with various challenging situations in real-world urban rail traffic scenarios. It first uses an adaptive multilevel thresholding method to segment the regions of interest of the tramway, in which the threshold parameters are estimated using a local accumulated histogram. The approach then adopts the region growing method to decrease the influence of environmental noise and to predict the trend of the tramway. The experiment validation of this study proves that the method is able to correctly detect tramways even in challenging scenarios and uses lesser computational time to meet the real-time demand.
An initial orbit determination method from relative position increment measurements
Authors: Song Jianing , Xu Guodong
Published: July 2017

Both Global Navigation Satellite Systems and X-ray pulsar-based navigation system use relative position information to provide accurate spacecraft navigation. To supplement that navigation information, an absolute reference position from other types of measurements should be provided; however, that may increase the complexity or decrease the autonomy of the navigation system. To overcome those drawbacks, this paper proposes an initial orbit determination method using only relative position increment measurements and their corresponding epoch. The proposed method can be summarised as three steps: first, determining the orbital plane from a set of relative position vectors; next, determining the shape of the orbit by solving an ellipse fitting problem in two dimensions; finally, estimating the absolute position and all six orbital elements according to Kepler's equation and geometric relations. Monte Carlo simulations were done to analyse the feasibility and features of the proposed method. The results show that the algorithm we used does not need an initial guess and is robust. It can obtain an acceptable result from a 20% portion of an orbit when the signal-to-noise ratio is set at 15 dB with determining the inclination and right ascension of the ascending node quickly and accurately.
Anticoagulation withdrawal in antiphospholipid syndrome: a retrospective matched-control study
Authors: Yelnik C M , Urbanski G , Drumez E , Caron C , Maillard H , Morell-Dubois S , Dubucquoi S , Launay D , Hachulla E , Hatron P Y , Duhamel A , Lambert M
Published: July 2017

Background/Purpose

Long-term anticoagulation is the standard treatment for thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, in daily practice, the question of withdrawing anticoagulation may arise, without any evidence-based recommendations. This study aimed to assess outcomes in APS patients after anticoagulation withdrawal.

Methods

Thrombotic APS patients followed in our centre, whose anticoagulation was withdrawn after APS diagnosis, were retrospectively selected, and were match-controlled with patients under anticoagulation, based on sex, age, APS clinical phenotype and disease duration.

Results

Thirty cases with anticoagulation withdrawal were included. Median follow-up was 51 months (12–124). The risk of thrombotic relapse was higher in cases compared to controls (7.3% versus 1.5% patient-year ( p = 0.01); hazard ratio 4.8; 95% confidence interval (1.4–16.7)). Male gender, anti-β2GP1 and triple positivity at inclusion were predictive factors for thrombotic relapse. Conversely, aspirin prescription was a protective factor against relapses. Persistence of LA, anti-β2GP1 and triple positivity over time were associated with a higher risk of thrombosis and aPL disappearance with a lower risk.

Conclusion

In our study, anticoagulation withdrawal was associated with an increased risk of thrombotic relapse. Our findings emphasize the influence of anti-β2GP1 and triple positivity persistence over time on the risk of relapse and the benefit of aspirin prescription when anticoagulation has been withdrawn.
Melodramatic South Asia: In Quest of Local Cinemas in the Region
Authors: Pathak Dev N.
Published: July 2017

What is remarkably unique of the popular cinema in the region of South Asia? How does it lead beyond the vexed notions of the contemporary milieu, namely, hybrid local? How does it transcend the idea of nationally restricted local too? Looking through eclectic motley of popular cinema in the region, this article seeks to unravel such questions with reflexive propositions. It paves the way to comprehend cinematic identity of the region with the adjective of ‘melodrama’, as perceived through the local sociocultural component. It is with the sweep of melodrama, arguably, that cinema of South Asia transcends the notions attached with the category of ‘local’. In this backdrop, this article moots a probing question: What is local in the regional cinemas? Does local mean merely a vexed category in contemporary context of transnational flow? Or there is more to the category of local, beyond the existing formulations? With these questions, this article seeks to participate in the available discourse showing the regional cinema underpinned by the essentially dynamic nature and scope of the local.
Finding meaning through musical growth: Life histories of visually impaired musicians
Authors: Park Hye Young
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study is to examine in depth the lives of visually impaired professional musicians via the life history method. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with eight visually impaired professional musicians. The data analysis considered three facets of life history proposed by Mandelbaum: dimensions, turning points, and adaptations. The dimensions of life (families, schools, private music teachers, and performance groups) were analysed first. The turning points of life involve accepting and overcoming an impairment and choosing to major in music. Adaptations to life involve persevering in a harsh social environment, living as an impaired musician, aspiring to a successful career as a professional musician, and learning from vigorous musical activities. Most participants suggested that families and performance groups are the most important dimensions of their lives. With respect to turning points, choosing to major in music has enabled the participants to accept and overcome the difficulties associated with being visually impaired. Through adaptation, the participants appear to have found their value, role, and meaning both as members of society and as professional musicians. This implies both the importance of expanding performing opportunities for visually impaired musicians and the importance of acknowledging their professional activities, affording visually impaired musicians better livelihoods by offering them more fulfilling roles in the field of music along with significant, long-term public support.
Employment Supports for Adults With Disabilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Campbell Systematic Review
Authors: Tripney Janice , Hogrebe Nina , Schmidt Elena , Vigurs Carol , Stewart Ruth
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To identify, appraise, and synthesize studies of interventions to improve labor market outcomes of adults in developing countries with physical and/or sensory disabilities.

Method:

Systematic review methods, following Campbell Collaboration guidelines, were utilized. A comprehensive search was used to identify relevant studies published between 1990 and 2013, which were graded for study quality and a narrative approach used to synthesize the research evidence.

Results:

Fourteen studies covering a wide range of interventions met the inclusion criteria. Although individual studies reported improvements in outcomes, heterogeneity was high and studies were generally of poor methodological quality.

Conclusions:

There is a lack of high-quality research evidence to inform decision-making in this area. Stakeholders should be cautious when interpreting the results of the current evidence base.
Neurovascular Structures at Risk With Curved Retrograde TTC Fusion Nails
Authors: de Cesar Netto Cesar , Johannesmeyer David , Cone Brent , Araoye Ibukunoluwa , Hudson Parke William , Sahranavard Bahman , Johnson Michael , Shah Ashish
Published: July 2017

Background:

The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of iatrogenic injury to plantar neurovascular structures of the foot during insertion of a curved retrograde tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) fusion nail.

Material and Methods:

Ten below-knee thawed fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens underwent curved retrograde nailing of the ankle. The shortest distance between the nail and the main plantar neurovascular branches and injured structures were recorded during dissection. We also evaluated the relative position of these structures along 2 lines (AB, connecting the calcaneus to the first metatarsal, and BC, connecting the first and fifth metatarsal).

Results:

The lateral plantar artery was found to be in direct contact with the nail 70% of the time, with a macroscopic laceration 30% of the time. The Baxter nerve was injured 20% of the time, as was the lateral plantar nerve. The medial plantar artery and nerve were never injured. The most proximal structure to cross line AB was the Baxter nerve followed by the lateral plantar artery, the nail, the lateral plantar nerve, and the medial plantar nerve.

Conclusion:

Our cadaveric anatomic study found that the most common structures at risk for iatrogenic injury by lateral curved retrograde TTC fusion nails were the lateral plantar artery and nerve, and the Baxter nerve.

Clinical Relevance:

Determination of a true neurovascular safe zone is challenging and therefore warrants careful operative dissection to minimize neurovascular injuries.
Experimental Evaluation of Tranexamic Acid–Loaded Porous Starch as a Hemostatic Powder
Authors: Xi Chaoyun , Zhu Liguo , Zhuang Yuan , Wang Shufang , Sun Guixiang , Liu Yaqian , Wang Deqing
Published: July 2017

We evaluated the effectiveness of a novel hemostatic powder called Tranexamic Acid-loaded Porous Starch (TAPS) developed recently on blood clotting activity and hemostasis. The effectiveness of TAPS was evaluated by comparing hemostatic properties with those of Quick-acting Styptic Powder (QSP) and Compound Microporous Polysaccharide Haemostatic powder (CMPHP). The blood clotting activities of human blood were analyzed by thromboela-stogram (TEG) assays in vitro. The hemostatic effectiveness in vivo was evaluated using a rat model with hepatic traumatic hemorrhage. The blood loss and standardized bleeding score, which reflects the degree of bleeding after treatment with styptic powder, were used to evaluate hemostatic efficacy. In vitro, the values of TEG parameters in TAPS group were significantly different, compared with untreated controls or CMPHP group (p < 0.05). In vivo, the application of QSP, CMPHP and TAPS led to significantly decreased post-treatment blood loss than in the control group (p < 0.01). The scores of the groups treated with QSP, CMPHP and TAPS (0, 0.2±0.422, 0.3±0.483, respectively) were significant lower than with gauze control (1.6±0.516) which success hemostatic was achieved at 5 minutes (p < 0.01). Hemostasis was achieved successfully within approximately 4 minutes after the application of TAPS. TAPS could help blood to form an artificial scab on a wound and to seal injuries for hemostasis to reduce blood loss in rats with hepatic trauma and hemorrhage. It was safe to use with no impact on blood clotting function or other apparent side effects.
Extending the Veil of Darkness Approach: An Examination of Racial Disproportionality in Traffic Stops in Durham, NC
Authors: Taniguchi Travis A. , Hendrix Joshua A. , Levin-Rector Alison , Aagaard Brian P. , Strom Kevin J. , Zimmer Stephanie A.
Published: July 2017

Developed in 2006, the veil of darkness approach is one of the most widely accepted methods for assessing the impact of driver race on traffic stops. Building on the original methodology, we innovate in three important ways to enhance the veil of darkness approach: (a) invoke generalized linear mixed models to account for the lack of independence among observations in traffic stop data sets, (b) decompose the relationship between daylight and driver race to consider the role of driver sex, and (c) assess variability in racial disproportionality across law enforcement units. Nearly 20,000 traffic stops are analyzed for the Durham (NC) Police Department. Results indicate that more than 10% of the variability in the rate of Black drivers stopped is accounted for by officer-level factors, racial disproportionality was only for male drivers, and evidence of disproportionality was found among some units, but no evidence was found among others.
An Analysis of Journey Mapping to Create a Palliative Care Pathway in a Canadian First Nations Community: Implications for Service Integration and Policy Development
Authors: Koski Jessica , Kelley Mary Lou , Nadin Shevaun , Crow Maxine , Prince Holly , Wiersma Elaine C , Mushquash Christopher J
Published: July 2017

Providing palliative care in Indigenous communities is of growing international interest. This study describes and analyzes a unique journey mapping process undertaken in a First Nations community in rural Canada. The goal of this participatory action research was to improve quality and access to palliative care at home by better integrating First Nations’ health services and urban non-Indigenous health services. Four journey mapping workshops were conducted to create a care pathway which was implemented with 6 clients. Workshop data were analyzed for learnings and promising practices. A follow-up focus group, workshop, and health care provider surveys identified the perceived benefits as improved service integration, improved palliative care, relationship building, communication, and partnerships. It is concluded that journey mapping improves service integration and is a promising practice for other First Nations communities. The implications for creating new policy to support developing culturally appropriate palliative care programs and cross-jurisdictional integration between the federal and provincial health services are discussed. Future research is required using an Indigenous paradigm.
Transient tribodynamic analysis of crankshaft-main bearing system during engines starting up
Authors: Liu Ruichao , Meng Xianghui , Li Peng
Published: July 2017

The starting-up process of internal combustion engines presents a great challenge to the tribodynamic performance of the crankshaft-main bearing system. In this study, a transient mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication model is presented to investigate the transient process. In the model, the average Reynolds equation is adopted with considering the influences of surface deformation and starting temperature. Then the oil film and friction loss of the system and the journal center trajectory during engines starting up are analyzed. The results at different starting temperatures show that the asperity contact under the hot start-up condition is more serious. However, during the engine run-up and transition to idling phases, more viscous friction loss is generated under the cold start-up condition.
Was my decision to vote (or abstain) the right one?
Authors: Blais André , Feitosa Fernando , Sevi Semra
Published: July 2017

This article examines people’s assessments, ex post, of whether their decision to vote or to abstain in a given election was the right one. We use 22 surveys conducted in 5 different countries (Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland) in national, supra-national and sub-national elections between 2011 and 2015. We find that the great majority of those who voted were satisfied with their decision to vote while non-voters were more doubtful about the wisdom of their decision to abstain. We also find that those who are interested in politics, who feel that they have a moral duty to vote in elections, and who feel close to a party are more prone to be satisfied with their decision to vote and to be dissatisfied if they chose to abstain.
Perceptions of stigma among people affected by early- and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ashworth Rosalie
Published: July 2017

The aim of this research was to explore perceptions of stigma among people with early- and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and those who support them, using questionnaires ( n = 44) and semi-structured interviews ( n = 14). Perceived stigma reporting was low in the questionnaires, whereas interviews revealed higher levels of perceived stigma in the form of unpredictable reactions to diagnosis, feeling stupid and ignorance of the condition among the public. Perceived stigma was managed in similar ways across age groups, focusing on ‘being the lucky ones’. Results support the need to further tackle stigma and challenge expectations, particularly given the drive to diagnose people and thereby expose them to stigma.
Paradigm shift or normal science? The future of (biosocial) criminology
Authors: Rocque Michael , Posick Chad
Published: July 2017

For much of the history of criminology, tension has existed between sociologically oriented and biologically oriented perspectives. In recent years, a new, more nuanced approach has emerged which attempts to take both perspectives seriously and integrate them into a biosocial criminology. Yet, it remains, in large part, a fringe field of study. We argue that this is due, primarily, to critical as well as supportive scholars’ views that the ‘biosocial’ perspective represents a paradigm shift in the field of criminology. In this article, drawing on our work with the late Nicole Rafter, we present a case that rather than a paradigm shift, this biosocial turn simply represents a maturing field. In doing so, we describe the ways in which biosocial criminology examines crime and antisocial behavior as a biological and social phenomenon. At the same time, we also point out some cautions with respect to this body of work. We conclude with a vision of the future of (biosocial) criminology.
Research review: Post-earthquake fire assessment of steel buildings in the United States
Authors: Chicchi Rachel , Varma Amit H
Published: July 2017

Researchers and practitioners have traditionally analyzed building hazards independently; however, with the recent focus on resilience, a multi-hazard analysis approach has emerged which considers the implications of cascading hazards. This article reviews the state of the art for analysis and design of steel moment frame buildings subjected to fires following earthquakes, also known as post-earthquake fires. The current design and analysis approaches for fire and seismic hazards in the United States, which follow prescriptive approaches, are each explained. Performance-based methodologies for each hazard are described. A literature review pertaining to the system behavior of buildings exposed to post-earthquake fires is provided. This includes consideration of nonstructural damage caused from earthquakes that could in turn affect building fire performance. Finally, recommendations are made for future post-earthquake fire analyses and design using incremental dynamic analyses and incremental fire analyses to capture building performance when subjected to various levels of these cascading hazards. The procedure for this methodology is explained, providing a direction for future research.
Axial compression behaviour of retrofitted long timber columns
Authors: Li Hongmin , Qiu Hongxing , Zhao Zhe , Lu Yong
Published: July 2017

Spliced joints are used widely in retrofitting traditional timber structures, especially in heritage conservation applications where as much original material as possible needs to be retained. However, in practice this method is mainly applied based on experience, and there is a lack of understanding and quantification of the mechanical behaviour of retrofitted timber members. This article presents an experimental study on the axial compression behaviour of splice-jointed timber columns. The splice joints are reinforced by steel jackets, steel jacket with adhesive, ear hoops and carbon fibre–reinforced polymer wrapping, respectively. The performances and effect among these enhancement methods have been compared based on the failure modes and deformation, stiffness and strength measurements. The results show that the load-bearing capacity of the spliced columns reinforced with steel jacket and further enhanced by epoxy adhesive could recover about the full capacity of the reference columns. The load-bearing capacity of the retrofitted columns reinforced by ear hoops could reach 91% of the reference specimens. The weaker rigidity of the carbon fibre–reinforced polymer joints tends to affect negatively the loading capacity of the retrofitted columns.
Educated but anxious: How emotional states and education levels combine to influence online health information seeking
Authors: Myrick Jessica Gall , Willoughby Jessica Fitts
Published: July 2017

This study combined conceptual frameworks from health information seeking, appraisal theory of emotions, and social determinants of health literatures to examine how emotional states and education predict online health information seeking. Nationally representative data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 4, Cycle 3) were used to test the roles of education, anxiety, anger, sadness, hope, happiness, and an education by anxiety interaction in predicting online health information seeking. Results suggest that women, tablet owners, smartphone owners, the college educated, those who are sad some or all of the time, and those who are anxious most of the time were significantly more likely to seek online health information. Conversely, being angry all of the time decreased the likelihood of seeking. Furthermore, two significant interactions emerged between anxiety and education levels. Discrete psychological states and demographic factors (gender and education) individually and jointly impact information seeking tendencies.
Integration becoming business: Marketisation of integration training for immigrants
Authors: Kurki Tuuli , Masoud Ameera , Niemi Anna-Maija , Brunila Kristiina
Published: July 2017

Today, education is massively affected by marketisation and the drastic demands of the global economy. Integration training for immigrants has fallen prey to that; immigrants are employed to serve market needs, which has been attributed to the creation of “integration as business”. In the article, the authors examine how integration training for immigrants becomes organised within the current market-oriented policies and practices; which kinds of discourses are represented and utilised through which one becomes an “integrated immigrant” and; what kinds of consequences this orientation has on the subjects involved in integration training. By bringing examples from their ethnographic data on integration training for immigrants, the authors investigate the ways in which marketisation of integration training implies and elicits certain kinds of immigrant and teacher subjectivities, and analyse the ways in which these subjectivities become produced through the plural and contingent discursive practices across different sites of integration.
Influence of blade skew on axial fan component noise
Authors: Herold Gert , Zenger Florian , Sarradj Ennes
Published: July 2017

Microphone arrays can be used to detect sound sources on rotating machinery. For this study, experiments with three different axial fans, featuring backward-skewed, unskewed, and forward-skewed blades, were conducted in a standardized fan test chamber. The measured data are processed using the virtual rotating array method. Subsequent application of beamforming and deconvolution in the frequency domain allows the localization and quantification of separate sources, as appear at different regions on the blades. Evaluating broadband spectra of the leading and trailing edges of the blades, phenomena governing the acoustic characteristics of the fans at different operating points are identified. This enables a detailed discussion of the influence of the blade design on the radiated noise.
A unified formalism for acoustic imaging based on microphone array measurements
Authors: Leclère Q , Pereira A , Bailly C , Antoni J , Picard C
Published: July 2017

The problem of localizing and quantifying acoustic sources from a set of acoustic measurements has been addressed, in the last decades, by a huge number of scientists, from different communities (signal processing, mechanics, physics) and in various application fields (underwater, aero, or vibro acoustics). This led to the production of a substantial amount of literature on the subject, together with the development of many methods, specifically adapted and optimized for each configuration and application field, the variety and sophistication of proposed algorithms being sustained by the constant increase in computational and measurement capabilities. The counterpart of this prolific research is that it is quite tricky to get a clear global scheme of the state of the art. The aim of the present work is to make an attempt in this direction, by proposing a unified formalism for different well known imaging techniques, from identification methods (acoustic holography, equivalent sources, Bayesian focusing, Generalized inverse beamforming…) to beamforming deconvolution approaches (DAMAS, CLEAN). The hypothesis, advantages and pitfalls of each approach will be established from a theoretical point of view, with a particular effort in trying to separate differences in the problem definition (a priori information, main assumptions) and in the algorithms used to find the solution. Numerical simulations will be proposed for different source configurations (coherent/incoherent/extended/sparse distributions), and an experimental illustration on a supersonic jet will be finally discussed.
Subspace-based background subtraction applied to aeroacoustic wind tunnel testing
Authors: Bahr Christopher J , Horne William C
Published: July 2017

A subspace-based form of background subtraction is presented and applied to aeroacoustic wind tunnel data. A variant of this method has seen use in other fields such as climatology and medical imaging. The technique is based on an eigenvalue decomposition of the background noise cross-spectral matrix. Simulated results indicate similar performance to conventional background subtraction when the subtracted spectra are weaker than the true contaminating background levels. Superior performance is observed when the subtracted spectra are stronger than the true contaminating background levels, and when background data do not match between measurements. Experimental results show limited success in recovering signal behavior for data in which conventional background subtraction fails. The results also demonstrate the subspace subtraction technique’s ability to maintain a physical coherence relationship in the modified cross-spectral matrix. Deconvolution results from microphone phased array data indicate that array integration methods are largely insensitive to subtraction type, and that background subtraction with appropriate background data is an effective alternative to diagonal removal.
Adult education responses to the ‘othering’ of Muslim identity: Perspectives from Ireland
Authors: Fitzsimons Camilla
Published: July 2017

This article explores the ‘othering’ of an erroneous fixed Muslim identity with an emphasis on its impacts within adult and community education. It examines the geopolitical circumstances that contribute to this othering and argues for the creation of counter-hegemonic, intercultural learning spaces.
Feasibility of Na18F PET/CT and MRI for Noninvasive In Vivo Quantification of Knee Pathophysiological Bone Metabolism in a Canine Model of Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis
Authors: Menendez Maria I. , Hettlich Bianca , Wei Lai , Knopp Michael V.
Published: July 2017

Purpose:

To assess and quantify by molecular imaging knee osseous metabolic changes serially in an in vivo canine model of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) of the knee utilizing sodium fluoride (Na18F) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) coregistered with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods:

Sodium fluoride PET imaging of 5 canines was performed prior to anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and 2 times post-ACLT (3 and 12 weeks). The PET/CT was coregistered with MRI, enabling serial anatomically guided visual and quantitative three-dimensional (3D) region of interest (ROI) assessment by maximum standardized uptake value.

Results:

Prior to ACLT, every 3D ROI assessed in both knees showed no Na18F uptake above background. The uptake of Na18F in the bone of the ACLT knees increased exponentially, presenting significantly higher uptake at 12 weeks in every region compared to the ACLT knees at baseline. Furthermore, the uninjured contralateral limb and the ipsilateral distal bones and joints presented Na18F uptake at 3 and 12 weeks post-ACLT.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that Na18F PET/CT coregistered with MRI is a feasible molecular imaging biomarker to assess knee osseous metabolic changes serially in an in vivo canine model of knee PTOA. Moreover, it brings a novel musculoskeletal preclinical imaging methodology that can provide unique insights into PTOA pathophysiology.
First Experience of Performing Hybrid Operations in Chronic Venous Obstructions of Iliofemoral Segments in Patients With Postthrombotic Syndrome
Authors: Pokrovsky Anatoly , Ignatyev Igor , Gradusov Evgeny
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To assess the first results of hybrid operations in chronic venous obstructions of iliofemoral segments in patients with postthrombotic syndrome (PTS).

Methods:

Hybrid operations (open endovenectomy from the common femoral vein with arteriovenous fistula creation and iliac vein stenting) were performed in 12 patients diagnosed with PTS. All of the patients were diagnosed with severe chronic venous insufficiency. The degree of manifestations of PTS was assessed by means of the Villalta score 7 months before and after the surgical intervention. Diagnostic methods of study included ultrasound duplex scanning, magnetic resonance and/or multispiral computed venography, and contrast venography.

Results:

Technical success of the procedure was 92%. The outcomes of hybrid operations after 7 months were followed up in 6 patients and in 4 patients in 3 months. Secondary patency rates of the stented iliac veins amounted to 100%. No recurrences of venous ulcers were observed. Median Villalta scores improved from 15 to 7 ( P = .012).

Conclusion:

The first experience of hybrid operations for obstructive lesions of veins of the iliofemoral segments demonstrated their high efficacy and safety.
Evolutionary sensor allocation for the Space Surveillance Network
Authors: Greve Gabriel H , Hopkinson Kenneth M , Lamont Gary B
Published: July 2017

The congested exosphere continues to contain more satellites and debris, raising the potential for destructive collisions. The Special Perturbations (SP) Tasker algorithm currently assigns the ground sensors tasks to track object locations. Accurate locations help avoid collisions. However, the SP Tasker ignores priority, which is the satellite’s importance factor. This article introduces the Evolutionary Algorithm Tasker (EAT) to solve the Satellite Sensor Allocation Problem (SSAP), which is a hybrid Evolutionary Strategy and Genetic Algorithm concept including specific techniques to explore the solution space and exploit the best solutions found. This approach goes beyond the current method, which does not include priority and other methods from the literature that have been applied to small-scale simulations. The SSAP model implementation extends Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) from the literature while accounting for priorities. Multiple real-world factors are considered, including each sensor’s field-of-view, the orbital opportunities to track a satellite, the capacity of the sensor, and the relative priority of the satellites. The single objective EAT is statistically compared to the SP Tasker algorithm. Simulations show that both the EAT and MOEA approaches effectively use priority in the core tasking algorithms to ensure that higher priority satellites are tracked.
A Missing Piece in Clinical Trial Inspections in Latin America: Interviews With Research Subjects in Peru
Authors: Minaya Gabriela E. , Fuentes-Delgado Duilio J. , Ugalde Antonio , Homedes Núria
Published: July 2017

Most regulatory agencies conduct clinical trial (CT) site inspections, but the experiences and behaviors of research subjects and their knowledge of the rights and obligations that ensue from participating in a CT are seldom explored. The authors assessed the technical feasibility of incorporating interviews with participants in CT inspections. This article analyzes the responses of 13 CT participants, 14% ( n = 96) of those included in three tuberculosis (TB) CTs. Participants did not object to being interviewed and provided information not obtained during regular inspections. Participants were appreciative of the agency’s concern for the integrity of the CT process. Most interviewees did not understand the consent form and were unaware that they were participating in an experiment with unapproved new drugs. Participants’ decision to enroll in CT related to undue inducement and therapeutic misconception. Some patients’ behaviors, undisclosed to researchers, could have compromised the integrity of the data collected.
The Significance of Benefit Perceptions for the Ethics of HIV Research Involving Adolescents in Kenya
Authors: Rennie Stuart , Groves Allison K. , Hallfors Denise Dion , Iritani Bonita J. , Odongo Fredrick S. , Luseno Winnie K.
Published: July 2017

Assessment of benefits is traditionally regarded as crucial to the ethical evaluation of research involving human participants. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with health and other professionals engaged with adolescents, caregivers/parents, and adolescents in Siaya County, Kenya, to solicit opinions about appropriate ways of conducting HIV research with adolescents. Our data revealed that many focus group participants have a profoundly positive conception of participation in health research, including studies conferring seemingly few benefits. In this article, we identify and analyze five different but interrelated types of benefits as perceived by Kenyan adolescent and adult stakeholders in HIV research, and discuss their ethical significance. Our findings suggest that future empirical and conceptual research should concentrate on factors that may trigger researcher obligations to improve benefit perceptions among research participants.
Endovascular occlusion of pial arteriovenous macrofistulae, using pCANvas1 and adenosine-induced asystole to control nBCA injection
Authors: Lylyk P , Chudyk J , Bleise C , Serna Candel C , Aguilar Pérez M , Henkes H
Published: July 2017

Background

In large-caliber pial macrofistulae (pMF), the combination of high blood flow velocity and large efferent artery diameter makes control over the endovascular vessel occlusion difficult and may result in the inadvertent venous passage of occlusive devices or embolic agents.

Case descriptions

Patient 1: A 27-year-old man presented with headache and ataxia. An infratentorial pMF supplied by both superior cerebellar arteries with venous ectasia was found. The first treatment attempt using balloons and coils failed since the position of either device could not be controlled because of a distal diameter of the feeding artery of 8 mm. In a second session a pCANvas1 (phenox) was deployed at the level of the arteriovenous connection and adenosine-induced asystole allowed the controlled injection of nBCA/Lipiodol with partial occlusion of the pMF. A remaining arteriovenous shunt was occluded under asystole in a third session. The procedures were well tolerated, the patient returned to normal and DSA confirmed the occlusion of the fistula. Patient 2: A 13-year-old boy with hereditary hemorrhagic teleangiectasia presented with an intracerebral hemorrhage from an aneurysm of the left MCA. Twelve weeks after the aneurysm treatment a feeding MCA branch (diameter 4.5 mm) of a right frontal pMF was catheterized. The macrofistula was occluded by deployment of a pCANvas1, followed by the injection of nBCAl/Lipiodol under adenosine-induced asystole.

Conclusion

pCANvas1 and adenosine-induced asystole allow a controlled injection of nBCA/Lipiodol for the endovascular occlusion of high-flow pMF without venous passage of the embolic agent.
Adaptive output feedback integral sliding mode attitude tracking control of spacecraft without unwinding
Authors: Jitpattanakul Anuchit , Pukdeboon Chutiphon
Published: July 2017

This article studies an output feedback attitude tracking control problem for rigid spacecraft in the presence of parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. First, an anti-unwinding attitude control law is designed using the integral sliding mode control technique to achieve accurate tracking responses and robustness against inertia uncertainties and external disturbances. Next, the derived control law is combined with a suitable tuning law to relax the knowledge about the bounds of uncertainties and disturbances. The stability results are rigorously proved using the Lyapunov stability theory. In addition, a new finite-time sliding mode observer is developed to estimate the first time derivative of attitude. A new adaptive output feedback attitude controller is designed based on the estimated results, and angular velocity measurements are not required in the design process. A Lyapunov-based analysis is provided to demonstrate the uniformly ultimately bounded stability of the observer errors. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.