bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct Evidence for Active Suppression of Salient-but-Irrelevant Sensory Inputs
Authors: Gaspelin Nicholas , Leonard Carly J. , Luck Steven J.
Published: September 2015

Researchers have long debated whether attentional capture is purely stimulus driven or purely goal driven. In the current study, we tested a hybrid account, called the signal-suppression hypothesis, which posits that stimuli automatically produce a bottom-up salience signal, but that this signal can be suppressed via top-down control processes. To test this account, we used a new capture-probe paradigm in which participants searched for a target shape while ignoring an irrelevant color singleton. On occasional probe trials, letters were briefly presented inside the search shapes, and participants attempted to report these letters. Under conditions that promoted capture by the irrelevant singleton, accuracy was greater for the letter inside the singleton distractor than for letters inside nonsingleton distractors. However, when the conditions were changed to avoid capture by the singleton, accuracy for the letter inside the irrelevant singleton was reduced below the level observed for letters inside nonsingleton distractors, an indication of active suppression of processing at the singleton location.
Weight Discrimination and Risk of Mortality
Authors: Sutin Angelina R. , Stephan Yannick , Terracciano Antonio
Published: September 2015

Discrimination based on weight is a stressful social experience linked to declines in physical and mental health. We examined whether this harmful association extends to risk of mortality. Participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 13,692) and the Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS; N = 5,079) reported on perceived discriminatory experiences and attributed those experiences to a number of personal characteristics, including weight. Weight discrimination was associated with an increase in mortality risk of nearly 60% in both HRS participants (hazard ratio = 1.57, 95% confidence interval = [1.34, 1.84]) and MIDUS participants (hazard ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval = [1.09, 2.31]). This increased risk was not accounted for by common physical and psychological risk factors. The association between mortality and weight discrimination was generally stronger than that between mortality and other attributions for discrimination. In addition to its association with poor health outcomes, weight discrimination may shorten life expectancy.
Association of BAFF, APRIL serum levels, BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA expression on peripheral B-cell subsets with clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Salazar-Camarena D C , Ortiz-Lazareno P C , Cruz A , Oregon-Romero E , Machado-Contreras J R , Muñoz-Valle J F , Orozco-López M , Marín-Rosales M , Palafox-Sánchez C A
Published: September 2015

Objective

B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) signaling pathways regulate B-cell survival through interactions with their receptors BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA. We evaluated the association of these ligands/receptors on B-cell subsets according to clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

BAFF and APRIL serum concentrations were measured in 30 SLE patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA expression was analyzed on each B cell subset (CD19 + CD27-CD38–/ + naïve; CD19 + CD27 + CD38–/ + memory; CD19 + CD27-CD38 + + immature and CD19 + CD27 + CD38 + + plasma cells) by flow cytometry, and compared among patients with different clinical manifestations as well as healthy controls (HCs).

Results

Serum BAFF and APRIL levels were high in SLE patients and correlated with the Mex-SLEDAI disease activity index ( r = 0.584; p = 0.001 and r = 0.456; p = 0.011, respectively). The SLE patients showed an increased proportion of memory and plasma B cells ( p < 0.05). BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA expression in SLE patients was decreased in almost all B cell subsets compared to HCs ( p < 0.05). A lower BCMA expression was associated with severe disease activity, glomerulonephritis, serositis and hemolytic anemia ( p < 0.01). BCMA expression showed a negative correlation with Mex-SLEDAI score ( r = –0.494, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Decreased BCMA expression on peripheral B cells according to severe disease activity suggests that BCMA plays an important regulating role in B-cell hyperactivity and immune tolerance homeostasis in SLE patients.
Moral sensitivity and moral distress in Iranian critical care nurses
Authors: Borhani Fariba , Abbaszadeh Abbas , Mohamadi Elham , Ghasemi Erfan , Hoseinabad-Farahani Mohammad Javad
Published: September 2015

Background:

Moral sensitivity is the foremost prerequisite to ethical performance; a review of literature shows that nurses are sometimes not sensitive enough for a variety of reasons. Moral distress is a frequent phenomenon in nursing, which may result in paradoxes in care, dealing with patients and rendering high-quality care. This may, in turn, hinder the meeting of care objectives, thus affecting social healthcare standards.

Research objective:

The present research was conducted to determine the relationship between moral sensitivity and moral distress of nurses in intensive care units.

Research design:

This study is a descriptive-correlation research. Lutzen’s moral sensitivity questionnaire and Corley Moral Distress Questionnaire were used to gather data.

Participants and research context:

A total of 153 qualified nurses working in the hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected for this study. Subjects were selected by census method.

Ethical considerations:

After explaining the objectives of the study, all the participants completed and signed the written consent form. To conduct the study, permission was obtained from the selected hospitals.

Findings:

Nurses’ average moral sensitivity grade was 68.6 ± 7.8, which shows a moderate level of moral sensitivity. On the other hand, nurses also experienced a moderate level of moral distress (44.8 ± 16.6). Moreover, there was no meaningful statistical relationship between moral sensitivity and moral distress (p = 0.26).

Discussion:

Although the nurses’ moral sensitivity and moral distress were expected to be high in the intensive care units, it was moderate. This finding is consistent with the results of some studies and contradicts with others.

Conclusion:

As moral sensitivity is a crucial factor in care, it is suggested that necessary training be provided to develop moral sensitivity in nurses in education and practical environments. Furthermore, removing factors that contribute to moral distress may help decrease it in nurses.
Understanding and safeguarding patient dignity in intensive care
Authors: Nyholm Linda , Koskinen Camilla A-L
Published: September 2015

Background:

Dignity has been highlighted in previous research as one of the most important ethical concerns in nursing care. According to Eriksson, dignified caring is related to treating the patient as a unique human being and respecting human value. Intensive care unit patients are vulnerable to threatened dignity, and maintaining dignity may be challenging as a consequence of critical illness.

Objectives:

The aim is to highlight how nurses in an intensive care setting understand patient dignity, what threatens patient dignity and how nurses can safeguard patient dignity.

Research design and participants:

Data materials were collected through a survey questionnaire which contained open questions about patient dignity, and the text was analysed using hermeneutic reading and text interpretation. Totally, 25 nurses employed in an intensive care unit in Finland participated in the study.

Ethical considerations:

The study follows the guidelines for good scientific practice by the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity and the ethical principles according to the Declaration of Helsinki.

Findings:

Findings revealed that nurses recognize the patients’ absolute dignity by regarding them as unique human beings. The nurses also recognize the importance of shared humanity in preserving patient dignity. Intensive care patients’ dignity is threatened by negative attitudes and when their integrity is not being protected. Dignity is also threatened when patients and nurses are not part of the patients’ care and patient care decisions, when patients receive care against their will and because of the acute nature of intensive care.
Alcohol Use Disorder and Heavy Episodic Drinking in Rural Communities in Cambodia
Authors: Yeung Wesley , Leong Wei-Yee , Khoun Kimsong , Ong Warren , Sambi Sundesh , Lim Su-Min , Bieber Bill , Wilder-Smith Annelies
Published: September 2015

Alcohol misuse is increasing in Southeast Asia. We investigated the extent of and risk factors for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and heavy episodic drinking (HED) in a rural community in Cambodia. We also attempted to explore the communities’ perception of alcohol misuse and elicited potential community-based strategies to address the alcohol problem. A mixed-methods study design was used, combining a cross-sectional questionnaire survey with qualitative interviews (focus group discussions and key informant interviews). AUD and HED were measured using the AUDs Identification Test Alcohol Consumption questionnaire. The prevalence of AUD and HED was high: 25% and 31%, respectively. Male sex, younger age, and increasing income were significant risk factors. The communities were well aware of the harmful effects of alcohol, expressed the importance of implementing community-based measures, and proposed various community-led solutions. Evidence-based strategies that are culturally appropriate, accepted, and driven by communities are urgently needed.
The Science of Multiteam Systems
Authors: Shuffler Marissa L. , Jiménez-Rodríguez Miliani , Kramer William S.
Published: September 2015

Given the complexities of today’s workplace, organizations and agencies are progressively turning toward interdependent systems comprised of teams, or multiteam systems (MTSs), to accomplish multifaceted tasks in challenging environments. Subsequently, MTSs have grown in popularity in group and team research, spanning a breath of disciplines (psychology, organizational behavior, human factors, communication, and medicine). In this review, our goal is to highlight the existing research across a range of disciplines regarding MTSs that serves to answer the question, “What do we know about MTSs?” while also developing a future research agenda aimed at answering the question, “Where does our research need to go to better understand MTSs?” We specifically highlight the current trends, dynamics, and methodological issues in MTSs to further build the foundation for improving MTS effectiveness.
Exploring the Rhythmic Timelines of Southern Benin in the General Music Classroom
Authors: Mellizo Jennifer M.
Published: September 2015

The inclusion of world music from a variety of cultures and traditions within the general music curriculum creates valuable opportunities for students to experience music in ways that are both culturally and pedagogically beneficial. By exploring the connection between the fields of ethnomusicology and music education, we can expand our current body of world music resources to include more of the beautiful and varied music traditions that exist in this world. Within this article, one practicing general music educator considers the important work of ethnomusicologists as she shares her experiences with a world music tradition that has not yet been thoroughly explored within the context of music education: the rhythmic timelines of Southern Benin. This article also includes a set of suggested learning experiences, which provides clear examples of how the rhythmic timelines of Southern Benin can become meaningful to music educators and students everywhere.
Free Notation Apps
Authors: Dunbar Laura
Published: September 2015

Seven free notation apps for iPad are analyzed and described based on their usability in the classroom.
Unspoken Words
Authors: Darrow Alice-Ann
Published: September 2015

Much of what is communicated in the classroom is through nonverbal means. Sending appropriate nonverbal signals, as well as recognizing and interpreting the nonverbal signals of others, are essential features of the learning process. Students’ abilities to encode and decode nonverbal communication have the potential to affect all aspects of their academic and social outcomes. Students must process what they see and make sense of it in the context of the situation and the people involved. The author describes how students with nonverbal learning disabilities may reveal themselves in the music classroom, and provides instructional strategies that can be used in the classroom to help students with nonverbal learning disabilities and Web-based resources for educators.
Interpreting Reading Assessment Data
Authors: Amendum Steven J. , Conradi Kristin , Pendleton Melissa J.
Published: September 2015

This article is designed to help teachers interpret reading assessment data from DIBELS beyond individual subtests to better support their students’ needs. While it is important to understand the individual subtest measures, it is more vital to understand how each fits into the larger picture of reading development. The underlying construct of each DIBELS subtest is unpacked, followed by a demonstration of how teachers can (a) interpret results and (b) design high-quality interventions around the reading constructs, rather than teaching to individual subtests. Two classroom examples are presented that were designed to illustrate realigned interpretation of assessment results.
Curriculum-Based Measurement for Beginning Writers (K–2)
Authors: Dombek Jennifer L. , Otaiba Stephanie Al
Published: September 2015

Assessment and instruction of reading tend to dominate current discussions of early literacy. Shifting the focus to writing, this article addresses the assessment of writing for students in kindergarten through second grade. Using curriculum-based measurement of written expression for beginning writers, teachers can measure growth of smaller increments of writing skill development (i.e., number of words written in a given time or using correctly sequenced letters or words) and may use this method repeatedly across the school year to show growth and identify weakness in students’ early writing skills.
Cytarabine syndrome despite corticosteroid premedication in an adult undergoing induction treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Jirasek Matthew A , Herrington Jon D
Published: September 2015

Cytarabine syndrome is a rare clinical condition characterized by fever, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, and/or rash that occurs after receipt of cytarabine. Our patient developed fever, malaise, and diffuse body pain shortly following cytarabine initiation despite receiving prophylactic dexamethasone. The patient’s discomfort was treated with intravenous morphine and her other symptoms were controlled with a higher dose of dexamethasone. Although the exact cause is not fully understood, cytarabine syndrome is hypothesized to be an immune-mediated response following cytarabine-induced apoptosis that results in a rapid increase in proinflammatory cytokines. While there is no standard therapy for cytarabine syndrome, corticosteroids appear to play a role in the treatment and prevention of the condition by suppressing the proinflammatory response. Since our case describes the development of cytarabine syndrome despite dexamethasone, clinicians should monitor for this adverse event if patients begin exhibiting characteristics of this syndrome.
Impact of oncology pharmacist-managed oral anticancer therapy in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Lam Masha SH , Cheung Nathan
Published: September 2015

Background

Studies have identified non-adherence as one of the major contributing factors to treatment failure in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients receiving imatinib. Published literature has demonstrated a unique role of oncology pharmacists, as part of a multidisciplinary team, in contributing to overall positive outcomes for patients.

Study objective

To evaluate the impact of an oncology pharmacist-managed oral anticancer therapy program on oral medication adherence in CML patients versus usual care.

Methods

Electronic refill history and medical records of patients diagnosed with CML treated with oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) managed by oncology pharmacists during a 6-year period, were retrospectively reviewed. Imatinib adherence rate, as the primary endpoint, was compared with the rate for those in the usual care group within the same organization. The secondary endpoints were descriptive to characterize pharmacist interventions for all TKIs.

Results

A total of 56 patients including 45 who were treated with imatinib, were evaluated. The group managed by oncology pharmacists resulted in a higher percentage of imatinib adherence rate compared to usual care (88.6% vs 65.8%, p = 0.0046). A total of 3432 pharmacist encounters were reviewed, and 567 interventions of six categories including side effect monitoring/management (n = 95; 16.8%); drug interaction detection (n = 109; 19.2%); TKI dose adjustment (n = 82; 14.5%); laboratory monitoring (n = 200; 35.3%); non-CML related drug choice (n = 74; 13.1%); and copay assistance (n = 7; 1.2%), were documented. This resulted in a mean of 10.1 interventions per patient.

Conclusions

Our oncology pharmacist-managed oral anticancer therapy program significantly improved TKI adherence rates in CML patients. We attribute the success of our program to consistent follow-up by utilizing routine phone, and secure email follow-ups, that allowed our oncology pharmacists to build a close and trustworthy relationship with patients and families.
Self-Care Needs of Seniors With Chronic Medical Conditions for Living in Their Own Homes
Authors: Huang Fei-Hui
Published: September 2015

Health care expenditure and the maintenance of seniors’ well-being and health are important issues in Taiwan because of increased longevity and the fact that 89% of seniors have at least one chronic disease. In this study, a face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted with 400 senior patients, to elicit their self-care needs for living in their own homes. Results showed that seniors required care from relatives and friends and social resource and medical information. Moreover, each need was affected by their family relationships, economic stress, education, religion, and living conditions. Therefore, government policy should be directed at addressing the needs of society, providing information and medication to reduce unnecessary health care expenditure, and enhancing seniors’ autonomy and quality of life.
Position, selective emphasis and framing
Authors: Elias Anwen , Szöcsik Edina , Zuber Christina Isabel
Published: September 2015

This Special Issue aims to (1) theorise party strategies in multi-dimensional policy spaces; and (2) apply the theory to party competition in multinational democracies characterised by a salient territorial dimension alongside a more established economic dimension. The introductory article brings together recent contributions treating spatial and salience theories as compatible and policy spaces as two-dimensional to propose four party strategies that can be ranked from one- to two-dimensional competitive behaviour: uni-dimensionality, blurring, subsuming, and two- dimensionality. The remaining contributions operationalise these strategies and draw on a variety of data sources ranging from manifestos to parliamentary bill proposals and expert surveys to describe when and explore why parties use these strategies in competition, focusing on patterns of party competition in multinational democracies, selected as typical cases of multi-dimensional competition.
A dwarf among giants? Party competition between ethno-regionalist and state-wide parties on the territorial dimension
Authors: Basile Linda
Published: September 2015

Scholars of party politics have recently examined the influence of niche parties on the dynamics of party competition. In particular, drawing on the ‘Position, Salience and Ownership’ (PSO) model, it has been argued that when a new niche actor enters the political arena, it seeks to introduce a new policy dimension into political debate and simultaneously affects the competitive strategies of mainstream actors. By using manifesto data, this article analyses the impact of the Lega Nord on political discourse in Italy relating to the territorial dimension. Its findings challenge the assumptions of the PSO theory on niche-mainstream dynamics of competition. The article argues that, firstly, niche parties can mobilise on a policy dimension that has long been present on the political agenda; secondly, that niche party influence on mainstream party strategies is limited, at least when compared with the influence of other systemic variables. Nevertheless, the role of niche parties can be re-evaluated by considering a further strategic tool that parties can use to define their strategies, namely framing. In particular, the article argues that the Lega Nord has introduced a new language into political debate on the territorial dimension, which has required rival parties to react by reframing and redefining these issues differently from the past. Using an original coding scheme for the measurement of party attitudes in party manifestos, the article provides empirical grounds for arguing that a consideration of rhetoric should be included in any analysis of the competitive strategies of political parties in a two-dimensional space.
Parties’ electoral strategies in a two-dimensional political space
Authors: Alonso Sonia , Cabeza Laura , Gómez Braulio
Published: September 2015

This article has two objectives. Firstly, we test the theoretical assumptions about the repertoire of party strategies in a two-dimensional political space presented in the introduction to this special issue. We use a new dataset that content-analyzes electoral parties’ manifestos for regional elections in Spain and Great Britain (the Regional Manifestos Project) in order to see how well the theoretically-derived strategies approximate what parties in regional elections really do. Secondly, we develop tentative explanations of parties’ strategies: Which parties are more likely to use what type of strategy and under what circumstances? After running a multinomial logistic model we find that, in contrast to the niche party thesis, regionalist parties strategize simultaneously along the territorial and the economic dimensions of competition, while state-wide parties react to the presence of regionalist opponents by incorporating the territorial dimension into the agenda.
Mobilization, participation, and American democracy
Authors: Green Donald P , Schwam-Baird Michael
Published: September 2015

Rosenstone and Hansen’s (1993) treatise on the mobilizing effects of campaign activity and social interactions marks a turning point in scholarship on political participation. This essay looks back at this pivotal work and the experimental research agenda that emerged from it. Decades of subsequent research have reinforced and extended the book’s key claims about the role of mobilization in promoting voter turnout. Those who study elections now have a much clearer sense of which types of mobilization activities are effective and which types of voters respond to them.
A Personal Computer Freeware as a Tool for Surgeons to Plan Liver Resections
Authors: Björnsson B. , Lundgren L.
Published: September 2015

Background and Aims:

The increase in liver surgery and the proportion of resections done on the margin to postoperative liver failure make preoperative calculations regarding liver volume important. Earlier studies have shown good correlation between calculations done with ImageJ and specimen weight as well as volume calculations done with more robust systems. The correlation to actual volumes of resected liver tissue has not been investigated, and this was the aim of this study.

Material and Methods:

A total of 30 patients undergoing well-defined liver resections were included in this study. Volumes calculated with ImageJ were compared to volume measurements done after the retrieval of resected liver tissue.

Results and Conclusions:

A strong correlation between calculated and measured liver volume was found with sample concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) = 0.9950. The knowledge on the nature of liver resections sets liver surgeons in a unique position to be able to accurately predict the volumes to be resected and, therefore, also the volume that will remain after surgery. This becomes increasingly important with the evolvement of methods to extend the boundaries of liver surgery. ImageJ is a reliable tool to preoperatively assess liver volume.
‘Nobody’s better than you, nobody’s worse than you’: Moral community among prisoners convicted of sexual offences
Authors: Ievins Alice , Crewe Ben
Published: September 2015

Sex offenders constitute a significant proportion of the prison population – in England and Wales, almost one in six prisoners has been convicted of a sexual offence – and yet they barely feature in sociological studies of prison life. This article is based on research conducted in a medium security English prison which only accommodated sex offenders. It argues that if we are to understand prisoners’ experiences of imprisonment and identity management, it is necessary to explore their horizontal relationships with other prisoners. Prisoners experienced their convictions as an assault on their moral character, resenting attempts to define them as ‘sex offenders’. Following Sykes, we argue that prisoners attempted to form an accepting and equal moral community in order to mitigate the pain of this moral exclusion and to enable the development of a convivial atmosphere. However, these attempts were limited by imprisonment’s structural limitations on trust and prisoners’ imported negative feelings about sex offenders. This suggests that sex offenders may have more complex feelings towards their own moral exclusion than is suggested by their attempts to resist their own stigmatisation.
The structure of public opinion on crime policy: Evidence from seven Caribbean nations
Authors: Maguire Edward , Johnson Devon
Published: September 2015

A long tradition of research has examined public opinion on crime policy. Much of this research focuses on identifying the determinants and correlates of public opinion; few studies have examined the dimensional structure of public attitudes toward crime policy. This study posits and tests a multidimensional conceptualization of attitudes toward crime policy. We hypothesize that two general dimensions – punitiveness and progressiveness – are the minimum necessary to account for people’s opinions on crime policy. We test this multidimensional conceptualization and examine the structure of public opinion on crime policy using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and survey data from more than 11,000 residents in seven Caribbean nations. Our findings indicate that public opinion in all seven nations is multidimensional.
Investigating the quality characteristics of Al5052/SiC metal matrix composites machined by CO2 laser curve cutting
Authors: Sharma Vikas , Kumar Vinod
Published: September 2015

This article explores the quality characteristics of laser curve cutting of metal matrix aluminium 5052 alloy reinforced with SiC particles. These alloys are extensively used in aerospace industries due to their unique mechanical properties. The response surface methodology has been used to design the mathematical models with respect to input and output characteristics parameters. The desirability function approach has been used to optimize the input parameters like cutting speed, laser power, stand-off distance, nozzle diameter, nitrogen gas pressure, percentage of reinforced SiC particles, arc radius by considering multiple-performance characteristics. The various quality aspects of machined specimens were analysed using optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis techniques. The response surface methodology predicted models were validated by performing various confirmatory experiments. The percentage of error for the dross height, kerf taper and kerf width was found to be 4.62%, 6.55% and 5.04 % which signifies that predicted model is adequate.
Three-dimensional dynamic finite element and experimental models for drilling processes
Authors: Fernandes Maria G , Fonseca Elza M , Natal Renato M
Published: September 2015

The main goal of this paper is to assess the mechanical damage in solid rigid foam materials with similar mechanical properties to the human bone induced by the cutting parameters. In the present study, a three-dimensional dynamic finite element model was developed to simulate the drilling process in solid rigid foam materials and it was validated with experimental results. Using an explicit dynamic numerical simulation, it is possible to obtain large structural deformation with high load intensity in short time frame. The developed model is used to study the effects of different high intensity loads distribution in the solid rigid foam materials. Laboratory tests were produced using biomechanical test blocks instrumented with strain gauges in different surface positions during the drilling process. The comparison between the numerical and the experimental results enables the evaluation and improvements of the cutting process. It was concluded when the feed-rate is higher, the stresses and strains in the solid rigid foam material are lower. The developed numerical model proved to be a great tool in this kind of analysis and available to use in forthcoming tests.
Possible ways to increase the efficiency of a low-pressure water vapour discharge as a light source
Authors: Artamonova E , Artamonova T , Beliaeva A , Khodorkovskii M , Melnikov A , Michael D , Mikhailov D , Pastor A , Murashov S , Rakcheeva L , Serdobintsev P , Timofeev N , Zissis G
Published: September 2015

Methods to increase the efficiency of a rare gas–water vapour plasma as a light source are presented: (1) the addition of a second rare gas (2) the use of titanium dioxide to enhance the decomposition of water molecules into hydroxyl and hydrogen; (3) pulse discharge operation to improve the efficiency. Analysis shows that the first two methods can yield an increase in efficiency. Use of the catalyst produced a tangible impact on plasma properties and an increase in efficiency that was experimentally observed and agrees with theoretical estimates. In pulse discharge operation, negative ions that are probably created in the afterglow phase eliminate the desired effect. The data obtained using these three approaches, point towards possible directions for further investigation and predict the expected results in case of successful implementation.
Assessing glare. Part 1: Comparing uniform and non-uniform LED luminaires
Authors: Yang Y , Luo Ronnier M , Ma S-N , Liu X-Y
Published: September 2015

This study investigated the discomfort glare caused by LED luminaires. It included three different LED luminaire structures, under two background luminances, seen at two different angles above the line of sight. Observers scaled glare using a seven-category scale. The results showed that a darker background or a smaller angle led to more discomfort glare and a non-uniform luminaire produced more glare than a uniform one. Furthermore, Unified Glare Rating was tested using the data. It performed reasonably well, but there is still room to improve the predictions for non-uniform LED luminaires.
The Effectiveness of Group Intervention on Enhancing Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Hamama-Raz Yaira , Pat-Horenczyk Ruth , Perry Shlomit , Ziv Yuval , Bar-Levav Ruth , Stemmer Salomon M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose. To evaluate the long-term effect of group intervention on enhancing cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies in female patients with early-stage breast cancer. Methods. The sample included 174 patients who were diagnosed with early-to-mid stage breast cancer, completed adjuvant therapy, and agreed to fill out demographic and cognitive emotion regulation questionnaires (CERQ). About half of the patients (86, 49.4%) chose to participate in an 8-session group intervention (intervention group) while the others (88, 50.6%) did not (comparison group). The structured intervention for enhancing coping strategies with special emphasis on emotion regulation was conducted at the oncology unit at Rabin Medical Center by 2 experienced therapists. Preliminary effects on CER evaluated 6, 12, and 24 months postintervention were compared to the CER of a group of patients that opted not to participate in the group intervention. Results. In the intervention group, the long-term effect (from baseline to 24 months) was assessed using the mix models module. Significant interaction effects were found for both the Negative CER scales ( F(3, 268 ,404) = 3.66, P = .01) and for the Positive CER scales ( F(3, 271 ,660) = 5.12, P = .002). No statistically significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics and medical variables were observed between the intervention and comparison groups. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that a group intervention aimed at empowerment of coping strategies had positive long-term outcomes that reinforce adaptive coping strategies and improve less effective strategies of cognitive emotion regulation.
Current Usage of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Management of Breast Cancer
Authors: McPherson Luke , Cochrane Suzanne , Zhu Xiaoshu
Published: September 2015

Introduction. This qualitative study seeks to explore the role within the context of Australian breast cancer oncology treatments that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners play in the treatment of breast cancer. Methods. Semistructured interviews were used on 2 groups: the first group was TCM practitioners who were recognized experts in breast cancer, and the second group consisted of TCM practitioners who treated breast cancer as part of their practice but were not recognized experts. Data analysis was achieved through grounded theory with open coding. Results. The main themes reported on here are the following: the role of TCM in the biomedical management of breast cancer, TCM strategies for the management of breast cancer, and the perceived holistic approach of the TCM practitioner and the importance of a TCM diagnosis in the role of breast cancer care. Discussion. The role of TCM in biomedical breast cancer management is a supportive one; however, this role is difficult as there is a lack of understanding of TCM by biomedical practitioners. The viewpoints of practitioners differed on key strategies of TCM: diagnosis, and treatment protocols. Patients sought the holistic approach of TCM practitioners as they felt it addressed all aspects of their health and not just the symptoms relating to breast cancer. Conclusion. The lack of an integrated medicine approach in relation to TCM makes it difficult to demonstrate the value of the contribution TCM can make to biomedicine in the field of breast care oncology. Effectiveness studies are needed that can accurately represent TCM in this field.
Sinological-orientalism in Western News Media
Authors: Wirman Hanna
Published: September 2015

From gold farmers and ‘100 million brain-damaged online gamers’ to the world’s biggest game company and more players than US citizens, China seems like the cabinet of curiosities for the whole world of digital gaming. This article focuses on news coverage around Chinese gaming and presents three phases of such journalism. China’s emerging games market was most prominently featured between 1999 and 2005, while 2006-2011 focused on extreme play behavior in China. Most recently, a discourse of vast business opportunities and stabilizing markets has been presented by Western news media. In total more than 853 news articles are explored in parallel to the theoretical concept of Sinological-orientalism. This article suggests significant historical changes in the ways in which knowledge of Chinese gaming has been produced in English language news media.
Structural dynamics modification for derrick of deep well drilling rig based on experimental modal test and frequency sensitivity analysis
Authors: Jian Hua , Sizhu Zhou , Lei Hu , Xinmei Yuan
Published: September 2015

A statically designed derrick of deep oil well drilling rig may have poor dynamic characteristics, which can cause earlier structure failure of the drilling rig and harsh working condition. One such designed derrick is found to vibrate severely in operation while the rotation speed of rotary table is about 120 r/min with the working frequency of 2.0 Hz. To solve this problem, an experimental modal test of the derrick is conducted and the modal frequencies and vibration shapes are obtained. Through comparison of modal frequencies with that of exciting devices, it is found that the severe vibration of the drilling rig is caused by the resonance of second modal frequency (1.96 Hz) and the working frequency of rotary table. Based on principles of sensitivity analysis and structural dynamics modification method, the frequency sensitivities of all nodes on the derrick are calculated and compared, and then seven nodes with high-frequency sensitivity are selected on which corresponding mass are added to vary the modal frequency. Result shows that the second modal frequency of the derrick is reduced to 1.42 Hz and is out of the normal working frequency range of rotary table, which demonstrates that the dynamic characteristics of the derrick is improved and severe vibration can be avoided.
Recruiting community health centers into pragmatic research: Findings from STOP CRC
Authors: Coronado Gloria D , Retecki Sally , Schneider Jennifer , Taplin Stephen H , Burdick Tim , Green Beverly B
Published: September 2015

Background:

Challenges of recruiting participants into pragmatic trials, particularly at the level of the health system, remain largely unexplored. As part of Strategies and Opportunities to STOP Colon Cancer in Priority Populations (STOP CRC), we recruited eight separate community health centers (consisting of 26 individual safety net clinics) into a large comparative effectiveness pragmatic study to evaluate methods of raising the rates of colorectal cancer screening.

Methods:

In partnership with STOP CRC’s advisory board, we defined criteria to identify eligible health centers and applied these criteria to a list of health centers in Washington, Oregon, and California affiliated with Oregon Community Health Information Network, a 16-state practice-based research network of federally sponsored health centers. Project staff contacted centers that met eligibility criteria and arranged in-person meetings of key study investigators with health center leadership teams. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to thematically analyze the content of discussions during these meetings to identify major facilitators of and barriers to health center participation.

Results:

From an initial list of 41 health centers, 11 met the initial inclusion criteria. Of these, leaders at three centers declined and at eight centers (26 clinic sites) agreed to participate (73%). Participating and nonparticipating health centers were similar with respect to clinic size, percent Hispanic patients, and percent uninsured patients. Participating health centers had higher proportions of Medicaid patients and higher baseline colorectal cancer screening rates. Common facilitators of participation were perception by center leadership that the project was an opportunity to increase colorectal cancer screening rates and to use electronic health record tools for population management. Barriers to participation were concerns of center leaders about ability to provide fecal testing to and assure follow-up of uninsured patients, limited clinic capacity to prepare mailings required by the study protocol, discomfort with randomization, and concerns about delaying program implementation at some clinics due to the research requirements.

Conclusion:

Our findings address an important research gap and may inform future efforts to recruit community health centers into pragmatic research.
Educating the future sonographic workforce: membership survey report from the British Medical Ultrasound Society
Authors: Parker P C , Harrison G
Published: September 2015

The British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS), the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE), education providers and the NHS are working together to review how best to develop education for the future sonographic workforce. There is currently a national vacancy rate of approximately 12% across NHS Trusts. Education course placements are often limited to the number of clinical training places available within departments, resulting in a disparity between vacancies and the numbers of qualified sonographers graduating. Clearly there is a need for education to match the service demand. A term often used as a solution to the workforce problem is ‘direct entry’ ultrasound education. Anecdotally this term has caused confusion amongst health care professionals and as such the aim of this work was to gain an understanding of the views and opinions of BMUS members and interested professionals about direct entry training and subsequent development of any future training programmes. BMUS undertook an online survey with 286 responses. The survey provided insight into the opinions of ultrasound practitioners and the complexities of developing a relevant educational programme for the future sonographer workforce. The results suggested a number of concerns with direct entry ultrasound programmes, including insufficient training places, lack of health care background knowledge, lack of imaging knowledge and no state registration specific to sonographers. Benefits of direct entry to ultrasound training were perceived to be increasing the number of sonographers trained each year, whilst training people in their first choice profession with skills developed specific to the sonographer role. Support for direct entry ultrasound training was limited to 51% of respondents who would advocate this form of ultrasound training if it led to qualified sonographers with the same skills as sonographers exiting from current CASE accredited programmes.
The role of sonoelastography in planning percutaneous biopsy of soft tissue tumours
Authors: Bradley Mike
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether compression elastography has a useful role in the planning of percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsies of soft tissue tumours. Consecutive patients were evaluated in the sarcoma clinic after their initial imaging work-up, involving ultrasound and MR. The multi-disciplinary team decided when percutaneous biopsy for histology was required, and this was performed in the multi-disciplinary clinic using ultrasound guidance. An experienced sarcoma radiologist performed the ultrasound with compression elastography in all cases. Grey scale imaging was used to predict the needle track for each biopsy and routinely, two passes were made into each lesion. In this study, the track for the second pass was predicted from the elastogram, aiming for a stiff (blue) area within the lesion. The samples were separately potted in formalin and sent to the sarcoma pathologist. Pathology reports for each sample were assessed to evaluate whether the elastographic blue targets yielded any specific diagnostic quality; 157 biopsies were performed in separate patients, including two passes per patient as per routine protocol; 107 (68.1%) were benign lesions and 50 (31.9%) were malignancies. In the benign group, 16 (14.9%) showed significant blue areas in the lesion. However, nine of these were thought to be artefactual, as they showed grey scale characteristics of complex cysts. Positive histology was recorded in all the blue areas, but in the benign lesions positivity was not seen solely in the blue areas; 14 (28%) in the malignant group showed blue areas in the lesion and five biopsies were positive in blue areas only. Overall, the blue target yielded the only positive tissue in 10% of the malignancies, equating to 3% of the whole study population. The p value was 0.008829 for positive histology for malignancy from blue areas only.
Video Links from Prison: Court “Appearance” within Carceral Space
Authors: McKay Carolyn
Published: September 2015

Prisoners increasingly appear in court from spaces of incarceration, linked by video technologies, and remote from the physical courtroom in which the legal proceedings take place. During these video-linked court appearances, prisoners are immersed within the oppressive aesthetics of detention, rather than in the dignified courtroom we idealize. This article examines prisoners’ sensorial experience of prison video studios and the impact such space has on their encounters with law. Video link technologies are examined as symptomatic of the sensory bias to sight that ignores the significance of the other senses, diminishing prisoners’ opportunities for engagement with and expressive participation in legal procedure.
Predictors of unstable distal radius fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Walenkamp M. M. J. , Aydin S. , Mulders M. A. M. , Goslings J. C. , Schep N. W. L.
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review in order to identify predictors of secondary displacement in distal radius fractures. We performed a systematic review and identified all studies that reported secondary displacement following distal radius fractures. Where possible, we pooled the odds ratios of predictors. The initial search yielded 3178 studies of which 27 were included. Multiple studies found that age, shortening, volar comminution, loss of radial inclination, the presence of a volar hook, AO type 3 fractures (A3, B3, C3) and the Older classification were significant predictors of secondary displacement. Pooling revealed a significantly increased risk of secondary displacement in fractures with dorsal comminution, in women and in patients aged >60 years. An associated ulna fracture or intra-articular involvement does not result in an increased risk of secondary displacement. The overview provided in this study can help surgeons to inform patients of the chances of success of closed treatment regarding the radiological outcome and facilitate shared decision making.

Level of evidence: II
Muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer: an update on systemic therapy
Authors: Knollman Hayley , Godwin J. Luke , Jain Rishi , Wong Yu-Ning , Plimack Elizabeth R. , Geynisman Daniel M.
Published: September 2015

Urothelial carcinoma is a common malignancy that carries a poor prognosis when the disease includes muscle invasion. Metastatic urothelial carcinoma is almost uniformly fatal. The evidence behind treatment options in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic settings are discussed in this manuscript, with a focused review of standard and investigational cytotoxic, targeted, and immunotherapy approaches. We have focused especially on neoadjuvant cisplatin-based therapy (supported by level one evidence) and on novel immunotherapy agents such as checkpoint inhibitors, which have shown great promise in early clinical studies.