bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurokinin A monitoring of response to interferon alpha in a patient with an advanced small bowel neuroendocrine tumour uncontrolled by somatostatin analogue therapy
Authors: Ardill Joy ES , Johnston Brian T , McCance David R , Eatock Martin
Published: September 2016

A 52-year-old lady presented with a history of occasional, severe abdominal cramps, postprandial diarrhoea and weight loss. After routine gastrointestinal investigations, she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Over six months, she developed occasional facial flushing prompting assessment of neuroendocrine tumour markers. Urinary 5HIAA, 5HT, chromogranin A and neurokinin A were significantly elevated. Scans showed extensive hepatic metastases but did not show the location of a primary tumour. Somatostatin analogue therapy was commenced but despite increasing doses, symptoms increased and biomarkers rose dramatically. Interferon alpha was introduced concomitant with somatostatin analogue therapy. Biomarkers were monitored regularly. Within six months, symptoms abated and biomarkers reduced, continuing to fall over the next year, close to reference range. To manage side-effects of interferon alpha, dose was reduced from time to time. During these short periods, neurokinin A showed significant transient increases (75–150 ng/L) and carcinoid symptoms returned. For more than seven years, and with the co-operation of the patient, a balance was achieved between interferon alpha side-effects and disease control. Scans showed tumour load to be stable. The patient survived for 10 years post diagnosis. She chose to discontinue interferon alpha and received peptide receptor radiation therapy in her final year. Throughout, neurokinin A remained the most sensitive monitor of her disease progression.
Should I stay or should I go? Resilience as a protective factor for teachers’ intention to leave the teaching profession
Authors: Arnup Jessica , Bowles Terence
Published: September 2016

Teacher attrition is a current issue in Australia and other economically developed countries, with up to 50 per cent of teachers resigning from teaching within the first five years. Teacher attrition is widely considered to impact negatively on student achievement and the school. The present study of 160 Australian primary and secondary teachers who have been in the profession for up to 10 years investigates whether teachers’ generalised resilience is associated with their intention to leave the teaching profession. As hypothesised, results indicate that lower levels of resilience are significantly related to a higher intention to leave the teaching profession, after controlling for job satisfaction and demographic variables. Implications for teaching conditions related to job satisfaction and the resilience of early career teachers are discussed.
The Career Adjustment Experiences of Women Early Career Psychologists
Authors: O’Shaughnessy Tiffany , Burnes Theodore R.
Published: September 2016

Each year, approximately 71% of new early career psychologists are women, yet no empirical research has examined the unique career adjustment needs and experiences of women early career psychologists. This study presents the constructivist grounded theory analysis of 22 in-depth interviews with women early career psychologists regarding their experiences of developing a career in psychology. Three primary spheres of influence on career adjustment emerged from the data: identity-based influences, experiential-focused influences, and outcome-oriented influences. These major spheres of influence are further refined into themes and subthemes that play a role in the career experiences of women early career psychologists. The impact of these themes on the women’s career trajectory is explored, and implications for research, training, policy, and practice are presented.
Under (and Over) Employment
Authors: Allan Blake A. , Duffy Ryan D. , Blustein David L.
Published: September 2016

Despite the many studies examining the impact of unemployment, underemployment has often been neglected in psychology. Moreover, problems exist with the measurement of underemployment, including categorization of continuous variables and neglect of overemployment. In the current study, we used a new method of measuring underemployment, polynomial regression with response surface mapping, to examine discrepancies between ideal and real hours worked—allowing for the continuous assessment of both under- and overemployment. We also used discrepancy scores to examine variables theorized to be related to under- and overemployment: social class, work volition, job satisfaction, and meaningful work. Partially supporting our hypotheses, work volition and social class were lower for people who were under- and overemployed.
Performance Pay and Work-Related Health Problems
Authors: DeVaro Jed , Heywood John S.
Published: September 2016

Using panel data from 2004 and 2011, the authors find an elevated incidence of work-related ailments (associated with bones, muscles, and joints) in U.K. establishments that use individual performance pay, even after accounting for establishment fixed effects. Fixed-effect estimates also confirm a positive relationship between absence due to illness and performance pay. The elevated rates of ailments associated with performance pay appear to reduce financial performance and product quality, even though performance pay has a positive net influence on financial performance. Thus, a hidden cost of performance pay is occupational health deterioration. Parallel results are absent for labor productivity and, in a smaller sample, for profit.
Women’s agency in household economic decision making in Kenya
Authors: Kagotho Njeri , Vaughn Michael G
Published: September 2016

The misalignment between economic strengthening opportunities and women’s agency is especially salient given the connection between women’s economic empowerment and household well-being. Using Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2014 data, we examine married women’s agency in household economic decision making. Women who are less likely to characterize abusive patterns of behavior as problematic and women reporting emotional abuse are less likely to report economic autonomy in the household. Furthermore, data indicate little congruence in perceptions of wife’s household economic autonomy between couples. These findings point to the need to understand the interplay among structural factors, gender, marital status, and the financial well-being of married persons.
The increased compression strength of an epoxy resin with the addition of heat-treated natural nano-structured diatom frustules
Authors: Zeren Doğuş , Güden Mustafa
Published: September 2016

Natural diatom frustules composing nanometer size silica particles were heat-treated at temperatures between 600 and 1200℃ for 2 h and used as filler/reinforcing agent (15 wt%) in an epoxy resin. The opal structure of as-received natural diatom frustules was transformed into cristobalite after the heat-treatment above 900℃. The epoxy resin test samples reinforced with heat-treated and as-received frustules and neat epoxy test samples were compression tested at the quasi-static strain rate of 7 × 10−3 s−1. The results showed that the inclusion of the frustules heat-treated at 1000℃ increased the compressive yield strength of the resin by 50%, while the addition of the diatom frustules heat-treated above and below 1000℃ and the as-received frustules increased the strength by ∼25% and 16%, respectively. The heat treatment above 1000℃ decreased the surface area of the frustules from 8.23 m2 g−1 to 3.46 m2 g−1. The cristobalite grains of the frustules heat-treated at 1000℃ was smaller than 100 nm, while the grain size increased to ∼500 nm at 1200℃. The increased compressive stresses of the resin at the specific heat treatment temperature (1000℃) were ascribed to nano size crystalline cristobalite grains. The relatively lower compressive stresses of the epoxy resin filled with frustules heat-treated above 1000℃ were attributed to the micro-cracking of the frustules that might be resulted from higher density of the cristobalite than that of the opal and accompanying reduction of the surface area and the surface pore sizes that might impair the resin-frustule interlocking and intrusion.
Experimental results of fatigue testing for calibration and validation of composite progressive damage analysis methods
Authors: Clay Stephen B , Knoth Philip M
Published: September 2016

The Air Force Research Laboratory led a research effort to benchmark the accuracy of static and fatigue predictions of several emerging composite progressive damage analysis techniques. The static portion of this technical effort is described in detail in a previous special issue of the Journal of Composite Materials. This paper provides the details of the fatigue experiments that were conducted to calibrate and validate the computational models. Initially, in-plane and out-of-plane S–N curves were generated through coupon tests that were performed on unidirectional laminae. The challenges experienced during fatigue testing of in-plane, matrix-dominated unidirectional coupon specimens are presented in detail. The higher fidelity test data from the fiber-dominated and out-of-plane experiments are also included in this paper. Following the calibration experiments, a series of tension–tension fatigue validation tests were conducted on open-hole coupons with three different stacking sequences. Each specimen was cycled to a pre-determined number of fatigue cycles, followed by static residual strength tests in both tension and compression. This paper provides the stress–strain responses of these validation tests as well as high-resolution X-ray computed tomography images of the subsurface damage as a function of cycles. Seven analysis teams used these test results to calibrate their models and to benchmark the accuracy of their predictions of damage and residual mechanical properties.
Civil War and the Formation of Social Trust in Kosovo
Authors: Kijewski Sara , Freitag Markus
Published: September 2016

While a new, growing subset of the literature argues that armed conflict does not necessarily erode social cohesion in the postwar era, we challenge this perspective and examine how civil war experiences shape social trust in Kosovo after the war from 1998 to 1999. Based on a nationwide survey conducted in 2010 and the disaggregated conflict event data set of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, we simultaneously analyze the impact of individual war-related experiences and exposure to war in the community through hierarchical analyses of twenty-six municipalities. Our findings confirm that civil war is negatively related to social trust. This effect proves to be more conclusive for individual war experiences than for contextual war exposure. Arguably, the occurrence of instances of violence with lasting psychological as well as social structural consequences provides people with clear evidence of the untrustworthiness, uncooperativeness, and hostility of others, diminishing social trust in the aftermath of war.
School Disorder and Dropping Out: The Intersection of Gender, Race, and Ethnicity
Authors: Peguero Anthony A. , Merrin Gabriel J. , Hong Jun Sung , Johnson Kecia R.
Published: September 2016

A growing body of research is exploring the affects school disorder has on educational progress. It is also known that educational success and failure are linked to gender, racial, and ethnic disparities. Other issues, however, remain less explored. For example, how do perceptions of individual adolescents about disorder affect behavior? Or whether or how school-level physical and social disorder are related to gender, racial, and ethnic disparities. Do any of these factors affect the likelihood of dropping out? This study draws from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, with a focus on a subsample consisting of Black/African American, Latina/o American, Asian American, Native American, multiracial American, and White American public school students in 580 public schools. We analyze the role school disorder has on dropping out, among racial and ethnic minority adolescents. The results suggest that, in general, school disorder has greater influence among racial and ethnic minority youth.
Margin and freedom: The space of world literature seen from the Basque Country and Catalonia
Authors: Figlerowicz Matylda
Published: September 2016

This article proposes to look at how the current theories of world literature could be transformed if we looked at the space of world literature from the perspective of marginalized European literatures, such as Basque and Catalan. Departing from the analysis of Obabakoak (1988) by Bernardo Atxaga and Històries de la mà esquerra (‘Stories of the Left Hand’, 1981) by Jesús Moncada, the article elaborates a theory of world literature based on the idea of margin – that is, on recognizing the Otherness of what we want to see as our own – and contrasts it with theories of world literature by scholars such as Casanova, Damrosch and Glissant. This leads to the construction of a model of world literature in which the centre is empty, and which, among other consequences, is a way to break from Eurocentrism. This perception of world literature makes it possible to reflect on the idea of freedom of literature, discussed in relation to Hannah Arendt’s thought.
Orientalism within Europe: Introduction
Authors: Segnini Elisa
Published: September 2016

This special issue discusses texts and cultural artefacts that defy the idea of Europe as a homogeneous and coherent construct, with a focus on north/south, East/West divisions. Starting from a series of case studies, the contributions address questions such as: Where does Europe begin and who establishes these boundaries? Who is considered European and who is not? How is difference described, represented and imagined in zones that are positioned within Europe, often at its core? What metaphors or narrative strategies are used to describe the other within Europe? Do writers from minority cultures participate in orientalized representations of their own culture? If orientalism can be conceptualized as the opposite of civilization, is it necessarily connected to notions of backwardness? If so, how does this play out in a European context? The range of the case studies considered in this issue is broad: chronologically, the essays span the nineteenth century to the present, and geographically they go from Russia to France, from Croatia and Hungary to Catalonia and the Basque countries. Overall, the essays take a transnational approach that considers ethnic, cultural and linguistic differences and notions of belonging within and beyond political units. A common ground is provided by recurrent critical concepts that offer a useful theoretical framework for discussion, such as Roberto Dainotto’s argument that Europe constructs itself not only in opposition to the non-Western, but also to its internal other, and Milica Bakić-Hayden’s notion of ‘nesting orientalism’: that is, the idea that countries who have been orientalized can also appropriate this discourse.
Literature of immigration as a literature of Europe
Authors: Schneider Annedith
Published: September 2016

Any understanding of European literature that does not include immigrant literature results in an incomplete vision of literature created in Europe. As immigrant writers have sought to find a place for themselves and their writing, the labels attached to that writing have been crucial. While such debates certainly have to do with the writers themselves and how they seek to have their writing read, they also reflect an anxiety in Europe about what counts as European literature and, not incidentally, who counts as European. To examine these issues, this article takes the example of the work of Franco-Turkish writer Sema Kılıçkaya. In contrast to the usual French fear of communautarisme, which signals for many the fragmentation of society along ethnic and religious lines, the article argues that Kılıçkaya’s writing provides another model for national and European belonging, one that depends, perhaps paradoxically, on sub-national and local belonging – in both the country of origin and the country of settlement.
Croatia’s self-colonization: Intra-national nesting orientalisms in Renato Baretić’s Osmi povjerenik
Authors: Šetek Nika
Published: September 2016

While Croatia is often classified as a Balkan nation, its citizens tend to reject this label for reinforcing an image of their country as different and ‘backward’. Croatians respond by emphasizing their belonging to Western Europe and projecting the Balkan stereotype onto adjacent spaces outside the nation-state. Literary critic Milica Bakić-Hayden calls this phenomenon ‘nesting orientalisms’. Moving away from the traditional displacement onto another nation or, as in the case of multinational Bosnia and Herzegovina, onto a different ethnic group, contemporary Croatian fiction displays what I call intra-national nesting orientalisms. Namely, in these texts, it is the rural spaces within the country itself that often serve as a stand-in for the Balkans. Croatian author Renato Baretić’s 2003 novel Osmi povjerenik (‘The eighth commissioner’) offers an exemplary image of intra-national nesting orientalisms. Set on the imaginary island of Trečić, it tells the story of the Croatian government’s attempts to colonize its own island. Through colonial and postcolonial tropes, including references to Dracula, One Hundred Years of Solitude and Heart of Darkness, the novel utilizes intra-national nesting orientalisms to explore Croatia’s relationship with the West and its own interior. I argue that the novel’s intra-national nesting orientalisms function to satirize Croatia’s never-ending and often failing efforts to displace the negative stereotype of being a Balkan nation onto another place.
Politics and Tourism Destination Development: The Evolution of Power
Authors: Bowen David , Zubair Shahida , Altinay Levent
Published: September 2016

This study takes a temporal perspective on the analysis of politics, power, and tourism destination development. It analyzes past and contemporary consequences of the power relationships among different stakeholders. A qualitative inquiry includes semi-structured in-depth interviews with stakeholders, from local islanders to national-level politicians, complemented by secondary material. After identification of the key tourism stakeholders in the case study area, Maldives, the study details and analyzes, through consideration of contested policy formulation and implementation, why and how stakeholders have sought to gain, hold, and cede power. Accordingly, the study develops theoretical understanding that recognizes and evaluates patterns of stakeholder power dominance, subservience, and decline.
Musicians’ perceptions and experiences of using simulation training to develop performance skills
Authors: Aufegger Lisa , Perkins Rosie , Wasley David , Williamon Aaron
Published: September 2016

Simulation has been applied as a tool for learning and training in sports, psychology and medicine for some time, but its current use and potential for training musicians is less well understood. The aim of this study was to explore musicians’ perceptions and experiences of using simulated performance environments. Nine conservatory students performed in two simulations, each with interactive virtual elements and vivid environmental cues: a recital with a virtual audience and an audition with virtual judges. Qualitative data were collected through a focus group interview and written reflective commentaries. Thematic analysis highlighted the musicians’ experiences in terms of (1) their anticipation of using the simulations, (2) the process of performing in the simulations, (3) the usefulness of simulation as a tool for developing performance skills and (4) ways of improving simulation training. The results show that while simulation was new to the musicians and individual levels of immersion differed, the musicians saw benefits in the approach for developing, experimenting with and enhancing their performance skills. Specifically, the musicians emphasised the importance of framing the simulation experience with plausible procedures leading to and following on from the performance, and they recognised the potential for combining simulation with complementary training techniques.
Reliability, Validity, and Clinical Utility of the Dominic Interactive for Adolescents–Revised
Authors: Bergeron Lise , Smolla Nicole , Berthiaume Claude , Renaud Johanne , Breton Jean-Jacques , St.-Georges Marie , Morin Pauline , Zavaglia Elissa , Labelle Réal
Published: September 2016

Objectives:

The Dominic Interactive for Adolescents–Revised (DIA-R) is a multimedia self-report screen for 9 mental disorders, borderline personality traits, and suicidality defined by the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM-5). This study aimed to examine the reliability and the validity of this instrument.

Methods:

French- and English-speaking adolescents aged 12 to 15 years ( N = 447) were recruited from schools and clinical settings in Montreal and were evaluated twice. The internal consistency was estimated by Cronbach alpha coefficients and the test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation coefficients. Cutoff points on the DIA-R scales were determined by using clinically relevant measures for defining external validation criteria: the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Abbreviated-Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses provided accuracy estimates (area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio) to evaluate the ability of the DIA-R scales to predict external criteria.

Results:

For most of the DIA-R scales, reliability coefficients were excellent or moderate. High or moderate accuracy estimates from ROC analyses demonstrated the ability of the DIA-R thresholds to predict psychopathological conditions. These thresholds were generally capable to discriminate between clinical and school subsamples. However, the validity of the obsessions/compulsions scale was too low.

Conclusions:

Findings clearly support the reliability and the validity of the DIA-R. This instrument may be useful to assess a wide range of adolescents’ mental health problems in the continuum of services. This conclusion applies to all scales, except the obsessions/compulsions one.
« We make markets ». Le rôle du salon Ethical Fashion Show dans la catégorisation de la mode éthique
Authors: Blanchet Vivien
Published: September 2016

Résumé

Les catégories participent à la construction des marchés en définissant les producteurs, les consommateurs et les produits substituables. Jusqu’à présent, la littérature sur le sujet s’est concentrée sur les effets des catégories au détriment de leur émergence. Cette recherche comble cette limite en étudiant le rôle du salon Ethical Fashion Show dans la formation de la catégorie mode éthique. Sur la base d’une analyse qualitative d’entretiens, de données secondaires, d’observations et d’objets, elle analyse les pratiques visant à formaliser le projet critique de la mode éthique, à définir ses principes et à diffuser la catégorie. L’article offre quatre contributions. Il révèle le rôle de la critique dans l’émergence des catégories. Il montre que leur contenu est façonné par des pratiques de purification et d’hybridation. Il éclaire le rôle des porte-paroles dans la diffusion des catégories. Enfin, en s’inspirant de la théorie de l’acteur-réseau, il théorise la catégorisation comme un processus de traduction.
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Hammond Drayton A. , Smith Melanie N. , Lee Kristen C. , Honein Danielle , Quidley April Miller
Published: September 2016

Heart failure (HF) is a societal burden due to its high prevalence, frequent admissions for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), and the economic impact of direct and indirect costs associated with HF and ADHF. Common etiologies of ADHF include medication and diet noncompliance, arrhythmias, deterioration in renal function, poorly controlled hypertension, myocardial infarction, and infections. Appropriate medical management of ADHF in patients is guided by the identification of signs and symptoms of fluid overload or low cardiac output and utilization of evidence-based practices. In patients with fluid overload, various strategies for diuresis or ultrafiltration may be considered. Depending on hemodynamics and patient characteristics, vasodilator, inotropic, or vasopressor therapies may be of benefit. Upon ADHF resolution, patients should be medically optimized, have lifestyle modifications discussed and implemented, and medication concierge service considered. After discharge, a multidisciplinary HF team should follow up with the patient to ensure a safe transition of care. This review article evaluates the management options and considerations when treating a patient with ADHF.
Assessment of bone healing ability of calcium phosphate cements loaded with platelet lysate in rat calvarial defects
Authors: Babo Pedro S , Carvalho Pedro P , Santo Vítor E , Faria Susana , Gomes Manuela E , Reis Rui L
Published: September 2016

Injectable calcium phosphate cements have been used as a valid alternative to autologous bone grafts for bone augmentation with the additional advantage of enabling minimally invasive implantation procedures and for perfectly fitting the tissue defect. Nevertheless, they have low biodegradability and lack adequate biochemical signaling to promote bone healing and remodeling. In previous in vitro studies, we observed that the incorporation of platelet lysate directly into the cement paste or loaded in hyaluronic acid microspheres allowed to modulate the cement degradation and the in vitro expression of osteogenic markers in seeded human adipose derived stem cells. The present study aimed at investigating the possible effect of this system in new bone formation when implanted in calvarial bilateral defects in rats. Different formulations were assessed, namely plain calcium phosphate cements, calcium phosphate cements loaded with human platelet lysate, hybrid injectable formulations composed of the calcium phosphate cement incorporating hyaluronin acid non-loaded microparticles (20% hyaluronin acid) or with particles loaded with platelet lysate. The degradability and new bone regrowth were evaluated in terms of mineral volume in the defect, measured by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis upon 4, 8 and 12 weeks of implantation. We observed that the incorporation of hyaluronin acid microspheres induced an overly rapid cement degradation, impairing the osteoconductive properties of the cement composites. Moreover, the incorporation of platelet lysate induced higher bone healing than the materials without platelet lysate, up to four weeks after surgery. Nevertheless, this effect was not found to be significant when compared to the one observed in the sham-treated group.
Neighborhood Context and Youth Physical Activity: Differential Associations by Gender and Age
Authors: Kowaleski-Jones Lori , Fan Jessie X. , Wen Ming , Hanson Heidi
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

The goal of this research is to examine the extent to which facets of neighborhood sociodemographic contexts influence individual-level physical activity (PA) among youth.

Design:

Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), geographic information systems (GIS), and census data sources, we explicitly test whether built environment factors have differential associations depending on the age and gender of the youth living in urban census tracts.

Setting:

Participants are from the NHANES 2003 to 2006 waves.

Participants:

The study sample for this article was 2706 youth aged 6 to 17 years with valid PA accelerometer measures.

Measures:

A measure of park accessibility was constructed from the 2006 park GIS layer in Environmental System Research Institute ArcGIS 9.3 data. Average daily minutes of moderate to vigorous PA in bouts equal to or longer than 1 minute were recorded using accelerometers over 4 to 7 days.

Analysis:

Analysis was conducted with SAS 9.2, including descriptive analyses and linear regression for PA.

Results:

Findings suggest that built environment features are especially salient for adolescents and youth living in urban areas. Vigorous activity varied by the age and gender of the youth. For example, greater distance to parks is associated with a decrease in PA among girls and boys aged 6 to 11 years. Among teens, distance to parks is significantly associated with decreases in PA among the total sample and among male teens. However, an increase in population density is associated with less time spent in PA among youth aged 6 to 11 years but more PA among teens.

Conclusion:

These analyses represent an important step to considering the implications of modifiable environmental features for youth and contrast with existing literature for adults. Results speak to the efficacy of built environment measures in urban communities and the importance of considering the possibility of differing patterns of associations in childhood and adolescence and by gender. Results from this research inform policy efforts to interdict in the growing trend of youth inactivity in the United States.
PEEK-OPTIMA™ as an alternative to cobalt chrome in the femoral component of total knee replacement: A preliminary study
Authors: Cowie Raelene M , Briscoe Adam , Fisher John , Jennings Louise M
Published: September 2016

PEEK-OPTIMA™ (Invibio Ltd, UK) has been considered as an alternative joint arthroplasty bearing material due to its favourable mechanical properties and the biocompatibility of its wear debris. In this study, the potential to use injection moulded PEEK-OPTIMA™ as an alternative to cobalt chrome in the femoral component of a total knee replacement was investigated in terms of its wear performance. Experimental wear simulation of three cobalt chrome and three PEEK-OPTIMA™ femoral components articulating against all-polyethylene tibial components was carried out under two kinematic conditions: 3 million cycles under intermediate kinematics (maximum anterior-posterior displacement of 5 mm) followed by 3 million cycles under high kinematic conditions (anterior-posterior displacement 10 mm). The wear of the GUR1020 ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene tibial components was assessed by gravimetric analysis; for both material combinations under each kinematic condition, the mean wear rates were low, that is, below 5 mm3/million cycles. Specifically, under intermediate kinematic conditions, the wear rate of the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene tibial components was 0.96 ± 2.26 mm3/million cycles and 2.44 ± 0.78 mm3/million cycle against cobalt chrome and PEEK-OPTIMA™ implants, respectively (p = 0.06); under high kinematic conditions, the wear rates were 2.23 ± 1.85 mm3/million cycles and 4.44 ± 2.35 mm3/million cycles, respectively (p = 0.03). Following wear simulation, scratches were apparent on the surface of the PEEK-OPTIMA™ femoral components. The surface topography of the femoral components was assessed using contacting profilometry and showed a statistically significant increase in measured surface roughness of the PEEK-OPTIMA™ femoral components compared to the cobalt chrome implants. However, this did not appear to influence the wear rate, which remained linear over the duration of the study. These preliminary findings showed that PEEK-OPTIMA™ gives promise as an alternative bearing material to cobalt chrome alloy in the femoral component of a total knee replacement with respect to wear performance.
Reinforcing information literacy development through a subject-focused resource-based project
Authors: Yu Halida , Abrizah A. , E.R.K Rafedzi , Abdullah Siti Nurul Maryam
Published: September 2016

This paper discusses the findings of research investigating the implementation of a resource-based school history project in Malaysian secondary schools. It seeks to understand how the project contributes towards students’ information literacy development. The study took place in selected secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 23 students and 5 teachers from four schools participated in the study, employing (a) student focus group interviews, (b) teacher individual interviews, (c) observation, and (d) document analysis as the data collection techniques. In general, although the history project is considered a “research” project by teachers and students, it is found to be a cursory information-gathering and information-compilation type of assignment, which is fully guided by the project guidelines or instructions. While teachers employ a mixture of teaching approaches in the project instruction, the efforts are concentrated on subject matter-related issues such as subject content and project instructions fulfillment. The larger learning experience such as information literacy and learning skills development, as well as research and report writing enhancement, appear to be overlooked in the instructions. The findings also show that (a) information literacy is loosely defined, (b) the “information gathering and information compilation” of the project task is of a superficial nature, and (c) inadequate guidance from teachers has resulted in low information literacy development among students. This study highlights the critical need to address information literacy in the education system, design resource-based assignments with a clear information literacy focus, and the importance of support from teachers for successful development. It provides a foundation for further research on the development of information literacy-focused resource-based school project assignments.
Challenges in implementing an advance care planning programme in long-term care
Authors: McGlade Ciara , Daly Edel , McCarthy Joan , Cornally Nicola , Weathers Elizabeth , O’Caoimh Rónán , Molloy D William
Published: September 2016

Background:

A high prevalence of cognitive impairment and frailty complicates the feasibility of advance care planning in the long-term-care population.

Research aim:

To identify challenges in implementing the ‘Let Me Decide’ advance care planning programme in long-term-care.

Research design:

This feasibility study had two phases: (1) staff education on advance care planning and (2) structured advance care planning by staff with residents and families.

Participants and research context:

long-term-care residents in two nursing homes and one community hospital.

Ethical considerations:

The local research ethics committee granted ethical approval.

Findings:

Following implementation, over 50% of all residents had completed some form of end-of-life care plan. Of the 70 residents who died in the post-implementation period, 14% had no care plan, 10% (with capacity) completed an advance care directive and lacking such capacity, 76% had an end-of-life care plan completed for them by the medical team, following discussions with the resident (if able) and family. The considerable logistical challenge of releasing staff for training triggered development of an e-learning programme to facilitate training.

Discussion:

The challenges encountered were largely concerned with preserving resident’s autonomy, avoiding harm and suboptimal or crisis decision-making, and ensuring residents were treated fairly through optimisation of finite resources.

Conclusions:

Although it may be too late for many long-term-care residents to complete their own advance care directive, the ‘ Let Me Decide’ programme includes a feasible and acceptable option for structured end-of-life care planning for residents with variable capacity to complete an advance care directive, involving discussion with the resident (to the extent they were able) and their family. While end-of-life care planning was time-consuming to deliver, nursing staff were willing to overcome this and take ownership of the programme, once the benefits in improved communication and enhanced peace of mind among all parties involved became apparent in practice.
Predictors of Work-Family Role Conflict and Its Impact on Professional Women in Medicine, Engineering, and Information Technology in Nigeria
Authors: Uzoigwe Anthonia Ginika , Low Wah Yun , Noor Siti Nurani Mohd
Published: September 2016

This study examines work-family role conflict and the factors predicting it, with a sample of 173 professional women in engineering and information technology (IT) firms, including 2 hospitals—1 public and 1 private. Our findings show no significant difference in the level of work-family role conflict encountered by women across medicine, engineering, and IT, whereas hours of work, family responsibilities, job demand, and work role overload were significantly correlated with work-family role conflict. Multiple linear regression analysis indicates that only work role overload, family responsibilities, and hours of work significantly predicted 45.9% of work-family role conflict. This implies that working women are burdened by work demands, which invariably affects the work-family role conflict they experience and leads to deterioration of their occupational health. It is suggested that employers should create a flexible work schedule and establish family-friendly policies in the workplace to promote a healthy work-life balance for women in science careers.
Intralaboratory development and evaluation of a high-performance liquid chromatography–fluorescence method for detection and quantitation of aflatoxins M1, B1, B2, G1, and G2 in animal liver
Authors: Shao Dahai , Imerman Paula M. , Schrunk Dwayne E. , Ensley Steve M. , Rumbeiha Wilson K.
Published: September 2016

Aflatoxins are potent mycotoxins with effects that include hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, and suppression of animal growth and production. The etiologic diagnosis of aflatoxicosis, which is largely based on analysis of contaminated feed matrices, has significant disadvantages given the fact that representative feed samples may not be available and feed-based test methods are not confirmatory of an etiologic diagnosis. A tissue-based analytical method for biomarkers of exposure would be valuable for confirmation of aflatoxicosis. We describe in-house development and evaluation of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection and precolumn derivatization for determination of aflatoxins M1, B1, B2, G1, and G2 in animal liver. The method demonstrates good selectivity for the tested aflatoxins in the liver matrix. The overall range was 0.03–0.10 ng/g for limit of detection and 0.09–0.18 ng/g for limit of quantitation. The correlation coefficient ( R2) of calibration curves was >0.9978 for AFM1, 0.9995 for AFB1, 0.9986 for AFB2, 0.9983 for AFG1, and 0.9980 for AFG2. For fortification levels of 0.2–10 ng/g, repeatability was 10–18% for AFM1, 7–14% for AFB1, 5–14% for AFB2, 6–16% for AFG1, and 10–15% for AFG2. Recovery was 52–57% for AFM1, 54–62% for AFB1, 55–61% for AFB2, 57–67% for AFG1, and 61–65% for AFG2. There was no liver matrix effect found. The method is rugged against minor changes based on the selected factors. The results indicate that the proposed method is suitable for quantitative determination of aflatoxins M1, B1, B2, G1, and G2 in liver.
Rhetorical Move Structure in High-Tech Marketing White Papers
Authors: Campbell Kim Sydow , Naidoo Jefrey S.
Published: September 2016

White papers are commonly produced by for-profit organizations to market high-tech products and services and are often created by technical writers. But writers of this genre have little evidence-based research to guide them. To fill this void, the authors tested a rhetorical move structure with a sample of 20 top-rated marketing white papers and found that, despite the lack of industry standards for white papers, those written for marketing purposes display similar rhetorical moves: introducing the business problem, occupying the business solution niche, prompting action, establishing credibility, and providing disclaimers or legal considerations. Based on the results of this study, the authors advance guidelines for writers of this genre and suggest areas for future research.
Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Depolarization as a Marker of Platelet Apoptosis
Authors: Gyulkhandanyan Armen V. , Allen David J. , Mykhaylov Sergiy , Lyubimov Elena , Ni Heyu , Freedman John , Leytin Valery
Published: September 2016

Availability of universal marker for the diagnosis of platelet apoptosis is an important but currently unresolved goal of platelet physiology investigations. Mitochondrial inner transmembrane potential (▵Ψm) depolarization is frequently used as a marker of apoptosis in nucleated cells and anucleate platelets. Since ▵Ψm depolarization in platelets is also frequently associated with concurrent induction of other apoptotic responses, it may appear that ▵Ψm depolarization is a good universal marker of platelet apoptosis. However, data presented in the current study indicate that this is incorrect. We report here fundamental differences in the effects of potassium ionophore valinomycin and calcium ionophore A23187 on human platelet apoptosis. Although both A23187-triggered and valinomycin-triggered ▵Ψm depolarization are strongly induced, the former is dependent on the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and the latter is MPTP-independent. Furthermore, effects of calcium and potassium ionophores on other apoptotic events are also basically different. A23187 induces caspase-3 activation, proapoptotic Bax and Bak protein expression, phosphatidylserine exposure, and microparticle formation, whereas valinomycin does not induce these apoptotic manifestations. Discovery of targeted ▵Ψm depolarization not associated with apoptosis in valinomycin-treated platelets indicates that this marker should not be used as a single universal marker of platelet apoptosis in unknown experimental and clinical settings as it may lead to a false-positive apoptosis diagnosis.
The Khorana Score in Predicting Venous Thromboembolism for Patients With Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma and Variant Histology Treated With Chemotherapy
Authors: Ramos Jorge D. , Casey Martin F. , Bamias Aristotelis , De Giorgi Ugo , Bellmunt Joaquim , Harshman Lauren C. , Ladoire Sylvain , Wong Yu-Ning , Alva Ajjai S. , Rosenberg Jonathan E. , Galsky Matthew D. , Yu Evan Y. ,   Retrospective International Study of Cancers of the Urothelium (RISC) Investigators
Published: September 2016

Background:

The Khorana score is a predictive risk model for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer planning to receive chemotherapy. Urothelial carcinoma and variant histologies (UC/VH) were underrepresented in the model. We sought to evaluate whether the Khorana score predicts for VTE in a retrospective multinational data set of patients with metastatic UC/VH.

Methods:

Patients diagnosed with metastatic UC/VH who received chemotherapy were eligible. Those with incomplete or miscoded data were excluded. Khorana scores were calculated based on the pretreatment data and categorized into high (≥3) or intermediate (1-2) VTE risk. Other patient-, tumor-, and therapy-related factors were also analyzed. The χ2 and logistic regression analyses were used to assess differences in VTE rates based on the clinical characteristics. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the Khorana score and associated variables for early (<3 months) and late (>3 months) VTE.

Results:

A total of 943 patients were eligible for analysis. The cumulative VTE rate was 9.9%. There was no statistical difference in overall VTE rate between Khorana high- and intermediate-risk groups ( P = .16). In the multivariate analysis, nonurothelial histology (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56; P = .002) and the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or CVD risk factors (OR = 2.14; P = .002) were associated with increased VTE risk. In the first 3 months from initiation of chemotherapy, Khorana high risk (OR = 2.08; P = .04) was associated with higher VTE rates. White blood cell (WBC) count (OR = 1.05; P = .04) was the only significant Khorana variable for early VTE.

Conclusions:

The Khorana score stratifies early but not overall VTE risk in patients with metastatic UC/VH. The WBC count drives the increased early VTE risk seen with the Khorana score.
Concomitant Use of Proton-Pump Inhibitors and Clopidogrel Increases the Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Ischemic Stroke Carrying Reduced-Function CYP2C19*2
Authors: Yi Xingyang , Han Zhao , Zhou Qiang , Cheng Wen , Lin Jing , Wang Chun
Published: September 2016

Objective:

Conflicting data exist as to whether proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) diminish the efficacy of clopidogrel. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cytochrome P450 ( CYP) genetic variants and clinical adverse outcomes of concomitant use of PPIs and clopidogrel by patients.

Methods:

We consecutively enrolled 523 patients with ischemic stroke receiving clopidogrel. Platelet aggregation was measured before and after 7 to 10 days of clopidogrel treatment. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2C19*2, and CYP2C19*3 were examined using mass spectrometry. The primary outcome was a composite of recurrent ischemic stroke (RIS), myocardial infarction (MI), and vascular death that occurred during the 1-year follow-up period. The safety outcome was hemorrhagic episodes that occurred during the 1-year follow-up period.

Results:

This study comprised a total of 523 patients with IS, 96.3% (155/161) patients treated with PPIs and 95.9% (347/362) in patients treated without PPIs completed 1-year follow-up. The primary outcome was observed in 69 (13.7%) patients (56 RIS, 7 MI, and 6 died). There was no significant difference in the frequencies of primary outcome and safety outcome between patients treated with or without PPIs. The frequency of primary outcome was significantly higher in patients carrying CYP2C19*2 AG/AA genotype receiving PPIs compared with the same genotype in those not receiving PPIs. The PPIs used in patients carrying CYP2C19*2 AG/AA was independently associated with the primary outcome after adjusting for other risk factors.

Conclusions:

The concomitant use of PPIs and clopidogrel may be associated with an increased risk of RIS, MI, or vascular death in patients with IS carrying reduced-function CYP2C19*2.
Killing Me Softly or on the Miseducation of (Love and) Hip Hop
Authors: Boylorn Robin M.
Published: September 2016

In this bluesy poetic prose, the author engages poetry, personal narrative, and performance to reflect on how hip hop served as a soundtrack for her transition to womanhood in the rural south. She uses lyrics from Killing Me Softly (originated by Roberta Flack in the 70s and repopularized by The Fugees in 1996) and other songs from the 90s to tell stories about growing up, love, loss, depression, and abuse situated within her race, culture, sex, and social class. She muses how the cadences of sound and the words of songs helped her become a writer and feminist. She also reflects on how her formal and informal education has informed and been informed by her relationship to hip hop, which at times has fluctuated from fixation to disillusionment.
Song Writing as Reflexive Practice
Authors: Douglas Kitrina
Published: September 2016

I would like to contribute to the “songbook of our lives” inquiry through a performance which takes two perspectives on songs. The first of these is from the perspective of an individual who is moved by songs, the second, as a songwriter/researcher/autoethnographer moved to write songs from my research. In the former, I share story fragments that reveal how my life, body, and story has been touched, shaped, and moved by music and lyrics and through narrative fragments trace some of the beginnings of this journey. In the latter, story fragments reveal how song writing has become a way to counter silence, lack of knowing how to respond, and as a way to stand with participants where together we might find a voice of resistance, communion, and transcendence.