bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Refugees, readmission agreements, and 'safe' third countries: A recipe for refoulement?
Authors: Caron Hallee
Published: November 2017

As states in the global North have adapted to the changing nature of irregular immigration through the adoption of legal instruments such as readmission agreements, academics in international relations (IR) and international law as well as human rights organizations have responded by critiquing failed attempts at refugee protection, putting forward their own frameworks, and documenting human rights violations and/or breaches of international law. Drawing upon Jennifer Hyndman and Alison Mountz's argument that current policies contribute to the externalization of asylum as well as Alexander Betts's work on cross-persuasion, this paper argues that readmission agreements with 'safe third country' clauses are inherently problematic in terms of refugee protection. Specifically, it examines the 1992 Readmission Agreement between Spain and Morocco as a way to investigate how these agreements work in practice as well as an illustration of how the North-South impasse (identified by Betts) is reified in international law. Focusing on readmission agreements with safe third country clauses and supplementing academic research on treaty interpretation and international law with analysis by policy experts and reports from human rights organizations, the analysis considers the consequences of third- party readmission agreements with regards to international cooperation on refugee protection.
Updated checklist and conservation status of Cactaceae in the state of Durango, Mexico
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-ELIZONDO MARTHA , GONZÁLEZ-ELIZONDO M. SOCORRO , GONZÁLEZ-GALLEGOS JESÚS GUADALUPE , TENA-FLORES JORGE A. , LÓPEZ ENRIQUEZ I. LORENA , RUACHO-GONZÁLEZ LIZETH , RETANA-RENTERÍA F. ISELA
Published: November 2017

An updated and annotated checklist of Cactaceae in the Mexican state of Durango is provided, supported by a thorough examination of specialized literature and herbarium specimens, as well as field work. Additionally, geographical distribution, endemism and conservation status of the species were analyzed based on a compiled data matrix with 2326 georeferenced records. Cactaceae comprises 137 species and 29 genera in Durango, which represent a high proportion of the Mexican cactus flora: 46−58% at the generic level and 20−23% at the specific level. The estimated richness according to Chao-2 and Jackknife-1 is 143 and 151 species respectively, which means that the inventory we present here for the Cactaceae of Durango is complete in 91 to 96%.  Since no herbarium specimens nor registers in reliable data bases were found to support their presence in the area, 46 taxa were excluded; even so, this inventory increases by 30% the cacti richness previously reported for Durango and provides new information on the distribution range of many species. The richest genera are Mammillaria, Opuntia, Coryphantha and Echinocereus. The highest concentration of species occurs in the arid and semiarid zone of eastern Durango, although there are also some spots with significant richness in the tropical region on the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Occidental. 75% of the species are endemic to Mexico, 41% are regional endemics and 5% are restricted to Durango. New records and relevant novelties are also discussed.
An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea)
Authors: FALLAHZADEH MAJID , JAPOSHVILI GEORGE
Published: November 2017

An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) is presented based on literature records from 1947–2016. The current list includes 159 species representing 48 genera. Parasitoid-host associations in Iran and distributional data are also provided. Twelve encyrtid species (7.55%) are known only from Iran but a high number of species (68 species, 42.77%) are widely distributed in the Palaearctic region. Four species previously listed from Iran, Metaphycus angustifrons Compere, 1957, Homalotylus ephippium (Ruschka, 1923), H. sinensis Xu & He, 1997, and Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Howard, 1910) are no longer considered present. Hosts of Iranian encyrtid species are tabulated by order and family, with the majority being Hemiptera (66.98%), followed by Lepidoptera and Coleoptera (each 9.44%), Diptera (6.60%), Hymenoptera (4.71%) and Neuroptera (2.83%). The majority of Encyrtidae known in Iran are parasitoids of the superfamily Coccoidea (46.22%). Host-plant associations of Iranian Encyrtidae are also tabulated, by plant family.
On the identity and status of Darala lineosa (Lepidoptera: Eupterotidae)
Authors: PRINS WILLY DE
Published: November 2017

In 1862, F. Walker described Darala lineosa in the family Liparidae (now Erebidae, subfamily Lymantriinae) on a single female (he stated that it is a male but see Swinhoe 1892: 209) from Australia (Walker 1862: 269). The genus Darala is now considered a synonym of the large genus Anthela which belongs to the Anthelidae, a family entirely confined to the Australian region with representatives in Australia and New Guinea (Edwards & Fairey 1996: 258). These authors mention 61 Anthela species with about the same amount of synonymic species-group names, but they do not cite Darala lineosa, already indicating that this species does not belong to the Australian fauna and hence that the indication of “Australia” in the original description, and repeated in Walker (1865: 369), is erroneous.
Nonpharmacist Health Care Providers’ Knowledge of and Opinions Regarding Medication Costs in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Hammond Drayton A. , Chiu Tiffany , Painter Jacob T. , Meena Nikhil
Published: November 2017

Purpose: Medication cost is frequently overlooked when treating critically ill patients. Stewardship of health care resources in high-utilization settings is imperative. This study was conducted to determine nonpharmacist health care providers’ knowledge and perceptions of medication costs in a medical intensive care unit (MICU). Methods: Nonpharmacist health care providers in a MICU completed a 27-item survey. The survey queried perceptions regarding medication cost, cost-limiting strategies, and most/least expensive medications in 8 classes, medication price ranges, and intravenous-to-oral comparisons for commonly prescribed medications. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared between providers using Fisher exact tests. Results: Among 98 health care providers (76 medical trainees, 5 attending physicians, 17 nurses), when ordering a medication, 49% consider its cost. Few (15%) providers considered themselves knowledgeable regarding medication costs with no difference between providers ( P = .174). Attending physicians were more aware of the most/least expensive medications than residents (correct out of 16: 9.6 vs 8.5, P = .044). The correct price ranges for select medications (11%-36%, P = .373) and intravenous-to-oral relative costs (3%-49%, P = .596) were similarly low. Most (59%) believed pharmacists limit expensive medication use, particularly senior physicians (58% resident vs 100% attending, P = .007). Conclusion: In spite of a goal of cost consideration, most nonpharmacist health care providers are unaware of medication costs and fail to include them in decision making. These knowledge gaps and perceptions should inform future efforts to improve knowledge and attitudes regarding medication costs.
ISMP Adverse Drug Reactions: Influenza Vaccine–Induced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Vilazodone-Induced Nightmares; Dabigatran-Induced Pustular Eruptions; Neurotoxic and Cardiotoxic Symptoms After Cannabis Concentrate Exposure; Rosuvastatin-Induced Skin Eruption
Authors: Mancano Michael A.
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this feature is to heighten awareness of specific adverse drug reactions (ADRs), discuss methods of prevention, and promote reporting of ADRs to the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch program (800-FDA-1088). If you have reported an interesting, preventable ADR to MedWatch, please consider sharing the account with our readers. Write to Dr. Mancano at ISMP, 200 Lakeside Drive, Suite 200, Horsham, PA 19044 (phone: 215-707-4936; e-mail: mmancano@temple.edu ). Your report will be published anonymously unless otherwise requested. This feature is provided by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) in cooperation with the FDA’s MedWatch program and Temple University School of Pharmacy. ISMP is an FDA MedWatch partner.
Open government and citizen participation: an empirical analysis of citizen expectancy towards open government data
Authors: Wirtz Bernd W. , Weyerer Jan C. , Rösch Michael
Published: November 2017

Citizens are at the heart of open government, and their participation represents a fundamental principle of the latter. Despite their essential role and the great potential benefits open government holds for the public, challenges of use among citizens persist. Previous empirical research has scarcely addressed these issues from a citizen perspective. This study investigates the determinants of open government data use by citizens in Germany. Our results indicate that ease of use, usefulness, as well as transparency, participation and collaboration expectancies significantly determine citizens’ intention to use open government data, which in turn positively affects their word-of-mouth intention. Overall, the findings not only contribute to our understanding of citizen behavior in the context of open government research, especially shedding light on the key aspects of citizens’ usage intention, but also provide implications for both researchers and practitioners.

Points for practitioners

Citizen-based use of open government data (OGD) has multiple facets that practitioners should be aware of. Public administration needs to take account of the important role of accessibility and usability in providing OGD services, with the objective of meeting the major challenge of enabling equal access for all populations via appropriate channels and customization. The content-related preparation of OGD services should seek to enhance transparency, participation and collaboration, raising and shaping respective expectations among citizens. Finally, practitioners should pay particular attention to the opportunities and risks associated with word-of-mouth communication in the context of OGD.
Short-term load forecasting coupled with weather profile generation methodology
Authors: Zhu Guangya , Chow Tin-Tai , Tse Norman
Published: November 2017

Short-term building load forecasting is indispensable in daily operation of future intelligent/green buildings, particularly in formulating system control strategies and assessing the associated environmental impacts. Most previous research works have been focused on studying the advancement in forecasting techniques, but not as much on evaluating the availability of influential factors like the predicted weather profile in the coming hours. This article proposes an improved procedure to predict the building load 24 hours ahead, together with a backup weather profile generating method. The quality of the proposed weather profile generation model and the forecasting procedures were examined through a case study of application to university academic buildings. The results showed that the load forecasting accuracy with the application of either the real weather data on record or of the predicted weather data from the profile generation model is very much similar. This indicates that the weather prediction model is suitable for applying to building load forecasting. Besides, the comparisons between different sets of input data illustrated that the forecasting accuracy can be improved through the input data filtering and regrouping procedures.

Practical application: A weather profile prediction technique for use in building energy forecasting was introduced. This can be coupled to a building energy use forecasting model for predicting the hourly consumption profile of the next day. This prediction time span can be crucial for formulating the daily operation plan of the utility systems or for smart micro-grid applications. The appropriateness of the methodology was evaluated through a case study.
Hybrid Experiments in Higher Education
Authors: Kleinman Daniel Lee , Feinstein Noah Weeth , Downey Greg , Peterson Sigrid , Fukada Chisato
Published: November 2017

In response to the many pressures facing public higher education, public universities are experimenting with business-oriented practices that seem likely to alter their nature and purposes. In this paper, we examine several hybrid experiments—new organizational strategies intended deliberately, sometimes explicitly, to hybridize the traditional norms and practices associated with academia and business at one emblematic public university. These cases illustrate how each hybrid experiment is a tacit response to existing norms and strategies that govern the university–business boundary, initiated as a hedge against the challenging fiscal and political climate. Taken together, they do not lead to a unitary and/or linear spread of business codes and practices. Instead, what some have referred to as “business logic” appears multifaceted, having many elements that are deployed, institutionalized, and perceived differently in different contexts, even within a single university.
Bone and Joint Medical Devices: Methods, Models, and Regulations
Authors: Wancket Lyn M.
Published: November 2017

Repair of bone and joint tissue to restore normal function is a unique endeavor that requires recreating tissue structure and the integrated healing of both organic and inorganic tissue components. Session 5 (Structural approaches to bone and joint repair) at the 36th annual Society of Toxicologic Pathology Annual Symposium included 2 talks covering methods, models, and regulatory considerations used to evaluate novel approaches for repairing bones and joints. Lyn Wancket provided a general overview of medical devices, with an emphasis on preclinical and clinical evaluations of bone and joint devices. Karen Manhart outlined regulatory review of medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration. This summary includes highlights from both talks.
WNT-mediated Modulation of Bone Metabolism: Implications for WNT Targeting to Treat Extraskeletal Disorders
Authors: Bullock Whitney A. , Robling Alexander G.
Published: November 2017

The WNT-signaling pathway is involved in cellular and tissue functions that control such diverse processes as body axis patterning, cellular proliferation, differentiation, and life span. The long list of molecules that can participate or modify WNT signaling makes this pathway one of the most complex in cell biology. In bone tissues, WNT signaling is required for proper skeletal development, and human mutations in various components of the cascade revealed insights into pharmacologic targeting that can be harnessed to improve skeletal health. In particular, mutations in genes that code for the WNT-signaling inhibitor sclerostin or the WNT coreceptor lipoprotein receptor–related protein 5 have highlighted the potential therapeutic value of recapitulating those effects in patients with low bone mass. A constant challenge in this area is selectively modifying WNT components in the tissue of interest, as WNT has manifold effects in nearly every tissue.
Acquisition of Japanese quantity contrasts by L1 Cantonese speakers
Authors: Lee Albert , Mok Peggy
Published: November 2017

This article explores the acquisition of Japanese vowel and consonant quantity contrasts by Cantonese learners. Our goal is to examine whether transfer from first language (L1) is possible when L1 experience is phonemic but restricted to a small set of sounds (short vs. long vowels) and when the experience is non-phonemic, derived only at morpheme boundaries (short vs. long consonants). We recruited 20 Cantonese learners (beginner and advanced learners) and 5 native speakers of Japanese, who produced target stimuli varying in consonant and vowel quantity framed in a carrier sentence. The resultant data were converted into several durational ratios for analyses. Results showed that both the beginners and advanced learners were able to distinguish between short vs. long vowels and consonants in Japanese, but only the native speakers enhanced the contrasts in slower speech. It was also found that in most cases the learners were able to lengthen the vowel before a geminate (i.e. long consonant), a secondary cue to Japanese consonant quantity known to be rare across languages. These results are discussed in terms of current theories of second language acquisition.
Achievement Goals and Engagement With Academic Work in Early High School: Does Seeking Help From Teachers Matter?
Authors: Duchesne Stéphane , Larose Simon , Feng Bei
Published: November 2017

The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine seeking help from teachers as a mechanism mediating the relationship between achievement goals adopted by students early in the school year and their degree of behavioral and cognitive engagement in academic work almost 2 years later. A sample of 456 French Canadian students (215 boys; 240 girls; one unspecified) in Grade 7 (61%) and Grade 8 (39%) participated in the study. Results of structural equation modeling showed that mastery goals (approach and avoidance) were indirect predictors of both behavioral and cognitive engagement through seeking help from teachers. Performance goals (avoidance, but not approach orientation) were associated with cognitive engagement through help-seeking behaviors. Overall, these results suggest that achievement goals are key drivers of changes in academic engagement in early high school and that their contribution is explained by seeking help from teachers. Practical implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
Can imaging kinetic parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging be valuable in predicting clinicopathological prognostic factors of invasive breast cancer?
Authors: Wang Cuiyan , Wei Wei , Santiago Lumarie , Whitman Gary , Dogan Basak
Published: November 2017

Background

Intrinsic molecular profiling of breast cancer provides clinically relevant information that helps tailor therapy directed to the specific tumor subtype. We hypothesized that dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) derived quantitative kinetic parameters (CD-QKPs) may help predict molecular tumor profiles non-invasively.

Purpose

To determine the association between DCE-MRI (CD-QKPs) and breast cancer clinicopathological prognostic factors.

Material and Methods

Clinicopathological factors in consecutive women with biopsy-confirmed invasive breast cancer who underwent breast DCE-MRI were retrospectively reviewed. Analysis of variance was used to examine associations between prognostic factors and CD-QKPs. Fisher’s exact test was used to investigate the relationship between kinetic curve type and prognostic factors.

Results

A total of 198 women with invasive breast cancer were included. High-grade and HER2+ tumors were more likely to have a washout type curve while luminal A tumors were less likely. High-grade was significantly associated with increased peak enhancement (PE; P = 0.01), enhancement maximum slope (MS; P = 0.03), and mean enhancement ( ME, P = 0.03), while high clinical lymph node stage (cN3) was significantly associated with increased MS and time to peak (tP; P = 0.01). HER2+ tumors were associated with a higher PE ( P = 0.03) and ME ( P = 0.06) than HER2- counterparts, and ER-/HER2+ tumors showed higher PE and ME values than ER+/HER2- tumors ( P = 0.06).

Conclusion

DCE-MRI time-intensity CD-QKPs are associated with high tumor grade, advanced nodal stage, and HER2+ status, indicating their utility as imaging biomarkers.
Sick leave before and after the age of 65 years among those in paid work in Sweden in 2000 or 2005: a register-based cohort study
Authors: Farrants Kristin , Kjeldgård Linnea , Marklund Staffan , Head Jenny , Alexanderson Kristina
Published: November 2017

Objective

With pressure for older people to remain in work, research is needed on how people aged over 65 years fare in the labour market. However, few studies have focused on sick leave among older workers, especially those over the standard retirement age. This study investigated changes in sick-leave patterns among people aged over 65 years still in work.

Methods

All individuals in Sweden who turned 65 years old in 2000 or 2005 were followed from 1995 to 2010. The mean number of sick-leave days per year was measured for those who remained in paid work past the age of 65 years.

Results

Those over 65 years still working had fewer sick-leave days before the age of 65 years than those who retired. They also had fewer sick-leave days after 65 years than before. There were fewer socioeconomic differences after 65 years than before, but these differences were greater for workers over 65 years in the 2005 cohort.

Conclusions

Although there were more people over 65 years in paid work in 2005, sick-leave days and socioeconomic differences in sick leave were lower in this age group. Sick-leave days and socioeconomic differences in sick leave were greater in the 2005 cohort.
Effect of plasticity at out-of-plane electronic speckle pattern interferometry diagnostics of axisymmetric stresses by the hole-drilling method
Authors: Popov Alexander L , Alexandrov Sergei E , Kozintsev Victor M , Levitin Alexander L , Chelyubeev Dmitri A
Published: November 2017

Theoretical, calculated, and experimental results of studies on the registration of the accounting effect of plasticity in the diagnosis of axisymmetric stresses by the hole method and speckle-interferometric detection of the field of normal displacements in its vicinity are presented. Theoretical and computational studies were carried out on a disk model of finite thickness from an ideally elastic–plastic material. The theoretical model considers the formation of elastoplastic deformations in the vicinity of the through hole; the calculated finite element model considers in the vicinity of both through and blind holes of different depths. It was noted that at the blind hole, the most informative are the movements of the axisymmetric bend caused by the violation by the blind hole of symmetry of the disk with respect to its median plane. At the same time, an approximate analytical method has been developed to calculate the stresses that cause only elastic deformations. Experimental studies were carried out on a series of samples in the form of steel disks with axisymmetric stresses near the yield point. These stresses were induced by the hot fit of grinded rings from hardened high-strength steel onto disks made of steel with a low yield strength. Examples are given which show that the stress values determined from normal displacements in the vicinity of the probe holes from the calculated–theoretical and experimental are similar.
Methodological aspects of modeling household solid waste generation in Japan: Evidence from Okayama and Otsu cities
Authors: Gu Binxian , Fujiwara Takeshi , Jia Renfu , Duan Ruiyang , Gu Aijun
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a quantitative methodology and two empirical case studies in Japan on modeling household solid waste (HSW) generation based on individual consumption expenditure (ICE) and local waste policy effects by using the coupled estimation model systems. Results indicate that ICE on food, miscellaneous commodities and services, as well as education, cultural, and recreation services are mainly associated with the changes of HSW generation and its components in Okayama and Otsu from 1980 to 2014. The effects of waste policy measures were also identified. HSW generation in Okayama will increase from 11.60 million tons (mt) in 1980 to 25.02 mt in 2025, and the corresponding figures are 6.82 mt (in 1980) and 14.00 mt (in 2025) in Otsu. To better manage local HSW, several possible and appropriate implications such as promoting a green lifestyle, extending producer responsibility, intensifying recycling and source separation, generalizing composting, and establishing flexible measures and sustainable policies should be adopted. Results of this study would facilitate consumer management of low waste generation and support an effective HSW policy design in the two case cities. Success could lead to emulation by other Japanese cities seeking to build and maintain a sustainable, eco-friendly society. Moreover, the methodologies of establishing coupled estimation model systems could be extended to China and other global cities.
Research Through the App Store: Understanding Participant Behavior on a Mobile English Learning App
Authors: Pham Xuan Lam , Nguyen Thi Huyen , Chen Gwo Dong
Published: November 2017

In this study, we analyzed usages behaviors of 53,825 active users from 12 countries in a mobile app called “English Practice.” The data indicated that the app was used most often in the evening from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., and especially midweek, with less use at weekends and on Mondays. Learners used the app for about 5 minutes each session and averaged 10 uses before uninstalling it. The data also provided evidence that there were differences in each country. From the findings, it is suggested that (a) learning tasks be simplified and content reduced for each session, (b) announcements not be made in the early morning or on the weekend as these are easily overlooked, and (c) as user behavior in each country is different, each group be better understood when delivering learning content and designing the app interface. Finally, we concluded that publishing apps in the app store can provide valuable data regarding app users’ behaviors.
Treatment Profile and 1-Year Mortality Among Nontraumatic Intensive Care Unit Patients With Alcohol-Related Health Problems
Authors: Hietanen Siiri , Ala-Kokko Tero , Ohtonen Pasi , Käkelä Riikka , Niemelä Solja , Liisanantti Janne H.
Published: November 2017

Background:

Long-term excessive use of alcohol leads to severe complications, which often require treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to report on the associations between alcohol-related health problems and treatment profile, as well as 1-year mortality among patients with nontrauma-related ICU admissions.

Methods:

Information on the history of alcohol-related health problems or excessive alcohol use and ICU treatment was collected retrospectively from electronic medical records and ICU patient data management systems at Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Information on 1-year mortality was obtained from the Finnish Population Register Center.

Results:

According to the medical records, in a total of 899 admissions, 32.9% (n = 296) of patients had a history of alcohol-related problems. In the alcohol group, intoxications were more frequent and respiratory and cardiovascular causes were less frequent, compared to those without alcohol-related problems. Patients without alcohol-related problems had a higher rate of previous comorbidities compared with the alcohol group. There were no differences concerning age, severity of illness scores, length of stay, or intensive care outcome. Mortality during the 1-year follow-up was 32.8% in total: 35.1% among those without alcohol-related history and 28.0% in the alcohol group ( P = .041). The difference in mortality appeared during the first month following admission and remained throughout the follow-up period. The highest 1-year mortality (59.3%) was observed among patients with alcohol-related liver disease.

Conclusion:

Every third patient admitted to ICU used alcohol excessively or had alcohol-related diseases, and those patients with alcohol-related liver disease had the poorest 1-year survival rate. We found higher long-term mortality in nonalcohol-related admissions, which can be explained by the case mix, including a lower rate of chronic diseases, such as malignancies and coronary artery disease, and a higher rate of low-risk admission diagnoses in the alcohol group.
Dynamic mechanical behaviour of nanoparticle loaded biodegradable PVA films for vaginal drug delivery
Authors: Traore Yannick L , Fumakia Miral , Gu Jijin , Ho Emmanuel A
Published: November 2017

In this study, we investigated the viscoelastic and mechanical behaviour of polyvinyl alcohol films formulated along with carrageenan, plasticizing agents (polyethylene glycol and glycerol), and when loaded with nanoparticles as a model for potential applications as microbicides. The storage modulus, loss modulus and glass transition temperature were determined using a dynamic mechanical analyzer. Films fabricated from 2% to 5% polyvinyl alcohol containing 3 mg or 5 mg of fluorescently labeled nanoparticles were evaluated. The storage modulus and loss modulus values of blank films were shown to be higher than the nanoparticle-loaded films. Glass transition temperature determined using the storage modulus, and loss modulus was between 40–50℃ and 35–40℃, respectively. The tensile properties evaluated showed that 2% polyvinyl alcohol films were more elastic but less resistant to breaking compared to 5% polyvinyl alcohol films (2% films break around 1 N load and 5% films break around 7 N load). To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the influence of nanoparticle and film composition on the physico-mechanical properties of polymeric films for vaginal drug delivery.
Human acellular amniotic membrane: A potential osteoinductive biomaterial for bone regeneration
Authors: Tang Kai , Wu Jiayi , Xiong Zekang , Ji Yanhui , Sun Tingfang , Guo Xiaodong
Published: November 2017

Human acellular amniotic membrane is an acellular, naturally extracellular matrix material with various bioactive factors, which applied in tissue engineering in clinic. Several studies have applied human acellular amniotic membrane in skin and ocular surface tissue engineering to enhance tissue regeneration. However, the application of human acellular amniotic membrane in bone tissue engineering was rarely investigated. The aim of the current study was to investigate the osteoinductivity, angiogenesis and the early molecular changes of human acellular amniotic membrane to bone regeneration. Our results showed that human acellular amniotic membrane with excellent biocompatibility was beneficial for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. In rat femoral defect model, the existence of human acellular amniotic membrane significantly improved bone regeneration in the defects. The gene expression of CXCR-4, MCP-1, OC and CatK which were connected with cells recruitment and bone remodeling, was enhanced in the defects implanted with human acellular amniotic membrane. The results of this study suggest that human acellular amniotic membrane is an osteoinductive biomaterial for bone regeneration.
Examining the Factor Structure of the Coping With Community Violence Scale for Urban Youth
Authors: So Suzanna , Gaylord-Harden Noni K. , Voisin Dexter R.
Published: November 2017

Coping strategies may play an important role in how youth respond to exposure to community violence (ECV) and, in turn, influence the impact of violence exposure on their psychosocial functioning. Unfortunately, the research on coping with ECV has not revealed consistent results, suggesting that the uncontrollable and chronic nature of ECV in low-income, urban communities may require stressor-specific coping strategies. Recent qualitative research identified four types of coping that are specific to ECV for African American adolescents. However, additional quantitative research is needed to understand the adaptiveness of these strategies for African American youth. As such, the current study examined the factor structure of the Coping with Community Violence (CWCV) scale, a measure designed to specifically assess ECV-specific coping strategies, in a sample of 594 African American adolescents ( Mage = 15.85, SD = 1.42). Furthermore, to demonstrate the predictive validity of the CWCV measure, the current study examined the moderating role of these ECV-specific coping strategies in the association between ECV and externalizing behaviors. Results from a confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a three-factor model that included getting through coping, getting away coping, and getting along coping demonstrated a good fit to the data. Moderation analyses demonstrated that getting through coping and getting away coping interacted with ECV to predict externalizing behaviors, but the results differed by participant gender. Results are discussed in regard to unique context of ECV as it relates to coping and psychosocial behavior in African American adolescents affected by violence exposure.
Disagreement in Estimates of Kidney Function for Drug Dosing in Obese Inpatients
Authors: Higdon Emily A. , Kimmons Lauren A. , Duhart Benjamin T. , Hudson Joanna Q.
Published: November 2017

Background:

The Cockcroft-Gault (CG), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations are used to estimate kidney function. However, utility has been questioned in the obese population.

Objective:

To evaluate differences in estimates of kidney function in obese patients and implications for drug dosing.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study of adult inpatients with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and stable kidney function. Patients were categorized based on creatinine clearance (CrCl): group 1—CrCl ≥ 60 mL/min and group 2—CrCl 15 to 59 mL/min. Mean estimates of kidney function and recommended doses of 8 renally eliminated medications were compared.

Results:

For the 166 patients included, mean estimates using CG, MDRD, and CKD-EPI for group 1 were 87 (23) mL/min, 91 (21) mL/min, and 96 (23) mL/min, respectively. Group 2 estimates were 42 (13) mL/min, 51 (15) mL/min, and 51 (16) mL/min, respectively. MDRD and CKD-EPI estimates were significantly higher than CG in 125 (75%) and 140 (84%) patients, respectively. Dose discrepancies were most often due to higher dose recommendations using MDRD or CKD-EPI compared to CG.

Conclusion:

Careful consideration of the method used to estimate kidney function, the method used for developing dosing recommendations, and the risk–benefit profile is warranted when designing drug regimens in obese individuals.
Physical Function, Relocation, and Mortality Outcomes in Residential Care and Assisted Living Residents
Authors: Phillips Lorraine J. , Leary Emily , Blankenship Jody , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: November 2017

Objective: This study aimed to identify predictors of 6-month physical function and 12-month relocation or death in 272 residents of 34 residential care/assisted communities. Method: Measures collected at baseline, 6, and 12 months included health and demographic characteristics; self-reported pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms; exercise self-efficacy, barriers, and expectations; attitudes on aging; performance-based physical function and physical activity; and community demographics, programs, and policies. GLIMMIX procedures for regression analyses with community as a random effect were run. Results: Better baseline physical function and grip strength, female sex, and residential care community predicted better 6-month physical function. At 12 months, 25.6% had relocated or died. The odds of 12-month relocation or death for 1-point increase in physical function score was 0.84 and for 1-point increase in depression score was 1.16. Discussion: Targets to promote longer tenure in residential care/assisted living include programs to ameliorate functional decline and depression screening and treatment.
Contagious Anxiety: Anxious European Americans Can Transmit Their Physiological Reactivity to African Americans
Authors: West Tessa V. , Koslov Katrina , Page-Gould Elizabeth , Major Brenda , Mendes Wendy Berry
Published: November 2017

During interracial encounters, well-intentioned European Americans sometimes engage in subtle displays of anxiety, which can be interpreted as signs of racial bias by African American partners. In the present research, same-race and cross-race stranger dyads ( N = 123) engaged in getting-acquainted tasks, during which measures of sympathetic nervous system responses (preejection period, PEP) and heart rate variability were continuously collected. PEP scores showed that African American partners had stronger physiological linkage to European American partners who evidenced greater anxiety—greater cortisol reactivity, behavioral tension, and self-reported discomfort—which suggests greater physiological responsiveness to momentary changes in partners’ affective states when those partners were anxious. European Americans showed physiological linkage to African American and European American partners, but linkage did not vary as a function of their partner’s anxiety. Using physiological linkage offers a novel approach to understanding how affective responses unfold during dynamic intergroup interactions.
Performance evaluation of the inter-stage labyrinth seal for different tooth positions in an axial compressor
Authors: Kong Xiaozhi , Liu Gaowen , Liu Yuxin , Lei Zhao , Zheng Longxi
Published: November 2017

Labyrinth seals are normally used to control the leakage flow in the compressor stator well. The upstream and downstream rotor-stator cavities of the labyrinth seal can cause complex reverse leakage flows. Remarkable temperature increases and high swirl velocities are observed in this region. In addition, another characteristic of inter-stage labyrinth seal is that large expansions of rotor and stator may easily lead to severely rubbing between the teeth and shrouds, which can shorten the lifetime of the compressor obviously. Experiments were conducted at a rotating compressor inter-stage seal test facility. Different labyrinth rings were tested to compare the performances of inter-stage labyrinth seals with different tooth positions. Leakage flow rates, windage heating and swirl ratios in the outlet cavity were measured at different rotating speeds and pressure ratios. In order to get the working tip clearance accurately, the set up tip clearance was measured with plug gauges, while the radial displacements of rotating disc and stationary casing were measured separately with two high precision laser distance sensors. Numerical simulations were carried out to present the important flow physics responsible for the effects of different tooth positions. In this article, performances of different cases for single, double and triple teeth were investigated and the experimental data provide a new way for the design of inter-stage seals. This method can reduce the leakage flow and avoid severely rubbing at the same time by changing axial positions of teeth in the stator well. When teeth are placed downstream of the model and the tooth pitch is larger, the inter-stage seal would have better sealing performance. For triple teeth cases, N = 3-Case1 has the lowest discharge coefficients, 15% less than that of N = 3-Baseline.
Evaluation of prevulcanisate relaxed modulus of prevulcanised natural rubber latex using Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Lim Chin Hock , Sirisomboon Panmanas
Published: November 2017

The analysis of the cross-link density of prevulcanised natural rubber latex using near infrared spectroscopy was conducted using a Fourier transform near infrared spectrometer in diffuse reflection mode over the wavenumber range of 12500–3600 cm−1. As the density of cross-link is an indication of the degree of cure, hence the properties of the latex products, the proposed method is useful for industrial purposes. For samples of prevulcanised latex of 50% total solids content (i.e. PV 50%) at 100% extension (prevulcanisate relaxed modulus 100%), the best model was developed using the partial least squares regression from the spectra, which were pre-treated using the first derivative method, where the coefficient of determination (r2), root mean square error of prediction and bias were 0.66, 6.06 × 104 Nm−2 and 1.63 × 104 Nm−2, respectively. The ratio of standard error of prediction to the standard deviation of the reference data in the prediction sample set was 1.8. This model could be used for screening. For samples at 300% extension (prevulcanisate relaxed modulus 300%) for PV 50%, the best model was developed using spectra pre-treated for scattering correction: r2, root mean square error of prediction and bias were 0.88, 6.74 × 104 Nm−2 and 1.35 × 104 Nm−2, respectively and the ratio of prediction to deviation was 3.0. Hence, the near infrared spectroscopy technique can be utilised as a rapid screening method for estimating the cross-link densities of prevulcanised natural rubber latex.
Commercial stakeholders in international economic dispute resolution and the issue of adjudicatory independence
Authors: Jemielniak Joanna
Published: November 2017

The article discusses the problem of influence exerted by commercial actors in international trade disputes and consequences of this phenomenon for positions adopted by adjudicators. It explores the role of commercial stakeholders inasmuch as they comprise a driving force behind state action, and examines procedural options available to those stakeholders. The issue of adjudicatory independence and neutrality is considered in the context of involved industries and their interests as the non-party spiritus movens behind WTO dispute settlement processes. Related procedural aspects, such as confidentiality/transparency of proceedings and the possibilities for participation of non-party actors, are also examined. It is argued that WTO litigation is often only one track among several available to the stakeholders in the pursuit of their interests. As a consequence, the problem of forum shopping is also raised. In this vein, the standards of the WTO Appellate Body in the area under discussion are set against those of investment and commercial arbitration (as the institutions and rules designed for the latter are also being used for trade controversies, as evidenced in the Softwood Lumber LCIA arbitrations). Consequently, the problem of establishing standards of adjudicatory independence is deemed a significant factor in strategic selection of the most advantageous forum for dispute resolution.
Testing robustness, model fit, and measurement invariance of the Student Engagement Scale in an African university context
Authors: Tadesse Tefera , Gillies Robyn M
Published: November 2017

This study examined a modified version of the Student Engagement Scale, as adopted from the Australasian Survey of Student Engagement. It did so through examining model fit, predictive validity of the engagement factor, and testing of score reliability and measurement invariance across colleges and class years. Participants were volunteer undergraduate students (n = 536) from two colleges of a large university in Ethiopia. Confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling was used. The results reasonably supported a nine-factor model over other models, and testing of measurement invariance confirmed a good model fit for the nine-factor model across college and class year. Overall, the findings demonstrated supporting evidence for the validity of the nine-factor structure.
Why adaptable individuals perform better: The role of orientation to happiness
Authors: Sattar Madeeha A , Rasheed Muhammad Imran , Khan Ikram Ullah , Tariq Hussain , Iqbal Jawad
Published: November 2017

Based on career construction theory, this research aimed to investigate the mediating role of orientation to happiness in the relationship between career adaptability and in-role and extra-role performance of employees in the hospitality industry. Using data collected from 360 respondents working in 6 five-star hotels in Pakistan, the authors found that career adaptability was positively associated with orientation to happiness, in-role performance, and extra-role performance. Moreover, orientation to happiness mediated the relationship between career adaptability and both in-role and extra-role performance. The study has important theoretical and practical implications.
Using work-integrated learning to enhance career planning among business undergraduates
Authors: Jackson Denise A
Published: November 2017

Effective career planning among undergraduates is increasingly important amid competitive graduate labour markets and high levels of graduate underemployment. Students must be able to set clearly defined career objectives and be equipped to identify suitable development pathways to achieve their career goals. This study examined the impact of work-integrated learning on student career planning. It focused on the completion of an elective work placement by 102 business undergraduates in a Western Australian university. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used structured reflections to examine how the placement influenced students’ career objectives, developed their self-awareness in the context of career planning, and helped them identify personal development strategies to improve their employment prospects. Drawing on social cognitive career theory, the study advances our understanding of how work-integrated learning can shape undergraduate career objectives and improve currently weak levels of student engagement with career planning. Implications for future career counselling are discussed.
Accuracy of PCR targeting different markers for Staphylococcus aureus identification: a comparative study using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry as the gold standard
Authors: Saraiva Mauro M. , De Leon Candice M. , Santos Silvana C. , Stipp Danilo T. , Souza Miliane M. , Santos Filho Lauro , Gebreyes Wondwossen A. , Oliveira Celso J.
Published: November 2017

Staphylococcus aureus is considered a major pathogen in veterinary and human medicine, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, such as livestock-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus, means that reliable, inexpensive, and fast methods are required to identify S. aureus obtained from animal sources. We tested the accuracy of a PCR targeting the genes femA, nuc, and coa in identifying S. aureus from animals. A total of 157 Staphylococcus spp. isolates were examined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry; 18 different Staphylococcus species were identified. Of 68 S. aureus isolates, the genes femA, nuc, and coa were found in 61, 53, and 32 isolates, respectively. Considering MALDI-TOF as the gold standard, the PCR assays targeting all 3 genes showed 100% specificity; the sensitivity values were 89.7, 77.9, and 47.0% for femA, nuc, and coa, respectively. Sensitivity was 100% when femA and nuc markers were targeted simultaneously. These results confirm PCR as an accurate method to identify S. aureus species from animal sources and strongly suggest the simultaneous use of primers targeting femA and nuc genes.