bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathological Features and Prognostic Significance of HER2 Expression in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Park Ji Soo , Rha Sun Young , Chung Hyun Cheol , Jung Minkyu , Kim Ki Hyang , Jun Hyun Jung , Kim Hyunki , An Ji Yeong , Kim Hyoung-Il , Cheong Jae-Ho , Hyung Woo Jin , Noh Sung Hoon , Kim Hyo Song
Published: November 2014

Background: HER2 positivity is reported to be <20% in gastric cancer. Clinicopathological characteristics will be helpful to understand the biological features of HER2-positive gastric cancer. Methods: A total of 813 gastric cancer patients who underwent HER2 testing between January 2005 and December 2010 were included in this study. Results: Ninety-five (11.7%) patients had HER2-positive gastric cancer. Elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration [odds ratio (OR), 5.629; p < 0.001] and differentiated histology (OR, 3.717; p = 0.002) were significant predictive factors for HER2 positivity in localized disease. For recurrent or metastatic disease, elevated serum CEA concentration (OR, 2.545; p < 0.001), differentiated histology (OR, 3.299; p < 0.001), pulmonary metastasis (OR, 3.321; p = 0.001), and distant lymph node metastasis (OR, 2.286; p = 0.002) were significant predictive factors. Median disease-free survival (DFS) was shorter in HER2-positive patients than in others, especially in stage I or II disease (24.7 vs. 49.2 months; p < 0.001). Among HER2-negative patients with stage II diseases, patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy had longer DFS than others (42.2 vs. 30.7 months; p = 0.025). Conclusions: Clinicopathological factors may be useful in predicting the HER2 positivity of gastric cancer. Further studies are needed to understand the molecular basis of HER2-positive gastric cancer. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Ictal Asystole and Ictal Syncope
Authors: Bestawros Michael , Darbar Dawood , Arain Amir , Abou-Khalil Bassel , Plummer Dale , Dupont William D. , Raj Satish R.
Published: November 2014

Background—

Ictal asystole is a rare, serious, and often treatable cause of syncope. There are currently limited data to guide management. Characterization of ictal syncope predictors may aid in the selection of high-risk patients for treatments such as pacemakers.

Methods and Results—

We searched our epilepsy monitoring unit database from October 2003 to July 2013 for all patients with ictal asystole events. Clinical, electroencephalogram, and ECG data for each of their seizures were examined for their relationships with ictal syncope events. In 10 patients with ictal asystole, we observed 76 clinical seizures with 26 ictal asystole episodes, 15 of which led to syncope. No seizure with asystole duration ≤6 s led to syncope, whereas 94% (15/16) of seizures with asystole duration >6 s led to syncope (
P
=0.02). During ictal asystole events, 4 patients had left temporal seizure onset, 4 patients had right temporal seizure onset, and 2 patients had both. Syncope was more common with left temporal (40%) than with right temporal seizures (10%;
P
=0.002). Treatment options included antiepileptic drug changes, epilepsy surgery, and pacemaker implantation. Eight patients received pacemakers. During follow-up of 72±95 months, all patients remained syncope free.

Conclusions—

Ictal asystole >6 s is strongly associated with ictal syncope. Ictal syncope is more common in left than in right temporal seizures. A permanent pacemaker should be considered in patients with ictal syncope if they are not considered good candidates for epilepsy surgery.
Quantifying the Hygroscopic Growth of Marine Boundary Layer Aerosols by Satellite-Based and Buoy Observations
Authors: Luo Tao , Yuan Renmin , Wang Zhien , Zhang Damao
Published: November 2014

In this study, collocated satellite and buoy observations as well as satellite observations over an extended region during 2006–10 were used to quantify the humidity effects on marine boundary layer (MBL) aerosols. Although the near-surface aerosol size increases with increasing near-surface relative humidity (RH), the influence of RH decreases with increasing height and is mainly limited to the lower well-mixed layer. In addition, the size changes of MBL aerosols with RH are different for low and high surface wind () conditions as revealed by observations and Mie scattering calculations, which may be related to different dominant processes (i.e., the hygroscopic growth process during low wind and the evaporation process during sea salt production during high wind). These different hygroscopic processes under the different conditions, together with the MBL processes, control the behaviors of the MBL aerosol optical depth () with RH. In particular, under high conditions, the MBL stratifications effects can overwhelm the humidity effects, resulting in a weak relationship of MBL on RH. Under low conditions, the stronger hygroscopic growth can overwhelm the MBL stratification effects and enhance the MBL with increasing RH. These results are important to evaluate and to improve MBL aerosols simulations in climate models.
Tracer Stirring around a Meddy: The Formation of Layering
Authors: Meunier Thomas , Ménesguen Claire , Schopp Richard , Le Gentil Sylvie
Published: November 2014

The dynamics of the formation of layering surrounding meddy-like vortex lenses is investigated using primitive equation (PE), quasigeostrophic (QG), and tracer advection models. Recent in situ data inside a meddy confirmed the formation of highly density-compensated layers in temperature and salinity at the periphery of the vortex core. Very high-resolution PE modeling of an idealized meddy showed the formation of realistic layers even in the absence of double-diffusive processes. The strong density compensation observed in the PE model, in good agreement with in situ data, suggests that stirring might be a leading process in the generation of layering. Passive tracer experiments confirmed that the vertical variance cascade in the periphery of the vortex core is triggered by the vertical shear of the azimuthal velocity, resulting in the generation of thin layers. The time evolution of this process down to scales of O(10) m is quantified, and a simple scaling is proposed and shown to describe precisely the thinning down of the layers as a function of the initial tracer column’s horizontal width and the vertical shear of the azimuthal velocity. Nonlinear QG simulations were performed and analyzed for comparison with the work of Hua et al. A step-by-step interpretation of these results on the evolution of layering is proposed in the context of tracer stirring.
Using an ADCP to Estimate Turbulent Kinetic Energy Dissipation Rate in Sheltered Coastal Waters
Authors: Greene A. D. , Hendricks P. J. , Gregg M. C.
Published: November 2014

Turbulent microstructure and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data were collected near Tacoma Narrows in Puget Sound, Washington. Over 100 coincident microstructure profiles have been compared to ADCP estimates of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate (ϵ). ADCP dissipation rates were calculated using the large-eddy method with theoretically determined corrections for sensor noise on rms velocity and integral-scale calculations. This work is an extension of Ann Gargett’s approach, which used a narrowband ADCP in regions with intense turbulence and strong vertical velocities. Here, a broadband ADCP is used to measure weaker turbulence and achieve greater horizontal and vertical resolution relative to the narrowband ADCP. Estimates of ϵ from the Modular Microstructure Profiler (MMP) and broadband ADCP show good quantitative agreement over nearly three decades of dissipation rate, 3 × 10−8–10−5 m2 s−3. This technique is most readily applied when the turbulent velocity is greater than the ADCP velocity uncertainty (σ) and the ADCP cell size is within a factor of 2 of the Thorpe scale. The 600-kHz broadband ADCP used in this experiment yielded a noise floor of 3 mm s−1 for 3-m vertical bins and 2-m along-track average (≈four pings), which resulted in turbulence levels measureable with the ADCP as weak as 3 × 10−8 m2 s−3. The value and trade-off of changing the ADCP cell size, which reduces noise but also changes the ratio of the Thorpe scale to the cell size, are discussed as well.
Attention-based classification pattern, a research domain criteria framework, in youths with bipolar disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Kleinman Ana , Caetano Sheila Cavalcante , Brentani Helena , Rocca Cristiana Castanho de Almeida , dos Santos Bernardo , Andrade Enio Roberto , Zeni Cristian Patrick , Tramontina Silzá , Rohde Luis Augusto Paim , Lafer Beny
Published: November 2014

Objective:

The National Institute of Mental Health has initiated the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project. Instead of using disorder categories as the basis for grouping individuals, the RDoC suggests finding relevant dimensions that can cut across traditional disorders. Our aim was to use the RDoC’s framework to study patterns of attention deficit based on results of Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (CPT II) in youths diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), BD+ADHD and controls.

Method:

Eighteen healthy controls, 23 patients with ADHD, 10 with BD and 33 BD+ADHD aged 12–17 years old were assessed. Pattern recognition was used to partition subjects into clusters based simultaneously on their performance in all CPT II variables. A Fisher’s linear discriminant analysis was used to build a classiﬁer.

Results:

Using cluster analysis, the entire sample set was best clustered into two new groups, A and B, independently of the original diagnoses. ADHD and BD+ADHD were divided almost 50% in each subgroup, and there was an agglomeration of controls and BD in group B. Group A presented a greater impairment with higher means in all CPT II variables and lower Children’s Global Assessment Scale. We found a high cross-validated classiﬁcation accuracy for groups A and B: 95.2%. Variability of response time was the strongest CPT II measure in the discriminative pattern between groups A and B.

Conclusion:

Our classificatory exercise supports the concept behind new approaches, such as the RDoC framework, for child and adolescent psychiatry. Our approach was able to define clinical subgroups that could be used in future pathophysiological and treatment studies.
Blocking VEGF Signaling Delays Development of Replacement Teeth in Zebrafish
Authors: Crucke J. , Huysseune A.
Published: November 2014

The dentition in zebrafish is extremely and richly vascularized, but the function of the vasculature, in view of the continuous replacement of the teeth, remains elusive. Through application of SU5416, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, we studied the role of the blood vessels in the dentition of the zebrafish. We were unable to show an effect on the development of first-generation teeth as well as first tooth replacement. However, in juvenile fish, a delay was observed in the developmental state of the replacement tooth compared with what was expected based on the maturation state of the functional tooth. Furthermore, we observed a difference between treated and nontreated fish in the distance between blood vessels and developing replacement teeth. In conclusion, our results provide support for a nutritive, rather than an inductive, function of the vasculature in the process of tooth development and replacement.
Use of three-dimensional technology to construct ergonomic patterns for a well-fitting life jacket of heterogeneous thickness
Authors: Kim Soyoung , Lee Heeran , Hong Kyunghi , Lee Yejin
Published: November 2014

To produce a life jacket that fits users both comfortably and stably, we developed a life jacket pattern based on the three-dimensional (3D) shape of the human body, with foam flotation material of different thicknesses used in different sections to achieve the required buoyancy and facilitate movement. We created a nonstandard life jacket for water sports that can adopt free design for canoeing and kayaking. Engineering design process and 3D technology were used to create the ergonomic 3D life jacket, which comprised an inner pattern, a polyethylene (PE) foam pattern for proper buoyancy in water, and the outer pattern. We developed a layering method for achieving the heterogeneous thickness of the life jacket and its outer pattern considering the ergonomic aspects of the 3D human body curvature and movability. The pattern expansion length was calculated to enlarge the outer pattern of each panel covering the varying thicknesses of life jacket and spacing for torso flexion. The calculation formula for this length was useful in increasing or decreasing the life jacket’s buoyancy, which was affected by the PE-foam thickness. Human-subject wear tests were performed in air and water to evaluate the developed life jacket. The developed life jacket had improved functionality. Significant differences ( P ≤ 0.01) existed between the newly developed and conventional life jackets in air, in terms of the overall comfort, freedom of rowing movement, and fits in the chest and waist areas. Significant differences ( P ≤ 0.05) also existed in water in terms of the overall fit and prevention of separation from the shoulder due to buoyancy.
Influence of rheology modifiers and coating parameters on the color-changing effects of textile coatings with multi-layered mica pigments
Authors: Malm Veronica , Walkenström Pernilla
Published: November 2014

In order to optimize the color-changing effects of textile knife-coatings containing multi-layered mica pigments (effect pigments; EPs), the properties and structure of the coating formulation/layer during and after application were investigated. Three pigment coating formulations were prepared by first mixing the EP dispersion into a water-based polyurethane binder. Different types of rheology modifiers (RMs), liquid dispersion of sodium polyacrylates (LDPSAP), hydrophobically alkali swellable emulsions (HASEs) and hydrophobically modified ethoxylated polyurethane, were then added to the dispersion. The rheological behavior of the coating formulations was characterized in terms of the shear rate dependence of the viscosity. The formulations were applied onto the same type of textile substrate using a knife-coating technique. The choice of RM as well as variations in gap height and coating speed increased the solids deposit. The increased amount of coating deposits (thicker coating layers) corresponded to more and better dispersed EPs within the coated layer as well as more horizontally oriented platelets as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Multi-angle spectrophotometer measurements showed that the CIE L*a*b* color coordinates varied strongly depending on detection angle. The variations of the absolute values of L* and a* were more pronounced between –15° and 15° detection angles, corresponding to angles with the greatest visual color changes. The slowly coated samples with higher solids deposit were measured to be lighter and of higher chroma compared to samples coated at a higher speed. Generally, the color-changing effects were governed by the choice of RM and coating parameters in terms of variations of the amount of coating deposited onto the samples.
Beauty and Body Image Concerns Among African American College Women
Authors: Awad Germine H. , Norwood Carolette , Taylor Desire S. , Martinez Mercedes , McClain Shannon , Jones Bianca , Holman Andrea , Chapman-Hilliard Collette
Published: November 2014

The current study examined body image concerns among African American women. In recent years, there has been an attempt to include ethnic minority samples in body image studies, but few specifically examine unique issues pertaining to beauty and body image for African American college-age women. A total of 31 African American women participated in one of five focus groups on the campus of a large Southwestern University to examine beauty and body image. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach and several themes were identified. The majority of themes pertained to issues related to hair, skin tone, body type, and message sources. Themes included sacrifice, ignorance/racial microaggressions, validation and invalidation by others, thick/toned/curvy as optimal, hypersexualization, and being thin is for White women. Findings of the current study suggest a reconceptualization of body image for African American women where relevant characteristics such as hair and skin tone are given more priority over traditional body image concerns often associated with European American women.
Affective Commitment to Organizations and Supervisors and Turnover: A Role Theory Perspective
Authors: Vandenberghe Christian , Bentein Kathleen , Panaccio Alexandra
Published: November 2014

Drawing from role theory and structural functionalism, we examined the temporal relationship between employees’ affective commitment to the organization (ACO) and affective commitment to the supervisor (ACS) and how these commitments affect turnover. We further examined perceived supervisor-organization value congruence as a moderator. In Study 1, a three-wave panel study (N = 317), we found longitudinal change in ACO to result in a temporal change in ACS, suggesting ACO precedes ACS. Study 2 (N = 272) extended this result by looking at the relationships of these commitments to turnover and perceived supervisor-organization value congruence as a moderator. ACS mediated a negative relationship between ACO and turnover. Moreover, ACO’s relationship with ACS and indirect relationship with turnover were stronger at high levels of supervisor-organization value congruence.
“An Acceptable Marriage”
Authors: Pellander Saara
Published: November 2014

This article focuses on the role of bureaucrats in Finnish immigration administration and sheds light on how they evaluate family relations of marriage migrants. It is based on interviews with staff at the Finnish immigration office and local police stations who deal with residence permit applications on the ground of marriage. By using the analytical framework of moral gatekeeping, I identify culture, gender, and temporality as central elements of the gatekeeping procedure. The article argues that bureaucrats combine cultural relativism with an essentialist view that expects migrants to adhere to indigenous cultural norms. They expect migrants to prove a belonging to what the bureaucrats perceive of as a certain culture of origin. The article furthermore sheds light on the gendered understandings of spouses in the immigration process. Finally, it explores temporality and the awareness of how the passage of time affects migrants’ marriage credentials and thereby jeopardizes bureaucrats’ decision-making process.
Regulatory Forum Opinion Piece*
Authors: Paranjpe Madhav G. , Denton Melissa D. , Vidmar Tom J. , Elbekai Reem H.
Published: November 2014

High doses in Tg.rasH2 carcinogenicity studies are usually set at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), although this dose selection strategy has not been critically evaluated. We analyzed the body weight gains (BWGs), mortality, and tumor response in control and treated groups of 29 Tg.rasH2 studies conducted at BioReliance. Based on our analysis, it is evident that the MTD was exceeded at the high and/or mid-doses in several studies. The incidence of tumors in high doses was lower when compared to the low and mid-doses of both sexes. Thus, we recommend that the high dose in male mice should not exceed one-half of the estimated MTD (EMTD), as it is currently chosen, and the next dose should be one-fourth of the EMTD. Because females were less sensitive to decrements in BWG, the high dose in female mice should not exceed two-third of EMTD and the next dose group should be one-third of EMTD. If needed, a third dose group should be set at one-eighth EMTD in males and one-sixth EMTD in females. In addition, for compounds that do not show toxicity in the range finding studies, a limit dose should be applied for the 26-week carcinogenicity studies.
The Role of the Speaker’s Emotional State in Im/politeness Assessments
Authors: Vergis Nikos , Terkourafi Marina
Published: November 2014

Brown and Levinson proposed that three sociological variables—Distance, Power, and Ranking of the imposition—affect politeness assessments. Later scholarship, however, argued that these variables can be operationalized in several ways and are too abstract to capture the realities of im/polite discourse. We focus on one variable, Distance, whose operationalization has produced mixed results, and argue that introducing another variable (Relationship Affect) does not solve this problem, as further variables, such as the Speaker’s Emotional State, can override the latter, leading to an unnecessary proliferation of variables. We propose that local politeness assessments can be better accounted for under a frame-based approach, and report on two studies, a metalinguistic judgment task and a vignette study focusing on the Greek address term re malaka, that support this point.
Should foam made with physiologic gases be the standard in sclerotherapy?
Authors: Wong M
Published: November 2014

Objectives

The aim of this paper is to look at the pros and cons of using physiologic gas to produce foam for use in sclerotherapy. With the expanding use of foam sclerotherapy, there have been increased reports of transient neurologic adverse events such as visual disturbance. Although rare, increased numbers of serious adverse events such as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and stroke have been described. These events are seen more often in patients who have migraine with aura and those with a right-to-left shunt.

Methods

A literature search of the databases Ovid and Google Scholar was performed for studies looking specifically at neurologic side effects associated with sclerotherapy and use of physiologic foams. Included studies were randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, review articles, observational studies and case studies.

Results

Although physiologic gases have been shown in several studies to reduce the incidence of visual disturbance, increasing evidence from recent studies suggest endothelin, rather than gas bubbles to be the cause of these side effects. The cause of stroke and TIA has not been proven and occlusion of cerebral arterioles from gas emboli should still be considered. Many authors state that only good quality foam be injected and volumes should be kept low in an attempt to prevent these rare, but potentially serious events. Foam made with physiologic gases are more biocompatible compared to air-based foam and have been found to be at least as effective in sclerotherapy as foam made with room air.

Conclusion

The use of physiologic gases should be considered for those at increased risk of neurologic side effects such as migraineurs with aura and those with a known PFO. Additionally, as there are few disadvantages to the use of physiologic foam, the use of CO2 or CO2/O2 foam should be considered in all patients receiving foam sclerotherapy.
Active visual SLAM for robotic area coverage: Theory and experiment
Authors: Kim Ayoung , Eustice Ryan M.
Published: November 2014

This paper reports on an integrated navigation algorithm for the visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) robotic area coverage problem. In the robotic area coverage problem, the goal is to explore and map a given target area within a reasonable amount of time. This goal necessitates the use of minimally redundant overlap trajectories for coverage efficiency; however, visual SLAM’s navigation estimate will inevitably drift over time in the absence of loop closures. Therefore, efficient area coverage and good SLAM navigation performance represent competing objectives. To solve this decision-making problem, we introduce perception-driven navigation, an integrated navigation algorithm that automatically balances between exploration and revisitation using a reward framework. This framework accounts for SLAM localization uncertainty, area coverage performance, and the identification of good candidate regions in the environment for visual perception. Results are shown for both a hybrid simulation and real-world demonstration of a visual SLAM system for autonomous underwater ship hull inspection.
Earth Observation for Sustainable Urban Planning in Developing Countries
Authors: Musakwa Walter , van Niekerk Adriaan
Published: November 2014

Cities are constantly changing and authorities face immense challenges in obtaining accurate and timely data to effectively manage urban areas. This is particularly problematic in the developing world where municipal records are often unavailable or not updated. Spaceborne earth observation (EO) has great potential for providing up-to-date spatial information about urban areas. This article reviews the application of EO for supporting urban planning. In particular, the article overviews case studies where EO was used to derive products and indicators required by urban planners. The review concludes that EO has sufficiently matured in recent years but that a shift from the current focus on purely science-driven EO applications to the provision of useful information for day-to-day decision-making and urban sustainability monitoring is clearly needed.
Multiple Forms and Settings of Exposure to Violence and Values
Authors: Bacchini Dario , Affuso Gaetana , Aquilar Serena
Published: November 2014

The general purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between multiple forms and settings of exposure to violence (ETV) as well as personal values and antisocial behavior (ASB) in adolescence. The association of ETV as witness or victim in different contexts (family, school, or neighborhood) and the association of the selected values of power, universalism, and conformity with ASB were analyzed. In addition, the role of ETV in moderating the relationship between values and ASB was tested. A total of 369 adolescents participated in the study. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed. Results revealed that ASB was independently affected by exposure to family violence as a victim, exposure to school violence as a witness, exposure to neighborhood violence as a witness, and by all three selected values. The associations of ASB with universalism and conformity were negative. Conversely, the association of ASB with power was positive. One interaction had statistically significant effects. Results revealed that exposure to school violence as a witness moderates the relationship between universalism and ASB. The results highlight a high percentage of explained variance by ETV and values on ASB and suggest the importance of adopting a socio-ecological framework in interpreting adolescent behavior.
Accounting for Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Corbally Melissa
Published: November 2014

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious social issue which affects the medium- and long-term health outcomes of many individuals worldwide. The cost of IPV on the physical and psychological well-being of individuals, in addition to its wider economic costs in responding to abused persons, is significant. Presently, there is a lack of understanding about the nature of female-initiated IPV and how men account for their experiences of it. This study examined male victims’ life stories of their IPV experiences from their intimate partners. Using the biographical narrative interpretive method, three cases were analyzed from a social constructionist perspective to examine what narrative strategies men used to account for their experiences of being abused by their female partners. Three dominant narrative strategies were used by respondents: the fatherhood narrative, the good husband narrative, and the abuse narrative. The abuse narrative had a unique narrative form, which reflected respondents’ disassociation between their identities as men and also as abused persons. Dominant conflicting discourses of masculinity and intimate partner abuse disadvantaged men in identifying IPV and secondly in responding appropriately. This study found that men prefer to use dominant discursive identities as legitimate means from which to disclose IPV experiences. The findings from this study illustrate that broad questioning by professionals regarding fatherhood may be most helpful in promoting disclosures of IPV if this is suspected.
Depression and Self-Rated Health Among Rural Women Who Experienced Adolescent Dating Abuse
Authors: Burton Candace W. , Halpern-Felsher Bonnie , Rehm Roberta S. , Rankin Sally H. , Humphreys Janice C.
Published: November 2014

This study used mixed methods to examine the experiences and health of rural, young adult women ( N = 100) who self-reported past experience of physical, emotional and verbal, sexual, and relational abuse in adolescent dating relationships. Few studies have examined the lasting health ramifications of adolescent dating abuse adolescent dating abuse in rural populations, and almost no mixed methods studies have explored adolescent dating abuse. Participants completed questionnaires on demographics, relationship behaviors, and mental health symptoms. A subsample ( n = 10) of participants also completed semi-structured, in-depth interviews with the primary investigator. Results suggest that depressive symptoms and self-rating of health in these women are associated with particular kinds and severity of abusive experiences, and that adolescent dating abuse has ramifications for health and development beyond the duration of the original relationship. Self-rated health (SRH) was inversely associated with abusive behaviors in the relationship, whereas depressive symptoms were positively correlated with such behaviors. Self-rated health was also negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. The results of this study represent an important step toward establishing lifetime health risks posed by adolescent dating abuse.
Delving Deeper Into the Construct of Preservice Teacher Beliefs About Reading Instruction for Students With Disabilities
Authors: Leko Melinda M. , Kulkarni Saili , Lin Meng-Chuan , Smith Shane A.
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this study was to complete an in-depth examination of the construct of teacher beliefs by investigating preservice teachers’ beliefs about reading instruction for students with disabilities. Interview and artifact data were collected for 11 preservice teachers during a 10-month period. Dimensions of beliefs investigated were expressed beliefs and beliefs-in-use, the stability of beliefs, and sources of beliefs. Results indicate that preservice teachers’ beliefs systems are complex, made up of enduring, deeply rooted expressed beliefs as well as beliefs-in-use that are highly dependent on discipline-specific working knowledge. These beliefs are not the same in how they are formed or sustained; thus, an implication of this study’s findings is that researchers and teacher educators be more specific and explicit when describing studies of preservice teacher beliefs. Additional implications for future research and practice regarding the relationship between teacher beliefs and teacher education are provided.
Numerical investigation of flow upstream of a circular cylinder mounted vertically over a flat plate with gap
Authors: Khan Ovais U , Javed Khan M
Published: November 2014

Flow field in the plane of symmetry upstream of circular cylinder mounted perpendicular to a flat plate with varying gap between the cylinder tip and the flat plate is numerically investigated. The results were compared with an experimental study of the configuration. The existence of a multiple vortex system with characteristics similar to that of end-wall flows of surface-mounted obstacles with zero gap was captured by the numerical method. The influence of gap size and Reynolds numbers was also investigated. The results were in good comparison with the experimental data. It has been found that the vortex system structure depends on the free stream Reynolds number; and an increase in the tip gap size caused a shift in the location of vortex system and bifurcation streamline due to increased tip gap flow.
Madness as disability
Authors: Gilman Sander L
Published: November 2014

How does society imagine mental illness? Does this shift radically over time and with different social attitudes as well as scientific discoveries about the origins and meanings of mental illness? What happens when we begin to think about mental illness as madness, as a malleable concept constantly shifting its meaning? We thus look at the meanings associated with ‘general paralysis of the insane’ in the nineteenth century and autism today in regard to disability. In this case study we examine the claims by scholars such as the anthropologist Emily Martin and the psychiatrist Kay Jamison as to the relationship between mental illness, disability and creativity. Today, the health sciences have become concerned with mental illness as a form of disability. How does this change the meaning of madness for practitioners and patients?
Creating a Tenuous Balance
Authors: Long Kristin A. , Marsland Anna L. , Wright Amanda , Hinds Pamela
Published: November 2014

More than 14,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year. Prolonged, intensive treatment protocols disrupt the entire family, including siblings. Here, we employed grounded theory methodology to examine the experiences of 30 nonbereaved adolescent siblings of children receiving cancer treatment. The central organizing theme of the emergent data is “creating a tenuous balance.” Contributing themes include (a) knowing something is seriously wrong, (b) figuring out the meaning of cancer, (c) adapting to changes in personal and family life, and (d) handling emotional reactions to cancer. Overall, findings suggest an ongoing, active process by which siblings notice and adapt to the many unexpected and taxing aspects of their brother’s or sister’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, including shifts in how the family system operates. Findings highlight the important role of siblings in family-centered cancer care. Future, larger scale research should develop targeted interventions for these siblings.
Strengthening the Social Information–Processing Skills of Children
Authors: Wu Fan , Fraser Mark W. , Guo Shenyang , Day Steven H. , Galinsky Maeda J.
Published: November 2014

Objective:

The study had two objectives (a) to adapt for Chinese children an intervention designed to strengthen the social information–processing (SIP) skills of children in the United States, and (b) to pilot test the adapted intervention in China.

Methods:

Adaptation of the Making Choices program involved reviewing Chinese literature on child development, translating and back-translating a treatment manual, modifying intervention content, and engaging experts to review program materials. Children ( n = 91), ages 8–10, in five after-school child care centers in Tianjin, China, received the program. After propensity score adjustments, the skills of children who received the program were compared to the skills of children ( n = 123) recruited from neighborhood primary schools.

Results:

The adapted program appears to have strengthened encoding skills. Patterns for other information-processing skills were promising but mixed.

Conclusion:

The program has the potential to strengthen the SIP skills of children in China.
Length effect on creep of silicon cantilever microbeams
Authors: Liu Hsien-Kuang , Chao Jen-Jui
Published: November 2014

Creep behavior is very important to reliability of micromechanical components. Therefore, there are some emerging research efforts that focus on creep of silicon. However, few have focused on interaction among microscale dimension effect, temperature, and applied stress, which are more crucial to microelectrical mechanical system components compared with regular size components. This paper presents investigation of creep of single crystal silicon cantilever microbeams with a specific focus on the length effect. Results are presented characterizing the creep behavior in the length range of 300–700 µm, the temperature range of 600–700℃, and the stress range of 235–501 MPa. As the temperature or stress increases, the creep rate of silicon increases and duration of the steady-state creep decreases. Creep rate decreases with the increase of microbeam length. At 600℃, creep rupture lifetime approximately increases with the increase of microbeam length. At 700℃, maximum lifetime shifts to medium length of 400 µm. Factors that influence rupture lifetime include short beam effect, defect distribution, stress, temperature, and brittleness caused by oxidation. To summarize, creep failure modes for short beam and long beam are, respectively, dislocation motion by multiple slip systems and single slip system.
New insights into the suitability of the third dimension for visualizing multivariate/multidimensional data: A study based on loss of quality quantification
Authors: Gracia Antonio , González Santiago , Robles Víctor , Menasalvas Ernestina , von Landesberger Tatiana
Published: November 2014

Most visualization techniques have traditionally used two-dimensional, instead of three-dimensional representations to visualize multidimensional and multivariate data. In this article, a way to demonstrate the underlying superiority of three-dimensional, with respect to two-dimensional, representation is proposed. Specifically, it is based on the inevitable quality degradation produced when reducing the data dimensionality. The problem is tackled from two different approaches: a visual and an analytical approach. First, a set of statistical tests (point classification, distance perception, and outlier identification) using the two-dimensional and three-dimensional visualization are carried out on a group of 40 users. The results indicate that there is an improvement in the accuracy introduced by the inclusion of a third dimension; however, these results do not allow to obtain definitive conclusions on the superiority of three-dimensional representation. Therefore, in order to draw further conclusions, a deeper study based on an analytical approach is proposed. The aim is to quantify the real loss of quality produced when the data are visualized in two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces, in relation to the original data dimensionality, to analyze the difference between them. To achieve this, a recently proposed methodology is used. The results obtained by the analytical approach reported that the loss of quality reaches significantly high values only when switching from three-dimensional to two-dimensional representation. The considerable quality degradation suffered in the two-dimensional visualization strongly suggests the suitability of the third dimension to visualize data.
A framework to facilitate cyber defense situational awareness modeled in an emulated virtual machine testbed
Authors: Raulerson Evan L , Hopkinson Kenneth M , Laviers Kennard R
Published: November 2014

Modern computer networks and the cyber attacks launched against them grow more complex each year. Analyzing network information can be complex and time consuming. Network defenders are routinely unable to orient themselves quickly enough to determine the expected system impact, much less defend the networks’ resources. The network operator’s time would be better spent finding and executing event responses to minimize damage. Current automated response systems are mostly limited to scripted responses based on data from a single source. Better automation is required. This paper presents a framework that aggregates data from heterogeneous network sensors, including intrusion detection systems and network vulnerability assessment tools. An impact rating system is proposed and tested that estimates the feasibility of an attack and its potential impact. The impact assessments allow decision makers to prioritize attacks in real time and attempt to mitigate the attacks in order of their estimated network impact to the network. Experimental results indicated that when administrators are only concerned with high-level attacks, impact assessments could eliminate a mean 51.21% of irrelevant data. When only concerned with high- and medium-level attacks, a mean of 34.03% of the data was irrelevant. This represents a significant reduction in the information administrators must process.
Global Synchronization of Multichannel EEG in Patients With Electrical Status Epilepticus in Sleep
Authors: Ouyang Gaoxiang , Wang Yinghua , Yang Zhixian , Li Xiaoli
Published: November 2014

In the research field of epilepsy, it is a challenge to understand the transition of brain activity to electrical status epilepticus in sleep (ESES). In this study, an S-estimator method is proposed to describe the course of global synchronization in multichannel electroencephalograph (EEG) from awake to sleep in 11 patients with ESES. The study confirms that there is a significant increase in spikes and global synchronization from awake to sleep. It is also found that global synchronization is strongly correlated with spikes. The proposed method has the potential of revealing the intrinsic features of EEG signals and the underlying brain dynamics in ESES.
Future-Proofing Nursing Education
Authors: Ralph Nicholas , Birks Melanie , Chapman Ysanne , Francis Karen
Published: November 2014

The relevance of pre-registration programs of nursing education to current and emerging trends in healthcare and society could have a significant future impact on the nursing profession. In this article, we use a PESTEL (politics, economics, society, technology, environment, and law) framework to identify significant current and future priorities in Australian healthcare. Following the PESTEL analysis, we conduct a review of the curriculum content of current Australian undergraduate pre-registration nursing curricula. The data were analyzed to determine how nursing curricula were aligned with the priorities identified in the PESTEL analysis. Findings suggest that preparation–practice gaps are evident in nursing curricula as the broad priorities identified were poorly reflected in undergraduate pre-registration programs. The study recommended (a) the establishment of a nationally consistent mechanism to identify current and emerging trends in healthcare and higher education, and (b) an evidence-based framework that enhances forward planning in the design of undergraduate pre-registration nursing curricula.
Negotiating Membership in Employment Interviews at a Chinese Media Institution
Authors: Zhang Zuocheng , Li Shuo
Published: November 2014

This article builds on Sacks’ Membership Inference-rich Representative (MIR) device in exploring how interviewers and interviewees negotiate professional membership. The data for the research include the transcripts of authentic interviews between 6 interviewers working for a Chinese English-medium media institution and 11 interviewees, the interviewers’ notes, and the recruitment results (9 successful ones and 2 unsuccessful ones). The analysis indicates that the Chinese media institution as a community of practice has its membership categories and inference-rich information relevant to the categories. The MIR device was used by the interviewers and the interviewees in their interactions with the successful interviewees orientating to or negotiating the target membership category of Chinese journalists by brokering boundary objects such as the inference-rich information relevant to the target membership category. The notion of membership contextualization cues is proposed by drawing on Gumperz’s contextualization cues and Sacks’ membership categorization device and applied in the interpretation of the findings.
Antagonistic and Nonantagonistic Dialectical Contradictions in Organizational Conflict
Authors: Erbert Larry A.
Published: November 2014

This study examined the perceived importance of five dialectical contradictions to conflict episodes for 40 organizational employees. Using a revised version of the Retrospective Interview Technique and questionnaire data, organizational employees were asked to recall important conflict episodes, coded for issue type, over a 1-year time period. Following in-depth questions about the conflicts, a questionnaire was administered that asked participants to rate five dialectical contradictions according to their importance for each conflict episode. A second questionnaire was also administered that asked participants to determine if conflicts were dialectical (antagonistic and nonantagonistic) or nondialectical, relative to each conflict episode. Results reveal that all five dialectical contradictions were rated in the moderate range of importance to organizational conflict episodes. Ratings for differences among the five themes were significant for 3 of the 12 conflict issues identified. Results from the second questionnaire reveal that 49.9% of all conflicts were dialectical (15.7% antagonistic, 34.2% nonantagonistic), and 51.1% were nondialectical. Implications for future research are discussed.
Toward an Understanding of Arabic Persuasion
Authors: Suchan Jim
Published: November 2014

Despite the political and economic importance of Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa, limited published research exists about how Arabic culture and language shape regional communication practices, particularly persuasion. This research describes key characteristics of Arabic persuasion by reviewing the extant research and analyzing the persuasion dynamics between a U.S. organization and a Jordanian organization attempting to form a service partnership. Both the literature and results from the case study indicate that Arabic persuasion strategies differ in fundamental ways from U.S. and Western strategies. Various forms of repetition, highly metaphoric language, and strong emotion characterize Arabic persuasion norms when using Arabic and English. These norms are created by the linguistic characteristics of Classical Arabic, the close connection between the Arabic language and Islam, and the social and political hierarchies that shape Arabic interaction.
Internal Crisis Communication Strategies to Protect Trust Relationships
Authors: Mazzei Alessandra , Ravazzani Silvia
Published: November 2014

Crisis communication has emerged as a hot topic after the global financial crisis that started in the second half of 2008. A survey of 61 Italian companies examined internal crisis communication strategies and the characteristics of that communication in order to understand the role of communication in safeguarding relationships of trust with employees. The main results show that companies have used poorly internal communication as a strategic lever to develop employee commitment and have adopted a broadly defensive approach that may undermine their intangible assets. The study offers implications for practice and suggestions for future research.
Supervisor–Subordinate Communication Competence and Job and Communication Satisfaction
Authors: Steele Godfrey A. , Plenty Daniel
Published: November 2014

In contrast to the predominant business and organizational communication research on supervisor influence, this article examined communication competence, communication satisfaction, and job satisfaction differences within and between groups in the supervisor–subordinate relationship. The study also examined the relationship among the three communication and satisfaction phenomena. Two survey questionnaires were completed by 152 subordinates and 20 supervisors/managers at a public utility in the first phase. A third survey questionnaire was completed by 32 supervisors/managers in the second phase. The results indicated no support for hypothesized differences in ratings of communication competence, and job and communication satisfaction within and between subordinate and supervisor groups, but positive and significant relationships among the variables. The significance of the results is discussed in terms of the implications for the dyadic and interactive nature of supervisor–subordinate communication and directions for future research in this field.