bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the balanced scorecard in assessing the impact of BI system usage on organizational performance
Authors: Hou Chung-Kuang
Published: October 2015

There is currently a trend towards the integration of business intelligence (BI) systems with existing information systems in order to improve decision-making capabilities in organizations. Even though much attention has been paid to the factors influencing the adoption of BI systems, in practice there is still limited research investigating the business value of BI systems in a post-adoption environment. The motivation for this study is to examine the impact of BI system usage on organizational performance. This study develops a multidimensional measurement for assessing organizational performance, based on the balanced scorecard (BSC) approach developed by Kaplan and Norton. Data for the study were collected from 139 companies in the semiconductor industry in Taiwan and the relationships proposed in the framework were tested using Partial Least Squares method. The results indicate that higher levels of BI system usage will lead to improved financial performance indirectly through enhanced internal process, learning and growth and customer performance (non-financial performance). Moreover, higher levels of BI system usage can also lead to improved internal process, customer, and learning and growth performance in organizations. The results also show that internal process and customer performance have positive significant impact on financial performance. While learning and growth does not directly lead to the improvement of financial performance, it indirectly influences financial performance through the mediating effect of internal process performance. The findings of this study provide initial evidence that the adoption of BI systems leads to increased financial performance. The results indicate that these four BSC performance measures for BI system usage are interrelated, supporting the core premise of the BSC.
Validity and reliability of a simple ‘low-tech’ test for measuring choice stepping reaction time in older people
Authors: Delbaere K , Gschwind YJ , Sherrington C , Barraclough E , Garrués-Irisarri MA , Lord SR
Published: October 2015

Objective:

To establish the psychometric properties of a simple ‘low-tech’ choice stepping reaction time test (CSRT-M) by investigating its validity and test–retest reliability.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Community.

Subjects:

A total of 169 older people from the control arm of a clinical trial and a convenience sample of 30 older people.

Main measures:

Demographic, physical, cognitive and prospective falls data were collected in addition to CSRT-M. The CSRT-M time was taken as the total time to complete 20 steps onto four targets printed on a portable rubber mat. Assessment of the original electronic version (CSRT-E) and re-administration of the CSRT-M the next day was done in 30 participants.

Results:

Multivariate regression analysis showed that the CSRT-M time was best explained by leaning balance control, quadriceps strength and cognitive functioning (R2 = 0.44). Performance on the CSRT-M was worse in older participants and participants with a presence of fall risk factors, supporting good discriminant validity. The odds of suffering multiple future falls increased by 74% (odds ratio (OR) = 1.74, 95% CI (confidence interval) = 1.14–2.65, p = 0.010) for each standard deviation increase in CSRT-M, supporting good predictive validity. Criterion validity was confirmed by a strong bivariate correlation between CSRT-M and CSRT-E (0.81, p < 0.001). Test–retest reliability for the CSRT-M was good (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.45–0.88, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

A simple test of unplanned volitional stepping (CSRT-M) has excellent predictive validity for future falls, good inter-day test–retest reliability and excellent criterion validity with respect to the well-validated CSRT-E. The CSRT-M, therefore, may be a useful fall risk screening tool for older people.
Fear: The Impact and Treatment of Social Phobia
Authors: Walker J. R. , Kjernisted K. D.
Published: October 2015

Social phobia is the most common anxiety disorder in the community with a prevalence rate in the range of 5–8%. The problem most often emerges in childhood or adolescence. Individuals with generalized social phobia are at risk of developing other psychiatric disorders such as major depression, alcohol abuse and other anxiety disorders. Sufferers of social phobia often do not seek treatment until they encounter difficulty with comorbid disorders. Recent research indicates that social anxiety disorder is associated with higher levels of disability and greater reductions in quality of life than previously understood, with difficulties encountered in social relationships, education and employment. In previous years, there has been little or no known available effective treatment, and the disorder frequently goes unrecognized in primary care. However, new pharmacological (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs) and psychological treatments are emerging that are able to produce significant symptom reduction and improvements in functioning and quality of life. In recent years, the SSRIs have been the focus of considerable research and are becoming one of the first-line treatments for social phobia. Early intervention in social phobia may improve quality of life, reduce disability and reduce the development of comorbid disorders.
Panic: Course, Complications and Treatment of Panic Disorder
Authors: Pollack M. H. , Marzol P. C.
Published: October 2015

Panic disorder is a chronic condition typically associated with significant distress and disability. In addition to the acute distress associated with the panic attack itself, the disorder often leads to distressing anticipatory anxiety and phobic avoidance. Affected individuals experience significant impairment in social and vocational functioning, high utilization of medical resources, constriction of function, premature mortality and diminution in overall quality of life. Panic disorder is frequently comorbid with other conditions, particularly depression, as well as alcohol and other substance abuse, and other anxiety disorders including social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. A number of pharmacological agents and cognitive-behavioural treatments have been shown to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder, with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) becoming first-line pharmacotherapy for this condition. Among these, the SSRI sertraline appears effective not only in improving symptoms of panic, but also in reducing anticipatory anxiety and improving multiple aspects of quality of life. For patients who remain partly or fully symptomatic despite adequate first-line treatment, a variety of strategies are emerging for the management of refractory conditions. We provide an overview of the prevalence, presentation and associated complications of panic disorder, review the therapeutic options and discuss the management of refractory patients.
Obsessions: The Impact and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Thomsen P. H.
Published: October 2015

In the development of the majority of children, ritualistic behaviour may be seen as a normal phenomenon. In some children and adolescents, however, these rituals become time-consuming, interfering, irritating and annoying. The most common obsessions in both children and adults with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) are related to a fear of dirt and contamination, fear of some terrible happening, and the fear of harming a loved one. The most common compulsions are washing fixations, checking behaviour and rituals (including mental rituals). Prevalence studies show that OCD in children and adolescents is far more common than previously thought. It is estimated that up to 2% of this population have symptoms fulfilling OCD criteria. The impact of early OCD onset can be profound, with long-term studies indicating that approximately 50% of these patients will also suffer from OCD in early adulthood. These patients tend to remain socially isolated, to have fewer relationships than their non-OCD peers, and have a tendency to remain within the family home during early adulthood. In addition, childhood OCD is associated with comorbid psychiatric disorders, in particular depression, anxiety and panic disorders, Tourette's syndrome and eating disorders. Treatment strategies for childhood OCD reflect those used in adult psychiatry. The most effective psychotherapeutic approach is based on cognitive-behavioural therapy with exposure and prevention. In contrast to pharmacotherapeutic agents without serotonin activity, the serotonin-specific antidepressants appear to be effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of OCD in children.
Articulated pose estimation using tangent space approximations
Authors: Brookshire Jonathan , Teller Seth
Published: October 2015

We describe an algorithm to estimate the pose of a generic articulated object. Our algorithm takes as input a description of the object and a potentially incomplete series of observations; it outputs an on-line estimate of the object’s configuration. This task is challenging because: (1) the distribution of object states is often multi-modal; (2) the object is not assumed to be under our control, limiting our ability to predict its motion; and (3) rotational joints make the state space highly non-linear. The proposed method represents three principal contributions to address these challenges. First, we use a particle filter implementation which is unique in that it does not require a reliable state transition model. Instead, the method relies primarily on observations during particle proposal, using the state transition model only at singularities. Second, our particle filter formulation explicitly handles missing observations via a novel proposal mechanism. Although existing particle filters can handle missing observations, they do so only by relying on good state transition models. Finally, our method evaluates noise in the observation space, rather than state space. This reduces the variability in performance due to choice of parametrization and effectively handles non-linearities caused by rotational joints. We compare our method to a baseline implementation without these techniques and demonstrate, for a fixed error, more than an order-of-magnitude reduction in the number of required particles, an increase in the number of effective particles, and an increase in frame rate. We examine the effects of errors in the kinematic model and demonstrate a reduced dependence on state parametrization. The novel use of a precision matrix allows observations which do not provide complete 6-DOF pose information to be processed. Source code for the method is available at http://rvsn.csail.mit.edu/articulated .
Minimum sensitivity control for planning with parametric and hybrid uncertainty
Authors: Ansari Alex , Murphey Todd
Published: October 2015

This paper introduces a method to minimize norms on nonlinear trajectory sensitivities during open-loop trajectory optimization. Specifically, we derive new parametric sensitivity terms that measure the variation in nonlinear (continuous-time) trajectories due to variations in model parameters, and hybrid sensitivities, which account for variations in trajectory caused by sudden transitions from nominal dynamics to alternative dynamic modes. We adapt continuous trajectory optimization to minimize these sensitivities while only minimally changing a nominal trajectory. We provide appended states, cost, and linearizations, required so that existing open-loop optimization methods can generate minimally sensitive feedforward trajectories. Although there are several applications for sensitivity optimization, this paper focuses on robot motion planning, where popular sample-based planners rely on local trajectory generation to expand tree/graph structures. While such planners often use stochastic uncertainty propagation to model and reduce uncertainty, this paper shows that trajectory uncertainty can be reduced by minimizing first-order sensitivities. Simulated vehicle examples show parametric sensitivity optimization generates trajectories optimally insensitive to parametric model uncertainty. Similarly, minimizing hybrid sensitivities reduces uncertainty in crossing mobility hazards (e.g. rough terrain, sand, ice). Examples demonstrate the process yields a planner that uses approximate hazard models to automatically and optimally choose when to avoid hazardous terrain and when controls can be adjusted to traverse hazards with reduced uncertainty. Sensitivity optimization offers a simple alternative to stochastic simulation and complicated uncertainty modeling for nonlinear systems.
MRI and CT imaging characteristics of myoepithelioma of the parotid gland
Authors: Ding Jianhui , Wang Wei , Peng Weijun , Zhou Xiaoyan , Chen Tongzhen
Published: October 2015

Background

Myoepithelioma is a rare tumor of the salivary gland and only few reports have focused on its imaging characteristics.

Purpose

To characterize the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) characteristics of myoepithelioma of the parotid gland.

Material and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the MRI and CT findings of nine patients with myoepithelioma in the parotid gland as demonstrated by pathologic analysis. The MRI and CT findings were analyzed regarding the tumor position, size, marginal morphology, and degree and patterns of enhancement.

Results

Unilocular and multilocular tumors were found in seven cases (7/9, 77.8%) and two cases (2/9, 22.2%), respectively. Most of the tumors were located in the superficial lobe (6/9, 66.7%) and abutted the capsule of the parotid gland (7/9, 77.8%). Six of the seven unilocular tumors were round. Most of the tumors displayed smooth contours (6/9, 66.7%) and well-defined margins (5/9, 55.6%). Four of five tumors (80%) display the capsule on T2-weighted (T2W) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1W) imaging. All five examined tumors exhibited homogeneous intermediate signal intensity on T1W imaging and high signal intensity on T2W imaging. On contrast-enhanced T1W imaging, the tumors displayed homogeneous ( n = 4) or heterogeneous ( n = 1) moderate to marked contrast enhancement. Based on the enhanced CT scans, four tumors exhibited moderate homogeneous ( n = 2) or heterogeneous ( n = 2) contrast enhancement.

Conclusion

Myoepitheliomas are characterized as small, unilocular, round tumors with smooth contours that are located in the superficial lobe and abut the capsule of the parotid gland, display the capsule on T2W and contrast-enhanced T1W imaging, and exhibit homogeneous signal intensities or densities based on MRI and CT.
Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: magnetic resonance imaging findings with diffusion MRI
Authors: Aslan Hulya , Pourbagher Aysin , Colakoglu Tamer
Published: October 2015

Background

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare benign breast disease with unknown etiology which can mimic breast carcinoma, both clinically and radiologically. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of IGM have been previously described; however there is no study evaluating diffusion-weighted MRI findings of IGM.

Purpose

To analyze conventional, dynamic contrast-enhanced, and diffusion-weighted MRI signal characteristics of IGM by comparing it with the contralateral normal breast parenchyma.

Material and Methods

A total of 39 patients were included in the study. On dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, the distribution and enhancement patterns of the lesions were evaluated. We also detected the frequencies of involving quadrants, retroareolar involvement, accompanying abscess, and skin edema. T2-weighted (T2W) and STIR signal intensities and both mean and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were compared with the contralateral normal parenchyma.

Results

IGM showed significantly lower mean and minimum ADC values when compared with the normal parenchyma. Signal intensities on T2W and STIR sequences of the lesion were significantly higher than the normal parenchyma. On dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, 7.7% of the patients had mass-like contrast enhancement, 92.3% of the patients had non-mass-like contrast enhancement. Abscess was positive in 33.3% of the patients.

Conclusion

As a result, IGM showed commonly non-mass-like lesions with restricted diffusion. Although it is a benign pathology, it may show clustered ring-like enhancement like malignant lesions.
Ultrasound of the coracoacromial ligament in asymptomatic volunteers and patients with shoulder impingement
Authors: Dietrich Tobias J , Jonczy Maciej , Buck Florian M , Sutter Reto , Puskas Gabor J , Pfirrmann Christian WA
Published: October 2015

Background

The coracoacromial ligament is part of the coracoacromial arch, which is considered to be involved in shoulder impingement.

Purpose

To compare the coracoacromial ligament on ultrasound in asymptomatic volunteers and in patients with subacromial shoulder impingement.

Material and Methods

Twenty-nine asymptomatic volunteers (mean age, 35.5 years) and 29 patients (mean age, 49.9 years) with shoulder impingement, diagnosed by experienced shoulder surgeons, were prospectively included. Two radiologists obtained and analyzed ultrasound images of the coracoacromial ligament in the longitudinal axis.

Results

The ligament thickness was 1.4 ± 0.2 mm at its midportion, 1.8 ± 0.4 mm at the coracoid, and 2.1 ± 0.6 mm at the acromion in asymptomatic volunteers compared with 1.3 ± 0.2 mm, 1.9 ± 0.5 mm, and 1.9 ± 0.5 mm in impingement patients for observer 1. The ligament length was 30.6 ± 2.4 mm in asymptomatic volunteers compared with 30.4 ± 3.6 mm in impingement patients for observer 1. An anteriorly convex shape of the superficial contour of the coracoacromial ligament was significantly more frequent in impingement patients compared with asymptomatic volunteers for both observers (observer 1: 10% (3/29) versus 45% (13/29), P value <0.01; observer 2: 10% (3/29) versus 38% (11/29), P value <0.03). The comparison of the remaining parameters of the coracoacromial ligament, such as the thickness, length, echogenicity, and fibrillation did not reveal significant differences between volunteers and patients.

Conclusion

While thickness or length of the coracoacromial ligament were similar in volunteers and patients with shoulder impingement, an anteriorly convex shape of the superficial contour of the coracoacromial ligament was significantly more frequent in impingement patients compared with asymptomatic volunteers.
Prostate cancer-specific mortality after radical prostatectomy: value of preoperative MRI
Authors: Woo Sungmin , Cho Jeong Yeon , Ku Ja Hyeon , Kim Sang Youn , Kim Seung Hyup
Published: October 2015

Background

Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently indispensable in the preoperative setting of biopsy-proven prostate cancer, the value of preoperative MRI for predicting prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) is not well known.

Purpose

To evaluate the value of MRI for predicting PCSM in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer.

Material and Methods

A total of 318 patients underwent MRI followed by RP. MRI was assessed for the presence of clinically significant cancer using a five-point Likert scale, where ≥4 was considered positive. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses was used to determine the relationship of preoperative factors with PCSM. PCSM was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between factors using the log-rank test.

Results

After a median follow-up of 104 months, 11 (3.5%) patients died of prostate cancer. One hundred and four (32.7%) patients had clinically significant prostate cancer on MRI. Univariate analysis revealed that Gleason grade, greatest percentage of involved core length (GPCL), and clinically significant cancer on MRI were significantly related to PCSM ( P = 0.001–0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that GPCL (hazard ratio [HR], 1.028; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.000–1.057; P = 0.048) and clinically significant cancer on MRI (HR, 10.903; 95% CI, 1.287–92.374; P = 0.028) were independent predictors of PCSM. The 5 - and 10-year PCSM rates were 0.6% and 1.3% in patients with GPCL <50% and 5.1% and 8.6% in those with GPCL ≥50% ( P = 0.012). Patients without clinically significant cancer on MRI showed 5 - and 10-year PCSM rates of 0% and 0.5%, respectively, whereas those with clinically significant cancer on MRI showed rates of 8% and 14.2%, respectively ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Preoperative MRI and GPCL may be used to predict PCSM after RP.
Cause-of-Death Analysis in Rodent Aging Studies
Authors: Snyder J. M. , Ward J. M. , Treuting P. M.
Published: October 2015

In research studies using rats or mice, the cause of death is often not evaluated or reported. An analysis of the causes of death is particularly valuable for aging and carcinogenesis studies. Comparing causes of death among the study groups is often an important adjunct to the biochemical, molecular, clinical, and histopathologic findings. The methods for evaluating causes of death, contributing causes of death, and comorbidities have been suggested in several publications. Surprisingly, in important mouse aging studies, causes of death are often not reported. Cause-of-death assignment in preclinical rodent model aging research suffers from a lack of a standardized approach and an understanding of the value that it can add to longevity and interventional studies. While assigning single cause of death may facilitate data analysis, defining and publishing data on contributing causes (comorbidities) provides more information on associated underlying chronic conditions and health span in mouse models. This article reviews factors that affect determination of cause of death and the methods for evaluating causes of death and comorbidities. The proposed systematic pathology analysis includes assigning cause of death and comorbidities to define total disease burden. The combination of pathology with in vivo data will fully characterize the effect of tested interventions on multiple chronic diseases and health span of aging mice with improved translation to human aging and age-associated lesions.
Experimental North American West Nile Virus Infection in the Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)
Authors: Gamino V. , Escribano-Romero E. , Blázquez A.-B. , Gutiérrez-Guzmán A.-V. , Martín-Acebes M.-Á. , Saiz J.-C. , Höfle U.
Published: October 2015

After the introduction of West Nile virus (WNV) into North America, bird mortalities associated with West Nile disease have dramatically increased in this continent and, to a lesser extent, in Europe. The different West Nile disease incidence in birds in these 2 continents demands an explanation, and experimental studies can provide important information. The authors inoculated thirteen 9-week-old red-legged partridges ( Alectoris rufa) with 107 plaque-forming units of a WNV strain isolated in New York in 1999. The objective was to study the pathogenesis of the infection in a native Euro-Mediterranean bird species with a WNV strain known to be highly pathogenic for numerous native American bird species. Additionally, the authors evaluated the dynamics of inflammatory cell activation and recruitment into the brain. WNV was detected in tissues 3 days postinoculation (dpi), and the birds developed macroscopic and microscopic lesions. Two partridges succumbed to the disease. The most affected tissues were the heart, brain, and spinal cord. The main microscopic findings were the presence of mononuclear infiltrates in the heart and brain, gliosis, and degeneration and necrosis of cardiomyocytes and neurons. These lesions were aggravated in the birds that died or were euthanized 7 dpi or later. In the brain, there was an upregulation of microglial cells and astrocytes and an increase in the number of T cells, especially after 7 dpi. These results show that this WNV strain is of moderate virulence for the red-legged partridge and that WNV-infected red-legged partridges develop an immune cell response in the brain similar to that of mammals.
Migraine and subclinical atherosclerosis in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)
Authors: Goulart Alessandra C , Santos Itamar S , Bittencourt Márcio S , Lotufo Paulo A , Benseñor Isabela M
Published: October 2015

Introduction

The relationship between migraine and coronary heart disease (CHD) remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the association of subclinical atherosclerosis and migraine with or without aura compared to a non-migraine subgroup (reference) in a large Brazilian multicentric cohort study, the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

Methods

Migraine diagnostic was based on International Headache Society criteria, and aura symptoms were validated by a medical doctor in a sub-sample of the ELSA-Brasil, who also underwent coronary artery calcium score (CAC) and carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) evaluations. Subclinical atherosclerosis indexes (CAC and C-IMT) were analyzed as dependent variables and migraine (all, with aura, without aura) as an independent variable in the linear and multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for possible confounders.

Results

Of 3217 ELSA participants free from CVD at baseline, we found a migraine frequency of 11.9% (5.1% with aura and 6.8% without aura). Overall, migraineurs were mostly women, younger and had lower frequency of CV risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes and low HDL-cholesterol, compared to non-migraineurs. The strongest inverse correlation between migraine and subclinical atherosclerosis was verified with CAC score. However, all associations lost their significance after multivariate adjustment.

Conclusions

In this cross-sectional evaluation of the ELSA study, migraine was not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, regardless of aura symptoms.
Social sciences in the transdisciplinary making of sustainable artifacts
Authors: Nascimento Susana , Pólvora Alexandre
Published: October 2015

From a transdisciplinary standpoint, we need to address the environmental, economic, social and cultural dimensions of sustainability by calling attention to the key role of social sciences in working with other experts and in engaging stakeholders. This article is focused on present and potential direct contributions from social scientists in the practical realms of designing, producing and using sustainable technologies, while also arguing that more active interventions are not only desirable, but considerably urgent from start to end in these realms. In addition, we argue that such interventions are now facing promising opportunities with upcoming technological trends that range from open design and new maker cultures to rapid prototyping or digital fabrication. These trends already offer several openness routes in technology creation, and consequently foster wider practical and conceptual transdisciplinary platforms to envision, build and share not only physical objects but also the ideas and discussions that constitute them.
Entrance flow of long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene through contraction die
Authors: Jin Gang , Lin Xiaokai , Tian Guoqiang , Zhang Shuangshuang , Wang Mengmeng , Wang Xiaolin
Published: October 2015

The entrance flow of long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene has been studied. It is demonstrated that longer glass fibers are easier to break and accumulate at the entrance. As the length of the die and shear rate increase, the fiber breakage increases for long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene. Comparison of fiber breakages of long and short glass fiber reinforced polypropylene indicates that short glass fiber mainly breaks before and at the entrance and remains almost unchanged in the die, while longer glass fibers still break after the entrance within the die. It is demonstrated that fiber accumulation increased when increasing the length of the die and shear rate. The pressure is found to oscillate at the entrance and this pressure accumulation and release should be related to the fiber interactions and fiber breakage at the entrance. It is also found that the presence of long glass fibers would lead to significantly higher viscosity which would decrease when increasing the shear rate.
Mechanical and abrasion wear properties of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber of identical hardness filled with carbon black and silica
Authors: Padenko E , Berki P , Wetzel B , Karger-Kocsis J
Published: October 2015

The mechanical and abrasive wear properties of a hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber filled with 35 part per hundred rubber carbon black or silica with and without silane surface treatment (SI-si and SI, respectively), were investigated. Specimens were subjected to dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (also to study the Payne effect), mechanical (hardness, tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength and strain, Mullins effect and tear strength), and fracture mechanical (J-integral) tests. The abrasive coefficient of friction and wear (specific wear rate, Ws) of the hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubbers of identical hardness were measured against abrasive papers of different grit sizes (P600-P5000).The worn surface of the HNBR systems was inspected in scanning electron microscopy and the typical wear mechanisms deduced and discussed. Coefficient of friction did not change with the grit size by contrast to Ws which was markedly reduced with decreasing surface roughness of the abrasive paper. Ws of the compounds did not vary when wearing against P3000 and P5000 abrasive papers, representing mean surface roughness values of 7 and 5  μm, respectively. This was attributed to a change from abrasion to sliding type wear. hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber- carbon black outperformed the silica filled versions with respect to Ws though exhibited the highest coefficient of friction. No definite correlation could be found between the abrasive wear and the studied dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and (fracture) mechanical properties.
Attorneys’ Use of Hegemonic Tales and Subversive Stories in the Presentation of Capital Mitigation
Authors: Kleinstuber Ross
Published: October 2015

It has been theorized that American culture is so individualistic that it compels defense attorneys in capital cases to rely upon and reinforce the very individualism that sustains the death penalty. Yet, stories also have the potential to be subversive, and because mitigation is specifically designed to present a contextualized view of a defendant and his or her social history, mitigation seems especially poised to offer a challenge to the hegemonic worldview that privileges individualistic causal explanations. Yet, the subversive potential of capital mitigation has never been examined. This study attempts to bridge this gap in the literature by analyzing eight mitigation cases from Delaware. The results confirm that while defense attorneys do utilize and reinforce individualistic causal explanations, most of them also attempted contextualizing stories that subverted the dominant cultural narrative, indicating that capital mitigation is an arena of social contest where both hegemonic and subversive stories can be told. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
Decayed Prospects
Authors: Douds Anne S. , Ahlin Eileen M. , Kavanaugh Philip R. , Olaghere Ajima
Published: October 2015

As controversy surrounding the Affordable Care Act continues to occupy the national landscape, inequality in access to care, especially among disadvantaged groups such as prisoners, garners comparably scant attention. While the corrections literature has examined prisoner health in more depth, fewer studies have specifically addressed the effects of prison dental care. Drawing on a sample of 30 adult male parolees, our study examines their experiences with prison dental services, how it affected their relationships during incarceration, and their reintegrative experiences—particularly with regard to employment. We find that dental care protocols are such that they often discourage inmates from seeking treatment, resulting in or exacerbate a damaged maxillofacial appearance, and that the social and psychological implications for reintegration are profound.
The effect of controlled microrobotized blasting on implant surface texturing and early osseointegration
Authors: Gil Luiz F , Marin Charles , Teixeira Hellen , Marão Heloisa F , Tovar Nick , Khan Rehan , Bonfante Estevam A , Janal Malvin , Coelho Paulo G
Published: October 2015

Surface topography modifications have become a key strategy for hastening the host-to-implant response to implantable materials. The present study evaluated the effect of three different carefully controlled surface texture patterns achieved through microrobotized blasting (controlled to high, medium and low roughness) relative to a larger scale blasting procedure (control) in early osseointegration in a canine model. Four commercially pure grade 2 titanium alloy implants (one of each surface) were bilaterally placed in the radii of six beagle dogs and allowed end points of 1 and 6 weeks in vivo. Following sacrifice, implants in bone were non-decalcified processed for bone morphologic and histometric (bone-to-implant contact; bone area fraction occupancy) evaluation. Surface topography was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and optical interferometry. Results showed initial osteogenic tissue interaction at one week and new bone in intimate contact with all implant surfaces at 6 weeks. At 1 and 6 weeks in vivo, higher bone-to-implant and bone area fraction occupancy were observed for the high texture pattern microrobotized blasted surface relative to others.
The cost of providing end of life care for nursing care home residents: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ennis Liam , Kinley Julie , Hockley Jo , McCrone Paul
Published: October 2015

Background

The proportion of people dying in long-term care institutions is predicted to increase in future years. Establishing the costs associated with the provision of such care is important as it represents a potentially increasing burden.

Aim

This study describes the end of life healthcare costs for nursing home residents. The study also explores the effects of resident characteristics on costs, through regression modelling.

Setting

This study took place in south-east England.

Participants

Thirty-eight nursing care homes took part in the study, comprising 2444 individual residents.

Methods

Using a retrospective cohort design, end of life service use was recorded from residents’ nursing care home notes. In this study, end of life was defined as the last six months of life, or from time of residency if this was less than six months. Costs were calculated assuming a healthcare payer perspective.

Results

The total mean healthcare cost per resident was £3906. Hospital stays accounted for two-thirds (67%) of these costs. Fifty-six percent of these hospital stays occurred in the final month of life. Death in hospital vs. in the nursing care home was associated with an average increase in costs of £4223.

Conclusions

Death in hospital is costly, and is seldom identified as a preferred place of death. Therefore, interventions are needed which help nursing care home staff to identify when an individual is dying, and have the skill and confidence to make difficult decisions regarding care provision at the end of life.
Physician perceived market competition associated with barriers to delivery of quality care: Evidence from a national cross-sectional survey of physicians in the USA
Authors: Lee Doohee , Rutsohn Phil
Published: October 2015

While quality is of paramount concern in health care, there has been little research done examining physician attitudes towards quality of health care and their perceived competitiveness in the market place. Utilizing the national physician survey data ( n = 4720), we undertook a bivariate and multivariate regression analysis to explore the association between physician perceived competition and barriers to quality of care. After adjusting personal and organizational factors, two quality care measures were found to be related to increased physician perceived market competition: (1) inadequate mechanism (patient’s inability to pay for care); (2) variations in practice (medical errors and untimeliness of medical reports). Overall our findings suggest the association between perceived market competition and barriers to quality of care. In physicians’ views the current managed care market system appears to be competitive but this market competition may not benefit practicing physicians in improving quality of patient care.
The Ethical Limits of Power: On the Perichoresis of Power
Authors: Schweiker William
Published: October 2015

This article explores the interrelations among religious, moral and political power in an analogy to the Christian concept of ‘perichoresis’ of the Trinity. Starting with beliefs about power, the endoxa, the article explores, first, moments in Western thought to show how power has been grounded in God or gods and in the vitalities of nature. In each case, ultimately speaking, ‘might makes right’. Within this history the article also charts the ‘axial breakthrough’ in Christianity that places ‘ethical’ limits on religious and political power. In a second step, the works of Reinhold Niebuhr and Stanley Hauerwas are explored in order to show that current Christian ethics is caught in an aporia: it asserts the reality of power in history and the ‘world’, but also the ultimate claim of Christian love. The article concludes that Christian ethics needs a differentiated conception of power and a renewed conception of ‘conscience’ as the mode of moral being within complex social systems.
Mach number at outlet plane of a straight micro-tube
Authors: Kawashima D , Yamada T , Hong C , Asako Y
Published: October 2015

The Mach number and pressure at the outlet plane of a straight micro-tube were investigated numerically for both laminar and turbulent flow cases. The numerical methodology is based on the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method. The LB1 turbulence model was used for the turbulent flow case. The compressible momentum and energy equations with the assumption of the ideal gas were solved. The computational domain is extended to the downstream region from the micro-tube outlet. The back pressure was given to the outside of the downstream region. The computations were performed for a tube whose diameter ranges from 50 to 500 μm. The average Mach number at the outlet plane of the choked flow depends on the tube diameter and ranges from 1.16 to 1.25. The flow characteristics of the under-expanded gas flow in a straight micro-tube were revealed.
On the comparison between displacement modal testing and strain modal testing
Authors: Mucchi Emiliano
Published: October 2015

The conventional modal testing (referred to as displacement modal testing (DMT)) is based on measurement of displacement, velocity or acceleration as well as excitation force. Though there exits an enormous literature with regard to DMT, on the contrary, a few papers address modal testing based on strain gauges or strain sensor (referred to as strain modal testing (SMT)). The main reason for this scenario is due to practical problems in the use of strain gauges as calibration procedure, ground loop sensitivity are not adequate at high frequency, bonding quality. In this work, a novel piezoelectric strain sensor is used for SMT. In this study it is demonstrated that this sensor overcomes the practical drawbacks related to the use of strain gauges. Thus, SMT based on piezoelectric strain sensors can be a valid alternative to DMT which is usually based on accelerometers. Comparisons between the modal testing results concerning brackets with different constraint conditions using both accelerometers and strain sensors are given in terms of modal parameters, highlighting their pros and cons.
Holocene land–sea climatic links on the equatorial Pacific coast (Bay of Guayaquil, Ecuador)
Authors: Seillès Brice , Sánchez Goñi Maria Fernanda , Ledru Marie-Pierre , Urrego Dunia H , Martinez Philippe , Hanquiez Vincent , Schneider Ralph
Published: October 2015

We analyzed the pollen content of a marine core located near the Bay of Guayaquil in Ecuador to document the link between sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and changes in rainfall regimes on the adjacent continent during the Holocene. Based on the expansion/regression of five vegetation types, we observe three successive climatic patterns. In the first phase, between 11,700 and 7700 cal. yr BP, the presence of a cloud (Andean) forest in the mid altitudes and mangroves in the estuary of the Guayas basin, were associated with a maximum in boreal summer insolation, a northernmost position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a land–sea thermal contrast, cloud dripping, and dry edaphic conditions. Between 7700 and 2850 cal. yr BP, the expansion of the coastal vegetation and the regression of the mangrove indicate a drier climate with weak ITCZ and low El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability while austral summer insolation gradually increased. The interval between 4200 and 2850 cal. yr BP was marked by the coolest and driest climatic conditions of the Holocene because of the weak influence of the ITCZ and a strengthening of the Humboldt Current. After 2850 cal. yr BP, high variability and amplitude of the Andean forest changes occurred when ENSO frequency and amplitude increased, indicating high variability in land–sea connections. The ITCZ reached the latitude of Guayaquil only after 2500 cal. yr BP inducing the bimodal precipitation regime we observe today. Our study shows that besides insolation, the ITCZ position, and ENSO frequency, changes in eastern equatorial Pacific SSTs play a major role in determining the composition of the ecosystems and the hydrological cycle of the Ecuadorian Pacific coast and the Western Cordillera in Ecuador.
History and mechanisms for the expansion of the Badain Jaran Desert, northern China, since 20 ka: Geological and luminescence chronological evidence
Authors: Fan Yuxin , Zhang Fan , Zhang Fu , Liu Wenhao , Chen Xiaolong , Fan Tianlai , Wang Yongda , Chen Fahu , Lai Zhongping
Published: October 2015

Desert landscapes are widely distributed in the arid northern China. The Badain Jaran Desert (BJD) is located north-west of the Tengger Desert (TD) and Ulan Buh Desert (UBD), with the Yabrai and Bayan Ulan Mountains separating the BJD from the TD and UBD. Many sand belts with an orientation of NW-SE, which is similar to that of the prevailing sand-transporting winds, connect the BJD with the TD and UBD, forming the sand transportation routes from the BJD to the TD and UBD. Thus, these sand belts are sensitive to the expansion or shrinkage of the BJD, whose chronologies could be critical for understanding the evolution of the BJD. However, age data are still very limited. In this study, field investigation and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating have been conducted in 14 profiles, and 24 OSL ages are obtained. The OSL ages range from approximately 15 ka to modern. Our results and previous chronological data revealed that the BJD’s expansion initiated at 20 ka, and the present-day landscape formed within the latest 2 ka with periodic expansions at 19–15, 11–9, 7.3 and 6–5 ka. We propose that these expansions of the BJD before ~5 ka and during the 0.9–0.8 ka interval were responses to regionally low effective moisture conditions in north-western China, while the expansions at ~2 ka and within the latest 200 years were likely triggered by intensified human activity.
Beethoven's autopsy revisited: A pathologist sounds a final note
Authors: Oiseth Stanley J
Published: October 2015

This review of the original autopsy report of Beethoven's remains indicates Paget's disease within the skull, which was dense and twice normal thickness, with dilated vessels at the petrous bone. The facial nerves were enlarged and the eighth nerves atrophied despite their sharing a common meatus at the internal auditory canal. Nephrolithiasis and pyelonephritis with cortical and perinephric abscesses were also reported. The hypercalcaemia was probably caused by hyperparathyroidism, which may be associated with Paget's disease, and both may have played a role in his psychiatric symptoms as well as in his abdominal pain and gastrointestinal complaints. Since Paget's disease may also be associated with gout, some of the joint pains could be attributable to this as well. Hypovitaminosis A from chronic pancreatitis is suggested as a cause of painful eyes and either quinine abuse or severe hypercalcaemia as a cause of arrhythmias. Beethoven died of terminal cirrhosis with chronic pancreatitis, most likely related to chronic excessive intake of alcohol. Thus, Paget’s disease, complicated by hyperparathyroidism, gout, and attempts to find relief of symptoms through the use of alcohol, quinine, and possibly salicylates can explain virtually all of Beethoven's medical problems, some of which appear to have influenced his musical compositions.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s (FDR’s) (1882–1945) 1921 neurological disease revisited; the most likely diagnosis remains Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Goldman Armond S , Schmalstieg Elisabeth J , Dreyer Charles F , Schmalstieg Frank C , Goldman Daniel A
Published: October 2015

In 2003, we published evidence that the most likely cause of FDR’s 1921 neurological disease was Guillain–Barré syndrome. Afterwards, several historians and neurologists stated in their publications that FDR had paralytic poliomyelitis. However, significant criticism of our article or new support for that diagnosis was not revealed. One critic claimed that FDR’s cerebrospinal fluid indicated poliomyelitis, but we did not find evidence that a lumbar puncture was performed. The diagnosis of FDR’s neurological disease still depends upon documented clinical abnormalities. His age, prolonged symmetric ascending paralysis, transient numbness, protracted dysaesthesia (pain on slight touch), facial paralysis, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and absence of meningismus are typical of Guillain–Barré syndrome and are inconsistent with paralytic poliomyelitis. FDR’s prolonged fever was atypical for both diseases. Finally, permanent paralysis, though commoner in paralytic poliomyelitis, is frequent in Guillain–Barré syndrome. Thus, the clinical findings indicate the most likely diagnosis in FDR’s case remains Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Charles Bernard Puestow (1902–1973): American surgeon and commander of the 27th Evacuation Hospital during the Second World War
Authors: Bosmia Anand N , Christein John D
Published: October 2015

Dr. Charles Bernard Puestow (1902–1973) was an American surgeon who is well known for developing the longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy, which is known as the “Puestow procedure” in his honor. Puestow served in the American military during the Second World War and commanded the 27th Evacuation Hospital, which provided medical and surgical services to wounded individuals in Europe and North Africa. In 1946, he founded the surgical residency training program at the Hines Veterans Hospital, which was the first such program in the United States based at a veterans hospital.
Edward Gantt (1742–1837): US senate chaplain and first White House physician to Thomas Jefferson
Authors: Cavanagh Harrison Dwight
Published: October 2015

In his long and eventful life, Edward Gantt (1742–1837) made important contributions to the newly independent American Republic, as well as to the development of scientific evidence-based American medicine. Unfortunately, his achievements have gone unrecognized and unreported in mainstream historical publications. Specifically, his service as the first designated White House doctor, and personal physician to President Thomas Jefferson from 1801 to 1809 has not been reported. The purpose of this paper is to document the biographical and scientific details of his extraordinary life and notable contributions.