bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Place in Communicating Climate Change to Different Facets of the American Public
Authors: Halperin Abby , Walton Peter
Published: October 2017

While the need for action on climate change is urgent, individual-level behaviors to mitigate or adapt to the problem have not tracked with the increasing urgency for action. Place-based communication of climate change may catalyze action by making climate change more personally relevant. However, there is no one general public, so communication efforts can unintentionally polarize beliefs. This study aims to fill the gap in knowledge about how and why different audiences respond to place-based climate change communication, which could aid climate change communication efforts and climate scientists. Results from an experimental survey of 655 Californians and follow-up interviews indicate that prior climate change beliefs influence the effectiveness of place-based climate change communication. In particular, those who were already “concerned” about climate change, as classified by the Six Americas, were the only group to show a significant response to an intervention. This study also finds no difference in willingness to adapt to climate change between local and global framings. However, those exposed to a local framing were more likely to take personal-scale adaptation actions, while those exposed to a global framing were more likely to take policy-scale adaptation actions. These results, and the theories of place attachment and psychological distance, suggest that place-based communication may only be applicable for certain audiences (e.g., the concerned) and when the scale of the intervention matches the scale of action.
Designing Effective Tsunami Messages: Examining the Role of Short Messages and Fear in Warning Response
Authors: Sutton Jeannette , Vos Sarah C. , Wood Michele M. , Turner Monique
Published: October 2017

Although tsunamis have the potential to be extremely destructive, relatively little research on tsunami messaging has taken place. Discovering whether tsunami warning messages can be written in a way that leads to increased protective response is crucial, particularly given the increased use of mobile message services and the role they play in notifying the public of imminent threats such as tsunami and other hazards. The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility of designing warning messages for tsunamis that improve upon message style and content used by public alerting agencies to date and to gain insight that can be applied to other hazards. This study tested the impact of tsunami messages that varied in length and content on six message outcomes—understanding, believing, personalizing, deciding, milling, and fear. Relative to the short message, revised messages resulted in significantly more understanding and deciding, known precursors to taking protective action under threat. The revised message also resulted in significantly more fear, which is believed to influence behavioral intentions. Findings suggest that shorter messages may not deliver enough content to inform message receivers about the threat they face and the protective actions they should perform. Longer messages delivered with more specific information about the location of impact, threat-associated risks, and recommended protective actions were associated with better message outcomes, including quicker intended response. Recommendations for future tsunami warnings are provided.
Development of Institutional Guidelines for Management of Gram-Negative Bloodstream Infections: Incorporating Local Evidence
Authors: Nimmich Elizabeth B. , Bookstaver P. Brandon , Kohn Joseph , Justo Julie Ann , Hammer Katie L. , Albrecht Helmut , Al-Hasan Majdi N.
Published: October 2017

Background: Appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy is associated with improved outcomes of patients with Gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSI). Objective: Development of evidence-based institutional management guidelines for empirical antimicrobial therapy of Gram-negative BSI. Methods: Hospitalized adults with Gram-negative BSI in 2011-2012 at Palmetto Health hospitals in Columbia, SC, USA, were identified. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between site of infection acquisition and BSI due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa or chromosomally mediated AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CAE). Antimicrobial susceptibility rates of bloodstream isolates were stratified by site of acquisition and acute severity of illness. Retained antimicrobial regimens had predefined susceptibility rates ≥90% for noncritically ill and ≥95% for critically ill patients. Results: Among 390 patients, health care–associated (odds ratio [OR]: 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-6.3] and hospital-acquired sites of acquisition (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.6-8.4) were identified as risk factors for BSI due to P aeruginosa or CAE, compared with community-acquired BSI (referent). Based on stratified bloodstream antibiogram, ceftriaxone met predefined susceptibility criteria for community-acquired BSI in noncritically ill patients (95%). Cefepime and piperacillin-tazobactam monotherapy achieved predefined susceptibility criteria in noncritically ill (95% both) and critically ill patients with health care–associated and hospital-acquired BSI (96% and 97%, respectively) and critically ill patients with community-acquired BSI (100% both). Conclusions: Incorporation of site of acquisition, local antimicrobial susceptibility rates, and acute severity of illness into institutional guidelines provides objective evidence-based approach for optimizing empirical antimicrobial therapy for Gram-negative BSI. The suggested methodology provides a framework for guideline development in other institutions.
Underutilization of Aldosterone Antagonists in Heart Failure
Authors: Patterson Shanise J. , Reaves Anne B. , Tolley Elizabeth A. , Ulrich Dagny , Hilty Christopher , Clarke Catherine J. , Self Timothy H.
Published: October 2017

Background: Treatment with an aldosterone antagonist (AA) has been shown in multiple trials to reduce heart failure (HF)–related morbidity, mortality, and hospital readmission. American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and American Heart Association (AHA) treatment guidelines recommend the use of an AA in all HF patients with an ejection fraction ≤35% and no known contraindication. Several studies have documented underuse of AA. Objectives: To determine the proportion of patients who received AA therapy consistent with the ACCF/AHA guidelines. Secondary objectives included determining the proportion of patients who received an AA inconsistent with guidelines and 30- and 90-day readmission rates. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients admitted to an inner city academic medical center with a diagnosis of HF between August 16, 2011, and June 5, 2013. Results: A total of 346 HF admissions (87.6% African American) were evaluated. Use of an AA at discharge was consistent with guidelines in 31% of patients. A total of 121 patients (35%) were discharged on an AA. Among the remaining 225 patients who were not discharged on an AA, 170 (75.6%) had no contraindication to therapy. Sixty-one patients were readmitted within 30 days, and a total of 108 patients were readmitted within 90 days. There were no significant differences in readmission rates between patients who were discharged on AA therapy and those who were not. Conclusion: AAs are still underutilized in the treatment of HF.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Stewardship–Related Alerts Using a Clinical Decision Support System
Authors: Ghamrawi Riane J. , Kantorovich Alexander , Bauer Seth R. , Pallotta Andrea M. , Sekeres Jennifer K. , Gordon Steven M. , Neuner Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2017

Background: Information technology, including clinical decision support systems (CDSS), have an increasingly important and growing role in identifying opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship–related interventions. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe and compare types and outcomes of CDSS-built antimicrobial stewardship alerts. Methods: Fifteen alerts were evaluated in the initial antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) review. Preimplementation, alerts were reviewed retrospectively. Postimplementation, alerts were reviewed in real-time. Data collection included total number of actionable alerts, recommendation acceptance rates, and time spent on each alert. Time to de-escalation to narrower spectrum agents was collected. Results: In total, 749 alerts were evaluated. Overall, 306 (41%) alerts were actionable (173 preimplementation, 133 postimplementation). Rates of actionable alerts were similar for custom-built and prebuilt alert types (39% [53 of 135] vs 41% [253 of 614], P = .68]. In the postimplementation group, an intervention was attempted in 97% of actionable alerts and 70% of interventions were accepted. The median time spent per alert was 7 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 5-13 minutes; 15 [12-17] minutes for actionable alerts vs 6 [5-7] minutes for nonactionable alerts, P < .001). In cases where the antimicrobial was eventually de-escalated, the median time to de-escalation was 28.8 hours (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.0-69.1 hours) preimplementation vs 4.7 hours (95% CI, 2.4-22.1 hours) postimplementation, P < .001. Conclusions: CDSS have played an important role in ASPs to help identify opportunities to optimize antimicrobial use through prebuilt and custom-built alerts. As ASP roles continue to expand, focusing time on customizing institution specific alerts will be of vital importance to help redistribute time needed to manage other ASP tasks and opportunities.
Janus Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Turan Senir , Walker Scot
Published: October 2017

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease where the immune system attacks the linings of the joints, resulting in joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and destruction. Although many products are available for the treatment of RA, limitations such as adverse reactions and tolerance greatly affect adherence. Many of the current biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on the market are injectables, leaving a void to be filled for a product that can be taken orally. The most advanced of these approaches, the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, are oral drugs that have not only made a breakthrough in RA, but also other skin conditions.
Depression, Work and Family Roles, and the Gendered Life Course
Authors: Leupp Katrina
Published: October 2017

Despite the importance of employment for shaping mental health over the life course, little is known about how the mental health benefits of employment change as individuals age through their prime employment and child-rearing years. This study examines the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 Cohort ( N = 8,931), following respondents from their late 20s to mid-50s. Results suggest that among women, the aging of children is especially salient for shaping the mental health consequences of employment. Young children diminish the protective effect of mothers’ full- and part-time employment, but the salubrious effects of paid work increase as children get older. The benefit of employment for men’s mental health also changes over time, but it is the aging of men themselves rather than their children that alters the magnitude of full-time employment’s protective effect. Findings suggest the contribution of employment to life course mental health remains tethered to traditional gender roles.
Feasibility of transthoracic echocardiographic imaging in non-sedated ovine subjects using a commercial restraint device
Authors: Colpitts Michelle E , Phillion Rachel C , Malinowski Marcin , Coleman Rhonda A , Mitchell Lou A , Malone Angela B , Eberhart Lenora L , Sanders Robert A , Langholz David E
Published: October 2017

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a valuable non-invasive imaging research technique. In ovine models of cardiac disease, restraint for TTE often involves sedation even with currently available restraint equipment; our goal was to determine the feasibility of using a commercial restraint device, commonly known as the sheep chair, in minimizing animal stress and the need for sedation while achieving a complete TTE examination. A total of 10 healthy adult Dorset sheep were restrained in a sheep chair for TTE and observed for signs of stress. No animals displayed overt evidence of stress and none required sedation. While individual anatomic variation existed, image quality was sufficient to determine cardiac function. These observations suggest that a sheep chair is a useful aid in minimizing the need for sedation to acquire a full TTE study in ovine subjects.
Edcamps are for principals, too
Authors: Linton Jayme N. , Carpenter Jeffrey P. , Weber Steven
Published: October 2017

School leaders pour time and energy into others all day, every day. To keep them energized and build their capacity to lead, principals need to connect with others and engage in conversation around effective practices. A new model of professional development known as Edcamp offers a place where school leaders can stay abreast of emerging practices and resources, talk about problems of practice with other leaders, and recharge their batteries for the tireless work they do. This article describes the value of Edcamps for principals and offers suggestions to help school leaders connect with other passionate educators at Edcamp.
Modeling a modern tram system integrated with a road traffic simulation
Authors: Zhao Xing , Li Yan , Xu Shanshan , Zhai Hui
Published: October 2017

For the purpose of presenting running processes, assessing the efficiencies of operation plans of modern trams and corresponding adjustments of road traffic signal timing, and reflecting the influence of interactions between tram signals and road traffic signals to the regional transport network, this paper formulates a microscopic model for the modern tram system integrated with a road traffic simulation which contains six modules: the passenger module, the tram vehicle module, the tram equipment module, the road traffic module, the interaction module, and the performance module. Then, validation of the model is presented by comparing the travel time of field observations and simulation results of the proposed model, and statistical testing of the average passenger waiting time and number of waiting passengers. Overall, two applications are developed to illustrate the model capabilities and application value. The first example compares average queuing lengths of urban road traffic at an intersection under different departing intervals of trams; the second one designs the plans of traffic signal coordination control and tram running processes to realize a two-directional green wave for trams.
Preparation and characterization of polysulfone amide nanoyarns by the dynamic rotating electrospinning method
Authors: Jin Shixin , Xin Binjie , Zheng Yuansheng
Published: October 2017

In this study, a novel electrospinning method and the related spinning device were developed to fabricate a new type of polysulfone amide yarn assembled with nanoscale fiber. The electrospun nanofibers extruded and stretched under the electric field force were assembled and twisted with a rotating receiver, so the freshly prepared nanofibers could be bundled into yarns continuously. The effects of solid concentration and the rotating speed of the collector on the yarn structures and properties were investigated systematically. The three-dimensional electric field was modeled and calculated theoretically to simulate the electric field distribution of the electrospinning system. The experimental results showed that the morphology, mechanical strength, and thermal and wicking properties were obviously affected by solid concentration and the rotating speed of the collector. It was found that the nanoyarn could achieve a better performance in morphology, strength, heat resistance, moisture absorption at 12 wt% and 40 r/min collector rotating speed. Therefore, the proposed advanced electrospinning technique in this paper could be used to produce multi-functional nanoyarns, which may be useful for the application of nanoyarns in various industrial fields.
Tourism and Economic Globalization: An Emerging Research Agenda
Authors: Song Haiyan , Li Gang , Cao Zheng
Published: October 2017

Globalization characterizes the economic, social, political, and cultural spheres of the modern world. Tourism has long been claimed as a crucial force shaping globalization, while in turn the developments of the tourism sector are under the influences of growing interdependence across the world. As globalization proceeds, destination countries have become more and more susceptible to local and global events. By linking the existing literature coherently, this study explores a number of themes on economic globalization in tourism. It attempts to identify the forces underpinning globalization and assess the implications on both the supply side and the demand side of the tourism sector. In view of a lack of quantitative evidence, future directions for empirical research have been suggested to investigate the interdependence of tourism demand, the convergence of tourism productivity, and the impact of global events.
Pilot Test of a Culturally Appropriate Diabetes Prevention Intervention for At-Risk Latina Women
Authors: McCurley Jessica L. , Fortmann Addie L. , Gutierrez Angela P. , Gonzalez Patricia , Euyoque Johanna , Clark Taylor , Preciado Jessica , Ahmad Aakif , Philis-Tsimikas Athena , Gallo Linda C.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to test the preliminary effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a peer-led, culturally appropriate, Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)–based lifestyle intervention for Latina women at high-risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods

Participants (N = 61) were overweight/obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥25) Latina women with no diabetes, at elevated risk either due to midlife age (45-65 years; n = 37) or history of gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 24). The study used a 1-group pretest-posttest design and offered 12 weeks of peer-led education sessions in a community setting. The intervention targeted physical activity and dietary behaviors to facilitate weight reduction and included culturally appropriate content, age-specific health information, and stress/emotion management strategies. Clinical and self-report assessments were conducted at baseline, month 3, and month 6.

Results

Mean participant age was 47.8 years (SD = 10.8). Most (91.2%) were born in Mexico, and 43.3% had a ninth-grade education or less. At month 6, participants achieved a mean reduction of 4.1% body weight (7 lb [3.2 kg]). Statistically significant improvements were observed for dietary behaviors, stress, and depression symptoms. Attrition was low, 5% (3 women). Focus groups indicated that intervention content increased knowledge, was applicable, highly valued, culturally relevant, and would be recommended to others.

Conclusions

This culturally tailored DPP adaptation was feasible and acceptable for 2 groups of Latina women at high-risk for T2DM and showed preliminary effectiveness in reducing weight and modifying self-reported dietary behaviors, stress, and depression symptoms. Further research is needed to identify ways to enhance weight loss and diabetes prevention in this at-risk, underserved population.
Correlations between teacher turnover and specific non-pecuniary school characteristics among secondary band and choral programs in a large urban district
Authors: Robinson Nicole R.
Published: October 2017

This study was designed to examine teacher turnover among secondary choral and band programs ( N = 124) in a large, urban school district in the USA during a 10-year period (1999–2000 through 2009–2010). Also, this study investigated correlations between teacher turnover and specific non-pecuniary school attributes, including total school enrollment, total number of minority students enrolled in the school, total number of students classified as low-poverty, total number of suspension incidents, and total number of expulsion incidents. Overall, secondary music teacher turnover in this urban district negatively correlated with enrollment, minority, and suspension incidents. Specifically, middle school choral teacher turnover was negatively correlated with enrollment and minority, middle school band teacher turnover was negatively correlated with enrollment, minority, and suspension incidents and high school choral teacher turnover was negatively correlated with enrollment, minority, and suspension incidents. Interestingly, high school band teacher turnover was not correlated with any of the non-pecuniary school characteristics.
Successful use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a child with obstructive shock due to massive bilateral pulmonary embolism
Authors: Badheka Aditya , Bangalore Prakash Pradeep , Allareddy Veerajalandhar
Published: October 2017

Background:

Acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a very rare condition in children. We report the successful use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) as a lifesaving modality in a child with acute massive PE.

Case presentation:

A nine-year-old female with spinal muscular atrophy type 1, chronic respiratory failure with tracheostomy and ventilator dependence presented with tachypnea and hypoxia. She had recent coiling of her pulmonary arterio-venous malformation. A chest computerized tomography scan showed massive bilateral PE. Urgent catheter-directed thrombolysis failed. She was placed on VA-ECMO with stabilization of hemodynamics. She underwent surgical thrombo-embolectomy followed by weaning of ECMO support.

Discussion:

The use of VA ECMO supported the cardio-respiratory status and perfusion to facilitate surgical embolectomy.
Comparison of Vital Statistics Definitions of Suicide against a Coroner Reference Standard: A Population-Based Linkage Study
Authors: Gatov Evgenia , Kurdyak Paul , Sinyor Mark , Holder Laura , Schaffer Ayal
Published: October 2017

Objective:

We sought to determine the utility of health administrative databases for population-based suicide surveillance, as these data are generally more accessible and more integrated with other data sources compared to coroners’ records.

Method:

In this retrospective validation study, we identified all coroner-confirmed suicides between 2003 and 2012 in Ontario residents aged 21 and over and linked this information to Statistics Canada’s vital statistics data set. We examined the overlap between the underlying cause of death field and secondary causes of death using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for deliberate self-harm (i.e., suicide) and examined the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of misclassified records.

Results:

Among 10,153 linked deaths, there was a very high degree of overlap between records coded as deliberate self-harm in the vital statistics data set and coroner-confirmed suicides using both ICD-9 and ICD-10 definitions (96.88% and 96.84% sensitivity, respectively). This alignment steadily increased throughout the study period (from 95.9% to 98.8%). Other vital statistics diagnoses in primary fields included uncategorised signs and symptoms. Vital statistics records that were misclassified did not differ from valid records in terms of sociodemographic characteristics but were more likely to have had an unspecified place of injury on the death certificate ( P < 0.001), more likely to have died at a health care facility ( P < 0.001), to have had an autopsy ( P = 0.002), and to have been admitted to a psychiatric hospital in the year preceding death ( P = 0.03).

Conclusions:

A high degree of concordance between vital statistics and coroner classification of suicide deaths suggests that health administrative data can reliably be used to identify suicide deaths.
The effects of lead on GABAergic interneurons in rodents
Authors: Duan Yifei , Peng Leiwen , Shi Hua , Jiang Yongmei
Published: October 2017

Lead is a heavy metal that affects various systems and organs in the body, especially the nervous system. In this study, the in vivo and in vitro effects of lead on neurons were analyzed. We divided mouse pups into three groups based on the concentration of lead exposure: the control group, the low-dose group, and the high-dose group. Changes in behavior (measured by an open-field test and a tail suspension test), blood lead levels (measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry), the number of GABAergic interneurons (measured by immunohistochemistry), gene expression (measured by qRT-PCR), and DNA methylation (measured by pyrosequencing) were determined in the three groups. The lead-exposed pups showed significantly higher blood lead levels ( p < 0.001). Lead exposure caused hyperactivity and reduced the body weight of the exposed mice compared with that of the controls. The lead-exposed groups showed significantly lower numbers of parvalbumin and neuropeptide Y interneurons and lower expression levels of distal-less homeobox ( Dlx) 1, 2, 5, and 6 genes in the cerebral cortex. To further clarify the mechanism of Dlx gene downregulation, we selected the GE6 cell line, which can differentiate into various subtypes of GABAergic interneurons, for in vitro experiments. We found that high levels of lead also inhibited the expression of Dlx 1/ 2/ 5/ 6 in vitro, but DNA methylation levels were not changed in the GE6 cell line. Furthermore, lead exposure significantly decreased the expression of Olig1 and Ki67 and increased that of Tubb3 in vitro. The present study revealed that lead exposure can alter behaviors, reduce the number of GABAergic interneurons, and change the expression of some important genes in neuronal cells.
Imagining Families
Authors: Gómez-Urrutia Verónica , Paulina Royo Urrizola , Miguel Ángel Cruz Cubillos
Published: October 2017

Feminist scholarship highlights the key role the family plays in promoting or hindering gender equality. This article explores how young university students ( N = 1,038) imagine their future regarding family arrangements in the Maule region (Chile). Quantitative and qualitative data suggest young people recognize and value diversity in family ideals, with significant gender differences. However, Chilean legislation and public social policy take the traditional family as the blueprint for state action, jeopardizing those projects that depart from the traditional one. Public policy and social work need to acknowledge the multiplicity of family ideals held by the younger generations to promote gender equality.
Long-Term Effect of Parents’ Support on Adolescents’ Career Maturity
Authors: Lim Sun Ah , You Sukkyung
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing adolescents’ career development. Using three-wave longitudinal data (Seoul Education Longitudinal Study2010), we examined the direct and indirect effects of parents’ support on career maturity, in addition to the mediating effect of self-esteem in the relationship between parents’ support and career maturity. We also examined the sex differences in the relationship among the variables. The subjects of this research were 4,187 adolescents who progressed from seventh grade in 2010 to ninth grade in 2012. The results are as follows: First, parental support has differential effects on career maturity via self-esteem. Second, in the longitudinal relationship of parents’ support, self-esteem, and career maturity, the developmental differences according to sex were supported empirically. This study finding suggests that it is possible to enhance adolescents’ career development by proper interventions in the period of adolescence which take into consideration these sex differences.
Battery electric vehicle energy consumption prediction for a trip based on route information
Authors: Wang Jiquan , Besselink Igo , Nijmeijer Henk
Published: October 2017

Drivers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) require an accurate and reliable energy consumption prediction along a chosen route to reduce range anxiety. The energy consumption for a future trip depends on a number of factors such as driving behavior, road topography information, weather conditions and traffic situation. This paper discusses an algorithm to predict the energy consumption for a future trip considering these influencing factors. The route information is obtained from OpenStreetMap and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. The algorithm consists of an offline algorithm and an online algorithm. The offline algorithm is designed to provide information for the driver to make future driving plans, which provides a nominal energy consumption value and an energy consumption range before a trip begins. The online algorithm is designed to adjust the energy consumption prediction result based on current driving, which includes a vehicle parameter estimation algorithm and a driving behavior correction algorithm. The energy consumption prediction algorithm is verified by 30 driving tests, including city, rural, highway and hilly driving. A comparison shows that the measured energy consumption of all trips is within the energy consumption range provided by the offline algorithm and most of the differences between the measurement and nominal prediction are smaller than 10%. The offline prediction is used as a starting point and is corrected by the online algorithm during driving. The mean absolute percentage error between the measured energy consumption value and online prediction result of all trips is within 5%.
Additives for Spark Ignition and Compression Ignition engine fuels
Authors: Bennett John
Published: October 2017

Fuel additives for automotive applications have been in use for almost as long as the automobile has existed. They provide significant benefits, both in making fuels fit for purpose and to deliver protection and performance benefits. Performance benefits can range from protection against degradation, through recovery of lost performance, all the way to enhanced engine function. This has become particularly important with the tension between increasingly stringent long emissions requirements, the encouragement of renewable biofuel content and the drive to improved engine efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. The paper discusses where performance fuel additives provide their benefits and how they are evolving to work with latest generations of fuel and engines, and provides an overview of the current and upcoming industry engine tests for fuels and their additives.
Torque distribution of a four in-wheel motors electric vehicle based on a PMSM system model
Authors: Wu Dongmei , Li Yang , Zhang Jianwei , Du Changqing
Published: October 2017

This study investigates a method for determining the torque distribution between front and rear in-wheel motors in an electric vehicle to improve energy efficiency. The method is based on an analytical model of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) losses, which consist of the losses from electric motors and inverters. The loss model is used to analyze the optimal torque distribution ratio for minimum system losses. The analysis is conducted for two cases: the first is for identical motor parameter values of the front and rear wheels; the second is for different motor parameter values. For the first case, the results show that the even torque distribution between the front and rear wheels results in minimum system losses if the motor loss is a convex function of electromagnetic torque. When the motor parameters for the front and rear wheels are different, the optimal torque distribution coefficient depends on the motor parameters. To validate the analysis results, simulations of the four-motor drive system were conducted. Furthermore, the idle loss is added to the system efficiency data and a numerical optimization method is used to resolve the optimal distribution ratio. It is shown that the optimal solutions are consistent with the analytical results. Finally, the proposed method is validated through bench tests and vehicle dynamometer tests.
A hand-held robotic device for peripheral intravenous catheterization
Authors: Cheng Zhuoqi , Davies Brian L , Caldwell Darwin G , Barresi Giacinto , Xu Qinqi , Mattos Leonardo S
Published: October 2017

Intravenous catheterization is frequently required for numerous medical treatments. However, this process is characterized by a high failure rate, especially when performed on difficult patients such as newborns and infants. Very young patients have small veins, and that increases the chances of accidentally puncturing the catheterization needle directly through them. In this article, we present the design, development and experimental evaluation of a novel hand-held robotic device for improving the process of peripheral intravenous catheterization by facilitating the needle insertion procedure. To our knowledge, this design is the first hand-held robotic device for assisting in the catheterization insertion task. Compared to the other available technologies, it has several unique advantages such as being compact, low-cost and able to reliably detect venipuncture. The system is equipped with an electrical impedance sensor at the tip of the catheterization needle, which provides real-time measurements used to supervise and control the catheter insertion process. This allows the robotic system to precisely position the needle within the lumen of the target vein, leading to enhanced catheterization success rate. Experiments conducted to evaluate the device demonstrated that it is also effective to deskill the task. Naïve subjects achieved an average catheterization success rate of 88% on a 1.5 mm phantom vessel with the robotic device versus 12% with the traditional unassisted system. The results of this work prove the feasibility of a hand-held assistive robotic device for intravenous catheterization and show that such device has the potential to greatly improve the success rate of these difficult operations.
Dolutegravir-induced liver injury leading to sub-acute liver failure requiring transplantation: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Wang Bo , Abbott Laura , Childs Kate , Taylor Chris , Agarwal Kosh , Cormack Ian , Miquel Rosa , Suddle Abid
Published: October 2017

A patient with human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection presented with sub-acute liver failure, temporally related to commencement of an antiretroviral therapy regimen containing dolutegravir (Triumeq). The patient was not a carrier of HLA-B5701, and abacavir hypersensitivity was unlikely. We believe this is the first report of severe dolutegravir-related hepatotoxicity resulting in sub-acute liver failure and transplantation and highlights a potential need for closer monitoring after drug initiation.
Toward Hospital Implementation of Advance Care Planning: Should Hospital Professionals Be Involved?
Authors: Vanderhaeghen Birgit , Bossuyt Inge , Opdebeeck Sybille , Menten Johan , Rober Peter
Published: October 2017

In Belgium, Advance Care Planning (ACP) is not well implemented in hospital practice. One of the premises for successful implementation is involving the adopters in the implementation process. In hospital, important adopters of ACP are physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists. First, this study wants to understand what the characteristics are of ACP in hospital, according to professionals. Second, this study aims to give an insight in the experienced value of ACP. Third, the experienced barriers to have ACP conversations are explored. Twenty-four interviews were taken and analyzed with Content Analysis based on Grounded Theory. Three independent external auditors surveilled the analysis. ACP in hospital exists by the grace of the initiative of the actors involved in the case. Professionals perceive fields of tension between one another; barriers to ACP communication. ACP is mainly considered valuable because it is a process that creates time for exploration and reflection.
Strengthening stakeholder involvement in health workforce governance: why we need to talk about power
Authors: Kuhlmann Ellen , Burau Viola
Published: October 2017

There is now widespread agreement on the benefits of an integrated, people-centred health workforce, but the implementation of new models is difficult. We argue that we need to think about stakeholders and power, if we want to ensure change in the health workforce. We discuss these issues from a governance perspective and suggest a critical approach to stakeholder involvement as an indicator of good governance. Three models of involving stakeholders in health workforce governance can be identified: corporatist professional involvement either in a continental European model of conservative corporatism or in a Nordic model of public corporatism; managerialist and market-centred involvement of professions as organizational agents; and a more inclusive, network-based involvement of plural professional experts at different levels of governance. The power relations embedded in these models of stakeholder involvement have different effects on capacity building for an integrated health workforce.
Participant characteristics in autism intervention studies
Authors: Broder-Fingert Sarabeth , Silva Christine , Silverstein Michael , Feinberg Emily
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this Letter to the Editor is to discuss the recent paper, “Lessons learned: Engaging culturally diverse families in neurodevelopmental disorders intervention research” by Ratto et al. Specifically, we are interested in further exploring the question of “who participates in autism spectrum disorder intervention research,” and how this question may impact interpretation of Ratto and colleagues’ paper.
Health literacy among Danish university students enrolled in health-related study programmes
Authors: Elsborg Lea , Krossdal Fie , Kayser Lars
Published: October 2017

Aims: It is important to address people’s health literacy when providing health care. Health professionals should be aware of, and have insight into, people’s health literacy when they provide health services. Health professionals need to be health literate themselves. We examined the level of health literacy in students in Denmark attending one of four full university programmes related to health and investigated how their health literacy was associated with their sociodemographic background. Methods: The health literacy level of the students was measured using the multi-dimensional Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) supplemented with sociodemographic questions. The questionnaire was administrated through the students’ Facebook groups. The students were enrolled in courses on health informatics, medicine, molecular biomedicine or public health. Out of a total of 7663 students, 630 responded to the questionnaire. Results: No sex difference was found although female students scored higher than male students in domain 4 (social support for health). Students attending the public health programme tended to score higher and those attending molecular biomedicine tended to score lower in the HLQ. There was a positive correlation between HLQ scores and the educational level of the students’ parents. If one of their parents was employed in the health care sector, the HLQ score tended to be higher in domains 1 and 4. Students who had been hospitalized also tended to score higher in domains 1, 5 and 6. Conclusions: Students’ health literacy relates to their personal background and educational path. This may be of importance when planning curricula and educational activities, including cross-disciplinary courses.
Stacked phosphor coating technology for white LEDs with high colour temperature and high colour rendering index
Authors: Ge P , Zhou Z , Zhang J , Wang H
Published: October 2017

Existing white LEDs use a blue LED chip to stimulate phosphor powder to form white light. The surface coated with a phosphor layer directly affects the colour rendering index, the luminous efficacy and the colour temperature. We have encapsulated a white LED source with chip-on-board packaging to meet the requirements for a high power, high colour temperature, high colour rendering index LED using stacked phosphor coating. This chip-on-board white LED light source can achieve a colour rendering index over 95 and a luminous efficacy over 100 lm/W while the colour temperature is 5700 K. This technology can be widely used in commercial lighting applications where high quality light sources are needed.
Understanding the reliability of LED luminaires
Authors: Shailesh KR , Kurian CP , Kini SG
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this paper is to educate both manufacturers and end users on what constitutes the overall reliability of an LED luminaire and the reliabilities of individual subsystems. Wide ranges of LED luminaires are available in the market to meet the needs of a specific applications, hence a potentially wide range of product performance characteristics exist. The different subsystems in an LED luminaire introduce other potential reliability issues that will be critical in deciding the overall system lifetime. The mutual dependency of subsystems and their interactions make the prospect of characterizing LED luminaire reliability challenging. Best design practices ensure that the overall luminaire reliability will be decided by a small number of subsystems, thus reducing the complexity. In this paper, a general theory of assessing the reliability of the optical, electrical and thermal subsystems of an LED luminaire is discussed. How the remaining useful lives of the subsystems are obtained from their degradation profile and how the remaining useful life of the entire system is derived from them are explained. The theory explained in this paper is useful in designing experiments to express the reliability of an LED luminaire and its subsystems in terms of remaining useful life.
Optimising the illumination spectrum for enhancing tissue visualisation
Authors: Shen J , Chang S , Wang H , Zheng Z
Published: October 2017

In operations, light reflected from biological tissue can be used for disease detection. In this paper, we used a visual entropy evaluation method to design the optimal illuminant to improve colour discriminability of biological tissue. The optimal spectral power distribution of the illuminant was obtained by maximising the visual entropy value of sample tissue based on the human visual system. In the experiment, multispectral imaging was used to measure the spectral reflectance of the tissue and colour clustering was conducted to extract its colour features. To verify the effectiveness of this method, simulated tissue images under illuminations with optimised spectral power distributions were compared with those under other light sources such as the standard illuminant D65 and white LED light sources. Results show that the sample under optimised illumination has a higher visual entropy value with better perceptual visibility.
Predictors of mortality in hospital survivors with type 2 diabetes mellitus and acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Savonitto Stefano , Morici Nuccia , Nozza Anna , Cosentino Francesco , Perrone Filardi Pasquale , Murena Ernesto , Morocutti Giorgio , Ferri Marco , Cavallini Claudio , Eijkemans Marinus JC , Stähli Barbara E , Schrieks Ilse C , Toyama Tadashi , Lambers Heerspink HJ , Malmberg Klas , Schwartz Gregory G , Lincoff A Michael , Ryden Lars , Tardif Jean Claude , Grobbee Diederick E
Published: October 2017

Aim:

To define the predictors of long-term mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent acute coronary syndrome.

Methods and results:

A total of 7226 patients from a randomized trial, testing the effect on cardiovascular outcomes of the dual peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor agonist aleglitazar in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent acute coronary syndrome (AleCardio trial), were analysed. Median follow-up was 2 years. The independent mortality predictors were defined using Cox regression analysis. The predictive information provided by each variable was calculated as percent of total chi-square of the model. All-cause mortality was 4.0%, with cardiovascular death contributing for 73% of mortality. The mortality prediction model included N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.68; 95% confidence interval = 1.51–1.88; 27% of prediction), lack of coronary revascularization (hazard ratio = 2.28; 95% confidence interval = 1.77–2.93; 18% of prediction), age (hazard ratio = 1.04; 95% confidence interval = 1.02–1.05; 15% of prediction), heart rate (hazard ratio = 1.02; 95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.03; 10% of prediction), glycated haemoglobin (hazard ratio = 1.11; 95% confidence interval = 1.03–1.19; 8% of prediction), haemoglobin (hazard ratio = 1.01; 95% confidence interval = 1.00–1.02; 8% of prediction), prior coronary artery bypass (hazard ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval = 1.11–2.32; 7% of prediction) and prior myocardial infarction (hazard ratio = 1.40; 95% confidence interval = 1.05–1.87; 6% of prediction).

Conclusion:

In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent acute coronary syndrome, mortality prediction is largely dominated by markers of cardiac, rather than metabolic, dysfunction.
Assessing Capacity of Faith-Based Organizations for Health Promotion Activities
Authors: Tagai Erin Kelly , Scheirer Mary Ann , Santos Sherie Lou Z. , Haider Muhiuddin , Bowie Janice , Slade Jimmie , Whitehead Tony L. , Wang Min Qi , Holt Cheryl L.
Published: October 2017

Background. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) are important venues for health promotion, particularly in medically underserved communities. These organizations vary considerably in their structural capacities, which may be linked to variability in implementation success for health promotion initiatives. Lacking an existing validated assessment of organizational capacity specific to FBOs, an initial prototype assessment was developed. Method. The Faith-Based Organization Capacity Inventory (FBO-CI) assesses three structural areas of capacity: Staffing and Space, Health Promotion Experience, and External Collaboration. The multidisciplinary team, including FBO leaders, codeveloped the initial instrument. The initial reliability from a convenience sample of 34 African American churches including descriptions of FBOs representing three capacity levels is reported. Results. The FBO-CI demonstrated feasibility of administration using an in-person interview format, and the three subscales had acceptable internal reliability (α ~ .70). Most churches had an established health ministry (n = 23) and had conducted activities across an average of seven health areas in the previous 2 years. Conclusions. This initial FBO-CI prototype is promising, and future work should consider validation with a larger sample of churches and domain expansion based on the conceptual model. The FBO-CI has a number of potential uses for researchers, FBO leaders, and practitioners working with FBOs in health promotion initiatives.
An Invitation to Rhetoric: A Generative Dialogue on Performance, Possibility, and Feminist Potentialities in Invitational Rhetoric
Authors: Alexander Bryant Keith , Hammers Michele
Published: October 2017

This performative essay uses the anticipated 25th anniversary of Sonja Foss and Cindy Griffin’s essay, “Beyond Persuasion: A Proposal for an Invitational Rhetoric,” as a pivot point to explore the notion of invitational rhetoric applied variously and processed through the embodied experiences of the two authors: A Black gay identified male and a White queer identified woman in what some might construct as a hierarchical relationship as academic dean and faculty. This is important for the reader to know—relative to a particular performed academic/administrative/intellectual/collaborative project that penetrates the political and power structures of academic relationality—modeling an aspect of invitational rhetoric in which both authors maintain immanent value and an openness to each other as collaborator and audience invoking possibility and potentiality within, across, and beyond the categorical distinctions of their persons that have historically both divided and conjoined them. In addition, the essay embodies a version of assemblage/collaborative writing to explore issues of performance, race, gender, culture, and violence in academic and everyday contexts.