bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An introduction to Timed Sequential Machines
Authors: Giambiasi Norbert
Published: February 2014

This paper introduces the Timed Sequential Machine (TSM) formalism. The TSM formalism is based on well-known sequential machines. It is less expressive than the Discrete Event System Specification formalism or Timed Automata, and it offers a set of concepts well adapted to intermediate abstraction levels that appear in the design or analysis processes of discrete event systems. In addition, timed extensions of testing and simplification methods for sequential machines can be defined and used in finite-state TSMs. After presenting the formal definition of a TSM and its behavior, methods are proposed for the minimization of completely specified finite-state TSMs and for the simplification of incompletely specified finite-state TSMs. Finally, it is demonstrated that the TSM formalism has the property of being closed under coupling. That is, any coupled TSM model can be described in terms of an atomic TSM model.
Difficult Texts: 1 Samuel 2.25
Authors: Grys Alan Le
Published: February 2014

The history of biblical interpretation suggests that in recent years more compassionate models of a ‘loving God’ have tended – at least in Western thought – to displace traditional understandings of God as a vindictive judge. In dialogue with Eric Siebert, this brief article focuses on one Old Testament ‘difficult text’ to suggest that serious biblical studies in general and pastoral studies in particular must take the ‘dark side’ of God far more seriously.
New directions in ecumenical liturgy: Vatican II and the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
Authors: Jasper David
Published: February 2014

The first document of the Second Vatican Council was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. It proved to be a key moment in ecumenical relations as it initiated discussions between churches as liturgical revisions developed. This essay offers an Anglican perspective on these events.
Velocity sharing historical best particle swarm optimization algorithm for soft sensor modelling in ammonia synthesis process
Authors: Lin Weitian , Lian Zhigang , Xu Wei , Gu Xingsheng
Published: February 2014

In this study, a velocity sharing historical best particle swarm optimization algorithm (VSHBPSO) and its variants are proposed to improve the performance of the original particle swarm optimization (PSO). The shared information in the improved algorithms includes the historical best position of each particle searched in the previous experiments, the updated velocity and the present global best position. An orthogonal design trial is conducted to discuss the parameters of the proposed algorithms by using 10 non-linear functions with different dimensions. Furthermore, the performance of the new algorithms is evaluated. Experimental results show that the novel algorithms can derive better solutions than the PSO algorithm and indicate their effectiveness in optimizing non-linear functions. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied in soft sensing the outlet ammonia content in the ammonia synthesis process. The VSHBPSO-based soft sensor is found to be effective in the real-time assessment of ammonia content.
The Social Cognition of Gifted Adolescents in Schools
Authors: Cross Tracy L. , Coleman Laurence J. , Terhaar-Yonkers Marge
Published: February 2014

A study of the effects of schooling on the social cognition of gifted adolescents is reported. A student attitude questionnaire (SAQ) exploring the cognitive behavioral strategies utilized to manage the stigma of giftedness was developed after conducting phenomenological interviews of fifteen gifted adolescents attending the Tennessee Governor’s Schools (Coleman & Cross, 1988). The questionnaire asked subjects to respond to six scenarios described as potentially stigmatizing events during the normal school day. Five common strategies noted during the interviews were provided as options in each of the scenarios. The data reported herein are based on the responses of 1,465 students over a two-year period. The patterns of responses suggested that gifted adolescents utilize the five strategies to differing degrees across situations. Situations most closely associated with test performance seemed to elicit the greatest variation in coping strategies, while those primarily reflecting social situations showed a consistently narrow range of strategies. The “placate” coping strategy was the most frequently used across the school-based scenarios.
“Being a Teacher”
Authors: Coleman Laurence J.
Published: February 2014

The emotions experienced by teachers while teaching is a relatively unexplored avenue of research. One teacher, Alex, was studied using phenomenological interviews and participant observation to understand the emotions he experienced while teaching in a special program for gifted and talented children. Data were analyzed using inductive procedures. Alex experienced a variety of emotions generated when the instructional dynamics of the lesson were congruent or incongruent with his professional practical knowledge. Most of his emotions were positive. A compelling emotional state, “being a teacher,” was found to incorporate many of his feelings and was found repeatedly in his classes. Alex seemed to be trying to recreate being a teacher as he taught. His emotional state was interpreted to be isomorphic to what Csikszentmihalyi (1990) calls “optimal experience.” The findings suggest that the special class setting established conditions which increased the probability that Alex would be having an optimal experience.
Conceptions of adulthood among migrant women workers in China
Authors: Zhong Juan , Arnett Jeffrey J.
Published: February 2014

The experiences of emerging adulthood may vary in different historical and cultural contexts. Little research has been dedicated to how non college students view adulthood in developing countries. Currently, millions of young people are migrating from rural villages to industrial cities in China. The purpose of this study was to investigate conceptions of adulthood among Chinese migrant women workers, using mixed methods. One hundred and nineteen women workers (aged 18–29 years) from a factory in Guangdong, China, completed a questionnaire of markers for adulthood. Then, 15 of them were interviewed regarding their understanding of the transition to adulthood. The results showed that the majority of the young Chinese migrant women workers believed they had reached adulthood in some ways but not others. Married women and women with children were more likely to perceive themselves as adults, even controlling for age. Learn to care for parents, settled into a long-term career and become capable of caring for children were ranked as the most important markers for adulthood. Participants were least likely to feel adult when they were with their parents. The migrant women workers’ conceptions of adulthood reflected the traditional Chinese emphasis on family obligations, social relations and role transitions.
Ischemic preconditioning reduces apoptosis in open heart surgery
Authors: Rachmat Jusuf , Sastroasmoro Sudigdo , Suyatna Fransiscus D , Soejono Gunanti
Published: February 2014

Background

This study was performed to assess the role of ischemic preconditioning on cardiomyocyte apoptosis after open heart surgery, based on morphology by transmission electron microscopy, caspase-3 activity, biochemical markers, and cardiac performance.

Methods

12 piglets were divided into 2 equal groups: an ischemic preconditioning group and a control group. Ventricular muscles were collected to examine apoptotic ultrastructure morphology and caspase-3 activity. Blood samples from the coronary sinus were obtained for measurement of tumor necrosis factor-α, malondialdehyde, and cardiac troponin I. Aortic blood samples were taken for lactate measurements before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiac performance was measured by echocardiography before and after surgery.

Results

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis occurred postoperatively, as shown by ultrastructure observation. Caspase-3 activity was less in the ischemic preconditioning group than the control group ( p < 0.05). Measurements of specific markers of cardiomyocyte injury also showed lower increases in the ischemic preconditioning group, although not significantly different. Clinical outcomes showed that ischemic preconditioning was able to preserve cardiac performance in terms of ejection fraction, cardiac index, and stroke volume index; these were statistically significant, except for lactate concentration.

Conclusions

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis occurs after open heart surgery. Ischemic preconditioning can reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve cardiac performance. Laboratory findings showed that ischemic preconditioning prevents injury of cardiomyocytes and reduces lactate concentration, although not statistically significant.
Work ethic, motivation, and parental influences in Chinese and North American children learning to play the piano
Authors: Comeau Gilles , Huta Veronika , Liu YiFei
Published: February 2014

This study compared 50 Chinese and 100 North American Caucasian children aged 6 to 17 who were learning piano, in terms of their work ethic, motivation, and parental influences. Compared to North American Caucasians, Chinese children and parents believed more strongly that musical ability requires hard work, and Chinese children were more interested in working hard at piano practice, and practiced nearly twice as much. We also found differences in autonomous motivation, as defined by Self-Determination Theory: compared to Caucasians, Chinese children identified more with playing the piano, found it more intrinsically enjoyable, and pressured themselves less by shame or guilt, though they were more motivated by a desire to please their teachers and parents. Furthermore, Chinese parents more frequently sat in on their child’s piano lessons. These findings suggest several reasons that may contribute to the success of Chinese musicians.
Quality-of-Life assessment in malignant pleural effusion treated with indwelling pleural catheter: A prospective study
Authors: Lorenzo María-José , Modesto Manuel , Pérez Javier , Bollo Elena , Cordovilla Rosa , Muñoz Manuel , Pérez-Fidalgo José A , Cases Enrique
Published: February 2014

Background:

Malignant pleural effusion is a clinical problem that impairs Quality of Life in patients with advanced malignancies. An indwelling pleural catheter is an alternative treatment to palliate some of the symptoms.

Aim:

To evaluate the Quality of Life of outpatients with malignant pleural effusion who were treated with an indwelling pleural catheter. Questionnaire compliance, catheter patency time, and survival were analyzed.

Design:

A multicenter observational study was conducted across five hospitals in Spain. Quality of Life was assessed at three different time points (before catheter placement and at 30 and 60 days post-placement) using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire QLQ-C30. For lung cancer patients, the QLQ-LC13 was also used.

Participants:

Patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion treated with an indwelling pleural catheter.

Results:

A total of 51 outpatients completed the baseline QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Of these, 28 completed the questionnaire at 30 days. Of these 28 patients, 13 completed the questionnaire at 60 days. Scores showed a significant improvement in symptoms scales at 30 days ( p = 0.03). Global health status and functional scales showed a non-significant trend to improvement at 30 and 60 days. A total of 27 lung cancer patients completed the QLQ-LC13 questionnaire. Items assessing dyspnea showed a significant improvement following catheter placement ( p = 0.002).

Conclusion:

Indwelling pleural catheter is useful for palliative management of recurrent malignant pleural effusion in that it benefits Quality of Life in outpatients with advanced malignancies. In lung cancer patients, scores indicated that indwelling pleural catheter also provides significant relief of dyspnea.
Community-Based Initiatives and Poverty Alleviation in Subsistence Marketplaces
Authors: Gau Roland , Ramirez Edward , Barua Maria E. , Gonzalez Ricardo
Published: February 2014

Despite the success of recent poverty alleviation efforts, millions remain entrapped by abject poverty. While many of these efforts have resulted in vastly improved lives for individuals and their close relations, the benefits for the community, as a whole, are less clear. This research draws on Resource-Advantage Theory to investigate the potential of community-based initiatives as a route to poverty alleviation in subsistence marketplaces. In particular, the viability of a collaborative, community-based solution is demonstrated through a case study detailing the outcome of reforestation measures in Mexico and Haiti. The findings suggest that the success of community-based initiatives in poverty alleviation efforts is predicated on combining market-oriented goals and a communal philosophy.
Robotic catheter cardiac ablation combining ultrasound guidance and force control
Authors: Kesner Samuel B. , Howe Robert D.
Published: February 2014

Cardiac catheters allow physicians to access the inside of the heart and perform therapeutic interventions without stopping the heart or opening the chest. However, conventional manual and actuated cardiac catheters are currently unable to precisely track and manipulate the intracardiac tissue structures because of the fast tissue motion and potential for applying damaging forces. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing and implementing a robotic catheter system that uses 3D ultrasound image guidance and force control to enable constant contact with a moving target surface in order to perform interventional procedures, such as intracardiac tissue ablation. The robotic catheter system, consisting of a catheter module, ablation and force sensing end effector, drive system, and image-guidance and control system, was commanded to apply a constant force against a moving target using a position-modulated force control method. The control system uses a combination of position tracking, force feedback, and friction and backlash compensation to achieve accurate and safe catheter–tissue interactions. The catheter was able to maintain a 1 N force on a moving motion simulator target under ultrasound guidance with 0.08 N RMS error. In a simulated ablation experiment, the robotic catheter was also able to apply a consistent force on the target while maintaining ablation electrode contact with 97% less RMS contact resistance variation than a passive mechanical equivalent. In addition, the use of force control improved catheter motion tracking by approximately 20%. These results demonstrate that 3D ultrasound guidance and force tracking allow the robotic system to maintain improved contact with a moving tissue structure, thus allowing for more accurate and repeatable cardiac procedures.
Is the diagnostic yield of myocardial stress perfusion MRI impaired by three-vessel coronary artery disease?
Authors: Klumpp Bernhard , Miller S , Seeger A , May AE , Gawaz MP , Claussen CD , Kramer U
Published: February 2014

Background

Three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) comes along with globally reduced myocardial perfusion potentially restricting the demarcation of regional hypoperfusion in stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Purpose

To evaluate whether stress perfusion cardiac MRI is capable of detecting myocardial hypoperfusion in patients with 3-vessel CAD reliably.

Material and Methods

Two hundred and five patients with symptoms of CAD were included. The examination protocol comprised imaging of myocardial perfusion at stress (0.14 mg/kg/min adenosine for 4 min) using a 2D saturation recovery gradient echo sequence after administration of gadobutrol (0.1 mmol/kg body weight). Perfusion sequences were assessed qualitatively by two experienced observers. Coronary angiography served as standard of reference.

Results

Sensitivity and specificity for hemodynamically relevant stenoses in patients with 0-, 1-, 2-, 3-vessel coronary artery disease were 100%/91%, 91%/73%, 90%/71%, 92%/64%; positive/negative predictive value, 67%/100%, 91%/73%, 83%/81%, 93%/58%; diagnostic accuracy, 93%/87%/83%/87%, respectively. The negative predictive value in patients with 3-vessel CAD was lower than in patients with 0- and 2-vessel CAD and the specificity lower than in patients with no CAD whereas the positive predictive value was higher than in patients with no CAD. The other proportions did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusion

The diagnostic value of stress perfusion cardiac MRI in patients with 3-vessel CAD is comparable to results in patients with 1- or 2-vessel CAD. In the rare event that stress perfusion images do not depict regional hypoperfusion in patients with severe 3-vessel CAD, myocardial ischemia could be identified by reduced semi-quantitative perfusion parameters.
Redesigning, Redefining Work
Authors: Correll Shelley J. , Kelly Erin L. , O’Connor Lindsey Trimble , Williams Joan C.
Published: February 2014

The demands of today’s workplace—long hours, constant availability, self-sacrificial dedication—do not match the needs of today’s workforce, where workers struggle to reconcile competing caregiving and workplace demands. This mismatch has negative consequences for gender equality and workers’ health. Here, the authors put forth a call to action: to redesign work to better meet the needs of today’s workforce and to redefine successful work. The authors propose two avenues for future research to achieve these goals: research that (a) builds a more rigorous business case for work redesign/redefinition and (b) exposes the underlying gender and class dynamics of current work arrangements.
Consequences of Flexibility Stigma Among Academic Scientists and Engineers
Authors: Cech Erin A. , Blair-Loy Mary
Published: February 2014

Flexibility stigma, the devaluation of workers who seek or are presumed to need flexible work arrangements, fosters a mismatch between workplace demands and the needs of professionals. The authors survey “ideal workers”—science, technology, engineering, and math faculty at a top research university—to determine the consequences of working in an environment with flexibility stigma. Those who report this stigma have lower intentions to persist, worse work–life balance, and lower job satisfaction. These consequences are net of gender and parenthood, suggesting that flexibility stigma fosters a problematic environment for many faculty, even those not personally at risk of stigmatization.
Pluralistic Ignorance and the Flexibility Bias: Understanding and Mitigating Flextime and Flexplace Bias at Work
Authors: Munsch Christin L. , Ridgeway Cecilia L. , Williams Joan C.
Published: February 2014

Workers who request flexibility are routinely stigmatized. The authors experimentally tested and confirmed the hypothesis that individuals believe others view flexworkers less positively than they do. This suggests flexibility bias stems, in part, from pluralistic ignorance. The authors also found that flexplace requesters were stigmatized significantly more than flextime requesters. Given this finding, they recommend research distinguish between different types of flexwork. In a second study, they assessed whether exposure to information suggesting organizational leaders engage in flexible work reduced bias. They found that when the majority of high-status employees work flexibly, bias against flextime (but not flexplace) workers was attenuated.
Driving Cessation Anno 2010
Authors: Siren Anu , Haustein Sonja
Published: February 2014

This study focuses on the decision to either stop or continue driving among a cohort of Danish seniors whose driving licenses expire, for the first time, at the age of 70. Based on 1,537 standardized telephone interviews with licensed drivers, we compared persons who intended to renew or not to renew their licenses. The results partly recapture the findings of earlier studies. However, in contrast to former cohorts, a much higher percentage of older drivers intended to keep their licenses. The strongest factors predicting the intention to renew were active car use, feeling safe as a driver, and not having illnesses that impaired driving ability. Three of these factors were strongly correlated with gender, indicating that efforts to prevent premature driving cessation should especially focus on increasing women’s confidence and experience in driving.
Generation, collection and transportation, disposal and recycling of kitchen waste: A case study in Shanghai
Authors: An Ying , Li Guangming , Wu Wenqing , Huang Juwen , He Wenzhi , Zhu Haochen
Published: February 2014

With respect to waste sorting, Shanghai sets an example for other Chinese cities on the standardized treatment of kitchen waste (KW) in China. According to the results of investigation, about 560 kilo tons of KW from different sources in Shanghai were produced in 2011. Of this, 45.6% (255.6 kilo tons) was collected and transported properly by a comprehensive and formal collection and transportation system. Landfilling and incineration, which are the traditional treatment technologies used, show downward trends because of increasing environmental awareness and land restrictions. Feed production, composting and biodiesel refining play increasingly important roles in the recycling of KW. Safe disposal, reduced KW quantity, public education, and technological innovation are still problematic issues and need to be considered in future waste management in Shanghai.
Hispanic Youth With Excess Weight Display Psychological Distress
Authors: Yates Kathy F. , Larr Allison S. , Sweat Victoria , Maayan Lawrence , Siegel Carole , Convit Antonio
Published: February 2014

Adolescent overweight/obesity (OW/O) has reached epidemic proportions. The Youth Self-Report (YSR) was administered to 514 primarily Hispanic urban high school students to examine the relationship between weight and psychological distress. YSR and study population-specific norms were used to assess risk on Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, and Social Problems scales. OW/O status increased Social Problems regardless of norms. OW/O students endorsed greater Withdrawn/Depressed symptoms with YSR norms; greater Anxious/Depressed and Somatic Complaints were endorsed with population-specific norms. Females drive results. Findings suggest norms need to incorporate minority and economically disadvantaged groups.
Nutrition Assessment and Counseling of the Medically Complex Live Kidney Donor
Authors: Bergen Carol R. , Reese Peter P. , Collins Donna
Published: February 2014

Kidney transplantation is the preferred option for patients with end‐stage renal disease facing the need for dialysis because it provides maximum survival benefit. The number of people seeking kidney transplantation greatly exceeds available deceased donor organs. Organs from live donors provide a survival advantage over organs from deceased donors while also broadening the pool of available organs. The purpose of this review is to discuss the clinical guidelines that pertain to live kidney organ donation and to describe the nutrition evaluation and care of live kidney donors. The process for living kidney donation is dictated by policies centered on protecting the donor. In a perfect world, the living donor would present with a flawless medical examination and a benign family health history. The obesity epidemic has emerged as a major health concern. Live donor programs are faced with evaluating increasing numbers of obese candidates. These “medically complex donors” may present with obesity and its associated comorbid conditions, including hypertension, impaired glycemic control, and kidney stone disease. The dietitian's role in the live donor program is not well defined. Participation in the living donor selection meeting, where details of the evaluation are summarized, provides a platform for risk stratification and identification of donors who are at increased lifetime risk for poor personal health outcomes. Guiding the donor toward maintenance of a healthy weight through diet and lifestyle choices is a legitimate goal to minimize future health risks.
Biodegradation of a magnesium alloy implant in the intercondylar femoral notch showed an appropriate response to the synovial membrane in a rabbit model in vivo
Authors: Ezechieli Marco , Diekmann Julia , Weizbauer Andreas , Becher Christoph , Willbold Elmar , Helmecke Patrick , Lucas Arne , Schavan Robert , Windhagen Henning
Published: February 2014

Degradable magnesium alloys are promising biomaterials for orthopedic applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects on both the synovial membrane (synovialis) and the synovial fluid (synovia) of the degradation products of a MgYREZr-pin implanted in the intercondylar femoral notch in a rabbit model. Thirty-six animals were randomized into two groups (MgYREZr or Ti6Al4V alloy) of 18 animals each. Each group was then divided into three subgroups with implantation periods of 1, 4, and 12 weeks, with six animals in each subgroup. The initial inflammatory reaction caused by the surgical trauma declined after 12 weeks of implantation, and elucidated a progressive recovery of the synovial membrane. Compared with control Ti6Al4V pins, there were no significant differences between the groups. However, after 12 weeks, recovery of the synovial membrane was more advanced in the titanium group, in which 92% showed no signs of synovitis, than in the magnesium group. A cytotoxicity test with L929 cells and human osteoblasts (HOB) was also conducted, according to EN ISO 10993-5/12, and no toxic leachable products were observed after 24 h of incubation. In conclusion, the MgYREZr alloy seems to be a suitable material for intra-articular degradable implants.
Protective effect of Selenium nanoparticle against cyclophosphamide induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice
Authors: Bhattacharjee Arin , Basu Abhishek , Ghosh Prosenjit , Biswas Jaydip , Bhattacharya Sudin
Published: February 2014

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for various types of cancer. However, its use causes severe cytotoxicity to normal cells in human. It is well known that the undesirable side effects are caused due to the formation of reactive oxygen species. Selenium is an essential micronutrient for both animals and humans and has antioxidant and membrane stabilizing property, but selenium is also toxic above certain level. Nano selenium has been well proved to be less toxic than inorganic selenium as well as certain organoselenium compounds. The objective of the study is to evaluate the protective role of Nano-Se against CP-induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. CP was administered intraperitoneally (25 mg/kg b.w.) and Nano-Se was given by oral gavages (2 mg Se/kg b.w.) in concomitant and pretreatment scheme. Intraperitoneal administration of CP induced hepatic damage as indicated by the serum marker enzymes aspartate and alanine transaminases and increased the malonaldehyde level, depleted the glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase), and induced DNA damage and chromosomal aberration. Oral administration of Nano-Se caused a significant reduction in malonaldehyde, ROS level and glutathione levels, restoration of antioxidant enzyme activity, reduction in chromosomal aberration in bone marrow, and DNA damage in lymphocytes and also in bone marrow. Moreover, the chemoprotective efficiency of Nano-Se against CP induced toxicity was confirmed by histopathological evaluation. The results support the protective effect of Nano-Se against CP-induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity.
Experimental investigation of end milling of titanium alloys with polycrystalline diamond tools
Authors: Pan Wencheng , Kamaruddin Adam , Ding Songlin , Mo John
Published: February 2014

The low thermal conductivity and high chemical reactivity of titanium alloys result in a short tool life in the milling process. This article investigates the performance of polycrystalline diamond tools in the end milling of titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V) by using small customized cutting tools. The relationship between cutting force and cutting parameters was analysed; tool life, tool wear, and causes that lead to tool failure were discussed. To analyse tool wear and cutting temperatures, residual chemical components on the cutting tool were examined with X-ray diffraction method, while surface integrity of cutting tools was inspected based on the images taken by the scanning electrical microscope. Finite element analysis models were developed to simulate the initiation of cracks under different loading cycles. Through cutting experiments, it was found that brittle chipping and fatigue were the two major modes of failure, and feed rate was the dominant factor that causes large cutting forces.
Estimation of the parameters of a railway vehicle suspension using model-based filters with uncertainties
Authors: Xu Bin , Zhang Jianwu , Guan Xiqiang
Published: February 2014

This paper presents two types of extended Kalman filter (EKF) and two types of unscented Kalman filter (UKF) based on vertical railway vehicle models for parameters estimation of secondary suspensions. Due to track irregularities, the random vertical velocity of the track can be approximated as a zero-mean Gaussian white noise and it is used to excite the dynamic model of the railway vehicle. Under this approximation, the variance of the vertical velocity of the track, which is affected by the track roughness level and vehicle velocity, can introduce uncertainty into the system. Based on the random track irregularity, two cases are proposed to determine how the track irregularities enter the system. One case uses the vertical velocity and displacement of the track as inputs of the system and assumes that the state variables are corrupted by the Gaussian noises. The other case assumes that the vertical velocity of the track is the process noise of the system. Based on these two cases, two types of EKF and UKF are developed to estimate the parameters of the secondary suspensions. In order to study the performances of the proposed EKFs and UKFs, several simulation experiments using linear and nonlinear model are carried out that consider the uncertainties of the random track.
Numerical investigation on staged sonic jet interaction mechanism in a supersonic cross flow
Authors: Huang Wei
Published: February 2014

The staged injection scheme has drawn an increasing attention for the airbreathing hypersonic propulsion system, and the fuel injection angle has a large impact on the mixing improvement between the fuel and the supersonic cross flow. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations associated with the SST k-ω turbulence model have been employed to investigate the interaction mechanism in the staged sonic injection flow field, and the influences of the injection angle, the injection angle arrangement, and the distance between the injectors on the flow field characteristics have been analyzed comprehensively. At the same time, three grid scales have been used to perform the grid independency analysis, and the predicted results have been compared with the experimental data in the open literature for the single transverse injection scheme. The obtained results show that the penetration height for the cases with the distance between the injectors being 1 mm is the highest in the range considered in the current study, and this may be due to the strongest shock wave/shock wave interaction between the injectors. At the same time, due to the blockage of the fuel injection, the penetration height increases as the supersonic air stream flows downstream, and the influence of the wave system generated by the first and third injectors cannot propagate downstream and upstream, respectively. The multi-port injection scheme can provide better fuel penetration performance than the single one when the flow flux keeps constant, and the multi-port injection scheme with a certain angle can provide a higher total pressure recovery efficiency than the staged transverse injection scheme. Further, the staged transverse injection flow field can provide a better recirculation zone for the mixing between the fuel jet and the boundary layer, and the separation length increases with the increase of the distance between the injectors.
Community-based approaches to settlement upgrading as manifested through the big ACCA projects in Metro Manila, Philippines
Authors: Galuszka Jakub
Published: February 2014

This paper discusses the state and development of three community-based settlement upgrading projects in Metro Manila that have taken place since 2009. These projects are all part of the ACCA (Asian Coalition for Community Action) programme, which is designed to support community-based settlement upgrading initiatives in 15 Asian countries, and was launched by the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights in 2009. The main aim of this article is to highlight the common features of a community-based approach, as integrated by the ACCA programme, within the context of the Philippines and to review its potential and challenges.
Evaporite evidence of a mid-Holocene (c. 4550–4400 cal. yr BP) aridity crisis in southwestern Europe and palaeoenvironmental consequences
Authors: Navarro-Hervás Francisca , Ros-Salas María-Milagros , Rodríguez-Estrella Tomás , Fierro-Enrique Elena , Carrión José-Sebastián , García-Veigas Javier , Flores José-Abel , Bárcena María Ángeles , García María Soledad
Published: February 2014

Sedimentological evidence for an abrupt dry spell in south-eastern Spain during the middle Holocene, from c. 4906 to 4384 cal. yr BP, is presented. This phase was determined primarily from halite beds deposited between muddy slimes in a lagoon system of Puerto de Mazarrón (Murcia province) with a peak phase from c. 4550 to 4400 cal. yr BP. A multi-core, multi-proxy study of 20 geotechnical drills was made in the lagoon basin to identify the main sedimentary episodes and depositional environments. The results suggest that this halite bed, more than 80 cm thick, was conditioned by climate change and was accompanied by a generalized drying-out of the basin. Halite precipitation was linked with palaeoecological changes, including forest and mesophyte depletions and increasing cover and diversity of xerophytic plant species. Archaeological evidence indicates a demise of the population at this period probably due to resource exhaustion. An overall picture of the biostratigraphy and palaeoclimates of the region is given in a broader geographical context.
Football’s Irish exodus: Examining the factors influencing Irish player migration to English professional leagues
Authors: Elliott Richard
Published: February 2014

The intention of this paper is to examine the range of interdependent processes that influence the decisions of Irish footballers to migrate from teams based in the League of Ireland to English Premier League and Football League clubs. Using data derived from a series of qualitative interviews conducted with a group of Irish players that had relocated to English clubs at different points over a 20-year period, the analysis reveals that the players’ decisions to migrate are predicated upon the interdependency of a number of processes that push the migrants from Ireland and pull them to England. The paper shows how these processes are reflected in a series of migrations where the players are not simply passive social agents but, rather, dynamic interlocutors whose decisions must be framed within the local contexts between which their movements are situated.
Fresh Start
Authors: Weaver Robert D. , Campbell Derek
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

A meta-analysis was conducted in order to generate more understanding regarding the efficacy of aftercare programs in reducing the recidivism rates of juvenile offenders reentering their communities following a period of custody.

Method:

30 eligible primary studies were obtained through a systematic literature review and were coded. Recidivism was the outcome variable and 11 moderating variables were grouped according to either a sample, treatment, methodological, or study characteristic. A summary effect size was computed while moderator analyses and meta-regression were also conducted.

Results:

The summary effect size of aftercare programs was non-significant but subgroup univariate and multivariate analyses yielded significant treatment effects for samples of youth who averaged over 16.5 years of age and whose predominant index offense was violent. Well-implemented aftercare programs also yielded substantial treatment effects.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that under specific conditions aftercare can reduce recidivism rates for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Analyzing the Scientific Evolution of Social Work Using Science Mapping
Authors: Martínez Ma Angeles , Cobo Manuel Jesús , Herrera Manuel , Herrera-Viedma Enrique
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

This article reports the first science mapping analysis of the social work field, which shows its conceptual structure and scientific evolution.

Methods:

Science Mapping Analysis Software Tool, a bibliometric science mapping tool based on co-word analysis and h-index, is applied using a sample of 18,794 research articles published from 1930 to 2012 in 25 main social work journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports of the Web of Science.

Results:

Published research social work field concentrated in eight main thematic areas: children, social services, health care, violence, women, HIV/AIDS, social workers, and education. HIV/AIDS and violence have recently attracted the interest of the social word scientific community, while the rest are classical thematic areas that still attract the interest and efforts of the researchers.

Conclusion:

This conceptual and empirical analysis shows how research themes have evolved in social work.
Accuracy of the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) as a Quantitative Measure of Adherence to Inhalation Medication in Patients With COPD
Authors: Tommelein Eline , Mehuys Els , Van Tongelen Inge , Brusselle Guy , Boussery Koen
Published: February 2014

Background: Self-report is considered most suitable to measure medication adherence in routine clinical practice. However, accuracy of self-report as a quantitative measure of adherence is not well documented. Objective: To assess the accuracy of a self-report measure of adherence (Medication Adherence Report Scale [MARS-5]) for identifying nonadherent users of inhalation medication among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), compared with medication refill adherence (MRA) as reference. Methods: We used baseline data from the Pharmaceutical Care for Patients with COPD (PHARMACOP)-trial (n = 734). Patients with incomplete MARS-5 and/or incomplete pharmacy refill records were excluded (n = 121). Internal consistency of MARS-5 (Crohnbach α) and Spearman rank correlation (ρ) with MRA were calculated. Different thresholds for nonadherence were used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV), compared with dichotomized MRA (MRA ≥80% = adherent). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to determine the goodness of test. Results: 613 patients were included in the analysis. The mean adherence score by MARS-5 (range = 5-25) was 23.5 (SD = 2.6); mean adherence by MRA was 83.4% (SD = 23.8%). Internal consistency of MARS-5 was high (α = 0.77). Continuous MARS-5 scores correlated poorly with continuous MRA scores (ρ = 0.10; P = 0.011). When lowering the nonadherence threshold stepwise from 25 to 20, MARS-5 did not reach sufficient sensitivity (53% to 13%), specificity (57% to 94%), and PPV (42% to 57%) to detect nonadherers compared with dichotomized MRA. ROC curve plotting resulted in an area under the curve value of 0.56 (95% CI = 0.521-0.616; P = 0.005). Conclusion: Self-reported adherence measured by MARS-5 is inaccurate in identifying nonadherence to inhalation medication in patients with COPD.
Use of Ranolazine in the Prevention and Treatment of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Tsu Laura V. , Lee Stacy
Published: February 2014

Objective: To determine the evidence for use of ranolazine for treatment and prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE (1946 to January 2014) was conducted, using the search terms ranolazine, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac surgery. A search of reference citations was conducted to identify additional references. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Clinical trials investigating the use of ranolazine for POAF were included in the review. Data Synthesis: Three clinical trials were reviewed; 2 trials, 1 retrospective and 1 prospective, compared ranolazine with amiodarone or usual care for prevention of POAF and demonstrated a significant decrease in the incidence of POAF without increasing the incidence of postoperative complications. A third prospective trial used ranolazine in combination with amiodarone for the treatment of POAF and demonstrated a significant reduction in the time required to convert patients from atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm compared with amiodarone alone. Conclusions: In these current small trials, ranolazine appears to be a safe and efficacious therapeutic alternative for the treatment and prevention of POAF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, larger randomized controlled trials are needed before ranolazine should be considered for the treatment or prevention of POAF. It is an attractive option compared with current treatments for this indication—primarily β-blockers and amiodarone—because ranolazine has minimal effects on heart rate and blood pressure.
Naloxone for Opioid Overdose Prevention
Authors: Bailey Abby M. , Wermeling Daniel P.
Published: February 2014

Background: Deaths related to opioid overdose have increased in the past decade. Community-based pharmacy practitioners have worked toward overcoming logistic and cultural barriers to make naloxone distribution for overdose prevention a standard and accepted practice. Objective: To describe outpatient naloxone dispensing practices, including methods by which practitioners implement dispensing programs, prescribing patterns that include targeted patient populations, barriers to successful implementation, and methods for patient education. Methods: Interviews were conducted with providers to obtain insight into the practice of dispensing naloxone. Practitioners were based in community pharmacies or clinics in large metropolitan cities across the country. Results: It was found that 33% of participating pharmacists practice in a community-pharmacy setting, and 67% practice within an outpatient clinic-based location. Dispensing naloxone begins by identifying patient groups that would benefit from access to the antidote. These include licit users of high-dose prescription opioids (50%) or injection drug users and abusers of prescription medications (83%). Patients were identified through prescription records or provider screening tools. Dispensing naloxone required a provider’s prescription in 5 of the 6 locations identified. Only 1 pharmacy was able to exercise pharmacist prescriptive authority within their practice. Conclusion: Outpatient administration of intramuscular and intranasal naloxone represents a means of preventing opioid-related deaths. Pharmacists can play a vital role in contacting providers, provision of products, education of patients and providers, and dissemination of information throughout the community. Preventing opioid overdose–related deaths should become a major focus of the pharmacy profession.
Advanced control and communication scheme for aerospace applications
Authors: Logan Saravanan , Sankareswaran Umamaheswari , Venugopal Manikandan
Published: February 2014

This article presents multiple channel estimation (MCE) that is a multi-sensor access wireless system model. An avionics wireless system needs a power control device to match the power received from the multiple sensors. Without a power control device, the aircraft control unit is unable to receive the signals from sensors due to signal reflections, refraction and transmission loss. The MCE system is designed to suppress multi-sensor signal noise and interference while a sensor, with lower power than the other sensors, is received. This article investigates overcome the power difference based on the MCE system. The performance of proposed MCE model is investigated and validated for a safe indoor avionics wireless system and it improves the overall performance of the wireless system to perfect power stability.
The Relationship Between Poverty Level and Urban African American Parents’ Awareness of Evidence-Based Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Data
Authors: Longtin Susan E. , Principe Gina-Marie
Published: February 2014

This preliminary investigation examined the relationship between poverty level and parental awareness of evidence-based interventions in urban African American parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Based on responses to a survey, more parents above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) reported awareness of the interventions than parents who were below the FPL. Similarly, poverty level was related to parental awareness of the educational and therapeutic services their child received.
Evaluator Training
Authors: Davies Randall , MacKay Kathryn
Published: February 2014

Quality training opportunities for evaluators will always be important to the evaluation profession. While studies have documented the number of university programs providing evaluation training, additional information is needed concerning what content is being taught in current evaluation courses. This article summarizes the findings of a survey administered to university faculty who provide such courses, including (a) topics taught, (b) time spent on topics, and (c) instructors perceptions of topic importance. Study results show considerable diversity in the training of new evaluators. This diversity is often complicated by the range of contexts, purposes, and situations involved.
Walking Through Walls
Authors: Bleibleh Sahera
Published: February 2014

This article presents the implications of modern urban warfare through ethnographic research of the Palestinian lived experience of the 2002 Israeli invasion Edjteyah. It is a scholarly attempt to document, investigate, and analyze the community’s response to Israel’s new military strategy of “walking through walls” as invisible urban warfare. This article connects the community experience in the old town of Nablus with the broader experience of warfare and political uncertainty. It is structured in three parts. The first discusses “walking through walls” as a modern warfare strategy, the second presents the methodology to capture the consequences of war with a case study of suspended everyday life, and the third narrates the participants’ “making-do” emergent tactics to counter the oppressor’s strategies. Following an analysis that encompasses qualitative ethnography and storytelling, it provides an interdisciplinary perspective of people’s temporal, spatial, and behavioral aftermath based on the participants’ narrations and experiences. In conclusion, the colonial power’s extended contemporary war delays any long-term planning, development, and sovereignty statehood by suspending the Palestinians’ everyday life.