bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inverse diffusion and partially premixed flames with elliptical/swirling- and cross-flows
Authors: Kashkousha OA , Kamal MM , Abdulaziz AM , Nosier MA
Published: September 2014

The combustion performance of inverse diffusion and partially premixed flames was optimized by employing concentric elliptical ports with variable relative angular orientation, co-swirling, and cross-flow opposing jets of different inclination angles. The flexible and favorably active control of combustion was pronounced by changing the nozzle relative angular orientation. The optimum angular shift was found to be 20° where the flame length was shortened by 39% from the case of 0° and the NOx levels were reduced to about 0.51 g/kg of fuel for the inverse partially premixed flames. At such optimum angular shift, the minimum CO and NOx emissions respectively decreased to 17.1 and 1.52 g/kg of fuel for the inverse diffusion flames. The elliptical jets increased the size of the swirling flow recirculation zone by about 28%. Increasing the inner aspect ratio consistently increased the combustion efficiency, where the CO emissions reach minimum values of 12.3 and 6.22 g/kg of fuel respectively for the inverse diffusion and partially premixed flames. The correspondingly minimum NOx emissions were thus 0.89 and 0.51 g/kg of fuel at a cross-flow momentum flux ratio of 2.0. Splitting the opposing cross-flow air jets by increasing their inclination angle above 0° duplicated the stagnation zone vortical impact to enrich the average turbulent energy at the major axis tips. The inclination angle of 15° was the optimum at no swirl while increasing the outer swirl angle shifted the optimum inclination angle to 25°. The inner/outer co-swirl of 45°/60° thus provided a minimum CO emission of 11.1 g/kg of fuel for the inverse diffusion flame and 2.65 g/kg of fuel for the inverse partially premixed flame.
Genetically enhanced modal controller design for seismic vibration in nonlinear multi-damper configuration
Authors: Patrascu Monica
Published: September 2014

Structural integrity and human safety are topics of high interest, especially in the light of technological advancements that are currently leading to implementations of smart cities. This article presents the design methodology of a modal controller for seismic vibration, when equipping building with smart devices, like magnetorheological dampers, which are inherently nonlinear. A formal-heuristic hybrid multiloop configuration is thus adopted, making use of both the maneuverability of conventional controllers and the intelligent complexity of evolutionary optimization. For validation purposes, an optimal controller is also implemented for the same structure. The two control systems’ performances are analyzed and compared, taking into account two types of earthquake disturbances and significant mass variation throughout the structure.
Carbon nanotube-reinforced hydroxyapatite composite and their interaction with human osteoblast in vitro
Authors: Khalid P , Hussain MA , Rekha PD , Arun AB
Published: September 2014

As a bone mineral component, hydroxyapatite (HA) has been an attractive bioceramic for the reconstruction of hard tissues. However, its poor mechanical properties, including low fracture toughness and tensile strength, have been a substantial challenge to the application of HA for the replacement of load-bearing and/or large bone defects. In this study, HA is reinforced with high-purity and well-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs; >99 wt%) having an average diameter of 15 nm and length from 10 to 20 μm. The cellular response of these functionalized CNTs and its composites were examined in human osteoblast sarcoma cell lines. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca(NO3)2·4H2O) and diammonium hydrogen phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4) were used to synthesize HA in situ. MWCNTs were functionalized by heating at 100°C in 3:1 ratio of sulfuric acid and nitric acid for 60 min with stirring and dispersed in sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate by sonication. HA particles were produced in MWCNTs solution by adding Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and (NH4)2HPO4 under vigorously stirring conditions. The composite was dried and washed in distilled water followed by heat treatment at 250°C to obtain CNT-HA powder. Physiochemical characterization of the composite material was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, and X-ray diffractometer. Furthermore, this study investigates the cytotoxic effects of functionalized-MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) and its composites with HA in human osteoblast sarcoma cell lines. Human osteoblast cells were exposed with different concentrations of f-MWCNTs and its composite with HA. The interactions of f-MWCNT and MWCNT-HA composites were analyzed by 3-(4,5–dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The results indicate no detrimental effect on survival or mitochondrial activity of the osteoblast cells. Cell viability decreased with an increase in CNT concentration indicating that MWCNTs and its composite can be cytotoxic at higher dosages. This result provides further evidence that the bionano interface can be developed for CNT-reinforced HA composites for load-bearing bone implants, drug delivery, and tissue engineering.
Delayed seizure-like activity following analytically confirmed use of previously unreported synthetic cannabinoid analogues
Authors: Schep LJ , Slaughter RJ , Hudson S , Place R , Watts M
Published: September 2014

Synthetic cannabinoid use has become widespread, leading to increased burdens on health care providers. Symptoms range from agitation and psychosis to seizures and acute kidney injury. We report a case where a patient was assessed and treated twice within 12 h for seizures following synthetic cannabinoid intoxication. Blood sample determinations showed low concentrations of analogues not previously reported, some of which are legal. Clinicians should be aware that synthetic cannabinoids may cause an array of severe health consequences. Given the ever evolving structure of available analogues, clinicians must also be prepared for other unexpected adverse effects.
Elimination of etimicin in rat kidneys and alterations of its cytotoxicity to tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Li Z-D , Zhang X-L , Yi N , Zhang F-C
Published: September 2014

Etimicin (ETM) can accumulate in kidneys and cause tubular epithelial cell cytotoxicity. This article aims to study ETM elimination in kidneys and its nephrotoxicity, apoptosis, and histopathological insults of renal tubular epithelial cells, after repeated administration. A total of 36 rats were randomly divided into ETM-treated group and vehicle control group. Rats in ETM-treated group were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 100 mg/kg/day ETM and rats in control group received physiological saline (i.p.) for 5 consecutive days. Determination of ETM concentrations accumulated in rat kidneys was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography on the basis of derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and by ultraviolet detector. Apoptotic renal tubular epithelial cells were identified by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay. Histopathological insults in kidneys were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. On day 1 after cessation of ETM administration, the accumulation concentration was 347.50 ± 193.30 μg/g tissue; on day 15, ETM concentration became 16.71 ± 9.99 μg/g tissue. Elimination half-life of ETM in rat kidney was about 3.05 days. Apoptotic renal tubular epithelial cells induced by etimicin was recovered gradually from 1544 ± 138 n/mm2 on day 1 to 716 ± 208 n/mm2 on day 15. Histopathological damage was also gradually recovered from vacuolation of tubular epithelial cells as well as renal tubular edema on days 1, 3, and 7 to nearly normal on day 15. From these results, we concluded that renal tubular epithelial cell cytotoxicity induced by ETM can gradually restore with its decreasing concentration in rat kidneys.
Public Understanding of Science in turbulent times III: Deficit to dialogue, champions to critics
Authors: Smallman Melanie
Published: September 2014

As part of the 20th Anniversary of the Public Understanding of Science journal, the journal has been reflecting on how the field and journal have developed. This research note takes a closer look at some of the trends, considering the journal’s 50 most cited papers and using IRaMuTeQ, an open-source computer text analysis technique. The research note presents data that show that the move within public engagement from deficit to dialogue has been followed by a further shift from championing dialogue to criticising its practice. This shift has taken place alongside a continued, but changing, interest in media coverage, surveys and models of public understanding.
Creating low-carbon neighbourhoods: a critical discourse analysis
Authors: Genus Audley , Theobald Kate
Published: September 2014

A number of contributions have analysed or supported community or neighbourhood-level activities connected with the development of sustainable or low-carbon localities. The paper reports on a recently completed project (Newcastle Low Carbon Neighbourhoods). The paper aims to deepen understanding of problems relating to the creation of low-carbon neighbourhoods, focusing on competing discourses, which tend to marginalise residents. The paper shows that there is the potential to employ critical discourse analysis to probe the inclusivity or exclusivity of social and political actors and agenda, and the story sets, texts and practices capable of binding together, or keeping apart, individuals, groups and perspectives, and to examine the normative underpinnings of people’s behaviour and interpretations. The conclusions concern what we learn from the project regarding the role of language in multi-actor research and engagement and the promotion of low-carbon homes and neighbourhoods, which may be informative for the broader challenge of city-wide urban sustainability.
Negotiating Biomedical and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatments Among Elderly Chinese Singaporean Women
Authors: Chang Leanne , Basnyat Iccha
Published: September 2014

In this article we examine how elderly Chinese Singaporean women navigated between biomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine in their practices of maintaining well-being. We interviewed 36 elderly women to understand their negotiation of medical choices in the interplay of structure, culture, and personal agency. Our findings show that participants made situational decisions under structural and cultural influences, such as family members’ changing expectations and interpretations of medical practices, institutional preferences for biomedicine, and the patients’ negotiating position between biomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Participants demonstrated their capacity to enact agency through their examination of the effects and side effects of each medical system and through their integrative use of different medical treatments, depending on the purpose. Through our findings, we unveil contextual meanings of health among elderly women and the unique coexistence of traditional and modern medical practices within the context of Singapore.
Making a Difference? Accounting for Nongovernmental Organizations in the Comanagement of Lore Lindu National Park, Indonesia
Authors: Palmer Charles
Published: September 2014

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are often found playing a critical role in facilitating aspects of protected area comanagement in the Global South. In Lore Lindu National Park, Indonesia, three NGOs facilitated comanagement between 1998 and 2006. This article assesses the extent to which the comanagement strategies and approaches of these NGOs were aligned with their policy aims. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) focused on biodiversity conservation, whereas Yayasan Tanah Merdeka (YTM) and Yayasan Jambata (YJ) supported indigenous rights to resource extraction. Their strategies appeared to be consistent with their aims. Both YTM and YJ concentrated their efforts in indigenous communities with fewer customary rights and larger proportions of their territories located inside the park. By contrast, TNC targeted a much larger number of communities with larger territories and forest areas, which were vulnerable to the spread of cocoa cultivation. The evidence for an alignment between aims and approaches is mixed. The NGOs’ approaches were influenced by local actors, particularly indigenous leaders and institutions, who used comanagement as a means of strengthening claims to customary territories. Communities obtained extraction rights, and many negotiated the right to exclude outsiders from their territories, which may have helped contain the spread of cocoa cultivation.
Prospects for Payments for Ecosystem Services in the Brazilian Pantanal: A Scenario Analysis
Authors: Schulz Christopher , Ioris Antônio A. R. , Martin-Ortega Julia , Glenk Klaus
Published: September 2014

The present study investigates the prospects for a large-scale implementation of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland. Despite increasing environmental threats associated with development pressures and the growing interest of public and private organizations, no PES schemes are currently in place in the Pantanal. Through an exploratory scenario analysis, this article determines the prospects for PES in the area. The findings suggest that a large-scale implementation is unlikely, as this would require much higher levels of environmental awareness among local decision makers and low substitution rates of ecosystem services by technology. Furthermore, strong socioeconomic inequality between inhabitants of the Pantanal lowlands and wealthy farmers of the neighboring uplands means that potential suppliers of ecosystem services would face very high opportunity costs to participate in PES schemes. The research findings are also relevant to other environmentally sensitive regions experiencing rapid economic growth and weak environmental regulation.
The Sensitivity of Standard Radiographic Foot Measures to Misalignment
Authors: Willauer Patrick , Sangeorzan Bruce J. , Whittaker Eric C. , Shofer Jane B. , Ledoux William R.
Published: September 2014

Background:

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects that X-ray source misalignment has on common measurements made from anterior-poster (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) view foot radiographs.

Methods:

A cadaveric foot model was used to obtain ML radiographs with ±25 degree transverse plane misalignment. From these images the calcaneal pitch angle (CPA) and lateral talometatarsal angle (LTMA) were measured. AP images were captured with up to 30 degree sagittal plane misalignment as well as ±15 degree misalignment in the transverse plane at each sagittal angle. From these images the talonavicular coverage angle (TNCA) and talometatarsal angle (TMA) were measured.

Results:

On the ML images, the CPA was sensitive to transverse plane misalignment from −10 to −25 degrees and from 15 to 25 degrees ( P < .005). The LTMA was a more reliable measurement than the CPA and did not demonstrate sensitivity to transverse plane misalignment. On the AP images, the TNCA and TMA were not sensitive to sagittal plane misalignment alone. However, at 0, 10, and 15 degrees sagittal misalignment the TNCA showed sensitivity to transverse plane misalignment ( P < .0083).

Conclusion:

Misalignment of an X-ray source can lead to errors in the measurement of foot radiographic parameters, especially the CPA when there is transverse plane misalignment and the TNCA when there is both sagittal and transverse plane misalignment. The LTMA and TMA can be measured reliably, even with significant misalignment present.

Clinical Relevance:

If a researcher or clinician is interested in measuring the CPA or TNCA, the current best practices guidelines for obtaining ML and AP images should be closely followed.
Prevalence of Metatarsus Adductus in Patients Undergoing Hallux Valgus Surgery
Authors: Aiyer Amiethab A. , Shariff Raheel , Ying Li , Shub Jeffrey , Myerson Mark S.
Published: September 2014

Background:

Metatarsus adductus (MA) is a congenital condition in which there is adduction of the metatarsals in conjunction with supination of the hindfoot through the subtalar joint. It is generally believed that MA precedes the development of hallux valgus. Historically, studies have demonstrated that patients with a history of MA were ~3.5 times more likely to develop hallux valgus. The purpose of this study was to identify the relative prevalence of MA in patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic hallux valgus.

Methods:

Between 2002 and 2012, 587 patients who underwent hallux valgus surgery were retrospectively identified following IRB approval and parameters including the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and the metatarsus adductus angle (MAA) were recorded. The MAA was considered abnormal if the value was greater than 20 degrees. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability studies for the measurement of the MAA were completed as well.

Results:

Using the modified Sgarlato technique for measurement of the MAA, there was a high interobserver and intraobserver reliability. The interclass and intraclass coefficients were greater than .90. The prevalence of MA in this patient population was found to be 29.5%. Of those patients with MA, 23 males and 150 females were identified. This gave a male to female ratio of 1:6.5 ( P < .00001). Lesser toe deformities (claw toes, hammertoes) were the most commonly associated diagnoses identified. When stratified by severity, 113 (65%) patients had an MAA between 21 and 25 degrees, 41 (23.7%) had an MAA between 26 and 30 degrees, 8 (4.6%) patients had an MAA between 31 and 35 degrees, and 11 (6.3%) patients had an MAA greater than 36 degrees.

Conclusion:

Historically the prevalence of MA in patients with hallux valgus has been reported to be 35%. The data in this study indicate a comparable prevalence at 29.4%. The presence of concomitant MA may portend different outcomes for operative treatment of hallux valgus. Further research needs to delineate rates of persistence of deformity in this patient population to guide operative management.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
A Prospective Outcome and Cost-effectiveness Comparison Between Two Ligament Reattachment Techniques Using Suture Anchors for Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Cho Byung-Ki , Kim Yong-Min , Park Kyoung-Jin , Park Ji-Kang , Kim Do-Kyoon
Published: September 2014

Background:

There are various ligament reattachment techniques for the modified Brostrom procedure. There have been few comparative studies on recently developed techniques. This prospective study was performed to compare the functional outcomes of 2 different ligament reattachment techniques using suture anchors. We furthermore evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the suture bridge technique.

Methods:

Forty-five amateur athletes under 30 years of age were followed for more than 2 years. Twenty-four procedures with the suture anchor technique and 21 procedures with the suture bridge technique were performed by one surgeon. The functional evaluation consisted of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Karlsson score, Sefton grading system, and the period to return to various forms of exercise (jogging, spurt running, jumping, one leg standing for >1 minute, walking on uneven ground, and going down stairs). Measurement of talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation was obtained from stress radiographs to evaluate mechanical stability.

Results:

There were no significant differences on AOFAS score, FAOS, Karlsson score, Sefton grade, and stress radiographs. There were no significant differences on the return to exercises, except for jumping. As the most common complication, there were 3 cases of skin irritation by suture materials in the suture anchor group and 2 cases of intraoperative breakage of the suture anchor in suture bridge group.

Conclusions:

Both ligament reattachment techniques using suture anchors showed similar functional outcomes. Considering the additional medical expenses incurred by more suture anchors, the modified Brostrom procedure using the suture bridge technique had low cost-effectiveness. Proper indication and clinical usefulness of suture bridge technique for chronic ankle instability will be addressed in further studies.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, prospective comparative study.
Interviewing Therapists About Working With Sexual Assault Survivors
Authors: Ullman Sarah E.
Published: September 2014

This article provides an account of the author’s experience interviewing clinicians about their work with sexual assault survivors and clinicians’ experiences working with this population. Twelve clinicians who worked with sexual assault survivors practicing in a range of professional settings completed semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Grounded theory and open-coding analyses were conducted on the researcher’s log, case summaries, and verbatim-transcribed interview transcripts to uncover themes regarding (a) the researcher’s experience of the interviewees and (b) the therapists’ reports of their experiences working with survivors. Conclusions are drawn for researchers conducting interviews with therapists and clinicians working with sexual assault survivors.
Mexican Immigrant Women Reaching Out
Authors: Kyriakakis Stavroula
Published: September 2014

More inquiry is needed into how Mexican immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) are seeking help, to improve interventions designed to reach this isolated and vulnerable population. This grounded theory study, using a sample of 29 Mexican immigrant survivors of IPV and 15 key informants, examines the help-seeking process. Findings indicate that informal networks, particularly family and female friends, play a critical role in providing assistance and linking women to formal services. These findings have implications for the delivery of formal domestic violence services to this community as well as the response of police and other formal service systems.
Can fentanyl transdermal patches prevent the cutaneous hyperpigmentation related to radiotherapy in patients with cancer?
Authors: Mutlu Hasan
Published: September 2014

Dermatologic adverse effects related to radiotherapy are one of the most important cosmetic problems and affect the quality of life in patients with cancer. In a male patient with non-small cell lung cancer who received palliative radiotherapy, the hyperpigmentation related to radiotherapy was examined two months later except for fentanyl transdermal patch area. The inhibitory effect of fentanyl on cell cycle may prevent hyperpigmentation related to radiotherapy.
Exploring the Effect of Gender and Age on Stress and Emotional Distress in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: McGillivray J. A. , Evert H. T.
Published: September 2014

One hundred nine people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), and Stress Survey Schedule (SSS). Compared with Australian norms for DASS depression, anxiety, and stress, both males and females with ASD showed elevated scores. Females aged 25 to 44 years scored significantly higher on the DASS depression subscale than same aged males and younger males and females. Significant gender and age differences were evident on SSS subscales. In comparison with males, females were more stressed on Pleasant Events, Sensory/Personal Contact, and Social and Environmental subscales, and adult females in particular were more stressed on items around Change and Social Threats and Anticipation/Uncertainty. Young people were less stressed on seven of the eight SSS subscales than older people. It appears that emotional vulnerability in people with ASD varies according to gender and age, with adult females at particular risk.
The Problems and Promises of Research on Deaths Due to Legal Intervention in Latin America
Authors: Fondevila Gustavo , Meneses Reyes Rodrigo
Published: September 2014

This research note aims to answer the following questions: (a) How do Latin American authorities systematize and report data regarding deaths due to legal intervention? (b) To what extent is this information public and available? (c) Can this information help to better understand and compare regional patterns of lethal violence perpetrated by the State? Research findings suggest that data regarding deaths due to legal intervention are still an unreliable source of information, thereby hampering any cross-national comparison of how lethal violence is exercised by the State in Latin America.
Concurrent diseases in hyperthyroid cats undergoing assessment prior to radioiodine treatment
Authors: Puig Jordi , Cattin Isabelle , Seth Mayank
Published: September 2014

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrinopathy of geriatric cats, which are also prone to various other diseases. This retrospective study examined the prevalence and type of non-renal concurrent diseases present in cats referred for radioiodine assessment that were believed to have no other comorbidities at the time of referral. Ninety-four cats were included and analysed. Seventeen cases (18%) were identified as having concurrent disorders, with alimentary lymphoma (n = 5) and chronic enteropathy (n = 4) as the two most common comorbid diseases. The eosinophil count, total bilirubin and total calcium were significantly higher in the concurrent disease group, although the differences are unlikely to be clinically useful. The results support the utility of careful and individual assessment for all hyperthyroid cats prior to receiving radioiodine.
How does ideology influence welfare retrenchment proposals? Application of a new methodology
Authors: Thornton Ashley
Published: September 2014

Most studies that aim to measure the influence of ideology on policymaking use the share of cabinet seats held by left versus right parties, manifesto data, expert judgments, or ideology scores as ways to operationalize ideology. These measures, however, cannot systematically capture the content of policy debates, ideological arguments used, or how these arguments change over time. Based on the concept of framing, this article presents an alternative methodology to study the role of ideology in welfare retrenchment proposals across countries and over time. By identifying recurring arguments, welfare ‘frames’ within which reform debates play out can be identified and compared over time. Applying this methodology to 578 New Zealand parliamentary budget debate speeches from 1970 to 2012, this article finds that there is more overlap in the welfare arguments used by both Labour and National in 1984 and 2000 – years when the Labour Party was in government. Thus instead of welfare frames being defined strictly along ideological party lines as Labour versus National, they might also be defined in terms of a multi-party ‘in power’ frame versus a multi-party ‘in opposition’ frame. In other words, whichever party is in power may matter more to welfare retrenchment debates than traditional party positions.
Rewarding the ‘traitors’? Legislative defection and re-election in Romania
Authors: Gherghina Sergiu
Published: September 2014

Legislative defection in political systems characterized by party dominance and cartelization is usually seen as damaging the members of parliament's (MPs') careers. Switching legislators does not portray an image of confidence and reliability and the MPs’ re-election is unlikely. Drawing on a dataset that includes all defector MPs in post-communist Romania until 2008, this article indicates that one in five defectors gets re-elected. The quest for explanations focuses on individual and party features. Results indicate that re-election of defectors is a function of the strategic behavior (the choice of the destination party) and the legislative experience of the defector. All these items count against party and legislative activity.
Economy, corruption or floating voters? Explaining the breakthroughs of anti-establishment reform parties in eastern Europe
Authors: Hanley Seán , Sikk Allan
Published: September 2014

This paper discusses a new group of parties that we term anti-establishment reform parties (AERPs), which combine moderate social and economic policies with anti-establishment appeals and a desire to change the way politics is conducted. We analyse the electoral breakthroughs of AERPs in central and eastern Europe (CEE), the region where AERPs have so far been most successful. Examples include the Simeon II National Movement, Movement for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) (Bulgaria), Res Publica (Estonia), New Era (Latvia), TOP09 and Public Affairs (Czech Republic) and Positive Slovenia. We examine the conditions under which such parties broke through in nine CEE states in 1997–2012 using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). We find five sufficient causal paths combining high or rising corruption, rising unemployment and party system instability. Rising corruption plays a key role in most pathways but, unexpectedly, AERP breakthroughs are more closely associated with economic good times than bad.
‘The strawberry generation… they are too pampered’
Authors: Atencio Matthew , Tan Yuen Sze Michelle , Ho Susanna , Ching Chew Ting
Published: September 2014

This paper explores pre-service PE teachers’ conceptions of outdoor education (OE) in Singapore. Survey questionnaires were administered to 120 pre-service teachers; 14 teachers participated in follow-up semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that OE is predominantly situated within the outdoor camp environment. Pre-service teachers regularly envisioned the purpose of OE as to instil a sense of discipline among students and to ameliorate the negative health impacts of an urban and wealthy lifestyle. We propose that the dislocation of OE from local and situated school contexts as well as the instrumental nature of OE pedagogy runs contrary to aims of fostering acquisition of life skills and character development. We concomitantly question how the pre-service teachers’ envisioning of OE can convincingly support holistic learning outcomes deemed beneficial to Singaporean youth and society more broadly.
The power of celebrity
Authors: Johns Raechel , Weir Brian , Weir Ruth
Published: September 2014

In December 2010, Tourism Australia and Tourism New South Wales (respectively, Australia’s national and Australia’s largest state tourism promotion agencies) entered into an agreement with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey (or Oprah) for Ms Winfrey to undertake a celebrity endorsement tourism marketing campaign for Australia. In executing this campaign, Oprah and 300 of what she called her ‘Ultimate Australia Adventure’ viewers visited iconic and less well-known tourism attractions around Australia. These visits were filmed and later broadcast as four episodes of the Oprah Winfrey Show in the United States, Australia, and many other countries during January 2011. Longitudinal studies of subsequent visitation (especially from the United States) showed a delayed but significant surge in tourists, leading to Australian tourism authorities to mark the campaign a success. While celebrity endorsement has commonly been discussed in a marketing context, little attention has been given to celebrity endorsement in a tourism context ( Glover (2009) Celebrity endorsement in tourism advertising: effects on destination image. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management 61(1): 16–23). This article investigates this issue, in particular, focussing on a close analysis of the content of the broadcasts to explore why the approach chosen for the campaign was successful. Results indicated that Oprah’s celebrity endorsement of Australia positioned the Australian brand effectively. Oprah’s ‘brand image’ had significant value as a celebrity endorser and that Oprah had strong appeal in these roles to the Tourism Australia target market.
Novel findings: Expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in thoracic aortic dissection and aneurysm
Authors: Li Yang , Hu Jia , Qian Hong , Gu Jun , Meng Wei , Zhang Er-yong
Published: September 2014

Introduction:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 are key regulators of the renin–angiotensin system, which has been shown to participate in a series of cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that dysregulated gene expression of ACE and ACE2 contribute to the formation of thoracic aortic dissection and aneurysm.

Materials and methods:

We assessed ACE plasma concentration in 73 patients with acute thoracic aortic dissection ( n=34), aneurysm ( n=18), coronary heart disease ( n=21) and 13 healthy volunteers. ACE and ACE2 gene expression in available aortic tissues was also examined by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

In patients with acute aortic dissection, ACE plasma concentration and its mRNA level in aortic tissue were markedly reduced compared with those in patients with aneurysm, coronary heart disease and healthy controls. The level of ACE2 gene expression in dissection samples was also significantly lower than that in aneurysm (8.01±7.44, p<0.01) and coronary heart disease groups (9.61±11.54, p<0.01). A strong correlation was observed between the gene expressions of ACE and those of ACE2, and ACE to ACE2 ratio was significantly elevated in dissection tissues.

Conclusions:

Imbalanced down-regulation of ACE and ACE2 mRNA expression levels may play an important role in the development and progression of thoracic aortic aneurysmal dilatation and subsequently dissection.
The association between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 polymorphisms and essential hypertension risk: A meta-analysis involving 14,122 patients
Authors: Yang Mei , Zhao Jing , Xing Lin , Shi Li
Published: September 2014

Background:

Some studies have evaluated the associations between the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene polymorphisms and essential hypertension (EH) risk. However, the results remain uncertain. We carried out a meta-analysis to derive a more comprehensive estimation of these associations.

Methods:

Case-control studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wangfang databases. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the associations.

Results:

Significant associations were found between the ACE2 G8790A polymorphism and EH risk in males (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.11–1.44; p = 0.0004; I2 = 34%) and females (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.09–1.34; p = 0.0003; I2 = 31%), respectively. Significant associations were also observed between the ACE2 rs2106809 polymorphism and EH risk in males (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10–1.39; p = 0.0004; I2 = 18%) and females (OR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.27–1.51; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%), respectively. However, there was no significant association between the ACE2 A1075G polymorphism and EH risk in males (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.77–2.10; p = 0.35; I2 = 69%) and females (OR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.83–1.26; p = 0.84; I2 = 33%), respectively.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that the ACE2 G8790A and rs2106809 polymorphisms may be associated with EH risk.
Automated model generation of knitted fabric for thermal conductivity prediction using finite element analysis and its applications in composites
Authors: Siddiqui Muhammad Owais Raza , Sun Danmei
Published: September 2014

Thermal property of clothing has significant impact on thermal comfort of the wearers. In an extreme working condition body releases a lot of heat and sweat, in order to keep the body dry and at normal temperature these heat and sweat should be released in the environment. The thermal comfort of the fabrics mainly depends on how well it transmits heat and moisture to the environment. In this work finite element models have been developed to predict the thermal conductivity of plain weft knitted fabrics. Fabrics with different stitch density and yarn count were used in this work. A unit cell model of the fabrics was developed by using the actual geometrical parameters. Material orientation of the yarn was used for assigning the thermal conductivity of each element in the yarn. Boundary conditions were applied on unit cell of the fabrics for the determination of thermal conductivity. The geometrical models of the fabrics were generated by a plug-in which was developed in Abaqus/computer aided engineering using Python script. It has been found that thermal conductivity between the predicted results obtained from finite element analysis and experimental results from an in-house developed device is highly correlated. Furthermore, the application of geometrical model in different areas has been discussed, and technique is developed for the prediction of effective thermal conductivity of plain weft knitted composite fabric.
Supporting Direct Care Workers in Dementia Care
Authors: Barbosa Ana , Nolan Mike , Sousa Liliana , Figueiredo Daniela
Published: September 2014

An experimental study using a pre–posttest control group design was conducted to assess the effects of a person-centered care-based psychoeducational intervention on direct care workers’ stress, burnout, and job satisfaction. The intervention aimed to develop person-centered care competences and tools for stress management. Four aged care facilities were randomly assigned to a psychoeducational or an education-only intervention (control). Data were collected from 56 direct care workers (female, mean age 44.72 ± 9.02) through measurements of burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), job satisfaction (Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-short form), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and focus-group interviews. Results showed significant positive effects in emotional exhaustion ( P = .029) and positive but no significant effects in stress and job satisfaction. According to qualitative data, the experimental group perceived enhanced group cohesion, emotional management, and self-care awareness. Psychoeducational interventions may contribute to reduce direct care workers’ burnout. Further work is needed to determine the extent of its benefits.
Physical Activity–Associated Bone Loading During Adolescence and Young Adulthood Is Positively Associated With Adult Bone Mineral Density in Men
Authors: Strope Matthew A. , Nigh Peggy , Carter Melissa I. , Lin Nantian , Jiang Jun , Hinton Pamela S.
Published: September 2014

Physical activity during growth increases bone mass and strength; however, it remains unclear whether these benefits persist. The purpose of this study was to determine: (a) if bone loading during adolescence (13-18 years) or young adulthood (19-29 years) in men is associated with greater bone mineral density (BMD) in adulthood; (b) if current participation in high-impact activity (ground reaction force > 4 × body weight) and/or resistance training is associated with greater BMD; and, (c) if continuous participation in a high-impact activity from adolescence to adulthood is associated with greater BMD. Apparently healthy, physically active men aged 30 to 65 years ( n = 203) participated in this cross-sectional study. Exercise-associated bone loading was estimated based on ground reaction forces of historical physical activity. Current BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Participants were grouped based on current participation in a high-impact activity ( n = 18), resistance training ( n = 57), both ( n = 14), or neither ( n = 114); groups were compared by two-way analysis of covariance. Bone loading during adolescence and young adulthood were significant, positive predictors of BMD of the whole body, total hip, and lumbar spine, adjusting for lean body mass and/or age in the regression models. Individuals who currently participate in a high-impact activity had greater lumbar spine BMD than nonparticipants. Men who continuously participated in a high-impact activity had greater hip and lumbar spine BMD than those who did not. In conclusion, physical activity–associated bone loading both during and after skeletal growth is positively associated with adult bone mass.
It’s Not About “Freudian Couches and Personality Changing Drugs”
Authors: Harding Christine , Fox Christopher
Published: September 2014

Enabling factors that influenced men to seek assistance for mental health concerns—a previous underresearched area—was the primary focus of this research. Past research spanning four decades has focused on men’s barriers to mental health help-seeking with limited research positing social norms within men’s peer groups and reciprocity as potential mental health help-seeking enablers. Using a qualitative design, nine men were interviewed to identify the positive factors they believed assisted their help-seeking decisions. Social norms, reciprocity, a significant other, and helpfulness of their general practitioner were domains identified in the analysis of participant narratives. The study revealed the participants’ mental health and treatment illiteracy. Ignorance and misplaced stereotypes, initially acted as barriers to help-seeking, leading to denial of illness, impeding treatment, and perpetuating stigma. Sportsmen disclosing their mental health issues were identified as a positive influence for other men’s help-seeking and assisted in the development of help-seeking as a social norm. The results of this study contribute to understanding the factors that enable men to seek mental health help.
Complementary and Competitive Logics of Mediatization
Authors: Downey John , Neyazi Taberez Ahmed
Published: September 2014

In this article, we have sought to develop a theoretical framework for understanding the “mediatization” of politics that is of general applicability while seeking to apply that framework to India, thereby extending the reach of the concept geographically beyond the West. Theoretically, we reject the idea that media logic and political logic are involved in a zero-sum game (where less of one necessarily means more of the other) and instead develop a framework that investigates how commercial, political, and professional logics interact in competitive and complementary ways dependent upon prevailing circumstances and configurations. In the classic argument of mediatization, growing commercial logic sees a consequent falling away of political (or electoral) logic. Our argument is that it is not an either/or but rather a both/and scenario where mediatization and politization of television can go hand in hand. These logics interact in a complex fashion; at times they are complementary, at other times they are competitive. In the rapid development of Indian media, media have become commercialized, regionalized, and vernacularized. Political elites still attempt to maintain control in direct and indirect partisan and indeed in networked media systems. New pragmatic entrepreneurs have emerged with decidedly dubious records and with twin goals of maximizing their economic and political power. At the same time, there is a trend toward journalism that works in the public interest rather than those of narrow regional and/or national elites.
Pneumothorax: a tale of pain or spontaneity
Authors: Morjaria Jaymin B. , Lakshminarayana U. B. , Liu-Shiu-Cheong P. , Kastelik J. A.
Published: September 2014

Pneumothoraces may be due a variety of aetiologies. Here we present two different cases: one with a unilateral pneumothorax due an iatrogenic medical procedure and another of idiopathic spontaneous bilateral nature. Although both cases were initially managed conservatively, the latter case required surgical intervention. We also conduct a literature review of the aetiology and management of pneumothoraces.
Spinal and sacroiliac gouty arthritis: report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Cardoso Fabiano Nassar , Omoumi Patrick , Wieers Gregoire , Maldague Baudouin , Malghem Jacques , Lecouvet Frédéric E , Vande Berg Bruno C
Published: September 2014

In this case report, we describe an “uncommon” case of axial gouty arthropathy in a 69-year-old woman with bilateral sciatica that was thoroughly evaluated with conventional radiography, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging, bone scintigraphy, and PET-CT. Axial gouty arthropathy should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic low back pain, mainly when several risk factors for gout are present.
Social Revolutions
Authors: Tiruneh Gizachew
Published: September 2014

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of social revolutions. In this article, I take a synthetic approach and hypothesize that the three most important factors that explain the onset of social revolution are economic development, regime type, and state ineffectiveness. I also discuss the importance of domestic and external factors that trigger social revolutions. In addition, I make a distinction between the onset and success of social revolutions. Finally, I identify two distinct types of social revolutions.
Journalism and Literature in the Egyptian Revolution of 1882
Authors: Álvarez José Maurício Saldanha
Published: September 2014

This article analyzes the news reports written by the Portuguese novelist and journalist Eça de Queirós about the crisis in 1881-1882 that resulted in the bombing of Alexandria, Egypt, by a British fleet. First, following Barbie Zelizer, we examine the communication of this historical event by analyzing how the news reports covering the event were written, taking into account the literary form commonly used during the period. For Zelizer, figures could not be trusted, and the plot and storyline were preferable. Second, as proposed by Hallin and Mancini, we analyze media practices during the period and compare the practices of the British and Luso-Brazilian print media. Eça appropriated information broadcasts by British journalists and reformulated them for his readers, emphasizing the key issues that lurked beneath the events of 1881-1882. Third, we analyze how the Egyptian army and Colonel Arabi went from being demonized to a position of heroes in modern Egypt through reports by the Brazilian periodical Gazeta de Noticias that were published in 1882 in Rio de Janeiro and were considered the culmination of its journalistic activities.
The Effects of Parent Training on Knowledge of Transition Services for Students With Disabilities
Authors: Young John , Morgan Robert L. , Callow-Heusser Catherine A. , Lindstrom Lauren
Published: September 2014

This study examined effects of two parent-training approaches to increase knowledge of transition resources by (a) giving parents a brochure describing local transition services or (b) providing the same brochure plus 60 min of small-group training. We randomly assigned parents to groups who completed pre- and posttests on knowledge of transition services. Results indicated posttest scores in the Brochure Plus Training group were higher than the Brochure Only group. The standardized mean difference effect size between groups was 1.6. Following the posttest, parents were asked to contact a transition community service provider described in the brochure, and to await a follow-up phone call from one of the researchers. Thirty-day follow-up data indicated that more Brochure Plus Training parents (64%) than Brochure Only parents (0%) contacted community service providers.