bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Anti-racism: Pleasure, Catharsis, and Hope in Mafia III and Watch Dogs 2
Authors: Leonard David J.
Published: April 2019

This essay examines the representation and consumption of Mafia III and Watch Dogs 2 as a site of catharsis, pleasure, and empowerment. Through not only its representation of white supremacy but its rendering of intervention and transformation as violence, Mafia III and Watch Dogs 2 offer a powerful inscription of gratification. In other words, offering both a space of oppositional gaze and a virtual reality invested in challenging gaze based in violence, Mafia III and Watch Dogs 2 reimagine the conventions of both video games and violence.
Close Encounters: Intimate service interactions in lap dancing work as a nexus of ‘self-others-things’
Authors: Hales Sophie , Riach Kathleen , Tyler Melissa
Published: April 2019

Drawing on ethnographic research on lap dancing work, this paper focuses on how the subjectivities, interactions and settings that constitute the lap dancing industry come into being through three interrelated processes of encoding, embodying and embedding. In considering how these processes combine to ‘enact’ the industry, the paper draws on Merleau Ponty’s understanding of the world as a dynamic nexus of ‘self-others-things’. Focusing on how this nexus shapes lived experiences of intimate service interactions, the analysis considers how dancers continually negotiate customers’ expectations of the service encounter given the ways in which these are: (i) encoded in depictions of lap dancing work in marketing and advertising materials on club websites; (ii) embodied by lap dancers through their interactions with customers; and (iii) embedded within the materiality of lap dancing clubs. The paper shows how intimate service encounters can be understood as the outcome of a nexus of ‘self-others-things’ through which particular organizational subjectivities and settings are brought into being through these three interrelated processes.
“My Brother Was His Little Angel; I Was the Problem Child”: Perceived Sibling Favoritism in the Narratives of Youth Who Become Homeless
Authors: Buccieri Kristy
Published: April 2019

Youth who become homeless often report having difficult home lives, but very little is known about their experiences with siblings and parents. This article reports on a qualitative study of eight youth, aged 17 to 23 years, experiencing homelessness in Toronto. Seven of the youth felt that their parent(s) favored a sibling over them, leading to the construction of a good child–problem child dichotomy in the household. The perceived disfavoritism resulted in increased family conflict that sometimes escalated to physical violence. As a result of the perceived disfavoritism, all the youth had strained, or nonexistent, relationships with their parent(s); identification of parental disfavoritism as a theme may, with further investigation, be considered a newly identified pathway to the street. These findings demonstrate the complexity of experiences these youth have prior to becoming homeless and highlight the need for further research into parent and sibling relations within their homes.
Parent-implemented language intervention delivered by therapy assistants for two-year-olds at risk of language difficulties: A case series
Authors: McDonald David , Colmer Sarah , Guest Susan , Humber Dawn , Ward Charlotte , Young Jane
Published: April 2019

The aims of this small-scale study were to explore the feasibility and outcomes of a parent-implemented intervention for two-year-olds at risk of language difficulties, and to explore the implications for the public health model of speech and language therapy (SLT). This adds to limited research into targeted SLT public health interventions. It is the first study to investigate early language intervention delivered by trained therapy assistants (TAs) rather than clinicians. Nine children aged between 26 and 31 months took part. Seven (78%) completed the six-session intervention. The outcome measure was the Words subscale of the Language Use Inventory. The gross motor subscale of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire was used as a control measure. Children’s skills were assessed twice before intervention and once afterwards. At baseline, six participants had expressive language delay and no wider speech, language and communication needs (SLCNs). Five of this subgroup showed language use skills within the typical range following intervention. At baseline, three participants had expressive language delay and previously undetected receptive language and/or social interaction difficulties. None of this sub-group showed improved age-adjusted language use skills following intervention. All nine participants had gross motor skills in the typical range at each time point. These exploratory findings suggest this targeted intervention is feasible. This study presents no evidence of short-term impact of this intervention for two-year-olds with expressive language delay and wider SLCNs. These findings suggest this targeted language intervention for two-year-olds may be associated with accelerated language development for some two-year-olds at risk of language difficulties because of expressive language delay; and may help identify two-year-olds with previously undetected wider SLCNs, and therefore facilitate early access to specialist support. We highlight limitations in the study size, design and outcome measures, and identify how these preliminary findings can inform future research.
The hare and the tortoise: The impact of action- versus state-orientation on entrepreneurial progress and persistence
Authors: Lomberg Carina , Thiel Jana , Steffens Paul
Published: April 2019

Action-orientation is portrayed as key for entrepreneurship. To understand the conditions under which action-orientation is indeed favourable for entrepreneurs, we introduce the personality-systems-interaction (PSI) theory to entrepreneurship research. PSI theory distinguishes action- versus state-orientation and explains how both dispositions influence an entrepreneur’s cognition (including goals), emotional reactions and the resulting behaviour. It provides a novel basis for understanding individual differences in persistence and progression through the venture creation process. Based on the tenets of PSI theory, we develop propositions to explain how action-oriented versus state-oriented individuals respond differently to the demands of the entrepreneurial process.
Joint actions with large partners and small-firm ambidexterity in asymmetric alliances: The mediating role of relational identification
Authors: Feng Yanan , Teng Da , Hao Bin
Published: April 2019

This article investigates the role of relational identification in the relation between joint actions and small-firm ambidexterity in asymmetric alliances. Using survey data on Chinese high-technology firms, we find that joint problem-solving and joint sensemaking are both positively associated with a small firm’s relational identification. We also find a positive relationship between a small firm’s relational identification and knowledge exploration and exploitation. More importantly, we show that relational identification mediates the relationships between joint actions (i.e. joint problem-solving and joint sensemaking) and small-firm ambidexterity, except for the relationship between joint sensemaking and small-firm knowledge exploitation. This study advances our understanding of the association between joint actions and ambidexterity by providing a social identification explanation.
The effects of cryotherapy on pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dantas Lucas Ogura , Moreira Roberta de Fátima Carreira , Norde Flavia Maintinguer , Mendes Silva Serrao Paula Regina , Alburquerque-Sendín Francisco , Salvini Tania Fatima
Published: April 2019

Objective:

To investigate the effectiveness of cryotherapy on pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis.

Data sources:

An electronic search was performed up to February 2019 on PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Lilacs, Cochrane, Web of Science, Ibecs, and Scielo databases with keywords knee osteoarthritis and cryotherapy.

Methods:

Two authors independently performed the study selection. All languages and publication dates were considered. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies, and the body of evidence was analyzed and synthesized using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. The clinical relevance of the included studies was evaluated using the criteria proposed in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

Results:

Of the five studies, 202 subjects were included. All studies included participants with established knee osteoarthritis. The mean PEDro score was 4.20/10, and meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity among the studies. The mean clinical relevance was 3/5. Only two studies were considered for analysis based on the GRADE approach, and low level of evidence was synthesized regarding the effectiveness of cryotherapy for pain management, knee stiffness, knee range of motion, and physical function. Application techniques, frequency, and duration did not affect outcomes.

Conclusions:

There were insufficient primary studies to draw any conclusions about the effectiveness of cryotherapy on pain and physical function on individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
Levosimendan as a new force in the treatment of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: mechanism and clinical application
Authors: Yang Fei , Zhao Li Na , Sun Yi , Chen Zhuang
Published: April 2019

The heart is one of the organs most vulnerable to sepsis. This review describes the general characteristics of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and the main pathogenesis of myocardial dysfunction in sepsis. Levosimendan is a novel drug for treatment of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction. This review also elaborates on the pathogenesis of levosimendan, including the mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory effects, improvement of myocardial ischaemia, increased synthesis of nitric oxide, vascular endothelial cell protection, increased myocardial contractility, improved diastolic function, and inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression. Many clinical studies have proven that levosimendan effectively prevents myocardial dysfunction in sepsis. In addition to the widespread use of levosimendan in patients with heart failure, the role of levosimendan in the treatment of patients with sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy will be increasingly studied and applied in the future.
MATCH: A New Approach for Differentiating & Linking Series of Sex Worker Homicides and Sexual Assaults
Authors: Salfati C. Gabrielle , Sorochinski Marina
Published: April 2019

Sex workers as a group are one of the more common targets in serial homicide, yet the most likely to go unsolved. Part of the reason for this is the difficulty in linking individual crime scenes to a series, especially in those series where offenders not only target sex worker victims but also target non-sex worker victims. Inconsistencies in both victim targeting and behaviors engaged in across series add to the difficulties of linking and solvability in these types of crimes. The current study aimed to add to the current body of literature on serial crime linkage by examining not only the most salient behavioral indicators useful for crime scene classification of serial homicides that involve sex worker victims but also examine the trajectories of behavioral change that can help link apparently inconsistent crime scenes and proposes the new Model for the Analysis of Trajectories and Consistency in Homicide (MATCH). The study examines 83 homicide series, including 44 (53%) series where all victims were sex workers and 39 (47%) series that included a mix of sex workers and non-sex worker victims. Using the MATCH system allowed for the majority of series to be classified to a dominant trajectory pattern, over half as many as a traditional consistency analysis that focusses on behavioral similarity matching. Results further showed that Sex Worker Victim series were almost three times more consistent across their series than Mixed-Victim series, not only in victim selection but also in the overall behavioral patterns. Findings are discussed in line with theoretical and psychological issues relating to understanding the nature of behavioral consistency and the importance of going beyond simple matching toward a model that allows for the identification of consistency in seemingly inconsistent series, as well as investigative implications relating to linking serial crimes.
Barriers to Education: Policies and Perceptions of Individuals With Histories of Sexual Offenses in Higher Education
Authors: Rubenstein Lauren , Tabaczyk Olivia M. , Jeglic Elizabeth
Published: April 2019

Although education has been demonstrated to promote desistance, a person with a sex offense conviction faces numerous obstacles when pursuing a postsecondary education. In the present study, we investigated perceptions of university administrators toward applicants convicted of sexual offenses. Responses were collected through an online survey disseminated to national higher education administrator organizations. Results indicated that 70% of institutions collect information regarding students’ criminal histories, with 62% of these institutions taking sexual offenses into consideration in admissions decisions. Furthermore, 39% reported that these individuals face further restrictions if admitted. Overall, 59% of respondents agreed with their institution’s policies, whereas a minority felt their policies should be reexamined. This is the first study to explore administrative perceptions of policies regarding applicants with a history of sexual offending and provides data on the restrictions faced by people with a sex offense conviction when applying to and attending institutes of higher education.
Kronprinz Thutmosis als sm-Priester: Eine Rekontextualisierung des Sandsteinfragmentes UC14797 im Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology (London)
Authors: Lakomy Konstantin C.
Published: April 2019

Ein in der Vergangenheit nur wenig beachtetes, im Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology (London) unter der Inv.-Nr. UC14797 geführtes, fein reliefiertes, kleines Sandsteinfragment trägt die stilistische und ikonographische Handschrift der Regierungszeit König Amenhoteps III. Die stilkritische Analyse des Reliefs erbrachte besonders auffällige Übereinstimmungen mit den seltenen flach- und rundbildlichen Darstellungen des Königssohnes Thutmosis, dessen Vita bis dato nur lückenhaft rekonstruierbar ist. Das Relieffragment lässt sich vermutlich als Teil einer (Ritual-)Szene deuten, die im engen Zusammenhang mit der Inszenierung des ersten Sedfestes König Amenhoteps III. in Theben(-West) gesehen werden kann.
Some Rock Inscriptions from Gebel el-Silsila
Authors: Nilsson Maria , Faraman Ahmed , Said Abdelmoneim
Published: April 2019

The subject of this article is a selected group of textual graffiti intended as a preview to a comprehensive hieroglyphic and hieratic corpus of Middle Kingdom rock inscriptions at Gebel el-Silsila currently being prepared for publication. All texts included were incised into the sandstone bedrock and stretched along the so-called Middle Kingdom road as well as along today’s main touristic pathway along the New Kingdom cenotaphs, also on the west bank of Gebel el-Silsila. The inscriptions were documented by the current scientific team during the course of several survey seasons (2012–15) and demonstrate various administrative and official titles providing an insight into activity during the Middle Kingdom, which otherwise is difficult to demonstrate archaeologically, i.e. within the physical remains of the ancient quarries. Titles included herein, such as [Formula: see text] – inspector, [Formula: see text] – general/mission leader, [Formula: see text] – seal-bearer of the God and [Formula: see text] – Royal seal-bearer, indicate an official politico-economic interest in the site, while simultaneously demonstrating religious activity and involvement. The current selection of texts is merely intended as a very brief introduction to the variety of titles and individuals once active at Gebel el-Silsila.
Distributed Model Predictive Approach for Large-Scale Road Network Perimeter Control
Authors: Kim Sunghoon , Tak Sehyun , Lee Donghoun , Yeo Hwasoo
Published: April 2019

In perimeter control, model predictive approaches have performed well in previous studies, but they were done in a centralized way. Considering real-time feasibility, extensibility, and functional stability, a distributed approach could be a promising solution particularly for cases with a large number of networks. In this paper, a new distributed model predictive approach is provided for large-scale road network perimeter control. In the model there are multiple local control agents which make their own decisions simultaneously at network boundaries after sharing necessary information. A control objective is provided upon the considerations of interaction between networks. Conditional weights are given for switching the control objective between greedy modes and cooperative modes. Case study results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the fixed control and greedy control strategies.
Life Cycle Assessment of Natural and Recycled Concrete Aggregate Production for Road Pavements Applications in the Northern Region of Colombia: Case Study
Authors: Martinez-Arguelles Gilberto , Acosta Maria Paola , Dugarte Margareth , Fuentes Luis
Published: April 2019

The environmental impacts of natural aggregates (NA) and recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) production for use in road pavements have been evaluated in this study through an attributional life cycle assessment (LCA) from cradle to gate. Such effort is relevant considering the increasing interest of national agencies in applying recycled aggregates for construction and rehabilitation (C&R) of highway infrastructures. The study used site-specific data from two different aggregate production plants, stationary and mobile, both located in the northern region of Colombia. The stationary facility produces NA, and the mobile plant processes a combination of NA and RCA from the demolition of Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements in the city of Barranquilla. The aggregates produced in the stationary facility are generally used as road base and subbase materials, and in the production of PCC, whereas the recycled mobile plant produces aggregate for subbase and road base mainly. Two scenarios were contemplated in the study. The first scenario involved extraction, hauling, and processing of NA. The second scenario involved aggregate (limestone) extraction, hauling, and recycling of RCA, and finally processing the combination of NA with RCA. The environmental impacts related to the production process of both stationary and mobile plants were evaluated using the computer program SimaPro 8.4.0 and the impact assessment method IMPACT 2002+. The results showed that diesel fuel is the principal energy used in both production processes, and is mainly responsible for the negative impact on respiratory inorganics, global warming, and nonrenewable energy. Results were very sensitive to transportation distances.
Predicting Near-Term Train Schedule Performance and Delay Using Bi-Level Random Forests
Authors: Nabian Mohammad Amin , Alemazkoor Negin , Meidani Hadi
Published: April 2019

Accurate near-term passenger train delay prediction is critical for optimal railway management and providing passengers with accurate train arrival times. In this work, a novel bi-level random forest approach is proposed to predict passenger train delays in the Netherlands. The primary level predicts whether a train delay will increase, decrease, or remain unchanged in a specified time frame. The secondary level then estimates the actual delay (in minutes), given the predicted delay category at primary level. For validation purposes, the proposed model has been compared with several alternative statistical and machine-learning approaches. The results show that the proposed model provides the best prediction accuracy compared with other alternatives. Moreover, constructing the proposed bi-level model is computationally cheap, thereby being easily applicable.
Real-Time Crash Risk Prediction using Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Yuan Jinghui , Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Gong Yaobang , Cai Qing
Published: April 2019

With the help of traffic detectors widely deployed along arterial roads and intersections, real-time traffic data are collected and updated in a very short time period, which makes it possible to conduct real-time analysis at signalized intersections. Among them, real-time crash risk prediction is one of the most promising and challenging research topics. This study attempts to predict real-time crash risk by considering time series dependency with the employment of a long short-term memory recurrent neural network (LSTM-RNN) algorithm. Also, the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) was utilized in this study to generate a balanced training dataset for algorithm training. In comparison, a conditional logistic model was developed based on matched case control design. Both models were evaluated based on the real-world unbalanced test dataset rather than an artificially balanced dataset. The comparison results indicate that the LSTM-RNN with SMOTE outperforms the conditional logistic model. The methods and findings of this study attempt to verify the feasibility of real-time crash risk prediction by using LSTM-RNN with over-sampled dataset (SMOTE).
Impact of Fourth Public Private Partnership Road Program in Colombia: Analysis of Accessibility, Goods Transportation Costs, and Territorial Cohesion Changes
Authors: Nieto-Garcia Jose Ignacio , Guzman Andres Felipe
Published: April 2019

The public private partnership model in Colombia has been the main vehicle to promote the development of transportation infrastructure during the last 20 years. Currently, the national government is developing the Fourth Public Private Partnership Road Program (4G) with a total investment of COP$53B (US$26,530) in 2013 and an average total length of 7,601 km (4,723 mi). In the development of this paper it will be quantified how 4G projects will change accessibility, goods transportation costs, and territorial cohesion in a future scenario when the road network will be finished. This goal will be supported by the creation of a database design in the geographic information system taking into account economic and technical characteristics to evaluate the accessibility and a generalized transport cost function ([Formula: see text]) in each link covering the whole road network, as well as gross domestic product (GDP) in each project region. As a result, it is important to note that 4G projects will represent an important change and positive impact in variables of corridors in the national road network. Even if the results show that some regions will receive benefits, this research also shows that some regions will not present changes in accessibility, [Formula: see text], and territorial cohesion because the 4G corridors do not cover the whole country, but the advantages in some regions will encourage the country’s competitiveness, which could not be reality without the support of private participation. Finally, this research provides enough insight to outline a new program that could enhance accessibility, [Formula: see text], and GDP in the regions.
Crash Involvement and Risky Riding Behaviors among Delivery Riders in China: The Role of Working Conditions
Authors: Zheng Yubing , Ma Yang , Guo Lixin , Cheng Jianchuan , Zhang Yunlong
Published: April 2019

Delivery riders (usually e-bike riders employed in the delivery industry), an emerging occupation as a result of the booming of online commerce in China, have attracted social controversies for the prevalence of unsafe riding and high rates of crash involvement. Given their ever-increasing number and stressful working conditions, more attention should be paid to safety issues involving delivery riders. To illuminate the role of working conditions in influencing safety-related risks of delivery riders, this cross-sectional study was conducted among 824 delivery riders, who answered a self-administered questionnaire gathering information about their demographics, working conditions, riding behaviors, and crash involvement. A mixed probit model of the number of crashes involving riders that allowed for hierarchical relationships between the latent variables identified (i.e., time pressure, fatigue, risky riding behaviors) was employed to determine the underlying association between factors surveyed. The results portrayed a picture of worrisome working conditions for delivery riders. Respondents reported an average of 9.1 daily working hours with insufficient rest. Frequent stair climbing, route planning, and disputes with customers also added to their physical and mental workload. The tested model indicated that a heavy workload, feelings of fatigue, as well as risk-taking behaviors all exerted direct and significant impacts on the involvement in crashes, and time pressure as well as several work-related traits affected crash involvement indirectly, through influencing riders’ feeling of fatigue and riding behaviors. Findings of this study may provide an empirical basis for road safety interventions for delivery riders in China.
Real-Time Monitoring of Asphalt Concrete Pavement Density during Construction using Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory to Practice
Authors: Wang Siqi , Zhao Shan , Al-Qadi Imad L.
Published: April 2019

Accurate real-time density monitoring is crucial in quality control and quality assurance during the asphalt concrete (AC) pavement construction process. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology has shown great potential in the continuous real-time density prediction of AC pavement. However, it is not accepted as a routine method by transportation agencies in the United States due to the lack of validation under field testing conditions. In this study, three field tests were performed using GPR to estimate AC pavement density. The Al-Qadi-Lahouar-Leng model was used to predict the density from GPR signals. The reference scan method was used to remove the effect of surface moisture during construction. The gradient descent-based non-linear optimization method was used to reconstruct the overlapped GPR signals result from the use of thin AC overlay, which has been widely implemented as an AC pavement rehabilitation technique. Digital filtering and other signal processing methods were used to de-noise the signal. GPR results using the proposed methods were compared with field core data and nuclear gauge results. The results show that the proposed methods were effective in estimating in-situ AC pavement density using GPR. Continuous density estimation by installing GPR on the roller is suggested to provide real-time compaction monitoring during the AC pavement construction process.
Effect of MSCR Percent Recovery on Performance of Polymer Modified Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Salim Ramadan , Gundla Akshay , Underwood B. Shane , Kaloush Kamil E.
Published: April 2019

The AASHTO M332 specification includes a relationship between the non-recoverable creep compliance at 3.2 kPa ( Jnr3.2) and the percent of elastic recovery ( R3.2) from the multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) test. Justification for the exact position of this curve based on binder performance is largely undocumented in the technical literature as is the singular effect of higher or lower R3.2 values on mixture performance. In this study, nine binders were tested to evaluate the effect of R3.2 on the performance of asphalt mixtures. Binders with similar Jnr3.2 and varying MSCR R3.2 were divided into four groups based on their Jnr3.2 value. Comparisons were made based on results obtained from the dynamic modulus test, Hamburg wheel tracking test, and axial fatigue test. Based on these tests, it was shown that R3.2 had a strong relationship to the dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures especially at intermediate and high temperatures. Binders with lower R3.2 had a higher dynamic modulus but showed no correlation to phase angle. Both modulus and phase angle of the mixture correlated to the binder shear modulus and phase angle. Binders with high R3.2 had a greater fatigue resistance and the effect is quite noticeable. However, R3.2 was shown to have little to no effect on the rutting resistance of the asphalt mixtures for the temperatures tested in this study. Finally, an alternative Jnr3.2 versus R3.2 relationship based on the results of this study is also presented.
Undeceiving Ourselves: Implications of Self-Deception for Teaching
Authors: Newell Ted
Published: April 2019

Romans 1 sees human beings actively resisting an awareness of a creator God that the characteristics of the created world presses upon them. Postmodern theorists add helpful insights. Educators aware of the educational significance of spiritual blindness and self-deception can appropriate strategies to challenge dominant ways of thinking with imagination and creativity. Christian educators can (1) adopt a parabolic approach, (2) mentor students in dangerous territory, and (3) conduct systematic reviews.
The Primary Care Clinic as Writing Space
Authors: Opel Dawn S. , Hart-Davidson William
Published: April 2019

In a primary care health clinic, providers before, after, and throughout their shifts retrieve archival patient information and document new empirical data from each patient encounter into an electronic medical record (EMR). This documentation, called charting, contributes to ever increasing workload and provider burnout. While a provider may not perceive it to be, “charting” is writing work, and the clinic is a writing space. In this article, we use the concept of writing stewardship to examine a needs analysis of workflow in a family health center. We argue that the addition of writing stewards would shift the burden of documentation practices to distribute writing throughout the clinic, not primarily on providers. The implications of this are twofold: first, that writing studies researchers can help clinics write more efficiently and, second, that patient outcomes improve as a result of improved clinical communication.
Naproxen versus Aspirin as Analgesics in Advanced Malignant Disease
Authors: Turnbull Richard , Hills L.J.
Published: April 2019

The analgesic efficacy of naproxen (500 mg / 12 h) and aspirin (600 mg / 4 h) in 28 patients with advanced malignant disease was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study of two weeks’ duration. Efficacy was assessed using severity of pain (linear analogue self-assessment), pain score (McGill Pain Questionnaire), pain severity, and time of onset of pain relief. Both analgesics provided equal, highly effective relief of pain. It is concluded that naproxen is a useful addition to the analgesics available for patients with advanced malignant disease and has the advantage of 12-h rather than 4-h dosage.
Cancer Pain Relief – An Urgent Public Health Problem
Authors: Stjernswärd Jan
Published: April 2019

Cancer pain relief is an urgent, but neglected public health problem. The World Health Organization has responded by launching an international program to provide basic knowledge of the problem and the solutions for the management of cancer pain.
Palliative aids Care – to be or not to Be
Authors: Downing G. Michael
Published: April 2019

The acceleration of the incidence of AIDS poses many questions for hospice and palliative care programs. Consideration must be given to many factors, such as active versus palliative treatment; timing of palliative involvement; regarding infection, the management of fear and anxiety and the protection of staff and other patients; the role of palliative care in the societal implications of the disease; decisions about the allocation of health care resources.
An Examination of Palliative Shift Care Funding
Authors: Stephenson-Cino Patricia , Roe Donna J. , Latimer Elizabeth , Walton Lois , Thomson J. Niven
Published: April 2019

This study was designed to estimate the impact that lack of funding for shift care will have on the delivery of health care to palliative patients. A retrospective study of 274 palliative home care patients who all had access to shift nursing was conducted. A chart audit was employed to collect data. Eighty-one patients (29.6%) used 1,315 days of shift care. Three levels of care were used: support worker, registered nursing assistant, registered nurse. Seventy-three point seven per cent of shift care patients were able to die at home. Estimated costs were $292,386 per year. Shift care cost $2,309 per person, while hospital costs would be $5,893, a difference of $3,584. Seventeen point eight per cent of shift care is government funded; 82.2% of funding is unsecured. Twenty-five per cent of shift care patients have no private resources and may be forced unnecessarily into hospital. This results in: i) diminished quality of life for patient and family; ii) the potential for diminished quality of care; iii) ethical problems for society and the health delivery system; iv) unequal distribution and inappropriate use of health resources. Therefore the study concludes that palliative shift care should be fully funded.
Changes in Self-Reported Health and Psychosocial Outcomes in Older Adults Enrolled in Sedentary Behavior Intervention Study
Authors: Matson Theresa E. , Anderson Melissa L. , Renz Anne D. , Greenwood-Hickman Mikael Anne , McClure Jennifer B. , Rosenberg Dori E.
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

To estimate changes in self-reported health and psychosocial factors associated with a 12-week sedentary behavior intervention for older adults.

Design:

Exploratory secondary analysis of pilot randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Kaiser Permanente Washington

Subjects:

Sixty adults aged 60 to 89 with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2.

Intervention:

Participants were randomized to the I-STAND intervention or control group. I-STAND involved 6 coaching sessions, a study workbook, Jawbone UP activity tracker to prompt breaks from sitting, and activPAL feedback on objective sitting time.

Measures:

At baseline and 12-week follow-up, participants completed a survey with validated measures of self-reported health outcomes (depression, stress, memory/concentration, sleep, pain, ability to do daily activities, energy, and quality of life) and modified scales measuring psychosocial factors (perceived benefits/barriers, social support, self-efficacy, and sedentary habit strength) regarding sedentary behavior.

Analysis:

Generalized linear models assessed associations between group assignment and change in each self-reported health and psychosocial score, adjusting for baseline scores.

Results:

I-STAND participants demonstrated improvements in self-efficacy (β = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10 to 0.60) and reduced habit strength (β= −0.23, 95% CI: −0.42 to −0.04) compared to control participants. There were no significant differences in self-reported health outcomes, although power was limited in this exploratory analysis.

Conclusion:

A sedentary behavior reduction intervention for older adults resulted in improvements for some psychosocial factors. Health outcomes may require longer than 12 weeks to observe improvements.
Authoritarian Liberalism in Europe: A Common Critique of Neoliberalism and Ordoliberalism
Authors: Wilkinson Michael A.
Published: April 2019

The differences between ordo- and neoliberalism are many and varied. This article suggests, however, that in directing the constitutional dynamic of European integration and postwar reconstruction, ordo- and neoliberalism represent a single movement: a conjunction of political authoritarianism and economic liberalism in opposition to democracy and especially in opposition to democratic constituent power. This dynamic becomes more evident with the Euro-crisis response, but it represents the deeper logic of postwar reconstruction. With a longer historical arc in view, authoritarian liberalism can be traced as a reaction to the interwar breakdown of liberal democracy, based on a narrow diagnosis of democratic collapse. Postwar Europe is thus reconstituted on the basis of a substitution of economic for political freedom as a legitimating device for the new constitutional imagination.
‘Be good, know the rules’: Children’s perspectives on starting school and self-regulation
Authors: Booth Ailbhe , O’Farrelly Christine , Hennessy Eilis , Doyle Orla
Published: April 2019

Despite the importance of self-regulation for school readiness and success across the lifespan, little is known about children’s conceptions of this important ability. Using mixed-method interviews, this research examined kindergarten children’s (n = 57) perspectives on self-regulation in a disadvantaged area in Dublin, Ireland. Children depicted school as requiring regulation of their emotional, cognitive and behavioural responses. They characterised school as a dynamic setting, placing emphasis on the regulatory challenges of the outdoor environment. Children also described difficulties associated with navigating complex social interactions, often without assistance from external supports. The results inform strategies to support children’s emerging self-regulation abilities.
A critical appraisal of laser peening and its impact on hydrogen embrittlement of titanium alloys
Authors: Ranjith Kumar G , Rajyalakshmi G , Swaroop S
Published: April 2019

Many efforts have been made to understand the effects of hydrogen on titanium alloys, resulting in an abundance of theoretical models and papers. Titanium alloys are crucial advanced materials that provide an excellent combination of a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion behaviour even though they are reasonable to corrosion attack. Titanium alloys are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement when comes into contact with hydrogen, and galvanic pair with an active metal current, or the pH is greater than 12 or less than 3 or an impressed current. In view of the fact that hydrogen behaves differently with α and β phases, hydrogen degradation may vary markedly in titanium alloys. Hydrogen diminishes the corrosion and erosion resistance and fatigue life of in-service titanium components. A laser peening or laser shock peening is a novel technique for making the metal surfaces and sub-layers densify. It evokes that laser shock peening adoption results in yielding and plastic deformation, thereby creating high compressive residual stresses extending below the surface of the material which is desirable for hydrogen embrittlement resistance and reduction of crack initiation and growth of the component. This article is a review of information relating hydrogen embrittlement of titanium alloys and surface modification technique which influence the strength potential of titanium alloys.
Experimental study on the effect of different components collocations on flow of automotive cooling fan
Authors: Wen Suping , Hao Yuwei , Zhang Zhixuan , Wang Yifei
Published: April 2019

The flow structure in the downstream region of the cooling fan has great impact on engine heat dissipation. An integrated PIV measurement system was designed and constructed to understand the flow field behind the cooling fan. In order to analyze the influence of interaction of different components on flow structure in downstream region, a series of experiments were conducted in four arrangements at three flow coefficients. The flow field was evaluated by velocity profile, vorticity, and turbulent intensity. These flow data reflect the effect of isolated components and their combinations quantitatively. This work provides useful information for engine cooling system design.
From fundamental study to practical application of kerosene in compression ignition engines: An experimental and modeling review
Authors: Lin Tay Kun , Yu Wenbin , Zhao Feiyang , Yang Wenming
Published: April 2019

The use of kerosene in direct injection compression ignition engines is fundamentally due to the introduction of the Single Fuel Concept. As conventional direct injection compression ignition diesel engines are made specifically to use diesel fuel, the usage of kerosene will affect engine emissions and performance due to differences between the fuel properties of kerosene and diesel. As a result, in order for kerosene to be properly and efficiently used in diesel engines, it is needful for the scientific community to know the properties of kerosene, its autoignition and combustion characteristics, as well as its emissions formation behavior under diesel engine operating conditions. Moreover, it is desirable to know the progress made in the development of suitable kerosene surrogates for engine applications as it is a crucial step toward the development of reliable chemical reaction mechanisms for numerical simulations. Therefore, in this work, a comprehensive review is carried out systematically to better understand the characteristics and behavior of kerosene under direct injection compression ignition engine relevant conditions. In this review work, the fuel properties of kerosene are summarized and discussed. In addition, fundamental autoignition studies of kerosene in shock tube, rapid compression machine, fuel ignition tester, ignition quality tester, constant volume combustion chamber, and engine are compiled and evaluated. Furthermore, experimental studies of kerosene spray and combustion in constant volume combustion chambers are examined. Also, the experimental investigations of kerosene combustion and emissions in direct injection compression ignition engines are discussed. Moreover, the development of kerosene surrogates, their chemical reaction mechanisms, and the modeling of kerosene combustion in direct injection compression ignition engines are summarized and talked about. Finally, recommendations are also given to help researchers focus on the areas which are still severely lacking.
Applying participatory action approach to integrating professional librarians into open source software communities
Authors: Singh Vandana
Published: April 2019

This article theoretically explores how participatory action research might support integration of library professionals into open source software development communities. The author makes a case for the integration of library professionals into open source software communities to help develop better, context-specific, customizable software for use by libraries and advocates for inclusion of library professionals in open source software communities to produce high quality, customizable software. The value of open source software for libraries is discussed and the importance of this integration is articulated by the impacts of this approach. A plan for integration of library professionals into open source software communities is presented.
Early-Life Adversity Accelerates Child and Adolescent Development
Authors: Belsky Jay
Published: April 2019

Most developmental work regards adverse developmental experiences as forces that undermine well-being. Here, I present an alternative—or complementary—view, summarizing recent evidence on puberty, endocrinology, cellular aging, and brain connectivity that collectively reveals developmental acceleration in response to contextual adversity. Findings are cast in evolutionary-developmental terms, highlighting the trade-off between accelerated aging and (a) increased morbidity and (b) premature mortality.
Comparing Efficiency Between Cooperative and Non-cooperative Farms: A Case of Sugar Beet Farmers of West Azerbaijan, Iran
Authors: Zamani Omid , Mojaverian Mojtaba , Nader Hemen
Published: April 2019

Achieving a higher level of efficiency is one of the main goals of agricultural cooperatives. However, it is not clear whether the cooperative farms are more efficient than non-cooperative farms. In this line, the present study aims to compare the performance of the cooperative and non-cooperative farms by employing the super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA). To this end, a survey was designed to collect data from the sugar beet farmers of West Azerbaijan province in Iran. Overall, 30 samples from cooperative farms and 29 samples from non-cooperative farms were interviewed randomly. Then, the efficiency scores for both sample groups were calculated separately. Finally, the average of efficiency scores was compared by using the non-parametric approach (Mann–Whitney test). The study findings revealed that the average efficiency scores of cooperative farms are significantly higher than non-cooperatives farms. Additionally, the results emphasized the economy of scale among the cooperative farms. Overall, we found that performance of sugar beet cooperatives is substantially better than the non-cooperatives; thus, supporting the cooperatives is recommended in the study area in order to improve the efficiency.
Women’s Empowerment in Village Governance Transformation in Indonesia: Between Hope and Criticism
Authors: Kushandajani  , Alfirdaus Laila Kholid
Published: April 2019

Since the launch of Law No. 6/2014 regarding villages, scholarly concerns on village studies are growing. However, studies focusing on gender equality in Village Law implementation are still few. This article discusses the responses of the village government to gender problems in their respective areas. Based on field research in two villages in Java, namely Panggungharjo and Lerep, this article recognizes that there is greater attention on gender issues since the implementation of the law. However, village heads still dominate village policymaking. Further, although gaining some supports, gender issues are still placed as the secondary among the village development priorities. They also lack of empowerment programs that will have a direct impact on the improvement of gender equality. Considering these criticisms, there is a crucial need for the national government to issue regulations that will encourage a stronger assertion of gender equality in Village Law implementation.
Clinical–pathological characteristics and short-term follow-up associated with proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis in a prospective cohort of patients with colorectal tumours
Authors: Redondo Maximino , Abitei Cristina , Téllez Teresa , Fúnez Rafael , Pereda Teresa , Rodrigo Isabel , Betancourt Ana M , García-Aranda Marilina , Rueda Antonio , Martínez García Rafael Cayetano , Morales Suarez-Varela María Manuela , Zabalza Iñaki , Sánchez del Charco Matilde , Borrero Martín Juan José , García del Moral Raimundo , Escobar Antonio , Quintana JoséMaría , Rivas-Ruiz Francisco ,   for the REDISSEC-CARESS/CCR group
Published: April 2019

We investigate the clinical and pathological features related to variations in colorectal tumour apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis and the influence of the latter in short-term mortality (2 years); 551 tumour samples from a prospective cohort of patients with colorectal cancer were examined and tumour biology markers were determined as follows: percentage of apoptotic cells, by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling technique; Ki-67 antigen, as a cell proliferation marker and density of microvessels (as a marker of angiogenesis). An increase in the percentage of cellular apoptosis is significantly related to the presence of poorly differentiated tumours, with vascular invasion (p < 0.001). The CD105 angiogenesis marker is not related to any clinical–pathological parameter except that of higher frequency in older patients (p = 0.03). Ki-67 is more frequently expressed in tumours with less nervous invasion (p = 0.05). Neither apoptosis nor angiogenesis present any significant association with short-term survival. The only marker clearly related to 2-year survival is Ki-67, which is shown to be a good prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio = 0.49; 95% confidence interval = 0.27–0.90). Therefore, in a prospective cohort of colorectal cancer patients, only Ki-67 is a marker of good prognosis in short-term follow-up.