bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proposed cut‐off values of the waist circumference for metabolic syndrome based on visceral fat volume in a Japanese population
Authors: Tsukiyama Hidekazu , Nagai Yoshio , Matsubara Fumiaki , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Iwamoto Teruaki , Yamanouchi Eigoro , Sada Yukiyoshi , Kato Hiroyuki , Ohta Akio , Tanaka Yasushi
Published: December 2015

Aim/Introduction

Waist circumference (WC) is the most important parameter for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. The present study was carried out to obtain optimal WC cut‐off values for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in a Japanese population based on the measurement of total intra‐abdominal visceral fat volume (VFV), which could be expected to reflect visceral obesity more precisely than visceral fat area.

Materials and Methods

A total of 405 Japanese persons undergoing health screening were investigated. visceral fat volume was calculated from the data in 700–800 computed tomography slices from the top of the liver to the floor of the pelvic cavity. Then, receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the cut‐off value of the VFV/height ratio. Subsequently, the corresponding WC value was obtained by linear regression analysis.

Results

The cut‐off value of the VFV/height ratio was 2,317 cm3/m in men and 1,425 cm3/m in women. The sensitivity and specificity of the ratio were 52.9 and 86.4% in men vs 63.4 and 82.2% in women, respectively. The corresponding cut‐off value of WC was 86.0 cm in men and 80.9 cm in women.

Conclusions

The proposed cut‐off values of WC for metabolic syndrome are 85 cm in Japanese men and 80 cm in Japanese women.
Administration of low dose estrogen attenuates gliosis and protects neurons in acute spinal cord injury in rats
Authors: Samantaray Supriti , Das Arabinda , Matzelle Denise C. , Yu Shan P. , Wei Ling , Varma Abhay , Ray Swapan K. , Banik Naren L.
Published: December 2015

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition with neurological deficits and loss of motor function that, depending on the severity, may lead to paralysis. The only treatment currently available is methylprednisolone, which is widely used and renders limited efficacy in SCI. Therefore, other therapeutic agents must be developed. The neuroprotective efficacy of estrogen in SCI was studied with a pre‐clinical and pro‐translational perspective. Acute SCI was induced in rats that were treated with low doses of estrogen (1, 5, 10, or 100 μg/kg) and compared with vehicle‐treated injured rats or laminectomy control (sham) rats at 48 h post‐SCI. Changes in gliosis and other pro‐inflammatory responses, expression and activity of proteolytic enzymes (e.g., calpain, caspase‐3), apoptosis of neurons in SCI, and cell death were monitored via Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Negligible pro‐inflammatory responses or proteolytic events and very low levels of neuronal death were found in sham rats. In contrast, vehicle‐treated SCI rats showed profound pro‐inflammatory responses with reactive gliosis, elevated expression and activity of calpain and caspase‐3, elevated Bax:Bcl‐2 ratio, and high levels of neuronal death in lesion and caudal regions of the injured spinal cord. Estrogen treatment at each dose reduced pro‐inflammatory and proteolytic activities and protected neurons in the caudal penumbra in acute SCI. Estrogen treatment at 10 μg was found to be as effective as 100 μg in ameliorating the above parameters in injured animals. Results from this investigation indicated that estrogen at a low dose could be a promising therapeutic agent for treating acute SCI.

image

Experimental studies with low dose estrogen therapy in acute spinal cord injury (SCI) demonstrated the potential for multi‐active beneficial outcomes. Estrogen has been found to ameliorate several degenerative pathways following SCI. Thus, such early protective effects may even lead to functional recovery in long term injury. Studies are underway in chronic SCI in a follow up manuscript.
Disaster Preparedness in Philippine Nurses
Authors: Labrague Leodoro J. , Yboa Begonia C. , McEnroe–Petitte Denise M. , Lobrino Ledwin R. , Brennan Mary Geronima B.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

This study examined the perceived level of disaster preparedness in Philippine nurses.

Design

A descriptive, cross‐sectional research design was used in this study.

Methods

Two hundred nurses were invited to participate in the study, with 170 responses (105 hospital nurses and 65 community nurses) or an 85% response rate, during the months of April 2014 through July 2014. Data collection was based on interviews using a standardized instrument, the Disaster Preparedness Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means, percentages, and standard deviations were utilized to quantify the responses.

Results

Three fourths of the respondents (n = 136, 80%) indicated that they were not fully prepared to respond to disasters, while only 20% (n = 34) acknowledged that they felt they were adequately prepared. Respondents believed that they could function in the primary roles of educator (n = 107, 62.94%), caregiver (n = 104, 61.17%), and counselor (n = 82, 48.24%). More than half of the respondents (n = 98, 57.7%) were not aware of existing protocols of disaster management in the workplace. Courses taken in such areas as first aid (n = 79, 46.4%), field triage (n = 43, 25.29%), and basic cardiac life support (n = 57, 33.53%) were cited as important in preparing for disasters.

Conclusions

Nurses in the study revealed that they were not sufficiently prepared for disasters nor were they aware of disaster management protocols in the workplace.

Clinical Relevance

Hospital administrators should consider the development and formulation of disaster management protocols and provide appropriate disaster nursing education and training. Nursing curricula should incorporate basic principles of disaster management into nursing courses as a framework for addressing this critical deficit.
The oral health of upper income Americans
Authors: Bailit Howard , Lim Sungwoo , Ismail Amid
Published: December 2015

Background

Limited information is available on the oral health status of upper income Americans (>400 percent of the FPL). They constitute 33 percent of the population and account for 53 percent of dental expenditures.

Methods

Using 1999‐2004 NHANES data, we examined differences in the mean number and percentage of decayed and filled permanent surfaces and missing teeth among age and family income groups.

Results

For upper income Americans, across age groups, the mean number of untreated decayed surfaces and missing teeth ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 and 2.6 to 3.3, respectively. The mean number of restored surfaces was low in children but extensive in adults. Income disparities increased with increasing age.

Discussion

Overall, upper income Americans have good oral health. Relatively few have untreated decayed surfaces or missing teeth. The reasons for the large number of restored surfaces in upper income adults require further research.

Conclusion

Most upper income Americans are in good oral health, especially the 12‐18 year cohort. As this group ages, the oral health of upper income adults is expected to improve.
Why Are Men Satisfied or Dissatisfied with Penile Implants? A Mixed Method Study on Satisfaction with Penile Prosthesis Implantation
Authors: Carvalheira Ana , Santana Rita , Pereira Nuno M.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Studies have demonstrated high levels of satisfaction with penile prosthesis implantation (PPI). However, qualitative research exploring the experience of PPI through men’s narratives is scarce.

Aim

The main goals were to analyze (i) the level of sexual satisfaction (quantitatively), and (ii) the reasons for satisfaction and/or dissatisfaction with PPI (qualitatively).

Method

Participants were 47 men with erectile dysfunction who underwent surgery between 2003 and 2012, placed by a single surgeon. Structured telephone interviews were carried out.

Main Outcome Measures

Satisfaction with PPI was a qualitative and quantitative measure assessed through the following four items: (i) “Would you repeat the PPI surgery?”; (ii) “Would you recommend the PPI surgery?”; (iii) “How satisfied are you with the PP?”; and (iv) “Could you explain the motives of your satisfaction/dissatisfaction?”.

Results

The majority of men (79%) reported to be satisfied with PPI. Content analysis revealed four main themes for men’s satisfaction with the PPI: (i) psychological factors were reported 54 times (n = 54) and included positive emotions, self-esteem, confidence, enhancement of male identity, major live change, and self-image; (ii) improvement of sexual function was reported 54 times (n = 54) and referred to achievement of vaginal penetration, increase of sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, penis size, and improvement of erectile function; (iii) relationship factors were reported 11 times (n = 11) and referred to relationship improvement and the possibility of giving pleasure to the partner; and (iv) improvement in urinary function (n = 3).

Conclusions

The level of satisfaction with the implementation of penile prostheses is very high, therefore constituting a treatment for erectile dysfunction with a positive impact on the experience of men at sexual, psychological and relational level.
Carnivory in the common hippopotamusHippopotamus amphibius: implications for the ecology and epidemiology of anthrax inAfrican landscapes
Authors: Dudley Joseph P. , Hang'Ombe Bernard Mudenda , Leendertz Fabian H. , Dorward Leejiah J. , de Castro Julio , Subalusky Amanda L. , Clauss Marcus
Published: December 2015

The common hippopotamusHippopotamus amphibius(‘hippo’) is a keystone species whose foraging activities and behaviour have profound effects on the structure and dynamics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within its habitat.

Although hippos are typically regarded as obligate herbivores and short‐grass grazing specialists, field studies have demonstrated that hippos are facultative carnivores that consume flesh and intestinal tissues from the carcasses of other animals. Carnivory by hippos is not an aberrant behaviour restricted to particular individuals in certain localities, but a behaviour pattern that occurs within populations distributed in most of the hippo's current range in eastern and southernAfrica. Carnivory is frequently associated with communal feeding involving multiple individuals or entire social groups of hippos.

The observed tendency of hippos to feed on carcasses, including those of other hippos, has important implications for the ecology and epidemiology of anthrax and other ungulate‐associated zoonotic diseases inAfrican landscapes. Scavenging and carnivory by hippos may explain why the spatiotemporal patterns and dynamics of anthrax mortality among hippos often differ markedly from those of other anthrax‐susceptible herbivores within the same habitats, and why levels of hippo mortality from anthrax may be orders of magnitude higher than those of other anthrax‐susceptible ungulate populations within the same localities.

Recognition of the role of carnivory as a key factor in modulating the dynamics of mass anthrax outbreaks in hippos can provide a basis for improved understanding and management of the effects of anthrax outbreaks in hippo and human populations.
Population structure of two rabies hosts relative to the known distribution of rabies virus variants in Alaska
Authors: Goldsmith Elizabeth W. , Renshaw Benjamin , Clement Christopher J. , Himschoot Elizabeth A. , Hundertmark Kris J. , Hueffer Karsten
Published: December 2015

For pathogens that infect multiple species, the distinction between reservoir hosts and spillover hosts is often difficult. In Alaska, three variants of the arctic rabies virus exist with distinct spatial distributions. We tested the hypothesis that rabies virus variant distribution corresponds to the population structure of the primary rabies hosts in Alaska, arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to possibly distinguish reservoir and spillover hosts. We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence and nine microsatellites to assess population structure in those two species. mtDNA structure did not correspond to rabies virus variant structure in either species. Microsatellite analyses gave varying results. Bayesian clustering found two groups of arctic foxes in the coastal tundra region, but for red foxes it identified tundra and boreal types. Spatial Bayesian clustering and spatial principal components analysis identified 3 and 4 groups of arctic foxes, respectively, closely matching the distribution of rabies virus variants in the state. Red foxes, conversely, showed eight clusters comprising two regions (boreal and tundra) with much admixture. These results run contrary to previous beliefs that arctic fox show no fine‐scale spatial population structure. While we cannot rule out that the red fox is part of the maintenance host community for rabies in Alaska, the distribution of virus variants appears to be driven primarily by the arctic fox. Therefore, we show that host population genetics can be utilized to distinguish between maintenance and spillover hosts when used in conjunction with other approaches.
Host associations and beta diversity of fungal endophyte communities in New Guinea rainforest trees
Authors: Vincent J. B. , Weiblen G. D. , May G.
Published: December 2015

Processes shaping the distribution of foliar fungal endophyte species remain poorly understood. Despite increasing evidence that these cryptic fungal symbionts of plants mediate interactions with pathogens and herbivores, there remain basic questions regarding the extent to which dispersal limitation and host specificity might shape fungal endophyte community composition in rainforests. To assess the relative importance of spatial pattern and host specificity, we isolated fungi from a sample of mapped trees in lowland Papua New Guinea. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were obtained for 2079 fungal endophytes from three sites and clustered into molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) at 95% similarity. Multivariate analyses suggest that host affinity plays a significant role in structuring endophyte community composition whereas there was no evidence of endophyte spatial pattern at the scale of tens to hundreds of metres. Differences in endophyte communities between sampled trees were weakly correlated with variation in foliar traits but not with tree species relatedness. The dominance of relatively few generalist endophytes and the presence of a large number of rare MOTUs was a consistent observation at three sites separated by hundreds of kilometres and regional turnover was low. Host specificity appears to play a relatively weak but more important role than dispersal limitation in shaping the distribution of fungal endophyte communities in New Guinea forests. Our results suggest that in the absence of strong ecological gradients and host turnover, beta diversity of endophyte communities could be low in large areas of contiguous forest.
Drag from fishing gear entangling North Atlantic right whales
Authors: van der Hoop Julie M. , Corkeron Peter , Kenney John , Landry Scott , Morin David , Smith Jamison , Moore Michael J.
Published: December 2015

Lethal and sublethal fishing gear entanglement is pervasive in North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). Entanglement can lead to direct injury and is likely to incur substantial energetic costs. This study (1) evaluates drag characteristics of entangled right whales, (2) contextualizes gear drag measurements for individual whales, and (3) quantifies the benefits of partial disentanglement. A load cell measured drag forces on 15 sets of fishing gear removed from entangled right whales, a towed satellite telemetry buoy, and 200 m of polypropylene line as it was shortened to 25 m, as they were towed behind a vessel at ~0.77, 1.3, and 2.1 m/s (~1.5, 2.5, and 4 knots) and ~0, 3, and 6 m depth. Mean drag ranges from 8.5 N to 315 N, and can be predicted from the dry weight or length of the gear. Combining gear drag measurements with theoretical estimates of drag on whales' bodies suggests that on average, entanglement increases drag and propulsive power by 1.47 fold. Reducing trailing line length by 75% can reduce parasitic gear drag by 85%, reinforcing current disentanglement response practices. These drag measurements can be incorporated into disentanglement response, serious injury determination, and evaluation of sublethal effects on population dynamics.
Google Glass Glare: disability glare produced by a head‐mounted visual display
Authors: Longley Chris , Whitaker David
Published: December 2015

Purpose

Head mounted displays are a type of wearable technology – a market that is projected to expand rapidly over the coming years. Probably the most well known example is the device Google Glass (or ‘Glass’). Here we investigate the extent to which the device display can interfere with normal visual function by producing monocular disability glare.

Methods

Contrast sensitivity was measured in two normally sighted participants, 32 and 52 years of age. Data were recorded for the right eye, the left eye and then again in a binocular condition. Measurements were taken both with and without the Glass in place, across a range of stimulus luminance levels using a two‐alternative forced‐choice methodology.

Results

The device produced a significant reduction in contrast sensitivity in the right eye (>0.5 log units). The level of disability glare increased as stimulus luminance was reduced in a manner consistent with intraocular light scatter, resulting in a veiling retinal illuminance. Sensitivity in the left eye was unaffected. A significant reduction in binocular contrast sensitivity occurred at lower luminance levels due to a loss of binocular summation, although binocular sensitivity was not found to fall below the sensitivity of the better monocular level (binocular inhibition).

Conclusions

Head mounted displays such as Google Glass have the potential to cause significant disability glare in the eye exposed to the visual display, particularly under conditions of low luminance. They can also cause a more modest binocular reduction in sensitivity by eliminating the benefits of binocular summation.
Dysfunctional institutions? Toward a New Agenda in Governance Studies
Authors: Prakash Aseem , Potoski Matthew
Published: December 2015

There is a wide‐spread perception among academics and commentators that institutional dysfunction has become increasingly common in important social, political, and economics arenas. Opinion polls show a decline in trust and confidence in major actors and institutions, including inter‐governmental organizations, governments, firms, NGOs, and religious organizations. For some, the core of the problem is that the hitherto well‐functioning states have become less effective in aggregating and acting upon citizens' preferences. Many policy initiatives of the 1990s – deregulation, privatization, new public management, private regulation, regional integration, civil society, and so on – seemed to have failed to meet expectations. This symposium seeks to identify important theoretical and empirical questions about institutional failure, such as why do institutions fail, why are they not self‐correcting, what might be a clear evaluative yardstick and analytic approach by which to measure performance, and to what extent contemporary theories of institutional evolution and design are useful in examining institutional restructuring and institutional renewal? Symposium essays by leading social science scholars offer important insights to inform future work on institutional performance and outline an agenda for institutional renewal and change.
Randomized controlled trial of the effect of regular paracetamol on influenza infection
Authors: Jefferies Sarah , Braithwaite Irene , Walker Steven , Weatherall Mark , Jennings Lance , Luck Michelle , Barrett Kevin , Siebers Robert , Blackmore Timothy , Beasley Richard , Perrin Kyle ,   On behalf of the Pi Study Group
Published: December 2015

Background and objective

Anti‐pyretic treatment is recommended in the management of influenza infection. In animal models anti‐pyretic treatment increases mortality from influenza. We investigated the effects of paracetamol on viral and clinical outcomes in adults with influenza infection.

Methods

This is a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of adults aged 18–65 years with influenza‐like illness and positive influenza rapid antigen test. Treatments were 1 g paracetamol four times a day, or matching placebo, for 5 days. Pernasal swabs were taken for influenza quantitative RT‐PCR at Baseline and Days 1, 2 and 5. Temperature and symptom scores were recorded for 5–14 days or time of resolution respectively. The primary outcome variable was area under the curve (AUC) for quantitative PCR log10 viral load from Baseline to Day 5.

Results

A total of 80 participants were randomized: no one was lost to follow up, and one withdrew after 4 days. There were 22 and 24 participants who were influenza PCR‐positive in placebo and in paracetamol groups respectively. Mean (SD) AUC PCR log10 viral load was 4.40 (0.91) in placebo and 4.64 (0.88) in paracetamol; difference was −0.24, 95% CI: −0.78 to 0.29, P = 0.36. In all participants there were no differences in symptom scores, temperature, time to resolution of illness and health status, with no interaction between randomized treatment and whether influenza was detected by PCR.

Conclusion

Regular paracetamol had no effect on viral shedding, temperature or clinical symptoms in patients with PCR‐confirmed influenza. There remains an insufficient evidence base for paracetamol use in influenza infection.

Clinical trial registration: ACTRN12611000497909 at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.
Re–Os Geochronology of Molybdenite from Yinyan Porphyry Sn Deposit in South China
Authors: Zheng Wei , Mao Jing‐wen , Zhao Cai‐sheng , Ouyang He‐gen , Wang Xiao‐Yu
Published: December 2015

The Yinyan Sn deposit, one of the three typical porphyry Sn deposits in China, is located in the western Guangdong province of the Cathaysia Block. Rhenium and osmium isotopes of molybdenites from the Yinyan deposit were first used to constrain the age of mineralization. Rhenium concentrations in molybdenite samples range from 0.13 to 1.3 µg g−1, indicating a crustal source for the ore‐forming materials. The Re–Os dating yield model ages ranging from 78.1 to 79.52 Ma, with an average of 78.65 ± 0.98 Ma, and give an isochron age of 78.8 ± 2.6 Ma. Evidently, isochron age is consistent with model ages in the error within the allowable range, so we can constrain the precise age of Yinyan Sn deposit at the Late Cretaceous. Based on the geological history and spatial‐temporal distribution of the Sn deposits, it is proposed that the formation of Sn deposits in the Cathaysia Block were related to lithospheric extension that are associated with a change in the polarity of the subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate from oblique subduction to parallel the eastern margin of the Eurasian Plate after 135 Ma.
Austerity and Exports
Authors: Bista Rishav , Ederington Josh , Minier Jenny , Sheridan Brandon J.
Published: December 2015

Recent papers have focused attention on the potential for expansionary austerity (i.e. that cutting budget deficits may increase growth in the short run). In this paper we investigate the impact of fiscal consolidation on trade using bilateral trade data. The use of bilateral trade data allows us to demonstrate three novel empirical results. First, while fiscal consolidation is associated with an increase in own‐country exports, it is also correlated to an equal extent with a decrease in foreign‐country exports (i.e. imports); indeed, simultaneous austerity has no statistically significant impact on bilateral trade. Second, the positive effect of austerity on exports disappears when trading partners share a common currency. Third, the increase in exports as a result of austerity is associated entirely with an increase in the range of goods exported (the extensive margin), at the expense of trade volume among existing trade relationships (the intensive margin).
Excess Returns, Average Returns and the Adjustment Mechanism of the External Position of a Country
Authors: Civelli Andrea
Published: December 2015

I provide a new decomposition of the external constraint of a country in which, in addition to the trade and valuation channel, adjustments in the stochastic discount factor and the spread between average international returns and risk‐free rate can offset a current debt position. The importance of these channels is empirically assessed using US data. A primary contribution of the discount factor and secondary effects of excess and average returns are found in the non‐detrended analysis, confirming the theoretical characterization of the valuation effects in previous literature. By using detrended data instead, the role of excess returns would be spuriously overestimated.
Remarks on a Strongly Nonlinear Model for Two‐Layer Flows with a Top Free Surface
Authors: Barros Ricardo
Published: December 2015

We revisit in this paper the strongly nonlinear long wave model for large amplitude internal waves in two‐layer flows with a free surface proposed by Choi and Camassa [1] and Barros et al. [2]. Its solitary‐wave solutions were the object of the work by Barros and Gavrilyuk [3], who proved that such solutions are governed by a Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom. A detailed analysis of the critical points of the system is presented here, leading to some new results. It is shown that conjugate states for the long wave model are the same as those predicted by the fully nonlinear Euler equations. Some emphasis will be given to the baroclinic mode, where interfacial waves are known to change polarity according to different values of density and depth ratios. A critical depth ratio separates these two regimes and its analytical expression is derived directly from the model. In addition, we prove that such waves cannot exist throughout the whole range of speeds.
Heavy‐resistance exercise‐induced increases in jump performance are not explained by changes in neuromuscular function
Authors: Thomas K. , Toward A. , West D. J. , Howatson G. , Goodall S.
Published: December 2015

Post‐activation potentiation (PAP) is the increased involuntary muscle twitch response to stimulation following strong contraction. The enhancement to whole‐body explosive muscular performance (PE) after heavy‐resistance exercise is often attributed to modulations in neuromuscular function that are proposed to reflect PAP, but the evidence to support this is equivocal. We assessed the neuromuscular basis of PE using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the primary motor cortex, and electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve. Eleven male athletes performed heavy‐resistance exercise with measures of countermovement jump (CMJ) pre‐ and 8 min post‐exercise. Pre‐exercise and after the final CMJ, single‐ and paired‐pulse TMS were delivered during submaximal isometric knee‐extensor contractions to measure corticospinal excitability, short‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation (ICF), with motor evoked potentials recorded from rectus femoris. Twitch responses to motor nerve stimulation during and post maximum‐knee‐extensor contractions were studied to quantify voluntary activation (VA) and potentiated twitch (Qtw,pot). The experimental protocol successfully induced PE (+4 ± 1% change in CMJ, P = 0.01), but no changes were observed for maximum voluntary force, VA, corticospinal excitability, SICI or ICF (all P > 0.05), and Qtw,pot declined (P < 0.001). An enhancement of muscular performance after heavy‐resistance exercise was not accompanied by PAP, or changes in measures of neuromuscular function.
Towards a Multi‐level Approach on Frontline Interactions in the Public Sector: Institutional Transformations and the Dynamics of Real‐time Interactions
Authors: Bruhn Anders , Ekström Mats
Published: December 2015

This study develops a multi‐level approach on frontline interactions in the public sector. Previous research suggests that detailed analyses of frontline interactions are essential to our understanding of how welfare services take shape when policies and rules are applied and negotiated in individual cases. The dynamics and performances of real‐time interactions have, however, rarely been analyzed as such. This study shows how the methods developed in the field of Conversation Analysis can contribute to this research. Our multi‐level approach integrates analyses of the policy‐ and institutional transformations that shape conditions for frontline interactions; and analyses of how policies and rules are evoked, negotiated and reshaped in the turn‐by‐turn organization and performances of interaction. The approach is applied on an analysis of how rules regarding financial aid are applied in an authority highly affected by changes in welfare policy towards standardization and detailed regulations. The empirical case is the Swedish Board for Study Support. The empirical study includes analyses of documents, interviews and analyses of taped telephone conversations. The study shows how institutional arrangements of standardization, detailed regulations, monitoring and depersonalization, structure the frontline work and shape narrow frames for officials' discretion in interactions with clients. The study also shows how rules are invoked and negotiated in recurrent practices in the interaction: in the careful design of decisions; in the investigations of alternatives and exceptions from the rules in order to find solutions to the client's problems. The analyses of concrete interactional practices clearly indicate that also a rule‐governed work dominated by task discretion involves recurrent negotiations, flexibility and local policy‐making.
A parallel curriculum in lifestyle medicine
Authors: Pojednic Rachele , Frates Elizabeth
Published: December 2015

Background

Less than 50 per cent of US primary care doctors routinely provide guidance to their patients on lifestyle behaviours such as diet, physical activity or weight control, despite the prediction by the World Health Organization that by 2020, two‐thirds of disease worldwide will be the result of poor lifestyle choices. This gap in patient–clinician dialogue is perhaps the result of a lack of structured training in medical school surrounding the components of lifestyle medicine.

Context

Although Harvard Medical School does have a required course in nutrition, there are no requirements for the other components of lifestyle medicine, including physical activity, behaviour change and self‐care.

Innovation

Since 2009 Harvard Medical School has addressed this absence in the curriculum by developing a student‐led, faculty member‐advised, parallel curriculum in lifestyle medicine. Medical student participants were invited to take part in anonymous questionnaires between 2009 and 2013, which gathered data about personal ability and attitude in counselling patients on lifestyle behaviours, as well as subjective data on the curriculum content and applications to effective medical practice.

Less than 50 per cent of US primary care doctors routinely provide guidance to their patients on lifestyle behaviours

Implication

Each year, students have pointed to a lack of lifestyle medicine knowledge because of a gap in the traditional curriculum surrounding topics such as physical activity, nutrition and behaviour‐change strategies, and indicated that the inclusion of this knowledge and these skills was an important component of medical education. Although participation is currently voluntary, this is the first such curriculum of this type and addresses a critical gap in undergraduate medical education.
NUMERICAL MODELLING OF HOMOGENEOUS TWO-PHASE GAS-LIQUID FLOW IN A PIPE
Authors: D. Yale Ibrahim , Amin Norsarahaida
Published: December 2015

A one-dimensional model which represent a system of partial differential equations that describe mathematically the two-phase flow has been considered for the gas-liquid mixture flow in a pipeline. The Implicit Steger -Warming flux vector splitting method is used for the numerical computation on air-water compressible flow problems. The results for pressure wave propagation, celerity or speed of sound and mass flow rate for different values of mass ratio were obtained. It was observed that the propagation of pressure along the pipeline and the mass flow rate there decreases along the pipe and maintained near a steady flow until it reaches the downstream of the pipe signifying the effect of gas build up during the pump control in pipeline.
SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERNET AND CONVENTIONAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION BY SCIENCE & ARTS STUDENTS
Authors: Idowu Lanre , I. Edwards Bosede
Published: December 2015

Sustainable education should make the development of an attitude of lifelong learning in students one of its critical goals. This can be achieved through the promotion of reading habits that goes beyond academic needs in student through the Media Resource Centers (MRCs) or school libraries. As such, the MRC has become a normal feature of any academic system. However, with the availability of an unlimited resource through the internet, students, especially in developed nations seems to be turning more to internet sources for educational materials, though some still wish to maintain contact with print materials. This study is exploratory and uses a qualitative approach. It is focused on a comparison of the attitudes of science and arts students in a secondary and a post-secondary institution to the use of the MRCs as a predictor of its relevance in the age of internet. The study employed 8 focus group interview involving 48 participants made up of 24 students (12 from each of the 2 groups) in the secondary school and the tertiary school. Results were analysed for themes that run across group responses. Findings show that participants do not differ on gender basis across the institutions but differ on subject area basis, though at the tertiary level only. Reasons for MRC use also differ on school type basis and secondary school participants were found to display better lifelong learning attitudes through leisure/extra-curricular reading habits than the tertiary students.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR AND JOB PERFORMANCE AMONG ENGINEERS
Authors: Anvari Roya , Chikaji A I , Abu Mansor Nur Naha
Published: December 2015

This study investigated the relationships between organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) dimensions conscientiousness, courtesy, sportsmanship, and civic virtue and job performance. OCB is deemed as it is able to enhance the trait of job performance. Altruism, conscientiousness, courtesy, sportsmanship, and civic virtues as dimensions of OCB have been recognized to influence job performance. This was a correlational study with a cross-sectional design. Based on random sampling, 50 out of 68 engineers from SHAANXI AUTOMOBILE GROUP CO., LTD in People’s republic of China were chosen. Data were collected using a questionnaire- based survey.  Descriptive statistics, Pearson Coefficient, multiple regressions were used to analyze the data. The results implied that OCB dimensions substantially relates positively with job performance.  Based on the study, OCB is positively related to Job Performance. It emphasizes the benefits based on the new perspective of employees with OCBs who needs to be motivated in their work place.
EXPERTS INFLUENCE ON FIRE SAFETY CRITERIA RANKING FOR FACTORY BUILDINGS IN NIGERIA
Authors: Umar Aminu , Rashid Embi Mohamed , Yatim Yahya Muhamad , A. Alkali Ibrahim
Published: December 2015

The Ranking of fire safety attributes has been widely recognised in the evaluation of building fire safety. The ranking of the criteria and attributes depends solely on the experts’ opinion and judgments. However, the decision of the experts may be influence by their different background and professional training. This paper examines how experts’ professional background affects their decision regarding ranking of fire safety criteria and attributes. Four different groups of professional were participated in this study, which includes: Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Facility Managers. Survey questionnaire was administered to rank the fire safety attributes according to their level of importance using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) judgment scale. Expert choice software was utilised in the analysis. The finding suggests that the perception of the experts differs from one group of expert to another. Each expert attached more important to the attributes that are more relevant to his profession, which greatly influenced their decision.
EXPLORATION OF THE SMARTPHONE AS AN INPUT DEVICE FOR MANIPULATING 3D SPACE
Authors: Peng Soh Teng , Tzen Vun Yap Timothy , Ng Hu
Published: December 2015

The emerging capabilities of smartphones are fuelling a rise in the use of mobile phones as input devices. The complexity of 3D object manipulation has become a challenge for traditional input. Sensors and interaction methods available in a modern smartphone may turn it into an interactive input device for manipulation of 3D objects. This study investigates the usability of a smartphone as an input device for 3D, and also explores its potential as an optimal input method for manipulating 3D space. As such, usability study requirements are formulated, and prototype 3D software with defined tasks developed, to aid in the usability studies. User satisfaction is investigated for each defined task, with the aim to explore optimal interaction methods for different approaches in manipulating 3D objects.
USABILITY EVALUATION OF VIRTUAL UMRAH BASED ON USER CENTERED DESIGN FROM EXPERT USER VIEW
Authors: Rozaimee Azilawati , Wan Isa Wan Malini , Abd Hamid Nazirah , Mohd Satar Siti Dhalila , Rahim Normala , Hashim Jamaluddin , Wan Abdullah Wan Ismail
Published: December 2015

With the emergence of the learning materials volume, the developer has to face many challenges to develop an effective and efficient application to support the learning process. The objective of this study is to evaluate usability of Virtual Umrah application based on expert views using User-Centered Design approach. User-Centered Design is a multi-stages process that requires the designers to analyze and verify the requirement of a user by involving the user throughout the whole processes. The findings of the usability evaluations are for errors, efficiency and satisfaction level, the individual mean score is 4.00, 4.20 and 4.40. While for the memorability and learnability component, the mean score for the items are below than 4.00 which are 3.80 and 3.70 respectively. These findings demonstrate that the developed application is significantly needed by the pilgrims and individuals in order to assist them in preparation and performing Umrah.
Restriction of rapid eye movement sleep during adolescence increases energy gain and metabolic efficiency in young adult rats
Authors: Ribeiro‐Silva Neila , Nejm Mariana Bocca , da Silva Sylvia Maria Affonso , Suchecki Deborah , Luz Jacqueline
Published: December 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Sleep curtailment in infancy and adolescence may lead to long‐term risk for obesity, but the mechanisms involved have not yet been determined. This study examined the immediate and long‐term metabolic effects produced by sleep restriction in young rats.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Prolonged sleep restriction reduced weight gain (body fat stores) in young animals. After prolonged recovery, sleep‐restricted rats tended to save more energy and to store more fat, possibly owing to increased gross food efficiency. This could be the first step to understand this association.

Sleep curtailment is associated with obesity and metabolic changes in adults and children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immediate and long‐term metabolic alterations produced by sleep restriction in pubertal male rats. Male Wistar rats (28 days old) were allocated to a control (CTL) group or a sleep‐restricted (SR) group. This was accomplished by the single platform technique for 18 h per day for 21 days. These groups were subdivided into the following four time points for assessment: sleep restriction and 1, 2 and 4 months of recovery. Body weight and food intake were monitored throughout the experiment. At the end of each time period, blood was collected for metabolic profiling, and the carcasses were processed for measurement of body composition and energy balance. During the period of sleep restriction, SR animals consumed less food in the home cages. This group also displayed lower body weight, body fat, triglycerides and glucose levels than CTL rats. At the end of the first month of recovery, despite eating as much as CTL rats, SR animals showed greater energy and body weight gain, increased gross food efficiency and decreased energy expenditure. At the end of the second and fourth months of recovery, the groups were no longer different, except for energy gain and gross food efficiency, which remained higher in SR animals. In conclusion, sleep restriction affected weight gain of young animals, owing to reduction of fat stores. Two months were sufficient to recover this deficit and to reveal that SR rats tended to save more energy and to store more fat.
La institución psiquiátrica en Colombia en el año 2025. Investigación con método Delphi
Authors: Vanegas-Medina Claudia Rocío , De la Espriella-Guerrero Ricardo Andrés
Published: December 2015

La incertidumbre de las instituciones psiquiátricas en Colombia tiene aspectos científicos,

económicos, de mercado y regulatorios que dificultan la previsión de las decisiones para

una atención adecuada, adaptada a las condiciones cambiantes de la prestación de salud. La

investigación exploró cómo será la institución psiquiátrica en el año 2025, con metodología

Delphi. Hallazgos: Existe gran incertidumbre de cómo adecuar la institución psiquiátrica en

el futuro; de acuerdo con los cambios de legislación y las expectativas sociopolíticas en el

momento del estudio. Se prevé la necesidad de educación del equipo profesional, mejoría en

infraestructura e incremento de servicios, incluyendo consulta, hospitalización total y parcial,

clínicas específicas y atención comunitaria. La institución ideal luce como un conjunto amplio

de servicios desarrollados sobre la base de la prestación actual, asumiendo pacientes agudos y

crónicos. El campo de acción de la clínica psiquiátrica se prevé continuará asumiendo la falta

de desarrollo de la atención primaria y de dispositivos comunitarios.
Various Design Aspects of the Canadian Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactor Core
Authors: Yetisir Metin , Xu Rui , Gaudet Michel , Movassat Mohammad , Hamilton Holly , Nimrouzi Mohammedhossein , Goldak John A.
Published: December 2015

The Canadian Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactor (SCWR) is a 1200 MW(e) channel-type nuclear reactor. The reactor core includes 336 vertical pressurized fuel channels immersed in a low-pressure heavy water moderator and calandria vessel containment. The supercritical water (SCW) coolant flows into the fuel channels through a common inlet plenum and exits through a common outlet header. One of the main features of the Canadian SCWR concept is the high-pressure (25 MPa) and high-temperature (350°C at the inlet, 625°C at the outlet) operating conditions that result in an estimated thermal efficiency of 48%. This is significantly higher than the thermal efficiency of the present light water reactors, which is about 33%. This paper presents a description of the Canadian SCWR core design concept; various numerical analyses performed to understand the temperature, flow, and stress distributions of various core components; and how the analyses results provided input for improved concept development.
Experimental Heat Transfer in an Annular Channel and 3-Rod Bundle Cooled With Upward Flow of Supercritical Water
Authors: Razumovskiy V. G. , Pis’mennyi Eu. N. , Sidawi Kh. , Pioro I. L. , Koloskov A. Eu.
Published: December 2015

There have been relatively few publications detailing heat transfer to supercritical water (SCW) flowing through a channel with a bundle or just with a single rod (annular channel) as compared to heat transfer to SCW in bare tubes. In the present paper, results of experimental heat transfer to SCW flowing upward in an annular channel with a heated rod equipped with four helical ribs and a 3-rod bundle (rods are also equipped with four helical ribs) are discussed. The experimental results include bulk-fluid-temperature, wall-temperature, and heat-transfer-coefficient (HTC) profiles along the heated length (485 mm) for these flow geometries. Data obtained from this study could be applicable as a reference estimation of heat transfer for future fuel-bundle designs.
High frequency source localization in a shallow ocean sound channel using frequency difference matched field processing
Authors: Worthmann Brian M. , Song H. C. , Dowling David R.
Published: December 2015

Matched field processing (MFP) is an established technique for source localization in known multipath acoustic environments. Unfortunately, in many situations, particularly those involving high frequency signals, imperfect knowledge of the actual propagation environment prevents accurate propagation modeling and source localization via MFP fails. For beamforming applications, this actual-to-model mismatch problem was mitigated through a frequency downshift, made possible by a nonlinear array-signal-processing technique called frequency difference beamforming [Abadi, Song, and Dowling (2012). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 3018–3029]. Here, this technique is extended to conventional (Bartlett) MFP using simulations and measurements from the 2011 Kauai Acoustic Communications MURI experiment (KAM11) to produce ambiguity surfaces at frequencies well below the signal bandwidth where the detrimental effects of mismatch are reduced. Both the simulation and experimental results suggest that frequency difference MFP can be more robust against environmental mismatch than conventional MFP. In particular, signals of frequency 11.2 kHz–32.8 kHz were broadcast 3 km through a 106-m-deep shallow ocean sound channel to a sparse 16-element vertical receiving array. Frequency difference MFP unambiguously localized the source in several experimental data sets with average peak-to-side-lobe ratio of 0.9 dB, average absolute-value range error of 170 m, and average absolute-value depth error of 10 m.
Noise in the passenger cars of high-speed trains
Authors: Hong Joo Young , Cha Yongwon , Jeon Jin Yong
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of both room acoustic conditions and spectral characteristics of noises on acoustic discomfort in a high-speed train's passenger car. Measurement of interior noises in a high-speed train was performed when the train was operating at speeds of 100 km/h and 300 km/h. Acoustic discomfort caused by interior noises was evaluated by paired comparison methods based on the variation of reverberation time (RT) in a passenger car and the spectral differences in interior noises. The effect of RT on acoustic discomfort was not significant, whereas acoustic discomfort significantly varied depending on spectral differences in noise. Acoustic discomfort increased with increment of the sound pressure level (SPL) ratio at high frequencies, and variation in high-frequency noise components were described using sharpness. Just noticeable differences of SPL with low- and high-frequency components were determined to be 3.7 and 2.9 dB, respectively. This indicates that subjects were more sensitive to differences in SPLs at the high-frequency range than differences at the low-frequency range. These results support that, for interior noises, reduction in SPLs at high frequencies would significantly contribute to improved acoustic quality in passenger cars of high-speed trains.