bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vessel health and preservation: An integrative review
Authors: Fiorini Jacopo , Venturini Giulia , Conti Fabio , Funaro Emanuele , Caruso Rosario , Kangasniemi Mari , Sili Alessandro
Published: October 2018

Aims and objectives

To describe and synthesise current knowledge on the maintenance and preservation of vessels in patients who need the placement of a vascular access device.

Introduction

To administer drugs, blood or intravenous fluids, nurses or doctors insert a peripheral vascular access device on the arm using the traditional approach. This approach implies that devices are blindly inserted until flow is satisfactory and all possible sites have been exhausted. A proactive approach would ensure at the outset that the best device is used for each patient, eliminating repeated attempts at cannulation.

Design

An integrative review was conducted using data recorded until July 2017. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Scopus.

Review method

A modified version of Cooper's five‐stage method and the PRISMA guidelines were used to perform the integrative review.

Results

Nine papers were included in this review. The patients were active participants in a proactive approach to vessel health and preservation. The involvement of each healthcare professional in vessel health and preservation improves outcomes and expands the use of a proactive approach to vascular device management. Because nurses are directly involved in the use of such devices and support patients during the decision‐making process, they should take the lead in the use of the proactive approach.

Conclusion

Despite the many documented advantages of the proactive approach to preserving vessels in many settings and healthcare systems, it has not been widely tested. Future research is needed to guarantee high‐quality vessel health and preservation care, thus contributing to the development and dissemination of the proactive approach.

Relevance to clinical practice

The proactive approach preserves vessels for future needs, improves the delivery of the treatment plan and reduces length of stay, costs, risk of infection, complications and pain perceived by patients. This approach also ensures better use of nurses’ time and vascular access device material.
Implant Digital Impression in the Esthetic Area
Authors: Monaco Carlo , Scheda Lorenzo , Baldissara Paolo , Zucchelli Giovanni
Published: October 2018

The aim of this report is to describe two standardized protocols for digital impression when implant support rehabilitation is used in the esthetic area. The two techniques were used to transfer all provisional crown parameters to definitive restorations in different clinical scenarios. In the direct technique, an impression (STL1) is made of the provisional restorations attached to the implants, with surrounding gingival tissue. The second scan (STL2) captures the sulcular aspect of the peri‐implant soft tissue immediately after removal of the provisional restoration. The last impression (STL3) of the complete arch is made with a standardized scanbody attached to the implant to capture the 3D location of the implant. The direct technique is indicated when the peri‐implant soft tissues are stable upon removal of the provisional restoration. The indirect technique is used when the gingival tissue collapses rapidly after the removal of the provisional crown. The impressions of the provisional restoration and the position of the implant are similar to those obtained with the direct technique, and the shape of the peri‐implant tissue is extrapolated from the negative shape obtained from making the digital impression when the provisional restoration is taken out of the mouth. Finally, in both techniques the 3 scans are superimposed to obtain a file, which contains the details of the peri‐implant soft tissue. The direct and indirect digital techniques allowed realization of a predictable definitive restoration in the esthetic zone in different clinical scenarios, reducing the duration of clinical procedures.
Clinical Management Protocol for Dental Implants Inserted in Patients with Active Lichen Planus. Part II 4‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Khamis Aya Khamis , Aboushelib Moustafa Nabil , Helal Mohamed Hamdy
Published: October 2018

Purpose

To evaluate marginal bone loss (MBL) of dental implants inserted in active lichen planus patients.

Materials and Methods

The study included 59 subjects divided into 3 groups depending on their lichen planus diagnosis and administration of a low dose of corticosteroids: 17 healthy individuals, 20 controlled lichen planus patients controlled using low doses of systemic corticosteroids, and 22 noncontrolled lichen planus patients. During 4‐year follow‐up sessions MBL was evaluated, and biopsies were collected from lichen planus patients and examined. Two‐way ANOVA was used to analyze the data (α = 0.05).

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in MBL between healthy and controlled patients; however, noncontrolled patients exhibited increased MBL (F = 1309, p < 0.001) which reached 2.53 mm after 4 years. There were significant interactions between state of the disease (F = 1309, p < 0.001), evaluation time (F = 317, p < 0.001), and interaction between state of the disease and observation time (F = 159, p < 0.001). Histopathologic examination of collected biopsies revealed healthy tissue architecture of the controlled patients, while inflammatory cellular infiltration and signs of classical destructive tissue were observed for noncontrolled patients.

Conclusions

Lichen planus patients receiving dental implants should be controlled on a low‐dose of corticosteroids to prevent accelerated MBL and to reduce remission of clinical manifestations.
The Role of the Quality of College‐Based Relationship on Social Media in College‐to‐Work Transition of Korean College Students: The Longitudinal Examination of Intimacy on Social Media, Social Capital, and Loneliness
Authors: Sohn Youngmi , Woo Sungbum , Jo Duckhyun , Yang Eunjoo
Published: October 2018

This study investigated the mediation effects of social capital on the associations between the quality of relationship, intimacy in particular, with college friends on social media and loneliness during college‐to‐work transition of Korean college students. Longitudinal data were collected from three surveys with a 6‐month interval. The first wave of the survey was completed by 521 participants; 110 graduates participated in the second wave, and 175 in the third wave. Latent growth modeling analysis revealed that the linear growth function produced a better fit than the no‐growth models for intimacy on social media, social capital, and loneliness. While intimacy on social media and bonding capital increased during the three‐time interval, bridging capital and loneliness decreased. In addition, the slope of intimacy on social media was positively related to the slopes of bridging and bonding capital, both of which, in turn, had a negative association with the slope of loneliness. These findings indicate the beneficial role of the quality of relationship on social media in college‐to‐work transition.
Causality between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes: A meta‐analysis with bias analysis
Authors: Morrison Amy E. , Zaccardi Francesco , Khunti Kamlesh , Davies Melanie J.
Published: October 2018

Background & Aims

A causal association of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains unproved. We aimed to quantify the likelihood of causality examining the sensitivity of observational associations to possible confounding.

Methods

Studies investigating longitudinal associations of NAFLD with CVD or T2DM were searched on 5 June 2018. Study‐specific relative risks (RRs) were combined in random‐effects meta‐analyses and pooled estimates used in bias analyses.

Results

Associations of NAFLD with CVD and T2DM were reported in 13 (258 743/18 383 participants/events) and 20 (240 251/12 891) studies respectively. Comparing patients with NAFLD to those without, the pooled RR was 1.48 (95% CI: 0.96, 2.29) for CVD and 2.17 (1.77, 2.65) for T2DM. In bias analyses, for an unmeasured confounder associated to both NAFLD and CVD with a RR of 1.25, the proportion of studies with a true (causal) effect of NAFLD on CVD surpassing a RR of 1.10 (ie, 10% increased risk of CVD in participants with NAFLD) was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.92) while for 75% increase, it was 0.36 (0.11, 0.62). Corresponding figures for T2DM were 0.97 (0.91, 1.00) for a 10% increased risk of T2DM in participants with NAFLD to 0.70 (0.49, 0.92) for a 75% increase.

Conclusions

The results of this study are strongly suggestive for a causal relationship between NAFLD and T2DM, while the evidence for a causal link between NAFLD and CVD is less robust. Therapeutic strategies targeting NAFLD are likely to reduce the risk of developing T2DM.
Regime Switches in Japan's Fiscal Policy: Markov‐Switching VAR Approach
Authors: Ko Jun‐Hyung , Morita Hiroshi
Published: October 2018

This paper empirically investigates the changing dynamics of fiscal policy shocks on Japan's macroeconomy. By estimating a Markov‐switching vector‐autoregressive (VAR) model, regime switches in both automatic fiscal responses to output and discretionary fiscal shocks are endogenously investigated. The main findings are summarized as follows. First, structural changes occurred in the mid‐1970s, early 1990s, late 1990s and late 2000s. Second, in contrast to the other regimes, expansionary fiscal shocks depress output and consumption in the third regime. Third, the twin‐deficit hypothesis holds in the second to fourth regimes.
Education and service: how theories can help in understanding tensions
Authors: Cleland Jennifer , Durning Steven J
Published: October 2018

Objectives

This paper reviews why tensions between service and education persist and highlights that this is an area of medical education research (MER) that, to date, lacks a robust body of theory‐driven research. After carrying out a review of the literature on service–education tensions in medical education and training, we turn to consider how theory can help provide new insights into service–education tensions.

Methods

We conducted a search of the literature on service–education tensions since 1998 to examine the use of theory in studies on this topic.

Results

We identified 44 out of 603 relevant papers. Their focus fell into four broad categories: time residents spent on ‘service’ and ‘education’; perceptions of the balance between service and education; considerations of how best to define service and education, and the impact of structural and systems changes on education/training. Of the papers reporting primary research, the dominant methodology was the bespoke survey. Rarely were the precise natures of tensions or how different factors interact to cause tensions examined in detail.

Discussion

Through discussion and reflection, we then agreed on the applicability of four sociocultural theories for illuminating some examples of service–education tensions. We present four sociocultural theories: Holland's figured worlds, Kemmis et al.'s practice architectures, Lave and Wenger's situated learning and Engeström's cultural‐historical activity theory (CHAT or AT). We describe each and then briefly illustrate how each theory can support new ways of thinking and potential directions for research focusing on education–service tensions.

Conclusions

The use of theory in research studies will not resolve service–education tensions. However, what theory can do is illuminate and magnify different aspects of service–education tensions, to generate new insight and knowledge that can then be used to inform future research and changes in practice.
The gut microbiota and cardiovascular health benefits: A focus on wholegrain oats
Authors: Kristek A. , Schär M. Y. , Soycan G. , Alsharif S. , Kuhnle G. G. C. , Walton G. , Spencer J. P. E.
Published: October 2018

Existing scientific data suggest that a high intake of wholegrain foods contributes to improved gut health and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Wholegrain oats are rich in dietary fibre and an important source of many bioactive components, including minerals, vitamins and phenolic compounds. The oat β‐glucans have been reported to lower low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol through their ability to increase the viscosity of intestinal chime, change the gut microbiota composition and increase the production of short‐chain fatty acids, which may contribute to the inhibition of hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Oats are also a rich source of phenolic acids, which are predominantly bound to cell wall polysaccharides through ester bonds. This bound state within oats means that phenolic acid bioavailability will largely be determined by interactions with the colonic microbiota in the large intestine. However, results from in vitro, animal and human studies have been inconsistent in relation to the impact of oats on the gut microbiota, possibly due to differences in experimental techniques and because compounds in oats, other than β‐glucans, have not been considered. This review focuses on the interaction of oat β‐glucans and phenolic acids with gut microbiota, and the subsequent link to cardiovascular health.
Luminol Chemiluminescence Reports Photodynamic Therapy‐Generated Neutrophil Activity In Vivo and Serves as a Biomarker of Therapeutic Efficacy
Authors: Davis Richard W. , Snyder Emma , Miller Joann , Carter Shirron , Houser Cassandra , Klampatsa Astero , Albelda Steven M. , Cengel Keith A. , Busch Theresa M.
Published: October 2018

Inflammatory cells, most especially neutrophils, can be a necessary component of the antitumor activity occurring after administration of photodynamic therapy. Generation of neutrophil responses has been suggested to be particularly important in instances when the delivered photodynamic therapy (PDT) dose is insufficient. In these cases, the release of neutrophil granules and engagement of antitumor immunity may play an important role in eliminating residual disease. Herein, we utilize in vivo imaging of luminol chemiluminescence to noninvasively monitor neutrophil activation after PDT administration. Studies were performed in the AB12 murine model of mesothelioma, treated with Photofrin‐PDT. Luminol‐generated chemiluminescence increased transiently 1 h after PDT, followed by a subsequent decrease at 4 h after PDT. The production of luminol signal was not associated with the influx of Ly6G+ cells, but was related to oxidative burst, as an indicator of neutrophil function. Most importantly, greater levels of luminol chemiluminescence 1 h after PDT were prognostic of a complete response at 90 days after PDT. Taken together, this research supports an important role for early activity by Ly6G+ cells in the generation of long‐term PDT responses in mesothelioma, and it points to luminol chemiluminescence as a potentially useful approach for preclinical monitoring of neutrophil activation by PDT.
Fostering Contact After Historical Atrocities: The Potential of Moral Exemplars
Authors: Witkowska Marta , Beneda Marta , Čehajić-Clancy Sabina , Bilewicz Michal
Published: October 2018

Intergroup contact is a known remedy for complicated intergroup relations. At the same time, contact is rare in postconflict settings. In the present article, we examine whether exposure to narratives about moral exemplars (i.e., members of a perpetrator group who acted morally and in opposition to the passivity or aggression displayed by majority) could increase openness to contact among historical adversaries. In Study 1 (N = 73), presenting members of a historical perpetrator group with information about ingroup moral exemplars led to a decrease of prejudice towards individuals from a historical victim group, which, in turn, resulted in higher openness to contact with them. In Study 2 (N = 100) and 3 (N = 92), exposure to narratives about outgroup moral exemplars in a historically victimized group increased openness to contact with members of a perpetrator group. These effects were mediated by a decrease in prejudice (Studies 2 and 3) and by an increase in trust towards historical perpetrators (Study 2).
AtHB2, a class II HD‐ZIP protein, negatively regulates the expression of CsANS, which encodes a key enzyme in Camellia sinensis catechin biosynthesis
Authors: Zhang Xueying , Jiang Xiaolan , He Yuqing , Li Linying , Xu Ping , Sun Zongtao , Li Junmin , Xu Jiming , Xia Tao , Hong Gaojie
Published: October 2018

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is an important cash crop that is beneficial to human health because of its remarkable content of catechins. The biosynthesis of catechins follows the flavonoid pathway, which is highly branched. Among the enzymes involved in catechin biosynthesis, ANTHOCYANIDIN SYNTHASE (CsANS) functions at a branch point and play a critical role. Our previous work has showed that the gene encoding CsANS is regulated by light signals; however, the molecular mechanism behind remains unclear. Here, we cloned a full‐length CsANS promoter and found that it contained a cis‐element recognized by Arabidopsis thaliana HOMEOBOX2 (AtHB2). AtHB2 constitutes one of the class II HOMEODOMAIN‐LEUCINE ZIPPER (HD‐ZIP) proteins, which accumulate in the dark and mediate the shade avoidance response in most angiosperms. To analyze the transcription of CsANS in vivo, β‐glucuronidase and luciferase reporter genes driven by the obtained promoter were introduced into A. thaliana and Nicotiana attenuata, respectively. In both expression systems there were indications that the A. thaliana PRODUCTION OF ANTHOCYANIN PIGMENT1 (AtPAP1), a MYB transcription factor of flavonoid biosynthesis, increased the activity of the CsANS promoter, while AtHB2 could significantly undermine the effect of AtPAP1. Yeast two‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that AtHB2 interacted with the A. thaliana TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA 1 (AtTTG1). A yeast three‐hybrid assay further suggested that AtHB2 represses the expression of CsANS and regulates its response to light signals through competitive interactions with AtTTG1. These results show that HD‐ZIP II proteins participate in light regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis.
The Narrative Policy Framework, Agendas, and Sanctuary Cities: The Construction of a Public Problem
Authors: McBeth Mark K. , Lybecker Donna L.
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we utilize narratives about sanctuary cities as an exploratory case study to suggest further development of the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF). We propose the inclusion of elements from the Multiple Streams Approach (MSA)—the ideas of focusing events, evidence, policy entrepreneurs, timing, policy windows—and the general agenda setting literature's concept of translation of narratives among different policy agendas to extend the NPF in theoretically meaningful ways. Then we use these ideas in an exploration of recent narratives about sanctuary cities in order to increase understanding of the role of policy narratives and agenda setting within public policy processes. Our exploratory questions and findings demonstrate the usefulness of adding elements of the MSA to the NPF. First, we suggest that an emotionally powerful story can create a formidable focusing event which can be used by policy entrepreneurs, even if the construction of the event is dominated by one media outlet. Second, our preliminary results show that studying narrative policy windows provides a methodological challenge; it is difficult to determine how long a policy narrative remains powerful and relevant. Finally, our findings reveal both similarities and differences of narratives between different policy agendas.
A Behavioral Theory of Policy Feedback in Tobacco Control: Evidence From a Difference‐In‐Difference‐In‐Difference Study
Authors: Vannoni Matia
Published: October 2018

Public policy scholars argue that in highly tangible policies, such as tobacco control, the public learns from the direct experience of the beneficial effects of the policy. Empirical evidence supports this argument, suggesting that in the United States the introduction of tobacco control measures makes people more inclined to further regulation. By relying on a set of cases which allows testing the effects of the introduction of tobacco control measures across European countries on a series of relevant variables, this study confirms that the introduction of tobacco control measures makes the public more inclined to further regulation. Yet, when the effects of these policies are disaggregated between smokers and nonsmokers, results show that these positive effects are driven by smokers. This puzzle suggests that different effects than mass attitudinal policy feedback effects, driven by learning from direct experience, might explain the positive reaction to tobacco control. This study puts forward a behavioral theory of policy feedback, which suggests that smokers react positively to the introduction of tobacco control measures because they see these measures as commitment devices, which can help them quit smoking. Evidence for this argument is found by demonstrating that the introduction of tobacco control measures increases smokers’ welfare.
Defining “Talent”: Insights from Management and Migration Literatures for Policy Design
Authors: Cerna Lucie , Chou Meng‐Hsuan
Published: October 2018

Taking the case of defining “talent,” a term that has been widely used but its definitions differ by discipline, organization, policy sector, as well as over time, we demonstrate how the basic definition of a policy subject may affect policy design and the assessment of policy outcomes. We review how “talent” is defined in two sets of literature, talent management and migration studies, and find that definitions fall under one of two categories: binary (“talent” as qualities) or composite (“talent” as a relational concept). The implications of our findings are epistemological and ontological; the findings point to diverse epistemological effects of definitions through developments of indicators, as expected, and they also reveal the policy designers’ ontological starting points. Ontological perspectives are significant because they ultimately determine whether the policy assessments carried out differ in degrees or in kind. In the case of defining “talent,” this means determining which objectives the designers would set (e.g., recruiting vs. cultivating vs. introducing competition), the policy instrumentation for achieving the goals (migration measures vs. education vs. lifelong learning vs. human resource policy), and the type of assessment for measuring policy outcomes (single vs. multiple indicators, qualitative vs. quantitative).
The moderating role of competence specialization in the effect of external R&D on innovative performance
Authors: Koo Byeong‐Seok , Lee Chang‐Yang
Published: October 2018

This paper studies the functional specialization of SMEs’ technological competence and its moderating role in the effect of external R&D on their innovative performance. Technological competence consists of many functional dimensions such as basic research, product architecture, process construction, testing, and evaluation, which constitute a sequence of innovation tasks. The specialization of technological competence allows SMEs to utilize economies of specialization in R&D, enhance their bargaining power and appropriability conditions in the process of external R&D, and attract promising R&D partners. However, competence specialization may hamper SMEs’ capabilities to coordinate and integrate diverse external R&D projects. Using a sample of SMEs in Korean manufacturing industries, we find the following results. First, competence specialization positively moderates the effect of external R&D on SMEs’ innovative performance. Second, the positive moderating effect of competence specialization diminishes as the share of external R&D increases. Third, the moderating effect of competence specialization differs across industries depending on the degree of market dominance by a few large firms (i.e., market concentration) and the novelty of technologies pursued by SMEs in each industry.
Domestic agricultural value chain development and pro‐poor growth: A computable general equilibrium microsimulation application for the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Otchia Christian S.
Published: October 2018

The economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo has gained momentum between 2003 and 2015, with a high annual growth rate of over 6%. However, poverty and employment outcomes were relatively poor, while inequality increased. This study uses a computable general equilibrium (CGE) microsimulation model to study the pro‐poor effect of alternative growth strategy that is likely to strengthen the competitiveness of agro‐food products from the Congo. We experimented with three different scenarios: labor productivity growth, marketing efficiency, and transportation efficiency. The simulations demonstrated that improving the productivity of workers in agro‐food industries has not only produced strong relative pro‐poor effects, but also has the potential to lead to income convergence between rich and poor households. The analysis also revealed the underestimated contribution of agro‐food marketing and transportation efficiency. The major finding is that marketing efficiency favors the middle class. Efficiency gains in the transportation of agro‐food products generate strong pro‐poor effects in absolute and relative terms and are likely to be particularly effective in leading to income convergence. This policy has the potential not only to increase income and employment, but also to provide positive price impacts for both producers and consumers and benefits to all households, particularly low‐income households.
Unhappy Development: Dissatisfaction With Life on the Eve of the Arab Spring
Authors: Arampatzi Efstratia , Burger Martijn , Ianchovichina Elena , Röhricht Tina , Veenhoven Ruut
Published: October 2018

Despite progress with economic and social development over several decades, life satisfaction was relatively low and declining in many developing Arab countries in the second half of the 2000s—a situation described in this paper as the “unhappy development” paradox. The paper empirically tests the direction and strength of association of a range of objective and subjective factors with subjective well‐being in the Middle East and North Africa in the years immediately preceding the Arab Spring uprisings (2009–10). The findings suggest a significant, negative association between life satisfaction levels and each of the main perceived grievances voiced during the 2011 uprisings—dissatisfaction with the standard of living, poor labor market conditions, and corruption in the form of nepotism or cronyism. The increased prevalence of dissatisfaction with the standard of living contributed the most to the decline in subjective well‐being during this period, followed by worsening labor market conditions manifested in increased unemployment and decline in self‐reported earnings. In addition, perceptions about corruption became more important for people’s life satisfaction, particularly in the Arab Spring countries where the uprisings were most intense.
Non‐suicidal Self‐injury Differentiates Suicide Ideators and Attempters and Predicts Future Suicide Attempts in Patients with Eating Disorders
Authors: Pérez Sandra , Ros Montserrat Cañabate , Folgado Jose E. Layron , Marco Jose H.
Published: October 2018

Objective

We aimed first to identificate psychopathological variables differentiating between suicide ideators, suicide attempters and patients without suicide ideation or attempts, and second to identificate better predictors of suicide attempts longitudinally.

Method

We compared suicide ideation, hopelessness, borderline symptoms, frequency, types, number of different non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) methods, intrapersonal and interpersonal functionality of NSSI in a sample of 238 patients with Eating Disorders (1) with no history of suicide ideation or suicide attempts (n = 150); (2) with recent suicide ideation (n = 65); and (3) with suicide attempts in the previous year (n = 23). In addition, we analyzed the predictive power of the mentioned variables over the number of suicide attempts 7 months after the first assessment.

Results

The group of suicide attempters showed a major number of different methods of NSSI, higher frequency of NSSI, cutting, and more NSSI intra and interpersonal functions than the group of ideators. Unlike in previous studies, hopelessness did not differentiate between patients with ideation and suicide attempts. In addition, the best predictor of suicide attempts 7 months later was frequency of NSSI at T1 (N = 123).

Conclusions

Cutting, frequency and different methods of NSSI, intra and interpersonal functions were risk factors that differentiated ideators from attempters, being frequency of NSSI the best predictor of suicide attempts longitudinally. Thus, patients with ED with NSSI should be the focus of preventive interventions for suicidal behavior.
Dynamic thermal imaging on actinic keratosis patients: A preliminary study
Authors: Baek Yoo Sang , Kim Jaeyoung , Song Jin Young , Jeon Jiehyun , Oh Chil Hwan
Published: October 2018

Background

Diagnosis of actinic keratosis (AK) based only on clinical findings can be misleading, and histopathological diagnosis results in scars. Dynamic thermal imaging is a potential non‐invasive tool for the diagnosis of AK. This imaging technique quantifies the infrared (IR) radiation emitted by a subject after exposure to external thermal stimuli, such as heat or cold.

Methods

Twenty‐six histopathologically confirmed AK patients participated in the study. We compared the dynamic thermal images of AK lesions and normal skin (control sites). Temperature changes were plotted as a thermal response graph. After fitting exponential curves to the thermal response graph, the curve was converted to a logarithmic form.

Results

Comparison of the early thermal response graphs of lesions and control sites showed faster thermal recovery of AK lesions. There was a significant difference in the gradient component of the calculated logarithmic equation between the AK lesions and control sites (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Dynamic thermal imaging can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for AK.
Rural water asset management practices in Ghana: the gaps and needs
Authors: Kumasi T. C. , Agbemor B. D. , Burr P.
Published: October 2018

This study evaluates primary and secondary data from two districts to assess the status of asset management practices, and to examine requirements for improved asset management. Asset inventory data shows that asset management practices in the districts are currently poor, leading to high rates of nonfunctionality and low service levels. The existing ‘fix on failure’ approach to water systems’ repair has become a common practice. However, many repairs which relied on ‘fix on failure’ were found to have delayed, often due to the length of time it takes to mobilise financial resources from ‘post‐paid’ water users. This paper contends that without an improved asset maintenance, system it is likely that rural water systems in Ghana will continue to provide unsustainable services. The Findings demonstrate that improving the current asset management practices is dependent on human and financial resources, access to timely water service monitoring data at district levels, and planning and budgeting regime to reflect life cycle costs of water systems.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: October 2018

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 11Amanda ElBassiouny, California Lutheran University, USAAmin Ali Almubar, Jazan University, Saudi ArabiaAslan,Yasin, Sinop University, TurkeyAurora Pestaño, University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), PhilippinesEmanuele Achino, C. D. T. O., ItalyLaura Diaconu Maxim, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza University" of Iasi, RomaniaMohamed Mehdi Jelassi, IHEC Carthage, TunisiaOzgur Demirtas, Inonu University, TurkeyRachita Shrivastava Roy, Chhatisgarh-India, IndiaRumana Hashem, University of East London, UK
Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants Among Family Farmers: Therapeutic Itinerary in the South Plateau of Santa Catarina State
Authors: Patricia Patricia Fernandes , Pedro Pedro Boff
Published: October 2018

European immigrants —and those mixed with native people called caboclos— keep in Southern Brazil therapeutic peculiarities derived from the experience with the biodiversity present in highland fields ecosystems, associated with araucaria forests. The study systematized the popular knowledge about herbal medicine practices adopted by family farmers in the South Plateau of Santa Catarina State. Semi-structured interviews were adopted for the collection of information. Also, indices were adopted as estimates. The knowledge of medicinal plants shared by family farmers of the region appears as a sociocultural heritage, which is still present in rural communities in spite of land changes and alterations in land use.
Migración y trabajo digno en la agricultura familiar del norte del Ecuador a lo largo del año 2016
Authors: Eche Enríquez David
Published: October 2018

Obedeciendo los parámetros postulados en la agenda de trabajo decente de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT), este estudio de investigación explora las condiciones laborales de la agricultura como los principales factores determinantes de la migración rural en tres regiones del norte del Ecuador. Con tal propósito, asume los enfoques de la agricultura familiar y de la juventud rural. Mediante métodoscualitativos y cuantitativos, se demuestra que la ausencia de trabajo decente incrementa la propensión de los agricultores a migrar y a la participación en nuevas actividades económicas, como la elaboración de artesanías y la venta de la mano de obra fuera de la finca. En tanto, la juventud rural considera que la precariedad laboral, los bajos ingresos económicos y la explotación laboral en la agricultura, así como la faltade empleo rural adecuado y digno, constituyen las principales causas de la migración y el abandono de la agricultura.
Heat Transfer Analysis of the Surface of a Nozzle Guide Vane in a Transonic Annular Cascade
Authors: Ragab Kasem Eid , El-Gabry Lamyaa
Published: October 2018

In the current study, a numerical analysis was performed for the heat transfer over the surface of nozzle guide vanes (NGVs) using three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. The investigation has taken place in two stages: the baseline nonfilm-cooled NGV and the film-cooled NGV. A finite volume based commercial code was used to build and analyze the CFD models. The investigated annular cascade has no heat transfer measurements available; hence in order to validate the CFD models against experimental data, two standalone studies were carried out on the NASA C3X vanes, one on the nonfilm-cooled C3X vane and the other on the film-cooled C3X vane. Different modeling parameters were investigated including turbulence models in order to obtain good agreement with the C3X experimental data; the same parameters were used afterward to model the industrial NGVs.
Inclination Angle Optimization for “Inclined Projected Winglet Pair” Vortex Generator
Authors: Oneissi Mohammad , Habchi Charbel , Russeil Serge , Bougeard Daniel , Lemenand Thierry
Published: October 2018

Vortex generators (VG) are widely used in multifunctional heat exchangers/reactors for augmenting the heat transfer from fin plates to the working fluid. In this study, numerical simulations for longitudinal VGs are performed for both laminar and turbulent flow regimes. The shear-stress transport (SST) κ–ω model is used for modeling turbulence. Inclination angle for a new streamlined VG configuration called inclined projected winglet pair (IPWP) was varied to study the effect of this angle on the heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to deduce the inclination angle effects on heat transfer, pressure drop, and vorticity from both local and global points of view. Such study highlights the optimization for this VG configuration for better heat transfer intensification, based on thermal enhancement factor (TEF). Finally, it is found that the VG with inclination angle ranging from 30 deg to 35 deg exhibits the best global performance compared to other inclination angles. This type of studies is important for the enhancement of the thermal performance of heat exchangers and static mixers in various engineering applications.
Experimental Investigation of a Thermosyphon With Microstructure on the Boiling Surface
Authors: Chai Y. , Tian W. , Tian J. , Jin L. W. , Meng X. Z. , Dang S.
Published: October 2018

In recent years, a primary concern in the development of electronic technology is high heat dissipation of power devices. The advantages of unique thermal physical properties of graphite foam raise up the possibility of developing pool boiling system with better heat transfer efficiency. A compact thermosyphon was developed with graphite foam insertions to explore how different parameters affect boiling performance. Heater wall temperature, superheat, departure frequency of bubbles, and thermal resistance of the system were analyzed. The results indicated that the boiling performance is affected significantly by thermal conductivity and pore diameter of graphite foam. A proposed heat transfer empirical correlation reflecting the relations between graphite foam micro structures and pool boiling performance of Novec7100 was developed in this paper.
Constrained Dynamic Optimization of Sit-to-Stand Motion Driven by Bézier Curves
Authors: Norman-Gerum Valerie , McPhee John
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this work is twofold: first, to synthesize a motion pattern imitating sit-to-stand (STS) and second, to compare the kinematics and dynamics of the resulting motion to healthy STS. Predicting STS in simulation inspired the creation of three models: a biomechanical model, a motion model, and performance criteria as a model of preference. First, the human is represented as three rigid links in the sagittal plane. This model captures aspects of joint, foot, and buttocks physiology, which makes it the most comprehensive planar model for predicting STS to date. Second, candidate STS trajectories are described geometrically by a set of Bézier curves which seem well suited to predictive biomechanical simulations. Third, with the assumption that healthy people naturally prioritize mechanical efficiency, disinclination to a motion is described as a cost function of joint torques, and for the first time, physical infeasibility including slipping and falling. This new dynamic optimization routine allows for motions of gradually increasing complexity while the model's performance is improving. Using these models and optimal control strategy together has produced gross motion patterns characteristic of healthy STS when compared with normative data from the literature.
Machine Learning Enabled Adaptive Optimization of a Transonic Compressor Rotor With Precompression
Authors: Joly Michael , Sarkar Soumalya , Mehta Dhagash
Published: October 2018

In aerodynamic design, accurate and robust surrogate models are important to accelerate computationally expensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based optimization. In this paper, a machine learning framework is presented to speed-up the design optimization of a highly loaded transonic compressor rotor. The approach is threefold: (1) dynamic selection and self-tuning among several surrogate models; (2) classification to anticipate failure of the performance evaluation; and (3) adaptive selection of new candidates to perform CFD evaluation for updating the surrogate, which facilitates design space exploration and reduces surrogate uncertainty. The framework is demonstrated with a multipoint optimization of the transonic NASA rotor 37, yielding increased compressor efficiency in less than 48 h on 100 central processing unit cores. The optimized rotor geometry features precompression that relocates and attenuates the shock, without the stability penalty or undesired reacceleration usually observed in the literature.
A Method for Tracking a Solid Body in a Fluid Field in Immersed Boundary Methods
Authors: Yao Guangfa
Published: October 2018

Immersed boundary method has got increasing attention in modeling fluid-solid body interaction using computational fluid dynamics due to its robustness and simplicity. It usually simulates fluid-solid body interaction by adding a body force in the momentum equation. This eliminates the body conforming mesh generation that frequently requires a very labor-intensive and challenging task. But accurately tracking an arbitrary solid body is required to simulate most real world problems. In this paper, a few methods that are used to track a rigid solid body in a fluid domain are briefly reviewed. A new method is presented to track an arbitrary rigid solid body by solving a transformation matrix and identifying it using a level set function. Knowing level set function, the solid volume fraction can be derived if needed. A three-dimensional example is used to study a few methods used to represent and solve the transformation matrix, and demonstrate the presented new method.
Design and Development of an Ultra Low Head Axial Hydro Turbine for Electricity Supply: Part II
Authors: Chen Jinbo , Engeda Abraham
Published: October 2018

As a major resource for electricity, hydropower is widely used around the world for renewable energy. Traditionally, large high-capital cost dam equipped with large turbine system is preferred to produce sufficient power supply. However, recently large hydropower system is questioned because of the impact of dams on the local environment, which could be a major barrier for development of large hydropower system. Besides, billions people remain without access to electricity and most of them are in remote and rural location where is not suitable for large hydropower system. Therefore, the utilization of ultra-low-head (ULH) water energy (situations where the hydraulic head is less than 3m or the water flow rate is more than 0.5m/s with zero head) has becomes more attractive. Part I of this paper focus on developing a design methodology for a low-impact, damless Kaplan turbine system for ULH water resource. Part II of this paper focus on providing detailed CFD simulations to demonstrate that this methodology is valid and effective.
The Mechanism of Three-Dimension Steady Shock Wave Interaction
Authors: Wang Chun , Yang Ruixin , Jiang Zonglin
Published: October 2018

The problem of three-dimensional steady shock wave interaction is a key issue for supersonic and hypersonic corner flow. Due to the complexity of shock configurations, there is no analytical theory to such problem and the mechanism of three-dimensional shock waves and boundary layer interaction has not been clearly known. In this paper, an analytical approach to the problem of three-dimensional steady shock wave interaction was exhibited to analytically interpret the mechanism of three-dimensional interaction of two oblique planar shock waves. The results showed that the problem of three-dimensional steady shock wave interaction could be transformed to that of two moving shock wave interaction in two-dimensional plane, and there are various interaction configurations such as regular interaction, Mach interaction and weak interaction. The mechanism of three-dimensional shock wave interaction is helpful to understand the complex flow mechanism induced by three-dimensional shock wave and boundary layer in hypersonic flow. The interaction of three-dimensional shock waves and boundary layer plays important role in the complex flow feature in hypersonic rudder region. The contact surface induced by three-dimensional shock waves represents a local jet. When the flow jet impinges on the boundary layer of wall surface, the jet makes the boundary layer thinner and will inevitably cause local heat flux peak. The interaction configurations of three-dimensional shock wave play important role in the gasdynamic heating mechanisms of hypersonic complex flow.
Small Bubbles Generation With Swirl Bubblers for SNS Target
Authors: Barbier C. , Dominguez-Ontiveros E. , Sangrey R.
Published: October 2018

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) uses a mercury target to generate neutrons. When the powerful 1.4 MW, 60Hz proton beam hits the target, a strong pressure wave propagates in the mercury and into the vessel wall due to the rapid temperature rise in mercury. These pressure waves induce cavitation damage on the target container and high stresses, which both limit the lifetime of the target. Since October 2017, helium gas has been injected into the mercury flow in order to mitigate the negative effects of pulse-induced pressure waves. The preliminary strain measurements suggest that gas injection is indeed efficient at mitigating the pressure wave. Tiny nozzles (8-micron diameter) at choked condition are used to generate small bubbles. The bubblers can theoretically inject a total mass flow rate of 0.75 SLPM. However, during operation the bubblers were capable of injecting only approximately 0.45 SLPM, which suggests that some of the nozzles may have become clogged. Since there is a strong desire to inject a larger quantity of gas in the target to, hopefully, mitigate even more the pressure wave, SNS has been looking at implementing swirl bubblers in the target, similar to the ones used in the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) mercury target. In this paper, results with prototypical bubblers tested in water and mercury are presented. Bubblers were installed in prototypical targets and bubble size distributions were measured in both water and mercury. It was found that swirl bubblers can generate a large number of small bubbles, but some compromises were made to keep the pressure losses across them reasonable.