bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation analysis between particulate soil removal and surface properties of laundry detergent solutions
Authors: Kalak Tomasz , Cierpiszewski Ryszard
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study is to correlate surface properties of laundry detergents and model surfactant solutions with their washing abilities. For the study, laundry detergents available on the Polish market were selected and categorized according to their retail price: the cheapest ( P1, P2, P3), average priced ( P4, P5, P6, P7, P8) and the most expensive ( P9, P10). Anionic sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and nonionic nonaethylene glycol monodecyl ether were used for the preparation of the model solutions. The content of the anionic and nonionic surfactants in the detergents was determined. Cotton fabrics were soiled with black carbon/olive oil, make-up, curry, red wine, tomato sauce, blood, chocolate, peat, tea, β-carotene, grass, animal fat/red dye, baby food, clay, butter and used engine oil. Detergency tests were carried out at a temperature of 40℃ in laboratory conditions using washing powders and model surfactant solutions in various concentrations. On the basis of the correlation between detergency and detergent properties, the most favorable size range of powder granules was identified. The negative correlation between contact angle, surface tension and detergency and the positive relationship between phosphorus pentoxide and active oxygen content, spreading coefficient, diffusion coefficient and detergency were determined. The closest correlation between surfactant content and detergency was observed at a concentration of 10 g/L, which resulted in maximum detergency. When the emulsifying properties were better, their soil removal efficiency was greater. Based on the analysis of the correlation, the characteristics of the tested laundry detergent solutions that had the greatest ability to remove dirt were described.
Trading on Tradition
Authors: Bruckermann Charlotte
Published: March 2015

“Culture” has become a resource to be excavated and marketed for profit throughout China in recent decades. This article investigates processes underlying the production of culture through the example of a Star Worshipping Festival staged by a tourism company in a Shanxi mountain village. Regional political economy, historical knowledge, and ritual practices underlie strategies of development that transformed the entire village into a new cultural product revolving around Ancient Fortress culture. Despite a shared vision of culture as a resource, conflicting spheres of interest emerged between villagers and the drivers of development. A tourism company selectively mobilized aspects of villagers’ cultural practices to create a historical narrative legitimizing Ancient Fortress culture. By promoting Star Worshipping as a cultural display, the tour company projected Ancient Fortress culture onto the entire village, thereby denying villagers the capacity to stake claims over the present profits and future governance of this new cultural product.
Norske intensivavdelingers praksis rundt søvn og sedasjon
Authors: Dahl Aud Findal , Foss Helene , Fossum Mariann
Published: March 2015

Aim

To get an insight into 1) how Norwegian intensive care registered nurses (RNs) assess patients’ sleep and sedative needs, and 2) to survey factors of importance for critically ill patients in Norwegian intensive care units to promote sleep.

Background

Patients in intensive care units suffer from sleep disturbances. The lack of sleep may cause physical and psychological disturbances, increased morbidity and prolonged stay. The nurses evaluate patients’ sleep mainly based on their own perception.

Method

All nurse managers of the adult intensive care units in Norway were contacted to answer a survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and teaching and non-teaching hospitals were compared.

Findings

RNs were aware of sleep disturbances and used several strategies to promote sleep. The most commonly used interventions were to turn off lights, to shield the patient with curtains, to reduce noise from staff, to use a clock and to reduce nursing interventions during the nights. Nurses felt that they had a great influence on patients’ sleeping practices.

Conclusion

RNs reported to have an influence on sleep practice and to actively promote sleep in the intensive care unit. Sleep-assessment tools were not routinely used, but the use of sedation-assessment tools were common.
DINA Models for Multiple-Choice Items With Few Parameters
Authors: Ozaki Koken
Published: March 2015

The deterministic-input, noisy “and” gate (DINA) model can judge whether an individual examinee has mastered each skill that is needed to answer an item correctly. This information is useful for students to know their deficits and for teachers to teach effectively. The DINA model is a statistical model for binary (correct or incorrect) data. However, recently a DINA model for multiple-choice items was developed by de la Torre. The model is aimed at obtaining information about students’ skills from incorrect answers. In the present study, new DINA models for multiple-choice items are developed that need many fewer parameters while still being able to express various answering probabilities without any restrictions on the form of the Q-matrix. Simulations using a Markov chain Monte Carlo method are performed to demonstrate the efficacies of the proposed models compared with the DINA model for binary data and the model of de la Torre for multiple-choice items, if appropriate starting values are set.
Dosimetric models of the eye and lens of the eye and their use in assessing dose coefficients for ocular exposures
Authors: Bolch W.E. , Dietze G. , Petoussi-Henss N. , Zankl M.
Published: March 2015

Based upon recent epidemiological studies of ocular exposure, the Main Commission of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in ICRP Publication 118 states that the threshold dose for radiation-induced cataracts is now considered to be approximately 0.5 Gy for both acute and fractionated exposures. Consequently, a reduction was also recommended for the occupational annual equivalent dose to the lens of the eye from 150 mSv to 20 mSv, averaged over defined periods of 5 years. To support ocular dose assessment and optimisation, Committee 2 included Annex F within ICRP Publication 116 . Annex F provides dose coefficients – absorbed dose per particle fluence – for photon, electron, and neutron irradiation of the eye and lens of the eye using two dosimetric models. The first approach uses the reference adult male and female voxel phantoms of ICRP Publication 110. The second approach uses the stylised eye model of Behrens et al., which itself is based on ocular dimensional data given in Charles and Brown. This article will review the data and models of Annex F with particular emphasis on how these models treat tissue regions thought to be associated with stem cells at risk.
Objects as Stimuli for Exploring Young People’s Views about Cultural and Scientific Knowledge
Authors: Gondwe Mzamose , Longnecker Nancy
Published: March 2015

An object-based activity—science and culture story box—was designed, developed, and used to explore young people’s views about cultural knowledge and scientific knowledge. In informal education spaces (e.g., museums and science centers), culture is often presented via representations of easily observable features of ethnicity such as music or dress. The development and application of knowledge in culturally diverse communities can be difficult to visualize and is rarely presented. Instead, Western science often dominates as the authoritative, valid, systematic, and useful way of thinking. Conversations about science and culture can create a platform for meaningful dialogue and valuing of a variety of cultures and different funds of knowledge. Using an informal science education lens, we interrogated young people’s views about different knowledge systems. Six cohorts of Western Australian young people (twelve to sixteen years old; N = 171) participated in the study. The activity involved groups of three to four young people assigning seventeen photographs of objects and or processes (e.g., medicine, lightning, etc.) onto a Venn diagram of scientific knowledge, cultural knowledge, or both. Photographs were taken of the forty-four resulting Venn diagrams showing association of items with knowledge domain. This was quantified to show the number of times an item was associated with scientific knowledge, cultural knowledge, or both. Group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis of discussions and associations of items to knowledge domain revealed intriguing themes and perspectives. Young people in this study associated technology with electronic devices and scientific knowledge but not with cultural knowledge. Young people expressed views that culture was old and basic and science was new and progressive. Other impressions expressed were that cultures do not “do” science and that skin color determines culture. No clear or consistent conception emerged of Australian culture. These young people’s perspectives are discussed within the context of meaningful intercultural understanding in multicultural societies. This activity was developed as a research tool for use with young people in a multicultural society to examine views of different funds of knowledge. We propose further development and directed use of the story box in informal education spaces as a process to stimulate conversations that might enhance intercultural understanding and appreciation of multiple ways of knowing.
The regulation of television sports broadcasting: a comparative analysis
Authors: Smith Paul , Evens Tom , Iosifidis Petros
Published: March 2015

Based on seven different sports broadcasting markets (Australia, Brazil, Italy, India, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States), this article provides a comparative analysis of the regulation of television sports broadcasting. The article examines how contrasting perspectives on television and sport – economic and sociocultural – have been reflected in two main approaches to the regulation of sports broadcasting, namely competition law and major events legislation. The results of this analysis suggest that in many cases, the balance between commerce and culture in sports broadcasting has shifted too far in favour of the commercial interests of dominant pay-TV operators and sports organisations. Here, the case is made for the pursuit of an approach to sports broadcasting regulation that seeks to balance the commercial priorities of broadcasters and sports organisations with the wider sociocultural benefits citizens gain from free-to-air sports broadcasting.
Ignoring individual differences in times of assessment in growth curve modeling
Authors: Coulombe Patrick , Selig James P. , Delaney Harold D.
Published: March 2015

Researchers often collect longitudinal data to model change over time in a phenomenon of interest. Inevitably, there will be some variation across individuals in specific time intervals between assessments. In this simulation study of growth curve modeling, we investigate how ignoring individual differences in time points when modeling change over time relates to convergence and admissibility of solutions, bias in estimates of parameters, efficiency, power to detect change over time, and Type I error rate. We manipulated magnitude of the individual differences in assessment times, distribution of assessment times, magnitude of change over time, number of time points, and sample size. In contrast to the correct analysis, ignoring individual differences in time points frequently led to inadmissible solutions, especially with few time points and small samples, regardless of the specific magnitude of individual differences that were ignored. Mean intercept and slope were generally estimated without bias. Ignoring individual differences in time points sometimes yielded overestimated intercept and slope variances and underestimated intercept–slope covariance and residual variance. Parameter efficiency as well as power and Type I error rates for the linear slope were unaffected by the type of analysis.
Sports Volunteering on University-Led Outreach Projects
Authors: Hayton John
Published: March 2015

The focus of this article centers around an established universities sports outreach program—the Sport Universities North East England (SUNEE) project—and explores how its core workforce, student volunteers, perceive that they develop effective working relationships with the project’s “hard-to-reach” clients. The SUNEE project represents an alliance between the region’s five universities to tackle social exclusion, and promote and nurture social capital and civil responsibility through the vehicle of sports. This joined-up approach to sports development provides the region’s student volunteers with vast opportunities to gain both experience and qualifications as sports coaches, mentors, and leaders by working with a range of hard-to-reach groups. To explore how the dynamics of the project influenced relationship statuses between SUNEE’s diverse participants, from the perspective of the student volunteers, this article draws upon Robert Putnam’s notion of social capital to interpret the experiences of the study’s percipients ( n = 40). Captured using semi-structured interviews, students indicate that over the course of their participation in the project, social capital served both exclusionary and integrative functions, yet as time elapsed, social capital was increasingly generated between SUNEE’s diverse participants, playing a crucial role in bringing both volunteers and hard-to-reach clients together.
It’s Not That Easy Being Green
Authors: Geeraert Arnout
Published: March 2015

This article starts from the assumption that the European Union (EU) could play a leading part in reducing the negative environmental impacts of sport. The extent to which the EU fulfills its potential in this regard depends upon the integration of environmental objectives in EU sports policy. The article has a dual purpose. First, it analyzes the integration of environmental objectives at the different stages of the policy process. Second, it identifies the main barriers to the integration of environmental protection and explores the way forward. It is shown that establishing an Expert Group focusing solely on mitigating the environmental impact of sport is a suitable strategy for integrating environmental considerations at the heart of the decision-making process.
Using the Electronic Health Record in Nursing Research
Authors: Samuels Joanne G. , McGrath Robert J. , Fetzer Susan J. , Mittal Prashant , Bourgoine Derek
Published: March 2015

Changes in the patient record from the paper to the electronic health record format present challenges and opportunities for the nurse researcher. Current use of data from the electronic health record is in a state of flux. Novel data analytic techniques and massive data sets provide new opportunities for nursing science. Realization of a strong electronic data output future relies on meeting challenges of system use and operability, data presentation, and privacy. Nurse researchers need to rethink aspects of proposal development. Joining ongoing national efforts aimed at creating usable data output is encouraged as a means to affect system design. Working to address challenges and embrace opportunities will help grow the science in a way that answers important patient care questions.
Seeding of Recipient‐Originated Epithelial Cells Attenuates Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Rat Tracheal Allotransplantation
Authors: Huang Xun , Yan Xiaolong , Zhang Zhipei , Li Xiaofei
Published: March 2015

Objective

The specific role and mechanism of epithelium in the progression of obliterative airway disease (OAD) after tracheal allotransplantation remain poorly understood. In this study, we used rat heterotopic tracheal transplantation to investigate the mechanism of epithelial cell seeding during the process of OAD.

Study Design

Prospective, basic science.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

In total, 120 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and 90 Wistar rats were used. Tracheas from SD rats were implanted into SD rats (syngeneic, n = 30) or Wistar rats (allogeneic, n = 30), and SD rat tracheas (seeded with Wistar rat–derived epithelial cells 6 days after transplantation) were transplanted into Wistar rats (seeded allogeneic, n = 30). Grafts were harvested at 7, 14, or 30 days after transplantation for histologic, quantitative reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction or Western blot analyses.

Results

Syngrafts retained normal histologic structures, while the corresponding allografts demonstrated less ciliated epithelia and more lumenal occlusion. Seeding of epithelial cells ameliorated the histologic changes, reduced the expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)–related transcriptional factors and mesenchymal markers, and dampened the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) and phosphorylation of smad3.

Conclusion

Seeding of recipient epithelial cells inhibits the progression of OAD by attenuating EMT via TGF‐β–Smad signaling in rat heterotopic tracheal allografts. Clinically, the injection of recipient‐originated epithelial cells might provide new insights into the treatment for OAD after tracheal allotransplantation.
Systematic Evaluation of the Upper Airway in a Sample Population
Authors: Soares Oliveira Maria Claudia , Tufik Sergio , Louise Martinho Haddad Fernanda , Santos‐Silva Rogerio , Gregório Luis Carlos , Bittencourt Lia
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To investigate the anatomy of the upper airway (UA) of a representative sample of the adult population of São Paulo city, Brazil, and to identify factors associated with the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), as confirmed using full‐night polysomnography (PSG).

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Population‐based sample.

Methods

A 3‐stage sampling procedure was used to proportionally recruit adult residents of São Paulo city according to gender, age, and socioeconomic status. A complete evaluation was performed, including a systematic evaluation of the UA prior to conducting PSG.

Results

Nine‐hundred ninety‐three (90.2%) of the participants were seen by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Individuals who were diagnosed with OSAS (32.9%) presented a higher frequency of nasal symptoms and structural abnormalities (both nasal and oropharyngeal) compared with those without OSAS. No anatomical differences were observed in the facial skeleton. An abnormal nasal structure visible via anterior rhinoscopy was the only UA factor predicting OSAS after adjustments for the other common OSAS risk factors (male sex, aging, obesity, and increased neck circumference).

Conclusion

This is the first study in which a systematic evaluation of the UA was followed by a sleep study in a population‐based sample. In a sample of the general population that had not previously been screened for OSAS, having an abnormal nasal structure was found to be a risk factor for OSAS, in conjunction with other well‐established clinical and demographic factors, such as male gender, increased age, increased neck circumference, and body mass index.
Public Awareness of Human Papillomavirus as a Causative Factor for Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Williams Michael U. , Carr Michele M. , Goldenberg David
Published: March 2015

Objective

To assess the public’s awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) as a causative factor for oropharyngeal cancer.

Study Design

Twenty‐three‐item survey.

Setting

Local shopping malls and Maxwell Air Force Base in 2012.

Methods

Respondents were randomly chosen to participate in 23‐item survey at various local shopping malls and at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2012. The χ2 test was used in statistical analysis.

Results

The majority of respondents (n = 319) were civilians; 158 were military officer trainees (MOTs). All MOTs had a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 37% of civilian respondents had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Most MOTs (82%) were aware of oropharyngeal cancer, and 53% of civilians had not heard of oropharyngeal cancer (P <. 0001). Most respondents (73% civilian and 91% military) were aware of the association between HPV and cervical cancer. Conversely, 75% of civilian population and 49% of MOTs were not aware of the association between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer (P <. 0001). The majority of respondents (61% military and 81% civilian) did not know that both sexes were eligible for HPV vaccine (P <. 0001).

Conclusions

Most respondents were aware that HPV is a causative agent of cervical cancer. However, the majority were not aware of the association between oropharyngeal cancer and HPV. Furthermore, many respondents were not aware that HPV equally affects males and females and that the vaccine is available for both sexes. This underscores the need to educate the public on the availability of HPV vaccine and the association between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.
Does the addition of specific acupuncture to standard swallowing training improve outcomes in patients with dysphagia after stroke? a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xia Wenguang , Zheng Chanjuan , Zhu Suiqiang , Tang Zhouping
Published: March 2015

Objective:

To assess the effect of adding acupuncture to standard swallowing training for patients with dysphagia after stroke.

Design:

Single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Inpatient and outpatient clinics.

Subjects:

A total of 124 patients with dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture and control.

Interventions:

The acupuncture group received standard swallowing training and acupuncture treatment. In comparison, the control group only received standard swallowing training. Participants in both groups received six days of therapy per week for a four-week period.

Main measures:

The primary outcome measures included the Standardized Swallowing Assessment and the Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale. The secondary outcome measures included the Modified Barthel Index and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life, which were assessed before and after the four-week therapy period.

Results:

A total of 120 dysphagic subjects completed the study (60 in acupuncture group and 60 in control group). Significant differences existed in the Standardized Swallowing Assessment, Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale, Modified Barthel Index, and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life scores of each group after the treatment ( P < 0.01). After the four-week treatment, the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (mean difference − 2.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) – 5.0 to − 0.81; P < 0.01), Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale (mean difference 2.3; 95% CI 0.7 to 1.2; P < 0.01), Modified Barthel Index (mean difference 17.2; 95% CI 2.6 to 9.3; P < 0.05) and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life scores (mean difference 31.4; 95% CI 3.2 to 11.4; P < 0.01) showed more significant improvement in the acupuncture group than the control group.

Conclusions:

Acupuncture combined with the standard swallowing training may be beneficial for dysphagic patients after stroke.
An incentive-based source separation model for sustainable municipal solid waste management in China
Authors: Xu Wanying , Zhou Chuanbin , Lan Yajun , Jin Jiasheng , Cao Aixin
Published: March 2015

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management (MSWM) is most important and challenging in large urban communities. Sound community-based waste management systems normally include waste reduction and material recycling elements, often entailing the separation of recyclable materials by the residents. To increase the efficiency of source separation and recycling, an incentive-based source separation model was designed and this model was tested in 76 households in Guiyang, a city of almost three million people in southwest China. This model embraced the concepts of rewarding households for sorting organic waste, government funds for waste reduction, and introducing small recycling enterprises for promoting source separation. Results show that after one year of operation, the waste reduction rate was 87.3%, and the comprehensive net benefit under the incentive-based source separation model increased by 18.3 CNY tonne-1 (2.4 Euros tonne-1), compared to that under the normal model. The stakeholder analysis (SA) shows that the centralized MSW disposal enterprises had minimum interest and may oppose the start-up of a new recycling system, while small recycling enterprises had a primary interest in promoting the incentive-based source separation model, but they had the least ability to make any change to the current recycling system. The strategies for promoting this incentive-based source separation model are also discussed in this study.
Comparison between landfill gas and waste incineration for power generation in Astana, Kazakhstan
Authors: Inglezakis Vassilis J , Rojas–Solórzano Luis , Kim Jong , Aitbekova Aisulu , Ismailova Aizada
Published: March 2015

The city of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, which has a population of 804,474, and has been experiencing rapid growth over the last 15 years, generates approximately 1.39 kg capita-1 day-1 of municipal solid waste (MSW). Nearly 700 tonnes of MSW are collected daily, of which 97% is disposed of at landfills. The newest landfill was built using modern technologies, including a landfill gas (LFG) collection system.

The rapid growth of Astana demands more energy on its path to development, and the viability analysis of MSW to generate electricity is imperative. This paper presents a technical–economic pre-feasibility study comparing landfill including LFG utilization and waste incineration (WI) to produce electricity. The performance of LFG with a reciprocating engine and WI with steam turbine power technologies were compared through corresponding greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction, cost of energy production (CEP), benefit–cost ratio (BCR), net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) from the analyses. Results demonstrate that in the city of Astana, WI has the potential to reduce more than 200,000 tonnes of GHG per year, while LFG could reduce slightly less than 40,000 tonnes. LFG offers a CEP 5.7% larger than WI, while the latter presents a BCR two times higher than LFG. WI technology analysis depicts a NPV exceeding 280% of the equity, while for LFG, the NPV is less than the equity, which indicates an expected remarkable financial return for the WI technology and a marginal and risky scenario for the LFG technology. Only existing landfill facilities with a LFG collection system in place may turn LFG into a viable project.
Compost maturity and nitrogen availability by co-composting of paddy husk and chicken manure amended with clinoptilolite zeolite
Authors: Latifah Omar , Ahmed Osumanu Haruna , Susilawati Kassim , Majid Nik Muhamad
Published: March 2015

The availability of paddy husk from rice processing plants remains high owing to increase in the worldwide rice consumption. Increasing demand for chicken products leads to poultry wastes production. Co-composting of the aforementioned wastes could solve the indiscriminate disposal of these wastes. Thus, co-composting of paddy husk and chicken slurry with clinoptilolite zeolite and urea as additive was carried out. Clinoptilolite zeolite was used to enhance ammonium and nitrate retention in the compost. Temperature of the compost was monitored three times daily for 55 days. Cation exchange capacity, organic matter, ash, humic acids, pH, total C, N, C/N ratio; total P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, NH4+, NO3−, and heavy metals contents were determined using standard procedures. pH, total N, humic acids, ash, NH4+, NO3−, P, Ca, Mg, and K contents increased but the salinity, heavy metals contents, and microbial population were low after the co-composting process. Zea mays L. (test crop) seed germination rate in distilled water and the compost were not significantly different. Growth of Spinach oleracea (test crop) on a peat-based growing medium and the compost was also not significantly different. These findings were possible because the clinoptilolite zeolite used in co-composting reduced accumulation of heavy metals that may have damage effects on the test crops. Mature compost with good agronomic properties can be produced by co-composting chicken slurry and paddy husk using clinoptilolite zeolite and urea as additives.
Victimization Profiles, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Suicide Attempt, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptomology
Authors: Dhingra Katie , Boduszek Daniel , Sharratt Kathryn
Published: March 2015

Few studies have incorporated multiple dimensions of victimization or examined whether victimization profiles differ by gender. Consequently, the present study sought to extend prior research by using latent class analysis (LCA) to identify naturally occurring subgroups of individuals who have experienced victimization, and to test for sex differences. Data from 4,016 females and 3,032 males in the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) were analyzed. Evidence of the existence of similar victimization subtypes for both males and females emerged, with a three-class solution providing the best fit to the data for both sexes. Furthermore, the classes were labeled “low victimization” (the baseline class; Class 3), the “high victimization class” (Class 1), and “the bullying and domestic violence class” (Class 2) for both males and females. Multinomial logistic regression was used to interpret the nature of the latent classes, or groups, by estimating the associations with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) dimensions, suicide attempt, and non-suicidal self-injury. Although different constellations of victimization experiences did not emerge through the gender-specific analyses, the nature of the associations between class membership and external variables differed between males and females. Findings highlight the heterogeneity of victimization experiences and their relations to functioning, and have implications for policy and practice implications.
Oleoresin Capsicum Spray and TASERs
Authors: Brandl Steven G. , Stroshine Meghan S.
Published: March 2015

In the last few decades, several less lethal forms of force have been introduced, adopted, and deployed by police agencies. Oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray is now used in nearly every department across the United States; the Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle (TASER) is used in the majority of police departments. Despite their widespread use, we still know relatively little about the factors associated with the use of OC spray and TASERs and the effectiveness of these weapons in incapacitating subjects. Knowing when these weapons are used and whether they are effective would provide for a more complete understanding of their strengths and limitations and inform the debate about where less lethal weapons should be placed on use of force continua. This article contributes to the discussion by analyzing 504 use-of-force incidents where the police used OC spray or TASERs during the event. Data were obtained from a large municipal police department on incidents that occurred in 2010 and 2011. Policy considerations and directions for further research are discussed.
The Impact of Genetics on Physical Resilience and Successful Aging
Authors: Resnick Barbara , Klinedinst N. Jennifer , Yerges-Armstrong Laura , Choi Eun Yong , Dorsey Susan G.
Published: March 2015

Objective: To better understand the impact of genetics on resilience and successful aging, we tested a model of successful aging. Method: This was a descriptive study with a single interview and blood draw done with residents in a continuing care retirement community. Five genes associated with resilience were included in the model. The hypothesis was tested using structural equation modeling. Results: A total of 116 participants completed the survey. Two SNPs from SLC6A4 (rs25533 and rs1042173) and age were the only variables associated with physical resilience and explained 9% of the variance. Cognitive status, age, and depression were directly associated with successful aging; variance in rs25532 or rs1042173, resilience, and pain were indirectly associated with successful aging through depression. Discussion: Continued research to replicate these findings is needed so as to be able to recognize older adults at risk of low physical resilience and implement appropriate interventions.
Examining the Risk Factors Associated With Hypertension Among the Elderly in Ghana
Authors: Boateng Godfred Odei , Luginaah Isaac N. , Taabazuing Mary-Margaret
Published: March 2015

Objective: This study sought to examine the risk factors associated with hypertension among the elderly in Ghana. We focused on the association between chronic diseases, socioeconomic factors, and being hypertensive. Method: Data for the study were drawn from Wave 1 of the 2007/2008 Ghana Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE). A binary logit model was used to estimate the effect of other noncommunicable diseases, psychosocial factors, lifestyle factors, and sociocultural and biosocial factors on the elderly being hypertensive. Results: Elderly Ghanaians who had been diagnosed with arthritis, angina, diabetes, and asthma were significantly more likely to be hypertensive. Additionally, those depressed were found to be 1.22 times more likely to be hypertensive. Discussion: Prevention and control of hypertension are complex and demand multistakeholder collaboration including governments, educational institutions, media, food and beverage industry, and a conscious focus on personal lifestyle factors.
Recognition and Cross-Cultural Communications as Motivators for Charitable Giving
Authors: Mason Dyana P.
Published: March 2015

Most models of charitable giving and volunteerism assume that individuals give to receive some type of benefit, which can range from the receipt of a small extrinsic reward (such as a material reward) to being rewarded with a feeling of doing good, a sense of pride, a strengthened reputation, or an expectation of reciprocity. One incentive that has been identified in the literature is image motivation, with mixed results to date. Utilizing a randomized controlled field experiment, I test the effect of image motivation, specifically a promise to publicly acknowledge participation, using a sample of low income and linguistically diverse households. Findings suggest that there is a significant effect of image motivation on participation, but not among all audiences. These findings should be instructive for both nonprofit practitioners and scholars who research charitable giving.
Design and position precision analysis of helicoids pushing chain mechanism
Authors: Zhang Leiyu , Yang Yang , Su Peng
Published: March 2015

The helicoids pushing chain mechanism is a novel telescopic mechanism used to push target from one position to another rapidly. The structure of the telescopic mechanism is developed and the basic design criteria are given. The position precision of the pushing chain influenced by various factors is very important to accomplish the task of pushing target. The mathematical model of position precision under the static condition is established in order to forecast the final effects and achieve some desired results by the machining. The influence of each factor is obtained through the numerical simulation. Furthermore, the bended deformation of the extended chain is calculated using the mechanics of materials method. According to the influences and the bended deformations, an error compensation method for a certain pushing distance is proposed so as to improve the position precision of chain head and achieve a satisfactory shape of the extended part. This research provides theoretical and methodological guidance for controlling machining errors and manufacturing of the pushing chain.
The personal construct and language: Toward a rehabilitation of Kelly’s “inner outlook”
Authors: Peck Blake
Published: March 2015

The core consideration with which George Kelly is concerned is distilled in his suggestion that the psychology of personal constructs represents an attempt to catch a glimpse of the person going about the business of being human. Whatever the business of being human is for Kelly, he is clear that he wishes to understand that business from the perspective of those who are going about it. To use Kelly’s words, he wants to take the perspective of the “inward outlook” and in so doing move away from the “outward inlook,” providing a radical rethink of the psychology that was contemporary of his time. This article will suggest that the unsophisticated way that Kelly dealt with language has implications for the theoretical carriage of this “inner outlook” and opens up Personal Construct Psychology to elaboration in the direction of a more sophisticated account of language. This article will culminate in a suggestion that Personal Construct Psychology make a more tight hermeneutic turn to Hermeneutic Constructivism.
Multi-state modelling of repeated hospitalisation and death in patients with heart failure: The use of large administrative databases in clinical epidemiology
Authors: Ieva Francesca , Jackson Christopher H , Sharples Linda D
Published: March 2015

In chronic diseases like heart failure (HF), the disease course and associated clinical event histories for the patient population vary widely. To improve understanding of the prognosis of patients and enable health care providers to assess and manage resources, we wish to jointly model disease progression, mortality and their relation with patient characteristics. We show how episodes of hospitalisation for disease-related events, obtained from administrative data, can be used as a surrogate for disease status. We propose flexible multi-state models for serial hospital admissions and death in HF patients, that are able to accommodate important features of disease progression, such as multiple ordered events and competing risks. Fully parametric and semi-parametric semi-Markov models are implemented using freely available software in R. The models were applied to a dataset from the administrative data bank of the Lombardia region in Northern Italy, which included 15,298 patients who had a first hospitalisation ending in 2006 and 4 years of follow-up thereafter. This provided estimates of the associations of age and gender with rates of hospital admission and length of stay in hospital, and estimates of the expected total time spent in hospital over five years. For example, older patients and men were readmitted more frequently, though the total time in hospital was roughly constant with age. We also discuss the relative merits of parametric and semi-parametric multi-state models, and model assessment and comparison.
A multi-layered variable stiffness device based on smart form closure actuators
Authors: Henke M , Gerlach G
Published: March 2015

This contribution describes the properties and limitations of multi-layered mechanical devices with variable flexural stiffness. Such structures are supposed to be components of new smart, self-sensing and self-controlling composite materials for lightweight constructions. To enable a proper stiffness control, reliable actuators with high actuation capabilities based on smart materials are used. Those actuators are either driven by electroactive polymers (EAPs) or shape memory alloy (SMA) wires. They control the area moment of inertia of the multi-layered bending structures. To change the area moment of inertia and, hence, the flexural stiffness of an multi-layered beam within a wide range, it is necessary to stack as many layers as possible over each other. The fundamental function of this approach is demonstrated with a three-layer stack consisting of three independent layers and four form closure actuators driven by SMAs. This experimental set-up was able to change its bending stiffness k by a factor of 14.6, with a minimum and maximum stiffness of kmin = 0.11 N mm−1 and kmax = 1.73 N mm−1, respectively. The usage of four independently controllable actuators yields nine independent flexural-stiffness states of the beam. Both analytical and numerical calculations have shown good agreement with the measured stiffness values.
Stability behavior of composite magnetorheological fluids by an induction method
Authors: Iglesias Guillermo R , Roldán Andrés , Reyes Luis , Rodríguez-Arco Laura , Durán Juan DG
Published: March 2015

In this work, we study the stability behavior of composite magnetorheological fluids consisting of magnetic (iron) and non-magnetic (poly(methylmethacrylate)) particles dispersed in mineral oil. Because of the opacity of the suspensions, optical methods traditionally employed for evaluation of the gravitational settling in colloidal suspensions are not suitable for sedimentation follow-up in this case. For this reason, we use an alternative method based on the evaluation of the resonant frequency of the inductance of a thin coil surrounding the sample. The movement of the coil along the height of the container at specified steps and time intervals allows obtaining information about the local volume fraction of particles inside the tube. The obtained successive profiles for the multi-component suspensions show a decrease of the iron particle settling and of the initial rate of settling as the poly(methylmethacrylate) volume fraction is increased. Finally, the increase of the poly(methylmethacrylate) concentration gives rise to an improvement of the rheological properties upon magnetic field application for a given concentration of iron. Both a strong rheological response and a good colloidal stability are essential for practical applications.
Emotional Intelligence, Information Elaboration, and Performance
Authors: Wang Shirley
Published: March 2015

This article explores the effects of emotional intelligence (EI) in a team setting. Informational diversity is theorized to moderate the relationship between team EI and performance. I propose that EI increases the ability of team members to engage each other in information elaboration and that elaboration leads to better performance when teams are informationally diverse. In a laboratory study of 47 teams, EI is positively related to performance in the informationally diverse but not homogeneous condition and that elaboration mediates this moderated relationship. The results speak to the importance of studying EI at the team level and considering its boundary conditions.
Designing and Teaching Business & Society Courses From a Threshold Concept Approach
Authors: Vidal Natalia , Smith Renae , Spetic Wellington
Published: March 2015

This article examines the redesign of an undergraduate course in Business & Society using a threshold concept approach. Business & Society courses may be troublesome for students because they depart from the premise that business is limited to creating value for shareholders. We argue that Business & Society courses contain a web of threshold concepts (i.e., ethics, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability) that need to be understood in unison. The redesigned course should help students understand our threshold conception that business has social, environmental, and economic responsibilities that are interconnected and interdependent. This study shows that multiple, interconnected theoretical concepts can serve as threshold conceptions in certain disciplines. In addition, we also demonstrate that progressive assessments throughout the course as well as empirical methods can help instructors identify student evolution through the liminal space.
The Self and Significant Others
Authors: Jakoby Nina R.
Published: March 2015

Losses are part of the human condition. And these losses are multifaceted—as diverse as human bonds can be. In this article, I review and analyze the diversity of loss experiences and the notion of loss of self. A sociology of loss illuminates the universes of meaning that refer to person/person, person/animal, or person/object relations and involve different kinds of losses that can be grieved. It also broaches the issue of the social regulation of losses and specific loss norms. Finally, I will present a general model that integrates the various perspectives on loss.
An Autoethnographic Inquiry Into the Experience of Grief After Traumatic Loss
Authors: McKenzie Eilidh Anna
Published: March 2015

This research is an inquiry into the experience of losing a loved one to murder. The topic is explored and expressed through the lens of autoethnography. The author explores and documents the process of recovery following the murder of her father. The article considers how healing and growth can emerge from tragedy. Implications for theory and research are discussed, and suggestions are made regarding therapeutic support for individuals who have experienced traumatic loss.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Cyclosporine in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients
Authors: Kim Myeong Gyu , Kim In-Wha , Choi Boyoon , Han Nayoung , Yun Hwi-Yeol , Park Seonyang , Oh Jung Mi
Published: March 2015

Background: Cyclosporine (CsA), which is used for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT), has a narrow therapeutic range and large interindividual and intraindividual pharmacokinetic variability. Nevertheless, population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) studies of CsA in allo-HSCT are scarce. Objective: The goal of our study was to build a PopPK model of CsA in allo-HSCT in consideration of demographic, clinical, and genetic polymorphisms data. Methods: A total of 34 adult allo-HSCT patients who received CsA were enrolled prospectively. Demographic, clinical, and CYP3A5 *1/*3, CYP2C19 *1/*2/*3, ABCB1 3435C>T, 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, ABCC2 -24C>T, 1249G>A, VDR Bsml, Apal polymorphisms data were collected. A PopPK modeling was conducted with NONMEM program. Results: A 1-compartment model with a 2-transit absorption compartment model was developed. After the stepwise covariate model building process, weight was incorporated into clearance (CL) as a power function model with the exponent value of 0.419. The final typical estimate of CL was 21.2 L/h; volume of distribution was 430 L; logit-transformed bioavailability was 1.49 (bioavailability: 81%); and transit compartment rate was 2.87/h. None of the genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A5, CYP2C19, ABCB1, ABCC2, and VDR were significant covariates in the pharmacokinetics of CsA. Conclusions: In our study, it was observed that weight had a significant effect on CL. Genetic polymorphisms did not affect CsA pharmacokinetics. Prospective studies with a larger number of participants is needed to validate the results of this study.