bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lo-fi Listening as Active Reception
Authors: Newton Elizabeth
Published: September 2016

Literature on sound reproduction is largely concerned with “high-fidelity” recording, despite a multiplicity of modes of recording in practice throughout history. As a result, histories of listening have often tacitly privileged standards of appreciation rooted in high-fidelity culture. In an attempt to expand our conception of different listening styles, the author draws attention to latent histories of low-fidelity listening, positing “lo-fi” as a receptive mode that appreciates amateur and failed musical performances, aestheticizes noise in soundscapes and encourages listeners to participate in the construction of sonic experience at the time of playback.
Average Is the New Loudest
Authors: Mulder Johannes
Published: September 2016

This article discusses new sound pressure level (SPL) measurement strategies in the context of live music. A brief overview of the introduction of loudness normalization in broadcast audio engineering precedes a discussion of using average sound levels in measurements at concerts. The article closes with a short analysis of the implications of these developments for the notion of agency in the sociotechnical domain of audio production.
Skirmish at the Oasis: On Sonic Disobedience
Authors: Nardone Michael
Published: September 2016

In this article the author theorizes how the idea of a sonic avant-garde resounds today. Focused on technics of noise and site specificity, the author describes the sounds and sites of the Idle No More round dance interventions of the winter of 2012–2013 and hears these protests via the dissonant transmission of the sonic practices and geographical-racial theories of the historical avant-garde.
Gendered Limitations on Women Property Owners: Three Women of Early Modern Cairo
Authors: Huffaker Shauna
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Women’s rights to be independent property owners in the pre-modern Islamic world can be overemphasized. This article explores the legal frameworks and social and familial customs that limited women’s ability to act as autonomous property owners in late Mamluk and early Ottoman Egypt. Three case studies of early modern women of different socio-economic status demonstrate how these limitations come into focus only when women’s ownership of property is tracked over the long term. These case studies and supporting material are drawn from sales and waqf endowment documents held at the Egyptian National Archives and the Archives of the Ministry of Religious Endowments.
Patterns of ecology and distribution of the tree crickets Oecanthus dulcisonans and O. pellucens (Orthoptera: Gryllidae; Oecanthinae) in southern Italy
Authors: LABADESSA ROCCO , TODISCO SIMONE
Published: September 2016

Ecological proclivities of the tree cricket Oecanthus dulcisonans, which has been recently separated from the well known O. pellucens, have been poorly investigated. Moreover, studies on the patterns driving niche segregation between these related species are still needed. This study aims to explore the role of macro-habitat in shaping the distribution of O. dulcisonans and O. pellucens in southern Italy. Occurrence data were sampled by means of a rapid acoustic survey scheme at a regional scale. The significance of difference in ecological and habitat parameters was tested between the two species. While confirming species behavioural patterns, new findings are provided with regard to their ecological difference. Species distribution proves to be primarily driven by elevation gradient and temperature variation, with O. dulcisonans common and widespread in warmer lowlands and O. pellucens limited to higher altitudes. The two species also show significant spatial segregation within vegetation layers. These findings also provide cues for future studies on species interaction, as well as for the assessment of a monitoring scheme which may help interpreting the effects of broad environmental changes.
Three new brackish-water thalassocypridine species (Crustacea: Ostracoda: Paracyprididae) from the Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan
Authors: HIRUTA SHIMPEI F. , KAKUI KEIICHI
Published: September 2016

We describe three new species of brackish-water ostracods representing two genera in the ostracod tribe Thalassocypridini from mangrove forests in the Ryukyu Islands, subtropical southwestern Japan, and provide their barcoding sequences for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Mangalocypria ryukyuensis sp. nov. was found on Okinawa Island. We also found a Mangalocypria population on Ishigaki Island that was morphologically identical to M. ryukyuensis on Okinawa, but an individual differed by 4.7% in COI sequence (K2P distance) from an individual from Okinawa. This is the first record for Japan of a species in Mangalocypria. Paracypria longiseta sp. nov., obtained from Okinawa Island, is similar to Pontoparta hartmanni. Paracypria plumosa sp. nov. from Ishigaki Island is similar to Pa. adnata described from Yakushima Island, Japan. The COI genetic distance between individuals of Pa. longiseta and Pa. plumosa was roughly as large as that between either of these species and individuals in the Mangalocypria populations. Our study underscores that genera in Thalassocypridini may not represent natural groups, and that this tribe needs taxonomic revision.
Diverse Relationship between ENSO and the Northwest Pacific Summer Climate among CMIP5 Models: Dependence on the ENSO Decay Pace
Authors: Jiang Wenping , Huang Gang , Hu Kaiming , Wu Renguang , Gong Hainan , Chen Xiaolong , Tao Weichen
Published: September 2016

The impacts of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the northwest Pacific (NWP) climate during ENSO decay summers are investigated based on the outputs of 37 coupled general circulation models (CGCMs) from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Large intermodel spread exists in the 37 state-of-the-art CGCMs in simulating the ENSO–NWP relationship. Eight high-skill and eight low-skill models are selected to explore how the bias arises. By comparing the results among high-skill models, low-skill models, and observations, the simulation skill of the ENSO–NWP relationship largely depends on whether the model can reasonably reproduce the ENSO decay pace. Warm SST anomaly bias in the equatorial western Pacific (EWP) is found to persist into the ENSO decay summer in the low-skill models, obstructing the formation of an anomalous anticyclone in the NWP. Further analysis shows that the warm EWP SST anomaly bias is possibly related to the excessive westward extension of cold tongue in these models, which increases climatological zonal SST gradient in the EWP. Under westerly wind anomalies, the larger climatological zonal SST gradient could lead to warmer zonal advections in the low-skill models than that in the high-skill models, which could lead to warm EWP SST anomaly bias in the low-skill models. And the warm EWP SST anomaly bias could strengthen westerly wind anomalies over the western Pacific by triggering convection and atmospheric Rossby waves, which, in turn, could maintain the warm SST anomaly bias in the EWP.
Simulation of Free-Surface Flow Using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) Method with Radiation Open Boundary Conditions
Authors: Ni Xingye , Sheng Jinyu , Feng Weibing
Published: September 2016

The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) technique is a mesh-free numerical method that has great potential to be used in the development of the next generation of numerical ocean models. The implementation of open and solid boundary conditions in the SPH method, however, is not as straightforward as the mesh-based numerical methods. Two types of open boundary conditions are considered in this study: the adaptive open boundary condition (AOBC) and Flather’s open boundary condition (FOBC). These two open boundary conditions are implemented in the SPH-based shallow-water equation (SWE) circulation model for simulating sea surface elevations and depth-mean currents over a limited area with open boundaries. The performance of these two open boundaries is assessed in four numerical test cases. In comparison with the conventional characteristic open boundary condition, both the AOBC and the FOBC allow perturbations to propagate out more effectively and are easy to implement with the specification of external flow conditions at the model open boundaries. The model results also demonstrate that the AOBC requires an accurate estimation of the phase speed of perturbations and could lead to a small drift in the mean water level. By comparison, the FOBC is computationally more efficient without any model drift. The SPH-based SWE circulation model is also used in simulating the laboratory observations of the 1993 Okushiri Tsunami. The numerical results in this case demonstrate the feasibility and capability of the SPH-based SWE model for simulating free-surface flows in regions with complicated bathymetry and irregular coastline.
Three-phase micromechanical analysis of residual stresses in reinforced fiber by carbon nanotubes
Authors: Ghasemi Ahmad Reza , Mohammadi Fesharaki Mohammad , Mohandes Masood
Published: September 2016

In this study, circular disk model and cylinder theory for two dimension (2D) and three dimension (3D), respectively, have been used to determine residual stresses in three-phase representative volume element. The representative volume element is consisting of three phases: carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, and polymer matrix, that carbon fiber is reinforced by carbon nanotube using electrophoresis method. Initially, the residual stresses analysis of two-phase representative volume element has been implemented. The two-phase representative volume element has been divided to carbon fiber and matrix phases with different volume fractions. In the three-phase representative volume element, although the volume fraction of carbon fiber is constant and equal to 60%, the volume fractions of carbon nanotubes for various cases are different as 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. Also, there are two different methods to reinforce the fiber according to different coefficients of thermal expansion of the carbon fiber and carbon nanotube in two longitudinal and transverse directions; carbon nanotubes are placed on carbon fiber either parallel or around it like a ring. Subsequently, finite element method and circular disk model have been used for analyzing micromechanic of the residual stresses for 2D and then the results of stress invariant obtained by the finite element method have been compared with the circular disk model. Moreover, for 3D model, the finite element method and cylinder theory have been utilized for micromechanical analysis of the residual stresses and the results of stress invariant obtained by them, have been compared with each other. Results of the finite element method and analytical model have good agreement in 2D and 3D models.
Sexual Partner Characteristics, Relationship Type, and HIV Risk Among a Community Venue–Based Sample of Urban Adolescent and Young Adult Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Boyer Cherrie B. , Greenberg Lauren , Korelitz James , Harper Gary W. , Stewart-Campbell Rachel , Straub Diane , Sanders Renata , Reid Lisa-Henry , Futterman Donna , Lee Sonia , Ellen Jonathan M. ,   The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions
Published: September 2016

Few studies have examined sexual partnerships and HIV risk in diverse samples of African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino adolescent and young adult men who have sex with men (YMSM), a group that have a high burden of HIV in the United States. A community–venue recruitment approach was used, which identified significant differences in HIV risk by sexual partner type among 1,215 YMSM. Those with casual partners had a higher number of sexual partners, had more sexually transmitted infections (STIs), were more likely to engage in transactional sex, and to use alcohol, marijuana, or other substances compared with those with main partners only. Among those with female sexual partners, many used condoms “every time” when engaging in vaginal sex with casual partners, but a sizable proportion “never/rarely” used condoms with their main partners. Our findings demonstrate a need for tailored HIV prevention education and counseling with necessary skills regarding consistent and correct condom use with all sexual partnerships.
Family economic status and parental involvement: Influences of parental expectation and perceived barriers
Authors: Wang Yiji , Deng Ciping , Yang Xiangdong
Published: September 2016

Parental involvement in children’s education is a critical factor associated with children’s socio-emotional and educational outcomes. However, low parental involvement occurs more often among economically disadvantaged families. It is unclear what mechanisms may explain the association between family economic status and parents’ educational involvement. Using a large low-income sample from northwestern China ( N = 12,724), we examined the influence of two proximal processes in parents – expectation for children’s highest educational attainment and perceived barriers to involve – in linking family economic status and the involvement of parents in children’s education. We also examined whether these relations may vary by parents’ level of education. Results of structural equation modeling suggested that parents’ expectation and perceived barriers mediated the relationship between family economic status and parental involvement. These relations were particularly prominent among highly educated mothers. Findings elucidate proximal processes in parents and highlight the unique effects of economic status and parents’ level of education in understanding the link between family economic status and parental educational involvement in Chinese families.
Anchor Selection Using the Wald Test Anchor-All-Test-All Procedure
Authors: Wang Mian , Woods Carol M.
Published: September 2016

Methods for testing differential item functioning (DIF) require that the reference and focal groups are linked on a common scale using group-invariant anchor items. Several anchor-selection strategies have been introduced in an item response theory framework. However, popular strategies often utilize likelihood ratio testing with all-others-as-anchors that requires multiple model fittings. The current study explored alternative anchor-selection strategies based on a modified version of the Wald χ2 test that is implemented in flexMIRT and IRTPRO, and made comparisons with methods based on the popular likelihood ratio test. Accuracies of anchor identification of four different strategies (two testing methods combined with two selection criteria), along with the power and Type I error associated with respective follow-up DIF tests, will be presented. Implications for applied researchers and suggestions for future research will be discussed.
Provincial Variation of Cochlear Implantation Surgical Volumes and Cost in Canada
Authors: Crowson Matthew G. , Chen Joseph M. , Tucci Debara
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To investigate provincial cochlear implantation (CI) annual volume and cost trends.

Study Design

Database analysis.

Setting

National surgical volume and cost database.

Subjects and Methods

Aggregate‐level provincial CI volumes and cost data for adult and pediatric CI surgery from 2005 to 2014 were obtained from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Population‐level aging forecast estimates were obtained from the Ontario Ministry of Finance and Statistics Canada. Linear fit, analysis of variance, and Tukey’s analyses were utilized to compare variances and means.

Results

The national volume of annual CI procedures is forecasted to increase by <30 per year (R2 = 0.88). Ontario has the highest mean annual CI volume (282; 95% confidence interval, 258‐308), followed by Alberta (92.0; 95% confidence interval, 66.3‐118), which are significantly higher than all other provinces (P <. 05 for each). Ontario’s annual CI procedure volume is forecasted to increase by <11 per year (R2 = 0.62). Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have the highest CI procedures per 100,000 residents as compared with all other provinces (P <. 05). Alberta, Newfoundland, and Manitoba have the highest estimated implantation cost of all provinces (P <. 05).

Conclusions

Historical trends of CI forecast modest national volume growth. Potential bottlenecks include provincial funding and access to surgical expertise. The proportion of older adult patients who may benefit from a CI will rise, and there may be insufficient capacity to meet this need. Delayed access to CI for pediatric patients is also a concern, given recent reports of long wait times for CI surgery.
The SCN Clock Governs Circadian Transcription Rhythms in Murine Epididymal White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Kolbe Isa , Husse Jana , Salinas Gabriela , Lingner Thomas , Astiz Mariana , Oster Henrik
Published: September 2016

The circadian master pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) orchestrates peripheral clocks in various organs and synchronizes them with external time, including those in adipose tissue, which displays circadian oscillations in various metabolic and endocrine outputs. Because our knowledge about the instructive role of the SCN clock on peripheral tissue function is based mainly on SCN lesion studies, we here used an alternative strategy employing the Cre/ loxP system to functionally delete the SCN clock in mice. We performed whole-genome microarray hybridizations of murine epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) RNA preparations to characterize the role of the SCN clock in eWAT circadian transcriptome regulation. Most of the rhythmic transcripts in control animals were not rhythmic in SCN mutants, but a significant number of transcripts were rhythmic only in mutant eWAT. Core clock genes were rhythmic in both groups, but as was reported before for other tissues, rhythms were dampened and phase advanced in mutant animals. In SCN-mutant mice, eWAT lost the rhythm of metabolic pathway–related transcripts, while transcripts gaining rhythms in SCN-mutant mice were associated with various immune functions. These data reveal a complex interaction of SCN-derived and local circadian signals in the regulation of adipose transcriptome programs.
Influence of Surfactants on the properties of electroless nickel boron (thallium and lead-free) coatings
Authors: Vijayanand M , Elansezhian R
Published: September 2016

Electroless nickel boron coatings were prepared from thallium and lead-free alkaline bath. The influence of surfactants on the properties of electroless nickel boron coatings was studied. Three surfactants namely sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide and 3-(N, N–Dimethylmyristylammonio) propanesulfonate were used. Morphology, microhardness, surface finish, topography and corrosion resistance of the coatings were evaluated. Electroless nickel boron coatings with addition of surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide and 3-(N, N-Dimethylmyristylammonio) propanesulfonate results in a smooth surface, with an average roughness value (Ra) of 0.220 µm for cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, 0.198 µm for sodium dodecyl sulfate and 0.174 µm for 3-(N, N-Dimethylmyristylammonio) propanesulfonate which are less than the Ra without surfactant addition (0.256 µm). The deposits had a microhardness value of 590 and 743 HV in the as-plated and heat-treated conditions, respectively. With addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide and 3-(N, N-Dimethylmyristylammonio) propanesulfonate, a significant improvement in the microhardness is observed. Potentiodynamic polarization tests were carried out in 3.5 wt% NaCl to determine the real anticorrosion performance of the electroless nickel boron deposits. The entire experimental procedure, the results achieved, and their investigation are presented in this paper.
Impact of Globalisation on Mental Health in Low- and Middle-income Countries
Authors: Sharma Sagar
Published: September 2016

The paper presents a critical review of core social and psychological determinants of mental health from a life-course perspective which operate at micro (individual) and macro (societal–structural) levels in the context of globalisation using the World Health Organization–Commission on Social Determinants of Health conceptual framework. It analyses how globalisation-induced changes implicate social and psychological variables that impact upon inequities in mental health and well-being. Mental health outcomes relating to four core determinants—deepening poverty and inequalities, migrations, rapid and uncontrollable socio-cultural value change and identity diffusion—are focused on. The overall evidence shows that these core determinants have pernicious effects on mental health and well-being often leading to common mental disorders (CMDs). Mental health protection and promotion efforts necessitate multisectoral, holistic, culturally responsible actions that equip people and communities to cope better with stressors created by the globalised world.
Ethical and Safety Issues in Doing Sex Work Research: Reflections From a Field-Based Ethnographic Study in Kolkata, India
Authors: Sinha Sunny
Published: September 2016

While much has been said about the risks and safety issues experienced by female sex workers in India, there is a considerable dearth of information about the difficulties and problems that sex work researchers, especially female researchers, experience when navigating the highly political, ideological, and stigmatized environment of the Indian sex industry. As noted by scholars, there are several methodological and ethical issues involved with sex work research, such as privacy and confidentiality of the participants, representativeness of the sample, and informed consent. Yet, there has been reluctance among scholars to comment on their research process, especially with regard to how they deal with the protocols for research ethics when conducting social and behavioral epidemiological studies among female sex workers in India and elsewhere. Drawing on my 7 months of field-based ethnographic research with “flying” or non-brothel-based female sex workers in Kolkata, India, I provide in this article a reflexive account of the problems encountered in implementing the research process, particularly the ethical and safety issues involved in gaining access and acceptance into the sex industry and establishing contact and rapport with the participants. In doing so, it is my hope that future researchers can develop the knowledge necessary for the design of ethical and non-exploitative research projects with sex workers.
The Protective Effect of Poloxamer-188 on Platelet Functions
Authors: Guler Nil , Abro Schuharazad , Emanuele Marty , Iqbal Omer , Hoppensteadt Debra , Fareed Jawed
Published: September 2016

Background:

Poloxamer-188 (MST-188) is effective in the repair/recovery of damaged cell membranes. MST-188 is a promising agent for protecting blood cell viability. The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that MST-188 can extend the duration of platelet function.

Materials and Methods:

Blood samples were collected from 20 healthy volunteers. MST-188 (10 or 2 mg/mL) containing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was prepared with 2 procedures. First, PRP prepared from MST-188 added whole blood (WB); second, MST-188 was added to PRP. These were referred to MST-188-WB preparation (WBP) and MST-188-PRP preparation (PRPP), respectively. For control, saline was used in the same manner. Agonist-induced aggregation (AIA) studies were performed at 30, 180, and 300 minutes using Platelet Aggregation Profiler (PAP-8) aggregometer (Bio/Data Corporation, Horsham, Pennsylvania) and Adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid, collagen, and epinephrine as agonists at final concentration of 20 µM, 500 µg/mL, 0.19 mg/mL, and 100 µM, respectively.

Results:

There was a protective effect of MST-188 on ADP and collagen AIA. At 300 minutes, ADP AIA was found to be 50.2% higher than saline control in 2-mg WBP, 43% at 10-mg PRPP, and 10.4% at 2-mg PRPP. Protective effect of on collagen AIA was 65.9% in 2-mg WBP, 42.74% at 10-mg PRPP, and 11.42% at 2-mg PRPP. In comparison between 30 and 300 minutes, MST-188 showed significant protection in terms of ADP and collagen receptors and for both types of preparations (WBP and PRPP).

Conclusion:

The protective effects of MST-188 on ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation may contribute to the preservation of platelet functionality upon storage in blood banks.
Do Residents of Low-Income Communities Trust Organizations to Speak on Their Behalf? Differences by Organizational Type
Authors: Park Sunggeun (Ethan) , Mosley Jennifer E. , Grogan Colleen M.
Published: September 2016

Low-income people of color in urban communities have been found to suffer from high levels of political inequality and poor political representation. To make policy more responsive and accountable, neighborhood organizations are often solicited to serve as informal community representatives in local decision-making processes. Given this reliance on nonelected representatives, we ask, Do community residents believe neighborhood organizations are legitimate representatives of their interests? Using survey data from residents of the South Side of Chicago, this article demonstrates that residents’ trust in organizations as representatives varies significantly by organizational type. Specifically, community organizations, religious congregations, and schools are rated as more trustworthy to speak on behalf of the community than local elected officials. These findings hold relatively constant across a variety of individual- and community-level differences, implying that this preference is widespread and may extend to other vulnerable urban communities in the United States.
The Features of Comorbidity of Childhood ADHD in Patients With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Çelebi Fahri , Koyuncu Ahmet , Ertekin Erhan , Alyanak Behiye , Tükel Raşit
Published: September 2016

Objective: Our aim is to investigate the impact of childhood ADHD comorbidity on the clinical features of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Method: Ninety-five adult outpatients with a diagnosis of OCD were assessed by using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children–Present and Lifetime Version, ADHD module, and the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Patients with or without childhood ADHD were compared in terms of the sociodemographic and clinical features, psychiatric comorbidities, and rating scales. Results: The rate of episodic course of OCD ( p < .001), religious and sexual obsessions ( p = .009, p = .020, respectively), lifetime comorbidity of bipolar disorder (BD), social anxiety disorder (SAD; p = .001, p = .009, respectively), and tic disorder (TD) comorbidity ( p < .001) were higher in the OCD + ADHD group than in the OCD without ADHD group. Conclusion: Childhood ADHD may be associated with higher rates of BD, SAD, and TD comorbidity and episodic course of OCD as well as higher frequency of certain types of obsessions.
Mothers’ Attributions for Positive and Negative Child Behavior: Associations With Mothers’ ADHD Symptoms
Authors: Park Joanne L. , Johnston Charlotte
Published: September 2016

Objective: Previous research has shown that parent attributions for child behavior have important implications on the parent–child relationship. The current study investigates whether mothers’ level of ADHD symptoms is associated with their child-responsibility attributions for positive and negative child behavior. Method: Seventy-nine mothers of 6- to 11-year-old boys participated in this online study. Mothers completed questionnaires assessing their attributions, their ADHD symptoms, and their child’s behavior. Results: All mothers offered more child-responsibility attributions for positive behaviors than for negative behaviors. However, mothers with greater levels of ADHD symptoms did this to a lesser extent, blaming their child relatively more for negative behavior and giving their child relatively less credit for positive behavior. Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating the association between mothers’ ADHD symptoms and child-responsibility attributions. It is possible that these relatively more negative attributions could be underlying some of the parenting difficulties reported by parents with ADHD.
Sick leave and disability pension before and after diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Landfeldt Erik , Castelo-Branco Anna , Svedbom Axel , Löfroth Emil , Kavaliunas Andrius , Hillert Jan
Published: September 2016

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with considerable morbidity and serious disability, but little is known of the long-term impact of the disease on work ability.

Objectives:

To assess sick leave (short-term absence) and disability pension (long-term absence) before and after diagnosis of MS.

Methods:

Patients with MS in Sweden were identified in a nationwide disease-specific register and matched with general population controls. Sick leave and disability pension were measured before and after index (i.e. the MS diagnosis date).

Results:

The final sample comprised 6092 patients and 60,345 controls (mean age 39 years; 70% female). The mean annual prevalence of sick leave ranged from 12% the first year after index to 23% after 11 years among patients and from 13% to 13% among controls. Corresponding estimates for disability pension were 12% and 55% for patients and 7% and 9% for controls. Significant differences in sick leave were observed up to 15 years before index and 3 years for disability pension.

Conclusion:

Patients with MS in Sweden have elevated levels of sick leave and disability pension up to 15 years before disease diagnosis. Our results highlight the burden of disease on affected patients and society and underscore the substantial unmet medical need.
Between assessments, digital technologies and big data: The growing influence of ‘hidden’ data mediators in education
Authors: Hartong Sigrid
Published: September 2016

The past few decades have witnessed a global enforcement of ‘governance by data’ in education policy, including a significant increase of assessments and quantified evaluation. Within this context, this article focuses particularly on the intensifying evolvement of new (digital) information technologies and ‘mediated’ infrastructures of data flows. The premise is that such technologies and actors of mediation reveal a crucial potential for implementing a new mode of digitalized governmentality in education, which, as ‘governance by big data’, reaches far beyond policy, into educational administration, school practice and individual learning activities.

The strategic mediation of (big) data in education (such as that generated through assessments) involves actors, structures and technologies that operate between policy, politics, administration, schools and individuals as well as between data production, consumption and the data itself, for example by applying practices of data visualization or technical data services around software and databases. However, as this article seeks to demonstrate, such mediators comprise various types of actors who operate very differently within the diverse sectors of education policy, indicating a highly ambiguous yet powerful composition of digitalized governmentality.
Dynamic capabilities, subnational environment, and university technology transfer
Authors: Yuan Changhong , Li Yang , Vlas Cristina O. , Peng Mike W.
Published: September 2016

University technology transfer allows universities to extract benefits from their research. We examine how universities can create and capture value from their technology creation and technology commercialization efforts by embracing a dynamic capabilities perspective. Our longitudinal analysis involves 829 universities and 3908 university-year observations in 30 subnational regions (provinces) in China during a 6-year period. Our findings reveal (1) that universities create more ideas and capture more licensing value through dynamic management and active orchestration of assets, (2) that a developed factor market accelerates value creation and commercialization, and (3) that a developed institutional environment at the subnational level stimulates value creation but inhibits value capture. These interesting findings justify a dynamic capabilities perspective of the university technology transfer process while opening avenues for future research.
Addressing Intimate Partner Violence With Latina Women: A Call for Research
Authors: Alvarez Carmen , Fedock Gina
Published: September 2016

Latina women, especially those who are immigrants, have an increased vulnerability to intimate partner violence, yet they also have a low rate of using formal services (i.e. health care and legal services). Existing research focused on Latina women’s help seeking for intimate partner violence has identified multiple factors, such as the presence of children, cultural values, and type of victimization, that influence women’s formal help seeking. Immigrant Latina women in particular commonly report many barriers to formal services; however, heterogeneity and nuanced patterns of help seeking exist across Latina survivors. While research has focused mainly on understanding factors that are barriers to help seeking by Latina women, there is an overwhelming dearth of research about interventions and factors that facilitate effective help-seeking experiences for Latina IPV survivors. In an effort to improve Latina IPV survivors’ access to services, we examine the gaps in research across dimensions of access to care (i.e. availability, affordability, accessibility, accommodation, and acceptability of services). Research within each of these facets of access to services for Latina survivors is lacking. This brief commentary illustrates the sparse data to inform evidence based interventions for Latina IPV survivors and is a call for research in order to determine best practices and to move the knowledge base from the vast descriptive base to evidence-based, culturally appropriate and acceptable interventions.
MicroRNA 4323 induces human bladder smooth muscle cell proliferation under cyclic hydrodynamic pressure by activation of erk1/2 signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Yi , Luo Deyi , Zhu Yuchun , Wang Kunjie
Published: September 2016

We cultivated human bladder smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) under pressures of 0 or 200 cm H2O pressure for 24 h, before using microarray technology to extract and analyze the different expressions of miRNAs and mRNAs in the two groups. We also predicted the target mRNA of the miDNA and performed functional forecasting. Changes in miRNA were identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) after overexpressing miRNA by transfection. We used flow cytometry to examine HBSMC proliferation, and we used qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses to quantify the expression and activation of mRNAs and proteins. There were nine upregulated and four downregulated miRNAs involved in cell proliferation, including miR 4323, which was identified by qRT-PCR ( p = 0.027). In addition, miR 4323 was shown to inhibit LYN ( p = 0.031), decrease lyn kinase ( p = 0.037), and promotes the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) ( p = 0.004). Moreover, overexpression of miR 4323 activated the proliferation pathway regulated by Erk1/2. Then, miR 4323 was shown to stimulate the proliferation of HBSMCs, with the proliferation index improving from 30.84 ± 4.57 to 52.13 ± 3.41 ( p = 0.001). In summary, when the miRNA miR 4323 was overexpressed under cyclic hydrodynamic pressure, LYN is decreased and the Erk1/2 signaling pathway is activated; in addition, miR 4323 is involved in HBSMC proliferation when under hydrodynamic pressure.
A location-dependent task assignment mechanism in vehicular crowdsensing
Authors: Rui Lanlan , Zhang Pan , Huang Haoqiu , Qiu Xuesong
Published: September 2016

The development of modern vehicles equipped with various sensors and wireless communication has been the impetus for vehicular crowdsensing applications, which can be used to complete large-scale and complex social sensing tasks such as monitoring road surfaces condition. However, most of the sensing tasks are closely related with specific location and required to be performed in certain area, and in this article, we have proved these kind of location-based optimal task assignment to be an NP-hard (non-deterministic polynomial-time hard) problem. To solve this challenge, we first establish mathematical model of multi-vehicle collaborative task assignment problem, considering vehicle’s time budget constraint, location, and multiple requirements of sensing tasks. And we propose an approximation location-based task assignment mechanism for it, which is composed of two parts: the first part is to determine the allocating order among engaged vehicles and the second part is to schedule optimal sensing path for single vehicle, which in this article we propose an optimal sensing path scheduling algorithm to finish this task. Using Lingo software, we prove the efficiency of the proposed optimal sensing path scheduling algorithm. Extensive simulation results also demonstrate correctness and effectiveness of our approach.
Effect of thermobalancing therapy on chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Authors: Allen Simon , Aghajanyan Ivan G
Published: September 2016

Background:

Type-III chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is the most common type of prostatitis.

Patients and methods:

We ascertained the effect of ‘thermobalancing’ therapy (TT; using Dr Allen’s therapeutic device (DATD)) on CP/CPPS. We measured National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) scores, prostatic volume (PV), and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) in one group of 45 patients who underwent TT and a control group that did not have TT, and compared these parameters between groups.

Results:

Baseline evaluation (pretreatment) of both groups showed no significant difference with regard to age, NIH-CPSI score, PV or Qmax. Pain score decreased in both groups but, in the treatment group, the difference between scores was considerably higher (8.72:1) than that of the non-treatment group. TT decreased quality of life (QoL) significantly whereas, in the control group, it decreased QoL slightly. TT reduced PV significantly whereas, in the control group, PV increased. TT increased Qmax significantly in CP/CPPS patients whereas, in the control group, TT did not elicit a significant change in Qmax.

Conclusions:

Six-month TT with DATD: (a) reduces CP/CPPS symptoms and improves QoL; (b) reduces PV; (c) increases Qmax. TT could be effective treatment for CP/CPPS.
Small moments in Spatial Big Data: Calculability, authority and interoperability in everyday mobile mapping
Authors: Wilmott Clancy
Published: September 2016

This article considers how Spatial Big Data is situated and produced through embodied spatial experiences as data processes appear and act in small moments on mobile phone applications and other digital spatial technologies. Locating Spatial Big Data in the historical and geographical contexts of Sydney and Hong Kong, it traces how situated knowledges mediate and moderate the rising potency of discourses of cartographic reason and data logics as colonial cartographic imaginations expressed in land divisions and urban planning continue on, in a world that increasingly values models of calculability, interoperability and authority. It draws on ethnographic material gathered through walking interviews in both cities, and in doing so, it argues that by using ethnographic ‘moments’, it is possible to decentre the focus on data processes to consider the critical potential of a politics of everyday experiences that produce and reflect the structures of data logics. Through these ethnographic moments, this article examines how mobile technologies are complicit in the production of Spatial Big Data, and the impact this has on the increasing regimentation and surveillance of modes of being and expression via mobile media. At the same time, it will argue that while spatial calculability has expanded from cartographic reason into data logics, the epistemological universality of Spatial Big Data is constantly being resisted – in moments of experimentation, failure, intuition, memory and desire, the ghosts of the incalculable epistemes, experiences and people, forgotten by the emphasis on calculation, continue to speak.
Adult pulmonary tuberculosis as a pathological manifestation of hyperactive antimycobacterial immune response
Authors: Kumar Pawan
Published: September 2016

The intricate relationship between tuberculosis (TB) and immune system remains poorly understood. It is generally believed that weakening of the immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis leads to reactivation of latent infection into the active pulmonary disease. However, heterogeneous nature of TB and failure of rationally designed vaccines in clinical trials raises serious questions against the simplistic view of TB as an outcome of weakened immunity. In the wake of accumulating human TB data, it is argued here that a hyperactive antimycobacterial immune response is to blame for the pathogenesis of pulmonary TB in immunocompetent adults. Direct and indirect evidence supporting this notion is presented in this article. Revisiting the role of immune system in TB pathogenesis will pave the way for effective anti‐TB vaccines.
Women’s revealing Halloween costumes: other-objectification and sexualization
Authors: Lennon Sharron J. , Zheng Zhiying , Fatnassi Aziz
Published: September 2016

Women are depicted in revealing dress in the media and the depictions have costs such as objectification. Objectification theory explains that women in Westernized cultures are looked at, evaluated, and potentially objectified by others. Accordingly, objectifying gaze (by others) evokes self-objectification which has effects such as habitual body and appearance monitoring. According to the theory being objectified by others precedes self-objectification, which suggests that objectification by others could be more prevalent than self-objectification and potentially just as harmful. Researchers have found that self-objectification and other-objectification can be induced by revealing dress manipulations that vary in tightness or body coverage. We studied Halloween costumes as a site for objectification of others. In Study 1, 124 pairs of men’s and women’s Halloween costumes were content analyzed. Women’s costumes were significantly more revealing than men’s in tightness and body coverage. Since sexual objectification in the media is assessed by the presence of revealing dress in media depictions, we reasoned that women’s revealing Halloween costumes could be sexually objectifying. In Study 2, 295 participants rated women wearing revealing or non-revealing costumes in an online experiment. Women wearing revealing costumes were sexually objectified by participants. Although men rated costumed women higher on the sexually objectifying traits than women, both men and women objectified the costumed women in the revealing dress condition. Dress researchers may wish to apply objectification theory to re-interpret and explain early research on revealing dress.
Novel Methodology for Comparing Standard-of-Care Interventions in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Hilton John , Mazzarello Sasha , Fergusson Dean , Joy Anil A. , Robinson Andrew , Arnaout Angel , Hutton Brian , Vandermeer Lisa , Clemons Mark
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

The current clinical trials development and conduct process is cumbersome and expensive, with the majority of studies focusing on either the development of new agents or new indications for established agents. Unfortunately, research comparing standard-of-care interventions is rarely performed, leaving many important and practical patient-centered questions unanswered. Novel clinical trial methodologies and approaches are needed.

Methods:

We have identified simple key components that, when combined, enhance the ability to both perform and increase accrual for studies that compare standard-of-care interventions. These include selection of clinically relevant and practical questions, demonstration of clinical equipoise through surveys of knowledge users and completion of systematic reviews, appropriate study design and simply defined study end points, use of an integrated consent model incorporating oral consent, efficient research ethics board approval, Web-based randomization in the clinic, real-time electronic data capture and management, and regular formal team feedback.

Results:

We have demonstrated the feasibility of this model in a pragmatic trial comparing two standard-of-care interventions (growth factor support or ciprofloxacin) for the primary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia in patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant docetaxel with cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Research ethics board approval took 3 months, and 110 (72%) of 153 potentially eligible patients have agreed to participate in the study. When surveyed, 81 (85%) of 95 patients were completely satisfied with the integrated consent model process.

Conclusion:

Our proposed model contains elements that, when used alone or in combination, may allow efficient and cost-effective comparison of standard-of-care interventions.
Deploying Team Science Principles to Optimize Interdisciplinary Lung Cancer Care Delivery: Avoiding the Long and Winding Road to Optimal Care
Authors: Osarogiagbon Raymond U. , Rodriguez Hector P. , Hicks Danielle , Signore Raymond S. , Roark Kristi , Kedia Satish K. , Ward Kenneth D. , Lathan Christopher , Santarella Scott , Gould Michael K. , Krasna Mark J.
Published: September 2016

The complexity of lung cancer care mandates interaction between clinicians with different skill sets and practice cultures in the routine delivery of care. Using team science principles and a case-based approach, we exemplify the need for the development of real care teams for patients with lung cancer to foster coordination among the multiple specialists and staff engaged in routine care delivery. Achieving coordinated lung cancer care is a high-priority public health challenge because of the volume of patients, lethality of disease, and well-described disparities in quality and outcomes of care. Coordinating mechanisms need to be cultivated among different types of specialist physicians and care teams, with differing technical expertise and practice cultures, who have traditionally functioned more as coactively working groups than as real teams. Coordinating mechanisms, including shared mental models, high-quality communication, mutual trust, and mutual performance monitoring, highlight the challenge of achieving well-coordinated care and illustrate how team science principles can be used to improve quality and outcomes of lung cancer care. To develop the evidence base to support coordinated lung cancer care, research comparing the effectiveness of a diverse range of multidisciplinary care team approaches and interorganizational coordinating mechanisms should be promoted.