bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Religion Enters the Counseling Group
Authors: Cornish Marilyn A. , Wade Nathaniel G. , Tucker Jeritt R. , Post Brian C.
Published: March 2014

Religion is a diversity factor that comprises a significant component of identity for many clients. However, little attention has been paid to religion in the context of group counseling, especially process-oriented, nonthemed groups with heterogeneous membership. Using multicultural, process-oriented, and social justice theories of groups, we demonstrate the myriad ways religion is relevant to and influential in group counseling work. Together, these theories provide a solid justification for the need to ethically and effectively attend to religion in group work. Furthermore, they provide a strong foundation for developing counseling expertise in this area by highlighting typical conflicts, group dynamics, and needs that arise when religion is addressed in groups. Based on our review, we provide practical and ethical implications to assist group leaders in addressing religion in their group counseling work.
Visually Guided Tracking on a Handheld Device
Authors: Hölzle Patricia , Tatarau Christian , Hermsdörfer Joachim
Published: March 2014

Objective:

We introduced a new visually controlled tracking task that can be assessed on a handheld device in shift workers to evaluate time-of-day dependent modulations in visuomotor performance.

Background:

Tracking tasks have been used to predict performance fluctuations depending on time of day mainly under laboratory conditions. One challenge to an extended use at the actual working site is the complex and fixed test setup consisting of a test unit, a monitor, and a manipulation object, such as a joystick.

Method:

Participants followed an unpredictably moving target on the screen of a handheld device with an attachable stylus. A total of 11 shift workers (age range: 20–59, mean: 33.64, standard deviation: 10.56) were tested in the morning, the evening, and the night shift in 2-hr intervals with the tracking task and indicated their fatigue levels on visual analogue scales. We evaluated tracking precision by calculating the mean spatial deviation from the target for each session.

Results:

Tracking precision was significantly influenced by the interaction between shift and session, suggesting a clear time-of-day effect of visuomotor performance under real-life conditions. Tracking performance declined during early-morning hours whereas fatigue ratings increased.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that our setup is suitable to detect time-of-day dependent performance changes in visually guided tracking.

Application:

Our task could be used to evaluate fluctuations in visuomotor coordination, a skill that is decisive in various production steps at the actual working place to assess productivity.
Factors related to help-seeking attitudes about professional mental health services among Jamaican immigrants
Authors: Yorke Cordelle B , Voisin Dexter R , Baptiste Donna
Published: March 2014

Using survey data collected from 115 first-generation Jamaican immigrants residing in New York City, this study identified factors that were associated with their attitudes toward seeking professional mental health services. Results indicated that persons reporting psychological distress, negative stigma and attributions about mental illness, and positive social support from friends were less likely than their counterparts to report positive attitudes towards professional mental health services. Implications of the study are discussed in relation to these findings.
Making uncertainty explicit
Authors: Weidmann Nils B , Rød Espen Geelmuyden
Published: March 2014

When coding events from media sources – as the majority of data projects do – different reports may oftentimes contain contradictory information. What do coders make of this? It is up to them to aggregate different reports into one coded event, and to supplement missing information based on other sources or their own background information. If not addressed properly, this may lead to a lack of replicability and to low reliability of the final data product. In this short article, we present an approach for separating (i) event reports and the information contained in them, and (ii) events, which are based on aggregate information from the reports and constitute the final data product. Our procedure preserves uncertainty arising from multiple reports and gives the user control over how missing and conflicting information should be dealt with. We illustrate our procedure with data from a current coding project, the Mass Mobilization in Autocracies Database (MMAD).
Tensile impact damage behaviors of co-woven-knitted composite materials with a simplified microstructure model
Authors: Sun Baozhong , Pan Hong , Gu Bohong
Published: March 2014

The tensile damage behaviors of co-woven-knitted (CWK) composite materials under high strain rates were investigated with a simplified microstructure model. In the microstructure model, the knitted structure is homogenized with the resin in the CWK composite. Then the CWK composite was simplified as a woven structure reinforced homogenized knitted composite. In the woven composite, the mechanical properties of the resin were calculated from a homogenized, knitted-structure, reinforced composite. With this homogenization of the knitted component, the CWK composite is transformed as a woven composite. The tensile behaviors of the CWK composite under high strain rates were predicted with the finite element method (FEM) at the woven composite level. The stress–time curves and the damage fractures of the CWK composite along the warp direction (0°), the diagonal direction (45°) and the weft direction (90°) under various strain rates were obtained and compared with those from the experiments. The influences of the strain rate on the tensile behaviors of the CWK composites were analyzed both from the experiments and the FEM results. It was shown that FEM results and experimental results were in good agreement in terms of strength and failure morphology prediction. It was concluded that the simplified model and the methodology developed are suitable for the design of other kinds of hybrid-structure composite under both quasi-static and impact loading by homogenizing some parts of the reinforcing materials.
Loading rate effects on dynamic out-of-plane yarn pull-out
Authors: Guo Zherui , Hong Jihye , Zheng James , Chen Weinong
Published: March 2014

In this study, the mechanical response of a single yarn pull-out from single layers of Kevlar® and Twaron® fabric under out-of-plane loading at both quasi-static and dynamic rates was experimentally investigated. In order to perform the dynamic experiments, a pendulum impact setup was designed and constructed to pull out a single yarn dynamically. The pull-out load was measured directly by a load cell and the movement of the fabric was measured to portray the load–displacement history. The effects of transverse pressure, different weave direction, and loading rates were also investigated.
Effect of hot drawing on the structure and properties of novel polyamide 5,6 fibers
Authors: Eltahir Yassir A. , Saeed Haroon A. M. , Yuejun Chen , Xia Yumin , Yimin Wang
Published: March 2014

Polyamide 5,6 (PA 5,6) fibers were prepared using the melt-spinning method. The effects of draw ratio and temperature on the structure and properties of PA 5,6 fibers were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction, sonic velocity and tensile test measurements. DSC results revealed that the melting temperature showed no considerable variation, while the heat of fusion increased with increments with draw ratio and temperature. It was found that the crystallinity and crystal size of PA 5,6 fibers were directly proportional to the draw ratio and temperature and the orientation factor increases as expected upon drawing. The tenacity and Young's modulus were found to be increased, while the elongation at break decreased with the draw ratio and temperature. The improvement in mechanical properties may be attributed to the increase of orientation along the fiber axis and the crystallinity.
Cellulose polymorphs and physical properties of cotton fabrics processed with commercial textile mills for mercerization and liquid ammonia treatments
Authors: Kafle Kabindra , Greeson Kenneth , Lee Christopher , Kim Seong H
Published: March 2014

We report the detection of cellulose polymorphs, using spectroscopic and diffraction techniques, in cotton fabrics treated with commercial textile mill processes designed for better dyeing and mechanical properties. Vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy analysis of cotton is known to be selective and sensitive to the crystalline cellulose portion in the sample. The SFG analysis results were compared with the results from conventional analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The XRD detection of a small fraction of cellulose II present in the partially-mercerized fabric was difficult, while SFG and IR analysis indicated the partial conversion of cellulose I to II without significant reduction of the cellulose crystallinity. Processing the cotton fabric with the liquid-ammonia treatment mill caused partial conversion of cellulose I to III and significant reduction of the overall crystallinity of cellulose. All XRD, SFG, and IR techniques were able to monitor this conversion. When the cotton fabric was treated with the partial mercerization process first and then the liquid-ammonia process, both cellulose II and cellulose III were produced and identified with SFG. But XRD and IR failed to detect the presence of cellulose II in the mercerized and ammonia-treated fabric. The polymorphic changes found in the SFG, XRD, and IR analyses provided insights into the physical property changes of cotton fabric after commercial mercerization and liquid-ammonia treatment processes.
Polyethylene terephthalate/chitosan tubular knits made by using a freeze-drying method
Authors: Lin Jia-Horng , Li Mei-Hui , Wen Shih-Peng , Lou Ching-Wen
Published: March 2014

Biomaterials are commonly used in vitro or in vivo. Synthetic vascular prostheses, artificial bones, and artificial joints are used in vitro. Bone scaffolds demand components with good biocompatibility, mechanical strengths, and pore size. This allows the bone tissue to attach to and grow inside the bone scaffolds. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) filaments and chitosan have good biocompatibility and are non-toxic. This study prepares biocompatible, porous, 1- and 2-layer three-dimensional PET/chitosan tubular knits by a freeze-drying method. PET plied yarns with three combinations of various denier (D) and coefficients of twist-150D/2, 225D/4, and 300D/3-are knitted into tubular knits with proper mechanical properties and porous structure. The resulting tubular knits are then alkali treated with 3 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) reagent for 90 min, immersed in 1 wt% chitosan solution, and then freeze-dried, forming the porous PET/chitosan tubular knits. The functional group analysis and degradation of the alkali-treated chitosan films are first evaluated, and then the tensile strength, surface observation, pore size, and biocompatibility of the resulting PET/chitosan tubular knits are evaluated. The experimental result shows that 1- and 2-layer PET/chitosan tubular knits have desirable mechanical strength, stability, and biocompatibility antibacterial properties.
Measurement and analysis of jet current and jet life in roller electrospinning of polyurethane
Authors: Yalcinkaya Baturalp , Callioglu Funda Cengiz , Yener Fatma
Published: March 2014

In this study, jet current and jet life in roller electrospinning of polyurethane (PU) were measured. The relationships between jet current and jet life and number of Taylor cones/m2 (NTC/m2), spinning performance (SP), and fiber properties (diameter, non-fibrous area) were analyzed. In addition, the effects of PU and tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB) concentrations on jet current and jet life were determined. It was observed that jet current increases with PU and TEAB concentration, while jet life decreases. According to the results, NTC/m2 and spinning performance increase with jet current and decrease with jet life. Moreover, it was observed that jet current movement gives an idea about jet life, and it was also determined that there is a relationship between jet life and fiber morphology.
Microfluidic device on a nonwoven fabric: A potential biosensor for lactate detection
Authors: Baysal Gülçin , Önder Sakip , Göcek İkilem , Trabzon Levent , Kızıl Hüseyin , Kök Fatma Neşe , Kayaoğlu Burçak Karagüzel
Published: March 2014

In the present study, a novel, wearable textile based microfluidic device was developed that provides a non-invasive, rapid, semi-quantitative detection of the lactate level in simulated sweat solution. The potential application was envisioned to be a biosensor that can monitor an athlete’s physical status during exercise. A photolithography technique was used for the fabrication of hydrophilic micro channels and reservoirs surrounded by hydrophobic barriers made from SU-8 negative photoresist. The reservoirs were functionalized by co-immobilization of lactate oxidase (LOX) and horseradish peroxidase (POX) enzymes. LOX uses L-(+)-Lactic acid as substrate and produces H2O2 which is a POX substrate. Then, POX oxidases H2O2 in the presence of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and results in color formation. The studies showed that excess amount of analyte presence resulted in analyte inhibition. It was also shown that analyte pH and temperature were effective on the color formation. For effective results, analyte pH and temperature should be ≥5℃ and 25–30℃, respectively. Lower pH and higher temperature values resulted in a decrease in the enzyme activity. The textile based biosensor system could make a semi-quantitative visual detection to differentiate between the normal (<5 mM) and high (≥5 mM) lactate level: while a high lactate level led to a denser purple color formation, normal levels led to a light purple formation and a green color started to be observed.
“Can I Trust You With This?” Investigating Middle School Students’ Use of Learning Supports
Authors: Brion-Meisels Gretchen
Published: March 2014

Adolescents have a unique perspective on their own development. However, educators have not fully considered the role of students’ meaning making in the provision and receipt of school-based supports. To address this gap, this article draws on photographs and in-depth interviews that explore urban middle school students’ experiences with learning supports. The findings suggest that students seek learning supports that provide them with agency, nurture a sense of trust, and allow for opportunities to help others. This article suggests recommendations for the practice and research of learning supports, including involving students more fully in support processes.
Risk and Protective Factors in Mathematically Talented Black Male Students
Authors: McGee Ebony O. , Pearman F. Alvin
Published: March 2014

Within urban elementary schools are Black students who continue to challenge the normative deficit characterization of the educational opportunities of students like them. This study attempts to provide a more holistic picture of the scholarly trajectories of 13 African American males who are particularly talented in mathematics and who attended urban schools. PVEST to used to explore stage-specific outcomes to identify dynamic and situational risk and protective factors, both internal and external, by which these young men operate and negotiate within multiple contexts to achieve success in and beyond their classrooms. Results identify major traits that foster mathematics identity development and academic achievement.
Chronic Homelessness, Head Start, and Changing Federal Policies
Authors: Bullough Robert V. , Hall-Kenyon Kendra M.
Published: March 2014

Federal policy changes for Head Start (HS) elevate the importance of measured academic performance over other traditional program aims, particularly those associated with the social-emotional development of children. Concerned about the possible effects of these changes on children, based on observations and interviews, detailed portraits of teachers, parents, and children in a program serving the chronically homeless were constructed. Based on these portraits, the authors conclude that the question that has largely directed studies of HS—“does Head Start do any lasting good?”—is the wrong guiding question for policy. The better question is “What is good for them now?”
Multidisciplinary parameterization study-based control-centric idea for hypersonic morphing vehicle
Authors: Liu Yanbin , Chen Boyi , Xiao Dibo , Zhang Yong , Lu Yuping
Published: March 2014

The design problems using multidisciplinary parameterization methods for a hypersonic morphing vehicle are investigated in this paper. First, the non-linear model of the hypersonic morphing vehicle in line with the parameterized process is established by combining with the different disciplines. Then, the waverider performances determined by the static and dynamic properties are discussed by application of the multidisciplinary design ideas. Afterwards, the optimal results considering the anticipated performance criteria are acquired by multidisciplinary optimization. Furthermore, the switching control system is designed for hypersonic morphing vehicle to implement the smooth morphing process and to guarantee the overall stability. Finally, the proposed methods are verified by a numerical example, and the resulting simulation shows that waveriding performance can be enhanced as the hypersonic vehicle is designed as a morphing shape.
Improving Diabetes Health Literacy by Animation
Authors: Calderón José L. , Shaheen Magda , Hays Ron D. , Fleming Erik S. , Norris Keith C. , Baker Richard S.
Published: March 2014

Purpose and Scope

To produce a Spanish/English animated video about diabetes; to qualitatively assess cultural and linguistic appropriateness; and to test effectiveness at improving diabetes health literacy among Latino/Hispanics.

Methods

Participatory research and animation production methods guided development of the video. Cultural appropriateness was assessed through focused discussion group methods. A prospective randomized controlled trial tested the effectiveness of the Spanish version at improving diabetes health literacy, compared to “easy to read” diabetes information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Functional health literacy was measured by the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Diabetes health literacy was measured by the Diabetes Health Literacy Survey (DHLS).

Results

No significant differences were recorded between experimental (n = 118) and control groups (n = 122) at baseline on demographic characteristics, Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults score, or DHLS score. Fifty-eight percent of the study participants had inadequate functional health literacy. Mean DHLS score for all participants and those having adequate functional health literacy were 0.55 and 0.54, respectively (inadequate diabetes health literacy). When adjusting for baseline DHLS score, sex, age, and insurance status, DHLS scores improved significantly more in the experimental group than the control group (adjusted mean = 55% vs 53%, F = 4.7, df = 1, P = .03). Interaction between experimental group and health literacy level was significant ( F = 6.37, df = 2, P = .002), but the experimental effect was significant only for participants with inadequate health literacy ( P = .009).

Conclusions

The positive effect on DHLS scores suggests that animation has great potential for improving diabetes health literacy among Latinos having limited functional health literacy. A study is needed that targets participants with inadequate health literacy and that uses the English and Spanish versions of the video.
Productive and Social Engagement Following Driving Cessation
Authors: Curl Angela L. , Proulx Christine M. , Stowe James D. , Cooney Teresa M.
Published: March 2014

Drawing on interdependence theory, this study examined the cross-spouse impact of driving cessation on productive (work, formal volunteering, and informal volunteering) and social engagement of older couples aged 65+ using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998–2010; N = 1,457 couples). Multilevel modeling results indicate that driving cessation reduced husbands’ productive and social engagement, and wives’ productive engagement. Spousal driving cessation reduced husbands’ likelihood of working or formal volunteering, and wives’ likelihood of working or informal volunteering. The more time since spousal driving cessation, the less likely husbands were to work and the less likely wives were to formally volunteer. Results suggest the need for greater recognition of the impact of driving cessation on couples, rather than just individuals, as well as the need for enhanced services or rehabilitation efforts to maintain driving even among couples with one remaining driver.
Economic Well-Being and Elder Abuse in Rajshahi District of Bangladesh
Authors: Tareque Md. Ismail , Islam Towfiqua Mahfuza , Koshio Atsushi , Kawahara Kazuo
Published: March 2014

This article examines the distribution of wealth and then tests associations between elder abuse and wealth in Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. Data from 896 respondents (60 years old and over) were collected in April 2009. Principal component analysis was used to construct a wealth index, and logistic regressions were performed to test the associations between wealth and elder abuse. Results reveal that about 62% of individuals from poor households face abuse of some kind, whereas only 6% of individuals from rich households do. The test of the relationship between elder abuse and wealth also suggests that individuals from rich households were more likely not to be abused than individuals from poor households. Results of this study may be useful to policy makers developing policies and programs aimed at preventing elder abuse and reducing inequalities in elder abuse in Rajshahi district as well as in the whole of Bangladesh.
Adult Child Caregiver Health Trajectories and the Impact of Multiple Roles Over Time
Authors: Barnett Amanda E.
Published: March 2014

Guided by stress process and life course theory, the purpose of this study was to examine adult child caregivers’ psychological and physical health trajectories and how their multiple family (caregiving, marital, and parenting) and nonfamily (employment) roles contributed to these health outcomes over time. Seven waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study were analyzed for 1,300 adult child caregivers using latent growth curve models. Adult child caregivers have distinct psychological and physical health trajectories that are related to their roles over time. The importance of any given role varies by the type of health outcome and timing in the life course. Caregiving alone does not contribute to adult child caregivers’ psychological and physical health; marital and employment roles also contribute significantly to caregivers’ life courses.
Influences of acute alcohol consumption, sexual precedence, and relationship motivation on women’s relationship and sex appraisals and unprotected sex intentions
Authors: Jacques-Tiura Angela J. , Norris Jeanette , Kiekel Preston A. , Davis Kelly Cue , Zawacki Tina , Morrison Diane M. , George William H. , Abdallah Devon Alisa
Published: March 2014

Guided by the cognitive mediation model of sexual decision making ( Norris, Masters, & Zawacki, 2004 . Cognitive mediation of women’s sexual decision making: The influence of alcohol, contextual factors, and background variables. Annual Review of Sex Research, 15, 258–296), we examined female social drinkers’ ( N = 162) in-the-moment risky sexual decision making by testing how individual differences (relationship motivation) and situational factors (alcohol consumption and sexual precedence conditions) influenced cognitive appraisals and sexual outcomes in a hypothetical sexual scenario. In a path model, acute intoxication, sexual precedence, and relationship motivation interactively predicted primary relationship appraisals and independently predicted primary sex appraisals. Primary appraisals predicted secondary appraisals related to relationship and unprotected sex, which predicted unprotected sex intentions. Sexual precedence directly increased unprotected sex intentions. Findings support the cognitive mediation model and suggest that sexual risk reduction interventions should address alcohol, relationship, sexual, and cognitive factors.
Media outlets and their moguls: Why concentrated individual or family ownership is bad for editorial independence
Authors: Hanretty Chris
Published: March 2014

This article investigates the levels of owner influence in 211 different print and broadcast outlets in 32 different European media markets. Drawing on the literature from industrial organization, it sets out reasons why we should expect greater levels of influence where ownership of individual outlets is concentrated, where it is concentrated in the hands of individuals or families and where ownership groups own multiple outlets in the same media market. Conversely, we should expect lower levels of influence where ownership is dispersed between transnational companies. The article uses original data on the ownership structures of these outlets and combines it with reliable expert judgements as to the level of owner influence in each of the outlets. These hypotheses are tested and confirmed in a multilevel regression model of owner influence. The findings are relevant for policy on ownership limits in the media and for the debate over transnational versus local control of media.
Hemodynamic parameters distribution of upstream, stenosis center, and downstream sides of plaques in carotid artery with different stenosis: a MRI and CFD study
Authors: Sui Binbin , Gao Peiyi , Lin Yan , Jing Lina , Sun Shengjun , Qin Haiqiang
Published: March 2014

Background

Histopathological studies have shown significant differences in plaque components and surface conditions between upstream and downstream of the stenosis. It can be deduced that the flow status near the plaques is different from the flow status at the upstream side, stenosis center, or downstream side of the plaque.

Purpose

To study the hemodynamic parameter distribution in different locations near atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries with different stenosis degrees.

Material and Methods

Eleven patients were recruited in this study. CE-MRA was performed to obtain the carotid three-dimensional surface data and the stenosis degrees were calculated. The hemodynamic parameters including wall shear stress (WSS), pressure, and velocity near the plaques were obtained by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method. Local hemodynamics parameters were analyzed and compared between different stenosis degree groups, and between upstream, stenosis center, and downstream sides of plaques. Relative ratio of velocity, WSS, and pressure values in different locations was calculated and compared.

Results

Fourteen carotid arteries (with 4 mild, 6 moderate, and 4 severe stenosis) were analyzed. Significant differences were found in Pressure max ( P = 0.025), Pressure mean ( P = 0.020), and Pressure min ( P = 0.026) between three stenosis groups. It showed significant differences in Vmin ( P < 0.001) and WSSmin ( P < 0.001) between three different locations. It showed upstream to downstream ratio of WSSmax ( P = 0.034) and WSSmean value ( P = 0.042) was significantly different between mild and moderate/severe groups. Significant differences were found in upstream to stenosis center ratio of Pressure max value ( P = 0.018), Pressure mean value ( P = 0.029), and Pressure min value ( P = 0.026), as well as in stenosis center to downstream ratio of Pressure min value ( P = 0.042).

Conclusion

Velocity, WSS, pressure, and relative ratio of these parameters have certain trends in distribution around the plaques in the carotid arteries.
Return to Play After Treatment of Superior Labral Tears in Professional Baseball Players
Authors: Fedoriw Wasyl W. , Ramkumar Prem , McCulloch Patrick C. , Lintner David M.
Published: March 2014

Background:

The published return-to-play (RTP) rates for athletes who have undergone surgical repair of superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears vary widely and are generally accepted to be lower in the subset of competitive throwers. The efficacy of nonsurgical treatment for this group is unknown.

Hypothesis:

Nonsurgical treatment of SLAP tears in professional baseball players leads to RTP before consideration of surgical treatment. Incorporating performance statistics and level of competition will result in lower calculated RTP rates than have been previously reported.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 119 consecutive patients in a single professional baseball organization with persistent shoulder pain that limited the ability to compete was performed. Sixty-eight patients had magnetic resonance imaging–documented SLAP lesions. All patients had failed 1 attempt at rehabilitation but had continued with supervised physical therapy. Treatment was according to an algorithm focusing on the correction of scapular dyskinesia and posterior capsular contracture with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD), followed by pain-free return to throwing. Those who failed 2 cycles of nonsurgical treatment were treated surgically. Success was defined by 2 different standards: (1) RTP, in accordance with previous studies; and (2) a more stringent standard of return to the same level/quality of professional competition (A, AA, AAA, etc) with the incorporation of a return to preinjury individual performance statistics (earned run average, walks plus hits per inning pitched), termed “return to prior performance” (RPP).

Results:

Sixty-eight athletes were identified with SLAP lesions. Twenty-one pitchers successfully completed the nonsurgical algorithm and attempted a return. Their RTP rate was 40%, and their RPP rate was 22%. The RTP rate for 27 pitchers who underwent 30 procedures was 48%, and the RPP rate was 7%. For 10 position players treated nonsurgically, the RTP rate was 39%, and the RPP rate was 26%. The RTP rate for 13 position players who underwent 15 procedures was 85%, with an RPP rate of 54%.

Conclusion:

Nonsurgical treatment correcting scapular dyskinesia and GIRD had a reasonable success rate in professional baseball players with painful shoulders and documented SLAP lesions. The rate of return after surgical treatment of SLAP lesions was low for pitchers. The RTP and RPP rates were higher for position players than for pitchers. Nonsurgical treatment should be considered for professional baseball players with documented SLAP lesions, as it can lead to acceptable RTP and RPP rates.
Effects of hexamethylenediisocyanate coupling agent on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of wood plastic composites
Authors: Rashno Arash , Damabi Roholah Mohebi , Ahmadi Shervin , Sarai Mahdi Afraz Haji
Published: March 2014

In this study, we investigated the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polypropylene/old corrugated container fibers and polypropylene/poplar fiber composites, which were treated with 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt% of hexamethylenediisocyanate coupling agent. Compounding was conducted by a counter-rotating twin-screw extruder, and samples for measurements of tensile, flexural, and impact properties were prepared by an injection molding machine. Thermal properties of composite samples were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Thermal stability and crystallinity content of the prepared composites were determined, as well. The obtained results showed that the addition of coupling agent increased the thermal properties of the composites. Mechanical resulting indicated that by the addition of coupling agent, there was improvement in the tensile and flexural properties but there was declination in impact properties. Scanning electron micrographs taken from failed surfaces of the composite samples showed that the addition of coupling agents resulted in the improvement of bonding between wood fibers and polymer matrix at their interface.
Factors Impacting Self-Perceived Readiness for Residency Training
Authors: Truong Julie T. , Barnett Mitchell J. , Tang Terrill T-L. , Ip Eric J. , Teeters Janet L. , Knapp Katherine K.
Published: March 2014

Objective:

To examine the factors impacting postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residents’ self-perceived readiness for residency.

Methods:

A total of 1801 residents who matched in American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited PGY1 programs were e-mailed individualized invitations to take an online survey. The survey collected self-ratings of readiness for residency training competencies including time management and organization, foundational knowledge, clinical practice, project management, and communication. Key

Findings:

Data from 556 completed surveys were analyzed. Residents agreed they were ready to perform activities requiring time management and organization (median = 4, mean = 4.08), foundational knowledge (median = 4, mean = 3.83), clinical practice (median = 4, mean = 3.67), and communication (median = 4, mean = 4.05). Residents who completed at least 1 academic advance pharmacy practice experience (APPE), 5 clinical APPEs, or held a bachelors degree felt more confident than their counterparts in regard to project management ( P < .001, <.001, and .01, respectively).

Conclusion:

PGY1 residents generally felt prepared for time management and organization, foundational knowledge, and communication residency training competencies. This was significant for those who completed 1 or more academic APPEs, 5 or more clinical rotations, or a bachelors degree. Study results may assist pharmacy schools in preparing students for residency training, prospective resident applicants in becoming more competitive candidates for residency programs, and residency program directors in resident selection.
Experimental study of process parameters’ effect on surface residual stress magnitudes in equal channel angular rolled aluminium alloys
Authors: Mahmoodi Masoud , Sedighi Mohammad , Tanner David A
Published: March 2014

The residual stress within a surface layer of aluminium alloy sheets introduced through equal channel angular rolling as a severe plastic deformation process is studied in this article. The channel oblique angle, the route of feeding and the number of passes are the main equal channel angular rolling parameters that are found to influence the residual stress magnitude and distribution. Two aluminium alloys (Al5083 and Al6061) are analysed with the residual stress magnitudes determined using the X-ray diffraction method. When a sheet metal is processed using the equal channel angular rolling method, the surface residual stress in the rolling direction becomes compressive at the top surface and tensile at the bottom surface. Therefore, a nonuniform stress distribution is introduced into the specimen. By reducing the channel oblique angle of the die set from 130° to 110°, the surface residual stress of Al5083 specimens decreased by a maximum value of up to 27%. Combined with this, the surface residual stress decreases as the number of passes increases from one to three passes. These values depend on the route of passing the specimen through the dies during the equal channel angular rolling process. In addition, for materials with different inherent mechanical properties, the introduced residual stress is found to vary. The results indicate that the magnitude of surface residual stress for the Al5083 specimens processed by equal channel angular rolling is about two and a half times greater than the Al6061 specimens. The equal channel angular rolling process and its parameters had a similar effect on both Al5083 and Al6061 specimens. Therefore, the obtained result can be applied for sheet and strip metals.
Design of high-speed cam profiles for vibration reduction using command smoothing technique
Authors: Liang Zan , Huang Jie
Published: March 2014

Unwanted vibration in cam-follower systems causes increased forces, noise, wear, and operating costs. This paper proposes a novel method to design high-speed cam profiles for vibration reduction by using command smoothing technique. Using system natural frequency and damping ratio, the technique reduces vibrations by intelligently smoothing any basic profiles. Furthermore, an example is given to express the design process and to verify the effectiveness of the method. The displacement, velocity, acceleration, and jerk properties of the proposed profile are demonstrated to show the excellent smoothness, which benefits high-speed cam follower systems. The comparisons of vibration properties between the smoothed profile and 3-4-5 polynomial profile are explored and quantified. The smoothed profile will induce zero vibration at the design operating speed and produce a low level of vibration around it. Experimental results obtained from a rectilinear control plant validate the simulated dynamic behavior and the effectiveness of the profile created by using command smoothing.
Behçet’s disease – part of the differential diagnosis of ulcerative lesions
Authors: Warren Sian , Alden Katrin , Lomax Nicola
Published: March 2014

This case describes a young white British man with a one-year history of recurrent genital ulceration managed by the GP. Initially this was thought to be a drug reaction; however, presentation at our genitourinary medicine clinic and onward review with dermatology allowed the diagnosis of Behçet’s disease to be made. The clinical diagnosis was made based on painful oral and genital ulcers, eye irritation, erythema nodosum and positive pathergy test. Treatment with oral prednisolone was initiated by dermatology, which resulted in rapid improvement in the genital ulceration. This case highlights that clinicians should consider Behçet’s disease in patients with recurrent genital ulceration to ensure prompt diagnosis and prevention of systemic involvement.
Using tree-ring records to calibrate peak detection in fire reconstructions based on sedimentary charcoal records
Authors: Brossier Benoît , Oris France , Finsinger Walter , Asselin Hugo , Bergeron Yves , Ali Adam A
Published: March 2014

We compared fire episodes over the past 150 years reconstructed using charcoal particles retrieved from well-dated sediment deposits from two small lakes in the eastern Canadian boreal forest, with dendrochronological reconstructions of fire events from the corresponding watersheds. Fire scars and age structure of living trees highlighted three fire events (ad 1890, 1941, and 1989). To explore the ability to detect these fire events based on sedimentary charcoal records, we explored the influence of two user-determined parameters of a widely used peak-detection algorithm (the CharAnalysis software): (1) the temporal resolution used to interpolate charcoal series and (2) the width of the smoothing window used to model background noise. The signal-to-noise index (SNI) is often used to evaluate the ability to detect peaks in sedimentary charcoal records, which can be related to fire events. SNI values >3 identify records appropriate for peak detection. Selecting standard settings in paleoecological studies (median temporal resolution of the entire sequence and 500- to 1000-year window width) yielded higher global SNI values but failed to detect most recent fire events. Instead, selecting a shorter reference period (the past ~150 years) to determine the temporal resolution to interpolate the charcoal series and a narrower smoothing window (100 years) best matched the tree-ring data despite lower SNI values (often <3.0). However, Holocene fire history differed markedly when reconstructed using different smoothing window widths (100–150 years vs >300 years). Consequently, we suggest using the smallest window width yielding a SNI >3. Practitioners must not necessarily focus on obtaining the highest possible SNI, usually related to wide smoothing windows. We also suggest that fire history reconstructions should focus on core sections presenting fairly constant sedimentation rates. Alternatively, sediments could be subsampled after age–depth models have been obtained.
A Late Bronze Age site and fluvial environmental context in the Middle Euphrates Valley (Northeast Syria)
Authors: Sanjurjo-Sánchez Jorge , Montero Fenollós Juan-Luis
Published: March 2014

Alluvial sediments provide records of environmental changes when early civilisations were born on Mesopotamian floodplains during approximately 6 kyr BP. In this work, we study and date the alluvial infill of a palaeochannel and sediments of a neighbouring wadi that flowed into the Middle Euphrates. Such a palaeochannel is alongside an archaeological site, abandoned in the late Bronze Age II. It was a strategic control point of the river transit in that period, when a single meandering channel existed. We hypothesise that the site was not reoccupied after destruction by a fire because of the loss of geostrategic interest, as it remained far from the new river channel. The main river channel was moved, and the palaeochannel filled with flash-flood sediments, possibly because of natural or human-induced environmental changes. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) allows direct dating of alluvial sediments, but it has been little tested in this area, while both radiocarbon and pottery style dating have been preferred. We used OSL to date the palaeochannel infill, wadi sidewall sediments and the late-Pleistocene terrace incised by the wadi. Our ages allow us to make a correlation between the palaeochannel infill process and significant environmental events. As a result, meandering is a highly probable cause of the lack of reoccupation of the site, but anthropological causes such as changes in spatial strategies cannot be completely discarded.
Treatment of singultus by sexual stimulation: Who was George T Dexter, MD (c1812-?)?
Authors: Petroianu Georg A
Published: March 2014

This short report attempts to shed light on the interesting but controversial personality of George T Dexter (ca1812 -?), the physician who first described manipulation of the female genitalia in a hysterical impressionable girl as being associated with the termination of singultus. Although his interaction with the young female patient would not meet today's ethical standards, his medical observation was valid and contributes to our understanding of the pathophysiology of singultus. He was well ahead of his colleagues who presented hiccup therapy case reports with similar or related pathophysiology mechanisms some 150 years later.
Truncated ambition: Thomas King Chambers, MD (1817–1889)
Authors: Drain Susan
Published: March 2014

Thomas King Chambers clearly intended to be a physician of note and at times indeed he was mentioned in the same breath as Sir James Paget (1814–1899), Sir Henry Acland (1815–1900) and Francis Anstie (1833–1874). At the time of his death his career was pronounced ‘less than brilliant though far from inglorious’. He had made all the right political moves—networking through the medical societies, marrying well and even accompanying the Prince of Wales on his first foreign tour. He wanted to be more than a society doctor, however: he published his clinical lectures and original research, proposed a new paradigm for medicine that he dubbed ‘the renewal of life’ and found his ideas taken up enthusiastically in the United States. Alas, his career foundered when he suffered an aneurysm and underwent amputation through the thigh. Nevertheless, he made significant contributions to the profession through his service on the General Medical Council and to medical education, in particular to medical education for women, through his strong support of the London School of Medicine for Women. To examine his life is to revisit what makes a life meaningful and worthwhile, for Chambers’ life, unlike his body, is remarkably whole.
Human dignity in religion-embedded cross-cultural nursing
Authors: Cheraghi Mohammad A , Manookian Arpi , Nasrabadi Alireza N
Published: March 2014

Background:

Although human dignity is an unconditional value of every human being, it can be shattered by extrinsic factors. It is necessary to discover the authentic meaning of patients’ dignity preservation from different religious perspectives to provide professional cross-cultural care in a diverse setting.

Research objective:

This article identifies common experiences of Iranian Muslim and Armenian Christian patients regarding dignified care at the bedside.

Research design:

This is a qualitative study of participants’ experiences of dignified care elicited by individual in-depth semi-structured interviews.

Participants and research context:

A purposeful sample of 10 participants (five Iranian Muslims and five Iranian Armenians) from various private and governmental hospital settings was chosen.

Ethical considerations:

This study was approved by the ethics committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All the participants were provided with information about the purpose and the nature of the study, the voluntary condition of their participation in this study, and the anonymous reporting of recorded interviews.

Findings:

The common experiences of Christian and Muslim patients regarding dignity preservation emerged as “exigency of respecting human nobility” and “providing person-centered care.”

Discussion and conclusion:

It is essential to recognize the humanness and individuality of each patient to preserve and promote human dignity in diverse cross-cultural settings. The findings support and expand current understanding about the objective and subjective nature of dignity preservation in cross-cultural nursing.
Informal health and education sector payments in Russian and Ukrainian cities: Structuring welfare from below
Authors: Morris Jeremy , Polese Abel
Published: March 2014

This article presents Russian and Ukrainian ethnographic case studies on informal payments in state health and education sectors. Overviews of post-socialist transformation can conflate daily informal payments to bureaucrats made by citizens with high-level political corruption. Micro-study analyses frame informal payments within a binary of ex-ante ‘insurance’ or ex-post ‘gratitude’, embedded within an economistic transactional frame. In contrast, this article takes a ‘social function’ approach, examining transactions for what they reveal about parties’ evaluations of personhood, both of the giver and receiver. Street-level bureaucrats and citizens engage in socially grounded negotiation whereby payment is assessed within a needs–means spectrum. The more needy, the smaller the payment; the greater the means, the greater the payment. This is an efficacy-affective form of redistribution and welfare functioning against a backdrop of the dysfunctional state’s refusal to act as social welfare guarantor. It reveals a degree of structuring from below of the qualitative intervention by the state in the lives of citizens, even as distrust and despair in post-socialist societies due to the retreat of the state from its duties towards citizens reach ever higher levels.