bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical Conductivity of Polyaniline Fiber Synthesized by Interfacial Polymerization and Electrospinning
Authors: Ketut Umiati Ngurah Ayu , Abraha Kamsul , Triyana Kuwat
Published: May 2017

Polyaniline fiber is a promising biosensor material due to the capability of this material as an effective mediator for electron transfer. The polyaniline in fibre has wider surface to increase the electron transfer. In this work, polyaniline structure synthesized by interfacial polymerization was compared to polyaniline structure obtained from electrospinning to get a better fibre structure. Interfacial polymerization was carried out to form a polymerization between the water phase and the organic phase. The water phase was prepared from dopants, initiator and aquadestilata and the organic phase was was made from toluene as an organic solvent and aniline monomer. Electrospinning was conducted by using a dc high voltage 15 kV and 0.5 mm syringe needle to produce fibers from a melt polymer solution taken from interfacial polymerization. The scanning electro microscope results confimed the formation of polyaniline in structure of fiber. Resistance measurement by using LCR meter showed that polyaniline fiber resulted from electrospinning is more conductive than polyaniline fiber formed by interfacial polymerization method. 

 
Research on the Transformation of User's Implicit Knowledge to Design Knowledge in Product Design
Authors: Qiang Sun , Fei Hu
Published: May 2017

The characteristics of the user’s implicit knowledge in product design and the relationship between the user’s implicit knowledge and design knowledge are discussed. The transformation model of user implicit knowledge to design knowledge is built. And the key technologies of it are analyzed. The four design dimensions which the transformation from user implicit knowledge to design knowledge is based on are proposed, namely, the design process dimension, the design object dimension, the organization dimension and the knowledge dimension. Taking household cleaner as an example, this paper utilizes the oral analysis method and the semantic differential method to analyze the transformation of user implicit knowledge to design knowledge, and validates the conversion model. It is helpful for improving the computer aided industrial design and household appliance products network collaborative design.
Flexible Dual Band Dipole Antenna with Electromagnetic Band Gap
Authors: Abu Maisarah , Adlina Md Ali Siti , Radiah Mohamad Najmiah , Muhamad Maizatun
Published: May 2017

Flexible dual band dipole antenna incorporates with Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) to improve the well-known low profile characteristics of dipole antenna. The antenna operates at 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz which is printed on Fast film with 0.13 mm thickness. While the EBG is designed at 5.8 GHz by using Arlon AD350 with 1.016 mm thickness. EBG works as a ground plane for the antenna and helps by improving the realized gainandradiation pattern. Besides, EBG also act as a filter as the resonant frequency of the antenna is close to the EBG band gap. The 2.45 GHz of is eliminated while the performances of antenna at 5.8 GHz is improved. Thus the realized gain is increased up to 6.86 dB and the back lobes is clearly reduced. The designs of dipole antenna with EBG application such as Wifi and others on-body communication devices.
Since the days of Baroness: Funarte SP Cultural Complex as a place of memory
Authors: Moreira Maria Ester Lopes , Melo Sharine Machado Cabral
Published: May 2017

O  artigo  trata  dos  espaços  ocupados  atualmente  pelo  Complexo Cultural   Funarte  SP,  pela  Representação  Regional  do  Ministério  da Cultura  e  pela   Fundação  Biblioteca  Nacional,  localizados  no  bairro  de Campos  Elíseos,  em  São   Paulo.  As  edificações  podem  ser  vistas como  um  lugar  de  memória  por   revelarem  uma  parte  da  história  da cidade  e  do  país,  principalmente  no  que  se   refere  ao desenvolvimento  de  políticas  públicas  para  as  áreas  de  educação  e   cultura
The concept of ruin and the conservation dilemma in contemporary art
Authors: Sousa Júnior Mário Anacleto De
Published: May 2017

Sabe-­‐se  que  a  arte  contemporânea  tem  se  concentrado  mais  na tríade  constituída   pela  figura  do  artista,  a  poética  dos  materiais  e o  mercado  de  arte,  tornando  a   produção  artística  em  produtos culturais  únicos,  avaliados  de  acordo  com  a   demanda  do  novo  e da  necessidade  de  um  material  duradouro  e  inovador  em   relação à  ideia.  É  cada  vez  menos  aceitável  a  possibilidade  de envelhecimento  da   obra,  a  tal  ponto  que  esta  pode  aproximar‐se da  ruína  devido  à  impossibilidade   técnica  de  restauração, conservação  e  preservação  que  temos atualmente  à  nossa  disposição. A  partir  deste  ponto  propomos  uma  discussão  sobre  o conceito  de  ruína   na  arte  contemporânea  por  meio  das representações  pictóricas  de  séculos   anteriores  com  um  olhar  para a  história  da  conservação  e  restauração  de  bens   culturais  até  o presente.  Com  esta  contribuição  ao  conceito  de  ruína,  no  que  se  refere  à  matéria  como  valor  discursivo  e  estético,  indagamos  qual a  relação, ou   quais, existem  entre  a  arte  contemporânea  e  este conceito  ante  o envelhecimento,   até  o  ponto  mesmo  de degradar‐se,  levando  inexoravelmente  a  uma  perda   irreversível com  a  possibilidade  iminente  da  morte  da  ideia
Between remains and traces: the open history and its beginnings.	Notes	from Benjamin	and	Didi-­‐Huberman
Authors: Santos Iaci D’Assunção
Published: May 2017

Na  “história  aberta”,  proposta  por  Walter  Benjamin,  o  linear  e  o   cronológico  seriam  uma  possibilidade  dentre  várias.  O  presente  em que  se   escreve/inscreve  a  história  imobilizaria  o  passado  e, simultaneamente,  o   impregnaria,  a  partir  do  agora,  de  novos significados.  A  montagem,  ideia   central  para  Benjamin,  seria  uma operação que poderia ser  sempre   aperfeiçoada e  se  ligaria  a  esta abertura.  Georges  Didi-­‐Huberman  segue  os   rastros  deixados  por Benjamin  e  explora  as  possibilidades  de  recomeço  da   história  frente à  esta  abertura  e  nos  coloca  diante  da  imagem  e  de  seus   restos  e malícias
The construction of memory as a palimpsest
Authors: Prado Carolina Vigna , Taam Pedro
Published: May 2017

O  presente  artigo  tem  dois  autores:  Carolina  Vigna,  que  vem  das artes  visuais  e   da  literatura  e  Pedro  Taam,  que  vem  da  música,  da física médica e  da   semiótica.  Propomos  aqui  que  a  memória  se constrói  em  camadas,  à  maneira   de  um  palimpsesto,  e  sustentamos a  nossa  hipótese  com  exemplos  das  artes   visuais,  da  literatura  e  da música.  Concluímos  que  a  construção  da  memória   em  camadas pressupõe  um  conceito  de  tempo  não-­‐linear,  em  que  passado-presente‐futuro  se  sucedem,  mas  um  modelo  imbricado,  em  que  os três  são,   em  todos  os  pontos,  emaranhados  e  indissociáveis
Who keeps always has something to reveal
Authors: Herbst Helio
Published: May 2017

Em  setembro  de  1951,  a  imprensa  brasileira  noticiou  a inauguração da  I  Bienal  de  São   Paulo.  Diversos  periódicos  enalteceram  a magnitude  do  evento  e  sua  importância  para   a  difusão  de conhecimentos.  Outros,  em  contrapartida, questionaram  a  validade da   iniciativa,  a  seleção  e  a  premiação  dos  trabalhos.  Algumas publicações,  sensíveis  aos   embates  então  existentes  entre figuração e  abstração,  veicularam  sátiras  indicativas  da   incompreensão  dos conteúdos  expostos  na  seção  de  artes.  Certa  dificuldade  de  entendimento  também  permeou  a  leitura  dos  projetos  apresentados na  Exposição   Internacional  de  Arquitetura,  especialmente  em jornais  e  revistas  de  grande   circulação.  Levando-­‐se  em  conta  a fortuna  crítica  sobre  as  mostras  e,  mais   particularmente, a documentação  amealhada  no  Arquivo  Histórico  Wanda  Svevo  da  Fundação  Bienal  de  São  Paulo,  o  presente  artigo  pretende enunciar  a  recorrente   dificuldade  de  aceitação  ante  o  desconhecido.  Para tanto,  apresenta  uma  breve   contextualização  das  Bienais,  seus resultados  e  polêmicas,  ressaltando-­‐se,  para  além   da  recepção das  obras,  no  sentido  proposto  por  Hans  Robert  Jauss,  os interesses  dos   agentes  responsáveis  pela  construção  de  uma representação oficial  dos  fatos,  tal  como   propõe  Roger  Chartier
Empanadas with caipirinha, why not
Authors: Valansi Susana
Published: May 2017

Reflexões  sobre  o  conceito  de  cultura  e  seus  condicionantes,  tais como  exílios,   territórios  e  fronteiras.  Relato  autobiográfico  sobre diversas  situações  vividas   decorrentes  da  migração  provocada  pela última  ditadura  militar  na  Argentina.   Indagações  sobre  os  processos de  integração  regional.  Uma  olhada  para  trás,   um  exercício  de memória
Relations of Liver Fat With Prevalent and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Long Michelle T. , Yin Xiaoyan , Larson Martin G. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Lubitz Steven A. , McManus David D. , Magnani Jared W. , Staerk Laila , Ko Darae , Helm Robert H. , Hoffmann Udo , Chung Raymond T. , Benjamin Emelia J.
Published: May 2017

Background

Obesity is an important risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and atrial fibrillation (
AF
). Less is known about the relations between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and
AF
. We sought to evaluate the association between fatty liver and prevalent and incident
AF
in the community.

Methods and Results

We examined Framingham Heart Study participants who underwent a study‐directed computed tomography scan, had hepatic steatosis (HS) evaluated, and did not report heavy alcohol use between 2002 and 2005. We evaluated cross‐sectional associations between liver fat and prevalent
AF
with logistic regression models. We assessed the relations between liver fat and incident
AF
during 12‐year follow‐up with Cox proportional hazards models. Of 2122 participants (53% women; mean age, 59.0±9.6 years), 20% had HS.
AF
prevalence (n=62) among individuals with HS was 4% compared to 3% among those without HS. There was no significant association between HS (measured as continuous or dichotomous variables) and prevalent
AF
in age‐ and sex‐adjusted or multivariable‐adjusted models. Incidence of
AF
(n=153) among participants with and without HS was 8.7 cases and 7.8 cases per 1000 person‐years, respectively. In age‐ and sex‐adjusted and multivariable‐adjusted models, there were no significant associations between continuous or dichotomous measures of HS and incident
AF
.

Conclusions

In our community‐based, longitudinal cohort study, liver fat by computed tomography scan was not significantly associated with increased prevalence or incidence of
AF
over 12 years of follow‐up.
Randomized Trial Comparing the Effects of Ticagrelor Versus Clopidogrel on Myocardial Perfusion in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Pelletier‐Galarneau Matthieu , Hunter Chad R. R. N. , Ascah Kathryn J. , Beanlands Rob S. B. , Dwivedi Girish , deKemp Robert A. , Chow Benjamin J. W. , Ruddy Terrence D.
Published: May 2017

Background

Ticagrelor is a P2Y
12
receptor inhibitor used in acute coronary syndromes to reduce platelet activity and to decrease thrombus formation. Ticagrelor is associated with a reduction in mortality incremental to that observed with clopidogrel, potentially related to its non–antiplatelet effects. Evidence from animal models indicates that ticagrelor potentiates adenosine‐induced myocardial blood flow (
MBF
) increases. We investigated
MBF
at rest and during adenosine‐induced hyperemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease treated with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel.

Methods and Results

This randomized double‐blinded crossover study included 22 patients who received therapeutic interventions of ticagrelor 90 mg orally twice a day for 10 days and clopidogrel 75 mg orally once a day for 10 days, with a washout period of at least 10 days between the treatments. Global and regional
MBF
and myocardial flow reserve were measured using rubidium 82 positron emission tomography/computed tomography at baseline and during intermediate‐ and high‐dose adenosine. Global
MBF
was significantly greater with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel (1.28±0.55 versus 1.13±0.47 mL/min per gram,
P
=0.002) at intermediate‐dose adenosine and not different at baseline (0.65±0.19 versus 0.60±0.15 mL/min per gram,
P
=0.084) and at high‐dose adenosine (1.64±0.40 versus 1.61±0.19 mL/min per gram,
P
=0.53). In regions with impaired myocardial flow reserve (<2.5),
MBF
was greater with ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel during intermediate and high doses of adenosine (
P
<0.0001), whereas the differences were not significant at baseline.

Conclusions

Ticagrelor potentiates global and regional adenosine‐induced
MBF
increases in patients with stable coronary artery disease. This effect may contribute to the incremental mortality benefit compared with clopidogrel.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
01894789.
Nematodes in caves: a historical perspective on their occurrence, distribution and ecological relevance
Authors: Du Preez Gerhard , Majdi Nabil , Swart Antoinette , Traunspurger Walter , Fourie Hendrika
Published: May 2017

Caves and cave-dwelling biota have fascinated scientists for centuries. Nevertheless, there is a considerable lack of information on subterranean realms and the ecosystems they host. Nematoda, for example, is a group of invertebrates that plays an important role in the functioning of epigean ecosystems, but whether or not the same is true for subterranean ecosystems remains unknown. For this reason it was decided to conduct an in-depth review of all reports related to cave-dwelling nematodes in order to provide a sound basis for future studies. A literature survey of 41 scientific works from over the last 138 years revealed 295 unique taxa reported from 78 different cave systems. The historical trends in cave nematology, peculiar findings from important studies and an ecological classification system are discussed. Lastly, the trophic distribution of the reported taxa is presented, whilst nematodes from other (non-cave) subterranean environments are also considered.
The Role of Precipitation in Controlling the Transition from Stratocumulus to Cumulus Clouds in a Northern Hemisphere Cold-Air Outbreak
Authors: Abel Steven J. , Boutle Ian A. , Waite Kirk , Fox Stuart , Brown Philip R. A. , Cotton Richard , Lloyd Gary , Choularton Tom W. , Bower Keith N.
Published: May 2017

Aircraft observations in a cold-air outbreak to the north of the United Kingdom are used to examine the boundary layer and cloud properties in an overcast mixed-phase stratocumulus cloud layer and across the transition to more broken open-cellular convection. The stratocumulus cloud is primarily composed of liquid drops with small concentrations of ice particles and there is a switch to more glaciated conditions in the shallow cumulus clouds downwind. The rapid change in cloud morphology is accompanied by enhanced precipitation with secondary ice processes becoming active and greater thermodynamic gradients in the subcloud layer. The measurements also show a removal of boundary layer accumulation mode aerosols via precipitation processes across the transition that are similar to those observed in the subtropics in pockets of open cells. Simulations using a convection-permitting (1.5-km grid spacing) regional version of the Met Office Unified Model were able to reproduce many of the salient features of the cloud field although the liquid water path in the stratiform region was too low. Sensitivity studies showed that ice was too active at removing supercooled liquid water from the cloud layer and that improvements could be made by limiting the overlap between the liquid water and ice phases. Precipitation appears to be the key mechanism responsible for initiating the transition from closed- to open-cellular convection by decoupling the boundary layer and depleting liquid water from the stratiform cloud.
Calculating the Meridional Volume, Heat, and Freshwater Transports from an Observing System in the Subpolar North Atlantic: Observing System Simulation Experiment
Authors: Li Feili , Lozier M. Susan , Johns William E.
Published: May 2017

A transbasin monitoring array from Labrador to Scotland was deployed in the summer of 2014 as part of the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program (OSNAP). The aim of the observing system is to provide a multiyear continuous measure of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and the associated meridional heat and freshwater transports in the subpolar North Atlantic. Results from the array are expected to improve the understanding of the variability of the subpolar transports and the nature and degree of the AMOC’s latitudinal dependence. In this present work, the measurements of the OSNAP array are described and a suite of observing system simulation experiments in an eddy-permitting numerical model are used to assess how well these measurements will estimate the fluxes across the OSNAP section. The simulation experiments indicate that the OSNAP array and calculation methods will adequately capture the mean and temporal variability of the overturning circulation and of the heat and freshwater transports across the subpolar North Atlantic.
Satellite Radiance Data Assimilation within the Hourly Updated Rapid Refresh
Authors: Lin Haidao , Weygandt Stephen S. , Benjamin Stanley G. , Hu Ming
Published: May 2017

Assimilation of satellite radiance data in limited-area, rapidly updating weather model/assimilation systems poses unique challenges compared to those for global model systems. Principal among these is the severe data restriction posed by the short data cutoff time. Also, the limited extent of the model domain reduces the spatial extent of satellite data coverage and the lower model top of regional models reduces the spectral usage of radiance data especially for infrared data. These three factors impact the quality of the feedback to the bias correction procedures, making the procedures potentially less effective. Within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Rapid Refresh (RAP) hourly updating prediction system, satellite radiance data are assimilated using the standard procedures within the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) analysis package. Experiments for optimizing the operational implementation of radiance data into RAP and for improving benefits of radiance data have been performed. The radiance data impact for short-range forecasts has been documented to be consistent and statistically significantly positive in systematic RAP retrospective runs using real-time datasets. The radiance data impact has also been compared with conventional observation datasets within RAP. The configuration for RAP satellite radiance assimilation evaluated here is that implemented at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in August 2016.
The New Closed Shop? The Economic and Structural Effects of Occupational Licensure
Authors: Redbird Beth
Published: May 2017

During the past few decades, licensure, a state-enforced mechanism for regulating occupational entry, quickly became the most prevalent form of occupational closure. Broad consensus among researchers holds that licensure creates wage premiums by establishing economic monopolies. This article demonstrates that, contrary to established wisdom, licensure does not limit competition, nor does it increase wages. Results are based on a new occupational dataset, covering 30 years, that exploits interstate variability in licensure across the 300 census-identified occupations. I argue that licensure, instead of increasing wages, creates a set of institutional mechanisms that enhance entry into the occupation, particularly for historically disadvantaged groups, while simultaneously stagnating quality.
Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Sun Xi-peng , Li Jing , Zhu Wei-wei , Li Dong-bao , Chen Hui , Li Hong-wei , Chen Wen-ming , Hua Qi
Published: May 2017

We investigated the relationship between platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). We enrolled 5719 patients in 3 tertiary hospitals from January 2005 to December 2010. The PLR was calculated as the ratio of platelet to lymphocyte counts on admission. Serum creatinine level was measured before and within 72 hours after contrast medium administration. To evaluate the relation between PLR and CIN, the 5719 patients were divided into a CIN group and a non-CIN group. Contrast-induced nephropathy occurred in 252 (4.4%) patients. Patients in the CIN group had significantly higher PLR than those in the non-CIN group (173.8 [62.3] and 116.2 [51.7], respectively; P < .001). In logistic regression analysis, PLR was an independent predictor of CIN (odds ratio: 1.432, 95% confidence interval: 1.205-1.816, P = .031), along with age, diabetes mellitus, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. In conclusion, a higher PLR was an independent risk factor for the development of CIN in patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI.
Implementing Recommendations From Web Accessibility Guidelines: A Comparative Study of Nondisabled Users and Users With Visual Impairments
Authors: Schmutz Sven , Sonderegger Andreas , Sauer Juergen
Published: May 2017

Objective:

The present study examined whether implementing recommendations of Web accessibility guidelines would have different effects on nondisabled users than on users with visual impairments.

Background:

The predominant approach for making Web sites accessible for users with disabilities is to apply accessibility guidelines. However, it has been hardly examined whether this approach has side effects for nondisabled users. A comparison of the effects on both user groups would contribute to a better understanding of possible advantages and drawbacks of applying accessibility guidelines.

Method:

Participants from two matched samples, comprising 55 participants with visual impairments and 55 without impairments, took part in a synchronous remote testing of a Web site. Each participant was randomly assigned to one of three Web sites, which differed in the level of accessibility (very low, low, and high) according to recommendations of the well-established Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). Performance (i.e., task completion rate and task completion time) and a range of subjective variables (i.e., perceived usability, positive affect, negative affect, perceived aesthetics, perceived workload, and user experience) were measured.

Results:

Higher conformance to Web accessibility guidelines resulted in increased performance and more positive user ratings (e.g., perceived usability or aesthetics) for both user groups. There was no interaction between user group and accessibility level.

Conclusion:

Higher conformance to WCAG 2.0 may result in benefits for nondisabled users and users with visual impairments alike.

Application:

Practitioners may use the present findings as a basis for deciding on whether and how to implement accessibility best.
Food scarcity and state vulnerability: Unpacking the link between climate variability and violent unrest
Authors: Jones Benjamin T , Mattiacci Eleonora , Braumoeller Bear F
Published: May 2017

Increased scholarly focus on climate variability and its implications has given rise to a substantial literature on the relationship between climate-induced food insecurity and violent conflict. In this article, we theorize this relationship as contingent on the institutional and structural vulnerability of the state. States’ institutional and structural capabilities and constraints – such as the strength of the agricultural sector and domestic regime type – influence the probability that climate-induced food insecurity will translate into conflict, because they determine the degree to which countries are able to successfully address insecurity. We estimate the effect of food insecurity and state vulnerability on the occurrence of violent uprisings in Africa for the years 1991–2011. We find that these effects are interactive, with state vulnerability moderating the impact of food insecurity on the likelihood of violence. We also find that capable governance is an even better guarantor of peace than good weather. We conclude that a two-pronged approach that both combats the impact of climate variability on food insecurity and strengthens government institutions would be a much more effective strategy for preventing violent uprisings than either policy would be in isolation.
Compliance vs. constraints: A theory of rebel targeting in civil war
Authors: De la Calle Luis
Published: May 2017

This article offers a theory of rebel targeting in civil war. Rebels face two logics of targeting: the logic of compliance in areas where they are fighting for territory, and the logic of legitimacy in areas where they remain clandestine. The first boosts civilian targeting because rebels use it as a way to discipline local populations. The second moderates it because unqualified civilian killings could prompt rebels’ supporters to turn against the group and easily help bring down its clandestine structures. In order to avoid this backlash, rebels focus on attacking ‘legitimate’ targets such as security forces and authorities. This supporters’ constraint is mitigated when the state heavily represses the rebels’ constituency – which increases supporters’ appetite for indiscriminate retaliation – and when the rebels can rely on independent funding – which reduces rebels’ dependence on supporters’ help. I test the argument with detailed information about rebel presence and political violence in Peru from 1980 to 1995. The results support that civilian victimization is driven by rebel strength, since the more control the rebels hold, the more civilians are targeted. Thus, when Shining Path was forced to operate clandestinely on a permanent basis, it carried out more actions against hard targets, so as to remain a legitimate force within its urban support base.
Often Trusted but Never (Properly) Tested: Evaluating Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Baumgartner Michael , Thiem Alrik
Published: May 2017

To date, hundreds of researchers have employed the method of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) for the purpose of causal inference. In a recent series of simulation studies, however, several authors have questioned the correctness of QCA in this connection. Some prominent representatives of the method have replied in turn that simulations with artificial data are unsuited for assessing QCA. We take issue with either position in this impasse. On the one hand, we argue that data-driven evaluations of the correctness of a procedure of causal inference require artificial data. On the other hand, we prove all previous attempts in this direction to have been defective. For the first time in the literature on configurational comparative methods, we lay out a set of formal criteria for an adequate evaluation of QCA before implementing a battery of inverse-search trials to test how this method performs in different recovery contexts according to these criteria. While our results indicate that QCA is correct when generating the parsimonious solution type, they also demonstrate that the method is incorrect when generating the conservative and intermediate solution type. In consequence, researchers using QCA for causal inference, particularly in human-sensitive areas such as public health and medicine, should immediately discontinue employing the method’s conservative and intermediate search strategies.
Words Matter
Authors: Spalding Rachael , Kozlov Elissa , Carpenter Brian D.
Published: May 2017

Palliative care consultation teams (PCCTs) provide input to other health-care providers working with patients who have life-limiting disease. This study examines whether the diction and phrasing of consultation recommendations in the electronic health record influence their implementation. We reviewed 288 verbatim PCCT recommendations that were made for 111 unique patients in a Veterans Affairs hospital and available in the electronic health record. Recommendations were coded for linguistic features, such as the presence of conditionals (e.g., “could”) and tentative phrasing (e.g., “would suggest”). Each patient’s subsequent treatment was followed in the medical record to determine whether PCCT recommendations were implemented. Only 57% of the consultation recommendations were eventually implemented. Recommendations that included a conditional word or phrase were significantly less likely to be implemented. In particular, recommendations that included the words “could” and “consider” were less likely to be implemented. PCCTs may enhance their effectiveness by attending to the subtle pragmatics of how they communicate with other health-care providers, particularly in electronic communication where nonverbal features of communication are unavailable.
Fault diagnosis of a selective compliance assembly robot arm manipulator based on the end joint motion analysis: Threshold algorithm and experiments
Authors: Xu Fengyu , Yang Zhong , Hu JinLong , Jiang Guoping , Dai GuoHong
Published: May 2017

This paper presented a method to carry out fault diagnosis via analyzing the motion signals of a SCARA. To analyze the motion signals of the end joint of a selective compliance assembly robot arm (SCARA) and carry out fault diagnosis. A model parameter-based threshold algorithm is proposed in this study to improve the efficiency of the fault diagnosis on the end joint of a SCARA manipulator. The operation state of the robot is determined by comparing the speed curve of the end joint of the robot with the threshold using the proposed algorithm. Firstly, the threshold range of the system output is estimated using the speed observer constructed via parameter separation. Secondly, the acceleration signals of the end joint of the robot are collected at various operational angular speeds by a single acceleration sensor installed at the end joint of the manipulator. The operation state of the robot is evaluated by analyzing the trend and vibration characteristics of its acceleration. Finally, experiments are conducted at three different speeds: 2.4rad/s, 3.12rad/s and 3.6rad/s. Some robot malfunctions are detected by comparing the actual speed with the threshold. Thus, the proposed method can be used to monitor the variation signal in each robot joint through a single accelerometer mounted on the top of the manipulator.
A novel adaptive dynamic surface control scheme of hypersonic flight vehicles with thrust and actuator constraints
Authors: Zhang Shen , Wang Qing , Dong Chaoyang
Published: May 2017

In this paper, the nonlinear adaptive velocity and altitude tracking controller is developed for the longitudinal dynamics of generic air-breathing hypersonic flight vehicles. The proposed control scheme is designed using dynamic surface control method. The velocity and altitude subsystems are transformed into the linearly parameterized form for the convenience of adaptive law design. Both of the thrust and actuator constraints are explicitly considered. For thrust constraint, two cases are analyzed when the fuel-to-air ratio reaches its max and min values. A novel adaptive law is proposed to avoid over or less estimation in thrust saturation occasion. For actuator constraint, a magnitude and rate limiting filter is incorporated. The filter guarantees that the control signal is applicable for the actuator. It is shown that with the application of the proposed control scheme, all signals of the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded and the velocity and altitude tracking errors converge to a residual set which is arbitrarily small. Simulation results are demonstrated to show the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control scheme.
Delay-dependent stability criterion for uncertain discrete time systems in presence of actuator saturation
Authors: Pal Vipin Chandra , Negi Richa
Published: May 2017

In this paper, the idea of triple Lyapunov functional is applied for controller design of discrete time systems subjected to various nonlinearities like actuator saturation, time varying delay and uncertainties. The performance of the system considered has been examined using H∞ technique in presence of external disturbance. A novel augmented triple Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is applied with reciprocal convex approach to achieve the stability conditions, which are based on Linear Matrix Inequality. Saturation nonlinearity is tackled using less conservative convex hull method. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed criterion.
Herding on Earnings News: The Role of Institutional Investors in Post–Earnings-Announcement Drift
Authors: Chen Linda H. , Huang Wei , Jiang George J.
Published: May 2017

We examine the role of institutional investors underlying post–earnings-announcement drift (PEAD). Our results show that while institutional investors generally herd on earnings news, such correlated trading among institutions does not eliminate or reduce market underreaction to earnings surprises. Instead, PEAD is significant only in the subsample of stocks where institutions herd in the same direction as earnings surprises. In fact, institutional herding is also positively related to next-quarter earnings announcement returns. We provide evidence that institutional herding on or against earnings news is largely driven by firm characteristics, particularly past firm performance and stock returns. In addition, we find that relative to nontransient institutions, transient institutions have a stronger tendency to herd on earnings information. Finally, based on long-run stock returns, we show that when institutions herd on earnings surprises, institutional trading represents a gradual process of incorporating information into stock prices. However, when institutions herd against earnings surprises, institutional trading slows down stock price discovery.
“I Love You, Not Your Friends”
Authors: Fiori Katherine L. , Rauer Amy J. , Birditt Kira S. , Marini Christina M. , Jager Justin , Brown Edna , Orbuch Terri L.
Published: May 2017

Research on the merging of social networks among married couples tends to focus on the benefits of increased social capital, with the acknowledgment of potential stressors being limited primarily to in-law relationships. The purpose of the present study was to examine both positive (i.e., shared friend support) and negative (i.e., disapproval and interference of partner’s friends) aspects of friend ties on divorce across 16 years. Using a sample of 355 Black and White couples from the Early Years of Marriage project, we examined these associations with a Cox proportional hazard regression, controlling for a number of demographic and relational factors. Our findings indicate that (1) the negative aspects of couples’ friend ties are more powerful predictors of divorce than positive aspects; (2) at least early in marriage, husbands’ negative perceptions of wives’ friends are more predictive of divorce than are wives’ negative perceptions of husbands’ friends; (3) friendship disapproval may be less critical in the marital lives of Black husbands and wives than of White husbands and wives; and (4) the association between disapproval of wives’ friends at Year 1 and divorce may be partially explained by wives’ friends interfering in the marriage. Our findings are interpreted in light of possible mechanisms to explain the link between partner disapproval of friends and divorce, such as diminished interdependence, less network approval, and increased spousal conflict and jealousy.
Phonological awareness errors mirror underlying phonological representations: Evidence from Hebrew L1 – English L2 adults
Authors: Russak Susie , Saiegh-Haddad Elinor
Published: May 2017

This article examines the effect of phonological context (singleton vs. clustered consonants) on full phoneme segmentation in Hebrew first language (L1) and in English second language (L2) among typically reading adults (TR) and adults with reading disability (RD) ( n = 30 per group), using quantitative analysis and a fine-grained analysis of errors. In line with earlier findings, overall mean scores revealed significant differences between the two groups. However, no qualitative differences were found. In both groups and languages, full phoneme segmentation overall scores for CVC stimuli were higher than CCVC stimuli. This finding does not align with previous findings, obtained from a phoneme isolation task, showing that isolation from a cohesive CV unit is the most difficult. A fine-grained analysis of errors was conducted to glean insight into this finding. The analysis revealed a preference for creating and preserving CV units in phoneme segmentation in both L1 and L2. This is argued to support the cohesion of the CV unit. The article argues that the effect of language-specific sub-syllabic representations on phonemic analysis may not be always observed in overall scores, yet it is reflected in specific patterns of phonological segmentation errors.
Measurement of confidence: the development and psychometric evaluation of a stroke-specific, measure of confidence
Authors: Horne Jane C , Lincoln Nadina B , Logan Pip A
Published: May 2017

Objective:

To design, develop and psychometrically evaluate a stroke-specific measure of confidence, the Confidence after Stroke Measure (CaSM).

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Adults in the community.

Participants:

Stroke survivors and healthy elderly participants.

Methods:

Questionnaire items were generated based on the literature and qualitative interviews and piloted with expert groups to establish face validity. A 53-item CaSM was administered to stroke survivors and healthy elderly participants in the community. A second copy was posted four weeks later. Completed questionnaires were analysed for extreme responses, missing values, construct validity (factor analysis), convergent validity, divergent validity, reliability (internal consistency and temporal stability) and comparing responses according to age and gender.

Results:

Stroke ( n = 101) and healthy elderly participants ( n = 101) returned questionnaires. Eight items were removed that had extreme responses and large numbers of missing values. Six items had item total correlations <0.3 and were removed. A further item was removed demonstrating gender difference. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the remaining 38 items. A 27-item three factor solution was derived assessing Self-Confidence, Positive Attitude and Social Confidence, which explained 52% of variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient demonstrated good internal consistency ( α = 0.94). A test re-test on the 27 items indicated good temporal stability ( r = 0.85, P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

The 27-item CaSM was a valid and reliable measure for assessing confidence in stroke survivors.
Imaging features of primary renal lymphoma
Authors: Zhu Qingqiang , Zhu Wenrong , Wu Jingtao , Chen Wenxin
Published: May 2017

Background

Cases of primary renal lymphoma (PRL) are quite rare and are often mistaken for renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose

To determine the multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of PRL.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-three patients with PRL were identified by CT and MRI, and their tumor characteristics were assessed.

Results

Tumors exhibited single or multifocal nodules (n = 19) and diffuse renal enlargement (n = 4). Twenty-two tumors exhibited an infiltrative appearance. There was no evidence of calcification in any of the cases. Twenty-one tumors displaced or wrapped around abdominal vessels rather than encasing them. Enlarged retroperitoneal nodes were observed in three cases. Neither extension into the venous system nor distant metastasis was found. Tumor enhancement was of low attenuation compared with that of normal renal cortex and medulla ( P < 0.05). PRL was isointense on T1-weighted imaging, slightly hypointense on T2-weighted imaging and hyperintense on diffusion-weighted imaging. Twenty-two patients exhibited biopsy-confirmed PRN. There were four, 12, and seven cases of low-grade, intermediate-grade, and high-grade tumors, respectively. Patient were followed up over 16 to 166 months. Six patients died within three years and five patients died within five years.

Conclusion

Infiltrative appearance and tumor displacement or extension around abdominal vessels rather than vessel encasement are common findings on CT or MRI imaging and may suggest a diagnosis of PRL.
What makes a robot ‘social’?
Authors: Jones Raya A
Published: May 2017

Rhetorical moves that construct humanoid robots as social agents disclose tensions at the intersection of science and technology studies (STS) and social robotics. The discourse of robotics often constructs robots that are like us (and therefore unlike dumb artefacts). In the discourse of STS, descriptions of how people assimilate robots into their activities are presented directly or indirectly against the backdrop of actor-network theory, which prompts attributing agency to mundane artefacts. In contradistinction to both social robotics and STS, it is suggested here that to view a capacity to partake in dialogical action (to have a ‘voice’) is necessary for regarding an artefact as authentically social. The theme is explored partly through a critical reinterpretation of an episode that Morana Alač reported and analysed towards demonstrating her bodies-in-interaction concept. This paper turns to ‘body’ with particular reference to Gibsonian affordances theory so as to identify the level of analysis at which dialogicality enters social interactions.
Effectiveness of cognition-focused interventions in activities of daily living performance in people with dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Garrido-Pedrosa Jèssica , Sala Isabel , Obradors Núria
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Dementia affects cognitive functions and has a direct impact on the ability to perform activities of daily living. Studies have focused on the impact of cognition-focused interventions on cognitive functions, but less on the daily functionality of people with dementia. The aim of this study was to review systematically evidence of the effectiveness of cognition-focused interventions on the ability of people with dementia to perform activities of daily living.

Method

A search of randomised controlled trials was performed in 10 databases to find all available evidence on the subject. Two reviewers independently selected articles based on predetermined inclusion criteria. The articles had to describe randomised controlled trials involving cognition-focused interventions in people with some form of dementia, aged 65 years or over, and specify their score on the Mini-Mental State Examination or the Clinical Dementia Rating. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria for the review.

Results

Cognitive rehabilitation through functional tasks led to maintenance or improvement in everyday tasks in some cases. In cognitive stimulation studies the subjects maintained their performance in activities of daily living with respect to the control condition, but this was not the case in reminiscence stimulation groups. Subjects who underwent cognitive training of cognitive functions did not show significant improvements in activities of daily living.

Conclusion

The evidence on the effectiveness of cognition-focused interventions suggests that multi-component programmes that include cognitive rehabilitation or cognitive stimulation could maintain or improve functionality in people with dementia.
The development of a workbook to explore meaningful occupations after life-changing events
Authors: Taylor Jackie , Jones Vivienne
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Following serious illness or other traumatic events, individuals can experience a disruption of identity. This is related to an altered ability to engage in the routines, interactions and occupations of everyday life. The meaningfulness of occupations and of life itself can be changed or diminished. Because engagement in occupations contributes to identity construction, a practical tool to systematically explore the unique meanings of particular occupations to an individual could be of value in helping to re-establish a positive way forward. The aim of this study was to develop such a therapeutic tool, based on a framework of ‘the occupied self’.

Method

A participatory design approach was employed to engage the expertise of potential end-users of the tool: six occupational therapists in cancer services and nine people living with cancer. The prototype ‘What Now?’ Workbook and associated Guidance Notes were incrementally developed over a period of 8 months.

Results

The workbook was judged by the expert advisers to be relevant, useful and user-friendly, with the potential to benefit carers, retirees and those recovering from life-changing events.

Conclusion

The final version of the ‘What Now?’ Workbook is now ready to be tested in practice.
Some Current Biochemical Theories of Psychosis
Authors: Sourkes Theodore L.
Published: May 2017

Recently certain hypotheses with a biochemical flavour have been proposed to explain the etiology of psychosis. These hypotheses suggest that a disturbance in the metabolism of some important substance such as serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), nor-adrenaline or adrenaline results in a chemical imbalance in the brain, or leads to the formation of an abnormal product which is toxic to the brain, although not completely interfering with its metabolic activities; and, further, that this disturbance is causative in psychoses.

In this paper the various hypotheses are described and evaluated. For example, the metabolic disturbance has been attributed to (1) excessive accumulation of serotonin in the brain, (2) a deficiency of it in that organ, or (3) excessive conversion to bufotenine, its dimethyl derivative. “Adrenaline theories” postulate the conversion of (1) nor-adrenaline to a mescaline-like substance, or (2) adrenaline to adrenolutine, adrenochrome or “adrenoxine”, the conversion product playing the role of the toxic, psychosis-producing agent.

The limited and contradictory evidence available to these hypotheses is pointed out, as well as the frankly speculative nature of some of the views. A brief indication is made of the considerable biochemical research on the function of serotonin and catecholamines in the brain, research which is going on in many laboratories quite apart from the described hypotheses. The importance of such research for neuropsychiatry is emphasized.
“Mental Fitness to Stand Trial: A Case Report”
Authors: Howitt J. R. , Tennant C. S.
Published: May 2017

The authors describe with some detail a murder trial at which they gave evidence for the Crown.

During the trial an unusual situation developed which resulted in something which is considered without precedent in Canada. There had been no suggestions, prior to the trial, that the accused was mentally ill or unfit to stand his trial, but after the Crown's case was completed the accused took the Box to give evidence on his own behalf. Because of his conduct there the Judge ordered a Trial of the Issue as to his fitness to proceed with his trial. He was found fit to continue but on the following day the Crown Psychiatrists, with the Defence Psychiatrist absent, reported that they observed a change in the patient and suspected that he was not well. A lengthy recess was announced to enable the Psychiatrist to examine the accused and when they reported on their findings to the Crown Attorney, the Judge ordered another Trial of the Issue and the two Crown Psychiatrists reported that the man was unfit to continue his trial and the Jury so found.