bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐Term Incidence of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency and Other Sequelae following Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Authors: Tang Jessica A. , Salapatas Anna M. , Bonzelaar Lauren B. , Friedman Michael
Published: January 2017

Objective

The aim of this study is to (1) assess incidence of long‐term velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and (2) determine other sequelae following classic and modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP and mUPPP) for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Data Sources

Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library database.

Review Methods

A systematic review was performed following standard Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Original research articles reporting on sequelae of UPPP and mUPPP for treatment of OSA, at a mean of 1 year follow‐up, were included. Articles were retrieved using keywords UPPP complications and UPPP questionnaire. A random‐effects model was used for pooling data.

Results

A total of 24 studies were included in this review. Complications included VPI (24 studies, n = 191), difficulty swallowing (7 studies, n = 83), taste disturbances (4 studies, n = 10), voice changes (7 studies, n = 46), foreign body (9 studies, n = 427), and dry pharynx (7 studies, n = 150). When pooling all studies together, VPI was the least common sequelae reported in 8.1% of the cases. Foreign body sensation was the most commonly reported sequelae at 31.2%, with difficulty swallowing (17.7%), dry pharynx (23.4%), voice changes (9.5%), and taste disturbances (8.2%) being the most to least likely.

Conclusions

The long‐term effectiveness of UPPP and mUPPP is limited by the number of studies reporting short‐term follow‐up only. Despite this, long‐term data suggest that complications such as VPI are more common than previously reported. Other sequelae, such as foreign body sensation, may be one of the most frequently expected complications after UPPP surgery.
Barium Swallow is a Predictor of Salivary Fistula following Laryngectomy
Authors: Krouse John H. , Metson Ralph
Published: January 2017

Pharyngocutaneous salivary fistula after laryngectomy is a serious complication that can lead to prolonged hospitalization and increased patient morbidity. A postoperative barium swallow provides the surgeon with information regarding the integrity of the pharyngeal suture line. In an attempt to determine whether this information can be used to predict or prevent salivary fistula, we reviewed the records of 109 patients who underwent total laryngectomy, including 51 who had a barium swallow before they began oral intake. Ten patients (20%) demonstrated a sinus tract originating from the pharyngeal suture line. A clinical salivary fistula developed in all four patients with a sinus tract 2 cm or longer, but in only one of six patients with a tract shorter than 2 cm. Other factors predictive of salivary fistula included tumor stage, previous radiation therapy, and the presence of concurrent postoperative complications. A single fistula developed in the 58 patients not studied with barium. Information provided by postlaryngectomy barium swallow appeared to predict, but not prevent salivary fistula formation.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Older Patients without Risk Factors
Authors: Constantinides Minas S. , Rothstein Stephen G. , Persky Mark S.
Published: January 2017

Ten patients over sixty years of age with no history of tobacco or alcohol use were treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract between 1979 and 1991. Nine of these ten patients were women with lesions confined to the oral cavity and oropharynx. Modes of treatment included surgery, radiation, or a combination of surgery and radiation. Followup from 1 to 10 years revealed two deaths from local and distant spread, and eight patients with no evidence of disease. Recurrences after treatment were aggressive and occurred within the same region as the primary lesion. Although most patients with upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma are men with alcohol and/or tobacco exposure, this study demonstrates findings consistent with field cancerization in a group of older women with no risk factors.
An Analysis of Defaults of Long-term Rated Debts
Authors: Gill Suveera
Published: January 2017

Lately, the credit rating agencies have been the subject of significant criticism for failing to warn the investors of the defaults well in advance. Investors in long-term debt instruments are usually risk averse, buy-and-hold types; and hence, for them, the variability of investment-grade default rates is particularly important since they employ simple investment-grade rating cut-offs in the design of their investment eligibility plan. According to ICRA (Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India) and the other credit rating agencies, default means that the company has either already failed in the payment of interest and/or principal as per terms or is expected to fail. The debt rating at no time informs as to how much bond face value holders would recover in the event of a default. The present regulations pertaining to the credit rating agencies preclude the investors and issuers from suing agencies for awarding a particular rating. Hence, credit ratings are of value only as long as they are credible.

This paper tests the reliability of ratings assigned by ICRA on the basis of the actual default rate experience on long-term debt across five sectors over a period of seven years, i.e., 1995–2002. The reason for including only long-term debt instruments for the purpose of analysis is that the assigned rating and its movement can be observed only over a long period. Since the credit rating agencies do not publish ratings that are not accepted by the issuers, this study is limited to only those issues that have been accepted and used by the issuers. The default statistics were examined sector-wise, period-wise, and company/institution-wise. Analyses of the background and business, operating performance, management and systems, financial performance, prospects, key issues, and the reasons cited for defaults were undertaken with respect to all the companies. Simple metrics like default rates by rating grades and rating prior to default were used to analyse whether low ratings (i.e., speculative-grade ratings) were assigned by ICRA to defaulting credits well in advance of default rate. Further, an attempt was made to identify whether companies in default had issued other debt instruments that were rated by other credit rating agencies.

The findings highlight the following: The performance of the manufacturing sector vis-a-vis other sectors has been dismal. The period of high defaults (1997-1999) coincides with a high interest regime and poor economic conditions in India. ICRA's performance in terms of proper surveillance and provision of timely and complete information about the companies rated by them has not been up to the mark.

The findings certainly draw attention towards the fact that excessive reliance on credit rating needs to be reduced. Since the governance of the credit rating agencies is questionable, adequate steps have to be taken to make them more accountable.
Castrol India Limited: Managing in Challenging Times
Authors: Anand Manoj
Published: January 2017

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.

— Horace (65–68 BC)
Transmission of Airborne Sound from 50-20,000 Hz into the Abdomen of Sheep
Authors: Peters Aemil J.M. , Abrams Robert M. , Gerhardt Kenneth J. , Griffiths Scott K.
Published: January 2017

The transmission of audible sounds from the environment of the pregnant woman to the foetus is of growing interest to obstetricians who utilize foetal vibracoustic stimulation in their examinations, and to occupational health professionals who believe that high-intensity sound in the workplace is potentially damaging to the foetus. Earlier reports on transmission of sound into the abdomen and uterus of sheep revealed a significant amount of sound attenuation at frequencies above 2,000 Hz. and some enhancement at frequencies below 250 Hz. However, frequencies above 10,000 Hz, and stimulus levels as possible variables, were not studied. In this report, the effects of frequency from 50-20,000 Hz. and stimulus levels (90 to 110 dB sound pressure level), were studied in five sheep. Sound attenuation varied as a function of frequency (p<0.001). Sound attenuation varied inversely as a function of stimulus level for low frequencies (50-125 Hz) and for high frequencies (7,000–20,000 Hz) (p<0.001). In the mid frequency range (200-4,000 Hz), no effect of stimulus level (p=0.96) was found. Additionally, in the 800-2,000 Hz range there was enhancement of sound pressure of up to 10 dB.
Whole-Body Vibration Exposure Experienced by Subway Train Operators
Authors: Ozkaya Nihat , Willems Bernardus , Goldsheyder David , Nordin Margareta
Published: January 2017

Purposes of the study were to measure mechanical vibrations transmitted to train operators, to calculate daily whole-body vibration exposure levels, to compare measured levels with maximum acceptable exposure levels according to the international standard on whole-body vibration, to identify factors that influence vibration levels, and to quantify the effects of these factors on the measured levels. As a result of this study, it was determined that six out of twenty subway lines had vibration levels higher than the daily exposure limits recommended by the international standard, and that train speed was the most significant factor influencing the vibration levels.
The Influence of Individual Factors on the Absorption of Vibration Energy in the Hand and Arm
Authors: Burström Lage
Published: January 2017

The detrimental effects of vibrating hand-held tools upon humans have been known for a long time, and determination of the absorption of vibration energy into the operator's hand and arm could be an alternative method of risk assessment.

The energy absorption in the hand and arm during exposure to random vibration has been measured in 84 subjects. A special handle was used during the measurements. The influence of various experimental conditions, such as vibration level (3–12 m/s2), vibration direction (Xh, Yh, Zh), and grip force (25–75 N) as well as individual biological factors were studied.

The results show that energy absorption is influenced by exposure directions and levels as well as grip forces. Furthermore, the results show that individual biological differences between subjects, for instance age, hand volume and hand thickness, have a significant influence on the amount of absorbed energy.
Simulation of Forces Acting in the Spine under Continuous and Transient Whole-Body Vibrations by Means of a Biomechanical Model
Authors: Fritz Martin
Published: January 2017

Investigations reveal that exposure to whole-body vibrations can induce degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. The purpose of this study was to assess the health risk on the basis of predicted forces transmitted in the spine. The forces were simulated by means of a biomechanical model, where ten rigid bodies represent the trunk (5), the neck (4), and the head (1) and one additional body imitates the vibrating seat. As stress examples, the model movements were simulated under sinusoidal and shock containing vibrations in the x- and z-direction. In the lumbar spine the resulting shear force was lower than the compressive force. The peak values of the compressive force were −834 N under the sinusoidal and −1188 N under the shock containing vibration. Assessing the health risk, the predicted spine forces have to be compared with the strength of the spine regarding the age and gender of the worker and the dependence on the number of load cycles.
Experimental Measurements of Lateral Tyre Behaviour
Authors: Peng C
Published: January 2017

The dynamic behaviour of rolling tyres is becoming relatively important in the prediction of vehicle ride vibration, especially for those un-suspended vehicles. Attention has been paid to the vertical tyre behaviour for many years and many measured data have been published. However there is a lack of knowledge about the dynamic behaviour of rolling tyres in the lateral direction and a shortage of the measured data of lateral vibration properties of tyres. This paper described the use of a purpose built dynamic tyre testing vehicle to measure lateral dynamic behaviour of a rolling tyre. The measured results showed a difference of 20% to 80% in the lateral frequency response between a rolling tyre and non-rolling tyre. The measurements also showed that the lateral excitation induced by the tyre lugs causes non-linearity in the frequency at a frequency given by the tyre lug spacing and travel speed.
Space Frames: The Space Within—A Guided Tour
Authors: Gabriel J. François
Published: January 2017

New configurations as well as new applications are constantly discovered for space structures. There is every indication that this trend will continue for a very longtime.

This paper describes four configurations developed in the last ten years to provide architects with a framework for the accommodation of any building program.

These configurations have their origin in a multi-layer, three-way space frame. They are, however, very different from each other. Although these have been the subjects of separate publications, they are discussed here together for the first time.

The author feels that the discussion of topological aspects of space frames which relate to architectural considerations will make a positive contribution towards a more generalized use of space structures.
Safety and efficacy of letibotulinumtoxinA(BOTULAX®) in treatment of post stroke upper limb spasticity: a randomized, double blind, multi-center, phase III clinical trial
Authors: Do Kyung Hee , Chun Min Ho , Paik Nam-Jong , Park Yoon Ghil , Lee Shi-Uk , Kim Min-Wook , Kim Don-Kyu
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To investigate a new botulinum neurotoxin type A, termed letibotulinumtoxinA(Botulax®) and compare its efficacy and safety for post-stroke upper limb spasticity with that of onabotulinumtoxinA(Botox®).

Design:

A prospective, double-blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical study.

Setting:

Six university hospitals in Korea.

Subjects:

A total of 187 stroke participants with upper limb spasticity.

Interventions:

Two kinds of botulinum neurotoxin type A were used. One set of injection was performed and total injected doses were 309.21±62.48U(Botulax) and 312.64±49.99U(Botox)( P>0.05).

Main measures:

Primary outcome was measured using the modified Ashworth scale for wrist flexors at week 4 and secondary outcome was measured using modified Ashworth scale for wrist flexors, elbow flexors, finger flexors, and thumb flexors as well as Global Assessment in spasticity, Disability Assessment Scale, and Caregiver Burden Scale. Safety measures including adverse events, vital signs and physical examination, and laboratory tests were also monitored.

Results:

The mean ages for the Botulax group were 56.81±9.49 and which for the Botox group were 56.93±11.93( P>0.05). In primary outcome, the change in modified Ashworth scale for wrist flexors was -1.45±0.61 in the Botulax group and -1.40±0.57 in the Botox group, and the difference between the two groups was -0.06(95% CI:-0.23–0.12, P>0.05). In secondary outcome, both groups demonstrated significant improvements with respect to modified Ashworth scale, Global Assessment in spasticity, Disability Assessment Scale, and Caregiver Burden Scale ( P<0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the two groups ( P>0.05). In addition, safety measures showed no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05).

Conclusions:

The efficacy and safety of Botulax were comparable with those of Botox in treatment of post-stoke upper limb spasticity.
Shishak/Shoshenq's Travels
Authors: Clancy Frank
Published: January 2017

At Karnak the Pharaoh Shoshenq I left a list of cities he conquered in Canaan. Traditional interpretations of the first 55 names include Megiddo and the Jezreel Valley, Penuel and Mahanaim and the Transjordan region, Aijalon and Gibeon north of Jerusalem, and Gaza and Gezer in the Philistine Plain. However, there are a number of problems with that interpretation: Jerusalem, other Philistine cities and a number of other well-known cities are missing; in addition, the archaeological record does not support such a route. This paper offers a different reconstruction, presenting a more modest route through the Judaean Shephelah, and proposes that Shoshenq did not go to Transjordan or into the hill country of Judah or Israel.
Zorah, Eshtaol, Beth-Shemesh and Dan's Migration to the South: A Region and its Traditions in the Late Bronze and Iron Ages
Authors: Niemann Hermann Michael
Published: January 2017

Khirbet er-Rumele was known as Sarha in the Late Bronze Age (EA 273.21) but in the Iron Age its name was changed to that of its shrine—Beth-Shemesh. Zorah (Tell Sar'a), offshoot settlement of Beth-Shemesh, continued to use the name of the mother city. Perhaps it served as refuge for Beth-Shemesh, producing the fictitious fortress of Rehoboam (2 Chron. 11.10), but pottery findings can not be dated to before Iron Age IIB (900/850 BCE). Eshtaol (= Išwa') was an offshoot settlement of Zorah (Iron Age HC). The Danites did not migrate to the north (twelfth, eleventh or tenth century BCE) leaving the Samson-clan in the south (Judg. 13–18). Rather, they came south following the campaigns by Tiglat Pileser III against Israel, settling first near Kiriath-jearim and then in the Zorah-Eshtaol region. They legitimized their claim by ‘Danitizing’ the local hero Samson and through the fictional northward migration which allowed the portrayal of the current settlement as a return to ancestral grounds.
Questions Outside Eden (Genesis 4.1-16): Yahweh, Cain and Their Rhetorical Interchange
Authors: Craig Kenneth M.
Published: January 2017

The invocation of a question represents a special literary phenomenon. Characters sometimes ask for information; at other times, they invoke questions for rhetorical flourish. In the story of Cain and Abel characterization is achieved not only by such asking, but also by the fielding of questions. Yhwh and Cain invoke six interrogatives in a short narrative space, and their rhetorical interchange is a fine example of the Hebrew Bible's deceptively simple art. The protean interrogative forms function as part of an overall syntactic, compositional and stylistic plot design.
National Risk of Zinc Deficiency as Estimated by National Surveys
Authors: Hess Sonja Y.
Published: January 2017

Background:

Information is needed on the national prevalence of zinc deficiency to guide program development and evaluation.

Objective:

To summarize results of national surveys that assessed plasma or serum zinc concentrations (PZC) and compare the prevalence of low PZC with other methods used to estimate countries’ risk of zinc deficiency.

Methods:

National surveys that included PZC were identified through Internet searches and personal contacts. A survey was eligible if a nationally representative sampling scheme was used, PZC was analyzed, and the survey was implemented in a low- or middle-income country. Twenty surveys were eligible; 19 countries assessed PZC in young children and 14 in women of reproductive age.

Results:

In 13 of the 19 surveys, the prevalence of low PZC in children was >20%. Only Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, the Republic of Maldives, Sri Lanka, and China found a low prevalence of inadequate PZC among children. Some of these conclusions may be due to the lower than recommended cutoff that was used. Similarly, in 13 of 14 surveys, the prevalence of low PZC in women was >20%. Estimates of percentage population with inadequate dietary zinc intake based on food balance sheets underestimate the risk of zinc deficiency. The national stunting prevalence seems to be a useful proxy, as both indicators categorized countries similarly into high versus low risk of zinc deficiency, with some exceptions.

Conclusions:

Results from 20 countries suggest that zinc deficiency is a public health concern in the majority of these countries and zinc intervention strategies should be considered.
Pull Quotes Shape Reader Perceptions of News Stories
Authors: Gibson Rhonda , Hester Joe Bob , Stewart Shannon
Published: January 2017

This experiment shows that content of pullout quotes influences the formation of readers' attitudes. The finding suggests that editors need to extract quotes from various points of view.
Government Sources Dominate Vehicle Emissions Coverage
Authors: Maddison Jonathan , Watts Richard
Published: January 2017

This study of news sources finds that the media's agenda reflects that of officials at all levels of government as evidenced by the high proportion of officials cited in the coverage and the focus of news articles on government policy.
NYT Pulitzer Stories Show More Independence in Foreign Sourcing
Authors: Cozma Raluca , Hamilton John Maxwell , Lawrence Regina
Published: January 2017

A comparison of Pulitzer Prize winning foreign correspondence at The New York Times to non-winning stories finds increased use of named sources and source diversity across eight decades for both. Yet, winning stories reveal much more independence from official U. S. views.
Bloggers Rely on Sources outside Traditional Media
Authors: Watson Brendan R.
Published: January 2017

This analysis of 100 blogs finds that local public affairs bloggers do not rely on newspapers for the majority of their sources. They are more likely to use originial sources and original reporting, particularly when writing about local topics commonly ignored by the news media.
Black Newspapers Focus More on Community Affairs Stories
Authors: Wang Qian , Armstrong Cory L.
Published: January 2017

This content analysis of two weekly African American newspapers and the daily newspapers in two Florida cities finds that community affairs, politics and religion are covered more frequently in the black press, while sports stories appear more frequently in the dailies.
Newspapers Provide Context in Elizabeth Smart Abduction
Authors: Bullock Cathy Ferrand , Spratt Margaret , John Sue Lockett
Published: January 2017

Content analysis of the Elizabeth Smart abduction found that it included information placing the abduction in a broader context or pointed toward solutions to the problem of child abduction. Coverage also presented ways to prevent child abductions or improve recovery efforts.
Readers' View of Credibility Similar for Online, Print
Authors: Payne Gregg A. , Dozier David M.
Published: January 2017

Credibility scores by readers of print versus online newspapers found that readers' scores of hardcopy were significantly higher than scores of online news in 2001. By 2010, however, none of the differences between online and hardcopy treatments was statistically significant.
Combining Online, Print Increases Ad Effectiveness
Authors: Rosenkrans Ginger , Myers Keli
Published: January 2017

This field experiment found the synergy effect occurs when combining print ads with online ads on a local newspaper's online and print venues by significantly increasing website visits when compared to a print-only ad campaign.
Youngest Adults Less Likely to Read News Online
Authors: Kaufhold Kelly
Published: January 2017

An analysis of Pew Center survey data from 2002 to 2010 finds young adults continue to lag behind other adults in reading news, even when it is online. While nine of 10 young adults are likely to be online, the oldest Americans (65+) are more likely to follow news online.
The Link between Newspaper Content Quality & Circulation
Authors: Lacy Stephen , Fico Frederick
Published: January 2017

Although quality — like beauty — may be in the eye of the beholder, there seems to be a strong link between a newspaper's content quality and Us circulation. Papers that cut quality as a short-run cost-saving device may end up paying in future circulation.
Newspaper of the Future: Our Look at the Next Century
Authors: Bogart Leo
Published: January 2017

This look at the recent past and at projections for the future raises the intriguing question of whether the newspaper of tomorrow is to be class or mass.
Why Future is Promising for Newspaper Industry
Authors: Lawrence David
Published: January 2017

The author says he has no doubts of the continued necessity for well-reported, well-designed, tightly edited news, information and commentary. Newspapers have a solid future if they do right by readers, never the same as pandering; if they are essential to readers' lives.
Change Shapes Trends in Newspaper Management
Authors: Giles Robert H.
Published: January 2017

The market-driven approach, which increasingly characterizes the path newspapers are taking, means they are rethinking news coverage, advertising and hiring. This also means redefining management.
Influences on Use of Sources at Large U.S. Newspapers
Authors: Powers Angela , Fico Frederick
Published: January 2017

Journalists' own orientations are a major determinant in choice of sources, but pressures from within their organization and their professional background also are substantial influences.
Macromolecular Prodrugs of 5-Fluorouracil. 1: Synthesis and Hydrolytic Stability
Authors: Nichifor Marieta , Coessens Veerle , Schacht Etienne H.
Published: January 2017

The hydroxyl groups of poly(ethylene glycol), dextran and poly-[N5-(2-hydroxy-ethyl-L-glutamineI were activated using the 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate method. The resulting phenyl carbonate groups reacted quantitatively with the primary amine groups of oligopeptides with 2-(5-fluorouracil-1-yl) glycine ethyl ester moiety as C-terminus. Following this procedure, 5-fluorouracil-polymer conjugates with peptide chains of different amino acid sequences and configurations were synthesized. The conjugates showed a good hydrolytic stability in buffer solutions of pH 7.4 and 5.5, as well as in calf serum, which indicated good stability of the polymer-drug linkage in the blood.
Case Studies of Physical and Chemical Gels Based on Microbial Polysaccharides
Authors: Crescenzi V. , Dentein M. , Simvi F. , Paci M. , Paradossi G. , Bellini D. , Righetto Z.
Published: January 2017

Microbial anionic polysaccharides, although structurally closely related, exhibit strikingly different gelling properties in aqueous media (physical gels formation). Experimental observations are traced to differences, minor differences in some instances, in primary structures. Chemical gels have been prepared using deacylated gellan by means of an interchain partial esterification procedure, and a sample subjected to preliminary characterization in terms of swelling properties. NMR water proton relaxation data show that such amples display a remarkable water retention capability.
Osteoinduction in the Presence of Chitosan-Coated Porous Hydroxyapatite
Authors: Mattioli-Belmonte M. , Biagini G. , Muzzarelli R. A. A. , Casaldini C. , Gandolfi M. G. , Krajewski A. , Ravaglioli A. , Fin M. , Giardino R.
Published: January 2017

Hydroxyapatite nails, prepared according to a novel method and endowed with better mechanical resistance, were coated with chitosan to impart enhanced biocompatibility and were introduced in the femurs of rabbits. Chitosan was found to be a favorable interface between bone and hydroxyapatite because it promoted an osteoconductive reaction.
Synthesis and Characterization of Segmented Hydrosoluble Poly(Tartaraide)s
Authors: Bizzarri Ranieri , Solaro Roberto , Chiellini Emo
Published: January 2017

Segmented poly(tartaramide)s were prepared by polycondensation of monodispersed α,ω-diaminooligo(ethyleneglycol)s, with oligomerization degree included between 2 and 6, with two optically active dialkyl tartrates. The diamines were obtained from the relevant commercial glycols using a modified Gabriel synthesis. The polycondensations were performed in methanol at 55°C with triethylamine as catalyst. By this route, optically active poly(tartaramide)s, with oligomerization degree in the 4-10 range, were obtained in fairly high yields. Solubility and thermal properties of the polycondensation products were found to be related to the length of the oligo(oxyethylene) segment and to the presence of free hydroxyl groups.
The Anti-Drug Policies of the 1980's: Have They Increased the Likelihood for Both Wrongful Convictions and Sentencing Disparities?
Authors: Halsted James B.
Published: January 2017

New statutory schemes enacted to support the “War on Drugs” policies of the 1980s are being enforced in a manner which is increasing the likelihood of a greater number of wrongful convictions. This study examines these new anti-drug statutes by analyzing how and when the American criminal justice system may be incarcerating marginally culpable and even innocent defendants due to the easier convictability of those prosecuted under the new statutes. One new crime created by these statutes is “trafficking in controlled substances.” An accused can be convicted under this powerfully sanctioned crime whenever the prosecution proves that he or she is only in “constructive possession” of a statutorily designated amount of a controlled substance. The significant change embodied in the new crime of “trafficking” is that it has reduced the amount of proof which used to be necessary to convict an accused person of the old drug dealer's crime, “possession of drugs with the intent to distribute.” In “trafficking” statutes, the seminal element of the older crime has been omitted. This omission has facilitated convictions. Additionally, this study uncovers statutorily built-in sentencing disparities among the punishments which judges are forced to impose on those convicted of “trafficking” versus the punishments which judges have the discretion to impose for other equally serious felonies.
Canada's Corporate—Higher Education Forum Shaping shared interests
Authors: Roman Patricia
Published: January 2017

In all its activities, the Corporate—Higher Education Forum strives to improve understanding among the leaders of business and academe in Canada, and to encourage common action where consensus is built. This article discusses the philosophy, work and future of the Forum.
Strengthening the Technology Transfer Framework in Developing Countries
Authors: Maredia Karim M. , Erbisch Frederic H. , Dodds John H.
Published: January 2017

An internship programme on intellectual property and the management thereof was designed and conducted at Michigan State University for representatives from developing countries. Eleven participants from eight developing countries attended the two-week programme. In addition to classroom work, the interns visited several university technology transfer offices and attended the annual meeting of the Association of University Technology Managers. As a result of the programme, interns are having a positive impact on individuals, institutions, and governments by developing educational programmes and by providing advice in the development of new intellectual property protection policies and laws. Due to its success, planning is underway to conduct the internship programme again during 1997.
Entrepreneurial Education and its Potential
Authors: Lähdeniemi Tuomo
Published: January 2017

Entrepreneurial education evokes considerable controversy. For some, it portends a re-examination of the guidelines of educational policy, while for others it raises the fear that the market economy is sneaking its way into the sheltered recesses of school. Confusion about the meaning of the term exacerbates the situation and we wonder if we are talking about the same thing. Could entrepreneurial education be a solution to youth unemployment or even a partial solution? While the author examines these issues in the specific content of Finnish schools, the principles discussed are applicable at all levels of education and internationally.
Developing Education and Business Links
Authors: Abbott Ian , Coldicott Caron , Foley Moss , Huddleston Prue , Stagg Peter
Published: January 2017

The Economics and Business Studies Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the University of Warwick has been at the forefront of developing links between initial teacher education and business. The latest stage in this process occurred in January 1996 when 22 PGCE students undertook a three-day residential course established in a partnership between the University of Warwick, Understanding British Industry (UBI) and the UK Post Office. This course was the first of its kind in the UK to be sponsored by an individual company and has been designed to provide a model which can be used in all areas of initial teacher education links between business and initial teacher education. The authors address practical and theoretical issues relating to the development of links between business and initial teacher education. The broader theoretical issues considered include the significance of this type of activity in relation to the changes taking place in initial teacher education in England and Wales, such as the development of competencies, the role of continuing professional development and the appropriateness of the model. The authors also address the practical implications of working with business, and the development of a residential programme in a crowded timetable, and assess some of the curriculum materials produced by students.
Feasibility of detecting orthopaedic screw overtightening using acoustic emission
Authors: Pullin Rhys , Wright Bryan J , Kapur Richard , McCrory John P , Pearson Matthew , Evans Sam L , Crivelli Davide
Published: January 2017

A preliminary study of acoustic emission during orthopaedic screw fixation was performed using polyurethane foam as the bone-simulating material. Three sets of screws, a dynamic hip screw, a small fragment screw and a large fragment screw, were investigated, monitoring acoustic-emission activity during the screw tightening. In some specimens, screws were deliberately overtightened in order to investigate the feasibility of detecting the stripping torque in advance. One set of data was supported by load cell measurements to directly measure the axial load through the screw. Data showed that acoustic emission can give good indications of impending screw stripping; such indications are not available to the surgeon at the current state of the art using traditional torque measuring devices, and current practice relies on the surgeon’s experience alone. The results suggest that acoustic emission may have the potential to prevent screw overtightening and bone tissue damage, eliminating one of the commonest sources of human error in such scenarios.
Nuclear Power and Global Warming: A First Cost-Benefit Calculation
Authors: Hope Chris
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates the costs and benefits of a modest nuclear power programme in the European Union to combat the threat of global warming. The nuclear programme is found to bring a double benefit. The first and more obvious benefit is that the economic impacts of global warming are reduced. The second benefit is counter-intuitive; most people would expect it to be a cost. It comes from the stimulus to the economy from the construction of the nuclear plant, which, with the recycling of carbon tax revenues, offsets its construction and operating costs, and may even cause consumers' expenditure to rise.

Calculations in this paper show that over the period to 2100 the mean net present value of the first benefit is 6 billion European Currency Units (ECU; 1 ECU is about $1), while the second benefit has a mean net present value of 158 billion ECU. However both benefits, particularly the second, are still very uncertain, to the extent that even their sign is not yet definitely established.
Examining Efficiencies of Indian ADRs and their Underlying Stocks
Authors: Singh Aditi , Chakraborty Madhumita
Published: January 2017

In this article, the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) is tested for US and Indian stock markets and Indian American depositary receipts (ADRs) and their underlying stocks. The approach used to observe changing market efficiency is time-varying Hurst exponent. The Hurst values have been calculated after filtering the financial asset return series for short-term dependence and volatility. Rolling window approach has been used to calculate Hurst exponent and observe time-varying long-range dependence. The data are filtered by autoregressive-generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (AR-GARCH) method. The empirical results suggest that US stock market is more efficient than Indian stock market. All the ADRs, their underlying stocks and markets of both the countries have shown varying efficiency. The change in efficiency of Indian ADRs is more when compared to their underlying stocks, which suggests that stock of a company listed on stock indices of different countries may show different pace of evolution of efficiency depending on maturity of the market.
Coupling between two kinds of band gaps of a shunted tube piezoelectric phononic crystal
Authors: Lian Ziyang , Hu Hongping , Dai Longxiang , Liang Yuxing , Luo Bin , Chen Xuedong
Published: January 2017

A tube-type piezoelectric phononic crystal model is proposed to study interaction between locally resonant and Bragg band gaps, which is arrayed periodically by metal and piezoelectric segments. Each piezoelectric segment consists of a shell with series-connected and opposite directions polarized double layers and a resonant shunting circuit. According to the interaction between Bragg scattering and local electromagnetic oscillation, three regions corresponding to the inductance can be divided as follows: quasi-short circuits region, coupling region, and quasi-open circuits region. Some interesting phenomena are found from the coupling between Bragg scattering and locally resonant of electromagnetic oscillation. (1) In the coupling region, a pass band splits a Bragg band gap into two band gaps. But the cut-off frequency of the second band gap does not change with the inductance. (2) In the quasi-open circuits region, Bragg and locally resonant band gaps exist independently. (3) The first band gap transits from Bragg scattering to local resonance when the inductance increases from quasi-short circuits region to quasi-open circuits region. (4) The cut-off frequency of the first band gap is always less than the estimated resonant frequency of inductor-capacitor oscillators. Finally, the theoretical result is validated by two kinds of finite element models based on ANSYS.
Modeling and characterization of shape memory alloy springs with water cooling strategy in a neurosurgical robot
Authors: Cheng Shing Shin , Kim Yeongjin , Desai Jaydev P
Published: January 2017

Since shape memory alloy has a high power density and is magnetic resonance imaging compatible, it has been chosen as the actuator for the meso-scale minimally invasive neurosurgical intracranial robot (MINIR-II) that is envisioned to be operated under continuous magnetic resonance imaging guidance. We have devised a water cooling strategy to improve its actuation frequency by threading a silicone tube through the spring coils to form a compact cooling module-integrated actuator. To create active bi-directional motion in each robot joint, we configured the shape memory alloy springs in an antagonistic way. We modeled the antagonistic shape memory alloy spring behavior and provided the detailed steps to simulate its motion for a complete cycle. We investigated the heat transfer during the resistive heating and water cooling processes. Characterization experiments were performed to determine the parameters used in both models, which were then verified by comparing the experimental and simulated data. The actuation frequency of the antagonistic shape memory alloys was evaluated for several motion amplitudes and we could achieve a maximum actuation frequency of 0.143 Hz for a sinusoidal trajectory with 2 mm amplitude. Lastly, we developed a robotic system to implement the actuators on the MINIR-II to move its end segment back and forth for approximately ±25°.
Intentional Nonadherence as a Means to Exert Control
Authors: Huyard Caroline , Derijks Luc , Haak Harm , Lieverse Louis
Published: January 2017

Medication adherence is a major issue for patients with a chronic illness, who sometimes rationally choose temporary nonadherence. This study aims at better understanding intentional nonadherence and especially why it seems to fluctuate over time. It is based on 48 semi-structured interviews conducted in a hospital in the Netherlands with patients who had been prescribed a medication for a chronic disease for at least 1 year, and who had either type 2 diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic myeloid leukemia. The analysis uses a simplified version of the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) method. Intentional nonadherence appeared to be the result of the respondents’ desire (a) to exert control over the treatment and its effects on their body, and (b) to control the hold of the treatment on their daily life. This result provides a rationale for the fluctuation of intentional nonadherence behavior.
I Feel So Alive in the Boat!
Authors: Magnussen Leif Inge
Published: January 2017

This paper explores the meaning Norwegian sea kayakers form in their engagement with nature and their reflections upon uncertainty and resistance. Findings in this paper stem from ethnographic fieldwork conducted in a sea kayak community, with the aim of describing learning processes and experiences made outdoors by recreational sea kayakers. Sea kayaking adventures are found not only on long journeys, but also in the exposure to wind, currents, and waves. Sea kayakers report that they improve their skills when navigating uncertain conditions, but that this is secondary to the experience of flow and joy. They also reflect on the necessity of being humble in order to survive. The adventure of sea kayaking exists in being in and out of control—a valuable part of the Bildung process.
Trade Associations Matter as Units of Selection, as Actors Within Comparative and Historical Institutional Frameworks, and as Potential Impediments to Societal Wide Collective Action
Authors: Aldrich Howard E.
Published: January 2017

The papers in this special section highlight three important questions in organization and management theory. First, evolutionary theorists studying organizations have an opportunity to address issues of organizations as units of selection. Trade associations focus their members’ attention on collective interests, creating shared understandings about issues and a collective identity that unifies an association and justifies calls for action by the association on the members’ behalf. Second, for scholars using historical and comparative frameworks, the study of trade associations presents an opportunity to study similar kinds of organizations in very different institutional settings. Many things that trade associations do are driven not because they are business interest associations but because they have to follow many of the same paths as other interest associations in the same institutional environment. Across nations, political systems differ substantially in the way interests can be pursued, with important contingencies including the difference between pluralist versus corporatist systems, the extent to which political institutions depend upon the information provided by interest groups, and the extent to which political institutions are actually open to lobbying. Third, trade associations represent powerful actors with the potential to undermine the pursuit of collective action for achieving public goods. For example, in the United States, to the extent that the decline of elite class cohesion and moderate business peak associations has weakened the forces of conciliation and compromise, strong trade associations may step into the void and make matters worse.
Friction and wear of a polyurethane elastomer used in dewatering for bi-directional pipeline inspection gages
Authors: Zhang Hang , Liu Shuhai , Zhang Shimin
Published: January 2017

As a drying method for new construction pipeline, basic bi-directional pipeline inspection gages are employed to dewater the pipeline. Their sealing discs, made of cast grade polyether-based urethanes, are worn out quickly due to the rubbing against steel surfaces under water-lubricated condition. The severe wear out in the polyurethane sealing disc would cause a sealing leakage in dewatering operation. In this research, the frictional behavior and wear mechanisms of the polyurethane sealing disc are investigated. Experimental study was carried out on polyurethane samples against rough steel pipe materials in the water-lubricated condition using a pin-on-disc tribometer. The morphologies and wear modes were studied using an optical microscope. Results showed the completing mechanisms of abrasion, oxidation, and surface fatigue. The inter-correlation between these modes and test conditions are discussed here. The understanding obtained in this research can be used to prolong the working life of the sealing discs.
Peri-urban local governance? Intra-government relationships and social capital in a peripheral municipality of Michoacán, Mexico
Authors: Méndez-Lemus Yadira , Vieyra Antonio , Poncela Lorena
Published: January 2017

The peri-urbanization process brings new challenges to governments of peripheral municipalities. They require stronger capacities to deal with economic, social and environmental impacts such as rural and urban in-migration, land speculation, conversion of agricultural and forestry land into urban uses, negative environmental externalities and de-territorialization and re-territorialization of livelihoods. Here, urban governance in the form of collaborative social networks seems to be crucial for better solutions for the benefit of people. However, the ability to manage collaborative networks is closely related to the way relationships are established inside the organization as well as its institutional context. Based on a social capital approach, this article explores the structure and processes of an intra-government network that lead its actors to work together to try to improve the quality of life of the local residents and control expansion of urbanization over agricultural land.
Less Learning, More Often: The Impact of Spacing Effect in An Adult E-Learning Environment
Authors: Pereira Clement , Taylor Jacqui , Jones Michael
Published: January 2017

Constant and continued upgrade of skills and qualifications is imperative in a knowledge society (Davies, 1998; David and Foray, 2003), however identifying and using effective (maximise retention/recall) and efficient (minimise time to learn) learning practices is often a challenge.

Spacing Effect is a robust phenomenon that suggests that the retention/recall of learning improves when presentations are spaced as opposed to massed (Toppino et al., 2002). Study-Phase-Retrieval (retrieval as a learning event), Encoding-Variability (multiple routes to retrieval) and Deficient-Processing (inadequate processing) are some of the theories proposed to explain the effect.

This paper presents the observations made of a real-life adult e-Learning environment for project management (PRINCE2™) based in the UK. The interplay between Inter Session Interval, Study Duration, Frequency of Usage and its impact on Time Spent and Time to Completion are explored using the concept of Spacing Effect.

The regression analysis of the key parameters showed a u-shaped relationship between spacing and total study time, largely consistent with the observations made by Verkoeijen et al, (2005) whilst reviewing the two-factor model of Spacing Effect proposed by Raaijmakers (2003).

While the lack of data and comparable studies on the effects of Spacing Effect in adult e-Learning/management training is acknowledged, this study does provide support to the notion of general applicability of Spacing Effect (Dempster, 1987) and highlights some of the gaps that remain in our understanding of the phenomenon.