bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol and Immediate Risk of Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Mostofsky Elizabeth , Chahal Harpreet S. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Rimm Eric B. , Mittleman Murray A.
Published: March 2016

Background—

Although considerable research describes the cardiovascular effects of habitual moderate and heavy alcohol consumption, the immediate risks following alcohol intake have not been well characterized. Based on its physiological effects, alcohol may have markedly different effects on immediate and long-term risk.

Methods and Results—

We searched CINAHL, Embase, and PubMed from inception to March 12, 2015, supplemented with manual screening for observational studies assessing the association between alcohol intake and cardiovascular events in the following hours and days. We calculated pooled relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for the association between alcohol intake and myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models to model any alcohol intake or dose–response relationships of alcohol intake and cardiovascular events. Among 1056 citations and 37 full-text articles reviewed, 23 studies (29 457 participants) were included. Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with an immediately higher cardiovascular risk that was attenuated after 24 hours, and even protective for myocardial infarction and hemorrhagic stroke (≈2–4 drinks: relative risk=30% lower risk) and protective against ischemic stroke within 1 week (≈6 drinks: 19% lower risk). In contrast, heavy alcohol drinking was associated with higher cardiovascular risk in the following day (≈6–9 drinks: relative risk=1.3–2.3) and week (≈19–30 drinks: relative risk=2.25–6.2).

Conclusions—

There appears to be a consistent finding of an immediately higher cardiovascular risk following any alcohol consumption, but, by 24 hours, only heavy alcohol intake conferred continued risk.
Two hyporheic species of the genus Cerconeotes Huys, 1992: C. euryhalinus (Krishnaswamy, 1957) and C. huysi n. sp. (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Leptastacidae) from India
Authors: Totakura Venkateswara Rao , Subhashini Vutukuri , Ranga Reddy Yenumula
Published: March 2016

To date, the genus Cerconeotes Huys, 1992, has seven nominal species, all known mostly from marine interstitial waters. Here, Cerconeotes euryhalinus (Krishnaswamy, 1957), an incompletely described and little-known species, is redescribed in detail after designating the neotype, and an illustrated description is given for Cerconeotes huysi n. sp. Both species were collected from freshwater as well as brackish water hyporheic habitats in southeastern India. The morphological relationships of these species with their congeners are discussed, and two criteria of the original generic definition emended. Cerconeotes huysi n. sp. is unique in the genus in the shape and armature of leg 5 in both sexes, in the male leg 3 second endopodal segment with two smooth, spine-like reduced elements (one apical and one subapical), and the long caudal rami and their armature elements. It closely resembles C. euryhalinus. A brief note on the ecology of the species is also added.
A Public Theology Response to Domestic Violence in Samoa
Authors: Siu-Maliko Mercy Ah
Published: March 2016

Domestic violence is a serious social problem in Samoa. Some studies have suggested that nearly half of Samoan women have been subject to abuse by intimate partners or parents. The increase in cases of domestic violence in Samoa is slowly raising the public’s awareness of its impacts on the victims, who are overwhelmingly women and children. The growing number of named cases of domestic violence, and many other cases, which are not reported, should make domestic violence a priority issue in theological reflection. This article explores how this pressing issue of domestic violence in Samoa may be seen as a case study for an Oceanic public theology.
Past, Present, and Future Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition
Authors: Kanakidou M. , Myriokefalitakis S. , Daskalakis N. , Fanourgakis G. , Nenes A. , Baker A. R. , Tsigaridis K. , Mihalopoulos N.
Published: March 2016

Reactive nitrogen emissions into the atmosphere are increasing as a result of human activities, affecting nitrogen deposition to the surface and impacting the productivity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. An atmospheric chemistry–transport model [Tracer Model 4 of the Environmental Chemical Processes Laboratory (TM4-ECPL)] is here used to calculate the global distribution of total nitrogen deposition, accounting for the first time for both its inorganic and organic fractions in gaseous and particulate phases and past and projected changes due to anthropogenic activities. The anthropogenic and biomass-burning Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison Project (ACCMIP) historical and RCP6.0 and RCP8.5 emissions scenarios are used. Accounting for organic nitrogen (ON) primary emissions, the present-day global nitrogen atmospheric source is about 60% anthropogenic, while total N deposition increases by about 20% relative to simulations without ON primary emissions. About 20%–25% of total deposited N is ON. About 10% of the emitted nitrogen oxides are deposited as ON instead of inorganic nitrogen (IN), as is considered in most global models. Almost a threefold increase over land (twofold over the ocean) has been calculated for soluble N deposition due to human activities from 1850 to present. The investigated projections indicate significant changes in the regional distribution of N deposition and chemical composition, with reduced compounds gaining importance relative to oxidized ones, but very small changes in the global total flux. Sensitivity simulations quantify uncertainties due to the investigated model parameterizations of IN partitioning onto aerosols and of N chemically fixed on organics to be within 10% for the total soluble N deposition and between 25% and 35% for the dissolved ON deposition. Larger uncertainties are associated with N emissions.
Evaluation of NU-WRF Rainfall Forecasts for IFloodS
Authors: Wu Di , Peters-Lidard Christa , Tao Wei-Kuo , Petersen Walter
Published: March 2016

The Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) campaign was conducted in eastern Iowa as a pre-GPM-launch campaign from 1 May to 15 June 2013. During the campaign period, real-time forecasts were conducted utilizing the NASA-Unified Weather Research and Forecasting (NU-WRF) Model to support the daily weather briefing. In this study, two sets of the NU-WRF rainfall forecasts are conducted with different soil initializations, one from the spatially interpolated North American Mesoscale Forecast System (NAM) and the other produced by the Land Information System (LIS) using daily analysis of bias-corrected stage IV data. Both forecasts are then compared with NAM, stage IV, and Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) to understand the impact of land surface initialization on the predicted precipitation. In general, both NU-WRF runs are able to reproduce individual peaks of precipitation at the right time. NU-WRF is also able to replicate a better rainfall spatial distribution compared with NAM. Further sensitivity tests show that the high-resolution runs (1 and 3 km) are able to better capture the precipitation event compared to its coarser-resolution counterpart (9 km). Finally, the two sets of NU-WRF simulations produce very close rainfall characteristics in bias, spatial and temporal correlation scores, and probability density function. The land surface initialization does not show a significant impact on short-term rainfall forecast, which is largely because of high soil moisture during the field campaign period.
Toward a PV-Based Algorithm for the Dynamical Core of Hydrostatic Global Models
Authors: Mohebalhojeh Ali R. , Joghataei Mohammad , Dritschel David G.
Published: March 2016

The diabatic contour-advective semi-Lagrangian (DCASL) algorithms previously constructed for the shallow-water and multilayer Boussinesq primitive equations are extended to multilayer non-Boussinesq equations on the sphere using a hybrid terrain-following–isentropic (σ–θ) vertical coordinate. It is shown that the DCASL algorithms face challenges beyond more conventional algorithms in that various types of damping, filtering, and regularization are required for computational stability, and the nonlinearity of the hydrostatic equation in the σ–θ coordinate causes convergence problems with setting up a semi-implicit time-stepping scheme to reduce computational cost. The prognostic variables are an approximation to the Rossby–Ertel potential vorticity Q, a scaled pressure thickness, the horizontal divergence, and the surface potential temperature. Results from the DCASL algorithm in two formulations of the σ–θ coordinate, differing only in the rate at which the vertical coordinate tends to θ with increasing height, are assessed using the baroclinic instability test case introduced by Jablonowski and Williamson in 2006. The assessment is based on comparisons with available reference solutions as well as results from two other algorithms derived from the DCASL algorithm: one with a semi-Lagrangian solution for Q and another with an Eulerian grid-based solution procedure with relative vorticity replacing Q as the prognostic variable. It is shown that at intermediate resolutions, results comparable to the reference solutions can be obtained.
Neighborhood Quality and Attachment
Authors: Poortinga Wouter , Calve Tatiana , Jones Nikki , Lannon Simon , Rees Tabitha , Rodgers Sarah E. , Lyons Ronan A. , Johnson Rhodri
Published: March 2016

Various studies have shown that neighborhood quality is linked to neighborhood attachment and satisfaction. However, most have relied upon residents’ own perceptions rather than independent observations of the neighborhood environment. This study examines the reliability and validity of the revised Residential Environment Assessment Tool (REAT 2.0), an audit instrument covering both public and private spaces of the neighborhood environment. The research shows that REAT 2.0 is a reliable, easy-to-use instrument and that most underlying constructs can be validated against residents’ own neighborhood perceptions. The convergent validity of the instrument, which was tested against digital map data, can be improved for a number of miscellaneous urban form items. The research further found that neighborhood attachment was significantly associated with the overall REAT 2.0 score. This association can mainly be attributed to the property-level neighborhood quality and natural elements components. The research demonstrates the importance of private spaces in the outlook of the neighborhood environment.
The link between crime risk and property prices in England and Wales: Evidence from street-level data
Authors: Braakmann Nils
Published: March 2016

This paper uses street-level data on property sales and crime rates for England and Wales to investigate compensating differentials for crime risk. My identification strategy relies on the use of non-parametric regional time trends on various levels of spatial aggregation as well as various fixed effects for streets and wider areas to control for unobserved amenities and regional economic conditions. The data comes from transaction data collected by the land registry and recently published crime maps for the whole of the UK. My estimates, which are robust to a range of sensible specification changes, suggest that each case of anti-social behaviour per ten population in the same street leads to an approximately 0.6–0.8% drop in property prices, while a corresponding increase in violent crime decreases prices by roughly 0.6–1.6% and a corresponding increase in non-violent crime by about 0.2–0.4%. The majority of estimates are at the upper end of these intervals. Estimates for robbery, burglary and vehicle crime are either zero or positive, but are possibly biased because of reverse causality. Crime outside of the respective street does not appear to matter, which is consistent with earlier findings. Expressed in monetary terms each case of anti-social behaviour costs society between £5000 and £6700 and each violent crime between £5000 and £13,300. The results confirm estimates based on prior willingness-to-pay studies and other studies using smaller areas such as single cities.
Anxiety disorders
Authors: Blackwelder Russell , Bragg Scott
Published: March 2016

Anxiety disorders are common illnesses for patients that can significantly impact quality of life. These conditions are complicated and advanced by chronic illness. It can be a challenge not only for patients to live with but also for providers to evaluate and treat. Several tools exist to support clinicians in their work to manage and improve patient symptoms and reduce the burden of the disease. While there are numerous treatment modalities that are shown to help control and alleviate symptoms, close monitoring and evaluation are essential for improved patient outcomes and proper use of available resources.
Societies in Movement vs. Institutional Continuities? Insights from the Zapatista Experience
Authors: Guillén Diana
Published: March 2016

In Latin America and other parts of the world, the social volatility of the past two decades has focused attention on the traditional concepts of what political structures and practices should be, highlighting what might be characterized as an empirical bursting at the seams of the classic normative frameworks. In this context it is of interest to analyze the proposal of the Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (Zapatista Army of National Liberation—EZLN) to establish a political-social organization parallel to the institutional framework recognized by Mexican law and contribute to the debate that has arisen about this kind of experiment and its transformational potential.

En América Latina y en otras partes del mundo la efervescencia social de las últimas dos décadas ha interpelado las concepciones tradicionales sobre el deber ser de las estructuras y practices políticias, escenificando lo que podría caracterizarse como un desbordamiento empírico de los encuadres normativos clásicos. Frente a tal scenario interesa analizar la propuesta del Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN) para esta-blecer una organización politico-social paralela al andamiaje institucional reconocido por la legislación y abonar al debate que desde el pensamiento crítico se está promoviendo sobre este tipo de experiencia y su potencial transformador.
Assessing the performance of domestic heating controls in a whole house test facility
Authors: Fitton Richard , Swan William , Hughes Tara , Benjaber Moaad , Todd Stephen
Published: March 2016

The energy consumed by domestic space heating systems represents a considerable share of the energy consumed in the UK. At the same time up to a quarter of English homes have inadequate controls on the central heating systems. Current modelling tools, and results from the limited field trials that have been carried out, are problematic due to the influence of the behaviour of occupants and variability of weather conditions. The Salford Energy House is a full-sized end terrace house built within a climate controlled laboratory. This allows a house of typical construction to be extensively analysed while completely disconnected from the unpredictability of weather conditions and human behaviour. This paper presents a series of tests carried out in the Salford Energy House into the effectiveness of installing room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves. Savings of 40% in terms of energy consumption, cost and CO2 were achieved. The results should be regarded with caution in terms of their extent and application to real homes, but represent a significant contribution to the gap in current knowledge due to the ability to isolate the performance of homes from uncooperative variables, and a potential base for the development of more effective modelling tools.

Practical application: This research provides evidence to support installation and use of room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves as an effective means of reducing domestic energy consumption and overheating.
Teaching Discrete Trial Training
Authors: Serna Richard W. , Foran Michelle M. , Cooke Caroline , Hurd Kaitlyn E. , Tello Ashley J. , Vangapalli Rishi , Hamad Charles D.
Published: March 2016

The present study asked whether naive learners would accurately implement discrete trial training (DTT) methods in a live setting following asynchronous training delivered entirely via computer. Seven naive adult participants received training from portions of a previously developed online program that were relevant to DTT implementation. A unique feature of the training was the use of simulated interaction exercises with an on-screen virtual child. The dependent measure was the accuracy with which participants taught simple skills to an experimental confederate using DTT. A multiple baseline across participants design showed that the computer-based training resulted in accurate live DTT implementation for all participants. Most participants also demonstrated accurate DTT teaching with a novel task. The implications of the study results are discussed in terms of their potential impact on the shortage of trained practitioners of early behavioral intervention methods.
Using Automated Image Analysis Algorithms to Distinguish Normal, Aberrant, and Degenerate Mitotic Figures Induced by Eg5 Inhibition
Authors: Bigley Alison L. , Klein Stephanie K. , Davies Barry , Williams Leigh , Rudmann Daniel G.
Published: March 2016

Modulation of the cell cycle may underlie the toxicologic or pharmacologic responses of a potential therapeutic agent and contributes to decisions on its preclinical and clinical safety and efficacy. The descriptive and quantitative assessment of normal, aberrant, and degenerate mitotic figures in tissue sections is an important end point characterizing the effect of xenobiotics on the cell cycle. Historically, pathologists used manual counting and special staining visualization techniques such as immunohistochemistry for quantification of normal, aberrant, and degenerate mitotic figures. We designed an automated image analysis algorithm for measuring these mitotic figures in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections. Algorithm validation methods used data generated from a subcutaneous human transitional cell carcinoma xenograft model in nude rats treated with the cell cycle inhibitor Eg5. In these studies, we scanned and digitized H&E-stained xenografts and applied a complex ruleset of sequential mathematical filters and shape discriminators for classification of cell populations demonstrating normal, aberrant, or degenerate mitotic figures. The resultant classification system enabled the representations of three identifiable degrees of morphological change associated with tumor differentiation and compound effects. The numbers of mitotic figure variants and mitotic indices data generated corresponded to a manual assessment by a pathologist and supported automated algorithm verification and application for both efficacy and toxicity studies.
Factors influencing the initiation of intensive care in elderly patients and their families: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Choi Sun Mi , Park Young Sik , Lee Chang-Hoon , Lee Sang-Min , Yim Jae-Joon , Yoo Chul-Gyu , Kim Young Whan , Han Sung Koo , Lee Jinwoo
Published: March 2016

Background:

The number of elderly patients admitted to the intensive care unit is constantly growing. However, a decision regarding intensive care in these populations remains a challenge.

Aim:

To identify factors that influences the decision of elderly patients and their families about whether to initiate intensive care in case of an acute event.

Design/participants:

Medical records of patients (>80 years), who were admitted to general wards and referred for intensive care, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received intensive care were compared with those not agreeing to the initiation of intensive care.

Results:

Among the 125 patients, 45 agreed to receiving intensive care. Baseline characteristics at the time of intensive care unit referral were similar between the intensive care and non-intensive care groups. Only one patient had advance directives before the intensive care unit referral. Lower economic status (odds ratio = 0.27, 95% confidence interval = 0.08–0.94) and cognitive impairment (odds ratio = 0.20, 95% confidence interval = 0.07–0.56) were found associated with a lower likelihood of agreeing to intensive care, while a large number of participants involved in the decision-making process were associated with a higher likelihood of intensive care unit use (odds ratio = 1.82, 95% confidence interval = 1.08–3.09). Mean duration of hospital stay was longer for the intensive care group as compared with the non-intensive care group (28.8 days and 19.8 days, respectively, p = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference in the survival rate.

Conclusion:

The initiation of intensive care in elderly patients was influenced not only by medical conditions but also by the patient’s economic status and the number of family members involved in the decision-making process.
End-of-life care for HIV-infected patients with malignancies: A questionnaire-based survey
Authors: Kojima Yuki , Iwasaki Nami , Yanaga Yuriko , Tanuma Junko , Koizumi Yusuke , Uehira Tomoko , Yotsumoto Mihoko , Ajisawa Atsushi , Hagiwara Shotaro , Okada Seiji , Nagai Hirokazu
Published: March 2016

Background:

The number of HIV-infected patients who require palliative or end-of-life care is increasing, and the status of end-of-life care for HIV patients with malignancies is unclear.

Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate the end-of-life care provided to HIV patients with malignancies in Japan.

Design:

National cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey.

Setting/participants:

Questionnaires were delivered to the medical staff of 378 regional core hospitals/core hospitals for AIDS and 285 palliative care units in Japan. Data were collected between August and October 2013.

Results:

Overall, 226 regional core hospitals/core hospitals for AIDS (59.8%) responded. A total of 55 institutions (24.3%) provided end-of-life care to HIV patients with malignancies. Regarding the place of death of the patients, 69.1% died at the institution whereas 18.2% were transferred to palliative care units. The requests of 16 (29.1%) institutions to transfer patients to palliative care units were rejected. Of the 378 palliative care units, 179 (62.8%) responded. While 13 palliative care units (4.6%) provided care to hospitalized HIV patients with malignancies, 20 (11.2%) refused to accept these patients for treatment because of a lack of experience in treating these patients and a lack of knowledge regarding HIV infection.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that in Japan, HIV patients with malignancies have difficulties obtaining hospitalization at a palliative care unit, which is likely due to a lack of experience among the professionals in treating such patients as well as a lack of knowledge about HIV.
Factors correlated with the resolution of macular oedema after one dose injection of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide treatment in branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Zhang Shuang , An Ningyu , Ha Wenjing , Zhang Shaochi , Hu Xiaowen , Ma Aihua , Zhao Bojun
Published: March 2016

Objective

To investigate the predictive baseline factors for a successful outcome following one dose of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in patients with macular oedema (ME) caused by branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled patients with ME (macular retinal thickness [MRT] ≥ 300 µm) due to BRVO who still had ME 3 months after grid laser photocoagulation. Patients were divided according to treatment into an IVTA group and a laser-only group. The resolution of ME was documented at months 3 and 6.

Results

A total of 154 eyes with ME were investigated: IVTA group (90 eyes) and laser-only group (64 eyes). Predictive factors for successful IVTA treatment were younger age, shorter duration of ME, initial onset ME, accompanied by serous retinal detachment, few concomitant systemic diseases and nonischaemic BRVO. A broken foveal capillary ring was related to a poor treatment outcome. Eyes with cystoid spaces in the outer plexiform layer were more likely to have a good treatment response.

Conclusion

IVTA is effective for resolving ME due to BRVO after grid laser photocoagulation treatment.
STEM Stereotypic Attribution Bias Among Women in an Unwelcoming Science Setting
Authors: LaCosse Jennifer , Sekaquaptewa Denise , Bennett Jill
Published: March 2016

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) stereotypic attribution bias (SSAB) is the tendency to spontaneously generate external attributions for men’s setbacks in STEM fields and to spontaneously make internal attributions for women’s setbacks in STEM fields. Among samples of undergraduate STEM students, STEM settings perceived as unwelcoming to women through self-report (Study 1) and a manipulation (Study 2) were shown to predict SSAB. Among undergraduate women, experiencing the negative treatment of other women in a science setting predicted SSAB, which was negatively correlated with feelings of belonging in STEM (Study 1) and with intentions to continue in STEM after graduation (Studies 1 and 2). Research materials (e.g, data, measures, materials, etc.) used in both studies will be made available upon request to either of the first two authors. Those interested in increasing retention of women in STEM majors should develop strategies designed to reduce internal attributions for women’s setbacks among women facing negative STEM environments and should cultivate a more positive climate for women in STEM fields. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://pwq.sagepub.com/supplemental
The Role of Dairy in Effectiveness and Cost of Treatment of Children With Moderate Acute Malnutrition
Authors: Suri Devika J. , Moorthy Denish , Rosenberg Irwin H.
Published: March 2016

Background:

Dairy is recommended in specially formulated supplementary foods to treat children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) but with limited evidence and added cost.

Objective:

Review studies of ready-to-use foods (RUFs) versus fortified blended foods (FBFs) to determine whether inclusion of dairy modifies the comparative effectiveness and cost.

Methods:

We reviewed literature comparing FBF and RUF in treatment of MAM among children younger than 5 years in developing countries. Outcomes of recovery from MAM, weight, and length gain were compared among treatment categories: FBF with dairy (FBF+), FBF without dairy (FBF−), RUF with dairy (RUF+), and RUF without dairy (RUF−). Supplement cost was compared per 500 kcal.

Results:

Eight studies were included. Rations were heterogeneous in energy and type of dairy. Overall, RUF+, RUF−, and FBF+ performed similarly, with higher recovery and weight gain compared with FBF−. RUF+ had higher recovery (in 5 of 6 comparisons), weight gain (4 of 4), and length gain (1 of 4) versus FBF−. The RUF+ had higher recovery (1 of 2) versus FBF+, with no other differences. The RUF− versus FBF+ had no differences (0 of 2). The RUF− had higher recovery (1 of 2), weight gain (2 of 2) versus FBF−. Four studies reported supplement costs, which averaged US$0.15 (FBF−), US$0.18 (FBF+), US$0.18 (RUF−), and US$0.37 (RUF+) per 500 kcal.

Conclusions:

There is a consistent benefit of FBF that include dairy in treatment of children with MAM. Benefits of dairy in RUF require further investigation. Evidence from rigorous quantitative analysis of existing data, cost-effectiveness, and prospective trials will be essential in determining policy on treatment for children with MAM.
Planners Take Flight
Authors: Ryerson Megan S.
Published: March 2016

Air transportation is a mode of transportation that provides planning students an arena in which to tackle wicked, cross-specialization planning challenges that span geographies from local to global. A synthesis of syllabi and instructor surveys of thirty-seven graduate planning programs found that nine programs cover air transportation in a partial or full lecture in their introductory transportation planning courses and less than half mention it briefly. I provide linkages between air transportation planning and the most commonly covered planning topics so that professors of transportation planning—and possibly other specializations—can use these linkages to enrich topics in existing courses.
Psychometric Properties of the Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire With Turkish Adolescents
Authors: Renshaw Tyler L. , Arslan Gökmen
Published: March 2016

The present study reports on the first investigation of the generalizability of the psychometric properties of the Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (SSWQ) beyond the original development and replication studies. Previous studies tested an English version of the SSWQ with urban, mostly Black/African American, low socioeconomic status, middle school age youth living in the southern region of the United States, while the current study tested a Turkish version of the measure with high school age youth of varying economic statuses living in an urban city in Turkey ( N = 548). Results show the Turkish version of the SSWQ has a sound latent measurement model and that it demonstrates convergent validity with several criterion variables that represent distinct yet related school-specific wellbeing constructs. Findings from multigroup measurement invariance analyses, comparing the Turkish sample with the U.S. replication sample, indicate positive configural invariance yet do not support scalar invariance or full metric invariance. The limitations and implications of these results for future research and practice are discussed.
Functional Outcome of School Children With History of Global Developmental Delay
Authors: Dornelas Lílian F. , Duarte Neuza M. C. , Morales Nívea M. O. , Pinto Rogério M. C. , Araújo Renata R. H. , Pereira Sílvia A. , Magalhães Lívia C.
Published: March 2016

This study aimed to investigate the functional and developmental outcomes in school age children diagnosed with global developmental delay before 2 years old and to verify the association between their final diagnosis and environmental and biological factors. Forty-five Brazilian children (26 boys), mean age 95.84 (7.72) months, who attended regular school and were diagnosed with global developmental delay before they were 2 years old had their functions evaluated. Children with global developmental delay were diagnosed with several conditions at school age. Students with greater chances of receiving a diagnosis were those whose mothers were younger at the time their children were born (OR = 1.47, CI = 1.04-2.09, P = .03), who had impaired motor performance, specially balance (OR = 1.33, CI = 1.01-1.75, P = .04), and who needed help during cognitive and behavioral tasks at school (OR = 1.08, CI = 1.00-1.17, P = .048). Interdisciplinary evaluation contributed to defining the specific diagnosis and to identifying the necessity of specialized support.
Optimal phase-angle design for the powered-descent phase of lunar lander
Authors: Cho Dong-Hyun , Lee Donghun , Kim Hae-Dong
Published: March 2016

In the optimal trajectory design problem for the lunar powered-descent phase, the periapsis of the de-orbit burn phase is usually chosen as a starting point or an initial state. The resultant trajectory in these cases shows that the altitude of the lander increases to gain more sufficient time to reduce large initial horizontal velocity. However, the periapsis of the de-orbit burn phase is not the optimal choice. In this study, the optimal initial phase angle can be found by applying the modified trajectory-optimization problem, where the initial state is considered as a free variable. In this problem, any additional assumption and change in hardware compared with the traditional optimal lunar-landing problem are not imposed except for the initial phase angle. Using the proposed numerical approach, we show that the optimal phase angle is not always equivalent to the periapsis, and fuel consumption can be reduced by changing the starting point of the powered descent phase.
The neotropical Gran Sabana region: Palaeoecology and conservation
Authors: Rull Valentí , Vegas-Vilarrúbia Teresa , Montoya Encarni
Published: March 2016

The Gran Sabana (GS) is a key region for understanding the origin of neotropical savannas and is an ideal location to test ecological hypotheses on long-term vegetation dynamics under the action of natural and anthropogenic drivers. The conservation of the GS is a controversial issue because of the confluence of disparate cultural and socio-economic interests, with a strong debate surrounding fire practices by indigenous people. Late glacial to Holocene pollen and charcoal records obtained thus far in this region have documented the main palaeoecological trends along with the climatic and anthropogenic (mostly fire) drivers involved. Here, we discuss how these records can be used to inform conservation and restoration practices in the GS. The main points of the discussion are the local versus regional character of palaeoecological evidence, the support provided by this evidence for the existing fire management proposals and the role of spatiotemporal environmental and ecological heterogeneity in the definition and evaluation of realistic restoration targets. A general conclusion is that past ecological reconstructions do not fully support either of the current options for fire management, that is, either total fire suppression or the continuity of indigenous fire practices. It is recommended to replace this dual and rigid conservation framework with a more diverse and flexible approach that considers the complex spatiotemporal heterogeneity documented in palaeoecological records.
An intriguing association of Turner syndrome with severe nephrotic syndrome: searching for a diagnosis
Authors: Minzala G , Ismail G
Published: March 2016

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease caused by an aberrant autoimmune response, with a large spectrum of clinical manifestations. It strikingly affects women. Recent papers reveal that the men with Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY) have a higher incidence of lupus than the men in the general population, similar with that of genotypic females. On the other hand, there is a great lack of information regarding the association of SLE with Turner syndrome, but it seems to be a lower risk for females with Turner to develop SLE. We present a rare association of a Turner syndrome with SLE, with negative immunology for SLE and with diagnosis made on renal biopsy. These data suggest that the presence of two X chromosomes may predispose to SLE, the ligand (CD40 ligand) for one of the genes that contributes to the pathogenesis of SLE being located on the X chromosome.
The effects of government debt market financialization: The case of Spain
Authors: Massó Matilde
Published: March 2016

The financialization of capitalist economies is closely related to the creation and commercialization of debt and its derivatives. This article demonstrates the relationship between the financialization of the government debt market and debt sustainability in Spain between 1996 and 2013. The article shows how the financialization of the Spanish government debt markets has been designed to favour liquidity through debt policy innovations, but on the other hand, it allowed investors to take speculative positions on the market’s perception of default risk. The quick growth of public over indebtedness to finance the government’s deficit and the costs of the financial system aid, produced a lack of credibility for Spanish debt sustainability and the government’s solvency. The article argues that the institutional mechanisms that allowed the transformation of the banking crisis into a sovereign debt crises lie in the micro structure of government debt markets and its degree of financialization.
In-Person Versus Online Focus Group Discussions
Authors: Woodyatt Cory R. , Finneran Catherine A. , Stephenson Rob
Published: March 2016

Online focus group discussions (FGDs) are becoming popular as a qualitative research method. Methodological examinations regarding the data quality of online versus more traditional in-person FGDs are limited. We compared two online FGDs with two in-person FGDs conducted with gay and bisexual men using a sensitive topic (the experience of intimate partner violence) to examine differences in data quality between the two methods. The online FGDs resulted in larger word count but were shorter in time than the in-person FGDs. There was high overlap in the themes generated across groups; however, the online discussions yielded one additional theme regarding a sensitive topic. In-person FGDs involved less sharing of in-depth stories, whereas sensitive topics were discussed more candidly in the online FGDs. The results illustrate that although the format of the data generated from each type of FGD may differ, the content of the data generated is remarkably similar.
Psychosocial Intervention Use in Long-Stay Dementia Care
Authors: Hunter Andrew , Keady John , Casey Dympna , Grealish Annmarie , Murphy Kathy
Published: March 2016

The objective of this study was to develop a substantive grounded theory of staff psychosocial intervention use with residents with dementia in long-stay care. “Becoming a person again” emerged as the core category accounting for staffs’ psychosocial intervention use within long-stay care. Interview data were collected from participants in nine Irish long-stay settings: 14 residents with dementia, 19 staff nurses, one clinical facilitator, seven nurse managers, 21 nursing assistants, and five relatives. Constant comparative method guided the data collection and analysis. The researcher’s theoretical memos, based on unstructured observation, and applicable extant literature were also included as data. By identifying the mutuality of the participants’ experiences, this classic grounded theory explains staff motivation toward psychosocial intervention use within long-stay care. It also explains how institutional factors interact with those personal factors that incline individuals toward psychosocial intervention use.
Role of thyroid transcription factor-1 in the diagnosis of feline lung–digit syndrome
Authors: Finotello Riccardo , Masserdotti Carlo , Baroni Gianna , Ressel Lorenzo
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) in the diagnosis of feline lung–digit syndrome (FLDS) and to investigate the associations between the morphological features of FLDS and TTF-1 expression. We also compared the reliability of TTF-1 and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in establishing the diagnosis of FLDS.

Methods

Histology records of feline digit tumours were retrieved, including patients from 2008–2015. If formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were available for review, patients were included in the study. As a control group we included 12 feline primary tumours of the digits. All the histological slides of the study group were blindly reviewed by the same veterinary pathologist. Representative sections of the lesions were selected for immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. To confirm the respiratory origin of the neoplastic tissue, TEM was used as a gold standard in all cases.

Results

Five cases of FLDS were included. TTF-1 was weakly to moderately positive in 60% of the cases, showing no correlation with the microscopic presence of ciliated epithelium. When IHC results were combined with the presence of cilia, 80% of the cases from the study group could be identified as FLDS. TEM confirmed the presence of ciliated epithelium in all five cases, confirming the respiratory origin of the neoplastic tissue and therefore the diagnosis of FLDS.

Conclusions and relevance

TTF-1 expression is maintained in FLDS. While the combination of TTF-1 and identification of cilia confirms FLDS, TEM should be considered in those cases where diagnosis is uncertain and FLDS is suspected.
The new proposed details for moment resisting connections of steel beam to continuous concrete column
Authors: Zibasokhan H , Behnamfar F , Behfarnia K
Published: March 2016

Six new details for composite steel–concrete connections are proposed for a continuous concrete column and a steel beam segment. A steel sleeve is used to connect the steel beam to the concrete column. Connection components are either steel studs or U-channels used in two different types of joints to connect the sleeve to the concrete column. Attachment of beam to the sleeve is in three different ways including direct connection, using steel plates at beam flange levels, and utilizing apron plates all around the column at beam flanges. The behavior of the connections is evaluated, and stiffness, strength, and ductility of the suggested connections are compared with the conventional steel and concrete joints. Effects of axial load, beam size, steel sleeve thickness, and height of steel sleeve are investigated. Based on the results of this study, appropriate ranges for the thickness and height of the steel sleeves are determined. In addition, some optimized design parameters are proposed in order to improve the behavior of the connections. The proposed connections are categorized based on their strength and ductility for use in ordinary, moderate, and special frames.
Impact factors of bridges in service under stochastic traffic flow and road surface progressive deterioration
Authors: Xinfeng Yin , Yang Liu , Lu Deng , Cai C.S.
Published: March 2016

In this study, a three-dimensional vehicle–bridge coupled model is used to analyze the impact factors of bridges in service by considering the effect of the stochastic traffic flow and road surface progressive deterioration. A three-dimensional vehicle model with 18 degrees of freedom was adopted. An improved cellular automaton model considering the influence of the next-nearest neighbor vehicle and a progressive deterioration model for road roughness were introduced. Based on the equivalent dynamic wheel loading approach, the coupled equations of motion of the bridge and traffic flow are established by combining the equations of both the bridge and vehicles using the displacement relationship and interaction force relationship at the patch contact. The numerical simulations show that the proposed method can rationally simulate the impact factor of the bridge under the effect of stochastic traffic flow. Based on the existing highway bridge design code, expressions of impact factor for evaluating the dynamic responses of in-service bridges are proposed.
Performance and confining mechanism of grouted deformed pipe splice under tensile load
Authors: Zheng Yongfeng , Guo Zhengxing , Liu Jiabin , Chen Xiangnan , Xiao Quandong
Published: March 2016

In this study, a new type of grout-filled coupling sleeve was presented. The sleeve was fabricated with a standard seamless steel pipe through cold rolling techniques and characterized by its unique processing method and configuration. Based on this sleeve, 11 coupler specimens of four categories with embedment length from 7 to 7.5 times bar diameter were prepared and tested under tensile load to study the failure modes, structural performance, and confining mechanism of the splice. Test results clearly indicated that this kind of splice provided satisfactory behavior of which the ultimate tensile strength all exceeded the required loading capacity specified in ACI318 and JGJ107. Furthermore, it was found that the inner cavity structure of grouted sleeve had great influence on the confinement, which consequently affected the bond performance of spliced bar. Based on the experimental results, equations were derived to calculate the confining interface pressures and the bond resistance of the spliced bar, and the calculated ultimate load showed a good agreement with the experimental value.
Damage identification of truss structures based on force method and free vibration analysis
Authors: Kim Young-Wung , Kim Nam-Il , Lee Jaehong
Published: March 2016

The improved structural analysis is presented to determine the sites and extents of multiple damages of truss structures. The algorithm uses the mathematical programming of the finite element technique based on the force method and the free vibration analysis. The equilibrium matrix is generated through the finite element analysis, while the compatibility matrix is obtained directly using the force–displacement relations and the singular value decomposition technique. The governing equations with the element nodal forces as variables are presented by combining the equilibrium and compatibility matrices with the force–displacement relations. Next, the genetic algorithm is used to properly identify the sites and extents of multiple damage cases in truss structures. In order to verify the accuracy and superiority of the proposed damage detection technique, numerical solutions are presented for the planar and space truss models. The numerical results indicate that the combination of the force method and genetic algorithm can provide a reliable tool to accurately and efficiently identify the multiple damages of truss structures.
Preliminary analytical study on seismic ductility demand of wood diaphragms
Authors: Zhang Dichuan , Fleischman Robert , Shon Chang
Published: March 2016

A new seismic design methodology is being proposed for floor diaphragms for various types of construction materials including wood diaphragms. The new design methodology introduces a design acceleration to keep diaphragm elastic under design-basis earthquake using a mode superposition method. On top of this elastic design acceleration, a force reduction factor is proposed in the design methodology by considering available diaphragm ductility capacity and possible post-yielding strain hardening. This article presents an analytical study to examine the relationship between the force reduction factor and the ductility demand for the wood diaphragm using nonlinear dynamic time history analyses. The maximum allowable diaphragm design force reduction factor is determined using the analytical results and available wood diaphragm test data. Recommendations are provided for selection of the force reduction factor for the wood diaphragm for the new design methodology.
‘The stigma attached isn’t true of real life’: Challenging public perception of dementia through a participatory approach involving people with dementia (Innovative Practice)
Authors: Reynolds Laura , Innes Anthea , Poyner Christopher , Hambidge Sarah
Published: March 2016

This paper discusses the potential impact of viewing public performances of an orchestra comprising people with dementia, family members, student volunteers and professional symphony orchestra members in contributing to challenging negative perceptions of dementia. Negative perceptions of dementia abound despite recent policy attempts to challenge the stigma associated with the condition. This paper reports on the findings from the performance element of a music project for people with dementia, known as the BUDI Orchestra, designed to replicate the traditional rehearse and perform cycle of musicians. Data were collected via self-completion questionnaires from audience members ( N = 109) at three public performances. The performances exceeded the expectations of the general public, and findings suggest a positive impact on perceptions of dementia, demonstrating the power and potential of participatory approaches showcasing the achievements of those living with dementia when attempting to raise awareness of dementia and challenge negative perceptions.