bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of strontium-loaded rough titanium surface on early osseointegration
Authors: Huanhuan Jiang , Pengjie Hao , Sheng Xu , Binchen Wang , Li Shu
Published: October 2017

It is not clear whether surface bioactive chemistry plays an important role in the early osseointegration of micro-structured titanium implants that have the same surface topography at the micrometer and submicrometer scales. In this study, magnetron sputtering methodology was employed for the preparation of Sr coating on sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) titanium implant without changing the surface characteristics. The study of the surface morphology of the coating was carried out with the use of scanning electron microscopy, and the chemical composition of the surface was examined by X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry. Twenty SLA implants together with 20 Sr-SLA implants were randomly inserted into the proximal tibia of 20 rats. The early osseointegration of the Sr-SLA implant was compared with SLA implant by removal torque test and histological analysis following two and eight weeks of implantation, correspondingly. As revealed by the surface characteristics, both Sr-SLA and SLA surfaces exhibited similar typical isotropic irregular indentations. The strontium ions were effectively incorporated into the SLA surface (the atomic ratio is 2%). Following two and eight weeks of healing, significant increases in removal torque values ( p < 0.05) were taken into observation in respect of Sr-SLA implant. Histologically, the Sr-SLA implants displayed significantly higher bone-to-implant contact percentages and bone area ratio in comparison with the SLA implant at eight weeks ( p < 0.05). At two weeks, the bone-implant contact percentages, together with bone area ratio of Sr-SLA surface appeared to be a little bit slightly greater than that of SLA surface. But the statistical difference was not significant. These results indicated that the chemical modification with Sr incorporated by magnetron sputtering treatment in moderately rough surfaced implants remarkably increases early bone apposition.
The Role of Practice and Feedback for Developing Teacher Candidate’s Opportunities to Respond Expertise
Authors: Sayeski Kristin L. , Hamilton-Jones Bethany , Cutler Grace , Earle Gentry A. , Husney Lauren
Published: October 2017

A greater emphasis on measuring the outputs of teacher preparation programs such as practice-based evaluations (e.g., edTPA) has increased the need for teacher educators to examine “best practice” for developing the skill-based competencies of teacher candidates. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of practice and feedback on teacher candidates’ knowledge and skill acquisition of a specific evidence-based practice, the provision of opportunities to respond (OTRs). Using an experimental, pretest–posttest design, 48 teacher candidates in an introductory special education course (i.e., nonpracticum course) were randomly assigned to a distributed practice with feedback (experimental) condition or a massed practice with no feedback (business-as-usual) condition. Candidates in the experimental condition outperformed candidates in the business-as-usual condition on a measure of knowledge and a performance measure on the accuracy of specific OTR technique delivery. There were, however, no differences between the groups in terms of rate of OTR delivery. Implications for teacher preparation are discussed.
Insert injection molding of low-density polyethylene single-polymer composites reinforced with ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene fabric
Authors: Wang Jian , Chen Dongjie , Wang Sui , Du Ziran , Jiang Nannan , Peng Jiong
Published: October 2017

Low-density polyethylene single-polymer composites (SPCs) reinforced with sandwiched ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene woven fabric were prepared by insert injection molding. The process combines aesthetic and processing advantages. A processing temperature window (135–155°C) of a very short cycle time (less than 30 s) could be realized. The mechanical properties and morphologies of the samples were evaluated. The results suggested that the polyethylene SPCs were prepared successfully with concurrent increases in flexural strength (∼57%), tensile strength (∼164%), and impact strength (∼69%). The effects of different processing parameters including the nozzle temperature, injection pressure, injection speed, and the holding time were discussed. Numerical simulation results were used in the analysis.
New fuzzy solution for determining anticipation and evaluation behavior during car-following maneuvers
Authors: Ghaffari Ali , Khodayari Alireza , Kamali Ali , Tajdari Farzam , Hosseinkhani Niloofar
Published: October 2017

Nowadays, vehicles are the most important means of transportation in our daily lifes. During the last few decades, many studies have been carried out in the field of intelligent vehicles and significant results on the behavior of car-following and lane-change maneuvers have been achieved. However, the effects of lane-change on the car-following models have been relatively neglected. This effect is a temporary state in car-following behavior during which the follower vehicle considerably deviates from conventional car-following models for a limited time. This paper aims to investigate the behavior of the immediate follower during the lane-change of its leader vehicle. Based on a closer inspection of the microstructure behavior of real drivers, this temporary state is divided into two stages of anticipation and evaluation. Afterwards, a novel and adaptive neuro-fuzzy model that considers human driving factors is proposed to simulate the behavior of real drivers. Comparison between model results and real traffic data reveals that the proposed model can describe anticipation and evaluation behavior with smaller errors. The anticipation and evaluation model can modify current car-following models so as to accurately simulate the behavior of an immediate follower which leads to an enhancement of car-following applications such as driving assistance and collision avoidance systems.
Non-realisability problem with the conventional method of moments in wet-steam flows
Authors: Afzalifar Ali , Turunen-Saaresti Teemu , Grönman Aki
Published: October 2017

The method of moments offers an efficient way to preserve the essence of particle size distribution, which is required in many engineering problems such as modelling wet-steam flows. However, in the context of the finite volume method, high-order transport algorithms are not guaranteed to preserve the moment space, resulting in so-called ‘non-realisable’ moment sets. Non-realisability poses a serious obstacle to the quadrature-based moment methods, since no size distribution can be identified for a non-realisable moment set and the moment-transport equations cannot be closed. On the other hand, in the case of conventional method of moments, closures to the moment-transport equations are directly calculated from the moments themselves; as such, non-realisability may not be a problem. This article describes an investigation of the effects of the non-realisability problem on the flow conditions and moment distributions obtained by the conventional method of moments through several one-dimensional test cases involving systems that exhibited similar characteristics to low-pressure wet-steam flows. The predictions of pressures and mean droplet sizes were not considerably disturbed due to non-realisability in any of the test cases. However, in one case that was characterised by strong temporal and spatial gradients, non-realisability did undermine the accuracy of the predictions of measures for the underlying size distributions, including the standard deviation and skewness.
Education as social policy: An introduction
Authors: Di Stasio Valentina , Solga Heike
Published: October 2017

This Special Issue considers education as a social policy in its own right, from a life-course perspective and in relation to other policy areas. It recognizes the complexity of education systems and their multi-stage architecture. The volume broadens our understanding of the role of ‘education as social policy’ by addressing four different aspects: the importance of education providers, education as a means of social stratification, education as an interconnected regime component and public opinion on education as an important foundation of welfare state policies and a prerequisite for their sustainability in the long run. From a theoretical perspective, all authors critically engage with the social investment state approach that sees in education and training investment the lynchpin of a pre-distribution agenda protecting individuals from the new social risks of a competitive, knowledge-driven economy. The examples provided in this Special Issue expose the multifaceted role of education as social policy, drawing attention to both its formative and stratifying function across a number of European welfare states.
Modelling the Relationship Between Information Technology Infrastructure and Organizational Agility: A Study in the Context of India
Authors: Panda Sukanya , Rath Santanu Kumar
Published: October 2017

This article mainly investigates the impact of information technology (IT) infrastructure on organizational agility. Primary data collected from 300 business and IT executives working in various publicly owned banking groups functioning across India have been used for this study and a structural equation modelling (SEM) is employed to assess the IT-agility link. This article reports two-folded research findings. First, IT infrastructure enables both the sensing and responding components of organizational agility. Second, firms should not overlook the IT-agility contradiction, that is, the impeding role of IT towards achieving augmented agility. This study greatly contributes to the information systems (IS) literature as it has meticulously explored the much discussed but understudied human IT-agility linkage. The present research has successfully established the significant positive relationship between the critical dimensions of agile human IT infrastructure, namely, business functions, interpersonal management, technology management expertise and organizational sensing and responding agilities.
ADAR1 expression is associated with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Song In Hye , Kim Young-Ae , Heo Sun-Hee , Park In Ah , Lee Miseon , Bang Won Seon , Park Hye Seon , Gong Gyungyub , Lee Hee Jin
Published: October 2017

Tumours with a high mutation burden exhibit considerable neoantigens and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. RNA editing by ADAR1 is a source of changes in epitope. However, ADAR1 expression in cancer cells and tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte levels in triple-negative breast cancer have not been well evaluated. We immunohistochemically examined ADAR1 expression in 681 triple-negative breast cancer patients and analysed their clinicopathological characteristics. We also analysed basal-like tumours using The Cancer Genome Atlas data. Among the 681 triple-negative breast cancer patients, 45.8% demonstrated high ADAR1 expression. Tumours with high ADAR1 expression exhibited high tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte levels, considerable CD8 + T lymphocyte infiltration, high histological grade and high expression of interferon-related proteins, including HLA-ABC, MxA and PKR. Among patients with lymph node metastasis, those with high tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte levels and low ADAR1 expression demonstrated the best disease-free survival. The Cancer Genome Atlas data analysis of basal-like tumours revealed significant positive correlation between ADAR1 and CD8B expression and positive association of high ADAR1 expression with immune responses and apoptosis pathways. We detected high ADAR1 expression in half of the triple-negative breast cancer patients. In addition to DNA mutations, RNA editing can be related to neoantigens; hence, we need to explore non-synonymous mutations exclusively found using RNA sequencing data to identify clinically relevant neoantigens.
Comparison of culture methodology for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in clinical specimens collected from dogs
Authors: Saab Matthew E. , Muckle C. Anne , Stryhn Henrik , McClure J. Trenton
Published: October 2017

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) has emerged as a major pathogen in dogs and has been implicated as a hospital-acquired pathogen in veterinary hospitals. We attempted to determine if selective culture methods will detect more MRSP when compared to the traditional culture methods in clinical samples from dogs in Atlantic Canada with a high risk for MRSP infection. Each sample was tested using 4 culture methods: traditional culture; mannitol salt agar with 2 μg/mL of oxacillin (MSAox); enrichment broth (EB) with MSAox; and EB with traditional culture. Detection of penicillin-binding protein 2’, via latex agglutination, was used as a confirmatory test for oxacillin resistance. We analyzed 741 samples from 556 dogs between February 2013 and April 2014. The prevalence of MRSP in samples detected by any method was estimated at 13.4% (95% CI: 11.1–16.0%). When the prevalence of MRSP was determined according to culture method, EB with MSAox detected the highest prevalence (11.2% [9.1–13.7%]), followed by EB with traditional (10.8% [8.8–13.2%]), traditional (10.1% [8.1–12.5%]), and MSAox (8.9% [7.1–11.2%]). The prevalence using the traditional culture method did not differ significantly from any of the 3 selective culture methods. Culture with MSAox detected significantly fewer MRSP than either of the EB methods. The addition of EB to current methodology is recommended, particularly for patients considered at high risk for MRSP infection.
Target shape optimization of functionally graded shape memory alloy compliant mechanisms
Authors: Jovanova Jovana , Frecker Mary , Hamilton Reginald F , Palmer Todd A
Published: October 2017

This article focuses on the design optimization of shape memory alloy compliant mechanisms with functionally graded properties to achieve a user-defined target shape. The functional grading is approximated by allowing the geometry and the modulus of elasticity of each zone to vary. The superelastic phenomenon has been taken into account using a standard nonlinear shape memory alloy material model with linear region of higher modulus of elasticity and a superelastic region with much lower modulus of elasticity. A large deflection beam model is integrated with a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for constrained optimization of the structure’s mechanical properties and geometry. Examples illustrate the trade-offs between the objectives of minimizing shape error, maximum stress, and volume. It is observed that in the optimized designs, the elastic modulus and the geometry work together in regions where large flexibility is required to achieve the target shape.
Integrating passive- and active-sensing techniques using an L-shaped sensor array for impact and damage localization
Authors: Jung Hwee Kwon , Park Gyuhae
Published: October 2017

This article presents a technique for detecting structural impact and damage by integrating passive and active-sensing approaches. An L-shaped piezoelectric sensor array was used to detect and localize impacts by measuring the response of structures. It was found that since this method does not require prior knowledge of structures such as the direction-dependent wave velocity profiles, accurate results could be achieved even on anisotropic structures. This sensor array was then extended to include an active-sensing approach, and the same sensor array was used for damage detection by measuring scattering and reflected waves. A series of experiments was carried out to demonstrate the proposed techniques. The superior capability of the proposed techniques was experimentally demonstrated.
End-of-Life Caregiver Social Support Activation: The Roles of Hospice Clinicians and Professionals
Authors: LaValley Susan A.
Published: October 2017

Caregivers of those with life-limiting illness face many complicated tasks, including providing direct patient care, communicating with professionals, and managing the logistical demands of daily activities. To assist with caregiving responsibilities, caregivers require social support from social network members at all points in the illness process. This study analyzes themes from interviews with 61 caregivers of patients enrolled in hospice services to identify the types of support caregivers mobilize from new social network members for social support during the end-of-life care process. Themes indicate that caregivers receive accessible, immediate, caregiver-centered emotional support from hospice health care professionals, and situationally tailored, understandable informational support from other types of professionals. In addition, caregivers received overlapping emotional and informational support from hospice health care professionals. Findings enhance the understanding of how caregivers receive tailored emotional and informational support.
Microstructural damage characterization of concrete under freeze-thaw action
Authors: Luo Q , Liu DX , Qiao Pizhong , Feng QG , Sun LZ
Published: October 2017

This paper conducts a quantitative analysis of microstructural damage evolution of concrete materials under freeze-thaw action using three-dimensional X-ray computed tomography. The study employs two resolution-scales to evaluate concrete samples under various cycles of freeze-thaw action. The three-dimensional microstructural damage characterization, pore network (porosity, pore size, and pore distribution) as well as the defects in the aggregates are specifically investigated. The microstructures of concrete under different freeze-thaw action show that the interfacial transition zone is most likely to be damaged first under frost attack. Furthermore, the freeze-thaw action deteriorates not only the interfacial transition zone but also cement matrix and aggregates. The impact of freeze-thaw cycles is notable on the internal micro-pores and micro-cracks of the concrete. More pores and cracks can be nucleated during the freeze-thaw action, and further accumulate and grow in the paste and aggregates, eventually leading to final failure of concrete materials. As demonstrated in this study, three-dimensional X-ray computed tomography is capable of acquiring microstructures of concrete and revealing existence of internal pores and cracks in different phases of concrete, and more effective to characterize accumulated damage of concrete due to freeze-thaw action.
ABC Tracker: Increasing Teacher Capacity for Assessing Student Behavior
Authors: Borgmeier Chris , Loman Sheldon L. , Strickland-Cohen M. Kathleen
Published: October 2017

Students with persistent challenging behavior are present in nearly every classroom. Teachers need the knowledge and skills to understand student behavior and intervene effectively. This article presents a framework to guide teachers in understanding student behavior and feasible tools for collecting data about the function of student behavior. Practical schoolwide strategies are provided for collecting and utilizing information about function of behavior to inform function-based supports for students prior to formal functional behavior assessment.
Vibration suppression of sprayer boom structure using active torque control and iterative learning. Part II: Experimental implementation
Authors: Tahmasebi Mona , Gohari Mohammad , Mailah Musa , Abd Rahman Roslan
Published: October 2017

The most common technique of protecting crops from diseases is by applying a chemical process whereby a mixture of chemicals and water are sprayed onto the crops via a sprayer. Nowadays, modern sprayers are generally implemented to suspension systems for reducing the unwanted vibration of the spray boom structure to improve the uniformity of spray distribution in the agricultural field environment. This paper serves to present a new alternative to address and resolve the vibration control problem of the moving sprayer structures. The application of an active torque control (ATC) method to cancel the undesired vibration of the sprayer boom is thus proposed. As a continuation from Part I that deals with the modeling and simulation aspect, Part II explains the practical facet of the study through the implementation of ATC and iterative learning (ATCAIL) control scheme to an experimental spray boom structure as a basis to validate the effectiveness and robustness of the scheme as simulated and described at length in Part I. A sprayer boom suspension system test rig was specifically designed and developed to verify this control scheme that was principally chosen due to its ease of implementation through the exploitation of simple proportional–integral–derivative (PID), ATC and iterative learning algorithms. The system performance was evaluated and compared to the PID and ATC–PID control schemes for benchmarking. The results demonstrate the capability of the practical ATCAIL scheme to improve the vibration suppression in both time and frequency domains, thereafter guaranteeing a more uniform spray distribution of chemicals on a bumpy terrain. The experimental outcomes are in good agreements with the simulation counterpart.
The “Good Old Days” of Courtroom Questioning: Changes in the Format of Child Cross-Examination Questions Over 60 Years
Authors: Zajac Rachel , Westera Nina , Kaladelfos Andy
Published: October 2017

Recent decades have seen an explosion of research into children’s eyewitness capabilities and resulted in legal reform to render the adversarial trial process more child friendly. Many, however, have been left with the feeling that the most intimidating legal process for child complainants—cross-examination—has not changed meaningfully despite its potential to distort children’s evidence. To test this possibility, we compared the cross-examination questioning of Australian child sexual abuse complainants in the 1950s to that used in contemporary cases. We found that the format of cross-examination questions has remained largely consistent over time, with leading questions still making up the bulk of the questions asked. The changes that we did observe, however, are concerning. Cross-examination questions posed to contemporary child complainants were less likely to be open-ended and more likely to be complex, relative to those asked in the 1950s. Crucially, contemporary complainants were asked 3 times as many cross-examination questions as they were 60 years ago. These changes are likely to have detrimental effects on child complainants and their evidence and could reduce the ability of jurors to reach just outcomes in these cases.
Recurrent cisplatin hypersensitivity reaction after first exposure: A case report
Authors: Solomon Benjamin , Colonna Sarah
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Hypersensitivity reactions to platinum-based chemotherapies are well documented and are often a limiting factor in treating a variety of cancers. Allergy skin testing has been used to determine if repeat exposure is safe. We report a case of a false negative skin allergy test in an atypical presentation of cisplatin hypersensitivity reaction.

Case report

A 64-year-old male diagnosed with stage IVa squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx who developed a delayed reaction of face swelling and dysphagia following exposure to a single dose of cisplatin. Skin allergy testing performed and was negative. On second dosing of cisplatin, the patient developed an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Cisplatin was discontinued, and the patient was transitioned to cetuximab. The rest of chemoradiation therapy was completed without further incident.

Discussion

This case demonstrates the limited efficacy of skin allergy testing for cisplatin. Furthermore, it is an atypical presentation of cisplatin-related hypersensitivity as it occurred following the patient’s first dose despite no prior exposure to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Skin allergy testing has limited sensitivity for platinum-based chemotherapy and caution should be exercised in weighing risk and benefits of re-exposure. Although rare, cisplatin hypersensitivity can present after first exposure.
Delaying microbial proliferation in freshly peeled shallots by active packaging incorporating ethanol vapour-controlled release sachets and low storage temperature
Authors: Utto Weerawate , Preutikul Rittirong , Malila Patcharee , Noomhorm Athapol , Bronlund John E
Published: October 2017

This research was conducted to investigate effects of ethanol vapour released in active packaging and storage temperatures on the quality of freshly peeled shallots. The package tested was a solid polypropylene tray incorporating an ethanol vapour-controlled release sachet. The sachet was made of an aluminium foil film on one side and either low-density polyethylene or nylon/polyethylene on the other. Individual sachets contained silica gel adsorbent as the carrier pre-loaded with ethanol. One sachet was placed in each tray containing the peeled shallots and the tray was heat sealed with the low-density polyethylene film lid. Packages were stored at either 10 or 25 ℃ for 10 d. Trays containing only peeled shallots were designated as controls. High storage temperature stimulated quality changes in the shallots. Although ethanol vapour accumulated in the active package headspace, the extent to which ethanol concentrations increased within the shallots was not significantly different from that in the control packages. Microbial proliferation in terms of yeast and mould counts could be delayed through a combination of 10 ℃ and ethanol vapour released from the low-density polyethylene sachet. The ethanol vapour accumulated in the packages did not have a significant effect on mass loss, firmness, and colour changes in the peeled shallots, or on the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the packages.
Analysis of the performance of adhesively bonded corrugated core sandwich structures using cohesive zone method
Authors: Akhmet Ganiy , Yu Ye , Hu Ping , Hou Wen-bin , Han Xiao
Published: October 2017

Stress analysis of adhesively bonded joints of sandwich structures is more complex. Only a few research works have studied this subject. The major obstacle is finding the stress distribution at the adhesive layer of sandwich structures under different loading conditions. This paper presents a study on stress distribution at the adhesive joints of the corrugated sandwich structure subjected to three-point bending using the cohesive zone model. Firstly, three cases of sandwich models with different types of glue on both longitudinal and transverse loading directions were calculated using cohesive zone model, and then the corresponding experiments were carried out and compared to prove the FEM results to validate the results through both load–displacement curves and failure deformation modes. Secondly, the cohesive zone model simulation was used to obtain the detailed stress distribution at the bonding joint with the effect of four major geometrical parameters: adhesive layer thickness, corrugated panel thickness, face panel thickness and adhesive joint width. Lastly, the results of stress analysis showed that the stress distribution is not uniform and is highly affected by the bonding joint's geometrical parameters, adhesive layer thickness and adhesive joint width.
Metformin and N-acetyl Cysteine in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome–-A Comparative Study
Authors: Gayatri Kar , Kumar Jena Saubhagya , Kumar Behera Basanta
Published: October 2017

Objective

To compare the effects of Metformin with N-acetyl cysteine in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

A prospective, randomised controlled study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a Medical College and General Hospital. Total 115 cases of polycystic ovarian syndrome presenting with different complaints were selected for the study. Fifty nine cases were treated with Metformin (Group-M) and other 56 with N-acetyl cysteine (Group-N). Primary outcome measures are improvement in clinical features and biochemical profile, where as secondary outcome measures are improvement in hormonal profile and ultrasonographic findings. Statistical analysis was done by Z test and Chi square test.

Results

From each group, 50 patients were ultimately evaluated. There was significant improvement in some of the clinical features like weight gain, acne and hirsutism in group-N ( P < 0.05), but there was no significant change in other features like oligomenorrhea, amenorrhoea and infertility. The biochemical markers of insulin resistance like fasting insulin, fasting glucose/insulin ratio and HOMA-IR were significantly reduced in group-N. Hormone levels like serum LH, FSH, TT and LH/FSH ratio was significantly decreased in group-N, but FT, FT/TT ratio and SHBG were similar in both the groups. Ultrasonographic findings were similar in both the groups.

Conclusion

N-acetyl Cysteine had better improvement in clinical, biochemical and hormonal profile than Metformin in PCOS patients. It can be used as a substitute for insulin reducing medications in treatment of PCOS patients, considering its limited adverse effects.
Multi-informant assessment of transition-related skills and skill importance in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hume Kara , Dykstra Steinbrenner Jessica , Sideris John , Smith Leann , Kucharczyk Suzanne , Szidon Kate
Published: October 2017

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder have limited participation in the transition planning process, despite the link between active participation and an improvement in postsecondary education and employment outcomes. The Secondary School Success Checklist was designed to support transition planning for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder by incorporating their own assessments of strengths, skill deficits, and prioritization for instruction along with those of their parents and teachers across multiple skill domains. Findings from more than 500 adolescents with autism spectrum disorder across the United States indicate discrepancies between adolescent, teacher, and parent ratings of skills highlighting the importance of the inclusion of multiple perspectives in transition planning. Although ratings varied, agreement between adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, parents, and teachers across the highest and lowest rated skills suggests the need to broaden the focus on critical transition skills to include problem-solving, planning for life after high school, and self-advocacy.
Arriving late to the party? Histories of cultural studies as resources of hope
Authors: Kay Jilly Boyce
Published: October 2017

This review article critically considers two recently published books, both of which contend with the complex relationship between cultural studies’ history, present and future, albeit in extraordinarily different ways. Cultural Studies 50 Years On: History, Practice and Politics, edited by Kieran Connell and Matthew Hilton, is a collection of essays that emerged from a 2014 conference that explored the legacy and influence of the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham. Why Cultural Studies? is a searing, single-authored polemic by Gilbert B Rodman on the current state of cultural studies and a rallying call to reinvigorate the project by resuscitating its leftist impulses. In this article, I consider what these two books might offer in the way of intellectual, political and emotional resources for hope in the contemporary conjuncture; the ways that the books negotiate the inevitable partiality and the hidden personal politics of their own narratives; as well as the ways they implicitly invite personal, subjective reflection about one’s relationship to the histories and traditions of cultural studies. I end with a reflection about the challenges, but also the generative value, of revisiting painful and difficult debates within the field.
A new coordinated control strategy for tracked vehicle ride comfort
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Khajepour Amir , Huang Yanjun , Wang Hong , Tang Chen , Qin Yechen
Published: October 2017

To improve tracked vehicle ride comfort and minimize weapon's vibration, a coordinated control strategy is developed for tracked vehicles' semi-active suspension systems. A model with eight degrees-of-freedom for a tracked vehicle equipped with magnetorheological dampers is established, and is followed by the formulation of a sliding mode controller. The proposed control algorithm is a localized-based controller that can change its target location in the tracked vehicle to where it is needed most. A co-simulation system model including a six-wheel tracked vehicle multi-body dynamics model, coordinated control strategy, and magnetorheological damper force allocator is developed to analyze the ride performance under bump and random road excitations. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy is very effective in improving the vehicle's ride performance and is much better than the traditional skyhook controllers. The innovation of this paper can be concluded as the coordinated control strategy can simultaneously improve vertical acceleration and pitch acceleration for the hull, which is of great importance for combat situations.
Hong Kong skins: signs and screens in a changing cityscape
Authors: Sze-hang Kwok Brian , Coppoolse Anneke
Published: October 2017

Hong Kong’s vertical cityscape presents two significant urban skins: one of explicit hues and one of particular disguise. Both these skins – materialized through neon signage and bamboo scaffolding – communicate visual narratives of Hong Kong that can be understood in their singularity and in their sequence. Neon signs and their distinct colour casts form visual skins of light that are highly particular to Hong Kong. Bamboo scaffolding, in its insistence on disguising both neon signs and entire façades, equally engenders local significance through handwork and skill as it layers up Hong Kong’s urban space. Yet, despite its particular ‘Hong Kong image’, it increasingly forms a prequel to a disappearance of what could be called a Hong Kong aesthetic. Via scaffolding, old skins disappear and new ones prevail: new skins that increasingly represent not a search for but a permanently lost identity. This visual essay explores images of peeling urban skins that address a perpetual disappearance of significance in light of neoliberal monotony.
What was primitive accumulation? Reconstructing the origin of a critical concept
Authors: Roberts William Clare
Published: October 2017

The ongoing critical redeployment of primitive accumulation proceeds under two premises. First, it is argued that Marx, erroneously, confined primitive accumulation to the earliest history of capitalism. Second, Marx is supposed to have teleologically justified primitive accumulation as a necessary precondition for socialist development. This article argues that reading Marx’s account of primitive accumulation in the context of contemporaneous debates about working class and socialist strategy rebuts both of these criticisms. Marx’s definition of primitive accumulation as the ‘prehistory of capital’ does not deny its contemporaneity, but marks the distinction between the operations of capital and those of other agencies – especially the state – which are necessary, but also external, to capital itself. This same distinction between capital, which accumulates via the exploitation of labour-power, and the state, which becomes dependent upon capitalist accumulation for its own existence, recasts the historical necessity of primitive accumulation. Marx characterizes the modern state as the armed and servile agent of capital, willing to carry out primitive accumulation wherever the conditions of capitalist accumulation are threatened. Hence, the recent reconstructions risk obliterating Marx’s key insights into the specificity of a) capital as a form of wealth and b) capital’s relationship to the state.
Cracks and welds detection approach in solar receiver tubes employing electromagnetic acoustic transducers
Authors: Gómez Muñoz Carlos Quiterio , Arcos Jimenez Alfredo , García Marquez Fausto Pedro , Kogia Maria , Cheng Liang , Mohimi Abbas , Papaelias Mayorkinos
Published: October 2017

There is a significant rising in development of new concentrated solar plants due to global energy demands. Concentrated solar plant requires to improve the operational and maintainability in this industry. This article presents a new approach to identify defects in the solar receiver tubes and welds employing a simple electromagnetic acoustic transducer. The absorber tubes in normal working conditions must withstand high temperatures, which can cause the tubes to deteriorate in areas such as welding, or it can cause hot spots due to defects or corrosion. A proper predictive maintenance program for the absorber pipes is required to detect defects in the tubes at an early stage, reducing corrective maintenance costs and increasing the reliability, availability, and safety of the concentrated solar plant. This article presents a novel approach based on signal processing and pattern recognition for predictive maintenance employing electromagnetic acoustic transducers. Hilbert transform is used to obtain the envelope of the signal that is smoothed by wavelet transform. It reduces the probability of detecting false-positive alarms. The algorithm uses the distance of the sensors from the edges to perform a self-identification of signal events. The events are located using two possible ways of ultrasound propagation, forward and reverse, and the time of flight of each echo. The algorithm correlates the theoretical events with events found experimentally. These echoes could come from different paths due to the electromagnetic acoustic transducer that generates forward and reverse shear waves. The main novelty in this approach is that the detection and location of the defect is determined considering two echoes that come from the same defect, but they arrive at the sensor flowing by different paths. The results are obtained with a double validation by matching the echoes that meet certain conditions. It increases the accuracy of the inspection and reduces false alarms. The approach has been tested and validated in an experimental platform that simulates the concentrated solar plants.
Exploring the Interrelationships Among Academic Entitlement, Academic Performance, and Satisfaction With Life in a College Student Sample
Authors: Reysen Rebekah H. , Degges-White Suzanne , Reysen Matthew B.
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship among academic entitlement, life satisfaction, and academic performance as measured by cumulative grade point average. When comparing academically at-risk versus non-at-risk college students, academically at-risk students scored significantly lower on satisfaction with life than their non-at-risk peers. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between academic entitlement and satisfaction with life for all students. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Development and performance optimization of polyurethane-based multifunctional coatings using Taguchi method
Authors: Javid Amjed , Iftikhar Khurram , Ashraf Munir , Rehman Abdur , Iqbal Kashif , Hussain Tanveer , basit Abdul
Published: October 2017

Inducing multifunctionality is the need of the products used in diverse environments. Here, polyurethane-based water repellent, flame retardant and antibacterial coatings are fabricated on cotton fabrics which sequentially involve the deposition of coating through knife coating, drying and curing of coated fabric. Taguchi design has been used to optimize the parameters for enhanced water repellency, flame retardancy and antibacterial activity. When applied individually, the performance characteristics enhance with the increase in concentration of respective finishing agent. However, a different behaviour was shown by the coated fabric when applied all the finishing agents simultaneously. Taguchi design enabled the monitoring of interdependency of different concentrations of chemicals and finding the most influencing parameters for efficient performance of coated fabrics.
The Effect of Socioeconomic Factors on Outcomes of Distal Radius Fractures: A Systematic Review
Authors: Truong Jessica L. , Doherty Chris , Suh Nina
Published: October 2017

Background: Socioeconomic factors are known to affect outcomes for both medical and surgical conditions. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the current evidence regarding the effect of socioeconomic factors such as income, geographic location, educational level, and occupation on clinical outcomes after distal radius fractures. Methods: A systematic search strategy was performed to identify studies commenting on the effect of socioeconomic factors on clinical outcomes following open or closed distal radius fracture repair. Abstract and full-text screening was performed by 2 independent reviewers, and articles were evaluated by Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale (SEQES). Treatment outcomes of interest included, but were not limited to, pain, function, range of motion, and grip strength. Results: There were 1745 studies that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria for abstract screening. Of these, 48 studies met our inclusion criteria for full-text screening and 20 studies met our criteria for quality analysis with the SEQES score. There were 3 studies of high quality, 16 of moderate quality, and 1 of low quality. Meta-analyses were not possible due to the variability in outcomes of interest across papers. Conclusions: Patient factors indicative of socioeconomic status are relevant predictors of functional outcome after distal radius fractures. There is currently limited evidence in this area of research, and further examination should be considered to improve outcomes from a patient and system standpoint.
Hybrid technique for the management of thoracoabdominal aortic thrombosis and symptomatic Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus “C” aorto-iliac disease
Authors: Khan Aasim , Vasudevan Thodur
Published: October 2017

Objective

Thrombotic disease of the thoracic and abdominal aorta co-existing with aorto-iliac disease is a rare clinical association, which poses a great therapeutic challenge and adds to the complexity of the open surgical repair.

Method

We describe a case of 53-year-old woman with symptomatic thrombus in the thoracic and abdominal aorta down to the aortic bifurcation, which was successfully treated by Thoracic EndoVascular Aortic Repair via the left subclavian artery, open thrombectomy and aorto-iliac bypass.

Result

Completion angiogram performed through the axillary cannula showed good flow in the aorta, visceral vessels and iliac arteries.

Conclusion

This hybrid technical approach was a safe and effective strategy to tackle diffuse aortic thrombus with minimal morbidity and visceral embolization. Simultaneous aorto bi iliac bypass with thoracic endovascular aortic repair is a viable approach that can be undertaken with lesser morbidity and mortality risk as compared to complex and highly stressful total open surgical repair.
What African media? Rethinking research on Africa’s press
Authors: Wahutu J. Siguru
Published: October 2017

This article looks at the representation of Darfur in Kenya from 2003 to 2008. Using Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory and Rodney Benson’s habitus affinity and habitus disaffinity, this article highlights the pitfalls of using ‘African media’ as an analytical category when studying media representations of atrocities by Africa’s press. The evidence presented here suggests the need for an approach that is nuanced when analysing representation of issues of political or social import, especially considering, in the case of Kenyan news organizations, the willingness to lift news reports from Western organizations. By lifting such a large number of stories from wire agencies, the Kenyan media field privileges narratives employed by these organizations. This parsing out of articles is necessary if scholars are to confidently understand how the press in Africa represents Africa to local/national audiences.
Safety of corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Kaile Emma , Bland Jeremy D.P.
Published: October 2017

The risks of corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome, principally intraneural injection and tendon rupture, are known only from anecdotal reports. The literature does not allow an accurate estimate of their incidence or that of lesser side effects such as local pain. We have encountered only four serious complications in 9515 injections. We asked patients about possible side effects at routine follow-up, 6 weeks after 689 injections with 40 mg triamcinolone. Possible side effects were reported after 33% of injections. The commonest was short-lived local pain, which occurred in 13% of injected limbs, all cases having resolved within 3 weeks. No cases of intraneural injection or tendon rupture occurred, even after repeated injection. Most adverse effects were transient, but 13 hands exhibited persistent skin depigmentation or subcutaneous atrophy. This data provides the best current estimate of the risks of carpal tunnel injection and may be used to inform patients considering this intervention.

Level of evidence: IV
Relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma in pregnancy: A case review
Authors: George-Carey Rhiannon , Parisaei Maryam , Koniman Wiece , Pluckinski Micaela , Lambert Jonathan
Published: October 2017

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is rarely diagnosed in pregnancy, occurring in 1:6000 deliveries. However, improvements in survival and the use of less gonadotoxic treatments have increased the number of Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivors becoming pregnant. Both de novo and relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma in pregnancy pose difficult decisions for both clinicians and patients. This review discusses important diagnostic and treatment considerations of relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma in pregnancy. We discuss a difficult case which illustrates these particular dilemmas and suggests the evidence behind different modalities of investigation and management.
A review of the structure and training pathways for obstetric medicine physicians in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Idel Irena , Choy Suet-Wan , Marnoch Catherine , McMahon Lawrence P
Published: October 2017

In recent decades, women with significant medical conditions have increasingly chosen to become pregnant. This has broadened and intensified the interface between obstetrics and internal medicine, a collaboration which has always needed cooperation but which increasingly demands open discussion and planning to ensure optimal outcomes for mother and fetus. The aims of this article are to describe the state of obstetric medicine practice in Australia and New Zealand, including its history and development, the training and education curriculum, organisation of its service delivery, and potential opportunities for research and collaboration.