bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Great Recession and Welfare State Reform: Is Retrenchment Really the Only Game Left in Town?
Authors: van Kersbergen Kees , Vis Barbara , Hemerijck Anton 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBy 2010, when the Greek sovereign debt crisis changed into an existential crisis of the euro, all developed democracies entered a phase in which they had to consolidate their budgets, typically implying a politics of austerity. The scholarly literature, as well as the popular press, suggests that – consequently – welfare retrenchment and cost containment became the only games left in town. In this article, we study the welfare state reform measures taken between 2010 and 2012 in four countries characteristic of mature welfare state regimes (liberal, UK; conservative, Germany; social democratic, Denmark; and hybrid, the Netherlands) to examine empirically whether austerity has indeed become the only item left on the policy menu. Our analysis reveals that retrenchment features prominently on the agenda everywhere, but nowhere by itself. While compensation for income loss is rare since 2010, this still happens. More unexpectedly, reforms in line with a social investment agenda (like expansion of child care or active labour market policies) are still being pursued in all our four cases.
Finite Element Analysis of the Microstructure of AlN–TiN Composites
Authors: Patel S. , Vaish R. , Sinha N. , Bowen C. R. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTFinite element modelling (FEM) is performed on AlN–TiN composites. The structure–property relationships are studied for 5 and 10 vol.% TiN composites in view of thermal and thermo‐mechanical properties. Thermal stresses are simulated at various temperatures for the 5 and 10% TiN samples in homogeneous and heterogeneous temperature environments. It is found that compressive stresses are associated with the microstructure and these stresses are largest at the interface of the AlN–TiN phases. In addition, thermal strains are simulated at various temperatures for both the compositions. Thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient are estimated using FEM and compared with other known analytical methods.
Strain and Displacement Controls by Fibre Bragg Grating and Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Waldbjørn J. , Høgh J. , Wittrup‐Schmidt J. , Nielsen M. W. , Branner K. , Stang H. , Berggreen C. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTTest control is traditionally performed by a feedback signal from a displacement transducer or force gauge positioned inside the actuator of a test machine. For highly compliant test rigs, this is a problem since the response of the rig influences the results. It is therefore beneficial to control the test based on measurements performed directly on the test specimen. In this paper, fibre Bragg grating (FBG) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC) are used to control a test. The FBG sensors offer the possibility of measuring strains inside the specimen, while the DIC system measures strains and displacement on the surface of the specimen. In this paper, a three‐point bending test is used to demonstrate the functionality of a control loop, where the FBG and DIC signals are used as control channels. The FBG strain control was capable of controlling the test within an error tolerance of 20 µm m−1. However, the measurement uncertainty offered by the FBG system allowed a tolerance of 8.3 µm m−1. The DIC displacement control proved capable of controlling the displacement within an accuracy of 0.01 mm.
Development of a risk‐adjusted blood utilization metric
Authors: Stonemetz Jerry L. , Allen Paul X. , Wasey Jack , Rivers Richard J. , Ness Paul M. , Frank Steven M. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundBlood utilization has become an important outcome measure for surgical patients because of the recognized risks and costs associated with transfusion. However, comparisons of blood utilization between providers or institutions are difficult, because there is no standard method for risk adjustment when assessing surgical blood requirements. We examined whether accepted diagnosis‐related group (DRG) case mix indexes can be used for this purpose.Study Design and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed electronic medical record data from 37,403 surgical inpatients to assess the relationship between intraoperative blood component transfusion requirements and the case mix indexes: weighted Medicare severity DRG and weighted all‐patient refined DRG. Thirty‐one surgeons from the general surgery service were compared to determine correlations between blood component utilization and case mix index in both a risk unadjusted and an adjusted fashion.ResultsCase mix indexes and transfusion requirements were directly correlated for red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and platelet (PLT) transfusions (p < 0.0001 for all three blood components, for both indexes). Surgeons with greater case mix index values had greater transfusion requirements, and adjustment for case mix index resulted in less variation among surgeons (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0003, and p < 0.0001 for unadjusted vs. adjusted utilization of RBCs, plasma, and PLTs, respectively).ConclusionsThe standard DRG‐based case mix indexes used to determine hospital reimbursement were strongly correlated with intraoperative transfusion requirements. We propose that these methods can be used as a risk‐adjusted blood utilization metric for surgical patients.
Honey: An immunomodulator in wound healing
Authors: Majtan Juraj 
Published: February 2014

AbstractHoney is a popular natural product that is used in the treatment of burns and a broad spectrum of injuries, in particular chronic wounds. The antibacterial potential of honey has been considered the exclusive criterion for its wound healing properties. The antibacterial activity of honey has recently been fully characterized in medical‐grade honeys. Recently, the multifunctional immunomodulatory properties of honey have attracted much attention. The aim of this review is to provide closer insight into the potential immunomodulatory effects of honey in wound healing. Honey and its components are able to either stimulate or inhibit the release of certain cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6) from human monocytes and macrophages, depending on wound condition. Similarly, honey seems to either reduce or activate the production of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils, also depending on the wound microenvironment. The honey‐induced activation of both types of immune cells could promote debridement of a wound and speed up the repair process. Similarly, human keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cell responses (e.g., cell migration and proliferation, collagen matrix production, chemotaxis) are positively affected in the presence of honey; thus, honey may accelerate reepithelization and wound closure. The immunomodulatory activity of honey is highly complex because of the involvement of multiple quantitatively variable compounds among honeys of different origins. The identification of these individual compounds and their contributions to wound healing is crucial for a better understanding of the mechanisms behind honey‐mediated healing of chronic wounds.
AN ALGORITHMIC INFORMATION THEORY CHALLENGE TO INTELLIGENT DESIGN
Authors: Devine Sean 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWilliam Dembski claims to have established a decision process to determine when highly unlikely events observed in the natural world are due to Intelligent Design. This article argues that, as no implementable randomness test is superior to a universal Martin‐Löf test, this test should be used to replace Dembski's decision process. Furthermore, Dembski's decision process is flawed, as natural explanations are eliminated before chance. Dembski also introduces a fourth law of thermodynamics, his “law of conservation of information,” to argue that information cannot increase by natural processes. However, this article, using algorithmic information theory, shows that this law is no more than the second law of thermodynamics. The article concludes that any discussions on the possibilities of design interventions in nature should be articulated in terms of the algorithmic information theory approach to randomness and its robust decision process.
IMAGO DEI, DUALISM, AND EVOLUTION: A PHILOSOPHICAL DEFENSE OF THE STRUCTURAL IMAGE OF GOD
Authors: Visala Aku 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMost contemporary theologians have distanced themselves from views that identify the image of God with a capacity or a set of capacities that humans have. This article examines three arguments against the structural view and finds them wanting. The first argument is that the structural view entails mind/body dualism and dualism is no longer viable given neuroscience and contemporary philosophy. Against this, I argue that contemporary forms of dualism are able to circumvent such worries and are at leastprima facieplausible. The second claim is that structural views end up disvaluing the human body and our relatedness. Here, I argue that neither the structural view nor dualism has such consequences. The third issue consists of various evolutionary worries that have to do with the lack of a clear‐cut boundary between human capacities and the capacities of nonhuman animals. As a response, the article argues that although there might not be a clear‐cut set of capacities that all humans share, we could still have a notion of human distinctiveness that is sufficient for the structural image of God.
An Investigation of Service-Oriented Shape Memory Actuator Systems for Resource Efficiency
Authors: Rathmann Christian , Czechowicz Alexander , Meier Horst 
Published: February 2014

Nowadays companies working in the field of industrial applications realize that traditional electromagnets reach their technical limits. Additionally, there is an increasing awareness for resource-efficiency and safety, due to shortages in resources and rise in legal requirements. Furthermore customers demand more and more system solution, because of increased complexity in technical applications. Service-oriented shape memory actuator systems are an innovative approach that can help companies meeting these challenges and thus not only keep but enhance their competitiveness.
Therefore, this paper is focusing on the presentation of a service-oriented smart memory actuator system based on condition monitoring or reconfiguration by heat treatment. Hence an experimental actuator system is designed. This system is used to evaluate feasibility of condition monitoring to predict lifetime and the ability to reconfigure properties in use by heat treatment. Finally, an appropriate business model for service-oriented shape memory actuator systems is discussed.
First results of the project are presented within the paper as well as a business model draft for a service-oriented shape memory actuator system. Further studies should be done investigating the feasibility of remote heat treatment as well as developing applicable business models for shape memory actuator systems.
Novel Two-Stage Electrical Energy Generators for Low and Variable Speed Rotary Machinery
Authors: Rastegar Jahangir , Murray Richard 
Published: February 2014

A novel class of two-stage electrical energy generators is presented for rotary machinery and rocking platforms in which the input speed is low and varies significantly, even reversing. Applications include wind mills, turbo-machinery for harvesting tidal flows, floating platforms and the like. Current technology using rotary generators requires gearing or similar mechanisms to increase the input speed to make the generation cycle efficient. Variable speed-control mechanisms are also usually needed to achieve high mechanical to electrical energy conversion efficiency. In this paper, electrical energy generators are presented that can efficiently operate at very low and highly variable and even intermittent and reversing speeds without requiring gearing or other speed control mechanisms. The generators are very simple in design and can significantly reduce complexity and cost, especially those pertaining to maintenance and servicing. In addition, these new generators can expand the application of energy harvesting to much slower input speeds than current technology allows.
The primary novelty of this technology is the two-stage harvesting system. In these energy harvesting systems, input mechanical energy from the environment such as wind or ocean waves is stored in a primary sub-system (stage) as potential energy. When the level of potential energy reaches a certain predetermined level, it is released into a secondary sub-system (stage). The secondary sub-system converts the stored mechanical energy into electrical energy. The secondary sub-system is preferably designed as vibrating mass-spring type energy harvester to achieve relatively high and nearly constant natural frequency and use piezoelectric or magnet and coil type generators to convert stored mechanical energy of vibration to electrical energy.
A Compliant Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFO) Based on Multi-Axial Loading of Superelastic Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: GorzinMataee Morteza , Taheri Andani Masood , Elahinia Mohammad 
Published: February 2014

This paper presents a novel actuation solution to address the drop foot disorder. The proposed actuator consists of a superelastic Nitinol rod with a variable torsional stiffness that is adjusted by the controlled application of an axial load. The superelastic SMA element enables the AFO to provide sufficient torque during dorsiflexion to raise the foot. The provided torque at the ankle joint assists the patient in walking more naturally and subsequently prevents further issues such as muscle atrophy.
By appraising experimental data of the human gait, ankle stiffness is assessed in order to compare ankle behavior for various walking speeds during the swing phase. The adjustable compliance concept for the AFO is then explained, followed by a description of the actuation mechanism and complex loading configuration. Numerical modeling is also presented for the superelastic element of the AFO under specified multiaxial torsion-tension loading. Simulations are performed in MATLAB and variable stiffness results are compared with experimental data for verification.
Frequency Tunable Isolator Based on Shape Memory Alloy for Effective Shock and Vibration Suppression
Authors: Jeong Ho-Kyeong , Lee Juho , Han Jae-Hung 
Published: February 2014

A Shock and vibration isolator is widely used due to its simplicity and effectiveness. It attenuates vibration energy when the external excitation frequency is more than about 2 times its natural frequency, while the vibration around its natural frequency is generally amplified. However, an exciting frequency often varies so that it is difficult to avoid the vibration amplification. In particular, when these amplification phenomena occur in the low frequency domain, induced large vibration displacements degrade the structural integrity.
This paper introduces a novel frequency tunable isolator proposed by the present authors. The isolator uses SMA wires as actuator as well as the isolation materials. The isolator material is a compressed mesh washer isolator using the pseudoelasticity of SMA. Frequency tune of the isolator can be easily achieved through a simple electric circuit. Thus, this isolator can be widely applied to various vibration and shock environments such as in aircrafts and motor vehicles. Particularly, the detail design procedure is presented here for the adaptive shock isolator for launch vehicle in order to achieve both shock attenuation performance and avoidance of the vibration amplification. Launch vehicles experience severe dynamic environment during the flight phase. Specially, pyroshock generated from the several separation events could result in malfunctions of electric components and low frequency vibration below 100 Hz at the maximum dynamic pressure phase could reduce the structural integrity of payload. The resonant frequency of the isolator is selectively controlled in two modes by using an adaptive mechanical system with compressing the isolation materials. The isolator was successfully designed and various test results with frequency tuning are presented, in this paper.
Measuring Presenteeism: Which Questionnaire to Use in Physical Activity Research?
Authors: Brown Helen Elizabeth , Burton Nicola , Gilson Nicholas David , Brown Wendy 
Published: February 2014

Background:An emerging area of interest in workplace health is presenteeism; the measurable extent to which physical or psychosocial symptoms, conditions and disease adversely affect the work productivity of those who choose to remain at work. Given established links between presenteeism and health, and health and physical activity, presenteeism could be an important outcome in workplace physical activity research. This study provides a narrative review of questionnaires for use in such research.Methods:Eight self-report measures of presenteeism were identified. Information regarding development, constructs measured and psychometric properties was extracted from relevant articles.Results:Questionnaires were largely self-administered, had 4–44 items, and recall periods ranging from 1 week to 1 year. Items were identified as assessing work performance, physical tolerance, psychological well-being and social or role functioning. Samples used to test questionnaires were predominantly American male employees, with an age range of 30–59 years. All instruments had undergone psychometric assessment, most commonly discriminant and construct validity.Conclusion:Based on instrument characteristics, the range of conceptual foci covered and acceptable measurement properties, the Health and Work Questionnaire, Work Ability Index, and Work Limitations Questionnaire are suggested as most suitable for further exploring the relationship between physical activity and presenteeism.
Modifiable Behaviors Help to Explain the Inequalities in Perceived Health Associated With Deprivation and Social Class: Evidence From a National Sample
Authors: Nevill Alan , Donnelly Paul , Shibli Simon , Foster Charlie , Murphy Marie 
Published: February 2014

Background:The association between health and deprivation is of serious concern to many health promotion agencies. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether modifiable behaviors of physical activity (PA), sports participation, diet, smoking and body mass index (BMI) can help to explain these inequalities in a sample of 4653 respondents from Northern Ireland.Methods:The study is based on a cross-sectional survey of Northern Irish adults. Responses to a self-rated health question were dichotomized and binary logistic regression was used to identify the health inequalities between areas of high, middle or low deprivation. These differences were further adjusted for other sociodemographic factors and subsequently for various modifiable behaviors of PA, sports participation, diet, smoking, and BMI.Results:Respondents from high and middle areas of deprivation are more likely to report poorer health. As soon as sociodemographic factors and other modifiable behaviors were included, these inequalities either disappeared or were greatly reduced.Conclusion:Many inequalities in health in NI can be explained by the respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics that can be further explained by introducing information about respondents who meet the recommended PA guidelines, play sport, eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, and maintain an optimal BMI.
Inverse Relationship Between Physical Activity and Arterial Stiffness in Adults With Hypertension
Authors: O’Donovan Cuisle , Lithander Fiona E. , Raftery Tara , Gormley John , Mahmud Azra , Hussey Juliette 
Published: February 2014

Background:Physical activity has beneficial effects on arterial stiffness among healthy adults. There is a lack of data on this relationship in adults with hypertension. The majority of studies which have examined physical activity and arterial stiffness have used subjective measures of activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between objectively measured habitual physical activity and arterial stiffness in individuals with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.Methods:Adults attending an outpatient hypertension clinic were recruited into this cross sectional study. Physical activity was measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) were measured using applanation tonometry. Participant’s full lipid profile and glucose were determined through the collection of a fasting blood sample.Results:Fifty-three adults [51(14) years, 26 male] participated, 16 of whom had the metabolic syndrome. Inactivity was positively correlated with PWV (r = .53, P < .001) and AIx (r = .48, P < .001). There were significant inverse associations between habitual physical activity of all intensities and both AIx and PWV. In stepwise regression, after adjusting for potential confounders, physical activity was a significant predictor of AIx and PWV.Conclusion:Habitual physical activity of all intensities is associated with reduced arterial stiffness among adults with hypertension.
National Policy on Physical Activity: The Development of a Policy Audit Tool
Authors: Bull Fiona C. , Milton Karen , Kahlmeier Sonja 
Published: February 2014

Background:Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for noncommunicable disease worldwide. Increasing physical activity requires large scale actions and relevant, supportive national policy across multiple sectors.Methods:The policy audit tool (PAT) was developed to provide a standardized instrument to assess national policy approaches to physical activity. A draft tool, based on earlier work, was developed and pilot-tested in 7 countries.Results:After several rounds of revisions, the final PAT comprises 27 items and collects information on 1) government structure, 2) development and content of identified key policies across multiple sectors, 3) the experience of policy implementation at both the national and local level, and 4) a summary of the PAT completion process.Conclusions:PAT provides a standardized instrument for assessing progress of national policy on physical activity. Engaging a diverse international group of countries in the development helped ensure PAT has applicability across a wide range of countries and contexts. Experiences from the development of the PAT suggests that undertaking an audit of health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) policy can stimulate greater awareness of current policy opportunities and gaps, promote critical debate across sectors, and provide a catalyst for collaboration on policy level actions. The final tool is available online.
Testing and Genotyping of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus by the cobas HPV Test and the Hybrid Capture 2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test Using Cervical and Vaginal Samples
Authors: Pyne Michael T. , Law Christian , Hillyard David R. , Schlaberg Robert 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

The accurate detection and typing of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) are critical for cervical cancer screening. The Hybrid Capture 2 (hc2) and cobas HPV tests showed high agreement for cervical samples (94.4%, κ = 0.72,
n
= 693) and moderate agreement for vaginal samples (κ = 0.62,
n
= 108). The HPV16 and HPV18 results were highly consistent between the cobas and Linear Array tests (κ ≥ 0.96,
n
= 197). Three hc2-negative vaginal samples were repeatedly invalid by the cobas test due to β-globin control failures, highlighting amplification control benefits. No cross-contamination was detected in a challenge experiment.
Retained foreign body after chest stab wound
Authors: Apiliogullari Burhan , Duzgun Nuri , Kurtipek Ercan , Esme Hidir 
Published: February 2014

SummaryForeign bodies may occur after a thoracic trauma, but foreign bodies retained after stab wounds are rare. This paper reports the case of a 20-year-old man who was admitted with the diagnosis of haemothorax following a single stab wound on the chest. One month later, he was referred to the authors’ clinic with symptoms of pain and swelling under the left scapula due to a previously overlooked foreign body on the chest wall.