bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Simulation Study on Max Pressure Control of Signalized Intersections
Authors: Sun Xiaotong , Yin Yafeng
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a decentralized traffic signal control strategy named max pressure control is reviewed and examined. This control strategy aims at optimizing overall network throughputs, but applies a distributed approach that only requires local information to generate timing plans for each intersection. A Vissim simulation study is conducted to compare existing max pressure schemes. The results show that a recently proposed cyclic-based approach performs more poorly than the original non-cyclic approach. Further, to address two issues that hinder existing schemes: frequent changes of phase and queue spillover/blockage, two modifications are suggested. The simulation reveals that network performance can be improved after modifications.
Analytical Model of Passing Events for One-Way Heterogeneous Bicycle Traffic Flows
Authors: Xu Liang , Liu Meiqi , Song Xiang , Jin Sheng
Published: July 2018

Heterogeneous bicycle traffic flows, consisting of electric bicycles (e-bicycles) and regular bicycles (r-bicycles), have become the main traffic form on shared bicycle routes in China due to the increasing number of e-bicycles. As a result, overtaking occurs frequently among bicycles, which affects cyclists’ safety and perception. This paper presents an analytical model to estimate the number of passing events in heterogeneous bicycle traffic flows. The relationships between passing events and the parameters of the heterogeneous bicycle traffic flow is established in the proposed model. The probability density functions of the speed of r-bicycles and e-bicycles are taken into consideration. The results of the model analysis show that the number of passing events increases with an increase in the flow rate and density. Both a difference in speed between different types of bicycle and the standard deviation of speed of each type of bicycle have positive correlations with the number of passing events. In addition, when the proportion of e-bicycles increases, the number of passing events first increases, and then decreases. The proposed model is calibrated against field data collected in Hangzhou. The results show that the model prediction is consistent with field observations. The model proposed in this paper provides an analytical approach to study the relationship between the characteristics of heterogeneous bicycle traffic flows and the number of passing events. This work can be considered a prerequisite for the development of the bicycle level of service criteria for heterogeneous bicycle flows.
Evaluation of Midpoint Runway Marking for General Aviation Airports
Authors: Hawkins H. Gene , Dillman Brian G.
Published: July 2018

The aviation industry continues to experience landing overruns at general aviation airports due in part to pilots touching down beyond the midpoint of the available runway. In some landing overruns, pilots were unaware that the midpoint was reached and nonetheless continued the landing instead of implementing a go-around/aborted landing procedure. Incident reports confirmed that forced landings were coupled with frequent overruns. Over the years airport operators and pilots have occasionally reported that knowing the location of the midpoint of runways would help them to minimize such accidents. There is a greater tendency for landing overruns at airports that primarily serve general aviation operations with runway lengths less than 4,200 ft in length and being utilized by student pilots and those pilots that primarily fly on the weekends only. In order to identify potential markings that could assist in mitigating this risk, the research team evaluated the design for and potential benefits of a marking placed at or near the midpoint of a general aviation runway that would inform pilots of the potential for an overrun/overshoot on a landing. The research team evaluated several preliminary prototype midpoint runway markings using stakeholder input and an online survey of pilots. The best performing marking was further evaluated in an aviation training device study and in field evaluations at six airports. The study results found that the numeric ½ located to the left of the runway centerline provided pilots with useful information on the remaining length of runway.
Comparison of Subsidized Fixed- and Flexible-Route Bus Systems
Authors: Chang Shyue Koong , Yu Wen-Jeng
Published: July 2018

A comparison of subsidized fixed-route and flexible-route feeder bus systems is presented. Mathematical models are formulated to maximize welfare for the two feeder bus systems, subject to a subsidy constraint. Service-zone size, headway, and fare are the decision variables in the analyses. For subsidy operation it is demonstrated that the equilibrium demands for the two systems are different because of their specific service attributes, and that the optimal fare for a flexible-route system is generally higher than for a fixed-route system. The differences in welfare and fares between the two systems under different levels of subsidy for and different route length, service area, and travel speed are identified. Additional studies on integration or permitted competition for the two bus systems are also suggested.
Employer Shuttles—Concepts and Case Studies
Authors: Minerva Victor , Sampson David , Levinson Herbert S.
Published: July 2018

Employer shuttle systems in Connecticut and New Jersey are reviewed. The planning processes underlying system development, the approach used to determine potential markets for employer shuttle services, and service design principles are outlined, and system performance is evaluated. Several case studies are presented, and the requirements for a successful shuttle program are identified as reliable line-haul transit, a direct route to employer concentrations located not more than 20 min from the line-haul transit, a seamless transfer, a reasonable fare structure, employer and public interest and support, and an effective marketing program.
Buenos Aires Colectivo Buses and Experience with Privatization
Authors: Martínez Juan Pablo , Larocca José M. , Pratt Richard H.
Published: July 2018

The colectivo bus operations of Buenos Aires, Argentina, provide a premium-quality bus service that attracts exceptionally high ridership with virtually no public financial support, and, as a bonus, produces tax revenues. The concept and details of Buenos Aires colectivo—business organization, licensing, regulation, and operation—have direct applicability in any place where potential passenger demand and prevailing wage rates offer the opportunity of profitability without subsidy. In addition, the varied options for introducing entrepreneurship into bus operations illustrated by Buenos Aires colectivo evolution should be of interest in all types of cities at all levels of development and bus-subsidy requirement. Original research into Buenos Aires colectivo introduction, organization, regulation, and market response is presented. The colectivos originally started at much the same time and in much the same configuration as jitneys in the United States, but they evolved into more sophisticated operations, most notably in their resurgence during privatization after a period of state transit operation. In 1992 the 14,000 colectivos of the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, run by 230 individual private enterprises as part of a network that also includes trains and subways, provided 1.3 billion vehicle-km (800,000,000 vehicle-mi) of bus service for the year and attracted ridership approaching an average of one bus trip per day for each of the region's 11 million inhabitants.
Effects of Rationalization of Rural Passenger Services on Travel Activity Patterns
Authors: Parolin B. P.
Published: July 2018

One aspect of rationalization of rural passenger services in the state of New South Wales, Australia is examined: the travel and activity consequences for rural consumers of the substitution of longer-haul bus services for rail passenger services. Interview surveys of bus passengers in selected communities and town residents who previously used train services or presently use bus services were used to develop travel-activity profiles in the pre- and postrationalization period. The extent and nature of reorientation of travel-activity patterns were assessed to determine the effects of service substitution. Results indicate that most respondents were able to adjust their travel-activity patterns and benefit from the service substitution's greater number of travel choices, despite relatively low levels of mobility. The new bus services provide a higher level of service and are well patronized by respondents. Rural public transportation patronage in the study communities is now higher compared with that in the prerationalization period. Furthermore, no evidence was found of a link between rationalization and decline in services provision. The conclusion is drawn that new rural bus services have been overwhelmingly accepted and are well patronized in the study communities. They have also attracted many car users. Longer-haul bus services are now an integral part of the network of rural passenger services and of travel-activity patterns.
Rural Public Transportation: Perceptions of Transit Managers, Directors of Area Agencies on Aging, and Elders
Authors: Foster Norman S. J. , Damiano Peter C. , Momany Elizabeth T. , McLeran Hermine T.
Published: July 2018

Transit systems in rural areas help elders maintain contact with social services, conduct business, and visit friends. Surveys of transit managers, area agency on aging (AAA) directors, and rural elders age 75 and over in Iowa were conducted in 1993 to determine if these groups believed that there is unmet need for transit among rural elders and to assess the groups' perceptions of transit service. Transit managers and AAA directors did believe that such unmet need exists and that it is caused largely by lack of information on the part of elders' and by agencies' difficulties in identifying elders in need. One-half of rural elders who did not use transit were unaware that it was provided. The level of knowledge among women was much higher in smaller towns than in larger communities. Elders who have actually used transit have a favorable opinion of it. Transit is seen as safe and dependable. Riders consider drivers to be courteous and few report that trips take too long. The level of satisfaction reported is somewhat lower when elders are asked about transit's flexibility, scheduling, and ease of use. Few riders believe that others need transit service more than they do or report that they would rather pay others to drive them than use transit. Nonusers were relatively indifferent to these issues, perhaps indicating less opposition to potential transit use than has often been supposed. Only a small fraction of riders would support general tax increases of $25 or $50 per year to increase transit service, although this response may reveal more about perceptions of taxes than about transit.
Attitudes toward Intercity Bus Travel in Texas
Authors: Fitzpatrick Kay , Kuenzer Karen , Lienau Torsten
Published: July 2018

As required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, a percentage of each state's public transportation funds must be spent on intercity bus transportation development and support, unless the governor certifies intercity bus needs are being adequately met. A study was initiated to produce data necessary to define the current state of the intercity bus industry in Texas. To accomplish this objective, surveys were developed and distributed to the general population, bus riders, and bus companies in the state. A review of cities currently being served by the intercity bus industry was also made. General-population respondents indicated that they would be more likely to ride a bus if there were more express bus service, better station locations, and higher air and train fares. Bus riders indicated they would ride more often if there were improved security measures at stations and on buses, more leg room, more comfortable seats, adherence to schedules, and lower bus fares. Government-owned multimodal transportation facilities, operating subsidies for rural routes, and billboards and signs for advertising intercity service were suggested by bus companies as ways to aid the industry. The review of cities currently served by the intercity bus industry revealed that only 21 Texas cities with populations over 5,000 were further than 16.1 km (10 mi) from intercity bus service, and that most of these cities had access to transit service to an intercity bus stop.
Transportation Cost Allocation: Applying Cost Allocation in a Multimodal Environment
Authors: Wheeler Porter K.
Published: July 2018

The application of cost allocation techniques to an increasingly multi-modal or intermodal federal transportation program is discussed. Numerous statutory changes and policy developments in the 1990s have moved federal policy strongly toward an intermodal approach. As a result, highway cost allocation studies must address topics related to expenditures for multimodal improvements. The issues involved and the implications of a multimodal program for seeking cost-based pricing of transportation facilities are explored. Also examined are the feasibility of approaching cost allocation from a multimodal perspective, the challenges posed to past technical approaches and fundamental objectives, and several policy benefits that might be derived from taking a broader multimodal approach. An assessment of pros and cons is presented, followed by a wide-ranging set of conclusions and recommendations for federal cost allocation research. The central conclusion supports continued modal cost allocation studies emphasizing a comparable approach for each mode and developing information on spillover effects across modes.
Historical and Contemporary Toll Revenue Uses
Authors: Szeto Cissy , Wuestefeld Norman H.
Published: July 2018

Given the current climate favoring increased reliance on user fee facilities, it may be important to review limitations placed on revenues collected by existing toll facilities, as well as the opportunities that have allowed for expanded roles of these authorities. Common uses of toll revenues today, aside from debt retirement, can be grouped into four categories: subsidy of transportation and transit programs; expansion of state highway systems; support and improvement of other state transportation projects; and investment in ventures to promote economic growth and development. The rationale behind these uses may be of interest when considering administration of revenue collected through congestion and road-pricing programs. Congestion and road-pricing programs could gain greater acceptance if surplus revenues could be channeled into transportation infrastructure investments; improved transit service frequency, operating times, and coverage areas; investments in ridesharing initiatives; and mitigation of impacts on disadvantaged groups. In recent times, as the initial financing debts of toll facilities are retired, some state legislatures have elected to keep tolls on these highways and expand the responsibilities of the toll agency. In some states, the operations of toll facilities have become integrated with state transportation departments, and excess toll revenues are pledged either toward bonds for projects to be undertaken by the department or to take the place of the state's interest in the issuance of debt. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 has provided the basis for changing the relationship between the states and toll authorities; innovative finance methods are encouraged to achieve infrastructure improvements that can no longer be accomplished through traditional public taxation mechanisms.
Bay Bridge Congestion-Pricing Project: Lessons Learned to Date
Authors: Frick Karen T. , Heminger Steve , Dittmar Hank
Published: July 2018

The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, connecting San Francisco and the East Bay, is one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the nation. In an effort to address traffic congestion in this corridor, the Bay Area Congestion Pricing Task Force—a group of business, environment, public interest, and government organizations—has been examining the viability of variable tolls on the Bay Bridge. Tolls would be higher during peak commute hours when demand is highest and lower in off-peak hours when the bridge has excess capacity. This supply-and-demand-based concept is known as congestion pricing. The federally sponsored planning phase of the Bay Bridge congestion-pricing demonstration program commenced in the fall of 1993. Its purpose was to determine the most feasible alternatives for reducing congestion on the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge through implementing a congestion-pricing program. The process by which the task force developed a congestion-pricing proposal for the Bay Bridge is described, as are the lessons that have been learned along the way.
Demand Elasticity under Time-Varying Prices: Case Study of Day-of-Week Varying Tolls on Golden Gate Bridge
Authors: Gifford Jonathan L. , Talkington Scott W.
Published: July 2018

One of the key issues in ascertaining the efficacy of various pricing schemes for managing highway traffic levels is the sensitivity of highway users to prices. The development of automatic toll collection technology (automatic vehicle identification or electronic toll and traffic management) has now made congestion pricing schemes technically feasible. The literature is relatively quiet on the specific question of the elasticity of demand with respect to changes in highway tolls, especially when tolls are time varying. Data from the Golden Gate Bridge from 1979 to 1984 are used to examine travel demand under time-varying prices. If traffic is price sensitive (elastic), then it might be possible to realize some of the potential for road pricing that has been identified in the literature. A brief overview of the literature on road pricing is provided, followed by a description of the data, model development, empirical results, and conclusions. The results include the finding that day-of-week cross elasticities are complementary; that is, increases in tolls on 1 day of the week tend to dampen traffic on other days of the week. This finding lends empirical support to claims that time-varying prices may be a viable strategy for managing traffic demand.
Measuring Perceptions of Road Pricing Alternatives: Minnesota Public Outreach Effort
Authors: Lari Adeel Z. , Buckeye Kenneth R.
Published: July 2018

In Minnesota, as in many states, transportation funding is not keeping pace with needs. In partial response, the Minnesota state legislature directed the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities to study and implement, where appropriate, various concepts of road pricing. Road pricing includes congestion pricing, toll roads, and mileage-based tax. Road pricing measures serve as a demand management tool, a mechanism to raise revenue, and a development technique to construct toll facilities through public-private partnerships. The law recognized that a highly controversial concept like road pricing could not be accepted by the public unless there was substantial public discourse. Furthermore, it is believed that there can be little public support for the introduction of a new user fee on a facility or for a service not previously priced unless the added benefits are commensurate with the price. A comprehensive public outreach process was designed, which included the Citizens Jury process, focus groups, opinion leaders survey, personal interviews, and a telephone survey. The process was designed to learn from each preceding outreach activity and help refine the issues and frame acceptable pricing options. The results indicate that there is support for some road pricing options among Minnesotans, but the strength of that support depends on where and how the options might be implemented. Furthermore, support varies by how the collected revenues might be used and by what those revenues replace or supplement.
Race and Seat Belts in North Carolina
Authors: Benjamin Julian M. , Price Gregory N. , Reinfurt Donald
Published: July 2018

An analysis of the determinants of seat-belt use for automobile drivers in the state of North Carolina is presented. A factor analysis and random utility model capture the attributes of seat-belt use that plausibly govern the choice of whether to use them. The principal findings are that enforcement measures such as the levying of fines for not wearing a seat belt are effective in encouraging seat-belt use and that racial differences play a role in the response to enforcement measures in that black drivers are more sensitive to seat-belt enforcement measures than other drivers.
Multicriteria Optimization Method for Network-Level Bridge Management
Authors: Ravirala V. , Grivas D. A. , Madan A. , Schultz B. C.
Published: July 2018

A multicriteria optimization method for analyzing important capital investment decisions involved in managing bridge infrastructure is presented. The condition assessment and decision variables of the method can be adapted to analyze a population of small and medium-size bridges or a population of spans of a large bridge. Condition ratings of various bridge structural elements are used to assess the condition needs of four major components. Subsequent use of this information leads to characterization of bridge condition by defining bridge states. State increment models are used to identify suitable treatment options for each state and predict the variable time over which state increments (or transitions) occur. These state increment models are incorporated into an optimization method that has three major steps: (a) identification of objective functions representing the multiple decision criteria, (b) assessment of the importance of each objective in achieving the numerical goals targeted by decision makers, and (c) formulation of a goal programming model. The goal program determines an optimal multi-year bridge program that minimizes the weighted sum of deviations from goals. Important results from the analysis of capital program scenarios for more than 800 small and medium-size bridges managed by the New York State Thruway Authority are presented. It is concluded that the multicriteria optimization method provides a useful tool to analyze multiple goal-oriented scenarios for a bridge capital program and establish a relationship between average network condition rating and total expenditure.
Development of Project Priority-Setting Methodology for Pennsylvania's Airport Development Program
Authors: Cullison James T. , Gittings Gary L.
Published: July 2018

The methodology used to develop a decision making tool for choosing among candidate projects for a state airport development program is presented. The approach emphasized public involvement and cooperation, using a panel of experts from the aviation community to establish guiding principles, select the analysis procedure, develop evaluation criteria, and choose criteria weights for the new priority-setting model. The panel included airport managers, metropolitan planning organization aviation planners, aviation consultants, and state aviation planners.
Commercial Use of Nonmotorized Transport: Evidence from Accra, Ghana
Authors: Amponsah Fred , Turner Jeff , Grieco Margaret , Kwablah Andrews , Guitink Paul
Published: July 2018

The traders of Accra, Ghana, continue to make use of hand-pushed and hand-pulled carts for moving their stock across the city. These non-motorized forms of transport play a key role in a low-income economy; developing economies, with their large informal sectors and plentiful supply of petty-trading enterprises, contain a preponderance of enterprises having restricted capital bases, a condition that requires the use of low-cost transportation. The bicycle, although well suited to the small-load requirements of much petty trading, is not regarded as a suitable mode of transport for women, who make up the majority of Ghana's traders. A World Bank project designed to support and promote models of nonmotorized transportation is being implemented. The practices and prospects of the commercial use of nonmotorized transport in Ghana is discussed, the World Bank project that supports and promotes these transportation modes is described, and the appropriateness of nonmotorized transportation modes for developing economies is discussed.
Evaluating Transportation Needs in a Developing Country: The Case of Montego Bay Free-Zone Employees
Authors: Willis Arlene R.-M.
Published: July 2018

A research effort was undertaken to develop a methodology for evaluating the transportation needs of developing countries. Described are a survey and preliminary findings used to make recommendations to meet the transportation needs of almost 5,000 employees at a major employment center in the Caribbean. In the Montego Bay free zone in Jamaica, mediocre public transportation service is the leading cause of high rates of absenteeism and tardiness and a primary reason that 1,000 job vacancies remain unfilled. Private companies seeking solutions to these employment problems with minimal government involvement initiated the research. The survey was conducted in summer 1994 through personal interviews and self-administered questionnaires distributed to free-zone management and employees and public transportation drivers. Findings indicated a 20 percent net income-to-travel expense ratio, 1.5-hr-long waits, and almost no bicycle or private automobile use. The survey also gathered public opinions and possible solutions. To support more efficient transportation planning for developing countries, it is recommended that a data base that houses reliable and relevant cost information be developed along with other data to be used in determining the potential of improved transportation service to attract workers and stimulate economic growth in the region.
Overcoming Communication Barriers to Effective Technology Transfer
Authors: Divine Deborah Reaves
Published: July 2018

Effective technology transfer requires good information, an effective transfer agent, a receptive audience, and an environment conducive to information transfer. Communication barriers arise in the technology transfer process. The Local Technical Assistance Program, formerly the Rural Technical Assistance Program, of FHWA offers many success stories of barriers overcome and effective technology transfer occurring.
Technology Transfer Program at California–Baja California International Border
Authors: Angel José , Nuncio-Cantera
Published: July 2018

The technology transfer program between California and Baja California, Mexico, was developed as a result of a Letter of Intent signed in 1993 with the goal of exchanging information in the areas of transportation planning, mass transportation, technology transfer, personnel exchange, and a cross-border library. Since then, a number of courses, field visits, seminars, and other activities in the areas of transportation have been successfully carried out. In the process a number of challenges have been overcome, including different languages, customs, and an international border. Recent challenges, including political turnovers, a limited audience, and general versus specialized staff have manifested themselves, and proposed strategies to address them are presented. A new approach to technology transfer was recently approved by FHWA and the Baja California state government. It is divided into the following five global areas: (a) institutional development and management, (b) traditional and innovative funding mechanisms, (c) highway-related technologies, (d) advanced U.S. technologies, and (e) regulatory frameworks. Three focus groups will be identified for selective training in these areas. They consist of upper management decision makers, middle management and higher-level engineers and planners, and mid-level engineers and other technical personnel. Several activities have been implemented under this approach; some are continuing, including a pilot personnel exchange, and others are planned for the future.
Highway Innovative Technology Evaluation Center: Collaborating to Expedite Introduction of Innovative Technologies
Authors: Kissinger J. Peter , Mattes Rebecca
Published: July 2018

Diminishing resources have made collaboration necessary in the highway industry. The Civil Engineering Research Foundation was founded 6 years ago by the American Society of Civil Engineers to act as coordinator, facilitator, and integrator of civil engineering research. In 1993 plans for this role in the highway market were solidified with a 4-year cooperative agreement with FHWA to create the Highway Innovative Technology Evaluation Center (HITEC). The unique role of HITEC in the highway community has been founded on collaboration. All aspects of its efforts are coordinated among the public-sector users of innovative products and private-sector manufacturers as well as associations and standards writing groups. The ways HITEC collaborates with the highway community to promote the evaluation, acceptance, and later specification of innovative highway and bridge technologies are demonstrated.
Caregiver Implementation of a Home-Based Reading Program With Their Children With Disabilities: Patterns of Adherence
Authors: Logan Jessica A. R. , Dynia Jaclyn M. , Justice Laura M. , Sawyer Brook
Published: July 2018

The overall purpose of this study was to examine caregivers’ adherence to a storybook-reading intervention using latent class analysis (LCA). This study also examined whether adherence was related to child and family characteristics including children’s language ability, caregiver education, and whether the child has a disability. Caregivers of children with language impairment ( N = 695) were provided with a book per week and were encouraged to read the book twice a week. Results of the LCA indicated that there were four profiles of caregivers’ adherence: sporadic, late dropout, completers, and early dropout. Completers were so-named because they adhered to study activities for the duration, completed the study as designed. These caregivers represented one third of participants, whereas dropouts (both early and late) represented the majority of caregivers (51%). This study found no reliable differences in the adherence patterns for caregivers of children with a disability and their typically developing peers. However, children who had better language skills also had significantly higher probability of continued caregiver adherence. Implications for educational research are discussed.
Acute Kidney Injury Before and After Liver Transplant
Authors: DellaVolpe Jeffrey , Al-Khafaji Ali
Published: July 2018

The development of acute kidney injury in the setting of liver disease is a significant event both before and after liver transplant. Whether acute kidney injury is the cause of or merely associated with worse outcomes, the development of renal failure is significant from a prognostic as well as from a diagnostic and therapeutic standpoint. Although not every etiology is reversible, there are number of etiologies that are correctable, to include hypovolemia, nephrotoxic medications, and acute tubular necrosis. In the post-liver transplant period, renal failure is associated with graft failure as well as worse outcomes overall. Prompt recognition, workup, and intervention can significantly impact outcomes and survival both before and after liver transplant.
Telepharmacy: A New Paradigm for Our Profession
Authors: Le Tin , Toscani Michael , Colaizzi John
Published: July 2018

Telepharmacy is a rapidly growing area of communication within pharmaceutical care delivery, especially in rural areas. The purpose of this literature review is to determine how telepharmacy is currently being practiced within community and ambulatory pharmacy settings, its effectiveness, and how it is being regulated across the United States. A literature review was performed using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and the Google search engine. State-specific rules were researched using board of pharmacy and legislative online resources. Telepharmacy has been successfully implemented within community pharmacy settings through the creation of remote dispensing sites. The increasing focus of state regulations on telepharmacy services and practices shows the growth and acceptance of this modality of pharmacy practice. There is wide variation among state regulations pertaining to the setup and operation of telepharmacies. Trends in telemedicine show that telepharmaceutical care is likely to continue to expand as it allows for a better allocation of resources and access to more patients. However, research needs to be conducted to specifically analyze the value and place for telepharmacy services.
Peculiar histopathological features in minor salivary gland in lupus erythematosus
Authors: Bologna S B , Nico M M S , Florezi G , Cavalcante W S , Lourenço S V
Published: July 2018

Salivary glands (SGs) can be affected by lupus erythematosus (LE). Many authors debate whether this condition is a secondary manifestation of Sjögren syndrome (SS) or a glandular aspect of LE. The present study investigated the histopathological aspects of biopsied minor salivary glands from LE patients to analyze their peculiar features that lead to xerostomia. Twenty-three minor labial salivary gland (MLSG) cases were included in the study; the diagnosis of LE was rendered according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Twenty-three healthy MLSGs were used as a control, for comparison. Regarding lupus MLSG, the presence of hyalinization and thickening of ductal basement membrane, perivascular inflammatory infiltrate, epithelial spongiosis with no ductal lymphocytic aggression, vacuolar degeneration of the ductal cells and acinar serous metaplasia were statistically significant compared to the control group. In the LE group, there was a statistically significant correlation between acinar atrophy and acinar fibrosis; acinar atrophy and ductal ectasia; acinar fibrosis and ductal ectasia; ductal atrophy and ductal spongiosis with no lymphocytic focus, interstitial inflammatory infiltrate intensity and vasculitis as well as vascular thrombi and vasculitis. There were no morphological differences between the three subtypes of lupus analyzed. Minor salivary glands from patients diagnosed with LE present peculiar histopathological changes and may be a multisystemic presentation.
A joint model for recurrent events and a semi-competing risk in the presence of multi-level clustering
Authors: Jung Tae Hyun , Peduzzi Peter , Allore Heather , Kyriakides Tassos C , Esserman Denise
Published: July 2018

Clinical trial designs often include multiple levels of clustering in which patients are nested within clinical sites and recurrent outcomes are nested within patients who may also experience a semi-competing risk. Traditional survival methods that analyze these processes separately may lead to erroneous inferences as they ignore possible dependencies. To account for the association between recurrent events and a semi-competing risk in the presence of two levels of clustering, we developed a semi-parametric joint model. The Gaussian quadrature with a piecewise constant baseline hazard was used to estimate the unspecified baseline hazards and the likelihood. Simulations showed that the proposed joint model has good statistical properties (i.e. <5% bias and 95% coverage) compared to the shared frailty and joint frailty models when informative censoring and multiple levels of clustering were present. The proposed method was applied to data from an AIDS clinical trial to investigate the impact of antiretroviral treatment on recurrent AIDS-defining events in the presence of a semi-competing risk of death and multi-level clustering and showed a significant dependency between AIDS-defining events and death at the patient level but not at the clinic level.
Belief in God: Why People Believe, and Why They Don’t
Authors: Mercier Brett , Kramer Stephanie R. , Shariff Azim F.
Published: July 2018

Belief in a god or gods is a central feature in the lives of billions of people and a topic of perennial interest within psychology. However, research over the past half decade has achieved a new level of understanding regarding both the ultimate and proximate causes of belief in God. Ultimate causes—the evolutionary influences on a trait—shed light on the adaptive value of belief in God and the reasons why a tendency toward this belief exists in humans. Proximate causes—the immediate influences on the expression of a trait—explain variation and changes in belief. We review this research and discuss remaining barriers to a fuller understanding of belief in God.
Serum electrolyte levels may be associated with prefrontal hemodynamic responses in near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Nakamura Masaru , Nagamine Takahiko
Published: July 2018

Neuronal activity is tightly coordinated with blood flow to ensure proper brain function. This is achieved by neurovascular coupling. Although this mechanism is maintained by numerous mediators such as nitric oxide, ion channels, and astrocytes, its signaling process is much more complex. Frontal-temporal brain activity as measured by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been suggested to be decreased or disturbed in many psychiatric disorders. To investigate the relationship between serum electrolyte levels and prefrontal hemodynamic responses, we evaluated psychiatric patients who underwent NIR spectroscopy with a 22-channel topography system and measurement of serum electrolyte levels. Changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin were evaluated during a verbal fluency test. The data were analyzed to see any significant correlation between NIR spectroscopy indices (integral value: size of an area during activation, centroid value: centroid time of an area throughout the task, and initial value: axis assessed by an initial change) and serum electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, and chloride) by gender and cortex region. The study population consisted of 102 males (mean age, 42.4 years) and 133 females (mean age, 47.2 years). Sodium levels were significantly positively correlated with integral values at temporal regions in female subjects, while potassium levels were significantly negatively correlated with initial values at frontal regions in male subjects. However, chloride levels showed no correlations. In conclusion, higher serum sodium levels increase and higher serum potassium levels decrease regional cerebral blood flow with gender variances in psychiatry. The effect of extracellular electrolyte concentrations on hemodynamic responses remains unverified. However, our findings suggest that serum electrolytes levels may be involved in vascular smooth muscle contractility via Na+-K+-ATPase pumps that mediate neurovascular coupling.
Single Parents and Their Adopted Children: A Psychosocial Analysis
Authors: Groze Victor K. , Rosenthal James A.
Published: July 2018

The functioning of single- and two-parent adoptive families is described and compared by means of psychosocial analysis. Data were collected via a survey mailed to families who had finalized their adoption of a special-needs child. Differences in demographic characteristics were observed, as were differences in social and ecological functioning. Although most families were satisfied with their decision to adopt, results indicated a modest trend toward more positive adoption outcome among single parents.
The Birth Father: A Neglected Element in the Adoption Equation
Authors: Sachdev Paul
Published: July 2018

Recent studies on the birth father have largely concentrated on his commitment to the birth mother and the child, but little is known about how members of the adoption triad view him and his role as parent. The author presents the findings of a three-year study that examined the attitudes of the members of the adoption triangle toward the birth father's right of access to identifying information on adoptees. The data show that the respondents were amenable to granting access rights to the birth mother but rejected similar rights for the birth father. Adoptees were largely amnesic about the birth father's existence and were indifferent but sympathetic and understanding toward the birth mother. Practice implications are discussed.
Grandparents of Disabled Grandchildren: Hopes, Fears, and Adaptation
Authors: Seligman Milton
Published: July 2018

The impact of childhood disability on grandparents has been largely ignored. The author reviews the roles and meanings of grandparenthood, then explores the potential impact of a disabled grandchild on grandparents. Ways in which grandparents can contribute to stress in the family or be a source of emotional and instrumental support are discussed.
Communicating by Doing
Authors: Middleman Ruth R. , Wood Gale Goldberg
Published: July 2018

The authors define three categories of engagement with clients wherein nonverbal communication, specifically doing-oriented activity, forms the basis of the transaction. Doing-without-talk, doing-with-talk-after, and doing-with-talk-on-top are described in work with particular clients. These concepts are illustrated with case examples. The authors encourage practitioners to connect with the strengths of clients.
Skill Building for Effective Intervention with Homeless Families
Authors: Ziefert Marjorie , Brown Kaaren Strauch
Published: July 2018

Homeless families are alienated from friendship and service networks. The authors describe the skills necessary for outreach to homeless families in order to reconnect these families to various resources that will help their functioning and in their finding and maintaining permanent long-term housing.
A Renewed Effort on Behalf of American Families: Coordination and Partnership
Authors: Kohl Herb
Published: July 2018

The past decade produced intense ideological debates over issues relating to the American family. It also produced a plethora of categorical programs, each directed to a specific social need, a demographic population, or a particular family member. In an era of reduced federal resources and increased demand, there is a compelling need for the federal government to consider restructuring parallel funding streams and retargeting services to the family.
Services to Families: The View from the States
Authors: Farrow Frank
Published: July 2018

The growing importance of family and children's services within state policy presents both opportunities and challenges. The author examines the causes and principles guiding state-level changes and types of innovations states have initiated. The role of family-serving agencies in ensuring full use of political opportunities is discussed.
New Directions for Mental Health Services for Families and Children
Authors: Lourie Ira S. , Katz-Leavy Judith
Published: July 2018

The approach to providing mental health services to children and their families has begun to change. Traditionally these services were provided by public and private mental health agencies that operated as a “mental health” system. New approaches attempt to integrate and/or coordinate the mental health system with the social welfare, juvenile justice, health, and special education systems to form a more unified children's service system. Inherent in these changes are expansion of the continuum of care to include new forms of intervention, the creation of new funding strategies, and a new role for parents.
A Family Practice Model for the 1990s
Authors: Erickson A. Gerald , Moynihan Francis M. , Williams Betty L.
Published: July 2018

The authors provide a historical perspective on the changes practiced in a family service agency. Attention is forcused on the dichotomy between direct service and social action or advocacy. A model that integrates direct service and systems work is presented.
Foundations and Family-Based Services: Support, Innovation, and Leadership
Authors: Massinga Ruth W. , Cargal Jennifer
Published: July 2018

Family composition and life-style have changed, creating new and diverse needs among contemporary families. In recent years, national and community foundations have assumed a leadership role in meeting the diverse needs of families. The authors reviewed the family-focused grant records of various foundations. Although the level of family-based support is meagre relative to the total funding pool, the authors conclude that foundations may be poised to play an important role in the development of holistic, comprehensive family-based services.
Implementing Reunification Services
Authors: Fein Edith , Staff Ilene
Published: July 2018

The initial experiences of a family reunification program are reported. Along with preliminary data, several provocative issues are discussed, including goal setting, use of service agreements, foster families that abuse, the child's interests, and program success and burnout.
Family Treatment Assessment for Novices
Authors: Paquin Gary W. , Bushorn Robert J.
Published: July 2018

Many therapists enter the profession with broad knowledge of several different family-treatment perspectives. Which perspective to use in which cases can cause confusion for the novice. An initial assessment format derived primarily from J. S. Weltner's work and based on presenting problem and type of family organization is discussed. This format allows novice workers to limit the number of perspectives and assessment and treatment techniques to those likely to be most useful for each case.
Assessing Adolescent Parents and Their Infants: Individualized Family Service Planning
Authors: Moroz Kathleen J. , Allen-Meares Paula
Published: July 2018

The authors discuss the implications of the Preschool and Early Intervention Act (P.L. 99-457) and the requirement of an individual family service plan (IFSP) for the families of infants and toddlers at risk of developmental delays. The article addresses the needs of adolescent parents and their infants, in particular. Suggestions are made for conducting a comprehensive assessment that emphasizes the involvement of teen parents, their families, and the collaboration of an interdisciplinary team of professionals.
Social Policy in Disarray: The Beleaguered American Family
Authors: Abramovitz Mimi
Published: July 2018

Many American families are beleaguered by the consequences of a declining standard of living over which they have little or no control. However, most explanations of rising economic insecurity focus on individual attitudes and behavior. The author examines the economic forces that profoundly affect the quality of life of families, contribute to the social and psychological problems family members bring to practitioners, and shape social agencies' ability to respond to them. The author situates these disquieting trends in policy decisions made by business and government and points to areas for potential social change.
American Families: Changes and Challenges
Authors: Johnson Geneva B.
Published: July 2018

The author discusses the causes and social consequences of the rapid and myriad changes affecting the American family. An agenda for supporting and sustaining stronger families is presented, and the challenges facing the nation in the coming years are discussed.
Implementing Agency-based Social-Support Skill Training
Authors: Lovell Madeline L. , Richey Cheryl A.
Published: July 2018

Social support is a critical component in adequate child rearing, especially among multiproblem families at risk for child maltreatment. The authors describe the implementation of a group training program designed to help high-risk parents build more effective social supports by strengthening their prosocial attitudes and interpersonal skills. Intervention was structured around the Relationship Roadmap, a metaphoric drawing illustrating the stages of relationship development. A three-month case management follow-up enhanced the achievement of group members' individual goals. Discussion centers on the challenges of integrating an experimental training project into a host agency program.