bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic relationship between Piezodorus guildinii and P. hybneri (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and diagnostic characters to separate species
Authors: AHMAD IMTIAZ , McPHERSON J. E. , RAB NAVAID , BUNDY C. SCOTT
Published: June 2019

The pentatomid genus Piezodorus presently contains about 12 species, all of which, with one exception [i.e., P. guildinii (Westwood)], have been reported from the Old World; P. guildinii apparently is limited to the New World. P. guildinii and P. hybneri (Gmelin) are similar in appearance and have been considered by some as sister species. The following characteristics we consider valid as diagnostic to separate the two species: for males, the shape and length of the vesica, differences in the anatomy of the conjunctival appendages and penial plate, and shape of the pygophore and parameres; and for females, differences in the anatomy of the first and second gonocoxae, ninth paratergites, and spermathecae.
Evaluating Six Commercially Available Closed-System Drug-Transfer Devices Against NIOSH’s 2015 Draft Vapor Protocol
Authors: Halloush Shiraz , Reveles Ivan A. , Koeller Jim
Published: June 2019

Purpose: In 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a draft vapor containment protocol to quantitatively evaluate combined liquid, aerosol, and vapor containment performance of commercially available closed-system drug-transfer devices (CSTDs) that claim to be effective for gas/vapor containment within a controlled test environment. Until the release of this proposed protocol, no standard method for evaluating airtightness of CSTDs existed. The aim of this study was to evaluate six commercially available CSTDs utilizing NIOSH draft protocol methodology to evaluate vapor containment under a robust vapor challenge. Methods: In this study, six commercially available CSTDs were tested utilizing draft NIOSH vapor containment protocol methodology to simulate drug compounding and administration using 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as the challenge agent. All device manipulations were carried out in an enclosed test chamber. A Miran sapphIRe gas analyzer was used to detect IPA vapor levels that escaped the device. Study test included the two tasks designated by the NIOSH protocol, with additional steps added to the evaluation. Tasks were repeated 10 times for each device. Results: Only three of the six tested CSTDs (Equashield®, HALO®, and PhaSealTM) had an average IPA vapor release below the quantifiable performance threshold (1.0 ppm) for all tasks performed. This value was selected by NIOSH to represent the performance threshold for successful containment. The remaining three CSTDs had vapor release above 1 ppm at various times during the IPA manipulation process. Conclusion: Equashield®, HALO®, and PhaSealTM devices tested met the 2015 NIOSH protocol quantifiable performance threshold, functioning as a truly closed system. Quantifiable effective data may be useful in product selection.
Political Trust, Commitment and Responsiveness
Authors: Festenstein Matthew
Published: June 2019

Political trust has become a central focus of political analysis and public lament. Political theorists and philosophers typically think of interpersonal trust in politics as a fragile but valuable resource for a flourishing or stable democratic polity. This article examines what conception of trust is needed in order to play this role. It unpicks two candidate answers, a moral and a responsiveness conception, the latter of which has been central to recent political theory in this area. It goes on to outline a third, commitment conception and to set out how a focus on commitments and their fulfilment provides a better account of trust for political purposes. Adopting this conception discloses how trust relies on a contestable public normative space and has significant implications for how we should approach three cognate topics, namely, judgements of trust, the place of distrust and the relationship of interpersonal to institutional trust and distrust.
Institutional change and diversity in the transfer of land development rights in China: The case of Chengdu
Authors: Shi Chen , Tang Bo-sin
Published: June 2019

Rapid urbanisation in China has led to a substantial decrease in agricultural land. To address this unsustainable form of urban development, the Chinese government has implemented the ‘Linkage’ Policy ( Zengjian Guagou), which requires any increase in new urban land by local governments to be compensated for with an equivalent amount of new arable land. This paper examines the institutional changes and the implications for China’s land production and development arising from this mechanism of transferring land development rights from the rural to the urban sectors. Using Chengdu as a case study, our research concludes that this institutional mechanism has conferred commodified and tradeable development rights on rural land, leading to the emergence and direct involvement of new players in village land consolidation, resettlement of affected villagers and, indirectly, in the supply of new urban land. Process efficiency has been improved with the local governments, developers and village collectives capitalising on their niches in village improvement projects. The conventional state-led model of land production is enriched with bottom-up market initiatives, and villagers have more choices to realise their land property rights under the dual land market. Land use efficiency has been enhanced by the reallocation of construction land potential. However, infringements of villagers’ interests and negative impacts on balanced regional development under this policy were also found.
Five things to know about modeling and simulation
Authors: Diallo Saikou Y
Published: June 2019

Modeling is as old as humanity. It is one of the ways in which we experience the world, teach our children, and entertain ourselves. The digital computer, on the other hand, is approximately 60 years old but as computing power increases and access to technology becomes easier, more disciplines are using statistical and computational simulations. From the humanities to social sciences, scholars are advocating for a computational branch of their field of study. This is very exciting, and we want to make sure that all disciplines stay connected and share their insights as they grow in their respective areas. Religion is a complex system that consists of humans, society, culture and social constructs that have evolved over millennia. The study of religion relies on empirical approaches to collect and analyze data to generate or validate existing theories. Modeling and simulation allows us to venture beyond statistical observation and into an exploration of the causal relationships between the different aspects of religion. It provides us with (1) the ability to understand the system as a whole, (2) the possibility of projecting how religion will evolve in the future and (3) the capability to compare, contrast and merge seemingly conflicting theories of religion. In this article, we present five critical things that scholars in psychology of religion should know about the discipline of Modeling and Simulation. The goal of this short primer is to highlight the universal aspects of Modeling and Simulation and to provide a unifying view that transcends disciplines.
Mechanical, morphological, and luminescent properties of strontium phosphorescent filler-filled NR/PP/PEC blends as affected by processing design
Authors: Thitithammawong Anoma , Chuycherd Nattakamon , Leekharee Sunisa , Saiwari Sitisaiyidah
Published: June 2019

Photoluminescent material was successfully prepared by blending europium-doped strontium aluminate phosphorescent filler (SrAl2O4:Eu2+) with terpolymer of natural rubber/polypropylene/propylene–ethylene copolymer (NR/PP/PEC). The influence of alternative processing design, that is, mixing method (simple blend (SB) or dynamic vulcanization (DV)) and mixing sequence (direct method or precompounding method) on mechanical, morphological, and photoluminescent properties of the SrAl2O4:Eu2+-filled NR/PP/PEC blends, was systematically studied. The results revealed that mechanical and photoluminescent properties can be improved by the control of rubber vulcanization and phase morphology. The dynamically vulcanized blends (DV1 and DV2), in which the NR phase was vulcanized during melt mixing under high shear and had vulcanized NR particles dispersed in the continuous PP and PEC matrices, showed superior mechanical and photoluminescent properties over the SB with co-continuous phase morphology. Controlled location of rubber additives in the NR phase by precompounding (DV2) gave the highest light emission intensity with the longest decay time.
Disturbance observer-based formation tracking control of multiple quadrotors in the presence of disturbances
Authors: Lazim Izzuddin M , Husain Abdul Rashid , Mohamed Zaharuddin , Basri Mohd Ariffanan Mohd , Subha Nurul Adilla Mohd , Ramli Liyana
Published: June 2019

The presence of disturbances may bring adverse effects to the formation flight of multiple quadrotors. This paper proposes a robust disturbance observer-based feedback linearization that enhances the formation tracking control of quadrotors to achieve the desired formation shapes under the effect of disturbances. The method not only retains the simplicity of the control scheme using feedback linearized quadrotor model, but also has the capability to reject the disturbances. This is achieved by introducing a disturbance observer to estimate and attenuate the lumped disturbance that causes inexact inversion in the feedback linearization of the quadrotor. Then, a distributed formation tracking algorithm is adopted to ensure the quadrotors are able to form up and maintain the desired formation shape and heading via local communication between neighbours with respect to a leader that has nonzero control input. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, simulation experiments of multiple quadrotor formations using the proposed approach are conducted under several test cases. Results obtained demonstrate the superiority of the proposed control scheme for a more robust formation tracking as compared with the formation without the disturbance observer.
Effects of Brief Acceptance and Cognitive Reappraisal Interventions on Experiential Avoidance in Socially Anxious Individuals: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Spencer Samuel D. , Buchanan Jeffrey A. , Masuda Akihiko
Published: June 2019

The current study compared the effects of 15-min acceptance-based and cognitive reappraisal–based interventions on experiential avoidance (EA) in socially anxious college students who participated in an experimental public speaking task. Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of the two interventions designed to aid in preparation for a 5-min laboratory-based public speaking task. Results indicated that participants receiving the acceptance-based intervention reported significantly lower levels of EA at the post–public speaking task measurement time, indicating that this brief acceptance–based intervention yielded the proposed mechanism of action in the sample used for this study. These findings highlight the importance of process-based accounts of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and shed light on the importance of developing interventions for alleviating social anxiety.
Sensorial Afferents and Center of Foot Pressure in Blind and Sighted Adults
Authors: Sforza Chiarella , Eid Luca , Ferrario Virgilio F.
Published: June 2019

Variations in body posture were evaluated in 19 blind and 19 sighted adults by changes in the subjects’ center of foot pressure on a force plate in time in three positions. The subjects who were blind had significantly larger body sway than did the sighted subjects in all trials except those in the sound position, where they had a better control of their stance than did the sighted subjects, and their body oscillations were also reduced in the forward-looking position. Thus, sound or proprioceptive adjunctive inputs can significantly alter body sway in adults who are blind.
Creating Measures of Rehabilitation Outcomes for People who are Visually Impaired: The FIMBA Project
Authors: Long Richard G. , Crews John E. , Mancil Rickilyn
Published: June 2019

This article reports on the development and initial implementation of a self-report outcomes measurement instrument. The instrument, tested with veterans in programs at four Veterans Administration Blind Rehabilitation Centers, provided assessments of their functioning on 32 personal and social activities at the beginning and near the end of their programs.
External Funding for Training and Research in University Programs in Visual Impairments: 1997–98
Authors: Corn Anne L. , Ferrell Kay Alicyn
Published: June 2019

This article reports on a survey of the grants received by 32 programs in visual impairments from federal, state, and other sources for training personnel and conducting research. It also discusses various issues raised by the findings and implications for the future of the field.
The Psychosocial Weil-Being of Finnish Adolescents with Visual Impairments versus those with Chronic Conditions and those with no Disabilities
Authors: Huurre Taina , Aro Hillevi
Published: June 2019

The psychosocial well-being of 115 adolescents with visual impairments was compared with that of 44 adolescents with chronic conditions and 607 adolescents with no disabilities. It was found that the adolescents with visual impairments, especially those who were blind, had more difficulties in their relationships with friends than did the other two groups, but had fewer problems with psychological well-being than did the adolescents with chronic conditions.
Adolescence: The Age of Opportunities and Obstacles for Students with Low Vision in Sweden
Authors: Kroksmark Ulla , Nordell Kersti
Published: June 2019

This study explored how four adolescents with low vision and two sighted adolescents spent their leisure time and whether their everyday activities were bound to places or people. According to the diaries they kept, the adolescents with low vision performed fewer activities than the sighted adolescents, did not regularly spend much time with friends, and seemed to be dependent on their parents for transportation.
The Status of Distance Education in Personnel Preparation Programs in Visual Impairment
Authors: DeMario Norma C. , Heinze Toni
Published: June 2019

This survey found that over half the personnel preparation programs for teachers of children with visual impairments, orientation and mobility specialists, and rehabilitation teachers included a distance education component and used a wide variety of technology and instructional methods. Most programs also had a field experience component and relied on external funding for support.
Live and Online: A Year-round Training Program for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments in California
Authors: Lueck Amanda Hall
Published: June 2019

This article describes an innovative year-round program for students who live at a distance from San Francisco State University and examines its strengths and weaknesses based on feedback from instructors and students. The goal has been to develop a high-quality program that is sustainable and affordable without the need for substantial outside funding.
Online Instruction in Braille Code Skills for Preservice Teachers
Authors: Koenig Alan J. , Robinson Margaret C.
Published: June 2019

This article presents the results of an evaluation of a web-based course in braille code skills for preservice teachers of students with visual impairments. The findings revealed that the online course offered a high-quality, rigorous approach to delivering instruction in braille code skills when students had appropriate technology skills and equipment and were independent, persistent learners.
A Distance Education Program for Teachers of Children with Visual Impairments in the United Kingdom
Authors: Arter Christine , McLinden Mike , McCall Steve
Published: June 2019

Distance education is a well-established medium for training specialist teachers of children with visual impairments at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. This article describes the background and organization of the program, analyzes its outcomes, and considers the challenges the program will face in the future.
Visually Impaired Personnel Preparation Program: A Collaborative Distance Education Model
Authors: Griffin-Shirley Nora , Almon Pam , Kelley Pat
Published: June 2019

In 1998, the Visually Impaired Personnel Preparation Program was established in Texas to train 100 teachers of students with visual impairments and 50 orientation and mobility specialists within three years. By May 2000, 194 students had enrolled in this program. The course work was delivered at outreach sites and through online courses, interactive television, and on university campuses.
Behavioral Treatment of Sleep Problems in a Child with a Visual Impairment
Authors: Vervloed Mathijs P. J. , Hoevenaars Evelien , Maas Anneke
Published: June 2019

In this study, treatment focused on parenting practices for a 4½-year-old girl with a visual impairment caused by Leber's congenital amaurosis and problems initiating and maintaining sleep. The sleep problem was effectively treated with a graduated extinction procedure.
A Comparison of the Economic Status of Working-Age Persons with Visual Impairments and those of Other Groups
Authors: Houtenville Andrew J.
Published: June 2019

This article compares the economic status of working-age individuals with visual impairments with those with nonvisual impairments. It shows that the employment rates and mean household incomes were lower and the receipt of Social Security Disability Insurance was higher among those who were blind in both eyes than among those with less-severe visual impairments and those who were deaf in both ears.
A Comparative Study of Reading Performance with a Head-mounted Laser Display and Conventional Low Vision Devices
Authors: Goodrich Gregory L. , Kirby Jennine , Wagstaff Patricia , Oros Teri , McDevitt Berenice
Published: June 2019

This study compared the reading performance of subjects using a prototype, head-mounted laser display, a closed-circuit television (CCTV), and a prescribed optical reading device. The prototype yielded reading speeds that are comparable to optical devices but slower than a CCTV The brightness and clarity of the laser display have potential for the development of future low vision devices.
Parents’ Observations of the Academic and Nonacademic Performance of Children with Strabismus
Authors: Reed Maureen J. , Kraft Stephen P. , Buncic Raymond
Published: June 2019

In this study, children with strabismus, as a group, had significantly more academic and nonacademic difficulties than did children without strabismus. However, since not all the children with strabismus had academic difficulties, other factors that are associated with strabismus, such as headache, eyestrain, perceptual difficulties, and frustration, may affect learning in some children with strabismus.
Experience of Monocular Vision in Australia
Authors: Buys Nicholas , Lopez Jorge
Published: June 2019

In-depth interviews with 20 people with monocular vision identified a number of themes associated with the impairment, including psychological, psychosocial, physical, vocational, and daily living problems. They also revealed that in many cases, these problems had profound implications for people's adjustment to daily living. The implications of these findings for the delivery of rehabilitation services are discussed.
The Experience of Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Wong Elaine Y. H. , Guymer Robyn H. , Hassell Jennifer B. , Keeffe Jill E.
Published: June 2019

This qualitative article describes the impact of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) among 15 participants: how a person makes sense of ARMD, the effect of ARMD on the person's quality of life, the psychological disturbances associated with the limitations of ARMD, and the influence of ARMD on social interactions. Such in-depth appreciation of the impact of ARMD will assist in the design of specific and appropriate rehabilitation programs to minimize limitations and enhance participation in people with ARMD.
Low Vision Driving with Bioptics: An Overview
Authors: Huss Chuck , Corn Anne
Published: June 2019

This article presents an overview of driving for adolescents and adults who meet their states’ visual requirements for low vision driving using bioptic lenses. It also discusses the outcomes of two studies of bioptic driver education.
Teaching Oral Hygiene Skills to Elementary Students with Visual Impairments
Authors: Shih Yeng-Hung , Chang Chien-Huey Sophie
Published: June 2019

This study investigated the effects of a program that taught oral hygiene skills to students with visual impairments using group instruction and individual coaching. The results showed that the program enhanced the oral hygiene skills of the three participants significantly, and its effectiveness lasted for at least two months after the instruction ended.
Representing Graphical User Interfaces with Sound: A Review of Approaches
Authors: Ratanasit Dan , Moore Melody M.
Published: June 2019

The inability of computer users who are visually impaired to access graphical user interfaces (GUIs) has led researchers to propose approaches for adapting GUIs to auditory interfaces, with the goal of providing access for visually impaired people. This article outlines the issues involved in nonvisual access to graphical user interfaces, reviews current research in this field, classifies methods and approaches, and discusses the extent to which researchers have resolved these issues.
The Role of Visual Experience in Mental Imagery
Authors: Vanlierde Annick , Wanet-Defalque Marie-Chantal
Published: June 2019

The mental imagery of participants who became blind early in life (EB participants), participants who became blind later in life (LB participants), and sighted participants was compared in two experiments. In the first experiment, the participants were asked to image common objects and to estimate how far away these objects appeared in their image. In the second experiment, the participants were asked to point to the left and right sides of three objects, imaged at three increasing distances. The LB participants’ performance of the tasks in both experiments was similar to that of the sighted participants, whereas the performance of the EB participants differed. The results reflect the close relationship between the development of visual perception and the properties of images.
Efficacy of a Low Vision Patient Consultation
Authors: Siemsen Dennis W. , Bergstrom A. Renée , Hathaway Julie C.
Published: June 2019

A variety of obstacles can prevent persons or individuals with low vision from deriving the greatest possible benefit from the rehabilitation process, including inadequate understanding of their visual impairment, lack of knowledge about available services, and misconceptions about low vision devices. This study explores the use of a patient-education consultation to enable patients and their families to take better advantage of low vision services.
Self-evaluation and Recruitment of Feedback for Enhanced Social Interaction by a Student with Visual Impairment
Authors: Jindal-Snape Divya
Published: June 2019

A student who is visually impaired was trained to evaluate his social behavior and to recruit feedback from his sighted peers, who were trained by him to provide the feedback. The self-recruitment of feedback improved the student's accuracy in evaluating social skills requiring visual cues. In addition, the peers extended their feedback to other aspects of the social environment than social behavior.
Knowledge of and Preferences for Long Cane Components: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study
Authors: Ambrose-Zaken Grace
Published: June 2019

This article reviews the literature on the various components of long canes and reports on a study of the knowledge and preferences of 100 adults with visual impairments regarding the various components and types of canes. Results indicated that the terrain of a route, weather conditions, mobility demand, and purpose of an outing are important factors when choosing a cane.
Proactive Strategies for Managing the Behavior of Children with Neurodegenerative Diseases and Visual Impairment
Authors: Loftin M.M. , Koehler W. S.
Published: June 2019

This article presents proactive strategies to help visually impaired children (those who are blind or have low vision) with neurodegenerative diseases deal with their challenging behaviors. These behaviors include general noncompliance, difficulty with changed or novel routines, difficulty maintaining physical movement, significant variations in affect, and intense tantrums and other types of emotional outbursts.
Understanding and Preventing Learned Helplessness in Children who are Congenitally Deaf-Blind
Authors: Marks S.B.
Published: June 2019

The absence of both distance senses creates the need for children who are congenitally deaf-blind to rely on others to motivate them to explore and to provide the connections between exploration and communication, which is the foundation of concept development. This article links the literature on learned helplessness with best practices in teaching children who are deaf-blind to address how caregivers and teachers can prevent or reduce learned helplessness in these children.
The Effect of the Home Environment on the Reading Achievement of Children with Low Vision
Authors: Leffert S.W. , Jackson R.M.
Published: June 2019

This study examined the reading achievement of 49 children with low vision and the contribution of the home environment to their reading. It found that the children with no books at home read less well than those who had books at home and that no other home variables were related to reading achievement. Despite the lack of evidence of a relationship between the home environment and reading achievement, observations indicated that practices in most homes supported the acquisition of literacy.
Effects of Orientation on Braille Reading by People who are Visually Impaired: The Role of Context
Authors: Ungar Simon , Blades Mark , Spencer Christopher
Published: June 2019

Research by Heller suggested that speed and accuracy of reading may be seriously compromised by the inclusion of noncanonical (tilted) braille text. The study presented here extended that research by including characters other than those used by Heller and whole words. Similar results were found for Heller's original character set ( B–J), but the effect of orientation was reduced with other letters and whole words. The authors conclude that braille readers, especially experienced ones, have more facility with noncanonical braille than would be inferred from Heller's results.
Parents’ and Teachers’ Ratings of the Social Skills of Elementary-Age Students who are Blind
Authors: Buhrow Melissa M. , Hartshorne Timothy S. , Bradley-Johnson Sharon
Published: June 2019

Ratings by 23 parents and 21 regular education teachers on the Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS) for elementary-age students who were blind were compared to ratings for the SSRS sighted norm group. No significant differences were found in the overall ratings of social skills or on the Self-Control or Responsibility subscales, but several important differences were noted on the Assertion and Cooperation subscales. Students who were blind were rated as less academically competent and higher on problem behaviors than the sighted norm group, even though stereotypical behaviors were not assessed by the SSRS. Implications for instruction are discussed.
Guiding a Person with Blindness and Intellectual Disability in Indoor Travel with Fewer Auditory Cues
Authors: Lancioni Giulio E. , O'Reilly Mark F. , Oliva Doretta , Bracalente Sandro
Published: June 2019

This study assessed the possibility of guiding a person with blindness and intellectual disability during indoor travel with fewer auditory cues. To improve the chances of success, the orientation system used to present the cues was set to monitor the person's travel and to provide extra cues in case of errors. The results indicated that infrequent presentations of the cues and the provision of extra cues in case of errors maintained high levels of independent moves, albeit of increased duration.
Instant Print-Braille Compatibility with COBRA
Authors: Durre Ingeborg K. , Durre Imke
Published: June 2019

This article describes an eight-dot computer braille notation, COBRA, with integrated mathematical and scientific notation that achieves immediate print-braille compatibility through one-to-one representation of letters and other characters. Text can be entered and manipulated from the braille or the Qwerty keyboard and can be viewed simultaneously in the same format on the braille display and monitor screen. Thus, translation to and from braille is unnecessary.
Use of Activity Boxes with Young Children who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Severe Learning Disabilities and Visual Impairments
Authors: Dunnett Jenefer
Published: June 2019

This article describes the use of activity boxes with young children in the United Kingdom who are blind, deaf-blind, or have severe learning disabilities and visual impairments. It then discusses the contribution such boxes make to the intellectual development of these children, particularly the development of voluntary hand function from the integration of the primitive grasp-and-release instincts shown by infants.
Swedish 9-Year-Old Readers with Visual Impairments: A Heterogeneous Group
Authors: Fellenius Kerstin
Published: June 2019

This article reports on a study of 9-year-old readers with visual impairments in Sweden. The study compares the comprehension and time spent reading single words and different types of texts for visually impaired readers and for sighted readers of the same age.
On the use of growth models to study normal cognitive aging
Authors: Ghisletta Paolo , Mason Fabio , von Oertzen Timo , Hertzog Christopher , Nilsson Lars-Göran , Lindenberger Ulman
Published: June 2019

Growth models (GM) of the mixed-effects and latent curve varieties have become popular methodological tools in lifespan research. One of the major advantages of GM is their flexibility in studying individual differences in change. We scrutinized the change functions of GM used in five years of publications on cognitive aging. Of the 162 publications that we identified, 88% test linear or quadratic polynomials, and fewer than 5% apply functions that are nonlinear in their parameters, such as exponential decline. This apparent bias in favor of polynomial decomposition calls for exploring what conclusions about individual differences in change are likely to be drawn if one applies linear or quadratic GMs to data simulated under a conceptually and empirically plausible model of exponential cognitive decline from adulthood to old age. Hence, we set up a simulation that manipulated the rate of exponential decline, measurement reliability, number of occasions, interval width, and sample size. True rate of decline and interval width influenced results strongly, number of occasions and measurement reliability exerted a moderate effect, and the effects of sample size appeared relatively minor. Critically, our results show that fit statistics generally do not differentiate misspecified linear or quadratic models from the true exponential model. Moreover, power to detect variance in change for the linear and quadratic GMs is low, and estimates of individual differences in level and change can be highly biased by model misspecification. We encourage researchers to also consider plausible nonlinear change functions when studying behavioral development across the lifespan.
Training family to assist with physiotherapy for older people transitioning from hospital to the community: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lawler Katherine , Shields Nora , Taylor Nicholas F
Published: June 2019

Objective:

To investigate the safety and effectiveness of augmenting physiotherapy with family-assisted therapy, to inform a future, fully powered trial.

Design:

Parallel pilot randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Transition Care Program.

Participants:

Thirty-five older adults with multimorbidity, recently hospitalized, with a mean age of 84.1 years (SD = 6.1 years) and mean Modified Barthel Index of 67.8 units (SD = 19.2 units), and 40 family members.

Interventions:

The control group ( n = 18) received usual physiotherapy care. The experimental group ( n = 17) received usual physiotherapy care and family-assisted therapy from a family member trained by a physiotherapist.

Main measures:

Primary outcomes were falls-related self-efficacy measured by the Short Falls Efficacy Scale – International and falls during the intervention period. Secondary outcomes included daily steps, EQ-5D-3L (three-level version of the EuroQoL five-dimensional health-related quality of life questionnaire) and ICECAP-O (ICEpop CAPability measure for Older people), Modified Barthel Index and Modified Caregiver Strain Index.

Results:

There were no between-group differences for falls-related self-efficacy. Relative to the control group, the experimental group was observed to have a reduced risk of falling (relative risk = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.09–1.60) and a reduced falls rate (incidence rate ratio = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.04–1.20) was of borderline statistical significance. The experimental group walked a mean of 944 daily steps more than the control group (95% CI = 139–1748) and had a significant reduction in activity limitation. There were no between-group differences for quality of life or caregiver strain.

Conclusion:

Augmenting physiotherapy with family-assisted therapy is feasible for older people transitioning from hospital to the community. A fully powered randomized controlled trial is indicated.
Diffusion tensor imaging of the normal-appearing deep gray matter in primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Woitek Ramona , Leutmezer Fritz , Dal-Bianco Assunta , Furtner Julia , Kasprian Gregor , Prayer Daniela , Schöpf Veronika
Published: June 2019

Background

Despite strongly overlapping patterns of clinical and histopathologic findings in primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, differences concerning motor symptoms, central nervous system inflammation, atrophy, and demyelination that cannot be accounted for by lesion load alone remain to be elucidated.

Purpose

To evaluate the normal-appearing deep gray matter in patients with primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, diffusion tensor imaging was used in this study.

Material and Methods

In 14 multiple sclerosis patients with primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, axial echo-planar single-shot diffusion tensor imaging sequences with 32 diffusion-encoding directions and axial FLAIR sequences were acquired on a 3T system using an eight-channel SENSE head coil. FLAIR hyperintense multiple sclerosis lesions were outlined semi-automatically and normal-appearing deep gray matter was outlined manually (caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, thalamus, substantia nigra, and red nucleus). Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity values within the normal-appearing deep gray matter for the two groups were compared.

Results

Interhemispheric differences in mean diffusivity values (but not in fractional anisotropy), were significantly higher in primary progressive multiple sclerosis than in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for the substantia nigra ( P = 0.04) and the putamen ( P = 0.021). Volumes, mean diffusivity, or fractional anisotropy of the remaining normal-appearing deep gray matter did not differ significantly.

Conclusion

This study showed a higher interhemispheric difference in the mean diffusivity in the substantia nigra and putamen in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis than in those with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. These changes may represent edema, as well as axonal and myelin loss that can affect the normal-appearing deep gray matter of the two hemispheres differently and may point to differences in the laterality of motor symptoms.
Impact of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Starting Dose on Outcomes in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Miao Emily , Seetharamu Nagashree , Sullivan Kevin , Eng Stephen , Lee Chung-Shien
Published: June 2019

Background:

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can cause intolerable adverse events in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and may be prescribed at a lower dose.

Objective:

Our objective was to analyze the starting doses of oral EGFR and ALK TKIs in patients diagnosed with NSCLC at our institution.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective chart review with patients on EGFR and ALK TKIs for NSCLC. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: patients initiated on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard dose (SD) and patients initiated on a reduced dose (RD). Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and other treatment outcomes were compared between both groups.

Results:

Ninety patients were included for analysis. The median time-to-progression for the SD group (n = 67) and RD group (n = 23) were 13.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI]:8.9-15.6) and 15.1 months (95%CI: 5.6-21.5), respectively. Median time-to-death was not estimable for OS. The predicted OS probability at approximately 15 months post treatment initiation for the SD group and RD group was 81.8% and 80.5%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Patients who initiated TKI therapy at a RD did not have different PFS and 15-month survival outcomes than patients who initiated TKI therapy at the FDA SD.
Impact of Record Keeping on the Growth of Micro- and Small-scale Enterprises: An Analytical Study
Authors: Khadim Md Ekbal Hussain , Choudhury Soma Roy Dey
Published: June 2019

It is well-recognised that micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are acting as specialist and soul of economic growth in India as well as in the world. MSEs are lifeblood of most economies and play a dominant role in the economic development of a country. Research on micro and small business development has shown that the rate of failure in developing countries is higher than in the developed world (Arinaitwe, 2006). The past studies indicate that three out of five businesses fail within the first few months of operation. A study by Peacock (1987) found that the lack of accounting records have led to the failure of these enterprises. This research study investigated the impact of record keeping on the growth of MSEs in the Cachar district of Assam. The objectives of the study were to analyse the relationship between record keeping practice and the growth of MSEs in the study area and to identify the status of record keeping in MSEs in the study area. To achieve these objectives, a sample of 93 entrepreneurs were selected from the targeted population. Primary data were collected by means of structured questionnaire. For data analysis, the study used descriptive statistics, and ‘Pearson’ correlation was used to establish the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The finding of the study shows that there is a significance positive strong relationship between record keeping practice and growth of the MSEs in the study area.
Testing the Effect of Business-level Strategy on Performance of Hotels
Authors: Gorondutse Abdullahi Hassan , Hilman Haim
Published: June 2019

This study examines the effect of business-level strategy on performance. Past literature indicates that few studies were done to examine the effect of business-level strategy in the hotel industry. Specifically, numerous previous researches focused on banking and manufacturing industries in developed countries. For that reason, to explore our understanding in this area, the present study was conducted in the Nigerian hotel industry. The data were collected using a survey designed from 83 owners/managers of hotels in Kano, Northwest of Nigeria, using appropriate sampling techniques. The data were analysed with 58 valid responses using SPSS and partial least square (PLS) techniques. The findings indicate a surprising result that cost leadership is not statistically significant on performance. Moreover, the differentiation strategy is significantly related to hotels’ performance. Based on these findings, theoretical and practical implications and future research suggestions were discussed.
A Case for Coherence as Analytical Tool: ISI’s Use of Taliban and Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Authors: Saxena Chayanika
Published: June 2019

Coherence as a quality demonstrates logic, consistency, and unity between thought and action to create a unified whole. By extension, the testing of foreign policy coherence involves the evaluation of the congruence or divergence between the intended/expected and actual outcomes. This use of coherence as a diagnostic tool sees foreign policy as a product. While the testing of coherence using foreign-policy-as-a-product template gives us necessary clues about the implementation of a foreign policy, coherence can also serve as an analytical tool to provide us information about how the same policy came about in the first place. That is, coherence can also be used to evaluate foreign policy as a process. Using the case study of Inter-Services Intelligence’s (ISI) use of Taliban, this article will show that in evaluating the coherence of this policy, we can work our way backward to establish a genealogy of Pakistan’s foreign policy on the whole.
Can One Stone Kill Two Birds? Political Relationship Building and Partner Acquisition in New Ventures
Authors: Luo Xiaowei Rose , Yang Ling , He Xiaobin
Published: June 2019

We extend the resource dependence theory to argue for the opposing effects of political relationship building on new ventures’ abilities to obtain suppliers and buyers. By signaling endorsement and better access to resources, political connection enhances new ventures’ legitimacy and bargaining position. In supply chains featuring high contractual uncertainties, suppliers favor new ventures with higher certainty of payment but buyers can be deterred by new ventures more difficult to control. Hence, paradoxically, political relationship building can exert opposing effects on a new venture’s acquisition of suppliers and buyers. We found empirical support through a survey of 337 new ventures in China.
Active vibration control of a smart functionally graded piezoelectric material plate using an adaptive fuzzy controller strategy
Authors: Maruani Jonas , Bruant Isabelle , Pablo Frédéric , Gallimard Laurent
Published: June 2019

In this article, the active vibration control of a smart structure made out of a single functionally graded piezoelectric material layer, equipped with a network of discrete electrodes, is studied. The material properties vary continuously across the direction of thickness, so that top and bottom surfaces consist of pure PZT4 and the mid surface is composed of pure aluminium. The percolation phenomenon is taken into account. A functionally graded piezoelectric material plate finite element based on the first-order shear deformation theory hypothesis and layer-wise approximation for electric potential is implemented. An optimization procedure is considered to define the relevant electrodes for actuators and sensors, based on controllable and observable criteria. An adaptative fuzzy controller system is used, activating with relevance the actuators according to the most excited eigenmodes. Simulations show the effectiveness of this kind of concept.
Effect of alcohol consumption on patient-reported outcomes in hip arthroscopy: a matched controlled study with minimum 2-year follow-up
Authors: Lall Ajay C , Secretov Erwin , Battaglia Muriel R , Maldonado David R , Perets Itay , Domb Benjamin G
Published: June 2019

Introduction:

There is a paucity of literature examining the effects of alcohol consumption on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after hip arthroscopy. The purpose of this study was to report 2-year outcomes of hip arthroscopy in patients who consume alcohol compared to patients who abstain.

Methods:

Registry data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed to identify heavy drinkers at the time of primary hip arthroscopy. Patients were matched 1:1 (heavy drinkers:non-drinkers) based on age, sex, BMI, acetabular Outerbridge grade, and capsular treatment. All patients were assessed with 4 validated PROs: mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, and iHOT-12. Pain was estimated with VAS.

Results:

42 patients were pair matched in each group (heavy drinkers:non-drinkers). Both groups demonstrated significant improvement for all PROs and VAS. Heavy drinkers reported lesser improvement in HOS-SSS ( p = 0.0169), smaller decrease in VAS ( p = 0.0157), and lower final scores on iHOT-12 ( p = 0.0302), SF-12 mental ( p = 0.0086), and VR-12 mental ( p = 0.0151). Significantly fewer patients in the heavy-drinking group reached PASS for mHHS ( p = 0.0464). Odds of achieving PASS for mHHS was 2.5 times higher for patients who abstain from alcohol. The rates of revision hip arthroscopy and conversion to total hip arthroplasty were not statistically different between groups.

Conclusion:

While hip arthroscopy may still yield clinical benefit in drinkers, patients who consume heavy amounts of alcohol may ultimately achieve an inferior functional status and should be counselled on drinking cessation to optimise their results.
Successful Retrograde Visualization and Recanalization of Chronic Ostial Occlusion of the Left Main Coronary Artery via a Saphenous Vein Graft With the Drilled Balloon Technique
Authors: Balaban Yakup , Elevli Murat Güçlü
Published: June 2019

We are representing a case of successful retrograde recanalization of a chronic ostial occlusive lesion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) via a saphenous vein graft. A 70-year-old male patient, with a history of previous (3 years ago) coronary artery bypass surgery, was evaluated with coronary angiography because of his recent anginal symptoms. Left main coronary artery could not be visualized from the aortic root. It could be visualized with drilled balloon technique which was introduced retrogradely from a saphenous vein graft, and the chronic ostial lesion of the LMCA could be treated with balloon dilatation and stenting. Coronary occlusions can be treated retrogradely via the native collaterals and grafts. The coronaries that are not visualized with an antegrade fashion can be visualized with a retrograde way with the drilled balloon introduced through a patent graft. We could not find any publication about this technique on the web-based research. When encountered with a totally occluded ostial lesion of the LMCA, that cannot be visualized even from the aortic root, it may be tried to be visualized through a patent graft retrogradely. This is a safe and reliable method in patients with a total occlusion of the LMCA who also have a patent saphenous vein graft.