bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Choosing the Less Convenient Way to Vote: An Anomaly in Vote by Mail Elections
Authors: Menger Andrew , Stein Robert M.
Published: December 2019

Nearly two-thirds of persons who receive an unsolicited ballot in the mail before Election Day choose to return their ballot in person, rather than through the less costly and more convenient U.S. Postal Service. Why? How and when voters choose to return their mail ballot is consequential to the administration of elections and the confidence voters have in the outcome of elections. We offer and test four explanations for how vote by mail voters choose to return their ballot, including the social rewards of voting, the costs of voting, trust in U.S. Postal Service and a preference to cast a ballot after campaigning ends. We find supporting evidence for each explanation conditioned by prior history of voting.
Rousseau’s Observations on Inequality and the Causes of Moral Corruption
Authors: Tully Kendra A. , Scott John T.
Published: December 2019

Rousseau’s passionate attack on inequalities political, social, and economic, his critique of reigning governments in the name of democracy, and his questioning of the authority of science or philosophy in defense of moral virtue shook the century of Enlightenment and the aftershocks are still felt today. We examine a neglected but important writing in which he first brings together his diverse but interrelated preoccupations: the Observations, his lengthiest defense of the Discourse on the Sciences and the Arts. We analyze the argument in the Observations regarding the causes of moral corruption, taking our cue in part from several structural anomalies. These textual anomalies reveal two causal arguments: first, a political argument identifying inequality as the first cause of corruption, and, second, an argument about the corrupting effects of philosophy on religious faith and popular morality related to the first argument through a common concern with pride and inequality.
Clinical outcomes of 28 cats 12–24 months after urethrostomy
Authors: Sousa-Filho Reginaldo P , Nunes-Pinheiro Diana CS , Sampaio Keytyanne O , da Silva Ellen CB , Cavalcanti Grazielle ASA , Mori da Cunha Marina Gabriela MC
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the long-term clinical outcomes and quality of life of cats having undergone perineal urethrostomy (PU) or prepubic urethrostomy (PPU).

Methods

This clinical study followed 28 cats (PU, n = 22; PPU, n = 6) that underwent a urethrostomy, with a minimum of 1 year postoperative follow-up. Medical records, pet owner surveys and urologic laboratory tests were used for assessment. Urologic laboratory tests included serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), serum creatinine, urinalysis, urine specific gravity (USG), urine protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio and urine culture.

Results

The main indications for urethrostomy were multiple catheterizations and PU stricture. The overall complication rates of PU and PPU were 31.8% and 83.3%, respectively. Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and urine scald dermatitis were less frequent in PU than in PPU cats (UTI 22.7% vs 66.6%; dermatitis 4.5% vs 83.3%). Bacteriuria was present in 77.2% and 100% of PU and PPU cats, respectively. Owner satisfaction rates were excellent in 81.8% of PU and 33.3% of PPU cases.

Conclusions and relevance

A proportion of cats that underwent urethrostomy showed bacteriuria, recurrent UTIs and increased levels of SDMA. PPU is important as a salvage procedure; however, it should be limited to cases in which standard techniques for PU cannot be performed, owing to the potential for recurrent complications and lower owner satisfaction.
Assessment of Shave Removal Without Further Excision in the Treatment of Spitz Nevi: A Retrospective Study of 58 Cases
Authors: Nawrocki Shiri , Mikhail Nagy , Ghotb Sara , Maghari Amin
Published: December 2019

Background

Spitz nevi (or tumors) are noncancerous growths that are found particularly in the pediatric population. Their histologic features overlap with melanoma, but they have a favorable prognosis, even when showing atypical features.

Objectives

The aim of this research is to examine whether Spitz nevi can be sufficiently removed by adequate shave excisions without a subsequent excision.

Methods

Melan-A stained shave removal specimens (SRS) were obtained for 58 consecutively diagnosed Spitz nevi, along with slides of their postshave excision specimens. The SRS were reviewed for negative (clear) margins, defined as no neoplastic melanocytes detected within <0.2 mm of the deep and lateral margins of the specimen. Postshave excision specimens were reviewed for residual or recurrent lesions.

Results

The 15 shave excision specimens with negative margins had no corresponding residual lesions on postshave specimens. There were no recurrences in any of the cases in an average of 17 months of follow-up.

Conclusions

Observation may be a logical approach for the management of Spitz nevi when shave removal achieves clear margins and the lesion lacks atypical features.
Negotiations between possibilities and reality: Reproductive choices of Families of Choice in Poland
Authors: Mizielińska Joanna , Stasińska Agata
Published: December 2019

Lack of recognition of queer families in Poland impacts their daily experiences in a distinct manner. However, the importance of geo-location and a Central and Eastern European perspective have been marginalized in Western studies on queer kinship. The present investigation examines from a local and intersectional perspective the reproductive plans and parental practices of lesbians in Poland as a part of the largest mixed-method study on queer families conducted in the CEE ( Families of Choice in Poland). In the article, the authors examine the parental decision processes and strategies employed to sidestep multiple legal and social obstacles (i.e. lack of legal recognition of the social mother and the risk of social stigmatization of the child). They argue that understanding local specificity in studies on queer families is key to comprehending their experiences.
‘We’re not run on Numbers, We’re People, We’re Emotional People’: Exploring the experiences and lived consequences of emerging technologies, organizational surveillance and control among elite professionals
Authors: Manley Andrew , Williams Shaun
Published: December 2019

The deployment of digital technologies and data analytics within contemporary organizations are continually seeking to capture vast reams of information to shape employee performance and guide behaviour. However, there is a need to further advance our understanding of the effects and unintended consequences of these technologies within differing organizational contexts. Drawing on the experiences of members connected to a UK-based professional Rugby Union club, we focus on the impact of emerging technologies and ubiquitous surveillance practices in governing employee behaviour, shifting workplace boundaries and providing the ability to resist a mode of organizational control governed by data analytics. Specific emphasis is placed upon exposing the lived consequences and tensions that emerge among employees subjected to an intensive mode of organizational surveillance. In doing so, this study highlights the manner in which emerging technologies and surveillance practices may contribute towards feelings of anxiety, precariousness and performance fatigue among their employees. Through this analysis, we aim to provide a critical understanding of managerial and leadership techniques of control, surveillance and knowledge production that may prove relevant for future research in wider organizational settings shaped by technological transformations and new forms of data-driven management.
Effects of piezo-viscous–coupled stress lubricant on the squeeze film performance of parallel triangular plates
Authors: Aminkhani H , Daliri M
Published: December 2019

The paper shows the combined effects of couple stress fluids and lubricant viscosity variation with pressure in squeeze film performance of parallel triangular plates. By solving Reynolds equation and using perturbation method, the pressure distribution is obtained with consideration of viscosity variation with pressure. Also, with integrating pressure in the film region, load-carrying capacity is derived. A fourth-order Rang–Kutta is used to solve the nonlinear differential equation between lubricant film thickness and time. Various cases of couple stress, iso-viscous and piezo-viscous contributions are analyzed. According to the results, it is found that using couple stress fluid as a lubricant and considering viscosity–pressure dependency will increase characteristics of the squeeze film such as load-carrying capacity, pressure distribution, and triangular plates moving time, significantly as compared to the classical Newtonian iso-viscous lubricant.
Unconditional quantile regression and tourism expenditure: The case of the Canary Islands
Authors: Pérez-Rodríguez Jorge V , Ledesma-Rodríguez Francisco
Published: December 2019

This article explores the spending patterns of tourists by market segments of expenditure distribution. We focus on the case of the Canary Islands, that is, a region that is one of the main destinations in the European tourism market, and distinguish between expenditure at origin and expenditure at destination. To do this, we use unconditional quantile regression (QR), which is more appropriate than conditional QR for the interpretation of coefficients. The results suggest that spending behaviour is heterogeneous among quantiles of expenditure in terms of income, price, level of loyalty and hotel accommodation effects. Furthermore, some differences arise between the pattern of expenditure at origin and the one at destination, and among items of expenditure at destination.
Determining when a hospital admission of an older person can be avoided in a subacute setting: a systematic review and concept analysis
Authors: Huntley Alyson L , Davies Ben , Jones Nigel , Rooney James , Goyder Peter , Purdy Sarah , Baxter Helen
Published: December 2019

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of the evidence for when a hospital admission for an older person can be avoided in subacute settings. We examined the definition of admission avoidance and the evidence for the factors that are required to avoid admission to hospital in this setting.

Methods

Using defined PICOD criteria, we conducted searches in three databases (Medline, Embase and Cinahl) from January 2006 to February 2018. References were screened by title and abstract followed by full paper screening by two reviewers. Additional studies were searched from the grey literature, experts in the field and forward and backward referencing. Data were narratively described, and concept analysis was used to investigate the definition of admission avoidance.

Results

A total of 17 studies were considered eligible for review; eight provided a definition of admission avoidance and 10 described admission avoidance criteria. We identified three factors which play a key role in admission avoidance in the subacute setting: (1) ambulatory care sensitive conditions and common medical scenarios for the older person, which included respiratory infections or pneumonia, urinary tract infections and catheter care, dehydration and associated symptoms, falls and behavioural management, and managing ongoing chronic conditions; (2) criteria/tools, referring to interventions that have used clinical expertise in conjunction with a range of general and geriatric triage tools; in condition-specific interventions, the decision whether to admit or not was based on level of risk determined by defined clinical tools; and (3) personnel and resources, referring to the need for experts to make the initial decision to avoid an admission. Supervision by nurses or physicians was still needed at subacute level, requiring resources such as short-stay beds, intravenous antibiotic treatment or fluids for rehydration and rapid access to laboratory tests.

Conclusion

The review identified a set of criteria for ambulatory care sensitive conditions and common medical scenarios for the older person that can be treated in the subacute setting with appropriate tools and resources. This information can help commissioners and care providers to take on these important elements and deliver them in a locally designed way.
Citizenship, Marginalisation and Youth Offending: Acceptance, Responsibility and Resettlement
Authors: Parker Andrew , Morgan Haydn
Published: December 2019

Despite a fall in recorded crime in the UK in recent years, youth offending continues to present itself as a social problem in many communities and has become an issue of serious concern for practitioners, politicians, and policymakers alike. Where educational programmes have been utilised to address recidivism, a focus on developing aspects of personally responsible citizenship has dominated. This article presents the findings of one such programme, which was designed to deliver a residential care and support package to young males (aged 16–18) with the aim of reducing their likelihood of re-offending. More specifically, the article provides insight into some of the key elements of the ‘journey to citizenship’ that these young men undertook highlighting how the initiation of interpersonal relationships around notions of acceptance and recognition, provided the foundations upon which personally responsible citizenship might be constructed.
Reciprocity membership: A potential pathway towards recovery from mental illness in a Middle Eastern context
Authors: E. Hickey Jason , Pryjmachuk Steven , Waterman Heather
Published: December 2019

While recovery has become a popular framework for mental health services, there is limited understanding of its applicability outside of Western countries. In fact, recent studies in non-Anglophone populations suggest that recovery is contextually dependent and that the implementation of mainstream recovery models risks imposing inappropriate values. We used classic grounded theory to explore the main concerns of mental health service users in a Middle Eastern context and the strategies they use to resolve those concerns. The theory of ‘reciprocity membership’, a process involving ongoing mutual exchange with a group or community, was developed. Reciprocity membership becomes balanced when an individual is satisfied with their ‘contribution to’ the group, the ‘acknowledgement from’ other group members, the ‘expectations of’ the group, and their ‘alignment with’ the values of the group. Balance among these conditions is appraised by a sub-process called ‘valuing’, and developed or maintained by two further sub-processes called ‘positioning’ and ‘managing relationships’. Balanced reciprocity membership seems to be associated with recovery. This study is the first in-depth exploration of people's experience of mental illness in a Middle Eastern context; findings provide evidence for a novel potential pathway towards recovery.
Numerical study on modular slab–column steel structure based on simplified integrated floor
Authors: Chen Zhihua , Zhong Xu , Liu Yang , Liu Jiadi , Guo Ning
Published: December 2019

In spite of the high clear height and the convenient pipeline arrangement, the application of slab–column structures is still limited especially given the development trend of prefabricated steel structures. Therefore, an innovative modular slab–column steel structure is introduced to achieve advantages in architecture, structural performance, as well as prefabrication. First, the deformation mode and working mechanism of the integrated floor module are investigated based on cooperative deformation principle through theory and finite element analyses. Then, the principle is adopted again to obtain a simplified floor model. On the basis of the simplified floor, a series of building models are established and parametric analyses are conducted. The results indicate that the slab thickness and the size of columns may play different roles for the structures under gravity loads or lateral loads. Finally, the potential application scope of MSCSS is further discussed and some design recommendations are also proposed.
Development on ultimate strength equation of ferritic stainless steel (STS430) two-bolted connection
Authors: Kim TaeSoo , Hwang BoKyung , Lim YoungChul
Published: December 2019

This article presents the experimental and numerical results of cold-formed ferritic stainless steel (STS430) bolted connection with two bolts. Single-shear bolted connections with varying end distance were planned and tested. Block shear fracture and curling (out-of-plane deformation) were observed in specimens. Finite element analysis was performed to investigate the conditions for curling occurrence and the curling effect on the ultimate strength of ferritic stainless steel bolted connections with extended end distances and edge distances varying from 24 to 60 mm. Curling occurred for bolted connections with end distances exceeding 39 mm and edge distances exceeding 30 mm. Ultimate strength of curled specimens was reduced up to 33% compared to the ultimate strength of uncurled connection. Since current design equations do not consider the curling effect and the difference in material properties, they did not provide accurate ultimate strength predictions of specimens with typical block shear fracture and curling occurrence. Therefore, a modified block shear equation was suggested for ferritic stainless steel bolted connection with typical block shear fracture mode, considering the actual fracture path and shear stress factor. A revised equation was also proposed for specimens with strength reduction by curling influence, considering the concepts of bearing action against connected plate by bolt (bearing factor, C = 1.6) and net-section tensile fracture between two bolts perpendicular to the direction of the applied force. Moreover, additional experiments for six specimens were performed and the reliability of the two suggested equations in this study was verified.
Axial compressive behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubular columns with interfacial damage
Authors: Qu Xiushu , Huang Fei , Sun Guojun , Liu Qi , Wang Hui
Published: December 2019

In a previous study, 17 rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular columns were tested using a push-out test method to examine the interfacial bond behaviour. In this study, these specimens were subjected to axial compressive tests to study the effects of interfacial damage on the ultimate axial compressive capacity. The variations in both the load–axial displacement curves and load–strain curves were recorded and then compared to study the influences of both the steel tube fabrication method and the D/ B ratio on the axial load–carrying capacity. The axial compressive behaviour of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular columns with no interfacial damage was then studied using a numerical analysis method. The contact stress distribution along the length and width of the face and at the height of the interface was obtained and discussed. In addition, the ultimate axial compressive capacity of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular columns with no interfacial damage was calculated using the formulas from three international codes. The influence of interfacial damage on the axial compressive bearing capacity of a rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular column was discussed through a comparison of the results of the numerical simulation, formula calculation and experiments. The influence of the interfacial gaps caused by the push-out tests on the axial bearing capacity of the concrete-filled steel tubular columns can be ignored, because the core concrete was not destroyed and the outside steel tube can provide a sufficient constraint force on the concrete when the two materials yielded. Finally, the influences of the gap type and size on the bearing capacity were discussed.
Tailored texts: An application of regulatory fit to text messages designed to reduce high-risk drinking
Authors: Glowacki Elizabeth M , Bernhardt Jay M , McGlone Matthew S
Published: December 2019

This study used the regulatory focus/fit framework to compare the impact of text message wording on college students’ drinking behaviors. In this 2 × 3 × 2 pre-test/post-test experiment, participants ( N = 279) were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: messages matching regulatory focus (congruent group), messages mismatching regulatory focus (incongruent group), and general health messages (control group). Messages were tailored by regulatory fit (prevention-oriented or promotion-oriented). Mixed factorial analyses of covariance revealed that prevention-oriented individuals who received text messages incongruent with their regulatory focus reported drinking alcohol for more hours and were more likely to consume a higher quantity of drinks than participants in the congruent or control group. These findings suggest that health messages mismatched to a receiver’s regulatory focus might exacerbate unhealthy behavior.
Implementing green education of urban families: An action research project in Beijing, China
Authors: Hou Xin , Ma Yuna , Wu Yang , Wang Weiwei
Published: December 2019

Crises in food safety have attracted increased public attention in many countries, typically posing serious threats to public health and causing potential economic, social, and environmental damage. This research applied a green social work framework and developed a family-based and child-centered education model in a Chinese urban context. The green educational model engaged practitioners in a participatory and cooperative learning process to explore practical solutions for food safety that had social and environmental value. Applying action research, this program engaged participant families in extended ways of knowing in educational activities, through which to enhance their emotional connection with the natural environment, and develop critical knowing and reflective action. The program generated useful insights for green social work intervention and public education to improve environmental justice and providing lessons about action research as a method of engagement for social workers.
Building a mutual-help community: Young social work teachers’ self-rescue action
Authors: Xiang Yu , Yan Guowei
Published: December 2019

The higher education system has marginalized the young educators. Young educators in the field of social work are in a much worse situation. Research indicates that young social work educators are facing three types of significant challenges: lacking teaching experience and social support; lacking academic research skills and facing great pressure from getting paper published; lacking professional knowledge and practical experience. This paper adopts action research to explore how to build a mutual self-help community among young social work educators who are experiencing similar challenges. Also, the process of the authors’ experience of building a mutual-help community will be elaborated in detail: forming the initial idea of building a mutual-help group based on past experience, upgrading the occasional gatherings to a book club, facilitating mutual-help actions, facilitating collective actions, expanding a small team to a big community. Although the young social work educator mutual-help community has brought about some positive changes and helped mitigate distress temporarily, it doesn’t solve the problem permanently. Building a mutual-help community for self-help is, in fact, our last-ditch move. So, we are looking forward to embracing a bright future when there will be a structural improvement in China’s social work education.
Geospatial tool-chains: Planning support systems for organisational teams
Authors: Alva Pradeep , Janssen Patrick , Stouffs Rudi
Published: December 2019

In practice, most planners do not make significant use of planning support systems. Although extensive research has been conducted, the focus tends to be on supporting individual tasks, and the outcomes are often the development of new stand-alone tools that are difficult to integrate into existing workflows. The knowledge contribution in this article focuses on developing a novel spatial decision support framework focusing on the workflows and tool-chains that span across different teams with varying skill sets and objectives, within an organisation. In the proposed framework, the core decision-making process uses a set of decision parameters that are combined using a weighted decision tree. The framework is evaluated by developing and testing a workflow and GIS tool-chain for a real-world case study of land suitability and mixed-use potentiality analysis.
Development of a hybrid behavioural and thermal adaptive building envelope
Authors: Foged Isak Worre , Pasold Anke
Published: December 2019

This study focuses on the design of behavioural mechanisms for a hybrid informed adaptive envelope. Based on a full-scale experimental demonstrator, including a material responsive and a sensor–processing–actuation adaptive system, quantitative and qualitative methods are applied to identify, describe and study behavioural modes of the adaptive envelope. Through sensor data values and observations, the study finds that the adaptive response patterns are best based on subjective, human-mapped sensations, rather than prescribed environmental comfort, numeric-based sensor values. Those adaptive response patterns should account for change in tempi of the environment, occupier and envelope to establish advanced cause and effect relations, beyond generic thermal comfort performance metrics.
Advancement in flushable wipes: Modern technologies and characterization
Authors: Atasağun Hande G , Bhat Gajanan S
Published: December 2019

Flushable wipes, which can be completely disintegrated and dispersed into sewage systems, are some of the disposable nonwoven products. Due to its ease of use, hygiene, efficiency, and consumers' environmental perception, flushable wipe market is growing rapidly. A truly flushable wipe should be biodegradable, dispersible, and compatible with water treatment systems. Flushable wipes can be produced by selecting appropriate materials and production technologies. Assessing the flushability performance of these products is quite important with regard to the environmental pollution. This review includes fibers and substrates, web forming and bonding technologies, which are used for making a truly flushable wipe. In addition, the test methods used for measuring flushability performance and standardization studies of the flushability tests are presented in this study, as well as the effect of wet wipes on the environment.
Optimization of mechanical/thermal properties of glass/flax/waste cotton hybrid composite
Authors: Zeeshan Muhammad , Ali Mumtaz , Anjum Aima S , Nawab Yasir
Published: December 2019

In quest of finding solutions of high cost and non-biodegradability issues of synthetic fibre-based composites, hybridization of natural fibres is a focused approach recently. The current study is focused to find out the optimized proportion of natural recycled fibre with virgin synthetic fibre which offers maximum mechanical properties with low cost. Synthetic/recycled (glass/waste cotton) and synthetic/natural/recycled (glass/flax/waste cotton) hybrid composites were developed and their mechanical and thermal properties were characterized. First, the mechanical properties, i.e. tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength, that are most important for structural applications were studied. Second, the coefficient of thermal expansion of developed composites was determined. For optimization of the aforesaid properties of the hybrid composites, a statistical tool, i.e. grey relational analysis, was applied. The grey grades show that with the inclusion of waste cotton fibre, there is no significant decrease in mechanical properties, whereas there is a drastic decrease in cost. Furthermore, utilization of waste fibres in the composites is the best solution, as the poor mechanical properties of waste fibre are not as much pronounced in the composite form, thanks to continuous and strong interface of resin with recycled fibres.
Assessment of the wear behavior and interlaminar shear properties of modified nano-TiO2/jute fiber/epoxy multiscale composites
Authors: Zaer-Miri Setayesh , Khosravi Hamed
Published: December 2019

The main objective of the present work was to study the effects of nano-TiO2 on the dry-sliding wear properties and interlaminar shear strength of jute fiber/epoxy composite. The surface of TiO2 nanoparticles was functionalized by using a amin-terminated silane-coupling agent. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the modified TiO2 (M-TiO2). The multiscale composites were fabricated using hand layup technique by dispersing various amounts of the M-TiO2 nanoparticles (0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt.%) in the matrix. Among these specimens, the 3 wt.% M-TiO2-filled composite showed the best properties. The results of the short-beam shear test demonstrated that the addition of 3 wt.% M-TiO2 increased the interlaminar shear strength of the composite by 43%. The addition of 3 wt.% M-TiO2 significantly decreased the wear rate and coefficient of friction of the jute fiber/epoxy composite by 80% and 48%, respectively. The wear and fracture mechanisam were also examined by scanning electron microscopy. The findings of this work confirmed that the addition M-TiO2 is a suitable choice for the potential applicability as a nanofiller for the fiber-reinforced polymeric composites.
Scattered Dose to Ovary From Radiotherapy for Neuroblastoma in Female Children
Authors: Shen Yichen , Zhu Chuanying , Jiang Mawei , Zhang Songfang , Tu Yongqing , Wang Wei , Zha Yuanzi
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

To measure the scattered dose to ovary from radiotherapy for neuroblastoma in female children and to evaluate the relevant risks for radiation-induced ovarian damage.

Material and Methods:

Radiotherapy for child neuroblastoma was simulated on the water phantom. The scattered dose to ovary is measured by ionization chamber on the linear accelerator with 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment producing 6MV and 10MV X-rays. The treatment planning procedure was carried out on a computer system (TPS, Oncentra). Optimization of the number and orientation of beams were performed in order to minimize the ovarian dose.

Results:

For the target dose of 21.6 Gy, the scattered dose to ovary was ranged from 1.3 to 46.8 cGy depending on the treatment method and the energy of the beams. The ovarian dose of intensity-modulated radiation therapy is 1.32 to 1.64 times higher than that of 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. The ovarian dose of 6MV beam’s energy is 1.52 to 1.64 times higher than that of 10MV beam’s energy. For the radiotherapy, the scattered dose of ovaries on phantom by ionization chamber was 1.40 to 2.32 times higher than that on TPS calculated.

Conclusion:

The dosimetric data suggest that pediatric radiotherapy is not associated with a risk for permanent damage to the ovaries in female children. Through choosing the beams’ energy and treatment plan’s method, the scattered dose of ovaries can be reduced. The risk for development of hereditary disorders in offspring conceived after exposure is low.
The microbiota-gut-brain axis: An emerging role for the epigenome
Authors: Louwies Tijs , Johnson Anthony C , Orock Albert , Yuan Tian , Greenwood-Van Meerveld Beverley
Published: December 2019

Through the gut-brain axis, the microorganisms that reside in the gut are able to exert an important influence on the central nervous system. Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota are involved in gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. During critical neurodevelopmental time periods, such as the early life, changes in gut microbial composition may detrimentally impact neurodevelopment, and subsequently lead to neurological disorders in later life. The finding that neurological disorders persist suggests that epigenetic modifications may be involved in response to disruption of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Through establishing epigenetic modifications, environmental (microbial) signals can interfere with the cellular gene expression patterns. These long-lasting modifications exert their effects even when the initial stimulus is removed. In this review, we discuss the pathways that provide bidirectional communication between the microbiota and the central and peripheral nervous systems. Furthermore, we summarize how these microorganisms in the gut exert their influence through changing the epigenome in the brain-gut axis.

Impact statement

Alterations in the composition of gut microbiota may influence the etiology of gastrointestinal and neurological disorders by disturbing the communication in the gut-brain axis. Epigenetic changes in the gut-brain axis may perpetuate these phenotypes even when the gut microbiota has been restored. The studies reviewed in this article provide an overview of the influence the microbiota exerts onto its host’s epigenome. First, we summarize the bidirectional pathways through which the microbiota and the gut-brain axis communicate. Second, we provide evidence for the epigenome-altering capacity of the gut microbiota. Finally, we address the existing knowledge gaps and highlight the potential role of the epigenome in the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
Latino STEM Scholars, Barriers, and Mental Health: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Muñoz José A. , Villanueva Idalis
Published: December 2019

Research exploring the participation and retention of Latino/as in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is still in its early stages, but it is shedding light on the lack of representation, why they occur, and what are the outcomes for those that remain in STEM. This review of the literature explores the barriers, stressors, and health issues that emerge for Latino/a STEM faculty. The review includes work on the comprehensive stress, discrimination, and other burdens that contribute to Latino/a faculty stress. Discrimination and socioeconomic status (SES) can operate in synergistic ways to diminish health and coping mechanisms. We address the professional and organizational contexts that Latino/a faculty face in the university environment and the health outcomes that potentially emerge as a result of their experiences within universities in the United States.
Reflections on Future Directions for Including Students with Severe Disabilities
Authors: McLeskey James
Published: December 2019

Little progress has been made in the last 20 years toward developing and sustaining effective inclusive programs for students with severe disabilities. An article by Agran and colleagues examines factors that contribute to this lack of progress and provides some initial discussion regarding alternatives for addressing this seemingly intractable problem. This article extends the discussion by Agran and colleagues by providing recommendations regarding the use of a positive deviance approach to systemic change and school improvement, and also recommends that advocacy efforts are needed to ensure that principals are well prepared to support these efforts.
An Interdisciplinary Review of Surgical Data Recording Technology Features and Legal Considerations
Authors: Jue Jessica , Shah Neal A. , Mackey Tim Ken
Published: December 2019

Surgical data recording technology has great promise to generate patient safety and quality data that can be utilized to potentially reduce medical errors. Variations of these systems aim to improve surgical technique, develop better training simulation, and promote adverse event investigation similar to the aims of black box technology utilized in other industries. However, many unknowns remain for surgical data recording utilization in operating rooms and clinical settings in the United States. This includes the need to appropriately design systems so they collect meaningful and useful data that can be discussed by surgical team members in an open and safe environment to optimize clinical care processes. In order to better understand the clinical and regulatory environment for surgical data recording systems, we conducted an interdisciplinary review to identify key technology approaches, and assess legal and regulatory implications associated with this potentially disruptive technology. We found technology ranging from audio and visual data, to systems utilizing mobile applications, and kinematic data capture. The data collected present legal questions over ownership of information and privacy, along with regulatory issues at the federal and state levels. The benefits of these data should be balanced with the need to develop appropriate policies and regulations that protect the interests of both clinicians and patients in order to encourage further innovation and better realize the potential of surgical data recording technology to improve clinical decision making and patient safety outcomes.
Repeat Radiography in Monitoring Structural Changes in the Treatment of Spinal Disorders in Chiropractic and Manual Medicine Practice: Evidence and Safety
Authors: Oakley Paul A. , Ehsani Niousha Navid , Harrison Deed E.
Published: December 2019

There is substantial evidence for normal relationships between spine and postural parameters, as measured from radiographs of standing patients. Sagittal balance, cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and the more complex understanding of the interrelations between these essential components of normal stance have evolved to where there are known, established thresholds for normalcy. These spinal parameters are reliably measured from X-ray images and serve as goals of care in the treatment of spine and postural disorders. Initial and follow-up spinal imaging by X-ray is thus crucial for the practice of contemporary and evidence-based structural rehabilitation. Recent studies have demonstrated that improvement in the spine and posture by nonsurgical methods offers superior long-term patient outcomes versus conventional methods that only temporarily treat pain/dysfunction. Low-dose radiation from repeated X-ray imaging in treating subluxated patients is substantially below the known threshold for harm and is within background radiation exposures. Since alternative imaging methods are not clinically practical at this time, plain radiography remains the standard for spinal imaging. It is safe when used in a repeated fashion for quantifying pre–post spine and postural subluxation and deformity patterns in the practice of structural correction methods by chiropractic and other manual medicine practices.
Use of Technology for Dietary Assessment in Immigrant Populations
Authors: Holmes Hannah , Almeida Vanessa Araujo , Boushey Carol , Banna Jinan
Published: December 2019

To determine the impact of educational programs on immigrant groups in the United States, nutrition educators must have assessment and evaluation tools that use the language and vocabulary of the target population. Filipino Americans exhibit health disparities with regard to several conditions and are an important target for nutrition education. Currently, there are no existing rigorously tested tools in the Tagalog language which also have a low user burden and are designed to measure diet for assessment and evaluation of nutrition education programs. As these programs are generally evaluated using time-intensive dietary assessment tools not tailored specifically to Filipinos, they may not effectively characterize the diet of this population. Given the high adoption rates of mobile phones by populations outside of the United States, mobile apps may represent a best choice for developing tools to assist individuals recently migrating to the United States or speaking English as an additional language. Several tools of this nature have been developed for immigrant groups and hold promise in terms of acceptability. Examples of dietary assessment tools using technology developed for Spanish speakers in the United States are provided. These methods may also be appropriate for addressing the needs of immigrant groups such as Filipinos.
Construct validity of the Persian version of the Child Occupational Self-Assessment in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Iran
Authors: Sattari Mahsa , Yazdani Farzaneh , Rassafiani Mehdi , Hosseini Seyed Ali
Published: December 2019

Objective

This study aimed to assess the construct validity of the Child Occupational Self-Assessment, translated to Persian that could provide occupational therapists with a tool to evaluate occupational competence and values of children in Iran.

Methods

A total of 250 children (87 girls and 163 boys) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder aged 7.5–11 years referred from two specialised children’s hospitals were included. The researchers read the questions to the children and they identified their own answers. The data were analysed based on the Rasch Rating Scale Model.

Results

Four of the items showed misfit and as a result of deleting these items the Persian version of the questionnaire has 21 items with an appropriate validity.

Conclusion

The Persian version of Child Occupational Self-Assessment can be used with new items format. It could be also useful to replace the missing question to develop the tool further.
Immunoscore system combining CD8 and PD-1/PD-L1: A novel approach that predicts the clinical outcomes for cervical cancer
Authors: Chen Hong , Xia Bairong , Zheng Tongsen , Lou Ge
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Immunoscore was established to evaluate the prognosis of cancer patients. However, the feasibility of Immunoscore for the prognosis of cervical cancer remains unknown. To find other prognostic markers that contribute to immunological importance, immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death protein (PD-1), or its ligand, PD-L1, are of enormous interest. Our purpose is to investigate the expression of CD8 and PD-1/PD-L1 and their potential role in Immunoscore, supplementing the tumor/node/metastasis (TNM) classification of cervical cancer.

Methods:

Immunoscore was assessed according to the density of PD-1, PD-L1, and CD8 by immunohistochemistry. The association with overall survival and disease-free survival was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method. To evaluate the effect of Immunoscore, a Cox proportional hazard regression classification was conducted. To compare the prognostic accuracies of Immunoscore and TNM staging, receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted.

Results:

Patients with PD-L1positive and PD-1high in immune cells had poorer overall survival and disease-free survival; however, PD-L1positive in tumor cells that infiltrated more CD8+ T cells were related to better overall survival and disease-free survival. These immune factors can be independent predictors for prognoses. According to these factors, a new Immunoscore system with priority in predicting prognoses was established. In receiver operating characteristic analysis for predictions of overall survival (the area under curve (AUC) = 0.833 vs. 0.766) and disease-free survival (AUC = 0.861 vs. 0.729), Immunoscore is more accurate than TNM staging.

Conclusions:

Thus, this Immunoscore system is an accurate predictive marker, which can be an important supplement to TNM staging for cervical cancer.
Multi-objective path optimization for arc welding robot based on discrete DN multi-objective particle swarm optimization
Authors: Xue-Wu Wang , Yong Min , Xing-sheng Gu
Published: December 2019

Rational weld seams sequence is important for improving welding productivity and quality. Hence, intelligent path optimization strategy is introduced to obtain optimized weld seams sequence in this article. The path length and total welding deformation are considered for multi-objective path planning. First, the optimization problem description is presented. At the same time, the path length and the total welding deformation of some sequences are calculated. Then, improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm is studied. In addition, the agent model is obtained based on the sample data and experiment design. At last, the proposed algorithm is applied to optimize the welding path length and total welding deformation. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the optimization strategy.
The “Why” and “How” of Narcissism: A Process Model of Narcissistic Status Pursuit
Authors: Grapsas Stathis , Brummelman Eddie , Back Mitja D. , Denissen Jaap J. A.
Published: December 2019

We propose a self-regulation model of grandiose narcissism. This model illustrates an interconnected set of processes through which narcissists (i.e., individuals with relatively high levels of grandiose narcissism) pursue social status in their moment-by-moment transactions with their environments. The model shows that narcissists select situations that afford status. Narcissists vigilantly attend to cues related to the status they and others have in these situations and, on the basis of these perceived cues, appraise whether they can elevate their status or reduce the status of others. Narcissists engage in self-promotion (admiration pathway) or other-derogation (rivalry pathway) in accordance with these appraisals. Each pathway has unique consequences for how narcissists are perceived by others, thus shaping their social status over time. The model demonstrates how narcissism manifests itself as a stable and consistent cluster of behaviors in pursuit of social status and how it develops and maintains itself over time. More broadly, the model might offer useful insights for future process models of other personality traits.
Nutrition and body composition of elite rhythmic gymnasts from Bulgaria
Authors: Miteva Silvia , Yanev Iliya , Kolimechkov Stefan , Petrov Lubomir , Mladenov Lubomir , Georgieva Veneta , Somlev Petar
Published: December 2019

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which special consideration is given to diet and body appearance. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrient intake and body composition of elite rhythmic gymnasts in comparison with guidelines for female gymnasts. Twenty-one elite rhythmic gymnasts from Bulgaria were divided into three groups: First National Team, mean age 24.2; Second National Team, mean age 17.8; and Junior National Team, mean age 12.6. Body fat and muscle mass were estimated by skinfold methods, and a food frequency questionnaire was applied to assess the nutrient intake. The gymnasts showed low per cent of body fat (13.9% for the First National Team, 17.0% for the Second National Team, and 15.6% for the Junior National Team) and high per cent muscle mass (44.0, 40.5, and 37.6%, respectively). They kept their weight close to the ideal one, as recommended by the coaches, and the following equation best corresponded to the recommended ideal weight: height (cm) − 118. The energy intake was lower than the calculated energy requirements, in addition to low intake of fat and carbohydrates. The relative protein intake was 1.7 g/kg for the First National Team, 1.7 g/kg for the Second National Team, and 1.9 g/kg for Junior National Team, and the energy contribution of proteins was higher than the recommended 15%. Rhythmic gymnasts should be encouraged to maintain their ideal weight without great variance from the health-related guidelines, and coaches should consider not only the body image, but also the norms relating to body composition in women when determining ideal weight.