bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
County‐Level Hispanic Ethnic Density and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality
Authors: Rodriguez Fatima , Hu Jiaqi , Kershaw Kiarri , Hastings Katherine G. , López Lenny , Cullen Mark R. , Harrington Robert A. , Palaniappan Latha P.
Published: September 2018

Background

Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, and little is known about how Hispanic ethnic population density impacts cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) mortality.

Methods and Results

We examined county‐level deaths for Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites from 2003 to 2012 using data from the National Center for Health Statistics’ Multiple Cause of Death mortality files. Counties with more than 20 Hispanic deaths (n=715) were included in the analyses.
CVD
deaths were identified using
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD‐10),
I00 to I78, and population estimates were calculated using linear interpolation from 2000 and 2010 census data. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the association of Hispanic ethnic density with Hispanic and non‐Hispanic white age‐adjusted
CVD
mortality rates. County‐level age‐adjusted
CVD
mortality rates were adjusted for county‐level demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare factors. There were a total of 4 769 040 deaths among Hispanics (n=382 416) and non‐Hispanic whites (n=4 386 624). Overall, cardiovascular age‐adjusted mortality rates were higher among non‐Hispanic whites compared with Hispanics (244.8 versus 189.0 per 100 000). Hispanic density ranged from 1% to 96% in each county. Counties in the highest compared with lowest category of Hispanic density had 60% higher Hispanic mortality (215.3 versus 134.2 per 100 000 population). In linear regression models, after adjusting for county‐level demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare factors, increasing Hispanic ethnic density remained strongly associated with mortality for Hispanics but not for non‐Hispanic whites.

Conclusions

CVD
mortality is higher in counties with higher Hispanic ethnic density. County‐level characteristics do not fully explain the higher
CVD
mortality among Hispanics in ethnically concentrated counties.
Across the Atlantic and Back: Tracing the Lives of Norwegian-American Migrants, 1850–1930
Authors: Roberts Evan
Published: September 2018

Between 1825 and 1960 900,000 Norwegians emigrated. Before 1930 more than 95 per cent went to the United States. The rate of return to Norway was low in comparison to many other nations who sent large numbers to the US after 1880. High quality census enumerations in both countries, that are now available in electronic format, allow the possibility of reconstructing the lives and voyages of some of these migrants. Even with a low rate of return-migration there were more than 50,000 return migrants. Constructing a large sample of return migrants observed in both Norway and the US becomes more feasible with electronic search and matching strategies. This article gives an overview of available and soon forthcoming sources in the North Atlantic Population Project, the possibility of electronic linkages, and the challenges of this research strategy. Using a group of 448 Norwegian migrants matched between the 1900 American and 1910 Norwegian census, an empirical analysis shows that migration and marital transitions were likely to have been closely linked. Machine-linked records hold the promise of being able to trace several thousand Norwegians across the Atlantic and back again.
New species of Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) in the flora of Vietnam
Authors: AVERYANOV LEONID V. , DUY NONG VAN , TUAN NGUYEN HOANG , NURALIEV MAXIM S. , MAISAK TATIANA V. , ANH NGUYEN CONG
Published: September 2018

Three taxa, Bulbophyllum cariniflorum var. orlovii (sect. Pleiophyllum), B. sonii (sect. Anisopetalon) and B. ustulata (sect. Brachystachya) are described as new for science. All of these novelties are local endemics of Vietnam. Additionally, four species, B. flavescens (sect. Aphanobulbon), B. ovatum (sect. Desmosanthes), B. physocoryphum (sect. Macrocaulia) and B. wendlandianum (sect. Cirrhopetalum) are recorded for the flora of Vietnam for the first time. These species are endemic of the Indochinese Peninsula in a broad sense, except for B. flavescens having wide distribution in western Malesia. Data on ecology, phenology, distribution, brief relevant taxonomic notes, as well as colour photographs and line drawings of the type and voucher specimens are provided for all reported taxa. Lectotypification is provided for B. wendlandianum.
Phylogenetic analyses reveal the Chinese medical plant “Beimu” Fritillaria ebeiensis as a separate species
Authors: WEI XUE-PING , LUO LI , LAI HONG-WU , ZHANG BEN-GANG , QI YAO-DONG
Published: September 2018

The Chinese medical plant “Beimu” Fritillaria ebeiensis has been merged in F. anhuiensis. In this study, we used ITS, two plastid (rpl16 and matK) markers, and morphological characters to investigate the relationship between F. ebeiensis and F. anhuiensis. The results show that F. ebeiensis is phylogenetically distinct from F. anhuiensis. In addition, the morphology of both leaf epidermis and bulbs are different between the two species. As a consequence, we treat F. ebeiensis as a separate species, rather than synonymy of F. anhuiensis.
New combinations within the genus Sphagnum (Sphagnaceae, Bryophyta)
Authors: LÖNNELL NIKLAS , HASSEL KRISTIAN
Published: September 2018

The genus Sphagnum is known for its morphological variable species, showing plastic responses along environmental gradients (Stenøien et al. 1997). Consequently, species delimitation based on morphological characters is not always straight forward. However, molecular analysis have in some cases pointed to differentiated entities within morphologically recognised taxa, e.g. Sphagnum fuscum (Schimper 1871:63) Klinggräff (1872:4) and Sphagnum magellanicum Bridel (1798:24) (Kyrkjeeide et al. 2015, Yousefi et al. 2017). In other cases, molecular markers have not resolved closely related taxa. A study based on isoenzymes could, for instance, not differentiate Sphagnum viride Flatberg (1988:9) from Sphagnum cuspidatum Ehrh. ex Hoffmann (1796:22) (Hanssen et al. 2000). Moreover, a study based on isoenzymes and RAPD could not differentiate Sphagnum isoviitae Flatberg (1992:2) and Sphagnum brevifolium (Lindb. ex Braithwaite (1878:84)) Röll (1889:340) from Sphagnum fallax (Klinggräff 1872:7) Klinggräff (1880: 128) (Såstad et al. 1999). Hence, the treatment of these taxa at the species level may be questioned. The material used in the studies was limited, and the use of more modern molecular markers might lead to other conclusions. Recognition of the taxa at variety level seems to be a reasonable solution, given our current knowledge. We therefore propose that S. viride, S. isoviitae and S. brevifolium be treated at the variety level while we await more comprehensive genetic studies, which may provide conclusive evidence concerning the status of these taxa.
Vincetoxicum (Apocynaceae—Asclepiadoideae) expanded to include Tylophora and allies
Authors: LIEDE-SCHUMANN SIGRID , MEVE ULRICH
Published: September 2018

All 301 names in Tylophora and the small genera in Asclepiadeae-Tylophorinae now considered synonymous with Vincetoxicum, namely Amblyoglossum, Belostemma, Biondia, Blyttia, Diplostigma, Goydera, Hoyopsis, Hybanthera, Iphisia, Ischnostemma, Merrillanthus, Microstephanus, Nanostelma, Neohenrya, Oncostemma, Pentabothra, Pentastelma, Pleurostelma, Podostelma, Pycnostelma, Rhyncharrhena, Sphaerocodon, Spirella, Tylophoropsis and Vincetoxicopsis, are listed. A total of 107 new combinations are made (104 in Vincetoxicum, one in Dregea, one in Marsdenia, and one in Lygisma), 25 nomina nova have been coined, 141 typifications are undertaken and 10 new synonyms are proposed.
A nomenclatural study on Statice densiflora (Plumbaginaceae) and its linked names
Authors: ERBEN MATTHIAS , DEL GUACCHIO EMANUELE , CAPUTO PAOLO
Published: September 2018

Four names in Statice, i.e. S. densiflora, S. densiflora var. humilis, S. densiflora var. obtusifolia, and S. secundiramea are typified by employing illustrations or herbarium specimens kept in NAP. Two of these names are basionyms for the accepted combinations Limonium densiflorum and L. secundirameum. The controversial name S. oleifolia, the neglected name S. scolopiana, and the misapplied name S. spathulata sensu Jan are also discussed. Finally, the authors highlight the automatic typification of the illegitimate name S. oxylepis.
A new species from the Turkey, Atriplex sukhorukovii (Chenopodiaceae)
Authors: BAŞKÖSE İSA , YAPRAK AHMET EMRE
Published: September 2018

As part of the ongoing taxonomic revision of Atriplex (Chenopodiaceae) in Turkey, the occurrence of A. pungens was revealed to be not confirmed and all the specimens previously referred to this species are proposed here as a new species, i.e. A. sukhorukovii sp. nov. It close to A. davisii but differs in habitus, leaves shape and size, inflorescence, seed structure, and habitat preference. Diagnosis, description, illustrations, and original drawings of A. sukhorukovii as well as its distribution map are given. A diagnostic key of the Turkish species beloning to Sect. Teutliopsis, and chromosome numbers (diploidy, 2x=18) are also provided.
Second-step lectotypification and a new synonym of Pycnarrhena pleniflora (Menispermaceae)
Authors: ARIGELA RAVI KIRAN , SINGH RAJEEV KUMAR
Published: September 2018

The name Pycnarrhena pleniflora was inadvertently lectotypified before 2001 and therefore it requires second-step lectotypification which is proposed here. The recently described species Drypetes kalamii (Putranjivaceae/Euphorbiaceae s.l.) is treated here as its synonym.
Morphology and life history of an ant parasitoid, Psilocharis afra (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae)
Authors: HERATY JOHN M. , BURKS ROGER A. , MBANYANA NOKUTHULA , NOORT SIMON VAN
Published: September 2018

Eucharitidae (Hymenoptera) are specialized ant (Formicidae) parasitoids. As we begin to develop a better understanding of their phylogenetic relationships, it is critical to establish baselines for morphological and biological data. A morphological review and the first report of life history data for Psilocharis afra Heraty is provided based on new material from the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Psilocharis Heraty is included in Eucharitinae, but it is unclear whether it is the sister group of all other members of the subfamily, or sister group to Neolosbanus Girault in a monophyletic Psilocharitini, which would in turn be sister group to Eucharitini. The oviposition habits of P. afra differ from those of other Eucharitidae in that eggs are placed among trichomes under bracts at flower bases, instead of either being inserted into cavities formed in plant tissue by an enlarged ovipositor (as in Oraseminae and some Neolosbanus) or inserted into cavities in plant tissue, as in most Eucharitini. The egg and first-instar planidia larva are described, and adult morphology is discussed with reference to Eucharitidae and other parasitoid Hymenoptera.
Atmospheric Response to SST Anomalies. Part II: Background-State Dependence, Teleconnections, and Local Effects in Summer
Authors: Thomson Stephen I. , Vallis Geoffrey K.
Published: September 2018

In this paper and its companion, Part I, we explore the response of the atmosphere to sea surface temperature anomalies in different geographical locations and seasons. In Part I, we focused on Northern Hemisphere winter (DJF), whereas in this paper, Part II, we focus on summer (JJA) and interseasonal comparisons. We use two different configurations of the same idealized atmospheric model, constructed using two different configurations of continents and topography. These configurations give rise to slightly different background wind fields and variability within the same season and therefore give a measure of how robust a response is to small changes in the background state. We characterize the types of responses that are found to SST anomalies in the midlatitudes and tropics in JJA and compare these with the two corresponding responses in DJF. We find that the responses to midlatitude SST anomalies in JJA are generally on a much smaller spatial scale than those in DJF. Responses in the tropical Pacific are much less dependent on season, although teleconnections between the tropical Pacific and the North Atlantic are not found in JJA as robustly as they are in DJF. Given insight from our model results, however, we do find some summer periods in reanalysis data where there is a strong association between the tropical Pacific and the summer North Atlantic Oscillation. We discuss the reasons for these effects and the implications for Northern Hemisphere seasonal prediction in summer.
Broadening of Modeled Cloud Droplet Spectra Using Bin Microphysics in an Eulerian Spatial Domain
Authors: Morrison Hugh , Witte Mikael , Bryan George H. , Harrington Jerry Y. , Lebo Zachary J.
Published: September 2018

This study investigates droplet size distribution (DSD) characteristics from condensational growth and transport in Eulerian dynamical models with bin microphysics. A hierarchy of modeling frameworks is utilized, including parcel, one-dimensional (1D), and three-dimensional large-eddy simulation (LES). The bin DSDs from the 1D model, which includes only vertical advection and condensational growth, are nearly as broad as those from the LES and in line with observed DSD widths for stratocumulus clouds. These DSDs are much broader than those from Lagrangian microphysical calculations within a parcel framework that serve as a numerical benchmark for the 1D tests. In contrast, the bin-modeled DSDs are similar to the Lagrangian microphysical benchmark for a rising parcel in which Eulerian transport is not considered. These results indicate that numerical diffusion associated with vertical advection is a key contributor to broadening DSDs in the 1D model and LES. This DSD broadening from vertical numerical diffusion is unphysical, in contrast to the physical mixing processes that previous studies have indicated broaden DSDs in real clouds. It is proposed that artificial DSD broadening from vertical numerical diffusion compensates for underrepresented horizontal variability and mixing of different droplet populations in typical LES configurations with bin microphysics, or the neglect of other mechanisms that broaden DSDs such as growth of giant cloud condensation nuclei. These results call into question the ability of Eulerian dynamical models with bin microphysics to investigate the physical mechanisms for DSD broadening, even though they may reasonably simulate overall DSD characteristics.
The Impact of Idealized Terrain on Upstream Tropical Cyclone Track
Authors: Huang Kuan-Chieh , Wu Chun-Chieh
Published: September 2018

Tropical cyclones (TCs) encountering the terrain of Taiwan usually experience prominent track deflection, resulting in uncertainty in TC track forecasts. The underlying mechanisms of TC deflection are examined to better understand the pattern of TC tracks under various flow regimes. In this study, idealized experiments are carried out utilizing the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. This study investigates the motion of a TC that is deflected southward while moving westward toward an idealized terrain similar to Taiwan. An analysis of both the flow asymmetries and the potential vorticity tendency (PVT) demonstrates that horizontal advection contributes to the southward movement of the TC. The track deflection is examined in two separate time periods, with different mechanisms leading to the southward movement. Changes in the background flow induced by the terrain first cause the large-scale steering current to push the TC southward while the TC is still far from the terrain. As the TC approaches the idealized topography, the role of the inner-core dynamics becomes important, and the TC terrain-induced channeling effect results in further southward deflection. Asymmetries in the midlevel flow also develop during this period, in part associated with the effect of vertical momentum transport. The combination of the large-scale environmental flow, the low-level channeling effect, and asymmetries in the midlevel flow all contribute to the southward deflection of the TC track.
Antennas and propagation course in education
Authors: Ülker Sadık
Published: September 2018

In this paper, an approach for teaching basic antenna theory and propagation to senior level undergraduate students for electrical engineering related fields is proposed and described. The method combines mathematical and theoretical studies with antenna design and laboratory measurements to reinforce the subject’s theoretical and practical aspects together. Topics discussed in lectures include performing antenna radiation calculations, learning how to make antenna radiation pattern measurements, and designing of antennas such as microstrip patch antenna. The education is based on teaching these principles and enabling students to make some antenna measurements. At the end of the semester, an analysis on learning outcomes of the course was performed and feedback from students was taken. The feedback from students showed that there was a huge satisfaction in terms of achieving the goals in learning outcomes. The course structure proposed can be a good example for instructors who teach antennas and propagation courses.
Choosing novice friendly sensors
Authors: Karvinen Kimmo
Published: September 2018

Using breakout physical computing toolkits, such as Arduino, has become a common practice of both engineers and non-engineers alike. While these development platforms solve many low-level challenges, getting started with embedded system prototyping may seem overwhelming for novices. Choosing novice friendly sensors can make a substantial difference. In this paper, a framework for selecting sensors for novice use is presented and accessibility obstacles are defined. Six learning barriers in end-user programming are adopted for evaluating obstacles effecting on novice usability. Four properties for evaluating sensors and to overcome the barriers are presented: protocol complexity, connection type and component size, understandable real-life phenomena measured and documentation. Sensor protocol complexity and documentation are identified as key factors affecting implementation challenges.
Community-based prevention of child trafficking in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Kastro Asayeberhan , Dullea Karen
Published: September 2018

The focus of this article is on children trafficked or migrating alone from rural areas of the Wolaita zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region to the urban centres of Jimma or Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. The article, based on information from interviews and focus groups, develops awareness of this issue as it is locally conceptualised and prevented. Recommendations include coordinated efforts between government, non-government and community-based organisations (CBOs) to protect children, and economic development/skills training in rural communities.
Social support as a predictive factor: Solution-focused thinking in clinical social work
Authors: Al-Ma’seb Hend
Published: September 2018

In recent years, clinical social workers have tended to use the solution-focused approach in their practice. This study examines the relationship of solution-focused thinking and its components (Goal Orientation, Resource Activation, and Problem Disengagement), with the following variables: social support, income, occupation, gender, tribal affiliation, and education. The study used a sample of 300 participants in Kuwait. The results showed that a significant relationship exists between solution-focused thinking and the variables of income, occupation, gender, tribal affiliation, and education. In addition, the findings of this study showed that social support is a predictive factor for solution-focused thinking. The results of the study could assist clinical social workers in improving the quality of intervention they provide to clients.
Content Analysis of Evidence-Based Articles in The Journal of Special Education
Authors: Fisher Larry B. , Spooner Fred , Algozzine Bob , Anderson Kelly M. , Brosh Chelsi R. , Robertson Colleen E.
Published: September 2018

Conducting and supporting scientifically valid research activities and implementing evidence-based practices have driven recent hopes and efforts to achieve better outcomes for all students. In the context of ongoing internal review and continuous improvement, we were interested in how this evolution was reflected in empirical studies published in The Journal of Special Education ( JSE). We coded key variables related to evidence-based research in articles published between 2004 and 2017. We found that most studies included elementary- or secondary-aged students with disabilities in general or special education classroom settings with teachers or researchers assessing the benefits of academic skill training interventions using single-case designs. We discuss implications for ongoing internal reviews and assessments as well as for comparisons, benchmarking, and evaluations within the field.
Examining collaborative filtering algorithms for clothing recommendation in e-commerce
Authors: Hu Zhi-Hua , Li Xiang , Wei Chen , Zhou Hong-Lei
Published: September 2018

With the boom in online clothing e-commerce, various web portals and mobile applications apply recommendation methods to improve the sales and consumer satisfaction based on the massive historical records in the big data era. This study examined the collaborative filtering algorithms embedded in the typical recommendation methods for online clothing. The test dataset is constructed with a real-world large-scale instance from one of the largest business-to-consumer e-commerce platforms ( www.taobao.com ) in China. Considering the purchasing times and the inverse user frequency, three similarity measures are developed for the cosine-based similarity algorithm. Various numerical experiments are conducted to analyze the recommendation methods and evaluate their performances by three criteria, namely Precision, Recall and Diversity. Because the test instance is large scale, the consumer–goods co-occurrence matrix is reduced to improve the computational performance considering most similar consumers. Using this real-world instance, the algorithms are investigated under the evaluation criteria. The experimental results reveal that the recommendation based on user frequency similarity is very much suitable for the online clothing recommendation; the co-occurrence matrix reduction method is effective to improve the recommendation performance. To verify the proposed methods, the MovieLens dataset is used for comparison. The results show that the proposed method is suitable for sparse co-occurrence matrices. In addition, limitations, managerial implications and future research directions are also discussed.
A High Achieving Inner-City School: An Ecological Analysis
Authors: Tate Daryl A.
Published: September 2018

Holy Angels, a high achieving, African American, urban, elementary school in Chicago, Illinois offers a model for successful education of ethnic minority children. Despite coming from predominantly welfare supported, single-mother homes, located in crime ridden inner-city Chicago, during the period bounded by this study, 1969 to 1979, Holy Angels’ students produced test scores among the highest in the nation. The results of semistructured interviews of administrators, teachers, and former students and archival document analysis suggest that three major elements, namely, a high expectation–high help environment, emphasis on life preparation, and iconic leadership—uniquely interwoven, were distinguishing features of Holy Angels School.
Finite iterative Hamiltonian solutions of the generalized coupled Sylvester – conjugate matrix equations
Authors: Bayoumi Ahmed ME
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we present an iterative algorithm to solve a generalized coupled Sylvester – conjugate matrix equations over Hamiltonian matrices. When the considered systems of matrix equations are consistent, it is proven that the solution can be obtained within finite iterative steps for any arbitrary initial generalized Hamiltonian matrices in the absence of round off errors. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
What Are We Explaining? A Review and Agenda on Initiating, Engaging, Performing, and Contextualizing Entrepreneurship
Authors: Shepherd Dean A. , Wennberg Karl , Suddaby Roy , Wiklund Johan
Published: September 2018

Entrepreneurship is multifaceted. The purpose of this review is to acknowledge and critically assess the many and varied dependent variables (DVs) of entrepreneurship over the last 17 years. By focusing exclusively on systematically reviewing entrepreneurship’s DVs, this paper maps out, classifies, and provides order to the phenomena that scholars consider part of this self-defined field of research. Using a systematic selection process and an inductive approach to categorization, we offer a meta-framework for organizing entrepreneurship’s DVs. On the basis of this meta-framework, entrepreneurship involves the (a) initiation, (b) engagement, and (c) performance of entrepreneurial endeavors embedded in (d) environmental conditions in which an entrepreneurial endeavor is the investment of resources into the pursuit of a potential opportunity. For each category, we offer both a review of the different DVs and opportunities for future research.
Effects of including versus excluding nonparticipants as potential nominees in peer nomination measures
Authors: Marks Peter E. L. , Babcock Ben , van den Berg Yvonne H. M. , Cillessen Antonius H. N.
Published: September 2018

In peer nomination research, individuals who do not provide nominations (nonparticipants) are often included on rosters as potential nominees. This can present ethical questions regarding informed consent, but psychometric consequences of excluding nonparticipants from rosters are unknown. In this investigation, Study 1 simulated both random and systematic missingness with a sample of 1,630 Dutch adolescents, comparing the reliability and correlation matrices of nomination measures when nonparticipants were included and excluded as nominees. Study 2 began with a two-school sample that already included systematic nonparticipation (≈19% missingness among 599 7th grade nominees) and examined how findings would differ if students who had not provided nominations were excluded as nominees. Results showed that the impact of including versus excluding nonparticipants as nominees may vary depending on the type of missingness (Study 1) or in different peer groups (Study 2). Both studies demonstrated that the choice of including versus excluding nonparticipants can affect reliability and intercorrelations in peer nomination data, and provide some evidence that excluding nonparticipants as nominees may compromise peer nomination data quality.
Affinity and antagonism: Structuralism, comparison and transformation in pluralist political ontology
Authors: Turner Ben
Published: September 2018

This article develops a comparative and recursive approach to political ontology by drawing on the ontological turn in anthropology. It claims that if ontological commitments define reality, then the use of ontology by recent pluralist political theorists must undercut pluralism. By charting contemporary anthropology’s rereading of structuralism as part of a plural understanding of ontology, it will be shown that any political ontology places limits on the political, and thus cannot exhaust political experience. This position will be established through an analysis of the role of Claude Lévi-Strauss in the work of Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe and a comparison with the political ontology represented by perspectivism and potential affinity. Anthropology’s lesson for political theory is that ontology cannot simply be revised and treated in the singular, but that political ontologies must be analysed comparatively to reveal the shortcomings of, and recursively alter, one’s own political frame of reference.
Quality of care for the dying across different levels of palliative care development: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Schelin Maria EC , Sallerfors Bengt , Rasmussen Birgit H , Fürst Carl Johan
Published: September 2018

Background:

There is a lack of knowledge about how the provision and availability of specialized palliative care relates to the quality of dying in hospital and community-based settings.

Aim:

We aimed to explore the quality of care during last week of life in relation to different levels of palliative care development.

Design:

We investigated access to palliative care in Southern Sweden, where one region offers palliative care in accordance with European Association for Palliative Care guidelines for capacity, and the other region offers less developed palliative care. Data on approximately 12,000 deaths during 2015 were collected from the Swedish Register of Palliative Care. The quality of care was investigated by region, and was measured in terms of assessment of oral health and of pain, and end-of-life conversation, companionship at death and artificial nutrition/fluid in the last 24 h.

Results:

The overall quality of care during last week of life was not consistently better in the region with fully developed palliative care compared with the less developed region. In fact, for patients dying in hospitals and community-based settings, the quality was statistically significantly better in the less developed region. The small proportion of patients who had access to specialized palliative care had superior quality of care during the last week of life as compared to patients in other care settings.

Conclusion:

The capacity of specialized palliative care does not per se influence the quality of care during the last week of life for patients in other settings.
Moving beyond the individual: Occupational therapists' multi-layered work with communities
Authors: Lauckner Heidi , Leclair Leanne , Yamamoto Cynthia
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Although working with communities using community-centred approaches like community development has been identified as an important occupational therapy domain of practice, occupational therapists continue to struggle to clarify their roles and processes in this area of practice. From a study that aimed to describe the practice process of occupational therapists working in community development, this article presents key findings regarding how occupational therapists described their work with individuals and communities, providing a conceptualization of how to situate their work with individuals within a broad community context.

Method

Using interpretive description, individual interviews and focus group discussions were conducted via telephone with 12 occupational therapists from across Canada between February 2014 and March 2015.

Results

There was some uncertainty amongst participants regarding the definition of community development. Four layers of community-centred practice were inductively derived from the data: individual, group, community of interest, and systems. The latter two touch on community development.

Conclusion

The conceptualization that emerged from this study can assist occupational therapists in reflecting on current practice and furthering an appreciation of how their work with individuals can include a community focus, responding to calls within the profession to look beyond the individual.
Real-Time Estimation of Lane Change Risks Based on the Analysis of Individual Vehicle Interactions
Authors: Park Hyunjin , Oh Cheol , Moon Jaepil
Published: September 2018

Lane-changing vehicles continuously interact with adjacent vehicles by adjusting longitudinal and lateral maneuvering. Safe lane changing can be regarded as an outcome of safe vehicle interactions during lane changes. An effective safety assessment of a vehicle changing lanes is essential to developing various countermeasures to prevent crashes. This study developed a methodology for estimating the risks of changing lanes in real time using vehicle trajectory data. Both a real-time risk exposure level (RREL) and a real-time risk severity level (RRSL) were devised to quantify risk levels associated with lane changing based on an analysis of vehicle interactions. Then, fault tree analysis was adopted to integrate the two indicators, RREL and RRSL. This study demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed methodology by conducting VISSIM simulation experiments. The outcome of this study can be used to not only evaluate the effectiveness of traffic management strategies in terms of lane change safety but also support the development of various advanced driving assistance systems.
Transportation Cloud Service Composition Based on Fuzzy Programming and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Weibin , Guo Haifeng , Zeng Ziqiang , Qi Yong , Wang Yinhai
Published: September 2018

The push toward smarter transportation management and decision-making has increased significantly in recent years. Toward this end, it is constructive to establish a traffic intelligence platform leveraging web services, big data analytics, and cloud computing. The developers of any such platform always face the challenge of selecting or creating composition plans from among numerous possible plans, often with unclear requirements, that satisfy their quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. Typical QoS properties associated with a web service are execution cost and time, availability, successful evaluation, usage frequency, and accuracy. Most of these factors are vague and/or difficult to quantity. To address the need to handle vague inputs, a constraint satisfaction-based web service composition algorithm is proposed, which is based on fuzzy multi-objective linear programming. A genetic algorithm with Pareto optimization evaluation with weighted standardized Euclidean distance is used that demonstrates good performance as the quantity of service candidate increases. The algorithm is capable of finding a satisfactory solution under input of vague QoS requirements, which shows better capability than multiple-objective linear programming. The applicability and performance of the proposed algorithm are validated in an online transportation analytics platform environment.
Pitching Performance After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction at a Single Institution in Major League Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Marshall Nathan E. , Keller Robert A. , Limpisvasti Orr , ElAttrache Neal S.
Published: September 2018

Background:

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) has shown reliable rates of return to play, with conflicting results on pitching performance after players’ return.

Purpose:

To evaluate Major League Baseball (MLB) pitching performance before and after UCLR performed at a single institution.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

MLB pitchers (minor league players were excluded) who underwent UCLR at our institution between 2002 and 2016 were identified. Player information and return to play were determined including pitching level (MLB vs minor league) and total number of years played after surgery. Pitching performance statistics were evaluated for 3 years before surgery and for 3 years after returning to play including earned run average (ERA), walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), innings pitched, wins above replacement, runs above replacement, and pitch velocity.

Results:

A total of 54 MLB pitchers were identified, with 46 primary and 8 revision reconstructions. The mean time to return to play was 13.8 months (primary reconstruction: 13.7 months). The majority returned to play with a 94% return rate (primary reconstruction: 96%), and 80% returned to MLB play (primary reconstruction: 82%). Three primary reconstructions required revision surgery. Pitchers played a mean of 3.2 years in MLB and 4.6 years total after surgery (39% still playing). Pitching workload and performance were maintained or improved after surgery. The preoperative ERA was 4.63 versus 4.13 after returning to play ( P = .268). Fastball velocity ( P = .032), ERA ( P = .003), and WHIP ( P = .001) worsened the first year after surgery and then improved the second year (ERA: 4.63 to 4.06 [ P = .380]; WHIP: 1.35 to 1.32 [ P = .221]; fastball velocity: 91.3 to 91.9 mph [ P = .097]). Compared with a matched control group, pitchers who had UCLR showed improvements or maintained performance after reconstruction including improved ERA ( P = .007), WHIP ( P = .025), and fastball velocity ( P = .006).

Conclusion:

MLB players experienced a high rate of return to play and previous level of play after UCLR. Pitching workload was maintained after returning to play. Pitching performance initially decreased the first year after returning and then improved or reverted to previous levels after the first year from UCLR.
Bloodless Testing for Microporous Membrane Oxygenator Failure: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Tamari Y. , Tortolani A.J. , Lee-Sensiba K.J.
Published: September 2018

The use of a bloodless solution and high pressure to accelerate microporous membrane oxygenator (MMO) failure was investigated. It was hypothesized that albumin acts as a wetting agent, contributing to plasma leakage through the membrane, and that high MMO outlet pressure accelerates the process. Three MMO, B-Bentley BCM-40 (n=7), M - Medtronic Maxima (n=4), and S - Sarns 16310 (n=7) were tested at 37 ± 2°C using three identical closed recirculating circuits and four conditions: 1) Lactated Ringer solution (LR) with MMO outlet pressure (Pmo) 750 mmHg; 2) LR + albumin (4 g/100 ml), Pmo 150 mmHg; 3) LR + albumin, Pmo 300 mmHg; and 4) LR + albumin, Pmo 750 mmHg. “Blood” flow and gas flow were maintained at 2 l/min. Failure was indicated when Na+ was detected in the effluent of the MMO exhaust gas. There were no failures without albumin in the solution. B and M showed no signs of failure under any of the test conditions at 78 hours. S failed at (mean ± SEM) 4.9 ± 1.0, 12.1 ± 0.2, and 19 hours for conditions 4, 3, and 2 respectively. Preceding failure, inlet gas pressure increased more than eightfold (27 ± 1 to 224 ± 34 mmH2O). These preliminary results are similar to previous findings with blood and suggest that high MMO outlet pressure and the presence of albumin may promote plasma breakthrough for S. The combination may provide a basis for an accelerated bloodless test for MMO compatibility with long-term respiratory support.
Portugal in Ruins: From “Europe” to Crisis and Austerity
Authors: Weeks Samuel
Published: September 2018

This article engages the analyses of Poulantzas, Anderson, and Ferreira do Aramal to outline the main politico-economic contours of post-Carnation Revolution Portugal. The account that follows examines the effects of accession to the European Economic Community (EEC), European Union (EU) structural funding and liberalization policies, and the euro currency. The article concludes by situating the troika’s 2011 “rescue” of the Portuguese state—and the accompanying austerity measures—within the post-1974 process of “Europeanization.”
Cytogenetic alterations induced by flupyradifurone, a new butenolide insecticide, in human lymphocytes
Authors: Şekeroğlu Zülal Atlı , Aydın Adem , Yedier Seval Kontaş , Şekeroğlu Vedat
Published: September 2018

Flupyradifurone (FPD), a member of the new class of butenolide insecticides, acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Studies on genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of FPD are very limited. This is the first study to investigate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of FPD and its metabolites on human lymphocyte cultures with or without a metabolic activation system (S9 mix) using chromosomal aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) tests. The cultures were treated with 85, 170, and 340 µg/ml of FPD in the presence (3 h treatment) and absence (48 h treatment) of S9 mix. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a solvent control. Statistically significant decreases were detected at the medium and highest concentrations for 48 h treatments while decreases in mitotic index (MI) in the presence of the S9 mix were found statistically significant at all FPD concentrations tested when compared with the solvent control. FPD also decreased the nuclear division index (NDI) at the highest concentration (340 µg/ml) in the absence of S9 mix. When compared with the solvent control, increases in CA frequencies were significant at the medium and highest concentrations. Significantly increased MN frequency was only found at the highest FPD concentration in cultures without S9 mix compared with the solvent control while increases in the MN frequencies in the presence of S9 mix were statistically significant at all FPD concentrations. The results of the present study indicate that FPD and its metabolites can show cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in human lymphocytes. More genotoxicity studies are necessary to make a possible risk assessment in humans.
Synthesis, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of zinc oxide nanoparticles formulation
Authors: Hussain Zulfia , Khan Junaid Ali , Anwar Hafeez , Andleeb Naila , Murtaza Sehrish , Ashar Ambreen , Arif Iram
Published: September 2018

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are being used extensively in manufacturing skin lotions and food products and in various biological and pharmaceutical industries because of their immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. In this study, ZnONPs were synthesized by a precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy to investigate their structural, morphological, and optical properties. For in vivo evaluation, 40 healthy albino mice were randomly allocated to four equal groups among which the first one was the control group, while the second, third, and fourth were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a blend of CCl4 and ZnONPs, and ZnONPs alone, respectively, for 21 days. The XRD analysis confirmed hexagonal wurtzite type structures having an average crystallite size of 41.54 nm. The morphology of ZnONPs analyzed through SEM showed uniform distribution of the grains and shape of the synthesized oxide. The energy band gap of the ZnONPs was found to be 3.498 eV. Hepatic and renal damage following CCl4 administration was apparent after 14 days and was increased at the 21st day, showing nodular fibrotic masses in the liver and bumpy surfaces in the kidney as observed by gross and histological examination. Coadministration of ZnONPs (15 mg/kg b.w. intragastrically 5 days a week) significantly prevented the CCl4-dependent increases in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, creatinine, and urea levels, suggesting a protective potential of ZnONPs.
The Unmet Needs of Patients With Progressive Neurological Diseases in the Czech Republic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Bužgová Radka , Kozáková Radka , Juríčková Lubica
Published: September 2018

Aim:

The aim of our research was to explore the unfulfilled needs of patients with a progressive neurological disease in advanced stage of the illness within the current system of health and social care in the Czech Republic.

Design and Setting:

Qualitative research (grounded theory) was used to conceptualize the patterns of unmet palliative care needs in Czech Republic.

Methods:

The data collection method comprised individual, in-depth interviews (n = 19) and focus groups (n = 4) where a total of 52 respondents participated (patients with progressive neurological diseases [PNDs], family members, and professionals).

Results:

Two main categories of unfulfilled needs were determined (life with the disease, professional help), and they were described in the context of the 3 crucial themes identified in the study—the symptoms of the advanced stage of the disease resulted in substantial reduction of physical self-sufficiency, loss of autonomy, and social isolation; the level of dependence on the support and help of others increased; the patients also highlighted several problems related to health-care services.

Conclusion:

The unmet needs should be taken into consideration when creating the concept of the neuropalliative and rehabilitation care, including the mental health support plan, because of the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disorders that frequently occur in the lives of a substantial amount of patients with PND.
Weight-Related Concerns as Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months
Authors: Zimmerman Emily , Rodgers Rachel F. , O’Flynn Jennifer , Bourdeau Althea
Published: September 2018

Background:

Human milk is considered the gold standard for infant nutrition, but more data are needed that examine the constellation of weight-related concerns as barriers to exclusive breastfeeding.

Research aims:

The aim of this study was to examine how mothers’ concerns regarding their own and their infants’ weight, as well as disordered eating behaviors, were associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy and exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months.

Methods:

A prospective, quantitative, and self-report online survey design was used. Participants included 206 women (88.30% White, 59.20% with graduate degrees), with a mean age of 33.04 years ( SD = 4.31 years) and a mean prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) of 24.80 kg/m2 ( SD = 5.50 kg/m2), who had given birth within the past 6 months.

Results:

Participants who reported not exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months had significantly higher prepregnancy BMI ( p < .001), higher body dissatisfaction ( p = .003), more disordered eating ( p = .036), higher child weight concerns ( p < .001), and lower breastfeeding self-efficacy ( p < .001). Mediation modeling revealed a direct negative relationship between prepregnancy BMI and exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months ( p < .001). Indirect negative relationships between prepregnancy BMI and exclusive breastfeeding at six months via (a) body dissatisfaction, (b) disordered eating, and (c) child weight concern, as well as breastfeeding self-efficacy (entered as concurrent mediators), were all significant.

Conclusions:

Mothers’ weight, body image and eating concerns, concern regarding their children’s weight, and breastfeeding self-efficacy may constitute critical barriers to exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. Interventions to improve breastfeeding duration and confidence should target maternal body image and eating concerns.
Needles in a haystack
Authors: Callender Christine
Published: September 2018

This article draws on a study of black male teachers who teach in primary schools, and aims to contribute to studies of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) teachers. Interviews with 10 participants examine the nexus of professional and social identities and how these are (re)constructed in or by schools. The teachers’ agentic actions provide insight into the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender and class, and point to the ways that social and professional identities are in a constant state of (re)formation as black male teachers traverse (and tiptoe) within and between social and professional contexts. Critical race theory (CRT) and intersectionality explore teachers’ racialized experiences and perceptions of black male primary school teachers. Findings suggest that black male teachers’ agentic actions support them in (re)constructing their professional roles and in the negotiation of their identities in primary schools.