bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The femoral vein diameter and its correlation with sex, age and body mass index – An anatomical parameter with clinical relevance
Authors: Keiler Jonas , Seidel Ronald , Wree Andreas
Published: April 2018

Background

The femoral vein diameter is a critical factor when assessing endoprosthetic valve size for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. To examine the previously stated correlation between body mass index and femoral vein diameter and to re-assess the anatomical and physiological demands for a valve implant for chronic venous insufficiency treatment, we measured the femoral vein diameter in 82 subjects.

Method

Femoral vein diameters (164 legs) were measured with B-mode sonography both in supine position at rest and in upright position during Valsalva maneuver.

Result

The mean femoral vein diameter differed significantly between supine position (13.6 ± 3.0 mm) and upright position (16.4 ± 2.6 mm). Males possessed a significant bigger diameter than females. A significant positive correlation between femoral vein diameter and body mass index was observed.

Conclusion

Assuming an increased femoral vein diameter due to obesity would further impair valve functionality by increasing distance between both valve cusps. For the development of artificial venous valves, it is crucial to consider patient- and condition-dependent vein dilation.
‘We need to make sure that we are always something else’: Victim support organisations and the increasing responsibility of the state in supporting crime victims in Finland and Norway
Authors: Helminen Maija
Published: April 2018

In response to international obligations many Western states have strengthened their responsibility for crime victims’ access to support services. This is also the case in Finland and Norway where this interview study explored the views of representatives from five key civil society organisations (CSOs) working with victims of crime in relation to the public sector’s increasing duty to organise victim support services. The findings indicate that despite the fact that improvements in victims’ access to support services were generally welcomed, there was a growing concern that the position of these traditional CSOs could – or already had – become challenged by the public and private organisations and other CSOs as new funding streams and mechanisms attract new players to the field. This had created a need to highlight the distinctiveness of these agents as CSOs working with victims of crime. This article argues that while international standards for victim support services have been a triumph for victim movements in many countries, their realisation in the present era of austerity and mixed welfare economies presents traditional victim support organisations with new challenges in retaining their ownership and distinctive ways of treating the problem of victimisation.
The limits and potentials of deep learning for robotics
Authors: Sünderhauf Niko , Brock Oliver , Scheirer Walter , Hadsell Raia , Fox Dieter , Leitner Jürgen , Upcroft Ben , Abbeel Pieter , Burgard Wolfram , Milford Michael , Corke Peter
Published: April 2018

The application of deep learning in robotics leads to very specific problems and research questions that are typically not addressed by the computer vision and machine learning communities. In this paper we discuss a number of robotics-specific learning, reasoning, and embodiment challenges for deep learning. We explain the need for better evaluation metrics, highlight the importance and unique challenges for deep robotic learning in simulation, and explore the spectrum between purely data-driven and model-driven approaches. We hope this paper provides a motivating overview of important research directions to overcome the current limitations, and helps to fulfill the promising potentials of deep learning in robotics.
Variation and Likeness in Ambient Artistic Portraiture
Authors: Hayes Susan , Rheinberger Nick , Powley Meagan , Rawnsley Tricia , Brown Linda , Brown Malcolm , Butler Karen , Clarke Ann , Crichton Stephen , Henderson Maggie , McCosker Helen , Musgrave Ann , Wilcock Joyce , Williams Darren , Yeaman Karin , Zaracostas T. S. , Taylor Adam C. , Wallace Gordon
Published: April 2018

An artist-led exploration of portrait accuracy and likeness involved 12 Artists producing 12 portraits referencing a life-size 3D print of the same Sitter. The works were assessed during a public exhibition, and the resulting likeness assessments were compared to portrait accuracy as measured using geometric morphometrics (statistical shape analysis). Our results are that, independently of the assessors' prior familiarity with the Sitter’s face, the likeness judgements tended to be higher for less morphologically accurate portraits. The two highest rated were the portrait that most exaggerated the Sitter’s distinctive features, and a portrait that was a more accurate (but not the most accurate) depiction. In keeping with research showing photograph likeness assessments involve recognition, we found familiar assessors rated the two highest ranked portraits even higher than those with some or no familiarity. In contrast, those lacking prior familiarity with the Sitter’s face showed greater favour for the portrait with the highest morphological accuracy, and therefore most likely engaged in face-matching with the exhibited 3D print. Furthermore, our research indicates that abstraction in portraiture may not enhance likeness, and we found that when our 12 highly diverse portraits were statistically averaged, this resulted in a portrait that is more morphologically accurate than any of the individual artworks comprising the average.
Learning in the Target Prevalence Effect
Authors: Hon Nicholas , Jabar Syaheed B.
Published: April 2018

Rare or low prevalence targets are detected less well than counterparts that occur with higher probability. It stands to reason, though, that before such a deficit is apparent, information about a given target’s probability of occurrence must be apprehended. In this study, we investigated how much target experience is necessary for target probabilities to be fully acquired and established within mental task representations. A central finding was that different target probability values required approximately the same amount of target sampling to learn. This was true whether learning about target probabilities from a naive start-point (Experiment 1) or when recalibrating from one probability value to another (Experiment 2). We discuss these findings in relation to how mental task representations are modified when new task-relevant information is received and the attentional consequences of such changes.
Personalized Menu Optimization with Preference Updater: A Boston Case Study
Authors: Song Xiang , Danaf Mazen , Atasoy Bilge , Ben-Akiva Moshe
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a personalized menu optimization model with preference updater in the context of an innovative Smart Mobility system that offers a personalized menu of travel options with incentives for each incoming traveler in real time. This Smart Mobility system can serve as a major travel demand management system that encourages energy-efficient travel options. The personalized menu optimization is built on a logit mixture model that captures each individual traveler’s choice behavior. The personalized menu optimization model is enhanced with a preference updater that can update the estimates of individual traveler’s preference parameters when new choice data is received. To illustrate the advantages of the proposed methodology, a case study is presented based on real travelers and trips in the greater Boston area from the Massachusetts Travel Survey data. The case study consists of two parts. In the first part, the personalized menu optimization with preference updater is tested in a setting where the travelers are new to the system and their preferences are updated through preference updater. A comparative analysis of the performance of the proposed method with preference updater is presented against the method without preference updater. In the second part, the benefit of using individual level preference parameters instead of population level preference parameters in the personalized menu optimization model is analyzed. The case study shows that the proposed method can outperform the hit rates of its two counterparts.
Identification and Calculation of Horizontal Curves for Low-Volume Roadways Using Smartphone Sensors
Authors: Wood Jonathan S. , Zhang Shaohu
Published: April 2018

Horizontal curves are a contributing factor to the number of observed roadway crashes. Identifying locations and geometric characteristics of horizontal curves plays a crucial role in crash prediction and prevention. However, most states in the USA face a challenge in maintaining detailed and high-quality roadway inventory databases for low-volume rural roads due to the labor-intensive and time-consuming nature of collecting and maintaining the data. This paper proposes a low-cost mobile road inventory system for two-lane horizontal curves based on off-the-shelf smartphones. The proposed system is capable of accurately detecting horizontal curves by exploiting a K-means machine learning technique. Butterworth low-pass filtering is applied to reduce sensor noise. Extended Kalman filtering is adopted to improve the GPS accuracy. Chord method-based radius computation and superelevation estimation are introduced to achieve accurate and robust results despite the low-frequency GPS and noisy sensor signals obtained from smartphones. This study implements this method using an Android-based smartphone and tests 21 horizontal curves in South Dakota. The results demonstrate that the proposed system achieves high curve identification accuracy as well as high accuracy for calculating curve radius and superelevation.
Bearing failure of single-/double-shear composite bolted joints: An explicit finite element modeling
Authors: Lu Fangzhou , Cai Deng’an , Tang Ju , Li Wenlong , Deng Jian , Zhou Guangming
Published: April 2018

A three-dimensional explicit finite element method was presented to investigate the bearing failure of single- and double-shear composite bolted joints. To predict the various failure modes of composite laminates, three-dimensional solid elements accompanied by mixed-mode failure criteria considering nonlinear shear behavior were employed in the model. A linear damage propagation law based on the fracture energy and the characteristic length was adopted to alleviate the mesh dependency. In addition, reduced integration elements were used in the models of single- and double-shear joints to avoid the overstiffness. The simulated models were implemented in the Abaqus/Explicit solver with a user-defined material subroutine. The numerical analysis run successfully without any convergence issues. The predictions of mechanical behavior agreed well with the experimental results, with typical damages in the laminates including matrix crack and fiber failure. The effect of secondary bending in the single-shear bolted joint was also analyzed in the explicit modeling.
Parental Documentation Status and Educational Aspirations Among Latino Adolescents: Mediating Effects of School Connectedness and Parental Attitudes Towards Education
Authors: Giano Zachary , Tuttle Brooke McQuerrey , Merten Michael J. , Gallus Kami L. , Cox Ronald B. , Shreffler Karina M.
Published: April 2018

Research suggests that Latino adolescents face challenges with respect to their perceptions of success in academia while falling behind in school competencies. This study examines pathways between parent characteristics, adolescent perceptions of parental academic importance, school connectedness, and academic aspirations/expectations for Latinos using a structural equation model. The entire population of seventh grade students was surveyed in the Oklahoma City Public School District ( N = 1,832). The final model included Latino students ( N = 661). Results found that 51.1% of all Latino adolescents identified as having an undocumented parent(s). Findings indicate that parental documentation was significantly associated with academic aspirations/expectations beyond being Latino. Parental documentation poses limitations on parents’ ability to become actively involved in their adolescents’ academics. Findings suggest efforts to increase academic aspirations/expectations should come from adolescent experiences (i.e., school connectedness) as citizenship issues are difficult to mitigate. Results should be used as support for such programs in targeting at-risk Latinos.
Social Media Engagement and the Critical Care Medicine Community
Authors: Barnes Sean S. , Kaul Viren , Kudchadkar Sapna R.
Published: April 2018

Over the last decade, social media has transformed how we communicate in the medical community. Microblogging through platforms such as Twitter has made social media a vehicle for succinct, targeted, and innovative dissemination of content in critical care medicine. Common uses of social media in medicine include dissemination of information, knowledge acquisition, professional networking, and patient advocacy. Social media engagement at conferences represents all of these categories and is often the first time health-care providers are introduced to Twitter. Most of the major critical care medicine conferences, journals, and societies leverage social media for education, research, and advocacy, and social media users can tailor the inflow of content based on their own interests. From these interactions, networks and communities are built within critical care medicine and beyond, overcoming the barriers of physical proximity. In this review, we summarize the history and current status of health-care social media as it relates to critical care medicine and provide a primer for those new to health-care social media with a focus on Twitter, one of the most popular microblogging platforms.
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection and Short-Term Outcome in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Zampieri Fernando G. , Póvoa Pedro , Salluh Jorge I. , Rodriguez Alejandro , Valade Sandrine , Andrade Gomes José , Reignier Jean , Molinos Elena , Almirall Jordi , Boussekey Nicolas , Socias Lorenzo , Ramirez Paula , Viana William N. , Rouzé Anahita , Nseir Saad , Martin-Loeches Ignacio
Published: April 2018

Objective:

To assess whether ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (VA-LRTIs) are associated with mortality in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Materials and Methods:

Post hoc analysis of prospective cohort study including mechanically ventilated patients from a multicenter prospective observational study (TAVeM study); VA-LRTI was defined as either ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) based on clinical criteria and microbiological confirmation. Association between intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients having ARDS with and without VA-LRTI was assessed through logistic regression controlling for relevant confounders. Association between VA-LRTI and duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay was assessed through competing risk analysis. Contribution of VA-LRTI to a mortality model over time was assessed through sequential random forest models.

Results:

The cohort included 2960 patients of which 524 fulfilled criteria for ARDS; 21% had VA-LRTI (VAT = 10.3% and VAP = 10.7%). After controlling for illness severity and baseline health status, we could not find an association between VA-LRTI and ICU mortality (odds ratio: 1.07; 95% confidence interval: 0.62-1.83; P = .796); VA-LRTI was also not associated with prolonged ICU length of stay or duration of mechanical ventilation. The relative contribution of VA-LRTI to the random forest mortality model remained constant during time. The attributable VA-LRTI mortality for ARDS was higher than the attributable mortality for VA-LRTI alone.

Conclusion:

After controlling for relevant confounders, we could not find an association between occurrence of VA-LRTI and ICU mortality in patients with ARDS.
Single-Family Housing Value Resilience of Walkable Versus Unwalkable Neighborhoods During a Market Downturn: Causal Evidence and Policy Implications
Authors: Xu Minjie , Yu Chia-Yuan , Lee Chanam , Frank Lawrence D.
Published: April 2018

Objectives:

This study investigated the resilience of single-family housing values in walkable versus unwalkable neighborhoods during the economic downturn from 2008 to 2012 in Dallas, Texas.

Methods:

Using propensity score matching and difference in differences methods, this study established a natural experimental design to compare before-and-after value changes of single-family (SF) homes in walkable neighborhoods with unwalkable neighborhoods during the Great Recession. Two thousand seven hundred ninety-nine SF homes within 18 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts were categorized into walkable (Walk Score ≥50) and unwalkable (<50) groups. Six hundred twenty-four dwellings in walkable neighborhoods were matched with the most identical ones in the unwalkable neighborhoods by controlling for the selected structural and residential location variables. Relative average treatment effects were examined for SF values in walkable and unwalkable neighborhoods.

Results:

On average, the SF homes in walkable neighborhoods held $4566 (2.08%) more value than their how walkable counterparts.

Conclusions:

This study aims to help planners and decision-makers by documenting the unmet demand for walkable communities and their sustained economic benefit. Increased awareness of the sustained value of walkable communities can be used by lenders who finance and by policy makers who regulate placemaking. Results from this study can be integrated with research that demonstrates health-care cost savings of walkable environments to create an even more comprehensive set of evidence-based interventions to increase their supply.
Work and Home Neighborhood Design and Physical Activity
Authors: Carlson Jordan A. , Frank Lawrence D. , Ulmer Jared , Conway Terry L. , Saelens Brian E. , Cain Kelli L. , Sallis James F.
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

To investigate relations of perceived worksite neighborhood environments to total physical activity and active transportation, over and above home neighborhood built environments.

Design:

Observational epidemiologic study.

Setting:

Baltimore, Maryland-Washington, DC, and Seattle-King County, Washington metropolitan areas.

Participants:

One thousand eighty-five adults (mean age = 45.0 [10.2]; 46% women) recruited from 32 neighborhoods stratified by high/low neighborhood income and walkability.

Measures:

The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Survey assessed perceptions of worksite and home neighborhood environments. Accelerometers assessed total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed total active transportation and active transportation to and around work.

Analysis:

Mixed-effects regression tested relations of home and worksite neighborhood environments to each physical activity outcome, adjusted for demographics.

Results:

Home and worksite mixed land use and street connectivity had the most consistent positive associations with physical activity outcomes. Worksite traffic and pedestrian safety were also associated with multiple physical activity outcomes. The worksite neighborhood explained additional variance in physical activity outcomes than explained by the home neighborhood. Worksite and home neighborhood environments interacted in explaining active transportation to work, with the greatest impacts occurring when both neighborhoods were activity supportive.

Conclusion:

Both worksite and home neighborhood environments were independently related to total MVPA and active transportation. Community design policies should target improving the physical activity supportiveness of worksite neighborhood environments and integrating commercial and residential development.
Evaluation of hospital length of stay and revenues as a function of admission mode, clinical pathways including observation unit stay and hospitalization characteristics
Authors: Casalino Enrique , Perozziello Anne , Choquet Christophe , Curac Sonia , Leroy Christophe , Hellmann Romain
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Hospital length of stay (days) and revenues per day (euros) could be different depending on admission mode. To determine the impact of admission mode as a function of clinical pathway, we conducted the present study. Data sources: We included 159,206 admissions to three academic hospitals during a four-year period. Data were obtained from the electronic system of the hospital trust.

Study design

A case (through-emergency department)–control (elective (EA)) study was conducted (77,052), matched by age, stay severity and type, disease-related group, and discharge mode. Principal findings: Through-emergency department were significantly elderly, more severe, had more intensive care stays, a higher mortality rate, longer length of stay (days) (9.5 ± 12 vs. 6.8 ± 9.5; p < 0.0001), and lower revenues per day (647 ± 451 vs. 721 ± 422; p = 0.01). In case–control study, mean differences between cases and controls were: longer length of stay −0.64 and revenues per day −75.6; for ≥75 years −1.2 and −102.1; medical −0.9 and −90.4; and discharge to facilities care centers −1.5 and −81.8. Among cases, 40% had a stay in observation unit before being admitted in hospital ward. Differences were strongly reduced for patients who did not go to observation unit before being admitted. Differences were reduced from 0.64 to 0.2 days for length of stay and from 79 to 41 euros for revenues per day when patients did not stay in observation unit before being admitted.

Conclusions

We conclude that admission mode is associated with length of stay and revenues. However, as differences are weak, elective admissions should not be prioritized on economic arguments. Otherwise, our study indicates that among through-emergency department admissions, observation unit stay is associated with longer length of stay and lower revenues.
Electrical and structural properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube–doped polymer electrolyte for photo electrochemical device
Authors: Sachdeva A , Bhattacharya B , Singh Vijay , Singh Abhimanyu , Tomar SK , Singh Pramod K
Published: April 2018

The present investigation deals with the preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-doped plasticized polymer electrolyte. The nanocomposite has been prepared using solution casting method. Complex impedance spectroscopy study revealed the utmost room temperature conductivity of 5.6 × 10−4 S/cm when optimized plasticized polymer electrolyte (poly(ethyl methacrylate)+30% sodium iodide+60% ethylene carbonate) was doped with 7% MWCNT. Temperature dependence of conductivity showed Arrhenius behavior. The surface morphology and crystalline–amorphous deviation of the composite was observed using scanning electron microscope. Perfect complexation of various components of the composite was confirmed from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. The transference number measurement was done to calculate the proportionate amount of ionic and electronic conductivity. A dye sensitized solar cell has been fabricated using maximum ionic conductivity of solid polymer electrolyte and its electrical parameters measured at 1 sun condition.
Rayleigh-Taylor instability in oscillating liquid pistons
Authors: Langdon-Arms Samuel , Gschwendtner Michael , Neumaier Martin
Published: April 2018

In this study, an experimental apparatus is used to excite four U-tube-shaped liquid pistons connected in series, and to study their behaviour. Some of the gas spaces are heated to induce piston oscillations; in others, gas expansion is utilised to produce a refrigeration effect. It was discovered that the liquid piston surface would become unstable and turbulent at relatively low gas charge pressures (2 bar–3 bar). Cylindrical polyethylene floats were employed at each piston surface in order to reduce the area of the free surface of each piston and allow experiments to be conducted over a wide range of operating conditions. Experiments were carried out using gas charge pressures in the range of 1 bar–6 bar. The resulting liquid piston oscillations were measured and analysed to assess the impact of any developing piston instability. Evidence of a liquid piston acceleration limit, likely resulting from the Rayleigh-Taylor instability phenomenon, is consistently observed during the experiments. The use of submerged polyethylene piston floats is found to increase the surface stability and enable maximum accelerations of 25 ms−2 to 30 ms−2.
Effect of particle size and volume fraction on the strengthening mechanisms of boron carbide reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites
Authors: Raj Ritesh , Thakur DG
Published: April 2018

In the present work, 6061 Al–B4C metal matrix composites with different volume fractions (5, 10, 15 and 20 vol.%) have been fabricated by a low cost modified stir casting technique. The effect of varying particulate content on the microstructure of Al–B4C composites has been qualitatively characterized using a scanning electron microscope and an optical microscope. Tensile tests were performed to study the influence of varying reinforcement content on the strengthening behavior of fabricated composites. The composite’s yield strength increases significantly as the B4C content was increased from 0 to 20 vol.%. The enhancement in strength was elucidated on the basis of strengthening mechanisms characterized by load transfer, thermal dislocation, grain size, and strain gradient strengthening. The strengthening mechanisms were quantitatively analyzed and evaluated as a function of particle size and volume fraction. A critical particle size was found to be about 45 µm, below which the strengthening contributions from different mechanism increases remarkably. At a higher volume fraction of B4C, the effect of thermal dislocation strengthening becomes more dominant as compared to other mechanisms. Furthermore, the analytical models proposed by Ramakrishnan and Chen for predicting the yield strength of particulate reinforced metal matrix composites have been extended to take into account the contribution of strain gradient effect in the strengthening mechanism of composites.
Dynamic performance of reciprocating compressor with capacity regulation system
Authors: Xu Qun , Hong Weirong
Published: April 2018

Regulating capacity by holding suction valves open in the partial compression stroke has a great application value for reciprocating compressors, which can reduce the power consumption proportionally with respect to the decrease of capacity. To allow this method to be widely applicable, it is important to analyze the changes in the dynamic performance of reciprocating compressors. This study focuses on the dynamic performance in an M-type reciprocating compressor with capacity regulation system. When the compressor’s capacity is regulated, the connecting rod force and normal force are within a reasonable range. The capacity regulation system has little effect on the shaft speed irregularity of compressor when the capacity regulation ratio is below 100%. The designed flywheel moment can satisfy the compressor’s safe operation under variable capacity regulation conditions. The results show that the application of the capacity regulation system has little negative influence on the compressor’s dynamic performance.
Design of a supervisory algorithm based on failure mode effect criticality analysis for classification of different fault types of attitude determination sensors
Authors: Abedi Mostafa
Published: April 2018

In this paper, a supervisory algorithm for attitude determination sensors of a three-axis satellite is suggested to classify different fault types of this system. The presented solution is based on the computation of rotation matrices between the orbital and body frames. Using the Euler angles provided by these rotations, some variance measures are computed, which utilized as an analytical tool for the determination of faulty sensors and the related fault sources. According to the mentioned idea, it is shown that the fault sources could be categorized into four levels. Each level shows the fault extent and its criticality. To include the reliability aspects in this paper, a failure mode effect criticality analysis is conducted to determine different failure modes, which really occur in sensors. For this, the probability levels and the severity numbers were assigned to derive the critical ones. It is shown that most of the critical failure modes could be isolated by the proposed methods; in other words, the design process is based on real faulty scenarios that can improve the system reliability. Finally, by performing some numerical simulations, performance of the developed algorithms are validated.
Community mapping and data gathering for city planning in the Philippines
Authors: Ayson Deanna
Published: April 2018

This paper describes the community-driven mapping and data gathering in informal settlements in cities in the Philippines and the valuable basis this provides to inhabitants for working with local governments, contributing to city planning and decision making. This process, supported by the Homeless People’s Federation of the Philippines, also provides communities with opportunities to think through their priorities. Background information on the federation and other key national and local actors is followed by a description of the mapping and data gathering process in Muntinlupa City and its contribution to the creation of plans and proposals, and to the networks and partnerships that are key to their implementation. The paper then outlines the federation’s experience with mapping and data gathering in informal settlements in Valenzuela City, Intramuros in Manila, Davao City and Iloilo City. It discusses the challenges and possibilities for supporting this process on a larger scale, including developing the capacity to change cities’ shelter policies and land-use management.
The Political Self: How Identity Aligns Preferences With Epistemic Needs
Authors: Federico Christopher M. , Ekstrom Pierce D.
Published: April 2018

Numerous studies have indicated that the need for closure predicts political preferences. We examined a potential moderator of this relationship: political-identity centrality, or the extent to which individuals’ political preferences are central to their self-concept. We tested three hypotheses. First, we predicted that need for closure would be more strongly related to political identity (symbolic ideology and party identification; Hypothesis 1) and issue positions (operational ideology; Hypothesis 2) among individuals who see their political preferences as more self-central. Then we predicted that the stronger relationship between need for closure and issue positions among individuals high in centrality would be accounted for by stronger relationships between need for closure and political identity and between political identity and issue positions (Hypothesis 3). Data from a nationally representative survey provide evidence for these hypotheses, suggesting that the relationship between epistemic needs and political preferences differs as a function of how self-relevant politics is.
Corepresentation During Joint Action in Marmoset Monkeys (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Miss Fabia M. , Burkart Judith M.
Published: April 2018

Behavioral coordination is a fundamental element of human cooperation. It is facilitated when individuals represent not only their own actions but also those of their partner. Identifying whether action corepresentation is unique to humans or also present in other species is therefore necessary to fully understand the evolution of human cooperation. We used the auditory joint Simon task to assess whether action corepresentation occurs in common marmosets, a monkey species that engages extensively in coordinated action during cooperative infant care. We found that marmosets indeed show a joint Simon effect. Furthermore, when coordinating their behavior in the joint task, they were more likely to look at their partner than in a joint control condition. Corepresentation is thus not unique to humans but also present in the cooperatively breeding marmosets. Since marmosets are small-brained monkeys, our results suggest that routine coordination in space and time, rather than complex cognitive abilities, plays a role in the evolution of corepresentation.
Acute Kidney Injury as a Condition of Renal Senescence
Authors: Andrade Lucia , Rodrigues Camila E. , Gomes Samirah A. , Noronha Irene L.
Published: April 2018

Acute kidney injury (AKI), characterized by a sharp drop in glomerular filtration, continues to be a significant health burden because it is associated with high initial mortality, morbidity, and substantial health-care costs. There is a strong connection between AKI and mechanisms of senescence activation. After ischemic or nephrotoxic insults, a wide range of pathophysiological events occur. Renal tubular cell injury is characterized by cell membrane damage, cytoskeleton disruption, and DNA degradation, leading to tubular cell death by necrosis and apoptosis. The senescence mechanism involves interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and capillary rarefaction, all of which impede the morphological and functional recovery of the kidneys, suggesting a strong link between AKI and the progression of chronic kidney disease. During abnormal kidney repair, tubular epithelial cells can assume a senescence-like phenotype. Cellular senescence can occur as a result of cell cycle arrest due to increased expression of cyclin kinase inhibitors (mainly p21), downregulation of Klotho expression, and telomere shortening. In AKI, cellular senescence is aggravated by other factors including oxidative stress and autophagy. Given this scenario, the main question is whether AKI can be repaired and how to avoid the senescence process. Stem cells might constitute a new therapeutic approach. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can ameliorate kidney injury through angiogenesis, immunomodulation, and fibrosis pathway blockade, as well as through antiapoptotic and promitotic processes. Young umbilical cord–derived MSCs are better at increasing Klotho levels, and thus protecting tissues from senescence, than are adipose-derived MSCs. Umbilical cord–derived MSCs improve glomerular filtration and tubular function to a greater degree than do those obtained from adult tissue. Although senescence-related proteins and microRNA are upregulated in AKI, they can be downregulated by treatment with umbilical cord–derived MSCs. In summary, stem cells derived from young tissues, such as umbilical cord–derived MSCs, could slow the post-AKI senescence process.
The Vulnerability of Heterosexuality: Consent, Gender Deception and Embodiment
Authors: Travis Mitchell
Published: April 2018

This article considers the institutional frameworks that privilege heterosexuality, police notions of sex and gender and individualize discussions and responsibilities around consent. In doing so, Vulnerability theory is drawn upon and added to through the introduction of a richer conception of embodiment. By understanding embodiment as a product of corporeality, discourse and institutions, vulnerability theory is better equipped to engage with the complexities of LGBTIAQ identities. The article traces these developments by engaging with a series of recent criminal law cases concerning deception as to gender. It then reflects upon the ways in which institutions such as law, the family and educational systems focus on individualizing responsibilities around consent rather than focusing on their own role in creating the conditions under which non-heterosexual sex is disincentivized, constructed as predatory and ultimately criminalized. It concludes by demanding a new approach from the state that moves away from carceral approaches towards educative programmes grounded in substantive equality.
Service, People and Customer Orientation: A Capability View to CRM and Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Authors: Bhat Suhail Ahmad , Darzi Mushtaq Ahmad
Published: April 2018

In today’s highly competitive business environment enterprises are continuously striving to achieve a sustainable advantage. This sustainable advantage can be accomplished only when the enterprise is realizes a value-creating strategy, simultaneously not being implemented by any current or potential competitor(s) and when other firms are unable to replicate the benefits of this strategy. A very little literature is available that investigates the relationship among customer relationship management (CRM) capability variables and sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). In this backdrop, the article tries to analyse the role of CRM capability towards the goal of SCA. It identifies three CRM capability factors, that is, service capability, personnel capability and customer orientation and examines their effect on SCA. Structural equation modelling (SEM) has been used on a sample of 204 respondents who were selected randomly from the population of bank employees. The data have been collected from the bank employees through a structured questionnaire. The findings of the study reveal that CRM capability (having three domains—service capability, personnel capability and customer orientation) has a significantly positive impact on the SCA. This article contributes to the theory by examining CRM capability variables and tries to determine their impact on SCA in the banking sector, as CRM is now becoming strategically crucial in the banking industry.
Illness Perception as a Predictor of Foot Care Behavior Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Indonesia
Authors: Indrayana Sofyan , Guo Su-Er , Lin Ching-Lan , Fang Su-Ying
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Illness perception may contribute to foot care behavior because people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Indonesia may have different beliefs that influence their foot care behaviors. This study aimed to determine the relationships among foot care knowledge, illness perception, local beliefs, and foot care behaviors in people with T2DM in Indonesia. Methods: Cross-sectional study with a convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 200 people with T2DM from the Outpatient Department of Islamic Hospital. The Foot Care Knowledge, Brief Illness Perception, Local Beliefs, and Foot Self-Care Behavior questionnaires were administered. Results: The predictors of foot care were having a family member or friend with diabetic foot ulcer ( p = .001), diabetes mellitus duration ( p = .026), foot care knowledge ( p < .001), consequences ( p < .001), treatment control ( p < .001), and local beliefs ( p = .017). Discussion: Health care providers may cultivate a spiritual approach, providing success stories to create positive images of the disease’s outcomes and increase patients’ confidence to control the disease.
A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial of Strengths Model Case Management in Hong Kong
Authors: Tsoi Emily W. S. , Tse Samson , Yu Chong-Ho , Chan Sau-Kam , Wan Eppie , Wong Stephen , Liu Lucia
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the strengths model of case management (SMCM) for people with severe mental illness in Hong Kong. This is the first controlled trial outside the United States to investigate the impacts of SMCM on caseworkers as well as service users alongside fidelity measures.

Method:

Service users and their caseworkers were recruited from three types of supported accommodation for this 12-month nonrandomized controlled trial. Mixed modeling was used to investigate within-subject differences.

Results:

Results indicated that SMCM was effective in helping users progress toward their recovery goals and in alleviating emotional exhaustion among caseworkers. However, it was ineffective in improving, hope, well-being, work alliance, and psychiatric symptoms. High intervention fidelity was associated with positive outcomes.

Conclusions:

Conceptually, SMCM has the potential to improve service users’ functional but not personal recovery. It is also potentially conducive to the well-being of caseworkers.
Role of Early Palliative Care Interventions in Hematological Malignancies and Bone Marrow Transplant Patients: Barriers and Potential Solutions
Authors: Ruiz Marco , Reynolds Patrick , Marranzini Regina , Khan Alina , Ketterer Jessica , Brahim Amanda
Published: April 2018

Introduction:

Despite advances in palliative care management of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms along the spectrum of chronic conditions, early palliative care interventions are not used frequently and comprehensively in bone marrow transplant units.

Methods:

The literature review of PubMed articles in English published until December 2017.

Results:

Patients with hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplant interventions are a heterogeneous group. The majority experience symptoms associated with induction or condition regimens. Curative intent of treatment is the norm. Pain, mucositis, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, psychological, spiritual, and emotional concerns may not be properly and comprehensively tackled by primary oncology and bone marrow transplant teams. Quality of life may be decreased due to the presence of these symptoms. Obstacles to early palliative care interventions include overestimation of survival, focus on curative intent with underestimation of palliative care needs, lack of a comprehensive understanding of hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplant process on the side of palliative care providers, and logistical restrictions. Potential interventions include education of oncologists, palliative care providers, patients, integration of models of care pre- and posttreatment and bone marrow transplantation, development of guidelines, institutional commitment and leadership in creating new initiatives, clinical research activities to measure outcomes, and community-based participatory research.

Conclusions:

Early palliative care interventions are beneficial for patients with hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplant processes. Better understanding of barriers to its implementation and development of creative initiatives is of paramount importance. New research endeavors should focus on providers’ attitudes toward patients and communities.
Short- and Long-Term Effects of Late Maxillary Advancement With the Liou-Alt-RAMEC Protocol in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Meazzini Maria Costanza , Zappia Laura B. , Tortora Chiara , Autelitano Luca , Tintinelli Roberto
Published: April 2018

Objective:

The objective of this retrospective longitudinal study was to evaluate short- and long-term results of the application of the Liou Alt-RAMEC (alternate rapid maxillary expansion and constriction) technique, a late orthopedic maxillary protraction technique, with intraoral anchorage, in patients with cleft.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-six patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were consecutively treated with the Alt-RAMEC technique. The average age of the patients was 11.7 years (10.3-13.2 years) before protraction and 18.3 years (17.4-21.1 years) at long-term follow-up. A sample of nontreated patients with UCLP was used as a control group. It was matched for sex, skeletal class III, and age (11.3 years). The control sample had records at the end of growth (18.7 years).

Results:

The sagittal advancement of A-point, after the application of the technique, was 5.7 (2.17) mm. Some mandibular dentoalveolar and positional adaptation was noted. The position of the maxilla was stable in the long term. On the other hand, the UCLP control group showed hardly any growth at the maxillary level during the long-term follow-up period.

Conclusion:

Our results showed that the Alt-RAMEC technique, performed at the correct time, with a double-hinged expander, followed by class III spring or elastic traction, 24 hours per day, allows for satisfactory maxillary protraction, with, at this stage, apparently stable long-term results. Nevertheless, as only 50% of the patients had long-term follow-up data, we are still unable to predict the percentage of patients which will not eventually need orthognathic surgery.
Climate Information in Retail Investors’ Decision-Making: Evidence From a Choice Experiment
Authors: Bassen Alexander , Gödker Katrin , Lüdeke-Freund Florian , Oll Josua
Published: April 2018

Financial markets play a decisive role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. This study investigates the role of climate information presentation for climate-friendly investing among retail investors. We conduct a choice experiment in which we vary the presentation format of climate information by means of three label designs to test their influence on investment practices. We provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness of climate labeling as a potential nudge for climate-friendly investing. Furthermore, we find heterogeneity in the influence of climate information across different label designs and cognitive characteristics of investors. Intuitive (reflective) decision makers tend to place significantly more (less) weight on funds’ climate performance compared with financial performance—irrespective of a participant’s environmental preference.
The Impact of School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports on School Suspensions: A Statewide Quasi-Experimental Analysis
Authors: Gage Nicholas A. , Lee Ahhyun , Grasley-Boy Nicolette , Peshak George Heather
Published: April 2018

This study explored the effects of School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) on school suspensions and behavioral incidents for elementary and intermediate schools in Georgia implementing with fidelity by comparing results with a propensity score–matched comparison group of schools that never received SWPBIS training. Significant decreases in suspensions and disciplinary exclusions were found in schools implementing with fidelity compared with matched comparison schools. Schools implementing SWPBIS with higher fidelity had fewer out-of-school suspensions and disciplinary incidents than schools implementing with lower levels of fidelity, but both groups had significantly fewer suspensions and incidents than the comparison group. When converted to standard mean difference effect sizes, results indicated medium to large effects. These findings suggest that SWPBIS is an effective model for reducing disciplinary exclusions and disciplinary incidents and that implementing SWPBIS with fidelity can result in meaningful improvements on student behavioral outcomes in schools.
A Quasi-Experimental Design Analysis of the Effects of School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports on Discipline in Florida
Authors: Gage Nicholas A. , Grasley-Boy Nicolette , Peshak George Heather , Childs Karen , Kincaid Don
Published: April 2018

School discipline continues to be a challenge for schools, resulting in loss of instructional time for both teachers and students. With respect to discipline actions, school suspension is one of the most widely used, yet research continues to demonstrate an empirical link between receipt of suspension and poor student outcomes, including increased risk of dropping out of school. Therefore, interventions with empirical support for reducing school-wide disciplinary actions are needed. This study examined the effect of school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS) on disciplinary actions using quasi-experimental design analysis. We (propensity score) matched 593 Florida schools implementing SWPBIS with fidelity with 593 Florida schools that have never been trained. Overall, we found statistically significantly fewer out-of-school suspensions for students with disabilities and Black students within schools implementing SWPBIS with fidelity and an effect size of −0.55, indicating meaningful improvements.