bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Preventing Cognitive Decline in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Dumas Julie A.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

Many advances have been made in the understanding of age-related changes in cognition. As research details the cognitive and neurobiological changes that occur in aging, there is increased interest in developing and understanding methods to prevent, slow, or reverse the cognitive decline that may occur in normal healthy older adults. The Institute of Medicine has recently recognized cognitive aging as having important financial and public health implications for society with the increasing older adult population worldwide. Cognitive aging is not dementia and does not result in the loss of neurons but rather changes in neurotransmission that affect brain functioning. The fact that neurons are structurally intact but may be functionally affected by increased age implies that there is potential for remediation.

Method and Results:

This review article presents recent work using medication-based strategies for slowing cognitive changes in aging. The primary method presented is a hormonal approach for affecting cognition in older women. In addition, a summary of the work examining modifiable lifestyle factors that have shown promise in benefiting cognition in both older men and women is described.

Conclusions:

Much work remains to be done so that evidence-based recommendations can be made for slowing cognitive decline in healthy older adults. The success of some of these methods thus far indicates that the brains of healthy older adults are plastic enough to be able to respond to these cognitive decline prevention strategies, and further work is needed to define the most beneficial methods.
Nigerian Jos crisis coverage centers on community
Authors: Akinro Ngozi , Zeng Li
Published: November 2017

This study examines the coverage of the 2010-2011 Jos crisis in the largely under-studied Nigerian press. Using the dynamic framing perspective, this study focuses on how three influential newspapers portrayed the crisis during its four-month lifespan. Findings suggest that an event with multiple action points will produce different frame-changing patterns compared to an event with a single point of action. The findings are also discussed with reference to the unique media landscape in Nigeria.
Newsrooms accommodate data-based news work
Authors: Boyles Jan Lauren , Meyer Eric
Published: November 2017

Similar to prior cycles of newsroom specialization, news organizations must integrate the expertise of data journalists. Based upon 18 in-depth interviews with data journalism leaders within American newspapers, this study examines how newsrooms are restructuring to accommodate data news work. More specifically, the research identifies four “critical junctures” by which newspapers expand data journalism operations. The interviews establish that expanding a paper’s commitment to data journalism requires reorganizing the newsroom with new layers of structural complexity.
News stories don’t match political party agendas
Authors: Garud-Patkar Nisha , Kalyango Yusuf
Published: November 2017

Using rank order correlations, this study contrasts party agendas propagated in press releases and tweets of Democratic and Republican parties in USA and India’s BJP and Congress Party, with front-page newspaper agendas published in The New York Times and The Times of India. Analysis of all news articles shows governance, economy/business, international relations, and defense rank highly in both newspapers, whereas press releases and tweets in political parties are mainly concerned with governance and economy/business.
Newspaper Ebola articles differ from Twitter updates
Authors: Zhang Xueying , Bie Bijie , Billings Andrew C.
Published: November 2017

Social media have emerged as a vital tool of communication for reaching and engaging broader audiences; however, few studies discussed the differences of news norms and journalists’ practices defined by the news platforms. Using framing analysis, this study examined how U.S. media presented the 2014 Ebola outbreak both within newspaper stories and within each newspaper’s corresponding Twitter account. Twitter accounts deviated from traditional print platforms by having a more magnified voice following key Ebola events, using more updates and science frames and less conflicts, responsibility, consequence, and savior frames. Degrees of alarming or reassuring tones differed by platform as well. While newspapers fulfilled traditional media responsibilities, the Twitter accounts were geared toward public concern during the epidemic escalation, serving responsibilities more befitting a health organization.
Genotoxic evaluation of common commercial pesticides in human peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: Paz-Trejo Cynthia , Gómez-Arroyo Sandra
Published: November 2017

This study aims to evaluate the genotoxic potential of four commercial pesticides with diverse health categorizations by different world associations currently in use. We tested the fungicide mancozeb and the insecticides pirimicarb, monocrotophos and permethrin. The research was done with in vitro human peripheral blood lymphocytes using the DNA single gel electrophoresis assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (MN) test, where we analysed common parameters such as the tail moment and the frequency of MN formation. We also measured other parameters like frequency of nucleoplasmic bridges, nuclear buds, apoptosis and necrosis with the MN test. Each pesticide induced significant differences in all of these parameters when compared with the negative control and showed different behaviours in the concentration-dependent response. This could be attributed to their genotoxic potential where mancozeb and monocrotophos induced the highest genetic damage, permethrin caused mainly cell death and pirimicarb had the least impact upon cells. This research provides valuable data about the harmful effects of these pesticides on human cells and may be an important contribution in the construction of a unique international classification of health and to reinforce the use of genotoxic analyses to regulate the use of pesticides.
Predictors of PTSD Treatment Response Trajectories in a Sample of Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors: The Roles of Social Support, Coping, and PTSD Symptom Clusters
Authors: Fletcher Shelley , Elklit Ask , Shevlin Mark , Armour Cherie
Published: November 2017

This study aimed to (a) identify posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) trajectories in a sample of Danish treatment-seeking childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors and (b) examine the roles of social support, coping style, and individual PTSD symptom clusters (avoidance, reexperiencing, and hyperarousal) as predictors of the identified trajectories. We utilized a convenience sample of 439 CSA survivors attending personalized psychotherapy treatment in Denmark. Four assessments were conducted on a six monthly basis over a period of 18 months. We used latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to test solutions with one to six classes. Following this, a logistic regression was conducted to examine predictors of the identified trajectories. Results revealed four distinct trajectories which were labeled high PTSD gradual response, high PTSD treatment resistant, moderate PTSD rapid response, and moderate PTSD gradual response. Emotional and detached coping and more severe pretreatment avoidance and reexperiencing symptoms were associated with more severe and treatment resistant PTSD. High social support and a longer length of time since the abuse were associated with less severe PTSD which improved over time. The findings suggested that treatment response of PTSD in CSA survivors is characterized by distinct patterns with varying levels and rates of PTSD symptom improvement. Results revealed that social support is protective and that emotional and detached coping and high pretreatment levels of avoidance and reexperiencing symptoms are risk factors in relation to PTSD severity and course. These factors could potentially identify patients who are at risk of not responding to treatment. Furthermore, these factors could be specifically addressed to increase positive outcomes for treatment-seeking CSA survivors.
A Community-Based Collaborative Care Model to Improve Functional Health in Underserved Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Wilkins Consuelo H. , Skinner Jeannine S. , Boyer Alaina P. , Morrow-Howell Nancy , Smith Judith M. , Birge Stanley J.
Published: November 2017

Objective: Examine the effects of a 6-month health multidimensional intervention on physical function, bone density, and mood in a diverse sample of community-dwelling older adults at risk for frailty and excess disability. Method: A quasi-experimental, pre- post-program design was implemented. Adults aged 55 years and older ( n = 337, 60% African American) participated in the intervention and received assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Results: Physical function was maintained during the intervention for both African American and White elders but declined at 12 months for both groups ( p < .0001). Symptoms of depression improved during the intervention ( M = 0.65 ± 0.07, M = 0.15 ± 0.04, M = 0.68 ± 0.07, p < .001, respectively) but worsened at 12 months ( M = 0.68 ± 0.07, p < .001). Bone density scores remained stable from baseline (distal: −1.62 ± 1.17, proximal: −2.73 ± 1.85) to 12 months (distal: −1.72 ± 1.21, proximal: −3.11 ± 1.85, ps > .05) for both groups. Discussion: Program findings may serve as a basis for the development of a randomized, controlled study to provide empirical evidence of intervention efficacy. Such findings may help inform the development of community-based programs to identify vulnerable older adults and provide vital preventative care to decrease frailty and excess disability.
Modelling of specific grinding energy for Inconel 718 superalloy
Authors: Sinha Manoj Kumar , Ghosh Sudarsan , Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao
Published: November 2017

The present work is an attempt to model the components of specific grinding energy in a pragmatic manner. This work explores the contribution of specific energy constituents such as shearing, primary rubbing, secondary rubbing, and ploughing energy while grinding Inconel 718 (IN-718) superalloy. Specific shearing energy has been calculated using the dynamic yield strength of IN-718 as obtained by adopting the Johnson–Cook material model. Specific rubbing energy has been estimated using real contact length measured experimentally. Rubbing grit density has been estimated by considering grinding infeed, grit size, wheel structure, and work material hardness unlike the previous models, where it was mostly taken as a constant value. Single grit grinding experiments have been performed with 36 and 20 mesh size single alumina grits to obtain the insight of ductile flow in IN-718 grinding. These experiments have been conducted at grinding speeds of 5, 10, and 15 m/s using vacuum brazed single alumina grit shank fitted into aluminium make dummy grinding wheel. Specific ploughing energy has been estimated after suitably apportioning the tangential forces as obtained from single grit grinding. Two-dimensional study of the scratch profiles has been performed using a compound microscope to investigate plausible ploughing mechanisms of IN-718. The present studies indicate that at lower infeeds, micro-fracturing of alumina grits is more recurrent, whereas wear flattening is more common at higher infeed. The higher pile-up ratio at lower infeed signifies more ploughing resulting into inefficient cutting causing more energy consumption. The micro-fracturing of single alumina grit while scratching has also been observed. The present model for specific grinding energy is an improved version of earlier energy models as it incorporates variables which are much closer to the actual grinding conditions.
Crack initiation and growth analysis in explosively welded AA2519–AA1050–Ti6Al4V layered material in ambient and cryogenic conditions
Authors: Boroński Dariusz , Kotyk Maciej , Maćkowiak Paweł
Published: November 2017

The article presents the results of an analysis of the crack growth and fatigue life of CT specimens made of explosively welded AA2519–AA1050–Ti6Al4V layered material for the construction of air and space structures. The investigations were carried out for two temperature conditions: ambient temperature (293 K) and under cryogenic conditions at the temperature of liquid nitrogen (77 K). The analysis of the test results revealed the impact of cryogenic conditions on the process of fatigue cracking of a layered material. However, this impact is partly limited by a significant scatter of the test results, which may be caused by the different character of the process of cracking.
Numerical research on inlet total pressure distortion in a transonic compressor with non-axisymmetric stator
Authors: Sun Peng , Fu Wenguang , Wang Hong , Zhong Jingjun
Published: November 2017

The adverse impacts of non-uniform inlet flow have been the focus for several decades with the increase of the operating range of engines. A deep understanding of the flow mechanism of distortion passing through a compressor is needed urgently and the improvement of the compressor performance becomes more and more important. In this paper, a non-axisymmetric stator is presented with significant non-axisymmetric characteristics in a transonic compressor to investigate compressor performance and flow field effects. A time-dependent three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equation composed in ‘Fluent Software Pack’ is validated and used to perform the simulations. The flow fields with distorted inlet are obtained and the effects of original stator and non-axisymmetric stator in a transonic compressor are compared. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of non-axisymmetric stator on compressor performance, blockage of flow passage, rotor and stator. The results show that the non-axisymmetric stator influences not only the stator flow field but also the rotor flow field, so the efficiency and total pressure ratio are improved correspondingly.
Does an anticorruption campaign deteriorate environmental quality? Evidence from China
Authors: Li Boying , Hao Yu , Chang Chun-Ping
Published: November 2017

This study makes a first attempt to thoroughly investigate the relationship between corruption and environmental quality in China from 1995 to 2011 using province-level panel data with both linear and nonlinear approaches. First, a linear least squares dummy variable corrected estimator is utilized. Second, the panel smooth transition regression is then employed to examine a potential nonlinear relationship between corruption and environmental quality. Our main empirical evidence indicates that the relationship between corruption and CO2 emissions per capita varies by region in China. Although the anticorruption campaign significantly improves the environmental quality in western China, such an endeavor to some degree triggers pollutant emissions in eastern China and for all of China, whereas weak evidence is found in central region. These findings are also supported in our sensitivity analysis by using panel fixed effect model and a different air pollutant (i.e. SO2). Thus, corruption is a double-edged sword and the Chinese central government should customize different anticorruption policies for different regions, as those western China could further launch its own anticorruption campaign, while eastern China and all of China should keep a balance between the anticorruption campaign and environmental protection regulation. Our evidence from China offers insights for other transitional economies considering how to formulate an anticorruption policy interacting with environmental issues.
Dominance and Prestige: A Tale of Two Hierarchies
Authors: Maner Jon K.
Published: November 2017

Dominance and prestige represent evolved strategies used to navigate social hierarchies. Dominance is a strategy through which people gain and maintain social rank by using coercion, intimidation, and power. Prestige is a strategy through which people gain and maintain social rank by displaying valued knowledge and skills and earning respect. The current article synthesizes recent lines of research documenting differences between dominance- versus prestige-oriented individuals, including personality traits and emotions, strategic behaviors deployed in social interactions, leadership strategies, and physiological correlates of both behaviors. The article also reviews effects that dominance versus prestige have on the functioning and well-being of social groups. The article also presents opportunities for future research and discusses links between dominance and prestige and the social psychological literature on power and status.
The Social Psychology of the Black Lives Matter Meme and Movement
Authors: Leach Colin Wayne , Allen Aerielle M.
Published: November 2017

Since the 2012 killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, a string of publicized police killings of unarmed Black men and women has brought sustained attention to the issue of racial bias in the United States. Recent Department of Justice investigations and an expanding set of social science research have added to the empirical evidence that these publicized incidents are emblematic of systemic racism in the application of the law. The Black Lives Matter meme and movement are prominent responses to racism that have animated intense interest and support, especially among African Americans. We summarize recent social science research on Black Lives Matter. As a first step toward understanding the social psychology of the meme and the movement, we apply the dynamic dual-pathway model of protest to Black Lives Matter. Examinations of the dynamics of real-world movements such as Black Lives Matter may enrich psychology conceptually, methodologically, and practically.
Adaptive synchronization of fractional-order quadratic chaotic flows with nonhyperbolic equilibrium
Authors: Mofid Omid , Mobayen Saleh
Published: November 2017

This paper considers a fractional-order quadratic chaotic flow with nonhyperbolic equilibrium in a class of three-dimensional autonomous differential equations. Afterward, a design technique of adaptive sliding mode disturbance-observer for synchronization of fractional-order quadratic chaotic flows with nonhyperbolic equilibriums and time-varying disturbances is offered. Applying the Lyapunov stability concept, the recommended control method satisfies that the states of the fractional-order master and slave quadratic chaotic systems are synchronized quickly. Whereas the upper bounds of disturbances are unknown, an adaptive regulation scheme is advised to estimate them. In the following, the proposed disturbance-observer realizes disturbance approximation error. Finally, simulation results are presented in three different examples to exhibit the effectiveness of the offered method on the fractional-order quadratic chaotic systems in the presence of external disturbances.
Z-checker: A framework for assessing lossy compression of scientific data
Authors: Tao Dingwen , Di Sheng , Guo Hanqi , Chen Zizhong , Cappello Franck
Published: November 2017

Because of the vast volume of data being produced by today’s scientific simulations and experiments, lossy data compressor allowing user-controlled loss of accuracy during the compression is a relevant solution for significantly reducing the data size. However, lossy compressor developers and users are missing a tool to explore the features of scientific data sets and understand the data alteration after compression in a systematic and reliable way. To address this gap, we have designed and implemented a generic framework called Z-checker. On the one hand, Z-checker combines a battery of data analysis components for data compression. On the other hand, Z-checker is implemented as an open-source community tool to which users and developers can contribute and add new analysis components based on their additional analysis demands. In this article, we present a survey of existing lossy compressors. Then, we describe the design framework of Z-checker, in which we integrated evaluation metrics proposed in prior work as well as other analysis tools. Specifically, for lossy compressor developers, Z-checker can be used to characterize critical properties (such as entropy, distribution, power spectrum, principal component analysis, and autocorrelation) of any data set to improve compression strategies. For lossy compression users, Z-checker can detect the compression quality (compression ratio and bit rate) and provide various global distortion analysis comparing the original data with the decompressed data (peak signal-to-noise ratio, normalized mean squared error, rate–distortion, rate-compression error, spectral, distribution, and derivatives) and statistical analysis of the compression error (maximum, minimum, and average error; autocorrelation; and distribution of errors). Z-checker can perform the analysis with either coarse granularity (throughout the whole data set) or fine granularity (by user-defined blocks), such that the users and developers can select the best fit, adaptive compressors for different parts of the data set. Z-checker features a visualization interface displaying all analysis results in addition to some basic views of the data sets such as time series. To the best of our knowledge, Z-checker is the first tool designed to assess lossy compression comprehensively for scientific data sets.
Palliative Care in Brazil: A Challenge to the Health-Care System
Authors: Floriani Ciro Augusto
Published: November 2017

The global expansion of the modern hospice movement has been fast and impressive, and in developing countries this phenomenon has also been registered, despite the structural and operational difficulties of their health systems. This article will address the scenario of palliative and hospice care in Brazil, pointing to the challenges and difficulties for the implementation of this comprehensive programme within its health system.
Traveling the Third Place: Conferences as Third Places
Authors: Purnell David , Breede Deborah Cunningham
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this research study was to extend the concept of third places, as explained by Oldenburg, as being places designed as meeting places being dynamic rather than static. The primary sites for this article were conferences attended by the authors. Defining social events within the meeting spaces of conferences as third spaces pushed the traditional third place theory forward. It offered a way for rituals to be explored more deeply through the experiences they offered. This study asked the reader to pay attention to the periphery where interaction takes place and consider how we frame concepts of third places. In this piece, we explored how the space of a conference “functions as a safe, relaxed space outside the home [and] can actually lead to a deeper investment” by attendees via third-place qualities. The third-place quality offers a space within which human connections supersede a space’s designated purpose and become multipurposed, durable, and long-lived, spanning space, time, and distance. We suggest that the conference becomes transformative, altering a nonplace, a generic place, into a third place.
Destination and tourism business brand consistency in Binh Thuan, Vietnam
Authors: Pham Vien Tran Truc , Pearce Douglas G
Published: November 2017

This article bridges research on destination branding and studies of business brands through an empirical investigation of the consistency between the destination brand of Binh Thuan province, Vietnam, and the brands of 87 tourism businesses operating there. Consistency is operationalized as the manner and extent to which tourism business brands are aligned with the destination brand in terms of brand elements and the brand architecture used to associate the business brands with the destination brand. Binh Thuan is branded very explicitly as a ‘sea, sand, sun’ destination. The 87 business brands were classified into seven groups using a brand elements/brand architecture matrix. On the brand architecture dimension, 61 branded businesses split almost evenly, 31/30, with regard to whether or not their brands were explicitly linked to Binh Thuan’s core values. The most consistent brand elements were the selling points and target markets; most variation with the destination brand occurred in terms of positioning. The elements of nearly two-thirds of the branded businesses aligned very consistently or consistently with those of the destination and a third were weakly or not at all consistent. Twenty-six businesses had little or no branded material at all. Factors contributing to a lack of consistency are location, ownership and management.
How pupils on the autism spectrum make sense of themselves in the context of their experiences in a mainstream school setting: A qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Williams Emma I , Gleeson Kate , Jones Bridget E
Published: November 2017

Evidence that interpersonal interactions and self-appraisal in social context are crucial in developing self-understanding raises concerns about how pupils with autism spectrum disorder make sense of themselves in school settings where many experience social marginalisation. Metasynthesis was used to systematically extract and integrate findings from qualitative studies examining the mainstream school experiences of these students. Synthesised findings identified three, intermeshing, aspects of experience which contribute to many pupils with autism spectrum disorder making sense of themselves as ‘different’ to typical peers in a negative way: difficulties linked to autism spectrum disorder; interpersonal relationships, particularly with peers; and accessibility of the school environment. Typical pupils’ attitudes and responses towards peers with autism spectrum disorder, unusual sensory reactions to the physical school environment and individual sense-making about the self are highlighted as key areas requiring further research and intervention to improve the experiences, self-esteem and well-being of pupils with autism spectrum disorder in inclusive settings and to inform educational policy and practice.
Object-directed imitation in autism spectrum disorder is differentially influenced by motoric task complexity, but not social contextual cues
Authors: Chetcuti Lacey , Hudry Kristelle , Grant Megan , Vivanti Giacomo
Published: November 2017

We examined the role of social motivation and motor execution factors in object-directed imitation difficulties in autism spectrum disorder. A series of to-be-imitated actions was presented to 35 children with autism spectrum disorder and 20 typically developing children on an Apple® iPad® by a socially responsive or aloof model, under conditions of low and high motor demand. There were no differences in imitation performance (i.e. the number of actions reproduced within a fixed sequence), for either group, in response to a model who acted socially responsive or aloof. Children with autism spectrum disorder imitated the high motor demand task more poorly than the low motor demand task, while imitation performance for typically developing children was equivalent across the low and high motor demand conditions. Furthermore, imitative performance in the autism spectrum disorder group was unrelated to social reciprocity, though positively associated with fine motor coordination. These results suggest that difficulties in object-directed imitation in autism spectrum disorder are the result of motor execution difficulties, not reduced social motivation.
Repetitive prefix in Agul: Morphological copy from a closely related language
Authors: Maisak Timur
Published: November 2017

Aims and Research Questions:

This paper describes the repetitive prefix in Agul (Lezgic, East Caucasian), focusing on the grammaticalization path of this morpheme. The main question to be addressed is the hypothesis that the prefix has been copied from the closely related Lezgian language.

Approach, Data and Analysis:

Firstly, I provide a detailed description of the morphology and semantics of the repetitive prefix (‘again’, ‘back’) in comparison to the system of locative prefixes in Agul, showing that despite the formal similarity with the ‘post’-localization prefix (meaning ‘behind’), the repetitive prefix is distinct both functionally and paradigmatically. I then compare the repetitive and ‘post’-prefix in Agul with their counterparts in Lezgian and other Lezgic languages.

Findings/Conclusions:

While the relation of the meaning ‘behind’ to ‘again’ is cross-linguistically common, the development of a special repetitive prefix in Agul is only attested in the two southern dialects, whose speakers have been in long-term contact with Lezgian – a language that possesses a productive repetitive prefix/infix. It is thus natural to assume that the Agul prefix has a contact-induced origin. I also show that this is not the only grammatical phenomenon of southern Agul that has been influenced by Lezgian.

Originality and Significance:

The morphological properties and functions of the repetitive prefix in Agul have not been described in detail before. The conclusion that this prefix is a morphological copy is remarkable, because Lezgian is one of the two languages most closely genetically related to Agul, and also because the borrowing of the prefix has led to the emergence of affixal ‘etymological doublets’ in Agul.

Limitations:

It remains to be investigated to what extent ‘post’-prefixes in other Lezgic languages show signs of grammaticalization towards repetitive prefixes, and also whether the two markers can become paradigmatically distinct, as with Agul.
The pleasure of continuity: Re-reading post-socialist nostalgia
Authors: Reifová Irena
Published: November 2017

This article explores uses and modalities of the concept of post-socialist nostalgia in the still emerging field of cultural studies focused on the region of Central and Eastern Europe. It encapsulates both the cultural and socio-political forms of post-socialist nostalgia, defined as tinkering with the remnants of the socialist popular culture, television, fashion or design and reminiscing about social welfare under Communist Party rule. The main aim of this theoretical article is to demonstrate the anti-hegemonic dimension of post-socialist nostalgia, which disturbed the official memory politics that promoted discontinuity with the socialist past in the early post-transformation period of the 1990s. The dynamics in Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic in this period are presented to illuminate how discontinuity in memory politics was embedded in retroactive justice, legislation, the economy, etc. In contrast to these elitist discourses reducing the memory of socialism to its crimes, the pop-cultural post-socialist nostalgia (the lowbrow discourse less strictly policed for discontinuity) served as the venue through which continuity with socialism was redeemed. Reunion with one’s own past and reclaiming the right to remember the past fully is presented as a source of cultural pleasure, the backbone of both types of post-socialist nostalgia.
Radical distinction: Support for radical left and radical right parties in Europe
Authors: Rooduijn Matthijs , Burgoon Brian , van Elsas Erika J , van de Werfhorst Herman G
Published: November 2017

Support for radical parties on both the left and right is on the rise, fueling intuition that both radicalisms have similar underpinnings. Indeed, existing studies show that radical left and right voters have overlapping positions and preferences. In this article, however, we focus on the differences in the voting bases of such parties. We show that radical left and right voters have sharply diverging ideological profiles. When it comes to the historical traditions of the ‘left’ and ‘right’, these voters differ radically from each other. Both groups express the traditions associated with their mainstream counterparts—particularly with respect to (non-)egalitarian, (non-)altruistic, and (anti-)cosmopolitan values. Such differences also explain why radical left voters tend to be more, not less, educated than mainstream or radical right voters.
Ethical issues faced by Muslim patients: An empirical study of Muslim and non-Muslim students’ perceptions
Authors: Gjukaj Driton , Drewniak Daniel , Biller-Andorno Nikola
Published: November 2017

Background

Patients who follow a specific religion may experience specific moral conflicts when interacting with the health care system. Health care providers’ awareness of and sensitivity to such issues can be beneficial to patients and increase the quality of care they receive. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) which potential ethical issues were considered to be relevant to Muslim patients and (2) to examine if these assessments varied between Muslim non-medical, Muslim medical, and non-Muslim medical students.

Methods

An online questionnaire with n = 205 students from different universities in Zurich, Switzerland was conducted. The questionnaire contained a list of ethical issues of presumed relevance to Muslim patients, which had been compiled based on a literature search and an expert consultation.

Results

Muslim non-medical students considered 33% of the ethical issues as morally problematic to Muslim patients. In contrast, Muslim medical students regarded 19%, and non-Muslim medical students 14%, of the issues as morally problematic. All three groups identified female circumcision and abortion as problematic for Muslim patients. Muslim non-medical students additionally highlighted access to a prayer room and to a professional Muslim chaplain as important to them.

Conclusions

There are different ideas about which issues are of moral relevance to Muslim patients. Further studies investigating Muslim patients’ views and the extent to which these views matched with health care providers’ assessments of ethical issues relevant to their Muslim patients, are needed to provide a robust empirical basis for culturally sensitive, patient-oriented clinical care.
Do People With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Benefit From Making Errors? A Randomized Controlled Trial of Error-Based and Errorless Learning
Authors: Ownsworth Tamara , Fleming Jennifer , Tate Robyn , Beadle Elizabeth , Griffin Janelle , Kendall Melissa , Schmidt Julia , Lane-Brown Amanda , Chevignard Mathilde , Shum David H. K.
Published: November 2017

Background. Errorless learning (ELL) and error-based learning (EBL) are commonly used approaches to rehabilitation for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, it is unknown whether making errors is beneficial in the learning process to promote skills generalization after severe TBI. Objective. To compare the efficacy of ELL and EBL for improving skills generalization, self-awareness, behavioral competency, and psychosocial functioning after severe TBI. Method. A total of 54 adults (79% male; mean age = 38.0 years, SD = 13.4) with severe TBI were randomly allocated to ELL or EBL and received 8 × 1.5-hour therapy sessions that involved meal preparation and other goal-directed activities. The primary outcome was total errors on the Cooking Task (near-transfer). Secondary outcome measures included the Zoo Map Test (far-transfer), Awareness Questionnaire, Patient Competency Rating Scale, Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale, and Care and Needs Scale. Results. Controlling for baseline performance and years of education, participants in the EBL group made significantly fewer errors at postintervention (mean = 36.25; 95% CI = 32.5-40.0) than ELL participants (mean = 42.57; 95% CI = 38.8-46.3). EBL participants also demonstrated greater self-awareness and behavioral competency at postintervention than ELL participants ( P < .05). There were no significant differences on other secondary outcomes ( P > .05), or at the 6-month follow-up assessment. Conclusion. EBL was found to be more effective than ELL for enhancing skills generalization on a task related to training and improving self-awareness and behavioral competency.
Leadership Amid Racial Trauma and Unrest: UNC Charlotte’s Response to the Shooting of Keith Scott
Authors: Benson Tracey , Boaz Danielle
Published: November 2017

Amid heightened racial tensions throughout the country regarding law enforcement’s use of lethal force against African Americans, the city of Charlotte experienced civil uprising in the aftermath of the shooting of Keith Scott. At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, reactions to the incident varied widely. This case study explores the response of the leadership of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to the shooting of Keith Scott. This case provides students with the opportunity to discuss perspectives on diversity and multiculturalism as well as leadership following a racial trauma.
Impact of elevated air velocity on subjective thermal comfort sensation under asymmetric radiation and variable airflow direction
Authors: Kalmár Ferenc
Published: November 2017

Buildings rarely have homogeneous thermal indoor environments. Transparent building elements are one of the sources of thermal asymmetry. Using advanced personalised ventilation systems, the discomfort caused by radiation asymmetry may be reduced. A series of measurements involving 20 subjects were carried out under controlled environmental conditions to investigate subjective thermal comfort in the case of asymmetric radiation combined with the personalised ventilation. Analysis showed that the subjective thermal comfort sensation without a personalised ventilation system is similar to the calculated predicted mean vote. However, there is a significant difference between the responses of female and male participants. The advanced personalised ventilation system lowers the subjective thermal comfort sensation, but does it differently for men and women. The skin temperatures of the hands of the women were significantly lower than that of the men. In the case of the men, radiation asymmetry led to significant differences in the facial skin temperature, while in the case of the women, the differences in the facial skin temperature were not significant.
Thrombolysis: Improving door-to-needle times for ischemic stroke treatment – A narrative review
Authors: Kamal Noreen , Smith Eric E , Jeerakathil Thomas , Hill Michael D
Published: November 2017

Background

The effectiveness of thrombolysis is highly time dependent. For this reason, short target times have been set to reduce time to treatment from hospital arrival, which is called door-to-needle time.

Summary of review

There has been considerable work done at single centers and across multiple hospitals to improve door-to-needle time. There have been reductions of 8 to 47 min when applying one or more improvement strategies at single centers, and there have been many multi-hospital initiatives. The delays to treatment have been attributed to both patient and hospital factors, and strategies to address these delays have been proven to reduce door-to-needle time. The most effective strategies include pre-notification of arrival by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), single-call activation of stroke team, rapid registration process, moving the patient to computed tomography on EMS stretcher, and administration of alteplase in the scanner. There are many exciting areas of future direction including reduction of door-to-needle time in developing countries, improving pre-hospital response times, and improving the efficiency of endovascular treatment.

Conclusions

There is now a broad understanding of the causes of delays to fast treatment and the strategies that can be employed to improve door-to-needle time such that most centers could achieve median door-to-needle time of 30 min.
Modelling the generation of temperature inhomogeneities by a premixed flame
Authors: Steinbacher Thomas , Meindl Max , Polifke Wolfgang
Published: November 2017

The response of a laminar, premixed flame to perturbations of upstream equivalence ratio is investigated and modelled, with emphasis on the generation of ‘entropy waves’, i.e. entropic inhomogeneities of downstream temperature. Transient computational fluid dynamics simulations of two adiabatic lean methane-air flames of different Péclet numbers provide guidance and validation data for subsequent modelling. The respective entropy transfer functions, which describe the production of temperature inhomogeneities, as well as transfer functions for the variation of the heat release, are determined from the computational fluid dynamics time series data by means of system identification. The processes governing the dynamics of the entropy transfer functions are segregated into two sub-problems: (1) heat release due to chemical reaction at the flame front and (2) advective and diffusive transport. By adopting a formulation in terms of a mixture fraction variable, these two sub-problems can be treated independently from each other. Models for both phenomena are derived and analysed using simple 0- and 1-dimensional configurations. The heat release process (1) is represented by a fast-reaction-zone model, which takes into account variations of the specific heat capacity with equivalence ratio in order to evaluate the magnitude of downstream temperature fluctuations with quantitative accuracy. For the transport processes (2), two types of models based on mean field data from the computational fluid dynamics simulation are proposed: A semi-analytical, low-order formulation based on stream lines, and a state-space formulation, which is constructed by Finite Elements discretisation of the transport equation for mixture fraction. Model predictions for the entropy transfer functions are found to agree well with the computational fluid dynamics reference data at very low computational costs.
Exploring the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir: an international cross-sectional mixed-methods study
Authors: Moss Hilary , Lynch Julie , O’Donoghue Jessica
Published: November 2017

Aim:

This mixed-methods exploratory study investigates the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir from an international sample of choristers.

Method:

An online questionnaire including demographic information, 28 quantitative statements and two qualitative questions relating to the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir was distributed via email and social media over a period of 4 months to a sample of 1,779 choristers. Basic descriptives and comparisons between subgroups of the sample are presented along with thematic analysis of qualitative comments.

Results:

Basic descriptives suggest an overwhelmingly positive response. Females scored significantly higher than males on physical benefits, social benefits and emotional benefits. Professional singers reported significantly more physical, social and spiritual benefits than amateur singers. Bias may be present in these findings as the results were entirely self-reported by people who already sing in choirs. Qualitative thematic analysis identified six key themes which may counter this bias by providing deeper understanding of the perceived benefits for choir singers. These include social connection, physical and physiological benefits (specifically respiratory health), cognitive stimulation, mental health, enjoyment and transcendence.

Conclusion:

Choral singing elicits a positive response in the chorister across a plethora of domains. This research confirms previous findings on the health benefits of singing but offers evidence from the largest sample of singers to date. However, results are based on self-perceptions of choristers, and findings are, therefore, limited. Results may be used as a base on which to develop further research in this area. It also provides confirmatory evidence to support choral singing as a means of improving wellbeing in many populations, including but not limited to workplaces, schools, nursing homes, communities and churches.
Targeted therapy of brain metastases: latest evidence and clinical implications
Authors: Di Lorenzo Rodica , Ahluwalia Manmeet S.
Published: November 2017

Brain metastases (BM) occur in 20–40% of patients with cancer and 60–75% of patients with BM become symptomatic. Due to an aging population and advances in the treatment of primary cancers, patients are living longer and are more likely to experience complications from BM. The diagnosis of BM drastically worsens long-term survival rates, with multiple metastases being a poor prognostic factor. Until recently, the mainstay of treatment consisted of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), surgical resection, whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), or a combination of these modalities. Systemic chemotherapy has been felt largely ineffective in the treatment of BM due to the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which includes efflux pumps on brain capillaries. Over the past decade however, researchers have identified therapeutic agents that are able to cross the BBB. These findings could make a multimodality treatment approach possible, consisting of surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, which could lead to better disease control in this patient population and prolong survival. In this review, we discuss present evidence on available targeted therapies and their role in the treatment of BM from primary tumors with the highest prevalence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement, specifically non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma.
Absence of Large and Presence of Medium-Sized Mammal Species of Conservation Concern in a Privately Protected Area of Rain Forest in Southeastern Mexico
Authors: Ortiz-Lozada Liliana , Pelayo-Martínez Jaime , Mota-Vargas Claudio , Demeneghi-Calatayud Ana Paulina , Sosa Vinicio J.
Published: November 2017

Tropical forests are home to a rich biodiversity, and protected natural areas (PNA) represent one of the approaches adopted for conserving this biodiversity. However, PNAs are under constant threat of becoming too isolated in a landscape matrix frequently hostile to most of the species they harbor. A new system of conservation has recently been proposed in the form of areas under private protection (privately protected areas or PPAs) that complement the existing PNAs in their task of conservation. The objective of this study was to document the richness of mammal species that inhabit a 100 ha fragment of rain forest and pasture decreed as a PPA in southeastern Veracruz, Mexico, and to compare it to two nearby PPAs and one PNA of contrasting conservation values. Mammals were monitored in the three climatic seasons of the year through direct observation, track identification, and the use of Tomahawk, Sherman, and camera traps, as well as mist nets. We recorded 32 mammal species—including seven threatened species—belonging to 28 genera and 15 families. These results are important considering that 29 and 14 species have been reported for two other PPAs in the region that are 10 times larger. However, large mammals of the Orders Carnivora, Artyodactyla, and Perissodactyla were absent and are probably locally extinct. We propose that, under specific favorable conditions, forested PPAs can make an important contribution to strategies designed for biodiversity conservation in tropical ecosystems, by helping to conserve endangered species of both medium- and small-sized mammals.