bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation Performance of Ultrasonic Testing on Fruit Quality Determination
Authors: Yildiz Fikret , Özdemir Ahmet Turan , Uluışık Selman
Published: July 2019

There are several destructive and nondestructive methods for quality evaluation of agricultural products. Most of the employed traditional techniques are time-consuming and involve considerable degree of manual works. Destructive methods provide reasonable success rate of quality determination of fruits; however, they practically have many concerns about effectiveness, time, and cost. Therefore, developing portable, fast, and cost-effective techniques without harming fruits are desired for fruit quality evaluation. This work aims to develop a complete nondestructive quality evaluation system with (a) ultrasonic testing and (b) volume estimation by automatic machine vision techniques. The ultrasonic system consisted of a programmable bipolar remote pulser unit, a couple of piezoelectric probes for ultrasonic signal acquisitions as a transmitter and a receiver, an oscilloscope, and a computer. Visual appearance (size/volume) was determined using a machine vision system based on image processing techniques. Five different images of a fruit from different angles were captured by high-resolution digital cameras. Volume of the fruit was computed after horizontal and vertical distance of the fruit’s images captured. The calculated volume values by the computer vision system are validated with the theoretical values. Although nondestructive ultrasonic estimation and volume estimation by image processing methods are cheap, fast, and practical, the results obtained in our experiments concluded that these methods are not as reliable as claimed in the literature.
Effects of Infliximab against Methotrexate Toxicity in Splenic Tissue via the Regulation of CD3, CD68, and C200R in Rats
Authors: Mercantepe Tolga , Tümkaya Levent , Mercantepe Filiz
Published: July 2019

Methotrexate (MTX), which has been used in clinical practice for approximately 70 years, is still widely employed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, and cancer. Although MTX toxicity causes nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, pulmonary fibrosis, and gastrointestinal damage, previous studies have not addressed splenic toxicity. This is the first study to examine the effectiveness of infliximab (INF) against MTX-induced toxicity in splenic tissues via the regulation of CD3, CD68, and C200R. We investigated the effects of MTX on macrophages and T lymphocytes in the spleen at the molecular level and examined the protective potential of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonist INF against MTX toxicity. Three groups of rats were set up. Group 1 received saline solution only, group 2 a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg), and group 3 INF (7 mg/kg) before administration of a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg). All injections were given intraperitoneally. Spleen tissues were removed 5 days after MTX administration and evaluated for CD3, CD68, and CD200R using immunohistochemical staining. Finally, the mean numerical density of CD3+, CD68+, and CD200R+ cells was estimated by a histopathologist using StereoInvestigator 8. MTX increased the numerical densities of CD3+, CD68+, and CD200R+ cells (p < 0.05). We also observed that INF reduced the numerical densities of these cells following MTX administration (p < 0.05). INF may, therefore, be a promising candidate for the prevention of the deleterious effects on spleen tissue of MTX, used in the treatment of RA and cancer.
Die Relevanz des angeborenen Immunsystems für die atopische Dermatitis
Authors: Fölster-Holst Regina
Published: July 2019

Background: Altered regulatory immune responses to microbial stimuli and intestinal colonization of beneficial bacteria early in life may contribute to the development of allergic diseases (e.g., atopic dermatitis [AD]). However, few reports have investigated these factors simultaneously. The purpose of this study was to analyze neonatal immune responses to microbial stimuli as well as intestinal colonization of beneficial bacteria, in relation to the development of AD in a birth cohort. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited, and their infants were followed up until 7 months of age. Levels of interleukin (IL)-10 released from cord-blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) stimulated with heat-killed gram-positive bacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) and Lactobacillus-derived peptidoglycan were measured. Fecal Bifidobacterium counts at 4 days and 1 month were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The development of AD was determined by means of a questionnaire at 7 months of age. Results: The levels of released IL-10 were significantly lower in infants with AD (n = 17) than in infants without AD (n = 53) for all stimuli. In infants with fecal Bifidobacterium, the incidence of AD was inversely associated with the release of IL-10 from cord blood mononuclear cells. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that impaired IL-10 production in response to microbial stimuli at birth may be associated with an increased risk of developing infantile AD, even in infants with early colonization of intestinal bifidobacteria.
Marka Cinsiyetinin Çeşitli Markalar Açısından Değerlendirilmesi ve Pazarlama Stratejilerine Yönelik Öneriler
Authors: YILDIRIM Yıldırım , KÖMÜRCÜ Ahmet Hulusi
Published: July 2019

Marka değeri, marka kimliği, marka kişiliği, marka
çağrışımları, markanın sembolü, markalarda ünlü kullanımı gibi birçok başlık
altında yapılan sayısız araştırmaya karşılık, marka cinsiyeti ülkemizde yeni
bir kavram olarak incelenmeye başlanmış ve henüz Türkçe literatürde bu konuda
sayıca fazla çalışmaya rastlanmamıştır. Cinsiyet, geleneksel pazarlama
yöntemlerinde iyi bir bölümlendirme aracı olarak kullanılmaktadır. Tıpkı
insanlar gibi markalarında birer cinsiyeti olabileceği varsayımından hareketle
ortaya atılan bu kavram, markanın sahip olduğu cinsiyetle alıcının cinsiyetinin
örtüşmesi halinde markaya pazar üstünlüğü sağlayacak ve güçlü bir konumlandırma
elde edecektir. Bu çalışmada çeşitli markalar sorulmuş ve her bir
markanın hangi cinsiyette algılandığı öğrenilmeye çalışılmıştır. Tanımlayıcı
istatistikler ile Correspondence Analizi kullanılmış olup, bazı markaların
algılanan cinsiyetinin demografik faktörlere göre değişip değişmediği ve
demografik faktörler ile algılanan cinsiyet arasında bir ilişkinin olup
olmadığı test edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda markaların algılanan cinsiyetinin
demografik faktörlere göre değişmesi beklenmektedir. Çalışmanın Türkçe yazında
alana katkı sağlayacağı ve bundan sonraki araştırmacılar için bir ön çalışma
niteliği taşıması beklenmektedir.
Free-living nematodes from the deep-sea Håkon Mosby Mud Volcano, including the description of two new and three known species
Authors: PORTNOVA DARIA
Published: July 2019

Two new and three known species of the genera Aponema Jensen, 1978, Molgolaimus Ditlevsen, 1921, Sabatieria Rouville, 1903, and Terschellingia De Mann, 1888 were found at the deep-sea Håkon Mosby Mud Volcano, at a depth of 1250m, in the Norwegian Sea. Aponema ninae sp. n. is characterized by short body length, short spicules, gubernaculum with wide apophyses, which are bevelled on the top, and long narrowed tail with drop-shape thickened tip and caudal setae. The new species most resembles Aponema torosa (Lorenzen, 1973). Molgolaimus haakonmosbiensis sp. n. differs from all other species of Molgolaimus by shape and length of spicules; relations of spicule length to the anal body diameter; presence of two supplements. Spicules of the new species are short (30.5 µm), slender, twisted with amplate and excurved proximal parts. The appearance of our specimen of Sabatieria ornata fits well with the original description of Ditlevsen, 1918. Specimens of Terschellingia distlamphida Juario, 1974 also fit the original description based on nematodes sampled from the sub littoral of the German Bight. However, the Norwegian specimens have a shorter (1010 µ m vs. 1343 µ m) and thicker body (a=64.6 µ m vs. a=32.0 µm). The Håkon Mosby specimens of Terschellingia longicaudata De Mann, 1907 differ from the original description in body length and thickness: 1094 µm vs. 1429 µm, and a=22.3 µm vs. 49.0 µm correspondingly, but agree with descriptions by other authors, especially with the one by Chitwood (1951).
Ensign wasps (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea, Evaniidae) in the fauna of Russia, with description of a new Brachygaster Leach species from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
Authors: BELOKOBYLSKIJ S.A.
Published: July 2019

The Evaniidae from the Russian fauna is reviewed. Three ensign or hatchet wasp genera and species occur only in the European part of Russia (West of Urals Mountains): Brachygaster minutus (Olivier, 1791), Evania dimidiata Spinola, 1838, and Prosevania fuscipes (Illiger, 1807). Species were also recorded in the following countries for the first time: B. minutus in Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and in the numerous localities of the European part of Russia; Evania dimidiata in North Caucasus of Russia (Dagestan); Prosevania fuscipes in Abkhazia. A new species with distinct sexual dimorphism, Brachygaster gussakovskiji sp. nov., is described from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Marine Boundary Layer Clouds Associated with Coastally Trapped Disturbances: Observations and Model Simulations
Authors: Juliano Timothy W. , Coggon Matthew M. , Thompson Gregory , Rahn David A. , Seinfeld John H. , Sorooshian Armin , Lebo Zachary J.
Published: July 2019

Modeling marine low clouds and fog in coastal environments remains an outstanding challenge due to the inherently complex ocean–land–atmosphere system. This is especially important in the context of global circulation models due to the profound radiative impact of these clouds. This study utilizes aircraft and satellite measurements, in addition to numerical simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, to examine three well-observed coastally trapped disturbance (CTD) events from June 2006, July 2011, and July 2015. Cloud water-soluble ionic and elemental composition analyses conducted for two of the CTD cases indicate that anthropogenic aerosol sources may impact CTD cloud decks due to synoptic-scale patterns associated with CTD initiation. In general, the dynamics and thermodynamics of the CTD systems are well represented and are relatively insensitive to the choice of physics parameterizations; however, a set of WRF simulations suggests that the treatment of model physics strongly influences CTD cloud field evolution. Specifically, cloud liquid water path (LWP) is highly sensitive to the choice of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme; in many instances, the PBL scheme affects cloud extent and LWP values as much as or more than the microphysics scheme. Results suggest that differences in the treatment of entrainment and vertical mixing in the Yonsei University (nonlocal) and Mellor–Yamada–Janjić (local) PBL schemes may play a significant role. The impact of using different driving models—namely, the North American Mesoscale Forecast System (NAM) 12-km analysis and the NCEP North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) 32-km products—is also investigated.
A Simple Hybrid Technique to Reduce Bias of Copolar Correlation Coefficient Estimates
Authors: Ivić Igor R.
Published: July 2019

Estimates of copolar correlation coefficient | ρhv(0)| are one of the essential products generated by polarimetric weather radars because they are used to discriminate among different scatterer types. In theory, estimates of | ρhv(0)| take values between zero and one. But, statistical errors may cause the estimates to take values that are outside this interval, in which case they are deemed unusable. This effect is exacerbated if the noise contamination is significant. In addition, even valid | ρhv(0)| estimates can introduce excessive errors in echo classification if not sufficiently accurate and precise. Consequently, it is vital to produce the | ρhv(0)| fields populated with estimates of the acceptable accuracy as well as precision and with a minimal number of invalid estimates. To improve | ρhv(0)| estimation, a simple hybrid technique which produces estimates by combining the outputs of the two previously proposed estimators and the conventional one is presented herein. The technique generates estimates with reduced bias compared to previously proposed estimators. Bias reduction results in an increased number of valid estimates, which translates into improved | ρhv(0)| fields.
Mexico-U.S. Migration in Time: From Economic to Social Mechanisms
Authors: Asad Asad L. , Garip Filiz
Published: July 2019

This article adopts a mixed-methods approach to illustrate how economic, political, and social mechanisms work across time to shape individuals’ migration decisions. First, using large-scale survey data from the Mexican Migration Project, we show that economic, political, and social factors all matter for migration decisions but that social factors come to matter most for migration over time. Second, drawing on 120 in-depth interviews with migrants and their family members in four Mexican communities, we find that communities’ migration histories shape how economic, political, and social factors contribute to migration decisions at different points in time. In communities with limited migration histories, individuals migrate to relieve economic pressures on themselves or other household members. In communities with more established migration histories, information and assistance from current or returned migrants help to overcome potential barriers to making the journey. Finally, in communities with a high incidence of migration, social factors act as independent causes of migration—apart from economic needs. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the processes underlying Mexico-U.S. migration, which is crucial for anticipating future flows and crafting policy responses.
English Proficiency and Trust Networks among Undocumented Mexican Migrants
Authors: Flores-Yeffal Nadia Y.
Published: July 2019

This study explores whether being a member of a migration-trust network (MTN; social structures that immigrants create to manage the challenges of undocumented status) affects the acquisition of English language proficiency among undocumented heads of household who migrate to the United States from Mexico. The analysis shows that human capital accumulation and interactions with non-Hispanic white Americans are important to learning English in this migrant population. But it also suggests that membership in an MTN can inhibit the acquisition of English language proficiency. I use Mexican Migration Project data and other accumulated research to argue that being undocumented and participating in MTNs can deter migrants from assimilating into American mainstream society: a lack of legal status among many first-generation Mexican immigrants pushes them toward survival strategies that rely on MTNs.
Mexico-U.S. Migration and the Nation-State: A Transnational Perspective on Transformations since 1990
Authors: Boruchoff Judith A.
Published: July 2019

This article examines Mexico-U.S. migration from a transnational perspective, explaining the implications of cross-border ties for the nation-state. It builds on 30 years of original research in Mexico and the United States, and contributions of the Mexican Migration Project and other research that show that conventional understandings of the nation-state have become inadequate. Focusing on relations between migrants and the Mexican government as well as their struggles for inclusion in the United States, it demonstrates how each nation-state is transformed as migrants maintain attachments and participate simultaneously in countries of origin and destination. It advances scholarship on this topic by specifying how, in each case, the connections among territory, state, and nation are changing in distinct ways. In the case of Mexico, the state framework is extended beyond geographical borders to encompass extraterritorial citizens within the nation. In the United States, a disjuncture between state and nation is emerging within the bounds of the national territory.
Mexican Migrant Integration in the United States, 1965–2015
Authors: Lindstrom David P.
Published: July 2019

This article uses 20 years of survey data from the Mexican Migration Project to describe how the experiences of Mexico-U.S. migrants have changed over time. I use survey questions about migrants’ experiences on their last U.S. trip to develop composite indices of six integration domains, and then estimate random intercept linear regression models with individual-, family-, and community-level characteristics to explain variations in Mexican migrant integration. I find that, over time, Mexican migrant linguistic and social integration has steadily increased, whereas integration in other family and economic domains changed little or not at all. Results from the multivariate models show the importance of human capital to integration across the multiple domains. Higher education, more time spent in the country of destination, and being male are all strongly associated with higher levels of integration. I also find evidence that both family and community migration networks facilitate integration.
Vote Secrecy With Diverse Voters
Authors: Gingerich Daniel W. , Medeiros Danilo
Published: July 2019

Why would incumbent politicians adopt the secret ballot when doing so weakens the advantages of incumbency? Why is the secret ballot considered a democratizing reform in some settings, whereas in others it is associated with democratic backsliding? We provide theory and empirics to address these questions. Our starting point is the observation that the secret ballot had two consequences. It reduced the capacity to monitor the vote, thereby dampening the efficacy of clientelism. Yet, depending on literacy and electoral rules, it could also narrow political participation. Recognizing this, we endogenize politicians’ preferences over the secret ballot, concentrating on the role of their personal and constituency characteristics. Legislative roll call voting data from Brazil’s Second Republic (1945-1964) is used to test our framework. Consistent with expectations, the level of literacy of legislators’ supporters and the strength of their local ties strongly influenced the choice to adopt the secret ballot.
Life-Course Criminal Trajectories of Mafia Members
Authors: Campedelli Gian Maria , Calderoni Francesco , Comunale Tommaso , Meneghini Cecilia
Published: July 2019

Through a novel data set comprising the criminal records of 11,138 convicted mafia offenders, we compute criminal career parameters and trajectories through group-based trajectory modeling. Mafia offenders report prolific and persistent careers (16.1 crimes over 16.5 years on average), with five distinct trajectories (low frequency, high frequency, early starter, moderate persistence, high persistence). While showing some similarities with general offenders, the trajectories of mafia offenders also exhibit significant differences, with several groups offending well into their middle and late adulthood, notwithstanding intense criminal justice sanctions. These patterns suggest that several mafia offenders are life-course persisters and career criminals and that the involvement in the mafias is a negative turning point extending the criminal careers beyond those observed in general offenders.
Iranian University Faculties and Managing Culturally Diverse Classrooms: Strategies for Peace Establishment in the Higher Education
Authors: Badrkhani Parisa
Published: July 2019

There are large number of students from around the world who are planning to continue their education in the U.S. universities. They have different nationalities, cultural backgrounds, social beliefs, and so on. Moreover, the educators who are from different countries have the special cultures. This is their task to manage the culturally diverse classrooms to obtain the best results for the educational purposes. In this study, the focus was on three main issues: (a) teaching in multicultural higher education, (b) students’ attitudes toward the different cultures (especially their classmates), and (c) the strategies the educators apply in the multicultural classroom to establish peace. Five Iranian faculties who were teaching English language literature subject, in California State universities, were selected and interviewed via Skype. The results showed that they had a very positive attitude toward teaching in multicultural classrooms. The educators claimed that they apply the emotional empathy, empathy training, culturally proportional curriculum, and the structured rules for the multicultural classroom. One of them argued that holding conferences regarding the diversity is very useful, and the other one proposed that holding involuntary service, sport, and community programs for both the immigrant and the local students is considerable to make the students closer and establish the sense of peace among them.
Student Assessment Opt Out and the Impact on Value-Added Measures of Teacher Quality
Authors: Marland Joshua , Harrick Matthew , Sireci Stephen G.
Published: July 2019

Student assessment nonparticipation (or opt out) has increased substantially in K-12 schools in states across the country. This increase in opt out has the potential to impact achievement and growth (or value-added) measures used for educator and institutional accountability. In this simulation study, we investigated the extent to which value-added measures of teacher quality are affected as a result of varying degrees of opt out, as well as a result of various types of nonrandom opt out. Results show that the magnitude of opt out and choice of classification scheme has a greater impact on value-added estimates than the type of opt-out patterns simulated in this study. Specifically, root mean square differences in value-added estimates increased as magnitude of opt out increased. In addition, teacher effectiveness classification agreement decreased as opt out magnitude increased. One type of opt out, where the highest achieving students in the highest achieving classrooms opted out, had the largest impact on stability than the other types of opt outs.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Hospital Pharmacists Regarding Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Tomonori , Noda Aoi , Obara Taku , Tsuchiya Masami , Akasaka Kazutoshi , Yoshida Makiko , Matsuura Masaki , Sato Mayumi , Murai Yuriko , Yamaguchi Hiroaki , Tsuchiya Fumito , Kihira Kenji , Mano Nariyasu
Published: July 2019

Background: The importance of pharmacovigilance in Japan is gradually being recognized. However, Japanese pharmacists’ knowledge of and perspectives on pharmacovigilance have been examined only in some areas of Japan. Objective: The objective of this study was to clarify the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting among hospital pharmacists in Japan. Setting: A questionnaire survey among Japanese hospital pharmacists. Method: The questionnaire was distributed to 48 028 pharmacists during a 3-month period between January and March 2017. Main Outcome Measure: The prevalence of hospital pharmacists who understood pharmacovigilance and the ADR reporting system. Results: Of the respondents (response rate; 9.9% = 4760/48 028), 21.9% were <30 years of age, 27.3% were ≥50 years of age, and 46.7% were women. In response to the question “Have you ever heard of the term ‘pharmacovigilance’?,” 12.4%, 33.8%, and 47.4% answered “I understand what it is,” “I have heard of it, but I do not understand what it is,” and “I do not know what it is,” respectively. Pharmacists who understood the term “pharmacovigilance” were also more frequently acquainted with its associated terms and actions. And, 69.7% of respondents wished to acquire more information on pharmacovigilance and 50.9% did not have a personal history of ADR reporting. The most common reason for ADR nonreporting was “It was a well-known adverse drug reaction” (44.5%). Conclusions: Our results suggest that more aggressive promotion of pharmacovigilance and of the ADR reporting system among Japanese pharmacists is needed.
HPV Status Improves Classification of Head and Neck Gray Zone Cancers
Authors: Ren J. , Xu W. , Su J. , Ren X. , Bender N. , Habbous S. , de Almeida J.R. , Goldstein D.P. , Cheng D. , Chen Z. , Mirshams M. , Rahimi M. , Huang S.H. , Spreafico A. , Hansen A. , Kim J. , Waldron J. , Perez-Ordonez B. , Zhao Y. , Hung R. , Waterboer T. , Liu G.
Published: July 2019

In epidemiologic studies, patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are classified mainly by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. However, some patients are of an unclear subsite, the “gray zone” cases, which could reflect ICD coding error, absence of primary subsite, or extensive primary tumors that cross over multiple subsites of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Patients with gray zone squamous cell carcinomas were compared with patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and stratified by human papillomavirus (HPV) status that was determined by p16 immunostaining or HPV serology. Comparisons consisted of clinicodemographic features and prognostic outcomes presented by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models, reported as hazard ratios. There were 158 consecutive patients with gray zone HNSCC diagnosed at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center between 2006 and 2017: 66 had subsite coding discrepancies against the clinician’s documentation (“discrepant” cases; e.g., the diagnosis by the clinician was OSCC, while the classification by ICD coding was OPSCC), while 92 were squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary of the head and neck (SCCUPHN) after complete diagnostic workup. Comparators included 721 consecutive OSCC and 938 OPSCC adult cases. All HPV-positive cohorts (OPSCC, discrepant, and SCCUPHN) had similar clinicodemographic characteristics and better 3- and 5-y overall survival and disease-free survival than their HPV-negative counterparts. In contrast, HPV-negative discrepant cases had prognostic outcomes most similar to HPV-negative OPSCC cases, while HPV-negative SCCUPHN had survival outcomes most similar to those of patients with OSCC in this study. HPV-positive status can improve the classification of patients with unclear or discrepant oral/oropharyngeal subsite, an improvement over classification systems that are solely clinician defined or conducted through ICD coding. However, due to clinical practice, we could not make definitive reclassification for patients with HPV-negative gray zone HNSCC.
Measuring and mapping displacement: The problem of quantification in the battle against gentrification
Authors: Easton Sue , Lees Loretta , Hubbard Phil , Tate Nicholas
Published: July 2019

Debates concerning residential population displacement in the context of gentrification remain vociferous, but are hampered by a lack of empirical evidence of the extent of the displacement occurring. The lack of quantitative evidence on gentrification-induced displacement and the difficulties in collecting it has long hampered the fight against it. Based on a systematic review of quantitative studies of the displacement associated with gentrification, this article considers how researchers have attempted to measure displacement using a range of statistical and mapping techniques reflecting the multi-dimensional character of gentrification. We note that these techniques often struggle to provide meaningful estimates of the number of individuals and households displaced by gentrification, something compounded by the lack of data available on a sufficiently granular temporal and spatial scale. Noting the limitations of extant methods, we conclude by considering the potential of more novel data sources and emergent methods involving the processing of larger amounts of (micro)data, as well as participatory GIS methods that involve affected communities themselves. This implies that whilst the quantitative study of displacement remains difficult, patterns and processes of displacement can be inferred through existing data sources, as well as data generated from those who themselves have experienced displacement.
Unsedated Office-Based Thulium Laser Therapy in Patients With Vocal Fold Cysts
Authors: Hamdan Abdul-Latif , Rizk Samer Abou
Published: July 2019

The objective is to report 3 cases of vocal fold cysts treated with thulium laser in an office setting under local anesthesia. The surgical technique, which consists of surgical marsupialization, is described in detail with emphasis on the laser setting. All 3 patients had complete regression of the lesion and marked improvement in voice quality and good closure of the vocal folds during phonation. The authors review the literature on the application of laser therapy in an office setting and advocate this as an alternative treatment option for patients with vocal fold cysts who are at high risk for general anesthesia or unwilling to undergo the conventional microsurgery.
Was Jesus of Nazareth a Monotheist? Conversation with Cultural Studies
Authors: Neyrey Jerome H.
Published: July 2019

Did Jesus of Nazareth, born of a woman and born under the law, confess the Shema like all other Israelites? Was he a monotheist? Although scholarship argues that there were many types of monotheism, we focus here on strict Israelite monotheism (Deut 6:4). What does Jesus have to say for himself? This article does not go over plowed ground, but seeks to add to the conversation the use of two social science models: understanding “role” and “status,” and interpreting data in terms of the relationships of Patron-broker-client. These models necessarily serve to clarify much scholarship on monotheism, as well as clarify for us whether people worshiped Christ or prayed to him. In short, Jesus always functioned in two roles, either as God's client or as broker between God-Patron and Israel-client. Paul and other NT authors always put him in this place, namely, in a client or broker role, who never encroached on God's uniqueness or sovereignty.
Not Quite Monoracial: Biracial Stereotypes Explored
Authors: Skinner Allison L. , Perry Sylvia P. , Gaither Sarah
Published: July 2019

Stereotypes often guide our perceptions of members of social groups. However, research has yet to document what stereotypes may exist for the fastest growing youth demographic in the United States—biracial individuals. Across seven studies ( N = 1,104), we investigate what stereotypes are attributed to various biracial groups, whether biracial individuals are stereotyped as more similar to their lower status monoracial parent group (trait hypodescent), and whether contact moderates these stereotypes. Results provide evidence of some universal biracial stereotypes that are applied to all biracial groups: attractive and not fitting in or belonging. We also find that all biracial groups are attributed a number of unique stereotypes (i.e., which are not associated with their monoracial parent groups). However, across all studies, we find little evidence of trait hypodescent and no evidence that the tendency to engage in trait hypodescent varies as a function of contact.
Lone Mothers’ Repartnering Trajectories and Health: Does the Welfare Context Matter?
Authors: Recksiedler Claudia , Bernardi Laura
Published: July 2019

We examined the relationship between lone mothers’ repartnering and health in three welfare contexts: the dual-earner, market-oriented, and general family policy model. Drawing on the resources and crisis models, we applied mixture modelling for spell data of the Harmonized Histories data set. We uncovered six distinct repartnering trajectories that varied regarding the timing, type, and stability of higher order unions for different cohorts of lone mothers. Unstable repartnering was more frequent in market-oriented contexts, while contexts with more comprehensive family support fostered more stable repartnering. Although repartnering trajectories were overall not associated with health, these associations differed by welfare context. Mothers experiencing repartnering, though unstable, reported to enjoy better health if living in market-oriented contexts rather than in general or dual-earner contexts. Altogether, our findings suggest that even if higher financial needs in less-generous welfare may translate in more unstable repartnering histories, this seems to have positive spillover effects on mothers’ health.
Building trust and improving communication with parents of children with Trisomy 13 and 18: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Janvier Annie , Farlow Barbara , Barrington Keith J , Bourque Claude Julie , Brazg Tracy , Wilfond Benjamin
Published: July 2019

Background:

Trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 are common life-limiting conditions associated with major disabilities. Many parents have described conflictual relationships with clinicians, but positive and adverse experiences of families with healthcare providers have not been well described.

Aim:

(1) To investigate parental experiences with clinicians and (2) to provide practical recommendations and behaviors clinicians could emulate to avoid conflict.

Design:

Participants were asked to describe their best and worse experiences, as well as supportive clinicians they met. The results were analyzed using mixed methods.

Setting/participants:

Parents of children with trisomy 13 and 18 who were part of online social support networks. A total of 503 invitations were sent, and 332 parents completed the questionnaire about 272 children.

Results:

The majority of parents (72%) had met a supportive clinician. When describing clinicians who changed their lives, the overarching theme, present in 88% of answers, was trust. Parents trusted clinicians when they felt he or she cared and valued their child, their family, and made them feel like good parents (69%), had appropriate knowledge (66%), and supported them and gave them realistic hope (42%). Many (42%) parents did not want to make—or be part of—life-and-death decisions. Parents gave specific examples of supportive behaviors that can be adopted by clinicians. Parents also described adverse experiences, generally leading to conflicts and lack of trust.

Conclusion:

Realistic and compassionate support of parents living with children with trisomy 13 and 18 is possible. Adversarial interactions that lead to distrust and conflicts can be avoided. Many supportive behaviors that inspire trust can be emulated.
Combining trajectory optimization, supervised machine learning, and model structure for mitigating the curse of dimensionality in the control of bipedal robots
Authors: Da Xingye , Grizzle Jessy
Published: July 2019

To overcome the obstructions imposed by high-dimensional bipedal models, we embed a stable walking motion in an attractive low-dimensional surface of the system’s state space. The process begins with trajectory optimization to design an open-loop periodic walking motion of the high-dimensional model and then adding to this solution a carefully selected set of additional open-loop trajectories of the model that steer toward the nominal motion. A drawback of trajectories is that they provide little information on how to respond to a disturbance. To address this shortcoming, supervised machine learning is used to extract a low-dimensional state-variable realization of the open-loop trajectories. The periodic orbit is now an attractor of the low-dimensional state-variable model but is not attractive in the full-order system. We then use the special structure of mechanical models associated with bipedal robots to embed the low-dimensional model in the original model in such a manner that the desired walking motions are locally exponentially stable. The design procedure is first developed for ordinary differential equations and illustrated on a simple model. The methods are subsequently extended to a class of hybrid models and then realized experimentally on an Atrias-series 3D bipedal robot.
Re-evaluation of the value of sperm morphology in classical in vitro fertilization in a Northeastern Chinese population
Authors: Zhu Dong-liang , Zhang Hong-guo , Wang Rui-xue , Jiang Yu-ting , Liu Rui-zhi
Published: July 2019

Objective

This study aimed to re-evaluate the clinical value of a 4% cut-off threshold of sperm morphology in in vitro fertilization (IVF) in a cohort of a Northeastern Chinese population.

Methods

A total of 375 IVF cycles that met strict inclusion criteria were included. These cycles were conducted with semen analysis and oocyte fertilization. A total of 188 embryo-transferred cycles proceeded. According to sperm morphology, 375 cycles were divided into group 1 (329 cycles, <4% normal sperm morphology rate [NSMR]) and group 2 (46 cycles, ≥4% NSMR), and 188 transferred cycles into group A (151 cycles, < 4% NSMR) and group B (37 cycles, ≥4% NSMR).

Results

The fertilization and normal fertilization rates were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. The normal fertilization rate was significantly correlated with an NSMR < 4% or ≥4%, but the fertilization rate was not significantly correlated with the NSMR. No significant differences were found in pregnancy outcomes between groups A and B.

Conclusions

This study suggests that infertile patients with an NSMR < 4% are more likely to have a poor normal fertilization status in IVF.
Semi-private Landownership and Capitalist Agriculture in Contemporary China
Authors: Gürel Burak
Published: July 2019

Although the existing scholarship on the capitalist transformation of Chinese agriculture uses the concepts of the Marxist political economy to analyze class differentiation, it has not systematically analyzed the role of the Chinese state (as manifested in the current semi-private land system) in this transformation with reference to Marx’s theory of agricultural rent. Capitalist transformation of Chinese agriculture in the context of continuing strong government control over farmland provides a unique opportunity to assess the validity of Marx’s hypothesis that private landownership is a barrier to capitalist development in agriculture and that state ownership of land is a possible way to overcome it. Analysis highlights two advantages of the current system for the capitalist transformation of Chinese agriculture. First, by enabling local governments to transfer large and consolidated tracts of farmland to agribusiness companies and large farmers and relieving them from the burden of dealing with each and every private owner for land access, the semi-private landownership system minimizes the transaction costs incurred by agrarian capital. Second, farm workers are guaranteed access to small plots of land and this subsidizes agrarian capital by reducing the costs of the reproduction of labor power, thereby putting downward pressure on wages.

JEL Classification: P32, P1
Spaces of Exclusion: Safety, Stigma, and Surveillance of Mothers Experiencing Homelessness
Authors: Benbow Sarah , Forchuk Cheryl , Berman Helene , Gorlick Carolyne , Ward-Griffin Catherine
Published: July 2019

Lack of affordable housing, poverty, and intimate partner violence are among the most common reasons for homelessness among mothers and their children in Canada. Mothers experience social exclusion in compounding and debilitating ways. In the literature on social exclusion and health, rarely is safety recognized as a prominent component of social exclusion. The purpose of this critical narrative study was to better understand the unique narratives of social exclusion for mothers experiencing homelessness in Ontario. A critical narrative methodology with an intersectional lens was used. Twenty-six ( N = 26) mothers participated in the study. The overarching finding of unsafe spaces represents the unique forms of exclusion from safety participants experienced in public and private spaces. Emerging out of this overarching category are two intertwined subcategories of (a) exclusion from safety and (b) stigma: public surveillance and discrimination. Participants’ narratives of exclusion from safety signify an ecosystem of unsafe spaces. The findings illuminate and reiterate the imperative for nurses to recognize that safety is a human right and is foundational for health. Nurses can use critical self-reflection and challenge the inherent “nursing gaze” to promote spaces of support rather than surveillance and engage in political advocacy to address structural inequalities, such as gender-based violence.
Expanding the Phenotype: Neurodevelopmental Disorder, Mitochondrial, With Abnormal Movements and Lactic Acidosis, With or Without Seizures (NEMMLAS) due to WARS2 Biallelic Variants, Encoding Mitochondrial Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthase
Authors: Virdee Manveen , Swarnalingam Eroshini , Kozenko Mariya , Tarnopolsky Mark , Jones Kevin
Published: July 2019

Background:

WARS2 encodes a tryptophanyl tRNA synthetase, which is involved in mitochondrial protein synthesis. Biallelic mutations in WARS2 are rare and have been associated with a spectrum of clinical presentations, including neurodevelopmental disorder with abnormal movements, lactic acidosis with or without seizures (NEMMLAS).

Case Presentation:

Here we present the case of an 8-year-old girl with ataxia and parkinsonism with periventricular white matter abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and global developmental delay. The initial investigations revealed an elevated lactate level. Extensive metabolic testing, including a muscle biopsy, was inconclusive. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurotransmitter levels were low; however, a trial of levodopa was unremarkable. The chromosomal microarray and initial ataxia gene panel was normal. Zinc supplementation for a heterozygous variant of unknown significance in the CP gene on the ataxia exome panel was not effective in treating her symptoms. Reanalysis of the ataxia exome panel highlighted biallelic mutations in WARS2, which lead to the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder, mitochondrial, with abnormal movements and lactic acidosis, with or without seizures (NEMMLAS). This lead to parental genetic testing, redirected therapy, and helped to expand the symptomology of this rare condition.

Conclusion:

Here we emphasize the importance of imminent and repeat expanded genetic testing to ensure early diagnosis and treatment for rare pediatric disorders. The patient is being trialed on a mitochondrial cocktail in an attempt to compensate for defects in mitochondrial protein synthesis associated with this variant. Longitudinal monitoring of disease manifestation will help establish the currently unknown natural history of this condition.
Individual Moral Disengagement and Bullying Among Swedish Fifth Graders: The Role of Collective Moral Disengagement and Pro-Bullying Behavior Within Classrooms
Authors: Bjärehed Marlene , Thornberg Robert , Wänström Linda , Gini Gianluca
Published: July 2019

School bullying is a complex social and relational phenomenon with severe consequences for those involved. Most children view bullying as wrong and recognize its harmful consequences; nevertheless, it continues to be a persistent problem within schools. Previous research has shown that children’s engagement in bullying perpetration can be influenced by multiple factors (e.g., different forms of cognitive distortions) and at different ecological levels (e.g., child, peer-group, school, and society). However, the complexity of school bullying warrants further investigation of the interplay between factors, at different levels. Grounded in social cognitive theory, which focuses on both cognitive factors and social processes, this study examined whether children’s bullying perpetration was associated with moral disengagement at the child level and with collective moral disengagement and prevalence of pro-bullying behavior at the classroom level. Cross-level interactions were also tested to examine the effects of classroom-level variables on the association between children’s tendency to morally disengage and bullying perpetration. The study’s analyses were based on cross-sectional self-report questionnaire data from 1,577 Swedish fifth-grade children from 105 classrooms (53.5% girls; Mage = 11.3, SD = 0.3). Multilevel modeling techniques were used to analyze the data. The results showed that bullying perpetration was positively associated with moral disengagement at the child level and with collective moral disengagement and pro-bullying behavior at the classroom level. Furthermore, the effect of individual moral disengagement on bullying was stronger for children in classrooms with higher levels of pro-bullying behaviors. These findings further support the argument that both moral processes and behaviors within classrooms, such as collective moral disengagement and pro-bullying behavior, need to be addressed in schools’ preventive work against bullying.
Impact of Dosing Conversion From Basal Insulin to Follow-On Insulin Glargine
Authors: Maes Marina L. , Ashjian Emily J. , Kippes Kellie A. , Marshall Vince , Rida Nada , Thompson Amy N.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Several basal insulins have recently come to market including follow-on insulin glargine (Basaglar®). Currently, there is no real-world data published on the implications of conversion to Basaglar on dosing or glycemic control.

Objective:

To identify differences in basal insulin dosing requirements, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and incidence of hypoglycemia or weight gain when converting a patient to Basaglar from another basal insulin.

Methods:

Single-center, retrospective chart review at an academic medical center. All patients prescribed Basaglar between December 15, 2016, and August 31, 2017 were included for review if converted from another basal insulin.

Primary outcome:

Difference in basal insulin requirements in both units/d and units/kilogram (kg)/d after conversion to Basaglar.

Secondary outcome:

Change in HbA1c and weight.

Results:

Mean basal insulin dose was 38.4 ± 26.3 units/d pre-conversion and 40.5 ± 29.8 units/d post-conversion (P = .031). Results were significant for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; pre-conversion basal dose 34.6 ± 24.3 units/d; post-conversion basal dose 37.6± 29.0 units/d; P = .009). Weight-based dosing changed from 0.37 ± 0.25 units/kg/d pre-conversion to 0.39 ± 0.29 units/kg/d post-conversion (P = .056) and was significant for patients with T2DM (P = .040). A nonsignificant decrease in HbA1c was seen (−0.14% ± 1.24%; P = .142). There was no difference seen in weight (111.6 ± 46.3 kg vs 111.7 ± 46.9 kg; P = .662).

Conclusion:

Patients with diabetes require similar basal insulin doses upon conversion to Basaglar. Clinicians should monitor blood glucose closely during basal insulin transition.