bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phonological development in children with different lexical skills
Authors: Viterbori Paola , Zanobini Mirella , Cozzani Francesca
Published: July 2018

This study aims to evaluate phonological competences and their correlations with lexical abilities in 2-year-old Italian-speaking children. Eighty-eight children (46 females) aged 25–32 months participated in the study. From the total sample, three subgroups of children with different lexical skills were extracted to identify phonological characteristics of low, typical and precocious talkers. The results provide a description of the children’s production in terms of consonant and correct consonant inventories; simplified and unintelligible words; and simplification processes. The percentage of unintelligible productions and the number of correct consonants show greater correlations with lexical competence. Children with low vocabulary differ significantly from the other two groups in the percentage of unintelligible words and in consonant inventories. Children with advanced vocabulary show significantly less simplification processes than the other two groups. In addition to describing phonological characteristics in a large sample of young Italian children, this study allows us to identify potential phonological markers of late linguistic development
Patient Engagement in Type 2 Diabetes: A Collaborative Community Health Initiative
Authors: Freeman Kimberly , Hanlon Michael , Denslow Sheri , Hooper Vallire
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of an innovative rural community-based, diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) program on patient behaviors and outcomes.

Methods

A 12-month pre-post study design with physiological data collection at program initiation, 16 weeks, and 6 and 12 months postenrollment was used for program assessment. The program consisted of an American Diabetes Association–accredited curriculum provided by the hospital and interfaced with a YMCA curriculum promoting lifestyle change. The 28-session program was delivered over a 1-year period.

Results

The sample size was 115. Participants were primarily white and female, with a mean age of 57 years. Mean body mass index (BMI) at program initiation was 37; mean A1C was 8.5 (69.4 mmol/mol). Significant reductions were obtained in weight, BMI (at 16 weeks), and A1C (at 6 months); these reductions were sustained at 12 months. Medication intake was significantly reduced, and diabetes-related emergency department visits were below national averages.

Conclusions

Results support the positive impact of a year-long, community-based, healthy behavior, DSMES program on health outcomes and overall costs of care delivery in the rural setting.
Portfolios of Worth: Capitalizing on Basic and Clinical Problems in Biomedical Research Groups
Authors: Rushforth Alexander , Franssen Thomas , de Rijcke Sarah
Published: July 2018

How are “interesting” research problems identified and made durable by academic researchers, particularly in situations defined by multiple evaluation principles? Building on two case studies of research groups working on rare diseases in academic biomedicine, we explore how group leaders arrange their groups to encompass research problems that latch onto distinct evaluation principles by dividing and combining work into “basic-oriented” and “clinical-oriented” spheres of inquiry. Following recent developments in the sociology of (e)valuation comparing academics to capitalist entrepreneurs in pursuit of varying kinds of worth, we argue that the metaphor of the portfolio is helpful in analyzing how group leaders manage these different research lines as “alternative investment options” from which they were variously hoping to capitalize. We argue portfolio development is a useful concept for exploring how group leaders fashion “entrepreneurial” practices to manage and exploit tensions between multiple matrices of (e)valuation and conclude with suggestions for how this vocabulary can further extend analysis of epistemic capitalism within science and technology studies.
The decline of ethnic voting patterns in plural societies: Evidence from Suriname
Authors: Gowricharn Ruben
Published: July 2018

This article addresses the largely neglected issue of the decline of ethnic cleavages in plural societies as expressed in voting behaviour. It argues that theoretically, Creolization, a specific form of acculturation, accounts for the erosion of ethnic bonding but finds that the application of the concept is limited. Hence, the article combines the current concept of Creolization with that of political hegemony, while broadening Creolization to comprise the acculturation of several ethnic groups. However, the paper considers that actual voting patterns may be countervailed by party characteristics and election campaigns. Using multiple fieldwork methods, the erosion of ethnic voting loyalties is analysed in a case study of Suriname, a Caribbean society that is representative of a class of plural societies. The paper centres on the conceptual apparatus to analyse the erosion of ethnic voting loyalties rather than making comparisons. It claims that its argument is applicable to plural societies that are characterized by the erosion of voting loyalties and decline of ethnic cleavages, notably Trinidad and to a lesser degree in Mauritius and Fiji, and increasingly in Suriname and Guyana.
Three-ness: Healing world politics with epistemic compassion
Authors: Ling LHM
Published: July 2018

Epistemic compassion can help to heal world politics. It mitigates almost six centuries of Eurocentric ‘epistemic violence’ and ‘epistemicide’ with a trialectical epistemology that bridges even seemingly irreconcilable opposites. Buddhists call this process Interbeing. I draw on Daoist yin/yang dynamics for epistemology and the ancient Silk Roads as an exemplar. Subsequently, I apply this analysis to a watershed development in our contemporary political economy: China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI). A $1 trillion investment scheme to link China with Europe and Russia through Central Asia, Africa, and the Indian Ocean, the BRI provokes charges of reproducing Europe’s 19th-century’s Great Game on a 21st-century scale. A trialectical epistemology offers another mode and model of global interaction for the BRI. It highlights the possibility of local agency and global responsibility for the BRI. I ask: Can epistemic compassion turn this 5.0 version of Asian Capitalism into a 2.0 version of the Silk Road Ethos? The potential exists, I argue.
Popular democratic perception matters for political trust in authoritarian regimes
Authors: Zhai Yida
Published: July 2018

Governmental performance is important for maintaining the public’s political trust. This article examines the moderating role of the popular perceptions of democracy on the effect of governmental performance on political trust in authoritarian regimes by studying the case of China. The popular perceptions of democracy affect the evaluations of governmental performance, and the effects of governmental performance on political trust are contingent on particular democratic perception. The results reveal that a better government’s social performance particularly increases political trust among people who view elections as an essential component of democracy. However, such a positive effect is significantly reduced among people who consider political rights to be a key component of democracy. Regardless of how Chinese people view democracy, government’s poor political performance reduces people’s political trust in the government. However, the negative effect is most significant among people who prioritize political rights in their perception of democracy. For those who view economic security as an essential component of democracy, the negative effect of the government’s poor political performance on political trust is substantially attenuated.
A simplified 10-step Tai-chi programme to enable people with dementia to improve their motor performance: a feasibility study
Authors: Liu Justina Yat Wa , Kwan Rick Yiu Cho , Lai Claudia KY , Hill Keith D
Published: July 2018

Objective:

To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a simplified 10-step Tai-chi programme to improve the motor performance of people with dementia.

Design:

A two-arm, single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial, registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03341091).

Setting:

Community health centres.

Participants:

Twenty-six dyads of people with dementia and their family caregivers were recruited, with mean (SD) ages of 82.2 (7.43) and 51.3 (18.97), respectively.

Interventions:

The experimental group underwent a 16 week 10-step simplified Tai-chi training programme, with additional measures to enhance engagement. The control group joined recreational activities organized by the centres.

Main outcome measure(s):

The feasibility assessment included recruitment, attrition, adherence to, and engagement in the Tai-chi programme. The preliminary effects were assessed by the participants’ performance in mobility tests.

Results:

Preliminary feasibility was established, with an acceptable recruitment rate of 58% (26 out of 45 assessed dyads) and a high attendance rate of 81% (25.88 out of 32 Tai-chi sessions). There was positive engagement in the training sessions, and no adverse incidents. However, five participants withdrew from the Tai-chi group, for a high attrition rate of 38%, and the mean home practice time decreased between weeks 8 and 16. In most of the motor performance tests, a slight but insignificant improvement was observed in the Tai-chi group compared to the control group.

Conclusion:

A tailored Tai-chi programme for people with dementia using a dyadic approach has been found to be feasible. However, stronger support must be provided to family caregivers to improve the participants’ sustained participation.
The palliative care knowledge of nursing home staff: The EU FP7 PACE cross-sectional survey in 322 nursing homes in six European countries
Authors: Smets Tinne , Pivodic Lara , Piers Ruth , Pasman H Roeline W , Engels Yvonne , Szczerbińska Katarzyna , Kylänen Marika , Gambassi Giovanni , Payne Sheila , Deliens Luc , Van den Block Lieve
Published: July 2018

Background:

The provision of high-quality palliative care in nursing homes (NHs) is a major challenge and places demands on the knowledge and skills of the staff.

Aim:

This study assesses the palliative care knowledge of staff in NHs in Europe.

Design:

Cross-sectional study using structured survey

Setting/participants:

Nurses and care assistants working in 322 representative samples of NHs in Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Finland, Poland and Italy. Palliative care knowledge is measured with the Palliative Care Survey. Scores on the scales range between 0 and 1; higher scores indicate more knowledge.

Results:

A total of 3392 NH-staff were given a questionnaire, and 2275 responded (67%). Knowledge of basic palliative care issues ranged between 0.20 in Poland (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19; 0.24) and 0.61 in Belgium (95% CI 0.59; 0.63), knowledge of physical aspects that can contribute to pain ranged between 0.81 in Poland (95% CI 0.79; 0.84) and 0.91 in the Netherlands (95% CI 0.89; 0.93), and knowledge of psychological reasons that can contribute to pain ranged between 0.56 in England (95% CI 0.50; 0.62) and 0.87 in Finland (95% CI 0.83; 0.90). Factors associated with knowledge were country, professional role and having undertaken formal training in palliative care.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of nurses and care assistants concerning basic palliative care issues appears to be suboptimal in all participating countries, although there is substantial heterogeneity. Education of nursing staff needs to be improved across, but each country may require its own strategy to address the unique and specific knowledge gaps.
Nutrient limitation affects presynaptic structures through dissociable Bassoon autophagic degradation and impaired vesicle release
Authors: Catanese Alberto , Garrido Débora , Walther Paul , Roselli Francesco , Boeckers Tobias M
Published: July 2018

Acute mismatch between metabolic requirements of neurons and nutrients/growth factors availability characterizes several neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke and hypoglycemia. Although the effects of this mismatch have been investigated at cell biological level, the effects on synaptic structure and function are less clear. Since synaptic activity is the most energy-demanding neuronal function and it is directly linked to neuronal networks functionality, we have explored whether nutrient limitation (NL) affects the ultrastructure, function and composition of pre and postsynaptic terminals. We show that upon NL, presynaptic terminals show disorganized vesicle pools and reduced levels of the active zone protein Bassoon (but not of Piccolo). Moreover, NL triggers an impaired vesicle release, which is reversed by re-administration of glucose but not by the blockade of autophagic or proteasomal protein degradation. This reveals a dissociable correlation between presynaptic architecture and vesicle release, since restoring vesicle fusion does not necessarily depend from the rescue of Bassoon levels. Thus, our data show that the presynaptic compartment is highly sensitive to NL and the rescue of presynaptic function requires re-establishment of the metabolic supply rather than preventing local protein degradation.
Becoming a Manager: Learning the Importance of Emotional and Social Competence in Managerial Transitions
Authors: Park Hyun Hee , Faerman Sue
Published: July 2018

This article explores how newly promoted managers develop emotional and social competencies to understand their and others’ emotions and then use this understanding for personal growth and in their interactions with others. This study draws on five waves of semistructured interview data collected from 16 newly promoted managers in a large northeastern state agency. The findings suggest that new managers undergo a developmental process— role exit, movement, and role entry—as they make the transition from individual contributors to managers. At each stage of the process, their emotional and social competence (ESC) facilitates learning and moving to the next stage. In addition, throughout the process, new managers develop their ESC and utilize the benefits in their daily decision-making and management behaviors. The findings also suggest that organizational context is an important factor that defines the contents of ESC in the organization. Based on these findings, this study argues that organizations should help new managers understand the emotional aspects of managerial transitions in developing their selection and training practices.
Institutional Arrangements for Public Library Funding and Spending
Authors: Ebdon Carol , Park Ji Hyung , Franklin Aimee L. , Moore Jonathan
Published: July 2018

Wide variation in institutional structure and funding patterns in public libraries make this government function useful for exploring the effect of these differences on expenditures. Based on literature related to willingness to pay, special districts, and fiscal illusion, we hypothesize that libraries with taxing authority and more revenues from nonlocal sources will have higher levels of spending. We use data from an Annual Public Library Survey, and U.S. Census data, in ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions for 2007 and 2010. We find that taxing authority leads to increased spending, as expected. However, the results of funding sources are contrary to expectations; relative reliance on nonlocal sources is generally associated with lower levels of spending. This may be due to “crowding-out” of local sources, and there may also be some effect from reduced state aid following the Great Recession.
A Straightforward Procedure to Characterize Nonlinear Viscoelastic Response of Asphalt Concrete at High Temperatures
Authors: Bazzaz Mohammad , Darabi Masoud K. , Little Dallas N. , Garg Navneet
Published: July 2018

This paper proposes a straightforward procedure to characterize the nonlinear viscoelastic response of asphalt concrete materials. Furthermore, a model is proposed to estimate the nonlinear viscoelastic parameters as a function of the triaxiality ratio, which accounts for both confinement and deviatoric stress levels. The simplified procedure allows for easy characterization of linear viscoelastic (LVE) and nonlinear viscoelastic (NVE) responses. First, Schapery’s nonlinear viscoelastic model is used to represent the viscoelastic behavior. Dynamic modulus tests are performed to calibrate LVE properties. Repeated creep-recovery tests at variable deviatoric stress levels (RCRT-VS) were designed and conducted to calibrate the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of four types of mixtures used in the Federal Aviation Administration’s National Airport Pavement and Materials Research Center test sections. The RCRT-VS were conducted at 55°C, 140 kPa initial confinement pressure, and wide range of deviatoric stress levels; mimicking the stress levels induced in a pavement structure under traffic. Once calibrated, the model was validated by comparing the model predictions and experimental measurements at different deviatoric stress levels. The predictions indicate that the proposed method is capable of characterizing NVE response of asphalt concrete materials.
Octopuses in wild and domestic relationships
Authors: Scheel David
Published: July 2018

People commonly interact with terrestrial domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, horses, cattle and goats, and birds. Thereby individuals of different species form animal–human bonds. We are now forming relationships with ocean animals in increasingly common ways through growing human populations, advances in technology such as SCUBA, ocean mapping, underwater instrumentation and advances in aquatic animal husbandry. Octopuses and humans share quite distant evolutionary ties and yet share aspects of sensory ability and intelligence. Octopuses thereby pose interesting challenges and conundrums for understanding animal–human relationships. I consider several reasons to expect that the evolution of octopuses, and of animal cognition generally among active and visually sophisticated animals, will favour traits that support relationships between individuals. The evolutionary outcome of animals capable of forming inter-individual relationships may thus be expected in any evolving biota with organisms of this kind. This article explores the ability of ocean and terrestrial animals to relate to one another in ways that are reciprocal, if not equally balanced, and illustrates this with the examples of octopuses.
The Mismatched Expectations of iPad Integration Between Teachers and Students in Secondary Schools
Authors: Chou Chientzu Candace , Block Lanise
Published: July 2018

While tablets and lightweight laptops have become commonplace in the K-12 classrooms, previous studies have shown mixed results on the effectiveness of these mobile devices with respect to learning. Based on the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition pedagogical framework and the international society for technology in education technology standards, this mixed-methods research study examined what teachers in a large diverse urban school district in Midwest United States did in their classrooms and what students expected from learning with iPads. The results show that the majority of instructional activities are at the levels of Substitution and Augmentation that focus on information search, worksheet practice, and online textbook reading, even though student perceptions reflected strong expectation of utilizing iPads for tasks that involved communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Multiple factors that contributed to mismatched instructional patterns and student expectations are highlighted in the study.
Kentucky’s Smoking Cessation Quitline: Annual Estimated Return on Investment to Employers
Authors: Pauly Nathan , Talbert Jeffrey , Parsley Shannon , Gray Bobbye , Hahn Ellen J.
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

State-based smoking cessation telephone quitlines offer a cost-effective method of providing tobacco treatment at no cost to participants. The study objective was to assess the annual return on investment (ROI) to employers if they were to bear the entire responsibility from the Kentucky quitline.

Design:

A retrospective design was used to estimate the annual ROI to employers from the Kentucky quitline.

Setting:

The telephone quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) provided intake and follow-up data for all Kentucky participants who enrolled in the program from 2012 to 2014.

Participants:

All individuals aged 18+ who enrolled in the Kentucky quitline from 2012 to 2014.

Measures:

Successful tobacco cessation was assessed from follow-up surveys that took place after individuals completed the program. Cost savings to employers associated with tobacco cessation were gleaned from a published meta-analysis. The Kentucky quitline provided estimates for annual program expenses.

Analysis:

The annual ROI was calculated as the difference between estimated annual cost savings due to smoking cessation and annual program expenses.

Results:

From 2012 to 2014, 5425 individuals were enrolled in the quitline. The annual ROI to employers was estimated to be $998 680, with an ROI ratio of 6.2:1.

Conclusions:

Employers may receive a substantial ROI if they were to fund the Kentucky quitline. Study results may be used as evidence to support cost-sharing partnerships between public health agencies and employers to sustain funding for telephone quitlines.
Does the Health of Adult Child Caregivers Vary by Employment Status in the United States?
Authors: Kohl Noreen M. , Mossakowski Krysia N. , Sanidad Ivan I. , Bird Omar T. , Nitz Lawrence H.
Published: July 2018

Objective: This study investigates whether the health effects of informal caregiving for aging parents vary by employment status in the United States. Two opposing hypotheses are tested: dual role strain and role enhancement. Method: Using national longitudinal data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, multivariate regression models predicted self-rated health and mental health among older adult children caregiving for their parents (2009-2012) and noncaregivers. Results: A statistically significant interaction was found between caregiving duration and employment, indicating that employed caregivers had significantly worse health than retired caregivers. Caregiving duration also predicted significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms. Discussion: Our results support the dual role strain hypothesis and suggest that caregiving for a parent up to 4 years is enough to predict significantly worse health among older adult Baby Boomers, especially those in the labor force. The broader implications for public health and workplace policies are discussed.
The Pattern of Hospital Admissions Prior to Care Home Placement in People With Parkinson’s Disease: Evidence of a Period of Crisis for Patients and Carers
Authors: Klaptocz Joanna , Gray William K. , Marwood Sophie , Agarwal Mitali , Ziegler Joseph , Webb Zoszka , Prabhakar Meghna , Hand Annette , Oates Lloyd , McDonald Claire , Walker Richard W.
Published: July 2018

Objectives: We hypothesized that the number and length of hospital admissions in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) would increase immediately prior to admission to a care home relative to those who were able to continue living at home or who died. Method: PD patients at Hoehn and Yahr Stages III to V were followed-up over two and a half years with deaths and care home placements recorded. Hospital admissions data were collected over this period. Results: Of 286 patients included in the study, 7.3% entered a care home and 28.3% died. In the final 120 days prior to the study exit point (care home placement, death, or continued living at home), longer hospital stay was significantly associated with care home placement, after adjusting for the competing risk of death. Conclusion: Our data provide evidence that, for many people with PD, a period of crisis is reached immediately prior to care home placement.
The Impact of Social Capital on Volunteering and Giving: Evidence From Urban China
Authors: Wu Zhongsheng , Zhao Rong , Zhang Xiulan , Liu Fengqin
Published: July 2018

The impact of social capital on philanthropy has been studied extensively, but existing research fails to measure social capital consistently and completely. Using a representative data set from the 2013 Survey on Philanthropic Behaviors of Urban Citizens in China, this study first expanded existing social capital measurements to be more comprehensive, consisting of civic networks, norms of reciprocity, institutional trust, acquaintance trust, and stranger trust. Tobit regression and Heckman selection model were then used to explore the impact of social capital on philanthropy in China. Regression analyses indicate that civic network, norms of reciprocity, institutional trust, and stranger trust are positively associated with both volunteering and giving in the Chinese context. In addition, acquaintance trust is negatively correlated with giving, but has no significant association with volunteering. These findings provide insights to better understanding the complex relationship between social capital and philanthropy, especially in non-Western contexts.
A method for thermal characteristics modelling of hob assembly on dry hobbing machine
Authors: Liu Zhitao , Tang Qian , Li Xianguang , Zou Zheng , Yang Yong
Published: July 2018

Gear hobbing is the use of machinery to manufacture external gears. With the booming motor industry, there are more requirements for gear hobbing accuracy than ever before. Thermal error – as a major source of error in a dry hobbing machine – must be effectively compensated to achieve accuracy. Thus, studies on the thermal error of hob assembly are important both in theory and practice. This paper discusses the development of a valid numerical modelling method for the hob assembly of a dry hobbing machine. The equations used to determine the values of heat sources and heat transfer coefficients are given. The temperature field and thermal deformation of the hob assembly were obtained by thermal-structural coupling numerical simulations. Numerical results showed that the deformation can maximally reach to 94.5 µm, which is non-ignorable in the thermal deformation analysis of the whole dry gear hobbing machine. Subsequently, by comparing the simulation results and experimental data, the newly proposed method to determine the forced convection heat transfer coefficient proved more fitting for describing the airflow pattern inside the gear hobbing zone. The satisfactory agreement between simulation results and experimental data also suggests that the numerical analysis method proposed in this paper can provide an effective research tool to optimize the design of hob assembly. And the results obtained by the proposed method can be used for thermal error modelling in real error compensation.
Molecular screening for Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance markers in Nigerian men who have sex with men and transgender women
Authors: Hardick Justin , Crowell Trevor A , Lombardi Kara , Akintunde Akindiran , Odeyemi Sunday , Ivo Andrew , Eluwa George , Njab Jean , Baral Stefan D , Nowak Rebecca G , Quinn Thomas C , Barbian Kent , Anzick Sarah , Adebajo Sylvia , Charurat Manhattan E , Ake Julie , Gaydos Charlotte A
Published: July 2018

Antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is a global public health issue that threatens effectiveness of current treatments of NG. Increased use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) in lieu of cultures makes obtaining clinical isolates for susceptibility testing difficult and samples collected in commercial transport buffer for NAATs do not preserve viable organism, while molecular methods of assessing antibiotic susceptibility do not require viable organism. We evaluated 243 NG-positive samples in Aptima transport media including urine, oral, and rectal swabs from Nigerian men who have sex with men for markers to penicillinase-producing NG, ciprofloxacin ( GyrA and ParC mutations), and extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs, PenA mosaic [allele X], PonA, mtrR, PorB mutations) by real-time PCR. NG DNA was recovered in 75% (183/243) of samples. Of these, 93% (171/183) were positive for at least one resistance marker. We observed a prevalence of dual resistance markers to penicillin and ciprofloxacin at 46.2% (79/171). Six percent of samples (10/171) tested positive for the PenA mosaic (allele X) ESC marker. These data indicate that antibiotic-resistant NG is common in Nigeria. Laboratory and clinical capacity building in Nigeria should include development of methods to culture NG and determine antimicrobial susceptibility.
Characteristics associated with lack of HIV testing during pregnancy and delivery in 36 U.S. states, 2004–2013
Authors: Koumans Emilia H , Harrison Ayanna , House L Duane , Burley Kim , Ruffo Nan , Smith Ruben , FitzHarris Lauren , Johnson Christopher H , Taylor Allan W , Nesheim Steven R
Published: July 2018

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend universal prenatal HIV testing to prevent perinatal HIV transmission in the U.S.; since the 1990s perinatal HIV transmission has declined. In 2006, 74% of women with a recent live birth reported testing for HIV prenatally or at delivery. We used Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 36 states and New York City from 2004 to 2013 (N = 387,424) to assess characteristics associated with lack of self-reported testing and state-to-state variability in these associations. Overall, 75.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 75.0–75.5) of women with a recent live birth reported an HIV test. There were significant differences in testing prevalence by state, ranging from 91.8% (95% CI 91.0–92.6) in New York to 42.3% (95% CI 41.7–43.5) in Utah. In adjusted analysis, characteristics associated with no reported testing included being married, white, non-Hispanic, multiparous, not smoking during pregnancy, and having neither Medicaid nor Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children. White married women were 57% (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.57, 95% CI 1.52–1.63) more likely to report no test compared to white unmarried women. Multiparous married women were 57% (aPR 1.57, 95% CI 1.51–1.64) more likely to report no test compared to multiparous unmarried women. Women who were married, white, non-Hispanic, and multiparous women were 23% less likely to be tested than other women combined. Marital status was significantly associated with lower prevalence of testing in 35 of the 37 reporting areas, and race was significant in 30 of 35 states with race information. The prevalence of reported HIV testing during pregnancy or at delivery remains below 80%. Opportunities exist to increase HIV testing among pregnant women, particularly among certain subpopulations.
Influence of parameters of PM controller on vibration performance of liquid hydrostatic guide-way system
Authors: Chen Liwen , Cui Bingyan , Zhao Jianhua , Gao Dianrong
Published: July 2018

The vibration of liquid hydrostatic guide-way system during the working process makes a full impact on the machining precision of the numerically-controlled machine tool. The hydrostatic guide-way under the regulation of PM (Progressive Mengen) controller is taken as the research object. First, based on the force balance equation of hydrostatic guide-way, two kinds of vibration model of hydrostatic guide-way are established, respectively, and oil film stiffness equation and damping coefficient formula are derived. Second, the inherent frequency and amplitude of the guide-way system are derived. Third, the influence of PM controller parameters on the inherent frequency and amplitude of the guide-way system is analysed theoretically. The result indicates that the inherent frequency of the guide-way system changes with PM controller parameter and it makes a full impact on the active vibration amplitude of the hydrostatic guide-way system, but not the passive vibration amplitude. This article is provided a reference for the practical application of PM controller.
Estimation of ambiguous blast-induced ground vibration using intelligent models: A case study
Authors: Prashanth Ragam , Nimaje DS
Published: July 2018

Blasting is an economical and viable operation for reliable excavation of hard rock in mining and civil construction. An ambiguous ground vibration generated by blasting is unenviable and causes grievous damage to nearby inhabitants, residential premises, and other sensitive sites. Accordingly, the proper assessment of indistinct blast-induced ground vibration is a requisite to pinpoint the safe limits in and around mines. An endeavor has been made in this article to apply four predictive models, namely, support vector machine, feed forward back propagation neural network, cascaded forward back propagation neural network, and radial basis function neural network to estimate the ground vibration caused by blasting operation conducted at Mine-A, India. In this article, a total number of 121 blasting operations with relevant parameters are recorded. The most influential parameters of ground vibration are the number of holes, burden, spacing, hole diameter, hole depth, top stemming, maximum explosive charge per delay, and the distance from blast source, which were considered as input parameters. Ground vibration is measured in terms of peak particle velocity and is considered as output. The performance indicators of constructed network models were chosen as the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error, and variance account for. Among all constructed intelligent models, the radial basis function neural network with architecture 8-80-1 and R2 of 0.9918, root mean square error of 4.4076, and variance account for of 99.1800 was found to be optimum. Sensitivity analysis showed that the number of holes, burden, and top stemming are the most effective parameters leads to ground vibration due to blasting.
Non-axisymmetric endwall profiling in a highly loaded compressor cascade
Authors: Cao Zhiyuan , Liu Bo , Zhang Ting , Xu Yibing , Zhao Hang
Published: July 2018

Very few studies of non-axisymmetric endwall profiling in compressor have been conducted in published literatures. This study investigates the control mechanism of non-axisymmetric endwall on the flow field of a highly loaded compressor cascade and the guidelines for the design of non-axisymmetric endwall. First, CFD method was validated with existing experimental data. Then, the design method of non-axisymmetric endwall based on trigonometric function and Bezier curve was introduced. The design strategies of non-axisymmetric endwall considering axial position effect, height effect and different patterns of concave/convex were investigated in detail. Results show that non-axisymmetric endwall is an effective way to control the near endwall flow field of the compressor cascade. With the optimal non-axisymmetric endwall in this study, the loss coefficient of the cascade is reduced by 5.5%, and the cascade exhibited suppressed corner separation, reduced passage vortex and more uniformly distributed outflow angles. The optimal axial position of the concave was at 0.22 axial chord, which was near the onset of corner separation, so the best control effect was obtained. There is an optimal height for the concave of the non-axisymmetric endwall. A lower concave will not have sufficient effect on the cascade, whereas a higher concave will be detrimental on the contrary. It is indicated that the influence mechanism of non-axisymmetric endwall on the compressor cascade is basically derived from the superimposed effect of reduced cross-passage pressure gradient and increased spanwise inward pressure gradient. The cross-passage pressure gradient can be reduced by both concave on the suction side and convex on the pressure side of the endwall. However, concave can introduce spanwise inward pressure gradient, whilst convex can introduce spanwise outward pressure gradient. For better improving the performance of compressor cascades, non-axisymmetric endwall is suggested to be a concave on the entire endwall, which introduces both reduced cross-passage pressure gradient and increased spanwise inward pressure gradient.
In Memoriam: Keith R Briffa, 1952–2017
Authors: Osborn Timothy J , Jones Philip D , Cook Edward R
Published: July 2018

Keith R Briffa was one of the most influential palaeoclimatologists of the last 30 years. His primary research interests lay in Late-Holocene climate change with a geographical emphasis on northern Eurasia. His greatest impact was in the field of dendroclimatology, a field that he helped to shape. His contributions have been seminal to the development of sound methods for tree-ring analysis and in their proper application to allow the interpretation of climate variability from tree rings. This led to the development of many important records that allow us to understand natural climate variability on timescales from years to millennia and to set recent climatic trends in their historical context.
Transcultural Modifications of a Japanese Language Group Prenatal Care Program for Transcultural Adaptation
Authors: Little Sahoko H. , Fetters Michael D.
Published: July 2018

Introduction: The CenteringPregnancy model has been demonstrated to improve birth outcomes for certain cultural and ethnic groups, but the literature lacks examples on how to modify their guidelines for socioculturally isolated women. Our aim is to examine the modifications we made to the CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care for Japanese women and to examine the implications for transcultural modification. Methods: Using a descriptive case study design, we examined the cultural fit and modifications of our Japanese prenatal group approach. We report the aspects that do not require modifications and the transcultural modifications that are needed. Based on this descriptive case, we discuss the lessons learned for making transcultural modifications that may apply to other cultural groups. Results: Many aspects of the CenteringPregnancy were readily adopted. We made 10 substantive transcultural modifications and articulate considerations for transcultural modifications. Discussion/Conclusion: This research illustrates transcultural considerations for modifying the CenteringPregnancy model and provides implications for use in other isolated populations of pregnant women.
Enhancing Family Engagement in Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Authors: Garbacz S. Andrew
Published: July 2018

Schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) is a systems-level approach to promote appropriate behavior, increase academic achievement, and improve school climate. The PBIS infrastructure engages families as partners in school systems and extends evidence-based positive behavior support to the home. The article discusses a pilot investigation and describes objectives, associated activities, and implementation guidance to engage families as partners in PBIS.
Effect of Postoperative Ketorolac Administration on Bone Healing in Ankle Fracture Surgery
Authors: McDonald Elizabeth , Winters Brian , Nicholson Kristen , Shakked Rachel , Raikin Steven , Pedowitz David I. , Daniel Joseph N.
Published: July 2018

Background:

In an effort to minimize narcotic analgesia and its potential side effects, anti-inflammatory agents offer great potential provided they do not interfere with bone healing. The safety of ketorolac administration after foot and ankle surgery has not been well defined in the current literature. The purpose of this study was to report clinical healing and radiographic outcomes for patients treated with a perioperative ketorolac regimen after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of ankle fractures.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed on all patients that received perioperative ketorolac at the time of lateral malleolar, bimalleolar, and trimalleolar ankle ORIF by a single surgeon between 2010 and 2016 with minimum 4 months follow-up. Patients received 20 tablets of 10 mg ketorolac Q6 hours. Radiographs were evaluated independently by 2 blinded fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons to assess for radiographic healing. A total of 281 patients were included, with a median age of 51 years and 138 males (47%). Statistical analysis consisted of a linear mixed-effects regression.

Results:

In all, 265/281 (94%) were clinically healed within 12 weeks and 261/281 (92%) were radiographically healed within 12 weeks. Within the group of patients that did not heal within 12 weeks, mean time to clinical healing was 16.9 weeks (range = 14-25 weeks), and mean time to radiographic healing was 17.1 weeks (range = 14-25 weeks). In patients taking ketorolac, there were no cases of nonunion in our series (n = 281) and no significant difference found between fracture patterns and healing or complications ( P = .500).

Conclusions:

Perioperative ketorolac use was associated with a high rate of fracture union by 12 weeks. This is the first study to examine the effect of ketorolac on radiographic time to union of ankle fractures. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether ketorolac helps reduce opioid consumption and improve pain following ORIF of ankle fractures.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Budget Cuts in Scholastic Media: A Focus Group Study of Oklahoma Journalism Advisers’ Survival Skills
Authors: Wilderman Melanie , Nasrin Sohana , Davis Jeremy
Published: July 2018

Scholastic journalism plays an important role in future professional journalism. Due to journalism’s place in a functioning democracy, journalism education is also tied to a democracy’s success. Many U.S. states have cut budgets severely for public education, which heavily affects subjects such as journalism. Researchers interviewed 14 scholastic journalism advisers in Oklahoma, concerning how student publications function amid financial cuts. Results indicate advisers engaging in innovative teaching and collaboration due to budget cuts, finding ways for publications to connect and be useful for schools and communities, and advisers’ fears and concerns due lack of support and ever-decreasing funding obstacles.
Bioengineered surgical repair of a chronic oronasal fistula in a cat using autologous platelet-rich fibrin and bone marrow with a tailored 3D printed implant
Authors: Soares Carla S , Barros Luís C , Saraiva Virgínia , Gomez-Florit Manuel , Babo Pedro S , Dias Isabel R , Reis Rui L , Carvalho Pedro P , Gomes Manuela E
Published: July 2018

Clinical summary:

A tissue engineering approach was used to aid the surgical repair of a chronic oronasal fistula (ONF) in a 13-year-old cat. A three-dimensional (3D) printed mesh, tailored to the size and shape of the ONF, was created to support a soft tissue flap used to close the defect; and also to provide a matrix for mesenchymal stromal cells present in bone marrow aspirate and bioactive cytokines and growth factors present in platelet-rich fibrin harvested from the patient. A CT scan at day 75 after surgery revealed the formation of new tissue in the defect and the healing process was complete at follow-up 6 months after surgery.

Relevance and novel information:

Complications are frequently reported following surgical repair of ONFs and include dehiscence of the palatal suture line, flap necrosis due to damage to the greater palatine artery and maxillary osteomyelitis, mainly due to chronic infection and bone lysis. The case described here demonstrates how input from a multidisciplinary team and the use of a biomaterial, processed by sophisticated technologies, can create a precision regenerative medicine strategy adapted to the patient’s clinical needs; this provided a novel therapeutic solution for an otherwise hard to treat clinical problem.
Taking center stage: Decoding status hierarchies from group photos of European leaders
Authors: Lundgren Magnus
Published: July 2018

I investigate whether group photos of international leaders can provide useful data on interstate status perceptions. I formulate a spatial model of social hierarchy and evaluate it against newly gathered data on the placement of leaders in 121 European Council group photos between 1975 and 2015. I find support for determinants of placement at the international, institutional, and individual levels. The results suggest that: (a) group photos provide a previously untapped source of data on international status; (b) data derived from group photos can supplement existing status proxies based on material capabilities or diplomatic connectivity; (c) group pictures can be particularly useful for discerning status hierarchies among sets of relatively homogenous countries, such as those of the European Union.
Détournement in social media visuals for a shared activist identity and imagery
Authors: Kiziltunali Gizem
Published: July 2018

This article aims to analyse some of the popular activist posters and images related to the Gezi Park resistance that took place in Turkey in 2013. The author argues that the theoretical approach of détournement is the driving force in the formation of the activist ‘identity’ and ‘imagery’ related to Gezi protests. Further, through detourning the attacks of the government, the article examines how the activist posters and images caused shifts in meaning and generated the negation and recreation of signs and significations. In this way, it can be seen that détournement as a subversive theoretical approach can be reconstructive while deconstructing verbal and censorship attacks from the government. The article engages with the word Çapulcu (looters) in an address by the former Prime Minister against the Gezi protesters and the penguin documentary used as a censorship element during the protests. It analyses how détournement applied by the protesters to these attacks led to the creation of a shared Gezi identity and image.
Interleukin-18 and the NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 inflammasome in adipose tissue are strongly associated with glucometabolic variables in a cohort of middle-aged men
Authors: Åkra Sissel , Aksnes Tonje A , Flaa Arnljot , Eggesbø Heidi B , Opstad Trine Baur , Njerve Ida U , Seljeflot Ingebjørg
Published: July 2018

Background:

Previous studies have indicated an association between interleukin-18 and glucose. Interleukin-18 becomes active when cleaved by caspase-1, activated by the NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 inflammasome.

Aim:

To investigate associations between glucometabolic variables and serum levels of interleukin-18 and genetic expression of interleukin-18, caspase-1 and NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 in adipose tissue and circulating leukocytes, and whether these mediators are related to the amount of abdominal adipose tissue .

Materials and Methods:

Fasting blood samples and subcutaneous adipose tissue were collected in a cohort of 103 middle-aged men. Serum levels of interleukin-18 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction and insulin sensitivity by glucose clamp. The distribution of abdominal adipose tissue, separated into superficial- and deep subcutaneous, and visceral adipose tissue, was assessed by computed tomography scan.

Results:

Glucometabolic variables correlated significantly to serum levels of interleukin-18, and to the expression of interleukin-18 and NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 in subcutaneous adipose tissue ( p < 0.05). Significant correlations were further observed between the amount of fat in the different compartments of abdominal adipose tissue and both serum levels of interleukin-18 and genetic expression of interleukin-18 and NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 in adipose tissue.

Conclusion:

The results implicate that the glucometabolic state is of importance for the inflammasome-related inflammation expressed both circulatory and genetically in subcutaneous adipose tissue, the latter highly reflected in the amount of abdominal adipose tissue.