bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Competencies Built Through Participation in Odyssey of the Mind: A Study of a Region in a Southern State
Authors: Bias Sheri K. , Bias Justin T. , Beckerdite Kimberly
Published: September 2019

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program that allows participants to engage in spontaneous thinking and long-term analytical activities. This program has been in existence for 40 years and involved thousands of participants from around the globe. In September 2018, coaches and judges from a region in a Southern state from the 2017-2018 Odyssey of the Mind season were surveyed to determine the skills and competencies perceived to be built within the framework of this program. There were 10 core competencies that were identified from this study with teamwork, creativity, and problem solving being in the top.
Barriers to Access: A Feminist Analysis of Medically Assisted Dying and the Experience of Marginalized Groups
Authors: Sikka Tina
Published: September 2019

In this article, I argue that a holistic strategy is needed to ascertain how implicit bias, on the part of health-care providers, and structural impediments work together to produce significant barriers to access to medical assistance in dying for marginalized groups—particularly those experiencing intersecting or interlocking forms of identity-based oppressions. In doing so, I also make the case that this kind of primary, patient-centered, and institutional research could benefit from the insights of critical feminism and materialist feminist theory by highlighting and challenging inequalities, opening up debate, and exploring new forms of knowledge production. It also offers a way to shape future research of medical assistance in dying, as it relates specifically to the study of how overlapping forms of structural and interpersonal marginalization (e.g., implicit bias), inclusive of race, gender, class, ethnicity, dis/ability, sexuality, and so on are expressed and experienced.
Transformative city branding and the evolution of the entrepreneurial city: The case of ‘Brand New Helsinki’
Authors: Jokela Salla
Published: September 2019

There have been two types of scholarly discussion on city branding. On the one hand, city branding has been conceptualised as a differentiation strategy of entrepreneurial cities involved in interspatial competition. On the other hand, researchers have recently emphasised the need to pay attention to increasingly pervasive and transformative forms of city branding, including branding as an urban policy and a form of planning. Drawing on a case study carried out in Helsinki, Finland, this article connects these two approaches by analysing Helsinki’s recent city branding endeavour in the context of the qualitative transformation of the entrepreneurial city. The article shows how city branding highlights and constitutes the city as an entrepreneurial platform and enabler bound up by the extended entrepreneurialisation of society.
Synchronous presentation of tuberculosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in a cirrhotic patient: a case report
Authors: Shah Dhruvin , P Ganesh , S Shanmuganathan , Koushik AK
Published: September 2019

Tuberculosis (TB) is a common opportunistic infection which may be reactivated in immunocompromised patients. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is on the rise with healthcare resulting in increased longevity of people. Reactivation of TB has been reported with liver-directed therapies for HCC like transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) and transarterial radio-embolisation (TARE). However, the co-occurrence of both TB and HCC in the same patient without any such history is rarely found. Only three isolated case reports have been published previously. We report the case of an elderly hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver disease patient who developed two different nodular liver lesions with multiple intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy, one such nodule being confirmed as HCC and another as TB along with nodal TB.
Role of ultrasonography in childhood eye diseases in a tertiary care setting: indications and scope
Authors: Mukhija Ritika , Pujari Amar , Singh Rashmi , Nayak Shreya , Singh Vipul , Tandon Radhika
Published: September 2019

We sought to evaluate the role and diagnostic potential of ocular B-scan ultrasonography in childhood eye disease in an observational cross-sectional study; 1091 patients with a total of 1445 eyes examined were studied. Cataract was the single most common indication for ultrasound followed by corneal pathology, ocular trauma, posterior segment pathology, primary congenital glaucoma, leukocoria, orbital pathology and other disease. Ultrasonography resulted in a change in diagnosis in 198 cases (18%). We conclude that B-scan ultrasonography plays an important adjunctive role in the management of childhood eye disease.
Cost-effective homemade automatically opening endobag for video-assisted thoracic surgery
Authors: Mo Ansheng
Published: September 2019

Because specimen removal is often required during video-assisted thoracic surgery, an easily produced, simple-to-use and cost-effective endobag is necessary to avoid wound metastasis. However, commercial endobags are expensive. Here I describe a homemade automatically opening, cost-effective, safe and easily produced endobag for video-assisted thoracic surgery that is suitable for use in low-income locations with limited health budgets.
A Giant Problem: The Influence of the Chicago School on Australian Competition Law, Economic Dynamism and Inequality
Authors: Triggs Adam , Leigh Andrew
Published: September 2019

Australia has a competition problem: there is not enough of it. Our industries are concentrated. Our markets show signs of weak competition. The way Australia’s courts, parliamentarians and regulators think about competition is partly to blame. Although it has been less influential in Australia than in the United States, the Chicago School’s views on competition have shaped our laws, policies and enforcement practices. The Chicago School views market concentration as a virtue more than a vice. The School contended that barriers to entry are negligible, market power is temporary, most mergers are good, vertical restraints and predatory pricing are either benign or efficient. The growing body of research and experience, however, shows that the Chicago School’s faith in the ability of markets to self-correct and deliver competitive outcomes was misplaced. There is a strong progressive case for repositioning how we think about competition. Focusing more on the competitive process, the structure of markets and the incentives those structures create for firms will play an important role in reducing inequality.
Finite element analysis of elastomer used in automotive suspension systems
Authors: Karthikeyan R , Rajkumar S , Bensingh R Joseph , Kader M Abdul , Nayak Sanjay K
Published: September 2019

Present research endeavours towards the development of a methodology to enhance the life of hyperelastic materials in automotive suspension (leaf spring) system. The durability of the elastomeric (rubber) material in the insert was determined at various loading conditions for better operation. Three different rubber materials were used as the models including the currently used rubber material in the suspension system. The non-linear finite element analysis was carried out for the three different materials with the uniaxial stress–strain data as the input source for the material properties. A suitable hyperelastic model was also used as the input for determining the deformation and the stress concentration in the leaf spring tip insert. The failure of the tip insert was determined in various loading conditions and the best design for limited stress concentration with higher reliability was determined in the three models. The overall results are tabulated and compared for better utilization of rubber as a tip insert in the automotive industry.
Bureaucracy Between Populism and Technocracy
Authors: Rockman Bert A.
Published: September 2019

Democratic institutions were on the rise in the 1990s but in many instances are under stress currently threatened by populist authoritarianism. The independence of the civil service, of the courts, and of the press is under various levels of threat in many countries including long-established liberal democracies. This article explores the causes and consequences of this threat particularly for the ability of governments to function effectively and lawfully.
A simplified composite current-constrained control for permanent magnet synchronous motor speed-regulation system with time-varying disturbances
Authors: Sun Zhenxing , Zhang Yangkun , Li Shenghui , Zhang Xinghua
Published: September 2019

Under the single-loop structure, the problem of overcurrent protection for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is investigated in this paper. Due to the combination of speed loop and current loop, the q-axis current become a state of PMSM control system, instead of the output of current loop in the cascade control. As a consequence, the conventional controllers can not restrict the q-axis current into a safe zone. But an oversize transient current may lead to damage of hardwares and property loss. To this end, a new current-constrained controller is proposed to deal with the issue of over-current protection. Different from previous methods of state constraints, the effects of disturbance is taken into account of controller design. A reduced-order generalized proportional integral observer (RGPIO) is adopted to estimate the uncertainties and disturbances. Our method can be considered as a composition of current-constrained control plus feed-forward compensation based on RGPIO. A rigorous stability analysis for the closed-loop system is presented. Compared with the conventional PID controller, the proposed method not only limits q-axis current to a safe range, but also has a good anti-disturbance ability. The feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method is validated by both simulation and experimental results.
Neural-network-based adaptive fault-tolerant vibration control of single-link flexible manipulator
Authors: Li Le , Liu Jinkun
Published: September 2019

This paper proposes an adaptive fault-tolerant control scheme for a single-link flexible manipulator with actuator failure and uncertain boundary disturbance. The dynamic model of the flexible manipulator as-described by partial differential equations (PDEs) is derived under Hamilton’s principle. The dynamic model is then used to design an adaptive fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme which tracks the given angle and regulates vibration in the case of actuator failure. The boundary disturbance is compensated by a radial basis function (RBF) neural network. The whole closed-loop system is proven asymptotically stable by Lyapunov direct method and LaSalle’s invariance principle. Simulation results indicate that the proposed controller is superior to the traditional PD controller.
Effect of alkaline diagenesis on sandstone reservoir quality: Insights from the Lower Cretaceous Erlian Basin, China
Authors: Li Shengyu , Tian Jingchun , Lin Xiaobing , Zuo Yinhui , Kang Hua , Yang Dongdong
Published: September 2019

The Tengger Formation in the Baiyinchagan sag of the Erlian Basin has behaved as a low-permeability petroleum system during its diagenetic history. Through the observation and examination of thin section, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction data, this study found the existence of alkaline diagenesis, as indicated by the dissolution of quartz, the precipitation of authigenic illite and chlorite, and the formation of carbonate and authigenic albite cements. There were two types of alkaline diagenetic conditions: the early alkaline diagenetic conditions were controlled by the syndepositional environment, and the multiphase burial alkaline diagenetic conditions were controlled by the evolution of organic acids and thermal fluids. The quantitative model of the evolution of porosity over geologic time developed in this study indicates that quartz dissolution increased the porosity by a total of 0.85%. This work may provide significant advances in the understanding of the low-permeability reservoirs in the Erlian Basin and lays the scientific foundation for oil and gas exploitation.
Are Banks Improving Risk Governance After the Financial Crisis?
Authors: Chen Jengfang , Cheng Charles , Ku Catherina Y. , Liao Woody
Published: September 2019

This article investigates the extent and the effectiveness of risk governance improvements in banks after the financial crisis of 2007/2008. Using a sample of 30 pairs of matched banks that were the center of the financial crisis, we find that (a) banks with lower stock performance (lower performing banks) had weaker risk governance in the year before the financial crisis than those with higher stock performance (higher performing banks), (b) those lower performing banks took corrective actions to rebuild their risk governance characteristics up to the level similar to the higher performing banks 2 years after the crisis, (c) the improvement of risk governance in the lower performing banks did not increase their institutional holdings and analyst followings, and (d) those lower performing banks that have taken corrective actions to improve risk governance have improved risk management and increased stock performance 2 years after the financial crisis.
Defiling the Church: The Impact of Mmusuo in Akan Conception
Authors: Agana Agana-Nsiire , Prempeh Charles
Published: September 2019

Many Christian churches in parts of Ghana dominated by Akans do not allow corpses to be brought inside the church during funerals services. Others face constant and vehement objection when it is done. Cultural differences on the subject have fuelled heated disputes that have led in some cases to severe congregational division. Opposition is often sustained by a culturally biased approach to biblical texts concerning sacredness and defilement as related to Old Testament sanctuary and temple ritual. Particularly, the religious philosophy of mmusuo provides the psycho-emotive motivation from which many Akan Christians vehemently oppose the practice as sacrilegious. It also provides an analytical and rhetorical framework for appropriating various biblical passages relating to religious sacrilege. This paper unpacks this framework and proposes effectively contextualized theology as a means of avoiding such erroneous conflations and resolving the disputes that arise at the interface of African culture and Christian religion, especially in multicultural congregations.
SME innovation orientation: Evidence from Norwegian exporting SMEs
Authors: Colclough Simon Norheim , Moen Øystein , Hovd Nina Sakshaug , Chan Andrew
Published: September 2019

This article explores the innovation orientation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through a quantitative study of 380 Norwegian exporting SMEs. Although recent research emphasises the influence of resource scarcity on SME innovation orientation, we argue that no clear hypothesis can be made about this relationship; rather, we focus on the role of managers and owners in influencing innovation orientation. We find that resource scarcity is not correlated with the innovation orientation of SMEs, while the growth ambitions of managers and owners strongly and positively influence their focus on both exploratory and exploitative innovation. Contrary to our expectations, we find that managerial perception of competitive intensity only moderately influences innovation orientation, while managerial perception of market growth does not influence innovation orientation. Our findings suggest that achieving ambidexterity is primarily a matter of ambition and entrepreneurial capability, rather than an issue of having the necessary resources or lucrative market conditions to innovate ambidextrously. As we also find that ambidextrous SMEs have the strongest innovation performance, our findings indicate that SMEs both can and should be ambidextrous.
How do SMEs use support services during their internationalisation process: A comparative study of French traditional SMEs and INVs in Asia
Authors: Belhoste Nathalie , Bocquet Rachel , Favre-Bonté Véronique , Bally Frédéric
Published: September 2019

This article integrates research on the internationalisation processes of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and export assistance services to investigate how such firms use support services drawing upon a large, qualitative study of 32 French traditional SMEs and international new ventures (INVs) that have entered Asia. Our key contribution is to consider the time to internationalisation (gradual or rapid) and the stage of internationalisation (entrance or intensification) rather than export intensity alone, and to examine how support services can help SMEs internationalise. The identification of different configurations of uses leads to the development of theoretical propositions that extend existing models pertaining to support services and firm internationalisation. These findings have several important managerial implications for support services to target their offer more precisely to two types of SMEs; they also provide useful guidance for SMEs to determine which tailor-made offerings from private and public actors are most applicable to their internationalisation efforts.
Changes in sleep predict changes in depressive symptoms in depressed subjects receiving vortioxetine: An open-label clinical trial
Authors: Cao Bing , Park Caroline , Rosenblat Joshua D , Chen Yan , Iacobucci Michelle , Subramaniapillai Mehala , Mansur Rodrigo B , Zuckerman Hannah , Lee Yena , McIntyre Roger S
Published: September 2019

Background

Sleep disturbances are frequently reported in patients with major depressive disorder. We aimed to investigate the effects of vortioxetine on sleep quality and association between changes in sleep and treatment response.

Methods:

This study is a post-hoc analysis of a clinical trial that sought to evaluate the sensitivity to cognitive change of THINC-integrated tool in patients with major depressive disorder. In total, 92 patients (aged 18 to 65) meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria for moderate or severe major depressive disorder and 54 healthy controls were included. All patients received open-label vortioxetine (10–20 mg/day, flexibly dosed) for 8 weeks. Herein, the primary outcomes of interest were changes in sleep, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Insomnia Severity Index, between weeks 0, 2, and 8. The association between changes in sleep and depressive symptom severity was secondarily assessed.

Results:

We observed that sleep, as indicated by scores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Insomnia Severity Index, was significantly poorer in patients with major depressive disorder compared to healthy controls at weeks 0, 2, and 8 ( p < 0.05). Among patients with major depressive disorder, we observed significant improvements on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Insomnia Severity Index between weeks 0 and 8 ( p < 0.05). We observed a significant association between improvements on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index and improvement of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion:

Improvement of depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder patients treated with vortioxetine was associated with significant improvements in sleep. Furthermore, improvements in sleep were predictive of antidepressant response and were linearly correlated with improvement in overall depressive symptom severity.
Peer assessment platform of clinical skills in undergraduate medical education
Authors: Chen Liling , Chen Hong , Xu Di , Yang Yan , Li Huiming , Hua Dong
Published: September 2019

Objective

The study objective was to enhance clinical skills among undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine in performing physical examination by establishing a novel platform for peer assessment of clinical skills.

Methods

A total 126 Year 2012 students majoring in medicine and receiving traditional training were assigned to the control group, and 126 Year 2013 students receiving instruction via the peer assessment platform of clinical skills were allocated to the study group. Scores of the physical examination, paper exam, and peer assessment were compared using a t-test, and we performed linear correlation analysis of the data.

Results

Scores of the physical examination and peer assessment among Year 2013 students (the study group) were significantly higher than those in the control group. Paper exam scores in the study group were also significantly higher than those in the controls. The three assessment scores did not differ significantly according to sex.

Conclusions

The peer assessment platform can not only improve medical students’ skills and capabilities in physical examination, it can also enhance their theoretical knowledge of basic clinical principles. We determined that sex was not related to the assessment scores obtained by medical students.
Influence of dry weight reduction on anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Deng Yinghui , Liu Hua , Lin Na , Ma Lina , Fu Wenjing
Published: September 2019

Objective

Volume load in patients undergoing hemodialysis correlates with renal anemia, with reductions in volume load significantly improving hemoglobin levels. We performed a prospective controlled study to assess the effect of post-dialysis dry weight reduction, resulting from the gradual enhancement of ultrafiltration, on renal anemia in this patient population.

Methods

Sixty-four patients with renal anemia on maintenance hemodialysis were randomized to an ultrafiltration group, in which dry weight was gradually reduced by slightly increasing the ultrafiltration volume while maintaining routine hemodialysis, and a control group, in which patients underwent conventional dialysis while routine ultrafiltration was maintained. After 28 weeks, post-dialysis weight and levels of hematocrit, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, serum albumin, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation were compared.

Results

All parameters were similar at baseline between the two groups and remained unchanged at week 28 in the control group compared with baseline. In contrast, the ultrafiltration group showed a significant reduction in post-dialysis weight and C-reactive protein concentration and a significant increase in hematocrit, hemoglobin, albumin, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation.

Conclusions

Dry weight reduction resulting from enhanced ultrafiltration may improve renal anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Factors associated with outcomes of septic shock patients receiving high dose noradrenaline according to three primary infection sites
Authors: Wu Kang-song , Gu Dan-yan , Wang Ting-ting , Yu Bu-wen , Pan Kong-han , Zhou Jian-cang
Published: September 2019

Objective

To identify factors associated with outcome of septic shock patients receiving high dose noradrenaline according to three primary infection sites.

Methods

This retrospective study was based on data from a publicly available ICU database (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care [MIMIC] III. Septic shock patients receiving high dose (≥1 μg/kg per min) noradrenaline and ≥18 years were identified and their characteristics and outcomes were compared according to three primary infection sites (abdominal, respiratory and urinary tract).

Results

154 septic shock patients who received high doses of noradrenaline were identified; (89 [58%] had a respiratory infection, 41 [27%] an abdominal infection and 24 [16%] a urinary infection). There were no differences among the three infection groups in duration/maximum dosage of noradrenaline, length of stay in the ICU/hospital, do not resuscitate (DNR) rates, hypertension and adequate antimicrobial therapy. Patients with urinary infections had a lower risk of death at 28-days compared with those with abdominal or respiratory infections.

Conclusions

The prognosis for septic shock patients receiving high dose noradrenaline is poor. Patients with abdominal or respiratory infections are at higher risk of death compared with those with urinary infections.
The limits to openness: Co-working, design and social innovation in the neoliberal city
Authors: Lorne Colin
Published: September 2019

This article examines the emergence of ‘open’ urban economic projects that promote the transformative potential of social innovation and civic enterprise. By putting the burgeoning literature on an open paradigm of work and innovation within cultural economic geography into dialogue with scholarship on open cities, I problematize the inherently progressive framing of openness. The paper makes two contributions. First, it emphasises how open narratives encourage entrepreneurial communities that manifest as individualization-masked-as-collectivism. It argues efforts to design new spaces of social innovation through the blurring of boundaries simultaneously reproduce social and material exclusions. Second, it demonstrates how the championing of open ecosystems of social innovation intersects with austerity localism. New modes of state withdrawal are facilitated through co-creation, crowdfunding and social enterprise. Illustrated through research into a co-working space in London set up in response to the 2007–2008 economic crisis, I reveal the geographies of exclusion, enclosure and exploitation embedded in the pursuit of openness. Against the claims of enabling conditions for progressive civic futures, I establish the limits to openness whereby such ideas are easily assimilated into the processes of neoliberalisation that they seek to reject.
How soil erosion model conceptualization affects soil loss projections under climate change
Authors: Eekhout Joris PC , De Vente Joris
Published: September 2019

Climate models project increased extreme precipitation for the coming decades, which may lead to higher soil erosion in many locations worldwide. Different soil erosion model concepts are used to assess the impact of climate change on soil erosion at large spatial scales, including models forced by precipitation and by runoff. However, there is little knowledge of the implications of soil erosion model conceptualization on projected soil erosion rates under climate change. Here, we assess the impact of climate change with the three most widely used soil erosion model concepts: a model forced by precipitation (RUSLE); a model forced by runoff (MUSLE); and a model forced by precipitation and runoff (MMF). We applied the models to two contrasting Mediterranean catchments (south-east Spain), where climate change is projected to decrease the annual precipitation sum and increase extreme precipitation, based on the RCP8.5 climate change scenario. Depending on the model, soil erosion is projected to decrease (RUSLE) or increase (MUSLE and MMF) in the study area. Although it is difficult to validate future model projections, the differences between the model projections are, inherently, a result of their model conceptualization: a decrease in soil loss due to a decrease in the annual precipitation sum (RUSLE); and an increase in soil loss due to an increase in extreme precipitation and, consequently, increased runoff (MUSLE). An intermediate result is obtained with MMF, in which a projected decrease in detachment by raindrop impact is counteracted by a projected increase in detachment by runoff. We conclude that in climate change impact assessments it is important to select a soil erosion model that is forced by both precipitation and runoff, which under climate change may have a contrasting effect on soil erosion.
Deformation and damage of nuclear power station fuel elements under cyclic loading
Authors: Breslavsky Dmitry , Chuprynin Aleksandr , Morachkovsky Oleg , Tatarinova Oksana , Pro Will
Published: September 2019

Deformation and damage of nuclear power station fuel element shells under irradiation and cyclic loading due vibrations are studied. Constitutive equations include dependencies for a creep-damage equation with a scalar damage parameter, as well as terms for thermal and irradiation creep strains, elastic, thermal, and swelling strains. The acceleration of the creep-damage process due to cyclic variation of internal pressure is considered with a dynamic creep model, for which constitutive equations are derived using the method of asymptotic expansions and averaging over a period of cyclic loading. Stress and strain states in the fuel element shell are determined by use of an in-house finite element method creep-damage code for shells of revolution. Results show the essential variation in the initially symmetric fuel element shell form, as well as the acceleration of creep-damage processes due to the cyclic pressure.
The power of crowds: Grand challenges in the Asia-Pacific region
Authors: Cai Cynthia Weiyi , Gippel Jennifer , Zhu Yushu , Singh Abhay Kumar
Published: September 2019

Technology is enabling organizations across the globe – large and small, for-profit and not-for-profit, governments and scientific groups – to harness the resources, knowledge, talent and creativity of crowds, in their effort to find innovative solutions to vexing problems. As contributors to solving grand challenges, crowds are providing data and funds, generating novel ideas and evaluating and developing concrete solutions. This article proposes a conceptual model for understanding the utility of crowdsourcing in the context of grand challenges. The article further identifies some boundary conditions where crowdsourcing may not be useful and discusses significant barriers to applying crowdsourcing in the Asia-Pacific region. We conclude by recognizing some empirical considerations and avenues for future research.

JEL Classification: O31, O35
Brain state monitoring for the future prediction of migraine attacks
Authors: Martins Isabel P , Westerfield Marissa , Lopes Marco , Maruta Carolina , Gil-da-Costa Ricardo
Published: September 2019

Background

Migraine attacks are unpredictable, precluding preemptive interventions and leading to lack of control over individuals' lives. Although there are neurophysiological changes 24–48 hours before migraine attacks, so far, they have not been used in patients' management. This study evaluates the applicability and the ability to identify pre-attack changes of daily “at home” electroencephalography obtained with a portable system for migraine patients.

Methods

Patients with episodic migraine fulfilling ICHD-3 beta criteria used a mobile system composed of a wireless EEG device (BrainStation®, Neuroverse®, Inc., USA) and mobile application (BrainVitalsM®, Neuroverse®, Inc., USA) to self-record their neural activity daily at home while resting and while performing an attention task, over the course of 2 weeks. Standard EEG spectral analysis and event-related brain potentials (ERP) methods were used and recordings were grouped by time from migraine attacks (i.e. “Interictal day”, “24 h Before Migraine”, “Migraine day” and “Post Migraine”).

Results

Twenty-four patients (22 women) recorded an average of 13.3 ± 1.9 days and had 2 ± 0.9 attacks. Twenty-four hours before attack onset, there was a statistically significant modulation of relative power in the delta (decrease) and beta (increase) frequency bands, at rest, and a significant reduction of the amplitude and inter-trial coherence measures of an attention event-related brain potential (P300).

Conclusions

This proof-of-concept study shows that brain state monitoring, utilising an easy-to-use wearable EEG system to track neural modulations at home, can identify physiological changes preceding a migraine attack enabling valuable pre-symptom prediction and subsequent early intervention.
Recurrent pump thrombosis is common after axial continuous-flow left ventricular assist device exchange
Authors: Urban Marian , Um John , Moulton Michael , Stoller Douglas , Zolty Ronald , Lowes Brian , Macdonald Collin , McCain Natalia , Siddique Aleem
Published: September 2019

In selected patients with left ventricular assist device–associated infection or malfunction, pump exchange may become necessary after conservative treatment options fail and heart transplantation is not readily available. We examined the survival and complication rate in patients (⩾19 years of age) who underwent HeartMate II to HeartMate II exchange at our institution from 1 January 2010 to 28 February 2018. Clinical outcomes were analyzed and compared for patients who underwent exchange for pump thrombosis (14 patients), breach of driveline integrity (5 patients), and device-associated infection (2 patients). There were no differences in 30-day mortality (p = 0.58), need for temporary renal replacement therapy (p = 0.58), right ventricular mechanical support (p = 0.11), and postoperative stroke (p = 0.80) among groups. Survival at 1 year was 90% ± 7% for the whole cohort and 85% ± 10% for those who underwent exchange for pump thrombosis. In patients exchanged for device thrombosis, freedom from re-thrombosis and survival free from pump re-thrombosis at 1 year were 49% ± 16% and 42% ± 15%, respectively. No association of demographic and clinical variables with the risk of recurrent pump thrombosis after the first exchange was identified. Survival after left ventricular assist device exchange compares well with published results after primary left ventricular assist device implantation. However, recurrence of thrombosis was common among patients who required a left ventricular assist device exchange due to pump thrombosis. In this sub-group, consideration should be given to alternative strategies to improve the outcomes.
Grateful Precarious Worker? Ukrainian Migrants in Poland
Authors: Polkowska Dominika , Filipek Kamil
Published: September 2019

Within the Polish labor market, immigration—along with flexibility, globalization, and mobility—has increased in importance. Because of the many cultural and historical similarities to Poland, as well as geographical proximity, Ukrainians play a very important role. They mostly take on the unattractive (from the point of view of the local worker) work-world positions: ones that are low paying, temporary, and offer insecure and uncertain lengths of employment. Using two in-depth case studies on Ukrainian migrant workers employed in diverse Polish industries, we answer the question of whether Ukrainian citizens working in Poland (economic migrants) are precarious workers in light of Vosko’s and Duell’s concepts of precariat.
Fear, loathing, and moral qualms on the battlefield
Authors: Mann Michael
Published: September 2019

Randall Collins is unparalleled as a sociologist of violence. Yet I here take issue with his view, often expressed by scholars, that moral qualms have prevented many modern soldiers or airmen from shooting or killing. Evidence from soldiers and airmen in modern wars shows that they may hesitate momentarily before their first killing, but then killing eases. The tragedy is that qualms only seem to strike soldiers after their war has ended, contributing substantially to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Soldiers can kill easily if ordered to by effective coercive authority, especially if the enemy is shooting at them. This grim conclusion is at least balanced by the rarity of ‘real killers’ – soldiers who enjoy and are excited by killing.
Attachment to God and Social Trust
Authors: Bradshaw Matt , Kent Blake Victor , Henderson W. Matthew , Setar Anna Catherine
Published: September 2019

Research suggests that religious participation is associated with feelings of social trust. A separate line of work shows that individuals who develop secure, intimate relationships with parents, caregivers, and others have higher levels of trust than those who do not. The current study integrates these two strands of theory and research by examining (1) whether attachment to God has a unique association with social trust, (2) whether different attachment “styles” (i.e., avoidant, anxious) produce variations in trust outcomes, and (3) whether the findings are significant net of controls for sociodemographic characteristics, religious service attendance, prayer, denominational affiliation, and images of God. Analyses are conducted using data from the 2010 Baylor Religion Survey (BRS), a nationwide sample of U.S. adults. Findings suggest that both avoidant and anxious attachment to God are inversely related to overall trust, generalized trust (unknown people and strangers), and particularized trust (neighbors and coworkers). These two measures also interact with education (but not marital status, race, or income) to predict trust in the following way: Both avoidant and anxious attachment to God have stronger inverse associations with trust among individuals with lower levels of education compared with their more highly educated counterparts. Overall, attachment to God may offer an explanation for trust not captured by more widely used indicators of religious life.
D.C. news media coverage of the district’s Death With Dignity Act
Authors: Lauffer Kimberly A. , Baker Sean D. , Seely Natalee
Published: September 2019

In 2016, the District of Columbia City Council passed the Death With Dignity Act. Afterward, Congress attempted to block its implementation by first invoking Congress’s power to overturn the law and then, when unsuccessful in that effort, withhold money from the District. Previous studies examining local news media coverage of aid-in-dying legislation have identified several recurrent frames. D.C. news publications invoked those frames as well as others more specific to the District. Understanding how aid in dying and related legislation is portrayed in newspaper coverage is important as more jurisdictions consider legalization of the practice.
Perspectives of Quebec Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners on Their Role and Challenges in Chronic Disease Management: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Guillaumie Laurence , Therrien Dominique , Bujold Mathieu , Pelletier Jérôme , Bujold Louise , Lauzier Sophie
Published: September 2019

Background

Primary health care nurse practitioners (PHCNPs) can play a key role in chronic disease management. However, little is known about the challenges they face.

Purpose

The study aimed to describe PHCNPs’ perspectives on their role for patients with chronic health conditions, the barriers they face, and facilitating factors.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive exploratory study was conducted with 24 PHCNPs in the Canadian province of Quebec.

Results

PHCNPs believe that they are in an optimal position to address the needs of patients with chronic health conditions, especially in providing self-management support. However, PHCNPs reported feeling pressured to practice according to a biomedical model and to constantly defend their role in chronic disease management. They feel that they are frequently being diverted from their role to compensate for the lack of family doctors. PHCNPs made concrete recommendations to optimize their autonomous practice and quality of care: promoting strong interprofessional communication skills, genuine mentoring relationships between PHCNPs and partner physicians, managers upholding the full scope of PHCNPs’ practice, and a more flexible legislative framework.

Conclusions

The original conception of PHCNPs as health professionals with unique characteristics is at stake. The factors that should be targeted to support the autonomy of PHCNPs were identified.
Postpartum Depressive Symptoms as a Mediator Between Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy and Maternal-Infant Bonding in Japan
Authors: Park Soim , Greene M. Claire , Melby Melissa K. , Fujiwara Takeo , Surkan Pamela J.
Published: September 2019

Studies show that experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is related to poor maternal–infant bonding. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. This article aims to examine whether maternal postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms mediate the association between pregnancy IPV and maternal–infant bonding, and whether the relationship differs by maternal–infant bonding subscales—lack of affection, anger/rejection. A survey was conducted among women who participated in a postpartum health check-up program in Aichi prefecture, Japan ( N = 6,590) in 2012. We examined whether experiences of emotional and physical IPV were related to maternal–infant bonding and whether PPD symptoms mediated this relationship. Path analysis showed that emotional and physical IPV were associated with PPD symptoms, and PPD symptoms predicted poor bonding. The total effect of emotional IPV on poor bonding was significant, showing a marginally significant direct effect and statistically significant indirect effect. The total effect of physical IPV on poor bonding was not statistically significant. Emotional IPV was significantly associated with both lack of affection and anger/rejection bonding subscales, which were similarly mediated by PPD symptoms. Findings revealed a modest indirect association between IPV, emotional IPV in particular, and poor maternal–infant bonding, which was mediated by PPD symptoms. While prevention of IPV is the ultimate goal, the treatment of PPD symptoms among women who experience IPV during pregnancy may improve maternal–infant bonding and mitigate cross-generational effects of IPV. Identifying opportunities for detection of IPV and PPD symptoms, as well as prevention and early intervention, may improve maternal–infant bonding.
The Impact of Counsel at First Appearance on Pretrial Release in Felony Arraignments: The Case of Rural Jurisdictions
Authors: Worden Alissa Pollitz , Shteynberg Reveka V. , Morgan Kirstin A. , Davies Andrew L. B.
Published: September 2019

This article examines the impact of early provision of counsel on judges’ pretrial release and bail decisions in two rural counties in upstate New York, in cases involving felony charges. This study builds upon previously reported research on misdemeanor cases. We note that although the stakes are higher in felony cases, few studies have investigated the dynamics of first appearance decisions at either level. We investigate the hypotheses that when defendants are represented by attorneys at their first appearances in court, (a) judges are more inclined to release on recognizance or under supervision, (b) judges impose less restrictive bail amounts, and (c) as a consequence, defendants spend less time detained prior to disposition. We find mixed support for these hypotheses, although some evidence that counsel at first appearance (CAFA) produces the expected outcomes. We conclude that the implementation of programs intended to ensure CAFA may be tempered by courthouse cultures, and that future research on court reform should include the study of rural jurisdictions.
Just Moments: A Letter to Dr Peter Erickson
Authors: Terry Paul E.
Published: September 2019

Practicing mindfulness is usually characterized as being “in the moment” and is most often associated with an effort to manage individual illness, stress, or well-being. This editorial memorializes my dear friend Pete Erickson who was an exemplar to making every moment count. But more importantly, moments he made with others were “just moments” in service to his community, moments that made others experience their community and their health system as more just places. In defining “just moments,” I cite the paper “Collective Well-being to Improve Population Health Outcomes” where the authors argued that well-being is a function of a group and that domains such as “connectedness” and “contribution” may have as much to do with well-being as does our usual focus on individual self-care practices.
Presidential action and the Supreme Court: The case of signing statements
Authors: Thrower Sharece
Published: September 2019

Recent attention to presidential action recognizes the legal and constitutional questions surrounding the controversial use of many of these powers. Yet, scholarly research on executive policymaking tends to ignore the role of the courts, instead focusing on presidential–congressional relations. I develop a formal theory of the president’s decision to issue a signing statement in the face of constraints from the Supreme Court. The model produces several novel predictions. First, I predict that the president is more likely to issue a signing statement when he is ideologically aligned with the Court. Second, contrary to previous literature, the president is more likely to issue a statement when his preferences are also aligned with Congress. Finally, when reviewing legislation that is constitutionally challenged, I predict that the Court is more likely to rule in favor of the president’s position when he has issued a signing statement.
Right-wing populist attitudes among European public servants – A cross-country comparison
Authors: van Acker Wouter
Published: September 2019

Thus far, there has not been any investigation into the populist held beliefs and attitudes among public servants. These attitudes, given the considerable discretionary decision power of public servants, and their influence in policy-making processes, could have a significant impact on public policies. This paper investigates the populist attitudes of public servants, based on data that are retrieved from the European Social Survey. The paper compares public servants from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. The results show that public servants hold surprisingly similar populist views as compared with non-public servants, and that there are striking differences between countries. There are significant implications for the work public servants do, and the representativeness of the administration.
Force characteristics and two-dimensional pressure fields of air flotation units with different numbers and distribution radii of orifices
Authors: Yu Xubo , Zou Chengye , Shi Kaige , Li Xin
Published: September 2019

Air flotation rails are widely used in semiconductor production lines for handling components such as liquid crystal glass substrates and wafers. In this study, the effects of the number and distribution radius of the orifices of the basic component (hereinafter referred to as air flotation unit) of the utilized air-suspension orbit were theoretically and experimentally investigated. The pressure distribution of the air flotation unit was first calculated using the Reynolds equation. The flotation forces and two-dimensional pressure fields of six different air flotation units with different numbers and distribution radii of the orifices were then experimentally measured. Based on the experimental data, we analyzed the effect of the inertia item of the flow, the impact of the no-flow region within the distribution circle, and the changes brought about by the number and distribution radius of orifice, etc. The findings of this study afford important theoretical and experimental references for the design of air flotation rails.
Numerical analysis of different cutting edge radii in hot micro-cutting of Inconel 718
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhang Xu , Wang Dazhong
Published: September 2019

Mechanical micro-cutting is one of the advanced processes for manufacturing of micro-parts. During the micro-cutting process, the thickness of the uncut chip is very close to the tip radius of the tool. The cutting edge is used to cut and extrude the workpiece. In this paper, the experiments and simulations of macro-machining nickel alloy are compared, and the process of micro-cutting nickel alloy is simulated and analyzed. In this study, four cutting edge radii, three cutting speeds, six hot cutting temperatures, and a constant depth of cut are used. The radius of the cutting edge of different sizes is theoretically analyzed and verified by simulation of material flow state, temperature, stress, strain, and cutting force. The results show that the material separation points are very close together at different cutting edge radii. The change in the radius of the cutting edge changed the contact state of the material in the cutting area, which has a large influence on the temperature and cutting force. The effects of different cutting speeds and hot working temperature on the machining process are also discussed.