bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-regulation when using a mobility scooter: The experiences of older adults with visual impairments
Authors: McMullan Keri , Butler Mary
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Individuals with visual impairment may choose to use a mobility scooter for meaningful community mobility. This study investigated what self-regulation strategies older adults with visual impairment employed to ensure effective mobility scooter use.

Method

This interpretive description study used multiple methods, including participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Among the 15 participants, a variety of visual impairments was represented.

Results

Participants described the various reasons for getting a scooter. They also detailed risks and barriers that warranted self-regulation strategies including the environment, the visual impairment and the attitudinal approaches.

Conclusion

Barriers to community participation are common for people with visual impairment. This study adds detailed accounts of strategies for the competent management of such barriers using self-regulation practices. These practices can be applied in the community to maintain/improve infrastructure accessibility, address public understanding of scooter use and educate individuals with visual impairment of strategies to improve their scooter use.
A forgotten economic work by Rosa Luxemburg
Authors: Gaido Daniel , Quiroga Manuel
Published: June 2019

The recent and very useful edition of Rosa Luxemburg’s economic works compiled by Peter Hudis ( The Complete Works of Rosa Luxemburg) left out one essay: her review of the first volume of Karl Marx’s Theories of Surplus Value, edited by Karl Kautsky in 1905. While book reviews are nowadays a minor genre usually limited to a short length, that was not the case when Luxemburg wrote her essay: her review – published in Vorwärts, the daily of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), just before the outbreak of the Russian Revolution of 1905 – was extensive and dealt with a variety of theoretical and political issues. We offer the first critical edition in English of this work, setting it against the background of Rosa Luxemburg’s previous works and of the revisionist controversy within the SPD and the Second International, as well as contextualizing it within the framework of contemporary polemics with bourgeois economics, particularly with the German historical school and with marginalism. We also offer a comparison between the methodological issues raised by Luxemburg in her review and those raised by Rudolf Hilferding in his review of the third and last volume of Marx’s Theories of Surplus Value, published in 1911. We close with a brief assessment of the place of Luxemburg’s essay in the later development of her economic thought, concluding with The Accumulation of Capital, published in 1913.
The short happy life of the affluent working class: Consumption, debt and Embourgeoisement in the Age of Credit
Authors: Day Matthew
Published: June 2019

This article reconsiders the debate over the alleged embourgeoisement of the British working classes after Second World War. ‘Bourgeois affluence and proletarian apathy’ examines why members of the New Left concluded that a ‘bourgeois’ proletariat was incapable of revolutionary activity. ‘Washing machines and proletarian persistence’ takes up the midcentury social scientific literature with an eye for the ways in which empirical research falsified key elements of that thesis. ‘Visible consumption and invisible debt’ draws attention to the ways in which both liberal advocates for and Marxist critics of embourgeoisement overemphasized spending and underemphasized debt. Finally, I close by calling attention to some of the anecdotal and empirical evidence that suggests household indebtedness perpetuates working-class dependence upon capital.
Research of improved fast independent component analysis algorithm in rectal diagnosis signal preprocessing
Authors: Zan Peng , Xue Yingjie , Chang Meihan
Published: June 2019

With the maturity of artificial organ technology, the use of artificial anal sphincters was proposed to help patients who suffered anal incontinence for various causes reconstruct rectal perception, monitor rectal pressure and diagnose rectal lesion. Aimed at the lack of signal pretreatment in the artificial anal sphincter system, we find a way to solve it, that is, the multi-dimensional reconstruction of the intestinal one-dimensional pressure signal sequence by using phase space reconstruction, and the separation of the reconstructed signal by using the improved fast independent component analysis algorithm. We did some relevant experiments, further extracted the features of the isolated rectal signal, and used back propagation neural network to diagnose the rectal lesions. Experiments show that the method can pretreat the rectal signal, and further analyze the separated signal to diagnose of rectal function. The improved fast independent component analysis algorithm has few iterations, fast convergence, short run time, low requirements on initial weights and good diagnosis. This study lays a foundation for the diagnosis of rectal function by using artificial anal sphincters.
Workplace Antistigma Programs at the Mental Health Commission of Canada: Part 1. Processes and Projects
Authors: Szeto Andrew , Dobson Keith S. , Luong Dorothy , Krupa Terry , Kirsh Bonnie
Published: June 2019

The Opening Minds Initiative of the Mental Health Commission of Canada has taken a novel approach to reducing the stigma of mental illness by targeting specific sectors. This first article describes Opening Minds’ research and programming initiatives in the workplace target group. This article describes the context of mental illness stigma in Canada and the development of the Opening Minds initiative of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, with a specific focus on the workplace sector. We outline the steps that were taken to develop an evidence-based approach to stigma reduction in the workplace, including reviews of the state of the art in this workplace antistigma programming, as well as the development of tools and measures to assess mental illness stigma in the workplace. Finally, 2 specific program examples (e.g., Road to Mental Readiness and The Working Mind) are used to highlight some of the procedural and logistical learnings for implementing antistigma and mental health initiatives within the workplace. In a second related article, we further examine the Opening Minds workplace initiative, with a discussion of the lessons learned from the implementation and evaluation of antistigma programming in the workplace.
Female Sports Journalists: Are we there Yet? ‘No’
Authors: Hardin Marie , Shain Stacie
Published: June 2019

While female sports journalists have made their way onto sports desks and into locker rooms, some say they haven't gained acceptance. Now they are asking if the sacrifices of time and family are worth it.
Financial Strain and Intimate Partner Violence Against Married Women in Postreform China: Evidence From Chengdu
Authors: Zheng Li , Xu Xiaohe , Xu Ting , Yang Liu , Gu Xiaoxia , Wang Lijuan
Published: June 2019

The primary goal of this study is to link both subjective and objective indicators of financial strain to two distinct dimensions of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women—the husband’s violent behavior and gendered control—in postreform China. The data for this study were drawn from a community survey conducted in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, in 2017 ( N = 340). By utilizing the family stress model and quantitative methods, the following results emerged from a series of multivariate statistical analyses: (a) among married women, self-perceived financial strain is significantly and positively associated with the risk of experiencing the husband’s perpetration of violent behavior and financial control; (b) low family income significantly elevates the likelihood of the husband’s exertion of personal and financial control over the wife, albeit the effect is weaker for financial control; and (c) unemployment of the husband significantly increases the likelihood of the husband’s exertion of financial controlling behavior against his wife. These results underscore the importance of gender and income inequalities in research on IPV against women in postreform China. These findings also cross-culturally substantiate the family stress model that has been utilized previously to examine the multifaceted associations between economic hardship and IPV in the U.S. Policy makers, academic researchers, and health practitioners are urged to recognize both subjective and objective financial strains as social and psychological determinants of IPV against women in postreform China.
Nonconsensual Sharing of Private Sexually Explicit Media Among University Students
Authors: Walker Kate , Sleath Emma , Hatcher Ruth M. , Hine Benjamin , Crookes Rebecca L.
Published: June 2019

This research was the first in the United Kingdom to examine the prevalence and nature of nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit messages, pictures, and videos and to examine whether this varies according to gender and by role (i.e., perpetrator, victim, or as dual role of perpetrator/victim). In a sample of 391 young adults (aged 18-25 years), questionnaire data on subjective norms, consensual and nonconsensual sharing, and their motivations for these behaviors were collected. Perpetration of and victimization through nonconsensual sharing was experienced by a substantial number of individuals. There was an association between reporting perpetration of nonconsensual sharing and experiencing victimization. An association was also found between reporting being pressured (i.e., coerced) to send sexually explicit material and experiencing victimization of nonconsensual sharing, which suggests that these behaviors may form part of a continuum of violence and abuse, potentially within intimate relationships. No association was found between gender and (a) perpetration or (b) victimization. However, from a gendered perspective, females perceived there was greater social pressure to post messages, pictures, and videos, compared with males. Motivations for nonconsensual sharing were commonly explained as for fun/a joke, and generally not thought of as problematic, although some victims perceived motivations to be more negative and/or related to revenge/causing distress. Given that this research examined nonconsensual sharing across messages, pictures, and videos for both victimization and perpetration and found it was both perpetrated and experienced by females and males, this does not support the common perception that this is a male perpetrated behavior against women. This has implications for education, policy, intervention, and prevention, with approaches needing to be inclusive of both males and females when addressing perpetration and victimization.
Study on kinematic characteristics of planetary multistage face gears transmission
Authors: Hu Qingchun , Chen Xingbin , Xu Zhongyang , Mai Qianli , Zhu Chune
Published: June 2019

A planetary gear transmission system with multistage face gears combinations as core component can easily realize the variable speed in differential transmission ratios with structural advantages. In order to improve the transmission stability and loading capacity, it is necessary to set up a reasonable kinematic model for multistage face gears pair. This study focuses on the kinematic characteristics of multistage face gears structure with double crown surface by the methods of numerical calculation and experimental verification. The transmission error and efficiency solving models are established by numerical calculation method to analyze the influences of each factor in detail. Then the correctness of the above numerical models are verified with transmission error and efficiency experiment. In addition, the numerical results are compared with the experimental results to further indicate the important influences of the multistage face gears components on the transmission error and efficiency of whole transmission system. The results can provide references for the dynamic and experimental study of multistage face gears in some degree.
Refining the late-Holocene coastline and delta development of the northern Yangtze River delta: Combining historical archives and OSL dating
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhang Weiguo , Nian Xiaomei , Ge Can , Zhao Xuanqi , Cheng Qinzi , Chen Jin , Hutchinson Simon M
Published: June 2019

Historical documents provide a general chronological overview of the environmental evolution of the Yangtze River delta (YRD) during the last ca. 2000 years; however, absolute dating of the region’s late Holocene sediment is relatively rare. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating has been increasingly applied to the age determination of Holocene deposits in deltaic environments. In this study, three 23–27 m long drill cores running from south to north were collected from the Qihai plain of the northern YRD in order to reconstruct the history of this region’s formation since the late Holocene. A total of 24 samples from the three cores were subjected to OSL dating using coarse silt-sized (45–63 μm) quartz. The OSL ages range from approximately 190–3490 a revealing that the age of the delta front and delta plain facies in the coring sites are younger than 500 a while the sediments in the underlying prodelta facies are older than 2000 a. On the basis of the large age gap between the two set of deposits, we suspect that the coring sites remained submerged from 2000 to 500 years ago. As the central core has older and coarser sandy deposits than the neighbouring cores, we infer that the central core was located on a sandy mouth bar, while other cores sat within distributary channels within the estuary. The OSL ages are consistent with both the chronology implied by historical documents and other stratigraphic records in the area. This study enhances the chronological framework of land formation and delta evolution in the Qihai plain area of the YRD and thereby consolidates the conclusions derived from the application of a single technique alone.
Towards a full harmonization of the European banking regulation: Dilemmas in a legal discourse between regulation and enforcement
Authors: De Poli Matteo , de Gioia Carabellese Pierre
Published: June 2019

With the birth of the Single Supervisory Mechanism came the emergence of a new regime of supervision of the banking industry in the Eurozone. The allocation of enforcement powers between the European Central Bank and the National Competent Authorities is the corollary of the unified supervision, which reverberates from the Single Supervisory Mechanism, and it is ultimately the main theme of this contribution. More specifically, the architecture of the enforcement, principally shaped by the SSM and its principles and rules, is assessed and analysed in this paper against the background of the general theory of enforcement, as developed in the legal literature. The enforcement discourse in the European Union banking sector is debated alongside its interaction with the related aspects of the regulation and supervision and the way these three notions have been integrated and codified in the European Union after the 2011 sovereign debt crisis.
Accidental poisoning by intramuscular injection of dichloromethane and trichloroethylene: A case report
Authors: Guo Xiang , Lin Hui , Tse Man‐Li , He Jian , Guo Mei‐Qiong
Published: June 2019

Introduction:

Dichloromethane (DCM) and trichloroethylene (TCE) are both common halohydrocarbons which are widely used in industry. The most common exposure route of DCM or TCE is inhalation, but intramuscular injection of DCM and TCE is very rarely.

Case presentation:

A 47‐year‐old male presented ecchymosis, pain, and swelling of the left limb following accident injection of ABS glue (main ingredients were DCM and TCE). The swelling of his left limb was lasted until day 6 and WBC, NEUT, CK, CK‐MB, LDH, AST and ALT were elevated until day 9. He was received intravenous fluids, analgesic, antibiotics, and other supportive measures and finally discharged from the hospital on day 16.

Discussion:

Both DCM and TCE could cause local irritation and systemic toxicity involving central nervous system, liver, kidney and other organs. In this case, because the small dose of toxicant and injection being the route of exposure, the patient mainly suffered from local toxicity resulting in painful soft tissue swelling with slight hemocytology and biochemistry disorder. Although there are no specific antidotes for DCM and TCE poisoning, supportive measures may also provide satisfactory therapeutic results.

Conclusions:

DCM and TCE poisoning following intramuscular injection could present mainly with local and system poisoning symptoms and successfully treated with supportive measures.
Location Decisions by High Technology Firms: A Comparison of Firm Size, Industry Type and Institutional Form
Authors: Galbraith Craig , De Noble Alex F.
Published: June 2019

A total of 226 high technology firms were surveyed regarding location decisions. Differences in location behavior between smaller and larger companies were examined as were differences based on industry type and institutional form. Results suggested high technology firms are “footloose” in geographical location decisions, emphasizing factors such as ambience and availability of labor and property. Results also suggested smaller firms place more emphasis on ambience, while larger ones emphasize business-related factors. For site-specific decisions, firms (smaller companies in particular) were influenced by cost and access factors. These findings are relevant for municipalities and other ancillary services interested in high technology development.
Ecological approaches to perceptual learning: learning to perceive and perceiving as learning
Authors: Szokolszky Agnes , Read Catherine , Palatinus Zsolt , Palatinus Kinga
Published: June 2019

In this theoretical review article, our primary goal is to contribute to the post-cognitivist understanding of learning to perceive and perceiving as learning, by discussing a framework for perception and perceptual learning initiated by James J Gibson, and extended by Eleanor J Gibson and others. This Ecological Psychology has a coherent set of assumptions based on the concept of mutualism between the perceiving organism and its surroundings, and the idea of affordances as action possibilities of the surround that are perceptible by the organism. At the same time, Ecological Psychology, broadly construed, consists of different perspectives that take different routes to address questions related to the core concepts of perceptual learning. In this article, we focus on three theoretical stances within Ecological Psychology on the issue of perceptual learning: that of Eleanor J Gibson, the current theory of direct learning by Jacobs and Michaels, and the “organicist” approach based on ideas of organicist biology and developments in evolutionary biology. We consider perceptual learning as embedded in development and evolution, and we explore perceptual learning in more depth in the context of tool use and language development. We also discuss the relation between Ecological Psychology and Enactivism on the nature of perception. In conclusion, we summarize the benefits of Ecological Psychology, as a robust but still developing post-cognitivist framework, for the study of perceptual learning and cognitive science in general.
Development of a Tool to Assess Trainees’ Ability to Design and Conduct Quality Improvement Projects
Authors: Steele Erika M. , Butcher Rebecca , Carluzzo Kathleen L. , Watts Bradley V.
Published: June 2019

An important competency for residents developing skills in quality improvement (QI) and patient safety (PS) is to independently carry out an improvement project. The authors describe the development and reliability testing of the Quality Improvement Project Evaluation Rubric (QIPER) for use in rating project presentations in the Department of Veterans Affairs Chief Resident in Quality and Safety Program. QIPER contains 19 items across 6 domains to assess competence in designing, implementing, analyzing results of, and reporting on a QI/PS project. Interrater reliability of the instrument was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). QIPER scores ranged from 28 to 72 out of a possible 76. QIPER demonstrated good reliability overall (ICC = 0.63). Although further testing is warranted, QIPER shows promise as a tool to assess a comprehensive set of skills involved in conducting QI/PS projects and has the sensitivity to detect varied competence and utility for providing learner feedback.
Post-nonlinear blind source separation with kurtosis constraints using augmented Lagrangian particle swarm optimization and its application to mechanical systems
Authors: Lu Jiantao , Cheng Wei , Chu Yapeng , Zi Yanyang
Published: June 2019

To accurately estimate source signals from their post-nonlinear mixtures, a post-nonlinear blind source separation (PNLBSS) method with kurtosis constraints is proposed based on augmented Lagrangian particle swarm optimization (PSO). First, an improved contrast function is presented by combining mutual information of the separated signals and kurtosis ranges of source signals. Second, an augmented Lagrangian multiplier method is used to convert PNLBSS into an unconstrained pseudo-objective optimization problem. Then, improved PSO is applied to update the parameters in complex nonlinear spaces. Finally, numerical case studies and experimental case studies are provided to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. By adding the kurtosis ranges constraints, the estimation accuracy of source signals could be improved, which would benefit vibration and acoustic monitoring and control.
Efficacy of Nonpharmacological Treatments on Comorbid Internalizing Symptoms of Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: López-Pinar Carlos , Martínez-Sanchís Sonia , Carbonell-Vayá Enrique , Sánchez-Meca Julio , Fenollar-Cortés Javier
Published: June 2019

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly comorbid in adulthood. This meta-analysis was aimed at ascertaining the efficacy of different psychotherapies in improving comorbid internalizing symptoms in adults with ADHD. Method: Twenty randomized controlled trials and 12 uncontrolled pretest–posttest studies were included and combined using the inverse variance method. Risk of bias and heterogeneity assessment and moderator analyses were performed. Results: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) improved quality of life (QoL), emotional dysregulation (ED), depression, and anxiety symptoms, particularly at follow-up, which was predicted by core symptoms reduction. A significant between-group effect was obtained only on QoL, ED, and self-esteem for dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapies (MBTs), and neurofeedback, respectively. Conclusion: Results support CBT efficacy for treating comorbid internalizing symptoms. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of DBT, MBT, and neurofeedback. The small number of studies evaluating some therapies and the high risk of bias observed might limit these results.
Are the States United? An Analysis of U.S. Hotels’ Offers Through TripAdvisor’s Eyes
Authors: Moro Sérgio , Batista Fernando , Rita Paulo , Oliveira Cristina , Ribeiro Ricardo
Published: June 2019

This empirical data-driven research aims to unveil thought-provoking insights on the U.S. hotel offer across its 50 states. Information of more than 30,000 hotels was collected through web scraping from TripAdvisor. Using such data, 50 support vector machine models were trained to model the TripAdvisor score, one per state, to assess the convergent and divergent factors in customer satisfaction across all the U.S. states. A conceptual model is proposed and validated through the data-driven support vector machine models developed for each state to identify convergent features across the states to explain customer satisfaction (here represented by TripAdvisor score). Hotel size, price, and stars are not moderated by the location, expressed by the corresponding state, although these highly influence satisfaction, whereas both hotel number of published photos and the amenities are affected by the location. Thus, adaptation issues were found regarding amenities and published photos within each state’s offer.
Self-Reported and Actual Involvement of Community Pharmacy Professionals in the Management of Childhood Diarrhea: A Cross-Sectional and Simulated Patient Study at two Towns of Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Mengistu Getnet , Gietnet Kassahun , Amare Firehiwot , Sisay Mekonnen , Hagos Bisrat , Misganaw Desye
Published: June 2019

Background:

Role of community pharmacy professionals is observed in the prevention and treatment of diarrhea and the associated problem of dehydration in children. The aim of this study was to assess self-reported knowledge and actual practices of community pharmacy professionals toward the management of diarrhea in Harar town and Dire Dawa city administration.

Methodology:

Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on community pharmacy professionals practicing in community drug outlets of the two towns. Structured questionnaires and simulated patient were used to collect data.

Results:

A total of 105 community pharmacy professionals from 105 community pharmacies were invited, out of which 69.5% were men. Age was the most frequently taken history in both studies and none of the participants take history about weight of the child, medication history, and nutrition condition in the simulated study. Even though more than 90% of the participants reported to recommend oral rehydration salt (ORS) plus zinc, above 85% of them dispense antimicrobial agents for the simulated patient. Dose (96%), frequency (98%), how to prepare ORS (98%), and duration (98%) were the most frequently given information in the questionnaire survey. However, the simulated study revealed that information about common side effects and major interactions were not given to the patient.

Conclusion:

The study identified that there is a great difference between self-reported knowledge and actual practices on the management of childhood diarrhea in community pharmacies.
A stretchable and large-scale guided wave sensor network for aircraft smart skin of structural health monitoring
Authors: Wang Yu , Qiu Lei , Luo Yijie , Ding Rui
Published: June 2019

Aircraft smart skin technology requires the integration of large-scale, lightweight, and integrative sensor networks with aircraft structural skin, but it is difficult to directly manufacture such sensor networks in a large-scale, low-cost, reliable, and simple way. To study this issue, a design and manufacturing method of a stretchable and large-scale guided wave sensor network is proposed in this article. The key principle of the method is to design and manufacture the guided wave sensor network in a limited scale and expand it in a large-scale for aircraft smart skin of structural health monitoring. To ensure the excellent stretchability of the network, the design method of a serpentine-based fractal island-interconnect structure combined with the flexible printed circuit manufacturing process is proposed. The whole manufacturing process of the guided wave sensor network is realized by the mature flexible printed circuit process and the piezoelectric transducers (referred to as PZTs) are integrated with the network by reflow soldering which is compatible with the flexible printed circuit process, which greatly reduce manufacturing costs, simplify manufacturing process, and improve the yield and stability of the network. The guided wave sensor network can be uniaxially stretched to 500% of its original size and work well when fully expanded to cover 2500% of its original area. The test results of guided wave response show that the PZTs on the network can excite and receive guided wave signal normally. In addition, the network is placed on the surface of a carbon fiber composite laminate with stiffeners and the validation results show that the network can be applied to both active and passive guided wave–based structural health monitoring of composite structures, including damage imaging and impact imaging.
So You Want to Start an Institutional Biosafety Committee
Authors: Schniederberend Maren , Fontes Benjamin , Jeffrey Rachel
Published: June 2019

Introduction:

The number of institutions engaging in research with potentially biohazardous materials has increased, indicating a need for newly formed Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) in the United States and for similar biorisk management committees located outside the United States. Our institution identified the need for an IBC due to the growth of pertinent activities on campus.

Objectives:

This article shares our experiences creating a new IBC at our institution from September 2017 to April 2019. Our lessons learned and approaches to the challenges faced may be helpful to others finding themselves with similar needs.

Methods:

In this case study, we outline IBC membership, documents, relationships with federal agencies and within the institution, creation of registration forms, and the review process. Along with our account, we have included links to helpful resources from federal agencies.

Results:

At the time of the submission of this article, we have established our IBC and reviewed two registrations.

Conclusion:

This case report demonstrates the successful creation of an IBC that works for our current institutional needs.
Casting a Wide Net to Catch Seizures
Authors: Lu Adam C. , Beenhakker Mark
Published: June 2019

[Box: see text]
Biomarkers for SUDEP: Are We There Yet?
Authors: King-Stephens David
Published: June 2019

[Box: see text]
A Scoping Review of Ethical Considerations in Spiritual/Religious Counseling and Psychotherapy
Authors: Maximo Sally I.
Published: June 2019

Four overarching themes from this scoping review were identified, namely: (a) clients’ right for autonomy and self-determination; (b) cultural sensitivity; (c) practitioner competency issues; and (d) recommended guidelines for ethical practice. These themes were aligned with the moral principles that guide professional ethical practice. A competency-based model was designed based on findings to enhance counselor/clinician competencies by enhancing sensitivity to spiritual and religious sentiments, which allows greater responsiveness to the clients’ needs, values and preferences.
Automated Forelimb Tasks for Rodents: Current Advantages and Limitations, and Future Promise
Authors: Sindhurakar Anil , Butensky Samuel D. , Carmel Jason B.
Published: June 2019

Rodent tests of function have advanced our understanding of movement, largely through the human training and testing and manual assessment. Tools such as reaching and grasping of a food pellet have been widely adopted because they are effective and simple to use. However, these tools are time-consuming, subjective, and often qualitative. Automation of training, testing, and assessment has the potential to increase efficiency while ensuring tasks are objective and quantitative. We detail new methods for automating rodent forelimb tests, including the use of pellet dispensers, sensors, computer vision, and home cage systems. We argue that limitations in existing forelimb tasks are driving the innovations in automated systems. We further argue that automated tasks partially address these limitations, and we outline necessary precautions and remaining challenges when adopting these types of tasks. Finally, we suggest attributes of future automated rodent assessment tools that can enable widespread adoption and help us better understand forelimb function in health and disease.
“Is There (Should There Be) a Law and Humanities Canon?”
Authors: Kang Hyo Yoon
Published: June 2019

This commentary considers the question of whether there is, or should be, a law and humanities canon by exploring the identity and value of the field and querying the concept of canon itself as an authoritative cultural technique of intellectual and social reproduction. I argue that the common trait which binds works in the field of law and humanities together is the connective “and,” which is inimical to the concept of a canon. Thinking with Barbara Hernstein Smith’s work on value and evaluation, Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht’s criticism of canons and classics, and Frantz Fanon’s understanding of personal universality, I show that the notion of an inclusive or “global” canon is an oxymoron and argue that it ought to be resisted.
Percutaneous cubital tunnel release with a dissection thread: a cadaveric study
Authors: Guo Danqing , Kliot Michel , McCool Logan , Senk Alexander , Tonkin Brionn , Guo Danzhu
Published: June 2019

This cadaveric study tested the feasibility of decompressing the ulnar nerve across the elbow percutaneously with a commercially available surgical dissection thread, a guiding needle, hydrodissection and ultrasound guidance. We performed the procedure in 19 fresh-frozen cadaveric upper extremities. Subsequently, we did an anatomical dissection of the specimens to visualize the extent of ulnar nerve decompression and the extent of damage to surrounding structures. The cubital tunnel and deep across the medial elbow were completely transected leaving the ulnar nerve fully decompressed in all cases. There was no evidence of direct injury to the ulnar nerve or adjacent neurovascular structures. A prerequisite knowledge of sonographic anatomy and experience with interventional ultrasound is essential. Future clinical studies should evaluate this technique’s safety and efficacy compared with conventional ones.
Intraintestinal and Parenteral Administration of an Insulin Analogue Leads to Comparable Activation of Signaling Downstream of the Insulin Receptor in the Small Intestine
Authors: Hvid Henning , Kildegaard Jonas , Kristensen Kim , Porsgaard Trine , Jørgensen Mikkel S. , Ballarín-González Borja , Ahnfelt-Rønne Jonas , Hansen Bo F. , Nishimura Erica
Published: June 2019

Background:

Oral delivery of insulin was recently demonstrated to have therapeutic relevance in patients with diabetes. Insulin receptors are expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and can be activated by insulin in the bloodstream, but it is not known if the large amount of insulin in the intestinal lumen required for sufficient oral delivery will induce a different effect. The aim of this study was to compare the acute effect in the intestine of insulin administered in the intestinal lumen with that of insulin administered by a parenteral route.

Method:

Intraintestinal (ii) injection in the mid-jejunum of anaesthetized rats with insulin analogue 106 (I106), formulated with the absorption-enhancer sodium caprate, was used as an animal model of oral insulin administration. As control treatment, rats were treated with I106 by iv infusion according to algorithms which precisely mimicked the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of ii administered I106. Several fold more I106 was administered by ii injection than by iv infusion. Phosphorylated Akt (Ser473) was used as indicator of insulin-stimulated acute effects in the intestine.

Results:

Treatment with I106 resulted in activation of Akt in the intestine, with no significant difference between the effects of ii or iv administration.

Conclusion:

The results from this rat model of orally administered insulin indicate that the unabsorbed insulin in the intestinal lumen after oral administration will not result in an enhanced acute effect in the intestine.
Association of serum prealbumin with risk of osteoporosis in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xiu Shuangling , Chhetri Jagadish K , Sun Lina , Mu Zhijing , Wang Li
Published: June 2019

Background:

Poor nutritional status is associated with osteoporosis. Prealbumin is a more sensitive marker than albumin to assess nutritional status. Therefore, the relationship between serum levels of prealbumin and osteoporosis in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was investigated.

Methods:

A total of 370 older adults with T2DM were divided into two groups: older adults with osteoporosis ( n = 249) and older adults without osteoporosis ( n = 121). Bone mineral density (BMD) and appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Serum levels of prealbumin, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH) D3] were also tested. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between prealbumin and osteoporosis.

Results:

The adults with osteoporosis had lower prealbumin levels than those without osteoporosis (235.40 ± 60.66 versus 261.34 ± 55.28 mg/l, p < 0.001). The proportion of adults with prealbumin levels below the normal range was significantly higher in individuals with osteoporosis compared with those without osteoporosis (16.53% versus 4.42%, respectively). After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), anemia, handgrip strength and skeletal muscle index (SMI), logistic regression showed that participants with lower levels of prealbumin had a higher risk of osteoporosis [odds ratio (OR): 3.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54–6.34; p = 0.004].

Conclusion:

Our findings suggested that low levels of prealbumin were associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis in older adults with T2DM. Further longitudinal studies should be conducted to determine if there is a causative association between prealbumin and osteoporosis.
Metacognition and recovery in schizophrenia: From research to the development of metacognitive reflection and insight therapy
Authors: Lysaker Paul H. , Kukla Marina , Vohs Jenifer L. , Schnakenberg Martin Ashley M. , Buck Kelly D. , Hasson Ohayon Ilanit
Published: June 2019

Metacognition refers to a spectrum of activities which spans from noticing discrete experiences to synthesizing them into a larger sense of the self and others. Evidence suggesting that deficits in metacognition are broadly present in schizophrenia and represent a potent barrier to recovery from schizophrenia has led to increasing interest in the development of metacognitively oriented treatments. In this article, we will describe the development of one such treatment, metacognitive reflection and insight therapy (MERIT), an integrative form of psychotherapy defined by eight core elements. We will first discuss the concept of metacognition as a means to operationalize the processes which enable persons to have a sense of themselves and others available for reflection and that can then serve as the basis for effective and agentic responses to psychosocial challenges. We will then discuss methods for assessing metacognition, the development of MERIT as a treatment that targets metacognition, and how MERIT compares with other treatments. Next, we will discuss empirical support for MERIT’s role in recovery including its potential to assist persons to develop their own personally meaningful sense of their challenges and then decide how to effectively respond to those challenges and manage their own recovery.
Exploring the preliminary effectiveness and acceptability of food-based exposure therapy for eating disorders: A case series of adult inpatients
Authors: Farrell Nicholas R. , Bowie Owen R. , Cimperman Maxine M. , Smith Brad E. R. , Riemann Bradley C. , Levinson Cheri A.
Published: June 2019

Although exposure therapy is effective in reducing eating-related fears and avoidance in individuals with eating disorders (EDs), there has been little study of this treatment in inpatient settings. To address this gap, we conducted a case series to evaluate the effects of a food-based exposure therapy intervention on eating-related fears and avoidant behaviors among adults being treated for an ED in an inpatient hospital setting. Patients ( N = 106) were provided psychoeducation on the treatment approach, aided in the development of an exposure hierarchy containing fear-evoking stimuli related to eating (e.g., feared foods), and guided in completing exposure exercises and gradually progressing through the hierarchy. Results showed that patients experienced significant reductions in eating-related fears and avoidant behaviors from pretreatment to posttreatment. Acceptability of the intervention was reasonably well-established by (a) acceptable rates of treatment participation and completion, (b) favorable ratings of the intervention provided in a posttreatment satisfaction survey, and (c) the absence of any exacerbations in the frequency of compensatory weight control behaviors (e.g., self-induced vomiting) over the course of treatment. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed in the light of clinicians’ concerns about and underutilization of food-based exposure therapy for EDs, particularly in inpatient settings.
A preliminary test of the therapeutic potential of written exposure with rescripting for generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Ovanessian Melina M. , Koerner Naomi , Antony Martin M. , Dugas Michel J.
Published: June 2019

This experiment tested a novel written exposure intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) that consisted of guided rescripting of participants’ worst fear. After describing their worst fear, adults with GAD ( N = 79) were randomly assigned to one of three writing interventions, each consisting of three sessions on consecutive days: (1) standard written exposure (WE), (2) written exposure with rescripting (RWE), and (3) neutral control writing (NC). Measures of symptoms and worry-associated processes were administered at pre- and post-intervention, and at 1-week and 1-month follow-ups. Worry declined significantly in all three conditions. Participants in WE reported significant reductions in fear of anxiety, whereas those in RWE reported significant reductions in fear of anger. Participants in RWE and NC reported a significant decrease in fear of positive emotion. Following RWE, participants perceived their feared scenario as less costly and perceived themselves as better able to cope with it, whereas participants in the WE and NC did not show these changes. Cognitive avoidance, intolerance of uncertainty, and negative problem orientation did not change. Findings suggest overall, RWE was not superior to WE, and that more research is needed to assess their therapeutic potential. Strengths and limitations are discussed for the benefit of future research on exposure for GAD.
A review of experimental research on anxiety and sexual arousal: Implications for the treatment of sexual dysfunction using cognitive behavioral therapy
Authors: Kane Leanne , Dawson Samantha J. , Shaughnessy Krystelle , Reissing Elke D. , Ouimet Allison J. , Ashbaugh Andrea R.
Published: June 2019

Clinical models of sexual response link anxiety to the etiology of sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, some cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) for sexual dysfunction have included strategies targeting anxiety reduction. This review examines the experimental literature on the effects of manipulating aspects of the anxiety response (e.g., anxious sensations, thoughts, attentional focus) on genital and self-reported sexual arousal. An additional aim was to use this literature to elucidate potential mechanisms that may be useful for CBT for sexual dysfunction. Our review suggested that anxiety sometimes facilitates, inhibits, or has no effect on sexual arousal. These findings suggest that caution is warranted incorporating anxiety-focused interventions in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions. Importantly, little experimental research has utilized precise manipulations of anxiety (e.g., manipulating fear of penetration) that are related to current CBT interventions. To better understand the relationship between anxiety and sexual dysfunction, future research should explore the question of why and how anxiety exerts a variable effect on sexual arousal rather than simply if anxiety exerts an effect on sexual arousal. Importantly, experimental research examining individual differences in beliefs about anxiety and sex may be helpful in answering this important question and help advance and improve CBT interventions for sexual dysfunctions.
Male body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, body composition, and attentional bias to body stimuli evaluated using visual search
Authors: Talbot Daniel , Smith Evelyn , Cass John
Published: June 2019

This study investigated the relationship between body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, and attentional bias to images of male bodies using a compound visual search task. Sixty-three male participants searched for a horizontal or vertical target line among tilted lines. A separate male body image was presented within proximity to each line. Overall, search times were faster when the target line was paired with a muscular or obese body and distractor lines were paired with bodies of average muscularity and body fat ( congruent trials) than on neutral trials, in which only average muscularity and body fat images were shown. Attentional bias for muscular bodies was correlated with muscle dissatisfaction, eating restraint, and shape concern, and attentional bias for obese bodies was correlated with eating restraint. For incongruent trials, in which a single muscular or obese body was paired with a distractor line, search times were indistinguishable from neutral trials. Unexpectedly, we found a negative association between search times and both body fat dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms in conditions where obese bodies were paired with distracting stimuli. This result implicates a potential role for attentional filtering and/or avoidance of obese bodies in predicting body fat dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptomology.
Cardiovascular risk stratification in primary care patients with arterial hypertension: Results from the Swiss Hypertension Cohort Study (HccH)
Authors: Handschin Anja , Brighenti-Zogg Stefanie , Mundwiler Jonas , Giezendanner Stéphanie , Gregoriano Claudia , Martina Benedict , Tschudi Peter , Leuppi Jörg D , Zeller Andreas , Dieterle Thomas
Published: June 2019

Aims

Few data are available on cardiovascular risk stratification in primary care patients treated for arterial hypertension. This study aimed at evaluating the cardiovascular risk profile of hypertensive patients included into the Swiss Hypertension Cohort Study according to the 2013 European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology Guidelines.

Methods

The Swiss Hypertension Cohort Study is a prospective, observational study conducted by the Centre for Primary Health Care of the University of Basel from 2006 to 2013. Patients with a diagnosis of arterial hypertension (office blood pressure measurement ≥140/90 mmHg) were enrolled. Office blood pressure measurement, cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical organ damage, diabetes mellitus, and established cardiovascular and renal disease were recorded at baseline and at an annual interval during routine consultations by general practitioners in Switzerland.

Results

In total, 1003 patients were eligible for analysis (55.6% male, mean age: 64.0 ± 13.2 years). At baseline, 78.5% of patients presented with either more than three additional cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes mellitus or subclinical organ damage, while 44.4% of patients had a high or very high overall cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular risk factors and information about diabetes mellitus, established cardiovascular disease and renal disease were recorded mostly completely, whereas substantial gaps were revealed regarding the assessment of subclinical organ damage.

Conclusion

The present findings demonstrate that the majority of primary care patients with arterial hypertension bear a substantial number of additional cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical and/or established organ damage. This emphasizes the need for continuous cardiovascular risk stratification and adequate treatment of arterial hypertension in Switzerland.