bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric Origins of Variability in the South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Smith Timothy , Heimbach Patrick
Published: December 2018

Insights from the RAPID–MOCHA observation network in the North Atlantic have motivated a recent focus on the South Atlantic, where water masses are exchanged with neighboring ocean basins. In this study, variability in the South Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (SAMOC) at 34°S is attributed to global atmospheric forcing using an inverse modeling approach. The sensitivity of the SAMOC to atmospheric state variables is computed with the adjoint of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model, which is fit to 20 years of observational data in a dynamically consistent framework. The dynamical pathways highlighted by these sensitivity patterns show that the domain of influence for the SAMOC is broad, covering neighboring ocean basins even on short time scales. This result differs from what has previously been shown in the North Atlantic, where Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) variability is largely governed by dynamics confined to that basin. The computed sensitivities are convolved with surface atmospheric state variability from ERA-Interim to attribute the influence of each external forcing variable (e.g., wind stress, precipitation) on the SAMOC from 1992 to 2011. Here, local wind stress perturbations are shown to dominate variability on seasonal time scales while buoyancy forcing plays a minor role, confirming results from past forward perturbation experiments. Interannual variability, however, is shown to have originated from remote locations across the globe, including a nontrivial component originating from the tropical Pacific. The influence of atmospheric forcing emphasizes the importance of continuous widespread observations of the global atmospheric state for attributing observed AMOC variability.
Application of a Hybrid Statistical–Dynamical System to Seasonal Prediction of North American Temperature and Precipitation
Authors: Strazzo Sarah , Collins Dan C. , Schepen Andrew , Wang Q. J. , Becker Emily , Jia Liwei
Published: December 2018

Recent research demonstrates that dynamical models sometimes fail to represent observed teleconnection patterns associated with predictable modes of climate variability. As a result, model forecast skill may be reduced. We address this gap in skill through the application of a Bayesian postprocessing technique—the calibration, bridging, and merging (CBaM) method—which previously has been shown to improve probabilistic seasonal forecast skill over Australia. Calibration models developed from dynamical model reforecasts and observations are employed to statistically correct dynamical model forecasts. Bridging models use dynamical model forecasts of relevant climate modes (e.g., ENSO) as predictors of remote temperature and precipitation. Bridging and calibration models are first developed separately using Bayesian joint probability modeling and then merged using Bayesian model averaging to yield an optimal forecast. We apply CBaM to seasonal forecasts of North American 2-m temperature and precipitation from the North American Multimodel Ensemble (NMME) hindcast. Bridging is done using the model-predicted Niño-3.4 index. Overall, the fully merged CBaM forecasts achieve higher Brier skill scores and better reliability compared to raw NMME forecasts. Bridging enhances forecast skill for individual NMME member model forecasts of temperature, but does not result in significant improvements in precipitation forecast skill, possibly because the models of the NMME better represent the ENSO–precipitation teleconnection pattern compared to the ENSO–temperature pattern. These results demonstrate the potential utility of the CBaM method to improve seasonal forecast skill over North America.
Using a Multiyear Temporal Climate-Analog Approach to Assess Climate Change Impacts on Park Visitation
Authors: Hewer Micah J. , Gough William A.
Published: December 2018

Because of the perceived weather sensitivity of park visitation in Ontario, Canada, several previous assessments have examined the impact of climate change. However, these assessments have predominantly been based on modeling approaches (regression analysis). The current study uses a multiyear temporal climate-analog approach to reassess the impact of climate change on visitation to Pinery Provincial Park in southwestern Ontario based on the observed effects of historical climatic anomalies on park visitation from 2000 to 2016. Consideration was also given to major events such as the North American terror attacks on 11 September 2001 and the confounding effect that events such as this may have had on the results. There were no statistically significant relationships (at the 95% confidence level) between seasonal climatic anomalies and park visitation in Ontario during the winter or spring seasons. There was a weak statistical relationship between anomalously warm summer seasons and park visitation, when compared to summer seasons with climatically normal temperatures; however, the presence of nonclimatic variables may have confounded these results, producing a false positive. Autumn-season park visitation was most sensitive to climatic anomalies, with the warmest temperatures causing visitation to increase by 37%, the wettest conditions causing visitation to decrease by 11%, and the driest conditions resulting in a 24% increase. These observed seasonal temperature anomalies represent temporal climate analogs for projected climate change across the span of the twenty-first century. Thus, the results of this study suggest that previous assessments may have overestimated the positive impacts of projected climate change on park visitation in this region.
Self-Responsibility and Activation for Lone Mothers in the United Kingdom
Authors: Millar Jane
Published: December 2018

Lone mothers make up a quarter of all families with children in the United Kingdom and have been one of the key target groups for activation policies for the past two decades. In a relatively short period of time, the U.K. system has changed from treating lone mothers as carers to treating them as workers. Most lone mothers are now required to seek work, or to be in work, in order to be eligible for state support. These developments place self-responsibility at the center of welfare reform and paid work as the core of self-responsibility. The focus is very much on the individuals and their labor market obligations and downplays their social obligations, for example, to care for their children or other family members. The capacity to make choices about when and how much to engage in paid work is much reduced. This article explores what these developments have meant for lone mothers in the United Kingdom. The first main section outlines the key policy approaches and measures, highlighting the underpinning concepts of self-responsibility. The discussion also explores the experiences of lone mothers in relation to these policies, drawing on data from a long-term qualitative study. The second main section focuses on a new policy development—the introduction of Universal Credit—in which promoting an employment-based self-responsibility is unequivocally central to the policy aims and design.
EU Merger Control and Harm to Innovation—A Long Walk to Freedom (from the Chains of Causation)
Authors: Todino Mario , van de Walle Geoffroy , Stoican Lucia
Published: December 2018

In a string of recent merger decisions, culminating in the Dow/DuPont case, the European Commission has profoundly revisited its traditional analysis of innovation and, ultimately, introduced what some authors have labeled “a novel theory of harm in EU merger policy.” According to this theory, the Commission does not look at harm to innovation on a specific product market in which parties are developing similar pipeline products, but adopts a general assessment of harm to innovation, unrelated to a specific product market and without considering potential anticompetitive effects on this basis. The purpose of this article is to show that over the last few years, the European Commission has been progressively departing from a “traditional” theory of harm in its assessment of mergers affecting innovation. In particular, we argue that the novel theory of harm developed in Dow/DuPont, based on a generic prejudice to innovation, is the landing place of a long journey through which the Commission has progressively altered the analytical framework applicable to traditional cases affecting pipeline products/potential competitors. And while this stance may be inspired by a legitimate policy goal, it brings the Commission on a collision route with the principles of causation and symmetry governing European Union merger control analysis.
The impact of graphene nanoparticle additives on the strength of simple and hybrid adhesively bonded joints
Authors: Reza Borghei Hamid , Behjat Bashir , Yazdani Mojtaba
Published: December 2018

In this paper, the effect of graphene nanoparticle additive on the strength of simple and hybrid (rivet-bonded) single-lap joints is studied using the experimental method. Two different types of graphene with different number of layer and thicknesses are used in adhesive-graphene nanoparticle composite construction. At first, tensile tests are done on bulk specimens of adhesive with different additives. It is found that adding 0.5 wt% of graphene to the neat adhesive leads to an increase in the ultimate tensile strength of bulk specimens almost 24% and 12% for two graphene types compared to the neat adhesive. Also, the shear strength of adhesive and hybrid lap joints incorporating two types of graphene nanoparticles (types I and II) is compared to that of adhesive and hybrid joints without graphene nanoparticles. SEM results of fracture surfaces show that the inclusion of graphene nanoparticle to the adhesive increases the roughness of surfaces. Experimental results reveal that graphene nanoparticle increases the strength of bonded and hybrid joints. It is observed that, graphene with a lower thickness and number of layers has a better influence on joint strength. In fact, graphene nanoparticle type II makes a homogeneous distribution in adhesive-graphene nanoparticle composite and causes a significant increase on joint strength.
Integrating Open Educational Resources Into Undergraduate Business Courses
Authors: Barneva Reneta P. , Brimkov Valentin E. , Gelsomini Federico , Kanev Kamen , Walters Lisa
Published: December 2018

Open educational resources (OER) are educational materials with an open license so that they can be freely copied, modified, and reused. While the rising cost of textbooks is a concern in higher education, over 50% of the surveyed educators stated that they are unaware of the OER and how they could replace the traditional textbooks. In addition, not many instructors understand the Creative Commons licenses under which OER can be used. In this work, we consider the types of OER and outline the sources of OER for business courses. We describe our experience of using such resources for innovative business courses and discuss the choices we made and the lessons learned. Finally, we share the results of surveys about OER we conducted with students and reflect on them.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and asthma in children
Authors: Kumar Surinder , Roy Ruma Dev , Sethi GR , Saigal Sanjeev R
Published: December 2018

A clinical association between exacerbation of asthma symptoms and Mycoplasma pneumoniae ( M. pneumoniae) infection has long been suspected. We studied 80 children aged 5–15 years; 50 with asthma (Group 1) and 30 without an acute exacerbation of asthma (Group 2) for detection of M. pneumoniae by serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on nasopharyngeal aspirates. Our study confirms that lower respiratory tract infections with M. pneumoniae are frequently associated with exacerbations of asthma in children.
An Examination of the Empirical Literature: Gifted Education in the Australian Context
Authors: Luburic Ivan , Jolly Jennifer L.
Published: December 2018

Gifted education as a field of research in Australia is relatively young when compared with its North American counterparts. A reflection of how the field of gifted education has developed from 1983 to 2017 in this context allows for observations of previous research and current trends, and how these may influence future directions for the field. Empirical research published in peer-reviewed journals is one metric that can be used to undertake this reflection, including the individuals responsible for the research, the setting where the research is undertaken, and outlets where resulting findings are published, as well as the research themes that dominate research agendas. Longitudinally, these metrics are part of the narrative that construct Australian gifted education. Reflecting on how the field developed provides an understanding of how research and practice have evolved and what future research and innovations are possible.
Mining layered technological information in scientific papers: A semi-supervised method
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Zhai Yujia , Lin Yuanhai , Wang Fang
Published: December 2018

Tech mining is the application of text mining tools to science and technology information resources. The ever-increasing volume of scientific outputs is a boom to technological innovation, but it also complicates efforts to obtain useful and concise information for problem solving. This challenge extends to tech mining, where the development of techniques compatible with big data is an urgent issue. This article introduces a semi-supervised method for extracting layered technological information from scientific papers in order to extend the reach of tech mining. Our method starts with several pre-set seed patterns used to extract candidate phrases by matching the dependency tree of each sentence. Then, after a series of judgements, phrases are divided into two categories: ‘main technique’ and ‘tech-component’. (A technique, for the purposes of this study, is a method or tool used in the article being analysed.) In order to generate new patterns for subsequent iterations, a weighted pattern learning method is also adopted. Finally, multiple iterations of the method are applied to extract technological information from each paper. A dataset from the field of optical switcher is used to verify the method’s effectiveness. Our findings are that (1) by two loops of extraction process in each iteration, our method realises the layered technological information extraction, which contains the ‘part–whole’ relationships between main techniques and tech-components; (2) the recall rate for main techniques is superior to the baseline after iterating 23 rounds; (3) when layering is disregarded, in the aspect of the precision and the volume of techniques, the new method is higher than that for the baseline; and (4) adjusting another two parameters can optimise the efficiency – however, the effect is neither pronounced nor straightforward.
Vascular anatomical considerations and clinical decision making during insertion of the Avalon® Elite Dual Lumen single-site veno-venous ECMO cannula in children weighing less than 20 kg
Authors: Ellis William Cory , Schafer Michal , Barrett Cindy S. , Butler Katie , Sprowell Andrew , Twite Mark , Buckvold Shannon , Jone Pei-Ni , Ing Richard J.
Published: December 2018

The correct selection and placement of a single-site Avalon® Elite Dual Lumen Cannula for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children weighing less than 20 kg is dependent on both the mechanical characteristics of the catheter, including length and diameter, as well as the unique vascular anatomic considerations of the patient. This manuscript describes the development of a clinical strategy, over a four-year period from 2012-2016, for cannula selection to reduce the risk of migration and malposition in 20 critically ill children weighing less than 20 kg who presented for veno-venous ECMO.
Higher physiological vulnerability to hypoxic exposure with advancing age in the human brain
Authors: Vestergaard Mark B , Jensen Mette LF , Arngrim Nanna , Lindberg Ulrich , Larsson Henrik BW
Published: December 2018

The aging brain is associated with atrophy along with functional and metabolic changes. In this study, we examined age-related changes in resting brain functions and the vulnerability of brain physiology to hypoxic exposure in humans in vivo. Brain functions were examined in 81 healthy humans (aged 18–62 years) by acquisitions of gray and white matter volumes, cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen consumption, and concentrations of lactate, N-acetylaspartate, and glutamate+glutamine using magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. We observed impaired cerebral blood flow reactivity in response to inhalation of hypoxic air (p = 0.029) with advancing age along with decreased cerebral oxygen consumption (p = 0.036), and increased lactate concentration (p = 0.009), indicating tissue hypoxia and impaired metabolism. Diminished resilience to hypoxia and consequently increased vulnerability to metabolic stress could be a key part of declining brain health with age. Furthermore, we observed increased resting cerebral lactate concentration with advancing age (p = 0.007), which might reflect inhibited brain clearance of waste products.
Practice variations in salivary gland imaging and utility of virtual unenhanced dual energy CT images for the detection of major salivary gland stones
Authors: Beland Benjamin , Levental Mark , Srinivasan Ashok , Forghani Reza
Published: December 2018

Background

There are variations in computed tomography (CT) protocols used for evaluating sialolithiasis, with some protocols including acquisitions before and after IV contrast administration. Dual-energy CT (DECT) can be used to generate virtual unenhanced (VUE) images, potentially precluding the need for an uninfused scan.

Purpose

In this study, we performed a survey in order to assess variations in the imaging approach for sialolithiasis and evaluated the accuracy of DECT VUE images for the detection of salivary stones.

Material and Methods

Practice variations were evaluated by an online survey of the membership of the American Society of Neuroradiology. We then identified 28 patients with salivary gland calcifications matched with 28 negative controls that had both an unenhanced and a contrast-enhanced acquisition performed as DECT. A total of 123 major salivary gland calcifications and 85 tonsilloliths were evaluated and the true unenhanced series was used as gold standard.

Results

The survey revealed substantial variations in CT protocols used for sialolithiasis. On a per-patient basis, DECT VUE had 96.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity. On a per-calcification basis, sensitivity and specificity was 100% for stones > 2 mm but dropped for smaller calcifications. The false-negative cases corresponded to clinically insignificant, intra-glandular parotid calcifications. Inter-reader agreement was excellent (0.9256).

Conclusion

This study confirms that there are significant variations in CT protocols used for evaluation of sialolithiasis. A single contrast-enhanced DECT acquisition with reconstruction of VUE may represent an attractive, streamlined alternative and enable the elimination of the true unenhanced phase and associated radiation exposure.
Patient-specific design process and evaluation of a hip prosthesis femoral stem
Authors: Abdelaal Osama , Darwish Saied , El-Hofy Hassan , Saito Yoshio
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

There are several commercially available hip implant systems. However, for some cases, custom implant designed based on patient-specific anatomy can offer the patient the best available implant solution. Currently, there is a growing trend toward personalization of medical implants involving additive manufacturing into orthopedic medical implants’ manufacturing.

Methods:

This article introduces a systematic design methodology of femoral stem prosthesis based on patient’s computer tomography data. Finite element analysis is used to evaluate and compare the micromotion and stress distribution of the customized femoral component and a conventional stem.

Results:

The proposed customized femoral stem achieved close geometrical fit and fill between femoral canal and stem surfaces. The customized stem demonstrated lower micromotion (peak: 21 μm) than conventional stem (peak: 34 μm). Stress results indicate up to 89% increase in load transfer by conventional stem than custom stem because the higher stiffness of patient-specific femoral stem proximally increases the custom stem shielding in Gruen’s zone 7. Moreover, patient-specific femoral stem transfers the load widely in metaphyseal region.

Conclusion:

The customized femoral stem presented satisfactory results related to primary stability, but compromising proximo-medial load transfer due to increased stem cross-sectional area increased stem stiffness.
Bloodstream infections during post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes
Authors: Silvetti Simona , Ranucci Marco , Pistuddi Valeria , Isgrò Giuseppe , Ballotta Andrea , Ferraris Laurenzia , Cotza Mauro
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after heart surgery is a relatively common procedure. It is easily applicable but associated with a number of complications, including bloodstream infections. The aim of this study is to determine the current rate and the risk factors related to bloodstream infections acquired during post-cardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Methods:

Single-center retrospective study. From the overall population receiving any kind of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation from March 2013 through December 2017, the post-cardiotomy patient population was extracted, with a final sample of 92 veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenations. The risk of developing bloodstream infections as a function of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation exposure was analyzed with appropriate statistical analyses, including a Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results:

Overall, 14 (15.2%) patients developed a bloodstream infection during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or within the first 48 h after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation removal. The total extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration in the population was 567 days, and the incidence of bloodstream infections was 24.7 bloodstream infections/1000 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation days. There was a progressive increase in the cumulative hazard ratio during the first 7 days, reaching a value of 20% on day 7; from day 7 and day 15, the hazard ratio remained stable, with a second increase after day 15. The independent risk factors associated with bloodstream infections were adult age, pre-implantation serum total bilirubin level, and the amount of chest drain blood loss.

Discussion:

Infections acquired during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are common. Identify the risk factors that may improve strategies for treatment and prevention.
“It’s Like Going Back in Time”: How White Retirees Use Expatriation to Reclaim White Dominance
Authors: Goss Devon R.
Published: December 2018

The number of Americans and Canadians choosing to live outside of their home countries after retirement is increasing rapidly, with Mexico as the primary destination for emigration. The majority of these expatriates are white. This study explores how race affects the experiences of emigration and expatriation for these retirees. In-depth interviews with 30 white expatriate retirees living in Mazatlán, Mexico, reveal that white expatriates respond to a growing sense of racial victimization and nostalgia by framing their emigration as a chance to reclaim their superior and racialized social standing. Specifically, white expatriates use three strategies to explain how race affected their experiences in Mexico: escaping, wherein they come to Mexico to avoid the racial diversification of their home countries; evoking, in which they position Mexico as a place to recoup old-fashioned values; and reclaiming, wherein Mexico is perceived as a chance to regain their whiteness as standing.
The Structure of Causal Chains
Authors: Gross Neil
Published: December 2018

Sociologists are increasingly attentive to the mechanisms responsible for cause-and-effect relationships in the social world. But an aspect of mechanistic causality has not been sufficiently considered. It is well recognized that most phenomena of interest to social science result from multiple mechanisms operating in sequence. However, causal chains—sequentially linked mechanisms and their enabling background conditions—vary not just substantively, by the kind of causal work they do, but also structurally, by their formal properties. In this article, the author examines the nature of causal chains, identifies major structural dimensions along which they differ, and makes a case that a mechanism-based explanation would be enhanced if causal chains and their structures were brought to the analytical forefront.
A Multidimensional Developmental Approach to Understanding Intragroup Marginalization and Mental Health Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults of Mexican Descent
Authors: Piña-Watson Brandy , Llamas Jasmín D. , Garcia Aundrea , Cruz Abigail
Published: December 2018

The present study investigates whether different forms of intragroup marginalization (IM) are associated with depressive symptoms, suicide risk, life satisfaction, and self-esteem for Mexican descent adolescents and emerging adults.Furthermore, we will investigate whether these associations vary by developmental period. The sample included 722 Mexican descent adolescents and emerging adults (age range = 14-25 years, M = 19.69 years, SD = 1.75 years; 65.9% women). Higher IM-Family was related to higher depressive symptoms, suicide risk, and lower life satisfaction and self-esteem. Higher IM-Friends was related to higher depressive symptoms and suicide risk, and lower life satisfaction and self-esteem. Developmental period moderated the relationship between IM-Friends on depressive symptoms, suicide risk, and self-esteem. In addition, it moderated the relationship between IM-Ethnic Group on suicide risk.The results of this study demonstrate that the various IM dimensions are differentially associated with mental health outcomes for Latinx adolescents and emerging adults. Furthermore, these associations sometimes vary depending on the developmental period membership.
Laser-Assisted Suction Lipectomy in Mastopexy and Breast Reduction
Authors: Ingram A. E. , Marvel Jeffrey B.
Published: December 2018

The authors present a quantitative analysis of their last 12 consecutive patients who have undergone laser-assisted liposculpture-only mastopexies and breast reductions. This analysis indicates that the procedure is safe and effective, with no complications, one late revisionary surgery for cosmesis, and uniform nipple-areolar complex elevation. The authors’ experience suggests that lipoplasty-only mastopexy may be of more benefit than the literature indicates, especially when applied to patients whose main goals are cosmetic improvement rather than just the alleviation of the symptoms of hypermastia.
Oxidative and haemostatic effects of copper, manganese and mercury, alone and in combination at physiologically relevant levels: An ex vivo study
Authors: van Rensburg MJ , van Rooy M , Bester MJ , Serem JC , Venter C , Oberholzer HM
Published: December 2018

Water contamination with metals due to anthropogenic activity is increasing and subsequent exposure increases the risk of associated toxicity. Exposure is not limited to a single metal but usually involves mixtures of different metals at different concentrations. Little is known about the contribution of this type of exposure, in humans, to the development of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, and an increased risk to thrombosis. The World Health Organization has established limits for metal levels in drinking water and this includes levels for copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg). In this study, at 100X these limits, the ability of the metals’ oxidative effects as catalysts of the Fenton reaction and/or ability to bind glutathione (GSH) were determined. The haemostatic effects of these metals, alone and in combination, at the World Health Organization limit were then evaluated. The ultrastructural and viscoelastic alterations of exposed ex vivo whole blood were also evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and thromboelastography® (TEG), respectively. Cu, alone and in combination with Mn and/or Hg, induced hydroxyl radical formation and reduced GSH levels. Ex vivo exposure caused deformation of erythrocytes and accelerated platelet activation especially for Cu, alone and in combination, with Mn. Reduction in the lysis potential of the clot was also observed for all combinations, especially Cu in combination with Hg as well as Mn alone. Although the TEG findings were not statistically significant, the trends indicate that the exposure to these metals, alone and in combination, adversely affects thrombus formation in ex vivo blood, thereby potentially increasing the risk in exposed individuals for thrombosis.
Cognitive and Emotional Components of Rejection Sensitivity: Independent Contributions to Adolescent Self- and Interpersonal Functioning
Authors: Preti Emanuele , Casini Erica , Richetin Juliette , De Panfilis Chiara , Fontana Andrea
Published: December 2018

In this article, we focus on rejection sensitivity (RS) in adolescents. Although the RS model distinguishes clearly between the emotional (i.e., anger and anxiety) and the cognitive (i.e., expectation of rejection) components, research has rarely examined their unique connection with psychological problems. We argue that considering the three components separately would provide additional insights regarding the relationship between RS and psychological problems. We aimed to test the goodness of fit of a three-factor solution and to investigate the validity of the three components separately in predicting self- and interpersonal functioning in adolescents. Indeed, 720 adolescents completed the Children’s Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, self-reports of self- and interpersonal functioning (self-esteem and interpersonal reactivity), and peer ratings of preference and bothersomeness. The three-factor solution showed fit indexes comparable to the two alternative one-factor solutions underlying the traditional approach of the composite scores. More importantly, we found specific contributions of each of the three RS components in predicting different features of self- and interpersonal functioning. Thus, depending on the psychological problems under consideration, the role of the three RS components varies. We discuss the implications of these findings.
Legacies and Relationships: Diverse Social Networks and BRCA1/2 Risk Management Decisions and Actions
Authors: Ersig Anne L. , Werner-Lin Allison , Hoskins Lindsey , Young Jennifer , Loud Jennifer T. , Peters June , Greene Mark H.
Published: December 2018

In families with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer, complex disease histories challenge established patterns of family communication and influence decision-making for clinical surveillance, genetic testing, and risk management. An interdisciplinary team examined longitudinal interview data from women with identified BRCA1/2 mutations to assess interactions within family and social networks about risk information communication and management. We used interpretive description to identify motivation, content, and derived benefit of these interactions. Participants discussed risk information and management strategies with biological and nonbiological network members for multiple purposes: discharging responsibility for risk information dissemination, protecting important relationships, and navigating decision trajectories. Evolving interactions with loved ones balanced long-standing family communication patterns with differing personal preferences for privacy or open sharing, whereas interactions with nonbiological network members expanded participants’ range of choices for sources of risk management information. Ongoing assessment of social networks may help support engagement with risk management by aligning with patient social needs.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Animal-Assisted Therapy as an Adjunct to Intensive Family Preservation Services
Authors: Flynn Erin , Roguski Julia , Wolf Julie , Trujillo Kate , Tedeschi Philip , Morris Kevin N.
Published: December 2018

This study examined the effects of animal-assisted therapy delivered as an adjunct to standard-of-care intensive family preservation services, compared with usual care alone.

Method:

Families referred by Child Protective Services ( M child age = 6 years ± 4; M parent age = 32 years ± 8.26) were individually randomized to experimental ( n = 14) or control ( n = 14) intervention. Family functioning outcomes were measured using the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale for Reunification.

Results:

All four targeted family functioning outcomes were significantly increased for participants who received animal-assisted therapy as an adjunct to intensive family preservation services ( n = 14) with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were sustained in two of the subscales through discharge. No significant differences were measured for the distal clinical outcome of disposition of children at discharge.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that adding animal-assisted therapy as an adjunct can improve evidence-based clinical interventions aimed at enhancing the caregiving contexts of children.
Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Johnson Wilbur , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Gill Lillian J. , Heldreth Bart
Published: December 2018

Pentaerythrityl tetra-di -t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate functions as an antioxidant in cosmetic products and is used at concentrations up to 0.8%. Given the high molecular weight of this ingredient, skin penetration is not likely. The available toxicity data, together with the low ingredient use concentrations, suggest that systemic toxicity would not be likely if percutaneous absorption were to occur. Additionally, the negative human repeated insult patch test data at a concentration of 0.5% were deemed sufficient for evaluating the skin irritation and sensitization potential of pentaerythrityl tetra-di -t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate over the range of use concentrations in cosmetic products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that pentaerythrityl tetra-di -t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.
Safety Assessment of Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, Their Metal Salts and Fatty Acyl Derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Johnson Wilbur , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Gill Lillian J. , Heldreth Bart
Published: December 2018

Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, their metal salts and fatty acyl derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 function primarily as skin conditioning agents, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 are also used in cosmetic products. Typical use concentrations of these ingredients are <10 ppm. The Panel noted that the low use concentrations and negative safety test data reviewed obviate any concerns relating to the safety of these ingredients in cosmetic products. Thus, the Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.
Investigation of the numerical, experimental, statistical and optimization of thin-walled energy absorber with novel configuration using response surface method under axial loading
Authors: Bigdeli Ali , Damghani Nouri Mohammad
Published: December 2018

In this study, aluminum thin-walled cylindrical absorbers for crashworthiness are investigated to introduce a novel system with better energy absorption and crushing characteristics under quasi-static axial compressive loading. The inside of the thin-walled cylinders is meshed with a square welded from vertices to the thin-walled cylinder. Here, the response surface method, which is one of the design of experiments techniques has been used to examine the effect of the parameters on energy absorption, initial peak crushing force, specific energy absorption per unit mass and energy absorption per length. The variables of thickness (t), height (h) and length of square (l) of the thin-walled cylinder were considered in three levels and initial peak crushing force, specific energy absorption per unit mass and energy absorption per length were selected as response. The specimens were analyzed under a quasi-static compressive test at a constant speed of 10 mm/min. Subsequently, for further investigation, the experimental results were compared with those obtained from the finite element simulation using Abaqus software, which indicated desirable accuracy. To decrease the solution time in this numerical analysis, the speed was set at 0.5 m/s. Finally, the experimental results were compared with the simulation ones, which showed acceptable compatibility. Further, there are the equations obtained from the multi-objective optimization testing design. The results indicated a linear relationship of thickness with responses, nonlinear relationship of height with responses, linear relationship of length of square with initial peak crushing force, and nonlinear relationship with specific energy absorption per unit mass and energy absorption per length.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Other Multidrug-Resistant Colonizations/Infections in an Intensive Care Unit: Predictive Factors
Authors: Ochotorena Elena , Hernández Morante Juan José , Cañavate Rubén , Villegas Roberto Andrés , Viedma Inmaculada
Published: December 2018

Introduction and Objectives:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most prevalent pathogen causing nosocomial infections in hospitals and health centers. This work is an effort to understand the epidemiology of MRSA and other multidrug-resistant pathogens in an intensive care unit (ICU) and to analyze characteristics that might determine the risk of MRSA colonization/infection in this unit.

Method:

An observational, 1-year prospective longitudinal study was conducted to obtain information about MRSA and other multidrug-resistant colonizations/infections. The study was conducted with ICU patients with an artificial airway. Data were obtained from the National Study of the Control of Nosocomial Infections in Intensive Care Units database.

Results:

MRSA colonization was highly prevalent (33%); however, other pathogens like gram(−) Bacillus showed a higher infectious potency. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE-II) score >15 and hospital stay of >4 days were the main variables that significantly predicted the risk of developing MRSA colonization ( p < .001 in both cases). Moreover, the presence of MRSA increased the risk of developing a second multidrug-resistant colonization/infection, especially with methicillin-resistant Pseudomona.

Discussion:

The high prevalence of MRSA emphasizes the need to continue studying risk factors for MRSA colonization/infection, which may allow early identification of this pathogen. Therefore, we propose the use of the APACHE-II score and length of hospital stay to predict increased risk of MRSA colonization. Awareness of the heightened risk in particular patients could lead to early detection and prevention.
Inhibitory Neural Circuits in the Mammalian Auditory Midbrain
Authors: Ono Munenori , Ito Tetsufumi
Published: December 2018

The auditory midbrain is the critical integration center in the auditory pathway of vertebrates. Synaptic inhibition plays a key role during information processing in the auditory midbrain, and these inhibitory neural circuits are seen in all vertebrates and are likely essential for hearing. Here, we review the structure and function of the inhibitory neural circuits of the auditory midbrain. First, we provide an overview on how these inhibitory circuits are organized within different clades of vertebrates. Next, we focus on recent findings in the mammalian auditory midbrain, the most studied of the vertebrates, and discuss how the mammalian auditory midbrain is functionally coordinated.
Reason, Season, or Life? Heterorelationality and the Limits of Intimacy between Women Friends
Authors: Martinussen Maree
Published: December 2018

Studies of personal life over the past three decades have provided rich accounts of new forms of togetherness, with some pointing to a loosening of hierarchical lines between friends, kin, family, and long-term sexual partnership. While acknowledging the importance of these queering perspectives, I suggest that asking how people use ‘traditional’ relationship distinctions remains valuable. Reporting on research centred on practices of intimacy between women friends in early midlife, I examine how the competing demands of long-term sexual partnerships and family are managed alongside friendship, asking what forms of intimacy between friends are sanctioned or disparaged. I show that the organising logics of heteroromantic orders prevail, working through the contemporary cultural pushes of postfeminism and individualisation. As a result, friendships become constructed as bonus entities in relational life – necessary, but always supplementary to the mainstays of sexual partnership and familial relationships.
Sound quality evaluation of automobile side-window buffeting noise based on large-eddy simulation
Authors: Yin Shanbin , Gu Zhengqi , Zong Yiqi , Zheng Ledian , Yang Zhendong , Huang Taiming
Published: December 2018

Large-eddy simulation (LES) and Detached-eddy simulation (DES) were applied to a simple cavity model to calculate the wind buffeting noise respectively. The results were verified by wind tunnel experiments. The results show that LES is more suitable for wind buffeting noise calculation. LES method was employed to calculate automobile side-window buffeting noise. The correctness of results was validated by a road test. In this paper, the acoustically calculated sound pressure level (SPL) spectral curve is used as the initial signal of the acoustic post-processing. Four psychoacoustic objective parameters namely: loudness, sharpness, roughness and fluctuation were obtained by using Matlab R2016a to compile the calculation process. Sound quality evaluation (SQE) of the vehicle is performed via most frequently used SPL and four calculated vehicle comfort index. It can be concluded that with the increase of driving velocity, SPL and loudness show an increasing trend, while roughness, sharpness and fluctuation present a decreasing trend. It can be also summarised that with the increase of window opening degree, SPL and loudness show an increasing trend, sharpness presents a decreasing trend, and roughness and fluctuation display the trend of ups and downs. The main original contribution of this paper is the accurate calculation of wind buffeting noise and the summary of the changing rule of SPL, loudness, roughness, sharpness and fluctuation with the variation of velocity and window opening degree.
Analysis of ‘proactive discourse’ in the construction of local community by the media during the 2013 Tasmanian bushfire in Australia
Authors: Zhang Weimin
Published: December 2018

This study analyses the ways media texts attempt to enhance community cohesion through representation. Using narrative analysis and discourse analysis, this study analyses texts from local and national media in their representation of the 2013 Tasmanian bushfire in southern Australia. The findings reveal that media constructed a ‘proactive discourse’ in shaping the local Tasmanian community and enhancing its resilience by articulating shared narratives of local residents in this discourse. This study argues that the proactive discourse created a binary model that, incarnated with a media story of active defending, displaced passive emotions within the community onto the constructed invader whereby the disaster was relieved with more efficiency.
Freedom of information lessons from India: Collaboration, co-production and rights-based agenda building
Authors: Relly Jeannine E , Pakanati Rajdeep
Published: December 2018

This research analyzes the process and culture of right-to-information agenda building among non-state actors – journalists, social activists, and civil society organizations in India. The research, which began at the 10-year anniversary of the Indian Right to Information Act, includes in-depth semi-structured interviews with study participants (N = 111) from across the country. Findings indicate that collaboration and co-production among these groups were the strongest factors in media agenda building around an information rights–based approach. Characteristics of collaborations and co-production include rights-oriented language, compelling metanarratives and symbols, information and accountability ‘politics’, large-scale events, inclusiveness, and news outlet/civil society organization branding projects.
Detrimental Association of Hypogammaglobulinemia With Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction and Death Is Not Mitigated by On-Demand Immunoglobulin G Replacement After Lung Transplantation
Authors: Lichvar Alicia B. , Ensor Christopher R. , Zeevi Adriana , Morrell Matthew R. , Pilewski Joseph M. , Hayanga J. W. Awori , D’Cunha Jonathan , McDyer John F. , Petrov Andrej A.
Published: December 2018

Background:

Hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG), immunoglobulin G (IgG) <700 mg/dL, is associated with infections, chronic lung allograft dysfunction, and death following lung transplantation. This study evaluates the use of on-demand intravenous IgG in lung transplant recipients with HGG.

Materials and Methods:

This single-center retrospective cohort study of adult lung recipients evaluated 3 groups, no, untreated (u), or treated (t) HGG at first IgG administration or a matched time posttransplant. Primary outcome was freedom from allograft dysfunction. Secondary outcomes included development of advanced dysfunction, rejection, infection burden, and mortality.

Results:

Recipients included 484 (no HGG: 76, uHGG: 192, tHGG: 216). Freedom from chronic allograph dysfunction was highest in the non-HGG group 2 years post-enrollment (no HGG 77.9% vs uHGG 56.4% vs tHGG 52.5%; P = .002). Freedom from advanced dysfunction was significantly different 2 years post-enrollment (no HGG 90.5% vs uHGG 84.7% vs tHGG 75.4%; P = .017). Patients without HGG and those with uHGG had less mortality at 2 years post-enrollment (no HGG 84.2% vs uHGG 81.3% vs tHGG 64.8%; P < .001). Gram-negative pneumonias occurred more often in the tHGG group ( P = .02).

Conclusions:

Development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction, patient survival, rejection burden, and key infectious outcomes in lung transplant recipients were still problematic in the context of on-demand IgG therapy. Prospective studies are warranted.
Ministry to Transgender Teenagers (Part Two): Providing Pastoral Care, Support, and Advocacy to Trans Youth
Authors: Canales Arthur David
Published: December 2018

This article considers the ministry and pastoral care to transgender teenagers. It begins by offering a brief introduction and then concentrates on the ways or methods for providing pastoral care, support, and advocacy to transgender teenagers. The article suggests a pastoral framework for those in pastoral positions who work with adolescents to minister appropriately and competently to this overlooked sexual minority group and motivate them with a sense of urgency to serve this population more effectively.