bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Landscapes and landforms connected with anthropogenic processes over three millennia: The Servian Walls at the Esquiline Hill (Rome, Italy)
Authors: Luberti Gian Marco , Del Monte Maurizio
Published: August 2020

Urban centers are characterized by scarcity of outcrops. At the urban-planning level, the examination of results from previous geological surveys and studies may provide sufficient data for an accurate subsurficial geologic modeling. In addition, in historical centers a GIS-based multitemporal analysis of historical and archaeological maps, and the examination of archive documents and reports, may be effective especially for the detection of geomorphic changes. The application of such a methodology at the Esquiline Hill allowed to detect the three-millennia-long landscape-modification main phases connected with the construction of the oldest city walls. They include a unique sequence of anthropogenic aggradational and erosional phases that shaped many anthropogenic landforms, presently visible and invisible, or vanished. Among them, the anthropogenic hill Monte della Giustizia, vanished since the end of the 19th century CE when it was erased, and the military moat, excavated in the 6th century BCE and enlarged in the 4th century BCE, finally backfilled in the 4th century CE, since then invisible. These geomorphic changes lastly output a flat leveled landscape similar to the previous volcanic plateau. Results suggest that the “geomorphological convergence,” that is, the resemblance between natural landforms created by different morphogenetic processes, also exists between natural and artificial landforms. Moreover, the study evidenced relationships between landforms and the damage status of historical masonry buildings, specifically connected with their foundation over thick layers of geotechnically-weak anthropogenic deposits. This advises that the multidisciplinary approach may also provide risk managers additional geological features to be evaluated as potential sources of natural hazard.
How the type of working day affects work–life balance and mealtime balance: A study based on the time use survey
Authors: Alonso-Domínguez Ángel , Callejo Javier , Díaz-Méndez Cecilia
Published: August 2020

How people balance work and personal or family life has been widely examined, showing gender inequalities that put women at a disadvantage relative to men. However, although this is a question of time compatibility, there has been no research on whether the type of working day (continuous or split) has different effects on this balance for men and women. The Time Use Survey enables us to examine this balance in two areas that are key to understanding the difficulty of reconciling timetables. On the one hand, there is the relationship between the type of working day and housework or family care (balance between paid and unpaid work). On the other hand, there is the relationship between the type of working day and eating (mealtime balance). The data indicate that the type of working day affects the balance between paid and unpaid work less than might be expected, since in all cases, it is women who do more unpaid work, while men’s involvement in housework changes little, whether they have a continuous or a split working day. However, the continuous working day is more favourable to balancing work and family life. In contrast, work–mealtime balance is a cultural feature that equalises both sexes in relation to an established habit that encourages sharing time outside work. We can thus speak of shared (non-work) time and unshared (unpaid) work.
A pseudo-likelihood approach for multivariate meta-analysis of test accuracy studies with multiple thresholds
Authors: Guolo Annamaria , To Duc-Khanh
Published: August 2020

Multivariate meta-analysis of test accuracy studies when tests are evaluated in terms of sensitivity and specificity at more than one threshold represents an effective way to synthesize results by fully exploiting the data, if compared to univariate meta-analyses performed at each threshold independently. The approximation of logit transformations of sensitivities and specificities at different thresholds through a normal multivariate random-effects model is a recent proposal that straightforwardly extends the bivariate models well recommended for the one threshold case. However, drawbacks of the approach, such as poor estimation of the within-study correlations between sensitivities and between specificities, and severe computational issues can make it unappealing. We propose an alternative method for inference on common diagnostic measures using a pseudo-likelihood constructed under a working independence assumption between sensitivities and between specificities at different thresholds in the same study. The method does not require within-study correlations, overcomes the convergence issues and can be effortlessly implemented. Simulation studies highlight a satisfactory performance of the method, remarkably improving the results from the multivariate normal counterpart under different scenarios. The pseudo-likelihood approach is illustrated in the evaluation of a test used for diagnosis of preeclampsia as a cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Do the Challenges of LGBTQ Asylum Applicants Under Dublin Register With the European Court of Human Rights?
Authors: Wieland Raoul , Alessi Edward J
Published: August 2020

Evidence suggests that Europe’s Dublin Regulation is increasing the precarity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) asylum applicants. Dublin allocates responsibility for examining asylum claims between EU Member States. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) guides the obligations of States under Dublin. Increasingly, the ECtHR draws on the concept of vulnerability to frame the experiences of asylum seekers. Vulnerability purportedly functions for the ECtHR as a lens through which the harm experienced by asylum applicants is magnified, enabling it to better recognize human rights violations. Nevertheless, the ECtHR’s vulnerability lens may be distorted by hetero- and cisgender normativity. We explore some implications of the ECtHR’s assumptions for how the vulnerabilities of LGBTQ asylum seekers in Europe under Dublin register with the ECtHR. We suggest that the combined frameworks of intersectional invisibility and layers of vulnerability can improve the ECtHR’s capacity to understand how LGBTQ asylum applicants may be particularly vulnerable under Dublin.
It’s All or Nothing: Consent, Reasonable Belief, and the Continuum of Sexual Violence in Judicial Logic
Authors: Gore Ashlee
Published: August 2020

This paper discusses controversies over the reasonable belief in consent defence to sexual assault shared by many common law jurisdictions. The implementation of a ‘reasonable’ belief standard has been heralded as a safeguard against rape myth narratives that endorsed men’s unreasonable but ‘honest’ beliefs in women’s consent. This paper argues that judicial constructions of reasonable belief in consent continue to apply notions of reasonableness abstracted from the social context of women’s experience of sexual violence and disconnected from sociological insights which contextualise both the encounter and jury decisions. Using a feminist sociocultural analysis ( Gavey, 2005 ; Kelly, 1988 ), the successful appeal in the case of R v Lennox (2018 Queensland, Australia), against his conviction by a jury is discussed. The reasoning in the Lennox appeal reveals that overriding judicial constructions of women as incredible in their communication of non-consent, and the prevailing legal dichotomies of consent, and credibility as ‘all or nothing’, undo the progressive potential of the standard of ‘reasonableness’ in consent law and reinforce the phallocentrism of legal discourse.
Moral sensitivity revisited
Authors: Kraaijeveld Marjolein Ingeborg , Schilderman JBAM (Hans) , van Leeuwen Evert
Published: August 2020

Nurses find themselves in a unique position - between patient and physicians, and in close proximity to the patient. Moral sensitivity can help nurses to cope with the daily turmoil of demands and opinions while delivering care in concordance with the value system of the patient. This article aims to reconsider the concept of moral sensitivity by discussing the function of emotions in morality. We turn to the ideas of historic and contemporary authors on the function of emotions in morality to expand our understanding of moral sensitivity. Ancient philosophers and contemporary psychologists uphold different strategies on the orientation of morality being (a) personal growth or (b) community living, and the primordial function of (c) reason and (d) emotions in the creation of judgements about good and bad. The theoretical discussion on the function of emotions in morality shows that by focusing on reason alone, one leaves out an essential part of morality. The concept of moral sensitivity should (1) include an initial judgment of good and bad based on emotions, (2) hold the ability to reflect on the initial judgement and the associated emotions, (3) include the ability to understand other stakeholders' perspectives based on the ideal-types and (4) include a personal decision on the right course of action.
A Career Centre's Community Connection
Authors: Lenz Janet
Published: August 2020

The ever changing nature of today's workplace means that career planning and management does not end when individuals complete their formal education. People outside formal school settings where guidance and careers counsellors are available, often look for places in the community where they can receive further assistance with their career development concerns. The Career Center at Florida State University has long had a commitment to assisting members of the local community who need career services. This case study report describes the rationale for those services, the types of services provided, staffing patterns, and shares the pros and cons of this type of community outreach.
Career Choice and Adjustment Issues from a Gender Role Perspective
Authors: Colton Coline , Patton Wendy , Colton Coline , Patton Wendy
Published: August 2020

Career education in schools has helped to enhance the career choices of women by providing information about options and challenging gender stereotypical beliefs about the world of work. However, issues concerned with career adjustment have been neglected. It is increasingly being recognised, however, that the entry of women into new fields of work is not enough. The question is how to keep women, with their knowledge, skills and experience, in the workforce once they have entered it. This issue is the core focus of this case study.
“In My Opinion…”
Authors: Earl Joanne , Bright Jim , Adams Austin
Published: August 2020

This paper summarises the findings of an earlier study by Bright, Earl and Adams (1997) which looked at the impact of competency statements and intent statements included on resumes. In addition we present further analysis of the original data not previously reported which provides valuable insights into the screening processes employed by human resources managers and recruitment consultants in shortlisting graduate resumes.
Personal Effectiveness Training for Unemployed People: Where to Now?
Authors: Creed Peter , Machin M. A. , Nicholls Pat
Published: August 2020

Unemployment remains a major social problem in Australia. Successive governments have attempted to address the problem, in part, by funding occupational skills-based training programs for the unemployed. This paper reviews the general area of occupational skills/personal effectiveness training for unemployed people, and reports on outcomes for individuals attending “typical” courses in Australia. Also reported are outcomes for unemployed people who attended specially devised training, based on the cognitive-behavioural (e.g., Beck, 1976) and learned optimism (Seligman, 1990) intervention approaches. This training aimed to improve well-being, confidence and coping abilities. Variables assessed included individual well-being (e.g. psychological distress), confidence (e.g. self-efficacy), attitude-to-work (e.g. work commitment), training climate and labour market outcomes such as return-to-work. More positive outcomes were identified for unemployed people attending the specially devised programs. The authors argue that training targeted at unemployed people must be based on sound theoretical principles to produce measurable long-term benefits. Future applications of personal development programs are discussed in relation to occupational skills-based training and as stand-alone programs.
Does Holland's Hexagon Travel Well?
Authors: Watson Mark B. , Stead Graham B. , Schonegevel Carol
Published: August 2020

John Holland's career theory has influenced career counselling for several decades. However, recent research has questioned the cross-cultural and gender structural equivalence of his theory. The present research examines whether 529 black South African disadvantaged students’ interest structures fit Holland's hexagonal model and whether such structures differ according to gender and socioeconomic status. The results indicate that the structure of interests of black adolescents does not provide an acceptable level of fit to Holland's hexagonal structure. This finding was evident across gender and socioeconomic status groups. There were also no within-group differences for gender and socioeconomic status. The implications of these findings for career practitioners who use Holland's measures are discussed.
Childhood Environmental Adversity and Career Decision-Making Difficulty: A Life History Theory Perspective
Authors: Xu Hui
Published: August 2020

Although research has examined and supported the role of environmental adversity in career decision-making, little is known about the prediction power of childhood environmental adversity for career decision-making. To provide guidance for early career interventions, particularly in disadvantaged populations, the current study drew on life history theory and used a sample of U.S. college students ( n = 310) and a sample of U.S. noncollege individuals during emerging adulthood ( n = 308) to examine a mediation model involving childhood unpredictability, childhood poverty, career decision ambiguity aversion, and career decision-making difficulty. The results support the mediation of ambiguity aversion in the positive predictions of childhood unpredictability for all four factors of career decision-making difficulty. However, the results do not support the indirect predictions of childhood poverty for all four factors of career decision-making difficulty through ambiguity aversion but support the direct prediction of childhood poverty for lack of readiness. Therefore, the current study illuminates the importance of a predictable family environment during childhood for career decision-making during emerging adulthood and provides implications for the validity of life history theory in career decision-making, the development of ambiguity aversion, and early career interventions. Implications and future directions of research regarding childhood poverty are also discussed.
Women’s Pornography Consumption, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Victimization
Authors: de Heer Brooke , Prior Sarah , Fejervary Jenna
Published: August 2020

While research in recent years has investigated the influence of pornography consumption on sexually aggressive behavior, research on the relationship between pornography and experienced victimization is sparse. The current study sought to explore female sexual victimization and its relationship with pornography consumption and alcohol use at two universities ( N = 483). Binary logistic regression analyses indicate that both pornography and alcohol consumption were unique predictors of self-reported victimization for college females and that the combined effect of pornography and alcohol dramatically increases the odds of victimization. Results are discussed in the context of pornography’s impact on the minimization of sexually aggressive acts in real life and campus rape culture.
Tocilizumab as salvage treatment of refractory pulmonary acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Melgarejo-Ortuño Alejandra , Escudero-Vilaplana Vicente , Revuelta-Herrero Jose Luis , Bailen Rebeca , Collado-Borrell Roberto , Gomez-Centurión Ignacio , Oarbeascoa Guillen , Kwon Mi , Herranz-Alonso Ana , Diez-Martin Jose Luis , Sanjurjo-Saez Maria
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Acute graft-versus-host disease GVHD (aGVHD) is the main complication during the first months after bone transplantation. Steroid therapy is clearly the upfront established treatment for aGVHD. However, there are patients with partial response to steroid treatment and steroid-refractory cases. For those patients, a vast number of therapeutic options have emerged, although the evidence is scarce.

Case report

We report the use of tocilizumab as salvage treatment in a patient with corticosteroid refractory pulmonary aGVHD that was admitted to the critical care unit for respiratory support measures.

Management & outcome

We decided to use tocilizumab as rescue treatment, after failure of corticosteroid treatment, standard treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and etanercept. The patient showed a remarkable clinical improvement two days after first infusion and a total resolution of the symptomatology with normalization of the spirometry tests after 4 weeks of the administration of tocilizumab.

Discussion

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case that describes the effective and safe use of tocilizumab as a rescue treatment in a patient with steroid-refractory pulmonary aGVHD. It showed a rapid onset of action and a favorable safety profile, which could make it an interesting option for the treatment of this potentially fatal complication.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Nursing Assessment and Intervention with Battered Women in Psychiatric Mental Health Settings
Authors: Fishwick Nancy
Published: August 2020

The consequences of abusive relationships are reflected in the physical and psychologic distress for which women seek assistance from health care providers. Although the physical and mental health problems from the abuse are addressed and treated, the heart of the matter— the abuse at home— goes unattended Women often leave the health care setting as isolated and uninformed about options as when they came in. Mental health settings offer important opportunities for psychiatric nurses to identify and intervene with women in abusive relationships. Whether encounters are relatively brief or occur over an extended period of time, important interactions can take place. The nurse's response to women in abusive relationships is one component of a unified community-wide response that is needed to prevent violence and abuse in the home. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [1995]. 1, 48–54)
Truck Drivers’ Cigarette Smoking and Preferred Smoking Cessation Methods
Authors: Kagabo Robert , Thiese Matthew S. , Eden Emilee , Thatcher Andria Colvin , Gonzalez Melissa , Okuyemi Kolawole
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Some studies show that truck drivers use tobacco and other stimulants to stay awake as they drive. Despite their increased risks for many of tobacco-related health disparities, there is limited engagement of truck drivers in smoking cessation programs. The objective of this study was to describe smoking characteristics and identify their preferred smoking cessation methods among truck drivers.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional mixed methods study. Participants were truck drivers recruited at trucking companies in Utah in 2019. Participants were either individually interviewed (n = 4), or filled out a survey (n = 33). We conducted qualitative data analysis of the interviews followed by descriptive statistics of smoking and cessation characteristics from the survey.

Results:

Reasons for smoking included, staying awake, stress reduction, or something to do while driving. Of the drivers surveyed, 68.8% were daily smokers while 97% had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their life time. The mean number of cigarettes per day (cpd) was 15.7, and 25 among those who had 10 or more cpd. Sixty-one percent had made at least a quit attempt. In addition to counseling or brief advice, 68% reported interest in using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) either as gum or patch to help them quit. 21% reported interest in telephone text messaging to engage them in treatment.

Conclusion:

Cigarette smoking is a public health problem among truck drivers. Our findings suggest that truck drivers are interested in quitting smoking. Evidence based interventions tailored to this population are needed to help them quit and reduce their smoking-related morbidity.
Influence of angular misalignment on the tribological performance of high-speed micro ball bearings considering full multibody interactions
Authors: Wen Chengwei , Meng Xianghui , Lyu Bugao , Gu Jiaming , Xiao Lin
Published: August 2020

To study the angular misalignment effects on the high-speed micro ball bearing which is applied to the dental handpiece, an improved five-degree-of-freedom quasi-dynamic model considering full multibody interactions is established in this paper. Then the modified fatigue life model presented by Jones is adopted to further evaluate the influence of angular misalignment on the reliability of the bearing. The results show that the angular misalignment significantly influences the contact load and contact angle distributions as well as the skidding behavior under both pure axial load and combined axial and radial loads. After comprehensive comparison, it is found that the impacts of angular misalignment on total power loss and bearing fatigue life are different under the two types of loads. Under pure axial load, the total power loss increases consistently and the bearing fatigue life decreases significantly when the absolute value of angular misalignment becomes larger. However, under combined axial and radial loads, the effects of angular misalignment are rather complicated and the direction of angular misalignment turns out to be a key influencing factor.
The Norwegian remote intervention programme for problem gambling: Short- and long-term outcomes
Authors: Erevik Eilin K , Pallesen Ståle , Mohn Mette , Aspeland Trond , Vedaa Øystein , Torsheim Torbjørn
Published: August 2020

Background and aim:

Although problem gambling typically involves substantial distress, few seek face-to-face treatment. In Norway, problem gamblers can participate in a governmental supported internet- and telephone-based intervention programme. The current study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of this programme in terms of gambling behaviour, gambling-related cognitions and mental health in a one group pre-test post-test design with a follow-up assessment.

Methods:

The sample consisted of the 67 participants who completed the intervention programme within a one-year timeframe. Gambling behaviour (SOGS-R), gambling-related cognitions (GBQ) and mental health (SCL-90-R) were measured pre-intervention, post-intervention and at a 6−12 months follow-up. A total of 25 (37.3%) participants completed the follow-up assessment. T-tests were conducted to investigate development in gambling behaviour, gambling-related cognitions and mental health from pre-intervention to post-intervention and follow-up.

Results:

The analyses showed a significant reduction in gambling behaviour, gambling problems, gambling-related cognitive distortions and mental health symptoms from pre-intervention to post-intervention and follow-up. The corresponding effect sizes for the reductions in gambling and gambling-related cognitive distortions were very large, while the effect sizes for the reductions in mental distress were moderate.

Conclusion:

The internet/telephone programme appears to have several positive outcomes including reduction in gambling behaviour, gambling problems, gambling-related cognitive distortions and symptoms of mental disorders both in the short and long term. Another positive outcome of participation appears to be a lowered threshold for seeking additional treatment. The current study entails, however, important limitations, and future studies should investigate the outcomes of the programme while including a control group.
Police interview of suspects in China: Developments and analyses
Authors: Zeng Fanjing , Huang Ching-Yu , Bull Ray
Published: August 2020

This article investigates the power dynamics in police interviews with suspects in China by examining a real-life sample. It first overviews some recent developments and legislation in China regarding police interviewing of suspects, followed by outlining the linguistic and psychological research upon which the analyses are based. The interviews are examined using critical discourse analysis that reveals the high-power position of the Chinese police in suspect interviews. However, the large proportion of open questions found in the interviews is encouraging, as this suggests that regulations outlawing use of evidence obtained by torture or other illegal means are taking effect. This article is the first to empirically examine actual Chinese police interviews with suspects, providing valuable insights for theories and practice.
Responsible and sustainable farm business: Contextual duality as the moderating influence on entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Smith Anne MJ , Duncan Peter , Edgar David , McColl Julie
Published: August 2020

Tackling poverty and injustices, protecting the environment and ensuring equality, all underpin ideas of being a responsible business. There are many arbitrators of what constitutes a responsible business and rethinking the United Kingdom’s farm business, post BREXIT, post COVID-19 and in relation to the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of farmers is timely and essential to tackle crisis, uncertainty and sustain a healthy rural ecosystem. This is an ethnographic study into contextual dualities. Data from one case farm are presented, and findings are triangulated through a grounded thematic data analysis of five in-depth interviews with other farms from the same community. An empirically informed framework is constructed explaining how, through duality, EO is moderated across six themes. The contributions to policy and practice are intertwined. Through identification of moderators of (and for) duality, the rural ecosystem can be better managed through effective policy design and responsible practice at grass roots. Accelerated professionalisation in the agricultural industry involves combining the rich, irreplaceable knowledge of older generations with shaping the values and behaviours of new generations. By synthesising EO with farmer mentality, we theorise and inform how to re-educate future generations in responsible and sustainable farm businesses.
What do young adults’ educational experiences tell us about Early School Leaving processes?
Authors: Santos Sofia A , Nada Cosmin , Macedo Eunice , Araújo Helena C
Published: August 2020

What leads young people to disengage and leave school early? This paper focuses on young adults’ educational trajectories, with the objective of identifying useful insights for improving school measures and strategies against early school leaving and school disengagement. Specifically, it draws upon an empirical study with young adults from the north of Portugal. Longitudinal bio-interviews took place with young men and women, aged 17 to 24, who were enrolled in secondary education at mainstream schools or in alternative learning contexts or who were early school leavers. A set of critical moments and circumstances were identified as turning points in the young adults’ descriptions of their school trajectories, revealing both obstacles and incentives to continue studying. Based on these narratives, the study identifies some risk and protective factors for early school leaving and makes suggestions about how to improve school-based measures to prevent school disengagement. Some key recommendations for schools include: increased support mechanisms during educational transitions; a firm stance on bullying and the creation of violence-free and secure learning environments; enhancing socio-emotional support and encouraging the emergence of relationships of care; and providing meaningful education by ensuring the school content is aligned with students’ motivations and needs.
Voting Lines, Equal Treatment, and Early Voting Check-In Times in Florida
Authors: Cottrell David , Herron Michael C. , Smith Daniel A.
Published: August 2020

Lines at the polls raise the cost of voting and can precipitate unequal treatment of voters. Research on voting lines is nonetheless hampered by a fundamental measurement problem: little is known about the distribution of time voters spend in line prior to casting ballots. We argue that early, in-person voter check-in times allow us identify individuals who waited in line to vote. Drawing on election administrative records from two General Elections in Florida—1,031,179 check-ins from 2012 and 1,846,845 from 2016—we find that minority voters incurred disproportionately long wait times in 2012 and that in-person voters who waited excessively in 2012 had a slightly lower probability—approximately one percent—of turning out to vote in 2016, ceteris paribus. These individuals also had slightly lower turnout probabilities in the 2014 Midterm Election, ceteris paribus. Our results draw attention to the ongoing importance of the administrative features of elections that influence the cost of voting and ultimately the extent to which voters are treated equally.
Penetrating Abdominal Aortic Injury: Comparison of ACS-Verified Level-I and II Trauma Centers
Authors: Sheehan Brian Matthew , Grigorian Areg , Maithel Shelley , Borazjani Boris , Fujitani Roy M. , Kabutey Nii-Kabu , Lekawa Michael , Nahmias Jeffry
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Penetrating abdominal aortic injury (PAAI) is a highly acute injury requiring prompt surgical management. When compared to surgeons at level-II trauma centers, surgeons at level-I trauma centers are more likely to take in-house call, and may more often be available within 15 minutes of patient arrival. Thus, we hypothesized that level-I trauma centers would have a lower mortality rate than level-II trauma centers in patients with PAAI.

Methods:

We queried the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database for patients with PAAI, and compared patients treated at American College of Surgeons (ACS)-verified level-I centers to those treated at ACS level-II centers.

Results:

PAAI was identified in 292 patients treated at level-I centers and 86 patients treated at level-II centers. Patients treated at the 2 center types had similar median age, injury severity scores and prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and smoking (p > 0.05). There was no difference in the frequency of additional intra-abdominal vascular injuries (p > 0.05). Median time to hemorrhage control (level-I: 40.8 vs level-II: 49.2 minutes, p = 0.21) was similar between hospitals at the 2 trauma center levels. We found no difference in the total hospital length of stay or post-operative complications (p > 0.05). When controlling for covariates, we found no difference in the risk of mortality between ACS verified level-I and level-II trauma centers (OR:1.01, CI:0.28-2.64, p = 0.99).

Conclusion:

Though the majority of PAAIs are treated at level-I trauma centers, we found no difference in the time to hemorrhage control, or the risk of mortality in those treated at level-I centers when compared to those treated at level-II trauma centers. This finding reinforces the ACS-verification process, which strives to achieve similar outcomes between level-I and level-II centers.
Trust and Prospective Reconciliation: Evidence From a Protracted Armed Conflict
Authors: Casas-Casas Andrés , Mendez Nathalie , Pino Juan Federico
Published: August 2020

Traditional approaches to international aid deal with post-conflict risks focusing on external safeguards for peacebuilding, leaving local social enhancers playing a subsidiary role. Trust has long been highlighted as a key factor that can positively affect sustainable peace efforts by reducing intergroup hostility. Surprisingly, most post-conflict studies deal with trust as a dependent variable. Using a cross-sectional multi-method field study in Colombia, we assess the impact of trust on prospective reconciliation in the midst of an ongoing peace process. We find that trust in ex-combatants and in government increases the likelihood of having positive attitudes towards future reconciliation and willingness to support not only the peace process but reconciliation activities after war. We offer evidence supporting the idea that rather than drawing exclusively on economic and military capabilities, investing in local governance infrastructures that promote prosocial behaviour and positive belief management in the pre-reconciliation face offers a complementary alternative to help societies exit civil wars while tackling barriers to peacebuilding efforts in the initial stages of a post-conflict.
Discriminating performance profiles of cycling disciplines
Authors: Mostaert Mireille , Laureys Felien , Vansteenkiste Pieter , Pion Johan , Deconinck Frederik JA , Lenoir Matthieu
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to document the athletic profiles of adolescent and young adult high performance cycling athletes and to investigate to what extent different cycling disciplines can be discriminated from each other based on a generic test battery. A total of 243 adolescent (12.0- 15.99 y) and 63 young adult (>=16 y) male cyclists from road cycling, track cycling, cyclo-cross, and mountain bike (MTB) participated in the study. All participants performed four anthropometric, five physical, three motor coordination, and two cycling-specific tests. Using discriminant analyses, the young adult athletes could be correctly classified to their discipline for 80.7%. Track cyclists outperformed the other disciplines in explosive and coordinative skills while for cyclo-cross, and particularly MTB, the performance on the shuttle bike test seemed to be a distinctive variable. Road cyclists however, showed a significant overlap in performance characteristics with the other disciplines. In spite of the less pronounced discriminative character in the adolescent cycling population (51.0%), the discriminative characteristics are in line with the results of the young adults. This study allows to orient cyclists towards their best-fitted discipline in young adulthood. The relevance of these findings for coaches, experts and federations with respect to early/late specialization, and talent orientation are discussed.
Improving performance of direction-of-arrival estimation using sparse array in passive radar
Authors: Chen Geng , Tian Bo , Gong Jian , Feng Cunqian
Published: August 2020

A method based on sparse array is applied to direction-of-arrival estimation of passive radar in this paper to increase the number of resolvable sources and improve the direction-of-arrival estimation performance for coprime array. The virtual symmetric non-uniform linear array of coprime array based on passive radar signal model is introduced. Considering the impact of direct wave, extensive cancellation algorithm is used to cancel the direct wave, with the conventional MUSIC with spatial smoothing algorithm and virtual aperture filling applied on the sparse array of passive radar; the resolution of target is low in the low signal-noise-ratio. To effectively improve the estimation of the target under the low signal-noise-ratio, a noise subspace reconstruction method is proposed. The proposed direction-of-arrival estimation method can improve the direction-of-arrival estimation performance of passive radar. The simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Identification of the most important features of knee osteoarthritis structural progressors using machine learning methods
Authors: Jamshidi Afshin , Leclercq Mickael , Labbe Aurelie , Pelletier Jean-Pierre , Abram François , Droit Arnaud , Martel-Pelletier Johanne
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

The aim was to identify the most important features of structural knee osteoarthritis (OA) progressors and classification using machine learning methods.

Methods:

Participants, features and outcomes were from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Features were from baseline (1107), including articular knee tissues (135) assessed by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). OA progressors were ascertained by four outcomes: cartilage volume loss in medial plateau at 48 and 96 months (Prop_CV_48M, 96M), Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grade ⩾ 2 and medial joint space narrowing (JSN) ⩾ 1 at 48 months. Six feature selection models were used to identify the common features in each outcome. Six classification methods were applied to measure the accuracy of the selected features in classifying the subjects into progressors and non-progressors. Classification of the best features was done using an automatic machine learning interface and the area under the curve (AUC). To prioritize the top five features, sparse partial least square (sPLS) method was used.

Results:

For the classification of the best common features in each outcome, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) achieved the highest AUC in Prop_CV_96M, KL and JSN (0.80, 0.88, 0.95), and Gradient Boosting Machine for Prop_CV_48M (0.70). sPLS showed the baseline top five features to predict knee OA progressors are the joint space width, mean cartilage thickness of the medial tibial plateau and sub-regions and JSN.

Conclusion:

In this comprehensive study using a large number of features ( n = 1107) and MRI outcomes in addition to radiological outcomes, we identified the best features and classification methods for knee OA structural progressors. Data revealed baseline X-ray and MRI-based features could predict early OA knee progressors and that MLP is the best classification method.
Endogenous Direct Democracy: The Case of Mexico
Authors: Cortés Juve J.
Published: August 2020

Direct democracy (DD) – including initiatives and referendums – is increasingly used by citizens and governments to establish new policies around the world. Although framed as a tool that benefits citizens, it is also common for government actors, including parties, to utilise DD in initiating and pushing through new policies. To explain this puzzling development, existing research examines the regulative design of DD. Going a step further, this article explains how the design of DD originates. Using process tracing methodology, I examine the case of Mexico – the most recent adopter of DD in 2014 – and illustrate how, when, and how DD can be used and modified. I argue that DD is endogenous: we cannot conceive of it independently of the political forces that generated it. Other prominent cases, such as Uruguay, suggest that DD was adopted to pursue party goals or to shape a particular government structure. Legislatures certainly provide the masses the option of engaging in DD but they do so on their own terms.
Head-to-Head Comparison of Social Network Assessments in Stroke Survivors
Authors: Prust Morgan , Halm Abby , Nedelcu Simona , Nieves Amber , Dhand Amar
Published: August 2020

Background and Purpose:

Social networks influence human health and disease through direct biological and indirect psychosocial mechanisms. They have particular importance in neurologic disease because of support, information, and healthy behavior adoption that circulate in networks. Investigations into social networks as determinants of disease risk and health outcomes have historically relied on summary indices of social support, such as the Lubben Social Network Scale–Revised (LSNS-R) or the Stroke Social Network Scale (SSNS). We compared these 2 survey tools to personal network (PERSNET) mapping tool, a novel social network survey that facilitates detailed mapping of social network structure, extraction of quantitative network structural parameters, and characterization of the demographic and health parameters of each network member.

Methods:

In a cohort of inpatient and outpatient stroke survivors, we administered LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET in a randomized order to each patient. We used logistic regression to generate correlation matrices between LSNS-R scores, SSNS scores, and PERSNET’s network structure (eg, size and density) and composition metrics (eg, percent kin in network). We also examined the relationship between LSNS-R-derived risk of social isolation with PERSNET-derived network size.

Results:

We analyzed survey responses for 67 participants and found a significant correlation between LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET-derived indices of network structure. We found no correlation between LSNS-R, SSNS, and PERSNET-derived metrics of network composition. Personal network mapping tool structural and compositional variables were also internally correlated. Social isolation defined by LSNS-R corresponded to a network size of <5.

Conclusions:

Personal network mapping tool is a valid index of social network structure, with a significant correlation to validated indices of perceived social support. Personal network mapping tool also captures a novel range of health behavioral data that have not been well characterized by previous network surveys. Therefore, PERSNET offers a comprehensive social network assessment with visualization capabilities that quantifies the social environment in a valid and unique manner.
A Retrospective Cohort Study of 45 Cases Treated With Surgery First Approach in Orthognathic Surgery and a Short Review
Authors: Singh Gaurav , Gurung Utsav Singh , Mishra Madan , Gaur Amit
Published: August 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and share our experience with the surgery first approach (SFA) for correction of skeletal malocclusion.

Methods:

After consultation with the department of orthodontics, 45 patients with skeletal malocclusions suitable to undergo SFA were enrolled in this study (14 bimaxillary protrusion and 31 skeletal class III malocclusion). Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy, bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, subapical osteotomy, and genioplasty were performed as required. After a healing period of 2 weeks, postoperative orthodontic treatment was started to achieve the final occlusion.

Results:

The mean duration of postoperative orthodontic treatment was 15.2 months, which is much shorter than the conventional orthodontic first approach (OFA) where presurgical orthodontic duration alone takes 12-24 months according to an individual. In the bimaxillary protrusion group, it was 18 months, which was significantly longer than for the other group ( P < .05).

Conclusions:

SFA offers an efficient alternative to conventional OFA with shorter total treatment duration, immediate marked improvement in facial profile, reduced biological costs, and similar operative stability. However, it comes at the cost of heightened challenges regarding case selection, accurate prediction, and surgical precision. With a joint venture between skilled and experienced surgeons and orthodontists, the outcome can be very promising.
Service innovation: Using augmented reality in the IKEA Place app
Authors: Ozturkcan Selcen
Published: August 2020

IKEA, a worldwide known “Assemble & Install-It-Yourself” furniture company with Swedish origin, launched an augmented reality app, namely, IKEA Place, that aimed to solve practical problems surrounding furniture shopping in September 2017. The IKEA Place, which used augmented reality to allow its users to visualize how furniture will look in their own home, is examined in this article. Discussion is centered around how the app allowed IKEA to create a service-centered value as it signaled that it understood the hurdles involved in the furniture shopping process for investing to extend technology-based support to its customers.
Institutional entrepreneurs and legitimation strategies: The case of personal hygiene in France from 1880 to 1980
Authors: Galluzzo Anthony , Gorge Hélène
Published: August 2020

This article investigates representations of personal hygiene in France between 1880 and 1980. We led a historical method-based inquiry to understand the legitimation process surrounding a redefinition of personal hygiene championed by different sets of institutional entrepreneurs (business, science community, school, the press and so on). We find that each set employs several strategies: connecting personal hygiene to public decency, introducing new personal hygiene tools to equip consumers, and defining legitimate and illegitimate hygiene practices. We sift through these strategies to tease out the concept of distributed agency by contrasting the roles and interventional spaces co-opted by the different sets of institutional entrepreneurs.
The role of pharmacogenetics in keloid scar treatment: A literature review
Authors: Searle Tamara , Ali Faisal R , Al-Niaimi Firas
Published: August 2020

Background:

The pathophysiology of keloid scars is still not fully understood and a universally reliable effective treatment has not been identified. Pharmacogenetics explores how drug response to a particular therapy can relate to genetic variations.

Purpose:

To investigate how pharmacogenetics could be applied to keloid scars and the relevance of this to clinical practice.

Methods:

We reviewed the literature and discuss our current knowledge of pharmacogenomics in the treatment of keloid scars. A literature search was performed using the terms ‘Pharmacogenetics’, ‘Pharmacogenomics’, ‘Keloid’ and ‘Scar’. We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to find the relevant articles. Only articles in English were chosen. The level of evidence was evaluated and selected accordingly listing the studies with the highest level of evidence first.

Results:

Treatments including corticosteroid injections and 5-fluorouracil can be effective in some patients, but less so in others. Polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor and variants of CCL2, YAP1, miR-21-5p and NF-κβ might be responsible for different responses to treatments used in keloid scars such as 5-fluorouracil. Small molecule inhibitors might be utilised to target other implicated genes.

Conclusion:

Pharmacogenetics aims to produce the most efficacious patient outcomes while reducing adverse effects. Understanding the pharmacogenetics of keloid scars could lead to a new era of personalised medicine in the treatment of keloid scars. At present, there is some evidence (level 3b/4) to suggest genetic variations that are responsible to drug response in keloids, but further research in this field is required.

Lay summary

The varied response to similar therapeutic treatments in keloids has prompted the consideration of the role of genetic variants on response in the form of pharmacogenetics. Pharmacogenetics refers to drugs and their metabolism and action based on genetic influences. The ideal scenario would involve the selection of treatment based on the individual’s specific genetic variants to ensure maximum efficacy with minimal toxicity. Some evidence currently points to genetic variations in some keloid patients that might be of relevance to the treating clinician.