bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Application of Skills for Psychological Recovery as an Early Intervention for Violent Loss: Rationale and Case Examples
Authors: Williams Joah L. , Rheingold Alyssa A.
Published: March 2018

This article describes a novel application of Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR)—a brief, early intervention developed by the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network—for families grieving the violent death of a loved one. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, SPR incorporates cognitive-behavioral skills-building modules to help survivors cope with trauma-related distress and posttrauma resource loss. The authors describe the intervention and illustrate the use of SPR for violent loss by presenting data from two cases involving a suicide survivor and a homicide survivor. Implications for future research are discussed.
Examining Perceived Stress, Childhood Trauma and Interpersonal Trauma in Individuals With Drug Addiction
Authors: Garami Julia , Valikhani Ahmad , Parkes Denise , Haber Paul , Mahlberg Justin , Misiak Blazej , Frydecka Dorota , Moustafa Ahmed A.
Published: March 2018

The investigation of psychosocial factors in relation to opiate addiction is limited and typically uses binary measures to assess how incidences of childhood trauma correlate with addiction. There has also been a lack of enquiry into how experiences of noninterpersonal versus interpersonal trauma may impact drug use addiction. In this regard, the current study utilized a novel measurement of interpersonal versus noninterpersonal lifetime trauma and a scale assessing severity of childhood trauma to examine how these factors may impact patients with opioid addiction. The interaction between these factors and current perceived stress was also examined. Thirty-six opioid-dependent individuals (recruited from the Drug Health Services and Opioid Treatment Program at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia) and 33 healthy controls completed the Childhood Maltreatment Questionnaire, Lifetime Trauma Survey, and Perceived Levels of Stress Scale. The patient group reported significantly greater childhood trauma severity, more incidences of lifetime trauma, and higher perceived stress than controls. Logistic regression analyses indicated that the severity of childhood trauma was more strongly associated with addiction status than perceived stress. A greater number of lifetime trauma incidence was the best predictor of addiction. Contrary to expectations, noninterpersonal lifetime trauma was a better predictor of addiction status than was interpersonal lifetime trauma. Results suggest that lifetime trauma and childhood trauma may play an important factor in opioid addiction over what can be accounted for by stress.
Promoting Critical Thinking Through Service Learning
Authors: Campbell Cynthia G. , Oswald Brianna R.
Published: March 2018

As stated in APA Learning Outcomes 2 and 3, two central goals of higher education instruction are promoting students’ critical thinking skills and connecting student learning to real-life applications. To meet these goals, a community-based service-learning experience was designed using task value, interpersonal accountability, cognitive dissonance, and guided reflection, and was implemented to motivate and promote students’ critical thinking skills in a human development psychology course. Students in this course served as home visitors or support-group facilitators to vulnerable families and reflected on their experiences in class assignments. Qualitative evidence from class discussions and journal entries, and quantitative data from the analysis of student essays, suggest that the majority of students engaged in critical thinking skills across the semester, particularly in using a broader locus for understanding and addressing issues experienced by their client families.
Trade unions and the challenge of fostering solidarities in an era of financialisation
Authors: Grady Jo , Simms Melanie
Published: March 2018

This articles re-examines evidence that trade unions in the UK have struggled to renew themselves despite considerable investment of time and effort. It argues that financialisation in the realms of capital accumulation, organisational decision making and everyday life has introduced new barriers to building the solidarities within and between groups of workers that would be necessary to develop a stronger response to the catastrophic effects on labour of financialisation in general, and the financial crisis specifically. The crisis highlighted the weaknesses of trade unions as institutions of economic and industrial democracy, but has also given some opportunities to establish narratives of solidarity in spaces and platforms created within a financialised context.
Collective bargaining coverage, works councils and the new German minimum wage
Authors: Bellmann Lutz , Bossler Mario , Gerner Hans-Dieter , Hübler Olaf
Published: March 2018

This article assesses the role of the recent introduction of the minimum wage for collective bargaining coverage and works councils in Germany. The new minimum wage was initiated to strengthen German tariff autonomy, but effects on collective bargaining coverage are theoretically ambivalent. Using the IAB Establishment Panel, descriptive regressions show that firms covered by a collective bargaining contract are much less likely affected by the minimum wage. To construct a counterfactual for the group of affected establishments, the authors apply an entropy balancing procedure. Subsequent difference-in-differences estimates reveal a slight decline in collective bargaining participation, which falls short of statistical significance. Although the effect on opting into collective bargaining is even slightly positive, the authors observe a significant decrease in coverage through firms that exit collective agreements.
The effect of liquid nitrogen cooling on coal cracking and mechanical properties
Authors: Cai Chengzheng , Gao Feng , Yang Yugui
Published: March 2018

Liquid nitrogen is a type of super-cryogenic fluid, which can cause the reservoir temperature to decrease significantly and thereby induce formation rock damage and cracking when it is injected into the wellbore as fracturing fluid. An experimental set-up was designed to monitor the acoustic emission signals of coal during its contact with cryogenic liquid nitrogen. Ultrasonic and tensile strength tests were then performed to investigate the effect of liquid nitrogen cooling on coal cracking and the changes in mechanical properties thereof. The results showed that acoustic emission phenomena occurred immediately as the coal sample came into contact with liquid nitrogen. This indicated that evident damage and cracking were induced by liquid nitrogen cooling. During liquid nitrogen injection, the ring-down count rate was high, and the cumulative ring-down counts also increased rapidly. Both the ring-down count rate and the cumulative ring-down counts during liquid nitrogen injection were much greater than those in the post-injection period. Liquid nitrogen cooling caused the micro-fissures inside the coal to expand, leading to a decrease in wave velocity and the deterioration in mechanical strength. The wave velocity, which was measured as soon as the sample was removed from the liquid nitrogen (i.e. the wave velocity was recorded in the cooling state), decreased by 14.46% on average. As the cryogenic samples recovered to room temperature, this value increased to 18.69%. In tensile strength tests, the tensile strengths of samples in cooling and cool-treated states were (on average) 17.39 and 31.43% less than those in initial state. These indicated that both during the cooling and heating processes, damage and cracking were generated within these coal samples, resulting in the acoustic emission phenomenon as well as the decrease in wave velocity and tensile strength.
Sexual satisfaction among individuals in monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships
Authors: Conley Terri D. , Piemonte Jennifer L. , Gusakova Staci , Rubin Jennifer D.
Published: March 2018

Monogamous individuals are believed to have better sex lives than those who are consensually non-monogamous (CNM). We compared the sexual satisfaction of CNM and monogamous individuals and also considered the relationship satisfaction of participants utilizing a non-targeted sample of CNM participants. We found that monogamous people reported slightly lower sexual satisfaction and lower orgasm rates than those who are CNM. Moreover, the type of CNM in which a person engages is important: swingers consistently reported higher sexual satisfaction than monogamous individuals, whereas those in open relationships had equivalent levels of satisfaction to those in monogamous relationships. Relationship satisfaction did not differ between CNM and monogamous groups. These findings do not support the perception that people in monogamous relationships have better sex than CNM individuals.
Gender and international entry mode
Authors: Pergelova Albena , Angulo-Ruiz Fernando , Yordanova Desislava I.
Published: March 2018

This article examines whether male- and female-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt different strategic directions when internationalising. We build on the notion of gendered socialisation and the resource-based view examining gender differences in international entry modes. We also analyse several contingencies in the relationship between gender and internationalisation. Findings indicate that female-led SMEs are more likely to internationalise via export than foreign direct investment (FDI). The results challenge conventional wisdom on the role of resources and capabilities accumulated with manager age in the process of internationalisation; younger female chief executive officers are more likely to internationalise via FDI. The results offer novel insights to the literature on internationalisation of SMEs calling for more attention towards the interplay of social norms and gendered structural arrangements, on the one hand, and entrepreneurial agency, on the other, for a better understanding of the internationalisation of female-led SMEs.
Mid-term development of the right ventricle in competitive athletes
Authors: Krumm Patrick , Krauß Stefan , Mangold Stefanie , Zitzelsberger Tanja , Klumpp Bernhard D , Nikolaou Konstantin , Nieß Andreas M , Kramer Ulrich , Burgstahler Christof
Published: March 2018

Background

Long-term intensive training induces physiological, morphological, and functional adaption of the athlete’s heart.

Purpose

To evaluate the development of athlete’s heart during a mid-term follow-up of competitive athletes using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Material and Methods

Eighteen competitive long-distance runners and triathletes (age 43 ± 13 years, 3 women) were prospectively examined in a longitudinal follow-up study 5.05 ± 0.6 years after baseline. CMR at 1.5-T was performed for functional and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume (LVEDV, RVEDV) as well as ejection fraction (LVEF, RVEF), LV myocardial mass (LVMM), and atrial sizes were determined and compared to baseline in matched pairs statistics for paired difference.

Results

LVEDV (197 ± 38 mL vs. 196 ± 38 mL, paired difference −0.9 mL, P = 0.7) and LVEF (62 ± 7% vs. 62 ± 5%, paired difference 0.1%, P = 0.9) did not change during the follow-up period, whereas LVMM increased significantly (149 ± 31 g vs.164 ± 32 g, paired difference 14 g, P < 0.0001). RVEDV significantly increased from 221 ± 47 mL at baseline to 230 ± 52 mL (paired difference 10 mL, P = 0.0033). RVEF decreased from baseline 57 ± 8% to 53 ± 7% (paired difference −3%, P = 0.0234). Left atrial size showed no significant changes (24 ± 5 cm2 vs. 25 ± 6 cm2, paired difference 0.5 cm2, P = 0.17) and right atrial size increased significantly (30 ± 5 cm2 vs. 32 ± 4 cm2, paired difference 2 cm2, P = 0.0054).

Conclusion

This study supports the theory of ongoing remodeling in an athlete’s heart. Predominantly the right heart can further enlarge in a mid-term period. This response seems not linearly dependent on a steady, decreased, or increased training volume.
Inhibitory effects of CP on the growth of human gastric adenocarcinoma BGC-823 tumours in nude mice
Authors: Wang Hai-Jun , Liu Yu , Zhou Bao-Jun , Zhang Zhan-Xue , Li Ai-Ying , An Ran , Yue Bin , Fan Li-Qiao , Li Yong
Published: March 2018

Objective

To investigate the potential antitumour effects of [2-(6-amino-purine-9-yl)-1-hydroxy-phosphine acyl ethyl] phosphonic acid (CP) against gastric adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Human BGC-823 xenotransplants were established in nude mice. Animals were randomly divided into control and CP groups, which were administered NaHCO3 vehicle alone or CP dissolved in NaHCO3 (200 µg/kg body weight) daily, respectively. Tumour volume was measured weekly for 6 weeks. Resected tumours were assayed for proliferative activity with anti-Ki-67 or anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies. Cell apoptosis was examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assays and with caspase-3 immunostaining. Proteins were measured by Western blotting.

Results

There was a significant reduction in tumour volume and a reduced percentage of Ki-67-positive or PCNA-positive cells in the CP group compared with the control group. The percentage of TUNEL-positive or caspase 3-positive cells significantly increased following CP treatment compared with the control group. Tumours from the CP group had higher levels of phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT) compared with control tumours.

Conclusion

CP treatment inhibited tumour growth and induced tumour cell apoptosis in a nude mouse model of BGC-823 gastric adenocarcinoma. Activation of the AKT and ERK signalling pathways may mediate this antitumour activity.
Analysis of risk factors for cervical lymph node metastases in patients with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Fan Weina , Xiao Cheng , Wu Fusheng
Published: March 2018

Objective

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is classified as either sporadic or inherited. This study was performed to analyze the risk factors for cervical lymph node metastases and predict the indication for prophylactic lateral neck dissection in patients with sporadic MTC.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with sporadic MTC were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate analysis with the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to identify the clinicopathological features (sex, age, tumor size, number of tumor foci, capsule or vascular invasion, and others) associated with cervical lymph node metastases.

Results

The metastasis rates in the central and lateral compartments were 46.2% (30/65) and 40.0% (26/65), respectively. The incidence of cervical lymph node metastases was significantly higher in patients with a tumor size of >1 cm, tumor multifocality, and thyroid capsule invasion. Only thyroid capsule invasion was an independent predictive factor for central compartment metastases and lateral neck metastases. The possibility of central compartment metastases was significantly higher when the preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen concentration was >30 ng/mL (60.0% vs. 34.3%).

Conclusions

MTC is associated with a high incidence of cervical lymph node metastases. Prophylactic lateral node dissection is necessary in patients with thyroid capsule invasion or a high serum carcinoembryonic antigen concentration.
Coxiella burnetii in Infertile Dairy Cattle With Chronic Endometritis
Authors: De Biase Davide , Costagliola Alessandro , Del Piero Fabio , Di Palo Rossella , Coronati Domenico , Galiero Giorgio , Uberti Barbara Degli , Lucibelli Maria Gabriella , Fabbiano Annalisa , Davoust Bernard , Raoult Didier , Paciello Orlando
Published: March 2018

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular pathogen and the cause of Q fever in many animal species and humans. Several studies have reported the association between C. burnetii and abortion, premature delivery, stillbirth, and weak offspring. However, no solid evidence indicates that C. burnetii causes endometritis, subfertility, and retained fetal membranes. For this study, histopathological and PCR evaluation were performed on 40 uterine biopsies from dairy cattle with poor fertility. Uterine swabs were concurrently tested with microbiology assays. The endometrial biopsies of 30 cows did not have any significant lesions, and no pathogens were identified by aerobic bacterial culture and PCR. Ten cows were PCR-positive for C. burnetii and negative for other pathogens by aerobic bacterial culture and PCR. These 10 cases revealed a mild to severe chronic endometritis admixed with perivascular and periglandular fibrosis. Immunohistochemical evaluation of C. burnetii PCR-positive biopsies identified, for the first time, the presence of intralesional and intracytoplasmic C. burnetii in macrophages in the endometrium of cattle.
DNA Methylation Status of the Estrogen Receptor α Gene in Canine Mammary Tumors
Authors: Brandão Yara de Oliveira , Toledo Mariana Busato , Chequin Andressa , Cristo Thierry Grima , Sousa Renato Silva , Ramos Edneia Amancio Souza , Klassen Giseli
Published: March 2018

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) has an important role in mammary carcinogenesis, prognosis, and treatment. In human and canine mammary cancer, the most aggressive tumors show loss of ERα expression, which in human breast cancer has been attributed to methylation of the cytosine followed by guanine (CpG) island within the estrogen receptor α gene ( ESR1) promoter. This study aimed to investigate the role of ESR1 CpG island (CGI) methylation in ERα expression in canine mammary tumors. Twenty-one canine mammary samples were sorted into three groups: malignant tumor (n = 9), benign tumor (n = 8), and normal gland (n = 4). Immunohistochemical analysis and reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR were performed to assess ERα expression and ESR1 mRNA levels. The methylation status was determined using sodium-bisulfite-treated DNA sequencing. All normal mammary glands and benign tumors showed high ERα expression (score range, 5–8). Six of the nine malignant tumors did not show ERα expression (score 0), two had score 2, and one had score 4. Lower ERα ( P < .005) and ESR1 mRNA levels ( P < .005) were found in malignant mammary tumors than in the other two groups. Canine ESR1 has an intragenic and non-promoter-associated CGI, different from humans. No significant variation in methylation percentage was observed among the groups, suggesting that ESR1 is not regulated by DNA methylation, unlike that in humans. This difference should be considered in further research using ERα as a biomarker for mammary tumors in canine studies on ERα-targeting therapy.
Social workers’ experiences of using the narrative model to talk to children about why they are in care and other sensitive issues
Authors: McGill Lynda , Coman William , McWhirter Joanne , O'Sullivan Clodagh
Published: March 2018

Children entering care often experience considerable uncertainty as they struggle with questions about why they had to leave their birth family, whose fault it was and whether or not they will ever return. To help in these fraught situations, the authors developed the narrative model for talking to children about sensitive issues in a way that promotes psychological safety and healthy adjustment. The details were published in a previous edition of this journal (Coman, et al., 2016). The model has now been fine-tuned after trial applications and feedback from parents, carers and professionals. This article reports the findings of one part of that evaluation: a survey of social workers experienced in using the model. The results show that they acknowledge the importance of helping children understand why they are in care but find it difficult to talk to them about it. They report that the narrative model increases their confidence in undertaking this task and benefits the children by giving them an explanatory narrative and enhancing the stability of their care placements.
Multiphysics modeling of mechanical and electrochemical phenomena in structural composites for energy storage: Single carbon fiber micro-battery
Authors: Xu Johanna , Lindbergh Göran , Varna Janis
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a framework for multiphysics modeling of a novel type of multifunctional composite material, structured on microscale, with ability to function as battery cell in addition to carry mechanical load. The micro-battery consists of a single carbon fiber surrounded by very thin solid electrolyte coating and embedded in a matrix which is a porous material containing active particles able to intercalate lithium. During battery operation (discharging and charging) the structural battery constituents undergo volume changes, caused by lithium-ion movement. The presented mathematical model is solved numerically using COMSOL software and results are used to analyze the physical phenomena occurring in the structural battery material. Parametric analysis is performed to reveal the significance of geometrical parameters like fiber volume fraction in the battery and the porosity content in the matrix on the multifunctional performance of the composite unit including its swelling/shrinking during charging/discharging.
Microstructural damage based micromechanics model to predict stiffness reduction in damaged unidirectional composites
Authors: Hiremath Chandrashekhar P , Senthilnathan K , Naik Niranjan K , Guha Anirban , Tewari Asim
Published: March 2018

Prediction of the residual stiffness of the carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite, subjected to fatigue loading, can be performed using some of the phenomenological models. However, it is still a challenge to find the stiffness based on the known microstructural damage state (that was developed irrespective of the load history). In this work, two micromechanics-based models were developed to predict reduction in the stiffness of the damaged composite. Fiber crack density and interface debonding was used to define the microstructural damage state of the composite. These models account for the fiber crack density in the form of change in either geometry (equivalent ellipsoid model) or material property of the fiber (reduced stiffness model). The microstructural damage state in the unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite, obtained from the on-axis tension–tension fatigue loading, was used to validate the models. The results from reduced fiber stiffness model were compared against experiment and finite element analysis for the given microstructural damage. The stiffness obtained using reduced fiber stiffness model was in good agreement with that obtained from the experiment. However, reduced fiber stiffness model underestimated reduction in stiffness compared to finite element analysis.
Latino Farmworkers and Under-Detection of Depression: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Limon Francisco J. , Lamson Angela , Hodgson Jennifer , Bowler Mark C. , Saeed Sy
Published: March 2018

The history of Latino farmworkers in the United States is long and complex. Economic forces and often-contradictory immigration policies have given rise to patterns of undocumented immigration from Mexico and Central America by individuals and families looking for work. This review uses a Critical Multiculturalism lens to explore the incidence of depression in Latino farmworkers; the link between depression symptoms and the experience of migration, acculturation, poverty, and agricultural work; and the role of culture, structural issues, primary care providers’ inadequate training in mental health issues, and work conditions in the under-detection of depression in this population. Recommendations for clinicians and researchers are offered to improve detection of depression in Latino farmworkers.
Empowering Teachers With Low-Intensity Strategies to Support Instruction: Within-Activity Choices in Third-Grade Math With Null Effects
Authors: Ennis Robin Parks , Lane Kathleen Lynne , Oakes Wendy Peia
Published: March 2018

Instructional choice is a low-intensity strategy that can improve academic engagement. In this study, we investigated the effects of within-activity choices offered during math by third-grade teachers to participating students with behavioral and academic needs. We utilized a professional development model to train teachers to implement instructional choice in the classroom while collecting direct observation data on student’s academic engagement. Teachers were able to implement practices with high levels of integrity and collect momentary time sampling data on one student with high levels of reliability. Using a withdrawal design, we found no clear functional relation between instructional choice and increases in student’s academic engagement. However, some students demonstrated an increase in level upon the introduction of the intervention. Both teachers and students rated the intervention goals, procedures, and outcomes as acceptable. Possible reasons for a lack of treatment effect on student academic engagement are discussed.
Promoting Positive Youth Development Through Teenagers-as-Teachers Programs
Authors: Worker Steven M. , Iaccopucci Anne M. , Bird Marianne , Horowitz Marcel
Published: March 2018

A promising approach to support positive youth development is having adolescents serve as teachers for younger children. Through a qualitative interview study, we explored adolescents’ development in their role serving as teachers for younger elementary-age children during out-of-school time; programs were managed by the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. We interviewed 32 teenagers (median age 15; 27 female, 5 male) about their experiences, growth, and learning. Through consensus-based inductive thematic analysis, we identified 26 codes that we analytically sorted and found they aligned with the six indicators outlined by the Five Cs of the positive youth development model. Adolescents reported positive experiences and their own growth in competence, confidence, connection, caring, character, and contribution. Furthermore, data indicated that contributing in a meaningful way was developed in tandem with the other Cs.
“You Want Your Guests to Be Happy in This Business”: Hoteliers’ Decisions to Adopt Voluntary Smoke-Free Guest-Room Policies
Authors: McDaniel Patricia A. , Malone Ruth E.
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

To explore why some hotels have implemented 100% smoke-free policies voluntarily, the perceived consequences of doing so, and media responses.

Design:

Qualitative study of hotel management and quantitative content analysis of media coverage of smoke-free hotels.

Setting:

Hotels and media based in the United States.

Participants:

Eleven representatives of 5 independent and 4 chain hotels. Other data included 265 news items about smoke-free hotels.

Method:

We conducted 30-minute semi-structured interviews with hotel representatives and analyzed the data using qualitative content analysis. We also searched 3 online news databases for news items about hotels in our study, and collaboratively coded retrieved items; we analyzed the content and slant of news items.

Results:

Business considerations, including guest requests, competitor action, and cost savings, were the primary motivations for implementing 100% smoke-free guest-room policies. Health concerns played a minimal role. Hotels received positive feedback from customers and employees. Media coverage was favorable, emphasizing positive aspects of going smoke-free; the overall slant of news items was positive or neutral. However, few hotels marketed the change.

Conclusions:

Since hotel customers and employees are likely to experience long periods of smoke exposure and smoke-free hotels appear to be so well received, it may be timely to pursue policies making all hotels smoke-free.
Concept Inventing: A Humanbecoming Perspective on Feeling Ashamed
Authors: Shaughnessy Molly
Published: March 2018

The author in this manuscript presents a humanbecoming concept inventing of feeling ashamed. It includes a literature review across several disciplines, an exploration of various art forms, discussions with others, and thoughtful contemplation that brings together a creative synthetic definition of feeling ashamed.
Effect of the turbine diameter on the generated power of a solar chimney power plant
Authors: Ayadi Ahmed , Driss Zied , Bouabidi Abdallah , Abid Mohamed S
Published: March 2018

The solar chimney power plants produce electricity and thermal heat using the solar radiation. The thermal study of the solar chimney power plants is required since these systems are characterized by their high costs. This paper focuses on the study of a solar chimney power plant coupled with a turbine to increase the generated power. Thus, four turbine diameters are proposed. For each configuration, the distribution of the magnitude velocity, the air temperature, and the pressure was discussed. The results indicate that the generated power increases with the increase of the turbine diameter. This technical solution is identified interesting for designers to increase the generated power.
Human and experimental toxicology of diquat poisoning: Toxicokinetics, mechanisms of toxicity, clinical features, and treatment
Authors: Magalhães N , Carvalho F , Dinis-Oliveira RJ
Published: March 2018

Diquat (1,1′-ethylene-2,2′-bipyridinium ion; DQ) is a nonselective quick-acting herbicide, which is used as contact and preharvest desiccant to control terrestrial and aquatic vegetation. Several cases of human poisoning were reported worldwide mainly due to intentional ingestion of the liquid formulations. Its toxic potential results from its ability to produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species through redox cycling processes that can lead to oxidative stress and potentially cell death. Kidney is the main target organ due to DQ toxicokinetics and redox cycling. There is no antidote against DQ intoxications, and the efficacy of treatments currently applied is still unsatisfactory. The aim of this work was to review the most relevant human and experimental findings related to DQ, characterizing its chemistry, activity as herbicide, mechanisms of toxicity, consequences of poisoning, and potential therapeutic approaches taking into account previous experience in developing antidotes for paraquat, a more toxic bipyridinium herbicide.
How Home-Peers Affect the Export Market Exit of Small Firms: Evidence From Canadian Exporters
Authors: Sui Sui , Baum Matthias , Malhotra Shavin
Published: March 2018

We investigate how home-peer entry density (the number of same-industry firms that originate from the same country and export to the same foreign market) affects the export market exit of small firms. Drawing on panel data from 41,445 Canadian small business exporters, we find a U-shaped relationship between home-peer entry density and small firms’ hazard of exit from an export market; that is, firms’ hazard of exit decreases as the home-peer density increases to a certain point and increases after that point. We also find that this U-shaped relationship is stronger for small firms that internationalize early.
Learning From Experiences of Feeling Heard: A Qualitative Study of Hospice Volunteers
Authors: Mundle Robert
Published: March 2018

What does it feel like when someone really listens to you? Data generated in qualitative interviews with ten individual hospice volunteers illuminate the quality of listening they received (and did not receive) from key role models in their lives. Analysis suggests that occasions of receiving listening are rare and pivotal events that can be used to learn more about how to listen to others, particularly in end-of-life care. The article closes with some recommendations for enhancing emotional support for hospice and palliative care volunteers, and for more training in reflective practice, including new approaches to teaching active empathic listening and communication skills.
The Effects of Age at Cleft Palate Repair on Middle Ear Function and Hearing Level
Authors: Lou Qun , Zhu Hongping , Luo Yi , Zhou Zhibo , Ma Lian , Ma Xiaoran , Fu Yuan
Published: March 2018

Objective:

To investigate the age effects of cleft palate repair on middle ear function and hearing level in patients who underwent cleft palate repair at different ages by audiologic examination.

Methods:

Medical histories were gathered in detail, and audiologic tests (ie, tympanometry and pure tone hearing threshold) were conducted in 126 patients after palatoplasty. The patients were divided into the following 4 groups according to their ages when they underwent cleft palate repair: group I (0-3 years, 73 patients), group II (4-7 years, 29 patients), group III (8-11 years, 16 patients), and group IV (12 years and older, 8 patients). The data regarding tympanograms, hearing levels, and the average hearing thresholds of each group were analyzed using chi-square tests.

Results:

The prevalence of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss in the patients who underwent palatoplasty before 3 years old (27.4% and 2.0% respectively) was significantly lower than that in patients who underwent palatopalsty at 12 years or older (75.0% and 43.7%, respectively). Linear-by-linear association revealed that the prevalences of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss among the 4 groups were significantly different ( P < .05).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss tended to increase with advancing age at the time of cleft palate repair. From an audiologist’s perspective, palatoplasty at an early age is very beneficial in helping children with cleft palates acquire better middle ear function and hearing level.
An Evaluation of IEP Accommodations for Secondary Students With Emotional and Behavioral Problems
Authors: Kern Lee , Hetrick Allyse A. , Custer Beth A. , Commisso Colleen E.
Published: March 2018

Accommodations are intended to address student academic and behavioral deficits by reducing obstacles that impede learning and accurately measuring skills. There is limited research, however, pertaining to the types of accommodations students receive and their selection, particularly among those with emotional and behavioral problems. This is a significant concern for secondary age students who spend the majority of their day in regular education settings and must participate in high-stakes testing. We examined types of accommodations provided to 222 secondary students with emotional and behavioral problems, their use (i.e., classroom or standardized assessments), and variables related to their selection. Analyses indicated (a) students received a wide array of accommodations with some differences depending on disability type, (b) more accommodations were provided in the classroom than on standardized testing, (c) few demographic variables were associated with type or number of accommodations, and (d) with a single exception, academic and behavioral functioning did not explain type of accommodation received. The findings suggest that accommodation selection is highly imprecise and point to the critical need for further research in this area.
Modified H2/LQG control algorithm for designing a multi-objective semi-active base isolation system
Authors: Mohebbi Mohtasham , Dadkhah Hamed , Rasouli Dabbagh Hamed
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes a modified version of H2/Linear Quadratic Gaussian (H2/LQG) control algorithm (MH2/LQG) to design effective semi-active base isolation systems with a supplemental magneto-rheological (MR) damper for simultaneously controlling the base drift and acceleration of a structure. In the proposed MH2/LQG control algorithm, the weighting parameter defined in the semi-active control law is considered variable during the seismic loading and is adjusted at each time step to prevent the device from applying excessive damping force to the structure. As a result, the supplemental control system is designed not only to reduce the base drift of the isolated structure but also to restrict increases that may occur in accelerations imparted to the superstructure due to excessive damping forces. As a numerical example to illustrate the proposed method, an isolated four-story structure is subjected to different earthquake records and the semi-active base isolation system is designed using both H2/LQG and MH2/LQG control algorithms. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed MH2/LQG control algorithm in designing semi-active base isolation systems which can provide a proper simultaneous control of the base drift and floor accelerations. In addition, comparing the performance of the MH2/LQG and multi-objective H2/LQG control algorithms shows that while the two design procedures work similarly in mitigating the maximum base drift, the MH2/LQG control algorithm is more effective in reducing the maximum floor acceleration.
Intraocular lens bicylindric power calculation method: Using both flat and steep K readings to improve intraocular lens power prediction
Authors: Calvo-Sanz Jorge A , Ruiz-Alcocer Javier , Sánchez-Tena Miguel A
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

To compare and analyze the accuracy of the refractive outcomes obtained in intraocular lens power calculation using the classical calculation method with mean keratometry (K) and the calculation method with both K meridians presented in this article.

Methods:

A total of 62 eyes of 62 subjects who were undergoing cataract surgery were included in this study. Optical biometry was performed using mean K and Haigis formula for classical intraocular lens calculation methods to achieve intraocular lens power; 4 weeks after surgery, prior to medical discharge, subjective refraction was made. Alternatively, intraocular lens power was calculated with bicylindric method using both keratometry readings, obtaining spherocylindrical refractive expected outcomes. Finally, results obtained with intraocular lens calculation methods, bicylindric method, and Haigis formula were compared.

Results:

Spherical equivalent calculated by classical intraocular lens calculation methods using Haigis formula (H-SE) was −0.027 ± 0.115 D and using bicylindric method (B-SE) was −0.080 ± 0.222 D. Achieved spherical equivalent obtained 4 weeks after surgery (A-SE) was −0.144 ± 0.268 D. Difference between H-SE and A-SE was −0.117 D (p = 0.002). Difference between B-SE and A-SE was not significant (−0.054 D, p = 0.109). Analysis in refraction groups showed a positive correlation between A-SE confronted to B-SE and H-SE (r = 0.313; p = 0.013 and r = 0.562; p < 0.001, respectively). This indicated a reliability in ametropic group prediction of 0.767 in H-SE and 0.843 in B-SE.

Conclusion:

Intraocular lens calculation with bicylindric method could be more accurate and had more reliability than classical intraocular lens calculation method. Bicylindric method adds astigmatism control and provides a reliable expected spherocylindrical refraction.
Surgery option in the management of delayed diplopia after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Zou Leilei , Wu Sujia , Liu Yan , Wang Shu , Wen Wen , Liu Hong
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

Radiation therapy is a standard treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Diplopia due to radiation damage to the sixth nerve significantly erodes the patient’s quality of life. This study investigated the effectiveness of extraocular surgery in the treatment of delayed diplopia caused by radiation therapy.

Methods:

A retrospective case series of 16 patients (7 men and 9 women) with delayed diplopia after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma was enrolled in the study. Unilateral lateral rectus resection was performed under topical anesthesia. Follow-up time was more than 12 months. Outcome measures were prism diopter and self-reported symptoms.

Results:

All patients diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy reported elimination of symptoms on postoperative day 1 without complications. One patient required a second procedure due to recurrence of symptoms. At 12-month follow-up, no patient reported recurrence of symptoms. The absolute horizontal deviation significantly decreased from a preoperative value of 16 prism diopter to a value of 1.5 prism diopter postoperatively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

These results suggest that unilateral lateral rectus resection under topical anesthesia is an effective treatment for delayed diplopia after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A large randomized prospective study to confirm these findings is warranted.
Exploring Dutch surgeons’ views on volume-based policies: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Mesman Roos , Faber Marjan J , Westert Gert P , Berden Bart
Published: March 2018

Objective

In many countries, the evidence for volume–outcome associations in surgery has been transferred into policy. Despite the large body of research that exists on the topic, qualitative studies aimed at surgeons’ views on, and experiences with, these volume-based policies are lacking. We interviewed Dutch surgeons to gain more insight into the implications of volume–outcome policies for daily clinical practice, as input for effective surgical quality improvement.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 purposively selected surgeons from a stratified sample for hospital type and speciality. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and underwent inductive content analysis.

Results

Two overarching themes were inductively derived from the data: (1) minimum volume standards and (2) implications of volume-based policies. Although surgeons acknowledged the premise ‘more is better’, they were critical about the validity and underlying evidence for minimum volume standards. Patients often inquire about caseload, which is met with both understanding and discomfort. Surgeons offered many examples of controversies surrounding the process of determining thresholds as well as the ways in which health insurers use volume as a purchasing criterion. Furthermore, being held accountable for caseload may trigger undesired strategic behaviour, such as unwarranted operations. Volume-based policies also have implications for the survival of low-volume providers and affect patient travel times, although the latter is not necessarily problematic in the Dutch context.

Conclusions

Surgeons in this study acknowledged that more volume leads to better quality. However, validity issues, undesired strategic behaviour and the ways in which minimum volume standards are established and applied have made surgeons critical of current policy practice. These findings suggest that volume remains a controversial quality measure and causes polarization that is not conducive to a collective effort for quality improvement. We recommend enforcing thresholds that are based on the best achievable level of consensus and assessing additional criteria when passing judgement on quality of care.
Stories of trauma in family therapy with refugees: Supporting safe relational spaces of narration and silence
Authors: De Haene Lucia , Rousseau Cécile , Kevers Ruth , Deruddere Nele , Rober Peter
Published: March 2018

With the sharp increase of refugees’ arrival and resettlement in western communities, adequate mental health care forms a pivotal dimension in host societies’ responses to those individuals and communities seeking protection within their borders. Here, clinical literature shows a growing interest in the development of family therapy approaches with refugees, in which therapeutic practice engages with the pivotal role of refugee family dynamics in posttrauma reconstruction and adaptation in resettlement and aims at supporting posttrauma reconstruction through strengthening capacities to restore safety, meaning and connectedness within family relationships. In this article, we focus on the narrative restoration of meaning as central mode of posttrauma reparation and explore its specific dynamics and relational complexities in the context of therapeutic practice with refugee families. Hereto, we integrate theoretical and clinical scholarly work on trauma narration and its intersection with empirical findings on trauma communication in refugee families. Furthermore, we develop case reflections to illustrate different processes of engaging with trauma narration in refugee family therapy. This analysis develops an understanding of the multivoiced ways in which refugee families engage with traumatic suffering through different modes of expression that may entail both narration and silence and explores how family therapeutic practices can engage and mobilize voices of narration and silence as relational stories of restoration.
The social dynamics of devaluation in an aged care context
Authors: Banks Susan
Published: March 2018

This article examines the way that aged care workers and clients are devalued. It is argued that they share a stigmatised and marginalised position, not experiencing recognition at individual, rights or societal levels. The research draws on a qualitative, ethnographic study of aged care and disability support, with Honneth’s recognition theory used to analyse the intersection of practice and meaning in this work. The study reveals that workers’ and clients’ presentations of a competent self are compromised by external signals of mistrust and devaluing, forms of misrecognition. These include low wages and status for workers, public and policy discourses that position them and their clients as mendicant or undeserving, and demeaning treatment from organisations. In turn, those participants who lacked a sense of themselves as uniquely valuable, as deserving of rights, and as contributing to the shared project of society, displayed practices and perspectives that were disabling of themselves and one another. Their interactions were characterised by distrust, resistance and mutual disabling. Boomageddon and silver tsunami scenarios are part of the problem; such discourses of misrecognition must be contested.
Evaluating Comprehensive State Tobacco Prevention and Control Programs Using an Outcome Indicator Framework
Authors: Fulmer Erika , Rogers Todd , Glasgow LaShawn , Brown Susan , Kuiper Nicole
Published: March 2018

The outcome indicator framework helps tobacco prevention and control programs (TCPs) plan and implement theory-driven evaluations of their efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use. Tobacco use is the single-most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The implementation of public health best practices by comprehensive state TCPs has been shown to prevent the initiation of tobacco use, reduce tobacco use prevalence, and decrease tobacco-related health care expenditures. Achieving and sustaining program goals require TCPs to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of their programs. To guide evaluation efforts by TCPs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health developed an outcome indicator framework that includes a high-level logic model and evidence-based outcome indicators for each tobacco prevention and control goal area. In this article, we describe how TCPs and other community organizations can use the outcome indicator framework in their evaluation efforts. We also discuss how the framework is used at the national level to unify tobacco prevention and control efforts across varying state contexts, identify promising practices, and expand the public health evidence base.