bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National Police Reform Commissions: Evidence-Based Practices or Unfulfilled Promises?
Authors: Headley Andrea M. , Wright James E.
Published: September 2019

The Kerner Commission devoted significant attention to the issue of policing and its impact on communities of color in particular. In light of the 50th anniversary of the Kerner Commission, the focus of this article is twofold. First, this article provides a literature review on police commissions across time, both pre- and post-Kerner, to identify similarities. There are three key areas of focus that most of the police commissions have touched on: excessive police use of force, police–community relations, and personnel standards. Second, this article assesses the empirical evidence behind these three identified areas of concern and asks the following: What does the research show on the efficacy of police organizational reforms for reducing excessive police use of force, building police–community relations, and improving personnel standards? This article concludes by identifying areas for further research in each of these three subcategories. Specifically, this article highlights the need for further research to empirically delineate what strategies are effective for reducing police–community tensions.
Bridging Risk Assessments to Case Planning: Development and Evaluation of an Intervention-Planning Tool for Adolescents on Probation
Authors: Viljoen Jodi L. , Cochrane Dana M. , Shaffer Catherine S. , Muir Nicole M. , Brodersen Etta M. , Rogers Billie Joe , Douglas Kevin S. , Roesch Ronald , Mcmahon Robert J. , Vincent Gina M.
Published: September 2019

Even though risk assessment tools are often intended to inform case planning, they do not provide much direct guidance. As such, we developed an intervention-planning tool called the Adolescent Risk Reduction and Resilient Outcomes Work-Plan (ARROW) to accompany the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth. The ARROW includes a decision support system, guide, and training, and is one of the first tools of its kind. To evaluate the ARROW, we conducted two studies: (a) a vignette study with 178 professionals and (b) a field study with 320 propensity-score matched adolescents. Most professionals (>98%) rated the ARROW as useful. Moreover, compared with (a) unstructured plans and (b) a simple form, ARROW plans were more likely to include supported interventions, adhere to best practices, and integrate culturally tailored approaches for Indigenous adolescents. Formulations also showed improvements. However, further research is needed on strategies to bridge risk assessment and risk management.
Eddy current separation for recovering aluminium and lithium-iron phosphate components of spent lithium-iron phosphate batteries
Authors: Bi Haijun , Zhu Huabing , Zu Lei , Gao Yong , Gao Song , Wu Zhongwei
Published: September 2019

With the rapid development of the electric vehicle market since 2012, lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries face retirement intensively. Numerous LFP batteries have been generated given their short service life. Thus, recycling spent LFP batteries is crucial. However, published information on the recovery technology of spent LFP batteries is minimal. Traditional separators and separation theories of recovering technologies were unsuitable for guiding the separation process of recovering metals from spent LFP batteries. The separation rate of the current method for recovering spent LFP batteries was rather low. Furthermore, some wastewater was produced. In this study, spent LFP batteries were dismantled into individual parts of aluminium shells, cathode slices, polymer diaphragms and anode slices. The anode pieces were scraped to separate copper foil and anode powder. The cathode pieces were thermally treated to reduce adhesion between the cathode powder and the aluminium foil. The dissociation rate of the cathode slices reached 100% after crushing when the temperature and time reached 300℃ and 120 min, respectively. Eddy current separation was performed to separate nonferrous metals (aluminium) from aluminium and LFP mixture. The optimized operation parameters for the eddy current separation were feeding speed of 1 m/s and magnetic field rotation speed of 4 m/s. The separation rate of the eddy current separation reached 100%. Mass balance of the recovered materials was conducted. Results showed that the recovery rate of spent LFP can reach 92.52%. This study established a green and full material recovery process for spent LFP batteries.
College Students’ Conceptions of Learning of and Approaches to Learning Computer Science
Authors: Umapathy Karthikeyan , Ritzhaupt Albert D. , Xu Zhen
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this research was to examine college students’ conceptions of learning computer science and approaches to learning computer science and to examine the relationships among these two important constructs and possible moderating factors. Student data ( N = 193) were collected using the conceptions of learning computer science and the approaches to learning computer science surveys at one public research institution in the southeastern United States. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Confirmatory Factor Analysis models, internal consistency reliability, Pearson correlations, stepwise multiple regression models, and Multivariate Analysis of Variance models. The results suggest that college students most favorably employ a deep strategy approach for learning computer science in which prior knowledge is activated and meaningful learning strategies are used. College students appear to be more extrinsically motivated to learn computer science than intrinsically. Higher level learning conceptions are associated with a deep strategy approach to learning (e.g., Seeing in a new way) whereas low-level conceptions are associated with a surface strategy (e.g., Memorizing) approach to learning. Male college students have slightly higher conceptions of programming than their female counterparts. The findings are discussed and both limitations and delimitations of the study are enumerated.
What Does Innovation Mean to Nonprofit Practitioners? International Insights From Development and Peace-Building Nonprofits
Authors: Svensson Per G. , Mahoney Tara Q. , Hambrick Marion E.
Published: September 2019

Charitable nonprofits strive to meet their organization’s goals, address external demands, and secure resources to pursue their missions. Management scholars have recommended that nonprofits promote innovation and innovative practices to maximize profits and gain a competitive advantage. However, the voices of nonprofit practitioners who implement this strategy have not been heard. We used data from interviews and focus groups with 47 practitioners representing development and peace-building nonprofits across six continents to probe what innovation means to them. Five themes emerged: (a) experimentation and social transformation, (b) financial sustainability, (c) collective solutions, (d) new means for achieving missions, and (e) adaptations to local contexts. These findings reveal discrepancies in the meaning of innovation between theory and practice. The findings from this study suggests innovation and innovative practices can have different meanings in different sectors. Perspectives on nonprofit innovation are multifaceted, yet the overarching emphasis is finding transformative ways to attain organizational goal(s) for social change.
What is innovative to public libraries in the United States? A perspective of library administrators for classifying innovations
Authors: Potnis Devendra Dilip , Winberry Joseph , Finn Bonnie , Hunt Courtney
Published: September 2019

Innovations are critical for public libraries but rarely does any primary research study the scope and interpretation of the term “innovation” by public libraries. Also, few of the existing innovation typologies are based on data collected from public libraries. This study fills in the gap by eliciting 80 innovations reported by the administrators of 108 award-winning public libraries in the United States, and proposes the first organic classification of innovations for public libraries, with the following four types of innovations: Program (access-oriented/use-oriented), Process (efficiency-driven/effectiveness-driven), Partnership (internal/external), and Technology (web-based technologies/assistive technologies/artificial intelligence). Findings can advance the state of innovations in libraries.
On construction of smallest one-sided confidence intervals for the response rate in adaptive two- or multi-stage designs
Authors: Wang Weizhen , Yin Huan , Zhang Zhongzhan
Published: September 2019

To assess the effectiveness of a treatment in phase II clinical trial for cancer study, an adaptive multi-stage design, especially a two-stage one, is commonly used. This type of design allows an on-going study to end early for the participant's safety and design's efficiency. Since a large value of the response rate p for the treatment is wanted, lower one-sided confidence intervals for p are of interest. Due to the limited sample size, exact intervals with a guaranteed confidence level are derived using a rank function that is based on the Clopper–Pearson lower confidence limit. When the sample size in stage 2 is a constant, two kinds of smallest intervals are constructed with or without using the sufficiency principle. The proposed intervals outperform the existing exact intervals, and the intervals not based on minimal sufficient statistic are recommended for practice due to their small expected lengths. When the sample size in stage 2 varies, the smallest interval is also proposed.
Political conservatism and the exploitation of nonhuman animals: An application of system justification theory
Authors: Hoffarth Mark R. , Azevedo Flávio , Jost John T.
Published: September 2019

Many people in Western societies tolerate the mistreatment of nonhuman animals, despite obvious ethical concerns about the injustice of animal suffering and exploitation. In three studies, we applied system justification theory to examine the ideological basis of human–animal relations. In Studies 1a and 1b, we showed in both a large convenience sample ( N = 2,119) and a nationally representative sample in the US ( N = 1,500) that economic system justification uniquely explained the relationship between political conservatism and animal welfare attitudes even after adjusting for social dominance orientation. In Study 2, we replicated and extended these findings using more elaborate measures of animal welfare attitudes in the context of an MTurk sample of U.S. respondents ( N = 395). Specifically, we found that conservatism was associated with less support for animal welfare and greater endorsement of speciesism (the belief that humans are morally superior to nonhuman animals) and that individual differences in economic system justification mediated these associations. We discuss several ways in which system justification theory may inform interventions designed to promote support for animal welfare in society at large.
Implementation of the international legal framework regarding climate change in developing countries; A review of Nigeria, Kenya, and Botswana’s environmental provisions governing climate change
Authors: Olashore Odunayo O.
Published: September 2019

This article examines climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts of three developing countries in different parts of Africa who face a broad range of issues stemming from climate change Nigeria, Kenya, and Botswana. While much attention has been focused on the responsibilities and concerns of developed countries as well as the advanced developing countries such as India and China, not so much is known about the rest of the world. All nations are suffering from the effects of climate change; do these African countries also feel the urgency? If they do, what mitigation and adaptation laws have they incorporated in their legal regimes? The article concludes that while these African countries recognise the damaging effects of climate change, which is evident by their ratification of the international treaties regarding the issue, their priorities are focused elsewhere. It is therefore submitted that these countries, regardless of their economic status, must be seen to be actively involved in the mitigation and adaptation of climate change by contributing something commensurate with their development through their domestic legislation.
Is Japanese Knotweed inherently damaging? Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd v Williams and Waistell [2018] EWCA Civ 1514
Authors: Warren Lynda M.
Published: September 2019

The Court of Appeal in Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd v Williams and Waistell [2018] EWCA Civ 1514 held that the encroachment of Japanese Knotweed can be grounds for an action in nuisance if development or improvement of the property would require the treatment of contaminated soil and/or its licensed removal as controlled waste. The damage in this case was to the quiet enjoyment of the owners’ properties as a result of the loss in amenity value occasioned by the limitations on their use of the property without being encumbered with requirements for costly remediation. The case has potentially serious implications for conveyancing. The nature of the risk posed by Japanese Knotweed has recently been questioned and is being considered by the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology.
The development and pilot study of a nurse-led HOMe-based HEart failure self-Management Programme (the HOM-HEMP) for patients with chronic heart failure, following Medical Research Council guidelines
Authors: Jiang Ying , Shorey Shefaly , Nguyen Hoang D , Wu Vivien Xi , Lee Choy Yee , Yang Lee Fung , Koh Karen Wei Ling , Wang Wenru
Published: September 2019

Background:

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the most common causes of hospital admissions and readmissions. Managing CHF requires a comprehensive treatment plan that consists of medication treatment and behavioural change. However, patients often feel unprepared for their self-management role in the community, especially during the period of transition after discharge from hospital. Therefore, an effective intervention to promote CHF self-management is needed.

Aims:

This paper describes the development and pilot testing of a multicomponent nursing intervention (i.e. the HOM-HEMP) for a randomised controlled trial to assess its effectiveness in improving self-care behaviour among CHF patients in Singapore. A description of the study intervention is also delineated in detail.

Methods:

The HOM-HEMP was developed based on the UK Medical Research Council framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions. After the development of the study intervention, a single group pre- and post-repeated measure pilot test was conducted to evaluate the study intervention package for its acceptability and the feasibility of the data collection procedure. Ten participants were recruited through consecutive sampling. All of the participants received the full intervention package with the supplementary mobile application. The data were collected at baseline and immediately after the study intervention (i.e. 6 weeks from baseline). The outcome measures included the Self-Care Heart Failure Index, Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Short Form of the Social Support Questionnaire.

Results:

The results from the pilot testing showed that the programme was feasible and potentially effective in improving patient’s self-care management, psychological outcomes and health-related quality of life.

Conclusion:

A self-management psychosocial education approach is the preferred choice for many patients with chronic diseases. The effectiveness of the HOM-HEMP will next be tested in a full scale randomised control trial.
Effects of Emotion on Teaching-Related Beliefs, Attitudes, and Intentions of Preservice Teachers
Authors: Egloff Frank , Souvignier Elmar
Published: September 2019

Affecting preservice teachers' pedagogical intentions and future behavior is a challenging goal of teacher education. It may be accomplished by purposefully changing their beliefs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lesson videos, compared to an argumentation-based video format, can evoke stronger and more positive emotional reactions and whether these reactions in turn result in higher changes in beliefs, attitudes, and intentions. We measured student-oriented teaching beliefs, attitudes, and intentions of N = 129 preservice teachers before and after the intervention. As a treatment check, we also quantified their emotional reaction (arousal and valence) to the intervention. Results of indirect effect models revealed that watching lesson videos led to higher emotional arousal and, overall, higher emotional arousal was related to more positive change in beliefs. However, change rates of teaching beliefs, attitudes, and intentions were the same for the lesson video and the expert talk video group. Emotional valence had no effect on change of beliefs, attitudes, or intentions. This study adds empirical evidence to theoretical claims concerning the effects of emotions on changing teaching-related beliefs.
Obstruction and the Politics of Civilian Nominations
Authors: Howard Nicholas O. , Roberts Jason M.
Published: September 2019

Conflict over presidential nominations has grown more acrimonious in recent decades. Senators have increasingly exploited their procedural prerogatives to block or delay nominations that they oppose. In this article, we utilize a newly collected dataset on holds placed by Republican senators to explore the usage and effect of obstructive tactics on nominations in the 100th to 104th Congresses (1987-1996). We find that nominees subject to a hold see a significant delay in disposition of their nomination, but we do not find evidence that holds regularly prevent nominees from being confirmed by the Senate.
The Influence of Masculine Norms and Mental Health on Health Literacy Among Men: Evidence From the Ten to Men Study
Authors: Milner Allison , Shields Marissa , King Tania
Published: September 2019

Background:

Adherence to masculine norms, such as self-reliance, has been thought to predict lower health literacy. Additionally, males with poor mental health may have low health literacy. Using two waves of the Ten to Men cohort, the current study examined whether masculinity and depressive symptomology explained three aspects of health literacy among men.

Methods:

Three subscales of the Health Literacy Questionnaire were used as the outcomes: Ability to find good health information; Ability to actively engage with healthcare providers, and Feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers. Exposures were masculine norms, measured by the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-22), and depressive symptoms, measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). We controlled for confounders of the relationship between exposure and outcome. Ordinary least squares regression was used to assess the CMNI and depressive symptoms (measured in Wave 1) on health literacy (measured in Wave 2).

Results:

Across all three health literacy scales, increased global conformity to masculine norms was associated with a decrease in health literacy. Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were likewise associated with a decrease in health literacy on all three scales, with the effects particularly strong for “Ability to engage with healthcare providers” (coef. −1.54, 95% CI [−1.84, −1.24], p value < .001).

Conclusions:

The results of this article highlight that both conformity to masculine norms and depressive symptoms may be predictors of health literacy among men. The results of this study suggest the need for health literacy media campaigns that address the complexities of gendered help-seeking behaviors.

Trial registration:

Not applicable.
Working With Photo Installation and Metaphor: Re-Visioning Photovoice Research
Authors: Switzer Sarah
Published: September 2019

The proliferation of participatory visual methods (PVMs) in applied research has highlighted new ways of seeing and thinking about research. A core tenant of PVMs is the situated, collaborative, reflexive, and co-constructed nature of the work and resulting findings. However, as these methods gain popularity, there can be a disparity between how PVMs are theorized, imagined, and facilitated. Although the facilitated and reflexive nature of PVMs is generally understood by practitioners, researchers seldom report on pedagogical design of their projects, even though the facilitation of a method, and a researcher’s own lens and orientation to photography will influence the production and reading of images. To achieve greater congruence between paradigm and practice, it may be important to return to fundamental questions about the role of facilitation and the process of crafting and exhibiting images in photovoice in relation to one’s study aims. In this article, I explore the crafted role of image-making in the context of a photovoice project that asked stakeholders to visualize engagement in the local HIV sector. Participants created and exhibited 63 photographs and narratives that relied heavily on metaphor as a crafted strategy. They also created three site-specific photo installations. Through detailing our facilitated process, I illustrate how certain design elements (influenced by my pedagogical and theoretical orientations toward co-theorizing) created the necessary conditions for participants to visualize their ideas through metaphor and installation. In turn, the exhibited images and associated installations created new opportunities for synthesis, dialogue, and dissemination. I conclude with a theoretical discussion of the possibilities for taking a crafted and reflexive approach to image-making in photovoice studies.
Signaling pathways and gene co-expression modules associated with cytoskeleton and axon morphology in breast cancer survivors with chronic paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Kober Kord M , Schumacher Mark , Conley Yvette P , Topp Kimberly , Mazor Melissa , Hammer Marilynn J , Paul Steven M , Levine Jon D , Miaskowski Christine
Published: September 2019

Background

The major dose-limiting toxicity of paclitaxel, one of the most commonly used drugs to treat breast cancer, is peripheral neuropathy (paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy). Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, which persists into survivorship, has a negative impact on patient’s mood, functional status, and quality of life. Currently, no interventions are available to treat paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. A critical barrier to the development of efficacious interventions is the lack of understanding of the mechanisms that underlie paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. While data from preclinical studies suggest that disrupting cytoskeleton- and axon morphology-related processes are a potential mechanism for paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, clinical evidence is limited. The purpose of this study in breast cancer survivors was to evaluate whether differential gene expression and co-expression patterns in these pathways are associated with paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Methods

Signaling pathways and gene co-expression modules associated with cytoskeleton and axon morphology were identified between survivors who received paclitaxel and did (n = 25) or did not (n = 25) develop paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Results

Pathway impact analysis identified four significantly perturbed cytoskeleton- and axon morphology-related signaling pathways. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified three co-expression modules. One module was associated with paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy group membership. Functional analysis found that this module was associated with four signaling pathways and two ontology annotations related to cytoskeleton and axon morphology.

Conclusions

This study, which is the first to apply systems biology approaches using circulating whole blood RNA-seq data in a sample of breast cancer survivors with and without chronic paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, provides molecular evidence that cytoskeleton- and axon morphology-related mechanisms identified in preclinical models of various types of neuropathic pain including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy are found in breast cancer survivors and suggests pathways and a module of genes for validation and as potential therapeutic targets.
Perceived Popularity and Online Political Dissent: Evidence from Twitter in Venezuela
Authors: Morales Juan S.
Published: September 2019

On October 31, 2013, thousands of Twitter accounts, automated to actively retweet President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, were unexpectedly closed by the social media platform. I exploit this event to study the relationship between perceived popularity on social media (amplified through the use of bot accounts) and online political expression. The analysis uses more than two hundred thousand tweets spanning six months around the event and employs a quasi-experimental empirical framework. Following the closure of the accounts, the volume of tweets mentioning the president increased by an estimated 33 percent, with a differential increase for critical messages. Relative to tweets by government leaders, the number of likes for tweets by opposition leaders increased by an estimated 21 percent. Consistent with the presence of a spiral of silence in online political expression, the results suggest that the change in the perceived popularity of Maduro led to an increase in users’ willingness to express both criticism of the president and support for the opposition. While previous studies have documented how autocratic governments engage in manipulative online campaigns, this paper provides evidence of their effectiveness and highlights an important mechanism through which they can influence behavior.
UK response to new trade Union strategies for new forms of employment
Authors: Freedland Mark , Dhorajiwala Hitesh
Published: September 2019

This paper records the responses to the questionnaire that was circulated to academics for the purposes of compiling the ETUC publication, ‘New trade union strategies for new forms of employment’. In responding to the questions asked, this paper provides a broad description of how work relationships are organised in English law, including the various tests and criteria that are relevant to particular work relationship statuses which determine access to both individual and collective employment rights. This also involves discussing the relationship between newer intermediate work relationship statuses, and the traditional binary divide upon which English employment law is premised. The paper finally turns to assessing hypothetical scenarios against the tests for work relationship status in English law, as well as possible reform proposals that could help to increase coverage for workers.
Effect of visual feedback on the performance of the star excursion balance test
Authors: Wan Yi , Davies Jennifer L , Button Kate , Al-Amri Mohammad
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Visual feedback is an effective method to enhance postural and balance control in clinical and sports training. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of real-time visual feedback provided by a video camera on the performance of a dynamic balance test, which is the star excursion balance test in healthy subjects.

Methods

We compared the performance of the star excursion balance test using the maximum reach distance in 20 healthy participants (10 male and 10 female, 26.8 ± 3.7 years) under two conditions: without feedback and whilst they viewed their movements in real-time on a screen in front of them via a video camera.

Results

The results showed that real-time visual feedback had a significant effect on maximum reach distance of the star excursion balance test in the posterolateral direction (P < 0.001). There was a non-significant increase in the maximum reach distance in the anterior and posteromedial directions.

Conclusion

The result indicates that the real-time visual feedback appears to be an effective means for improving the performance of the star excursion balance test in the posterolateral direction, and may be a promising tool for clinical rehabilitation and athlete training to enhance dynamic postural control.
Diverging Trajectories or Parallel Pathways? An Intersectional and Life Course Approach to the Gender Earnings Gap by Race and Education
Authors: Doren Catherine , Lin Katherine Y.
Published: September 2019

Integrating ideas about intersectionality with life course theories, we explore how trajectories of gender earnings inequality vary across race and education. Past research suggests that gender earnings gaps by race and education are narrower for more disadvantaged groups, yet it remains unknown whether these key differences amplify, decline, or remain constant over the life course. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, we estimate growth curve models of annual earnings, examining differences between blacks and whites and by educational attainment in the levels and slopes of men and women’s earnings from ages 22 to 47. Findings show that holding multiple forms of gendered, racial, and/or educational advantage has an interactive effect that accumulates across life. Accordingly, the gender gap expands most with age for whites and the college-educated, where the male premium is compounded by racial and/or educational advantages.
The Threatful Self: Midbrain Functional Connectivity to Cortical Midline and Parietal Regions During Subliminal Trauma-Related Processing in PTSD
Authors: Terpou Braeden A. , Densmore Maria , Théberge Jean , Thome Janine , Frewen Paul , McKinnon Margaret C. , Lanius Ruth A.
Published: September 2019

Background

The innate alarm system consists of a subcortical network of interconnected midbrain, lower brainstem, and thalamic nuclei, which together mediate the detection of evolutionarily-relevant stimuli. The periaqueductal gray is a midbrain structure innervated by the innate alarm system that coordinates the expression of defensive states following threat detection. In participants with post-traumatic stress disorder, the periaqueductal gray displays overactivation during the subliminal presentation of trauma-related stimuli as well as altered resting-state functional connectivity. Aberrant functional connectivity is also reported in post-traumatic stress disorder for the default-mode network, a large-scale brain network recruited during self-referential processing and autobiographical memory. Here, research lacks investigation on the extent to which functional interactions are displayed between the midbrain and the large-scale cortical networks in post-traumatic stress disorder.

Methods

Using a subliminal threat presentation paradigm, we investigated psycho-physiological interactions during functional neuroimaging in participants with post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 26) and healthy control subjects (n = 20). Functional connectivity of the periaqueductal gray was investigated across the whole-brain of each participant during subliminal exposure to trauma-related and neutral word stimuli.

Results

As compared to controls during subliminal threat presentation, the post-traumatic stress disorder group showed significantly greater periaqueductal gray functional connectivity with regions of the default-mode network (i.e., angular gyrus, precuneus, superior frontal gyrus). Moreover, multiple regression analyses revealed that the functional connectivity between the periaqueductal gray and the regions of the default-mode network correlated positively to symptoms of avoidance and state dissociation in post-traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusion

Given that the periaqueductal gray engages the expression of defensive states, stronger midbrain functional coupling with the default-mode network may have clinical implications to self-referential and trauma-related processing in participants with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Redress for Victims of the NATO Bombing of the Radio Television of Serbia: The Example of Monuments
Authors: Kijevcanin Jasmina
Published: September 2019

The year 2019 marked the 20th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) intervention in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and the end of the Kosovo War. I take this as an opportunity to reflect on the role, importance and impact of the NATO bombing victims’ redress. This article unwraps the process of policymaking aimed at the redress for victims of the NATO bombing, exploring how policymakers formulated policies and, among other issues, what role the families of the Radio Television of Serbia employees who died in the NATO bombing have in the formulation of these policies.
Clinical Molecular Marker Testing Data Capture to Promote Precision Medicine Research Within the Cancer Research Network
Authors: Burnett-Hartman Andrea N. , Udaltsova Natalia , Kushi Lawrence H. , Neslund-Dudas Christine , Rahm Alanna Kulchak , Pawloski Pamala A. , Corley Douglas A. , Knerr Sarah , Feigelson Heather Spencer , Hunter Jessica Ezzell , Tabano David C. , Epstein Mara M. , Honda Stacey A. , Ter-Minassian Monica , Lynch Julie A. , Lu Christine Y.
Published: September 2019

PURPOSE

To evaluate health care systems for the availability of population-level data on the frequency of use and results of clinical molecular marker tests to inform precision cancer care.

METHODS

We assessed cancer-related molecular marker test data availability across 12 US health care systems in the Cancer Research Network. Overall, these systems provide care to a diverse population of more than 12 million people in the United States. We performed qualitative analyses of test data availability for five blood-based protein, nine germline, and 14 tissue-based tumor marker tests in each health care system’s electronic health record and tumor registry using key informants, test code lists, and manual review of data types and output. We then performed quantitative analyses to estimate the proportion of patients with cancer with test utilization data and results for specific molecular marker tests.

RESULTS

Health systems were able to systematically capture population-level data on all five blood protein markers, six of 14 tissue-based tumor markers, and none of the nine germline markers. Successful, systematic data capture was achievable for tests with electronic data feeds for test results (blood protein markers) or through prior manual abstraction by tumor registrars (select tumor-based markers). For test results stored in scanned image files (particularly germline and tumor marker tests), information on which test was performed and test results was not readily accessible in an electronic format.

CONCLUSION

Even in health care systems with sophisticated electronic health records, there were few codified data elements available for evaluating precision cancer medicine test use and results at the population level. Health care organizations should establish standards for electronic reporting of precision medicine tests to expedite cancer research and facilitate the implementation of precision medicine approaches.
A Family With a Carotid Body Paraganglioma and Thyroid Neoplasias With a New SDHAF2 Germline Variant
Authors: Wolf Katherine I , Jacobs Michelle F , Mehra Rohit , Begani Priya , Davenport Matthew S , Marentette Lawrence J , Basura Gregory J , Hughes David T , Else Tobias
Published: September 2019

At least 30% of all pheochromocytomas (PCCs)/paragangliomas (PGLs) arise in patients with a germline predisposition syndrome. Variants in succinate dehydrogenase subunits A, B, C, and D (SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD) are the most common pathogenic germline alterations. Few pathogenic variants have been reported in succinate dehydrogenase assembly factor 2 (SDHAF2). Here, we describe a 30-year-old female patient who presented with a left-sided neck mass, which was later characterized as a carotid body PGL. Genetic testing revealed a likely pathogenic SDHAF2 variant (c.347G>A;p.W116X). Two sisters carried the same pathologic variant, and screening protocols were recommended. Whole-body MRI revealed thyroid nodules; this testing was followed by fine-needle aspiration, which confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma in one sister and a follicular adenoma in the other. The two sisters then underwent hemithyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy, respectively. Because evidence for pathogenic variants in SDHAF2 causing predisposition to PCC/PGL is limited, we discuss the challenges in mutational variant interpretation and decision making regarding screening for associated tumors.
Calcifediol Decreases Interleukin-6 Secretion by Cultured Human Trophoblasts From GDM Pregnancies
Authors: Lacroix Marilyn , Lizotte Farah , Hivert Marie-France , Geraldes Pedro , Perron Patrice
Published: September 2019

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is often characterized by low maternal calcifediol (25OHD) and high inflammation levels. This study aimed to determine whether placental protein expressions of CYP27B1, vitamin D receptor (VDR), and CYP24A1 are impaired in GDM and to investigate the effect of a 25OHD treatment on IL-6 secretion by GDM trophoblasts compared with normoglycemic (NG) trophoblasts. Placental tissue samples were harvested to determine protein expression of CYP27B1, VDR, and CYP24A1 by immunoblots. Isolated trophoblasts were stimulated with 25OHD concentrations (25 to 2000 nM) once a day for 3 days and IL-6 secretion was quantified (ELISA). We recruited 17 NG women, 19 women with GDM treated with diet and exercise alone (GDM-d) and 9 women with GDM who necessitated insulin therapy (GDM-i). Protein expressions of CYP27B1 and VDR were significantly higher in placental tissue from GDM-d women compared with NG women (both P = 0.02), whereas no differences were detected between GDM-i and NG placental tissues. In cultured trophoblasts (two groups; n = 5 NG and n = 5 GDM-d), exposure to increasing 25OHD concentrations significantly decreased IL-6 secretion in the GDM-d group only (P = 0.006). After treatment with 25OHD (2000 nM), IL-6 secretion was lower in the GDM-d group compared with the NG group (P = 0.03). Our results suggest an upregulation of the VDR-1,25(OH)2D complex bioavailability in GDM-d placentas, possibly reflecting a compensatory mechanism aiming to ensure that vitamin D can exert its genomic and nongenomic effects in the target cells of the placental-fetal unit. Our findings support an anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D at the feto-maternal interface in GDM-d pregnancies.
E-Cigarette Exposure Delays Implantation and Causes Reduced Weight Gain in Female Offspring Exposed In Utero
Authors: Wetendorf Margeaux , Randall Lewis T , Lemma Mahlet T , Hurr Sophia H , Pawlak John B , Tarran Robert , Doerschuk Claire M , Caron Kathleen M
Published: September 2019

Electronic nicotine delivery system (e-cigarette) use is prevalent among pregnant women as a seemingly safe alternative to traditional tobacco use, known to result in fetal developmental abnormalities and impaired fertility of male offspring. However, little is known about the effects of e-cigarette use on fertility or pregnancy outcomes. A successful pregnancy is initiated by a multitude of dynamic molecular alterations in the uterus resulting in embryo implantation at day 4.5 in the mouse. We examined whether e-cigarette exposure impairs implantation and offspring health. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were exposed five times a week to e-cigarette vapor or sham. After 4 months, e-cigarette exposed dams exhibited a significant delay in the onset of the first litter. Furthermore, exposure of new dams in early pregnancy significantly impaired embryo implantation, as evidenced by nearly complete absence of implantation sites in e-cigarette–exposed animals at day 5.5, despite exhibiting high levels of progesterone, an indicator of pregnancy. RNA microarray from day 4.5 pseudopregnant mice revealed significant changes in the integrin, chemokine, and JAK signaling pathways. Moreover, female offspring exposed to e-cigarettes in utero exhibited a significant weight reduction at 8.5 months, whereas males exhibited a slight but nonsignificant deficiency in fertility. Thus, e-cigarette exposure in mice impairs pregnancy initiation and fetal health, suggesting that e-cigarette use by reproductive-aged women or during pregnancy should be considered with caution.
Cold Crystallization of Chiral Schiff-Base Nickel(II) Complex Having Alkyl Chains and a Characteristic Methyl Group
Authors: Honda Akinori , Yoshida Takashi , Shioda Ayumi , Nomoto Kuniharu , Miyamura Kazuo
Published: September 2019

Molecules exhibiting cold crystallization, an exothermic phenomenon in heating following supercooling, can be used as a heat storing material. On the other hand, examples in non-polymers are still few. A chiral Schiff-base nickel(II) complex, which had a characteristic methyl group and long alkyl chains, exhibited complicated thermal behavior including cold crystallization. The methyl group was a steric barrier to dimerization and molecular stacking, leading to the supercooled state. In addition, the thermal behavior of enantiomer was different from that of racemate.
MDCT of unique drainage of the anterior interventricular coronary vein into the left atrium: two case reports
Authors: Sakrana Amal Abdelsattar , Alzubaidi Shadha A. Ahmed , Shahat Abdulhameed Mohmmed
Published: September 2019

Pre-procedural CT mapping of the coronary venous system is advised by the current guidelines before many interventional procedures. The published literature for variants of the coronary venous system is scarce. The variant of anterior interventricular vein (AIV) drainage into the left atrium is extremely rare. In this paper, we present multidetector CT findings of two cases of anomalous drainage of the anterior interventricular vein into the left atrium.
Isolation and initial propagation of guinea pig adenovirus (GPAdV) in Cavia porcellus cell lines
Authors: Kajon Adriana E. , Li Xiaoxin , Gonzalez Gabriel , Core Susan , Hofmann-Sieber Helga , Leng Shuguang
Published: September 2019

Background:  The lack of adequate in vitro systems to isolate and propagate guinea pig adenovirus (GPAdV), a prevalent cause of respiratory illness of varaible severity in laboratory guinea pig colonies worldwide, has precluded its formal characterization to allow for the development of comprehensive diagnostic assays, and for the execution of complex pathogenesis and basic virology studies.

Methods: Two strains of GPAdV were isolated in guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) cell cultures from frozen archival infected animal tissue originated from colony outbreaks of pneumonia in Australia and the Czech Republic in 1996.

Results: Commercially available guinea pig cell lines from colorectal carcinoma (GPC-16), fetal fibroblast (104-C1) and lung fibroblast (JH4 C1), and the tracheal epithelial cell line GPTEC-T developed in this study were able to support viral infection and early propagation. Sufficient viral DNA was recovered from cell cultures to PCR-amplify and obtain sequence data for the complete hexon gene and partial DNA polymerase and penton base genes. Phylogenetic analysis for the three regions of the genome provided strong evidence confirming GPAdV as a unique species in the genus Mastadenovirus.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of propagating GPAdV in cultures of immortalized lines of GP cells of a variety of types, thus establishing a critical foundation for the development of a robust culture platform for virus stock production and titration. The generation and analysis of whole GPAdV genome sequences will provide additional data for a comprehensive description of the genetic organization of the viral genome and for a better assessment of genetic diversity between the two isolated strains.
Information technologies in legal activity
Authors: Серова Галина , Serova Galina
Published: September 2019

The tutorial purposes of information, describes the basic concepts, types of information technologies, this classification of information systems principles of information and communication technologies, outlined the purpose of reference of legal systems and demonstrates the techniques for working with them, and demonstrate the potential practical application of information technologies in professional activities of a lawyer.
The purpose of the textbook-to help students understand the importance of the introduction of modern information technologies in the professional activities of a lawyer, to acquire knowledge in the field of their application.
Meets the requirements of the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
For students of educational institutions of higher education studying in areas of training: and 40.04.01 40.03.01 "Jurisprudence"; the specialty 40.05.02 "law Enforcement" as well as for teachers and specialists in records management who are interested in the use of modern information technologies in the legal field.
Minimizing the Maximum Expected Waiting Time in a Periodic Single-Server Queue with a Service-Rate Control
Authors: Ma Ni , Whitt Ward
Published: September 2019

We consider a single-server queue with unlimited waiting space, the first-come, first-served discipline, a periodic arrival-rate function, and independent and identically distributed service requirements, where the service-rate function is subject to control. We previously showed that a rate-matching control, whereby the service rate is made proportional to the arrival rate, stabilizes the queue-length process but not the (virtual) waiting-time process. To minimize the maximum expected waiting time (and stabilize the expected waiting time), we now consider a modification of the service-rate control involving two parameters: a time lag and a damping factor. We develop an efficient simulation search algorithm to find the best time lag and damping factor. That simulation algorithm is an extension of our recent rare-event simulation algorithm for the GIt/GI/1 queue to the GIt/GIt/1 queue, allowing the time-varying service rate. To gain insight into these controls, we establish a heavy-traffic limit with periodicity in the fluid scale. This produces a diffusion control problem for the stabilization, which we solve numerically by the simulation search in the scaled family of systems with ρ ↑ 1. The state space collapse in that theorem shows that there is a time-varying Little’s law in heavy traffic, implying that the queue length and waiting time cannot be simultaneously stabilized in this limit. We conduct simulation experiments showing that the new control is effective for stabilizing the expected waiting time for a wide range of model parameters, but we also show that it cannot stabilize the expected waiting time perfectly.
Produção antecipada de prova ou ação autônoma de exibição de documento: a controvérsia sobre a prova documental no CPC/2015
Authors: Vidal Guaragni Giovanni , Kozikoski Sandro Marcelo
Published: September 2019

O intuito do presente artigo é auxiliar na solução de algumas controvérsias doutrinárias que vêm repercutindo na jurisprudência, sobre a possibilidade ou não de se ajuizar uma demanda autônoma de exibição de documento a partir da vigência do CPC/2015, que extinguiu as cautelares nominadas presentes no CPC/73 e instituiu o procedimento de produção antecipada de prova, entendido como a atual consagração do direito à prova. Partindo de uma análise dos institutos do CPC/73 e passando pelas bases principiológicas da reforma operada pelo CPC/2015, distinguem-se três teorias sobre a temática principal da pesquisa: (i) a teoria incidental; (ii) a teoria autônoma; e (iii) a teoria autônoma diferenciada. Defendendo-se a teoria autônoma, sustenta-se ser possível a exibição de documento por meio de demanda autônoma de exibição, desvinculada do rito especial da ação de produção antecipada de provas, prevista nos artigos 381 a 383, do CPC. A produção antecipada de prova documental, assim, pode se dar por três vias: (i) em procedimento cautelar de caráter antecedente (art. 305, do CPC); (ii) em ação de produção antecipada de provas; e (iii) em ação autônoma de exibição de documento, devendo-se atentar à fungibilidade entre os institutos, quando possível e adequado ao resultado útil do processo.