bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The A(ffective) B(ehavioral) C(ognitive) of Taboo Words in Natural Language: The Relationship Between Taboo Words’ Intensity and Frequency
Authors: Rosenberg Patricia , Sikström Sverker , Garcia Danilo
Published: July 2016

We investigated the relationship between the affective component (A: the level of offensiveness/intensity) and the behavioral component (B: the frequency of usage) of taboo words that are part of an individual’s natural language (C: the cognitive component). In Study 1, 900 U.S. residents generated the 10 most common taboo words they use in their daily lives (C). In Study 2, 1,000 U.S. residents were presented with the 30 most common taboo words (C) from Study 1 and asked to rate how offensive they perceived the words (A) and how often they used these words (B). This relationship was controlled for self-reported trait affectivity. We found a slight change in which taboo words people use in everyday life. The results suggest that the level of offensiveness of taboo words (A) predicts the usage of the words (B) that are part of a person’s natural language (C): the ABC-hypothesis of taboo words.
Historical institutionalism and the politics of sustainable energy transitions: A research agenda
Authors: Lockwood Matthew , Kuzemko Caroline , Mitchell Catherine , Hoggett Richard
Published: July 2016

Improving the understanding of the politics of sustainable energy transitions has become a major focus for research. This paper builds on recent interest in institutionalist approaches to consider in some depth the agenda arising from a historical institutionalist perspective on such transitions. It is argued that historical institutionalism is a valuable complement to socio-technical systems approaches, offering tools for the explicit analysis of institutional dynamics that are present but implicit in the latter framework, opening up new questions and providing useful empirical material relevant for the study of the wider political contexts within which transitions are emerging. Deploying a number of core concepts including veto players, power, unintended consequences, and positive and negative feedback in a variety of ways, the paper explores research agendas in two broad areas: understanding diversity in transition outcomes in terms of the effects of different institutional arrangements, and the understanding of transitions in terms of institutional development and change. A range of issues are explored, including: the roles of electoral and political institutions, regulatory agencies, the creation of politically credible commitment to transition policies, power and incumbency, institutional systems and varieties of capitalism, sources of regime stability and instability, policy feedback effects, and types of gradual institutional change. The paper concludes with some observations on the potential and limitations of historical institutionalism, and briefly considers the question of whether there may be specific institutional configurations that would facilitate more rapid sustainable energy transitions.
Let’s stay home and watch TV
Authors: Gomillion Sarah , Gabriel Shira , Kawakami Kerry , Young Ariana F.
Published: July 2016

Sharing a social identity is a key component of interdependence in romantic relationships. In particular, sharing a social network of friends and family members with a romantic partner enhances relationship quality, but maintaining an integrated social network is not always possible. When people lack a shared circle of friends with their partners, sharing media like TV shows, books, and movies with partners may compensate for this deficit and restore closeness. Two studies examined the influence of sharing real and fictional social worlds on relationship outcomes. Our findings showed that when people lack shared friends with their romantic partners, sharing media predicts greater relationship quality and people become motivated to share media with their partners. These studies show that shared media can enhance interdependence and allow people to compensate for lacking a shared social network in the real-world.
Semantic and conceptual factors in Spanish–English bilinguals’ processing of lexical categories in their two languages
Authors: Gathercole Virginia C Mueller , Stadthagen-González Hans , Pérez-Tattam Rocío , Yavaş Feryal
Published: July 2016

This study examines possible semantic interaction in fully fluent adult simultaneous and early second language (L2) bilinguals. Monolingual and bilingual speakers of Spanish and English ( n = 144) were tested for their understanding of lexical categories that differed in their two languages. Simultaneous bilinguals came from homes in which Spanish or Spanish and English were spoken when they were children, and L2 bilinguals entered the US as children. Accuracy data show higher ultimate attainment of language-specific semantic knowledge in English than in Spanish, but in both languages the interaction of the semantic categories with conceptual knowledge is observable. The data reveal subtle differences in early bilinguals’ extensions of words, but only in some types of categories, and modified by level of proficiency.
Inadequate food and water intake determine mortality following stroke in mice
Authors: Lourbopoulos Athanasios , Mamrak Uta , Roth Stefan , Balbi Matilde , Shrouder Joshua , Liesz Arthur , Hellal Farida , Plesnila Nikolaus
Published: July 2016

Experimental stroke models producing clinically relevant functional deficits are often associated with high mortality. Because the mechanisms that underlie post-stroke mortality are largely unknown, results obtained using these models are often difficult to interpret, thereby limiting their translational potential. Given that specific forms of post-stroke care reduce mortality in patients, we hypothesized that inadequate food and water intake may underlie mortality following experimental stroke. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 1 h of intraluminal filament middle cerebral artery occlusion. Nutritional support beginning on the second day after filament middle cerebral artery occlusion reduced the 14-day mortality rate from 59% to 15%. The surviving mice in the post-stroke support group had the same infarct size as non-surviving control mice, suggesting that post-stroke care was not neuroprotective and that inadequate food and/or water intake are the main reasons for filament middle cerebral artery occlusion–induced mortality. This notion was supported by the presence of significant hypoglycemia, ketonemia, and dehydration in control mice. Taken together, these data suggest that post–filament middle cerebral artery occlusion mortality in mice is not primarily caused by ischemic brain damage, but secondarily by inadequate food and/or water intake. Thus, providing nutritional support following filament middle cerebral artery occlusion greatly minimizes mortality bias and allows the study of long-term morphological and functional sequelae of stroke in mice.
Virtually home: Exploring the potential of virtual reality to support patient discharge after stroke
Authors: Threapleton Kate , Newberry Karen , Sutton Greg , Worthington Esme , Drummond Avril
Published: July 2016

Introduction

The level of assessment and intervention received by patients prior to discharge varies widely across stroke services in the United Kingdom. This study aimed to explore the potential value of virtual reality in preparing patients for discharge following stroke.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 occupational therapists, eight patients with a stroke and four community stroke survivors. Views were sought of the perceived acceptability, potential utility and limitations of a ‘virtual home’ environment for use in pre-discharge education and assessment. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings

Interviewees found the virtual home to be an acceptable and visual means of facilitating discussions about discharge. It was perceived as valuable in assessing patient insight into safety risks and exploring the implications of installing assistive equipment at home. Limitations were identified relating to specific software issues and the use of virtual reality with patients with cognitive or perceptual impairments.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate the potential utility of the virtual home within stroke rehabilitation. Patients and therapists engaged with the virtual home and, moreover, made practical suggestions for future development. Feasibility and pilot testing in a clinical setting is required to compare the use of the virtual home with traditional approaches of pre-discharge assessment.
Is Historical Materialism a Deterministic Approach? The Democratic Firm and the Transition to Socialism
Authors: Jossa Bruno
Published: July 2016

Determinism is considered to be the doctrine teaching that a particular aspect or part of the social whole has a predominating influence on all the others. Several authors hold that economic determinism reflects the idea of a linear causality, i.e. of direct relations between a paramount economic cause and the effects that passively flow from it. Due to this linear notion of causality—they argue—the economic base is the necessary and, in itself, sufficient cause, whereas the super-structure is stripped of its autonomous role and production relations are the direct offshoot of the prevailing state of technology. In fact, this conception is typical of mechanistic, rather than Marxian, materialism, and as it tends to obliterate the role of super-structural factors, it is unable to account for the rise of existing forms of society and their different characteristics. The author’s arguments against the characterization of historical materialism as a deterministic approach are linked to his claim that socialism can be implemented by creating a system of democratically managed firms.

JEL classification: P2, P5, D4, B14
The wide view of democracy
Authors: Frega Roberto
Published: July 2016

This article compares the theories of democracy of John Dewey and Claude Lefort, identifying some common themes in their otherwise radically different philosophical outlooks. In so doing, it attempts to analyze the philosophical implications of a ‘democracy first’ approach to politics. It then explains in what sense Dewey’s idea of ‘democracy as a way of life’ and Claude Lefort’s conception of ‘democracy as a form of society’ provide the cornerstone of an original and so far insufficiently explored approach to political philosophy. Such an approach offers an alternative both to the classical-liberal and to the critical-radical projects which still dominate contemporary political philosophy. It then indicates some of the potential advantages of such a ‘wide view’ for contemporary debates in democratic theory.
Health Shocks and Initiation of Use of Preventive Services Among Older Adults
Authors: Ng Boon Peng , Jensen Gail A.
Published: July 2016

This article examines whether adverse changes to health or functioning serve as an impetus to begin using preventive services among older individuals with a history of non-use. Using data from the 1998-2008 Health and Retirement Study, the use of mammograms, pap smears, prostate cancer screenings, cholesterol checks, and flu shots is examined among 2,975 self-reported non-users of such services. Older women who experience a health shock are 1.86, 1.50, 1.79, and 1.46 times more likely to begin getting mammograms, pap smears, cholesterol checks, and flu shots, respectively. Older men who experience a health shock are 2.24, 2.72, and 1.64 times more likely to begin getting prostate cancer screenings, cholesterol checks, and flu shots, respectively. All of these results are statistically significant. Thus, older adults often improve their health behaviors after experiencing an adverse health event.
From collision to collaboration – Integrating informal recyclers and re-use operators in Europe: A review
Authors: Scheinberg Anne , Nesić Jelena , Savain Rachel , Luppi Pietro , Sinnott Portia , Petean Flaviu , Pop Flaviu
Published: July 2016

The European Union hosts some of the world’s most developed waste management systems and an ambitious policy commitment to the circular economy. The existence of informal recycling and re-use activities in Europe has been vigorously denied until quite recently, and remains a very challenging subject for the European solid waste management sector, as well as for European government and private institutions. In countries ranging from Malta to Macedonia and from France to Turkey, informal recyclers excluded from legal recycling niches increasingly collide with formalised and controlled European Union approaches to urban waste management, packaging recovery schemes, formal re-use enterprises, and extended producer responsibility systems.

This review focuses on the period from 2004 through the first half of 2016. The 78 sources on European (and neighbouring) informal recycling and re-use are contextualised with global sources and experience. The articles focus on informal recovery in and at the borders of the European Union, document the conflicts and collisions, and elaborate some constructive approaches towards legalisation, integration, and reconciliation. The overarching recommendation, to locate the issue of informal recovery and integration in the framework of the European circular economy package, is supported by four specific pillars of an integration strategy: Documentation, legalisation, occupational and enterprise recognition, and preparation for structural integration.
The market of electrical and electronic equipment waste in Portugal: Analysis of take-back consumers’ decisions
Authors: Botelho Anabela , Ferreira Dias Marta , Ferreira Carla , Pinto Lígia M Costa
Published: July 2016

This paper aims to ascertain the efficacy and acceptability of five incentive schemes for the take-back of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Portugal, focusing in consumers’ perspectives. It assesses users’ perception of these items, evaluating the motivations and interests they have concerning the market of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Results indicate, on one hand, a lack of awareness by consumers about the process of take-back of their equipment. On the other hand, results show that information conditions and socio-demographic factors affect consumers’ motivations for returning the electrical and electronic equipment at the end of life. In this context, it can be concluded that, in Portugal, the market for the recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment is still in its infancy.
Social Media as More Than a Peer Space: College Freshmen Encountering Parents on Facebook
Authors: Yang Chia-chen
Published: July 2016

Social networking sites, first embraced by youth, have become increasingly popular among older generations. With more parents joining the sites, young people today are likely to encounter their parents on these platforms. However, there is limited information about how youth respond to the changing landscape, especially during the transition to a residential college, when parental support is particularly important but parent-child interaction may be disrupted by geographical distance. Drawing on literature of college transition, youth’s relationship with parents, and “context collapse,” this study explores how college freshmen react to parents’ participation in Facebook. Fifty-one semistructured interviews were conducted with 28 first-year students attending a major residential U.S. university (age M = 18.14, SD = 0.45; 50% female; 75% White, 11% multiethnic, 7% Asian, and 7% Latino). Findings showed that college freshmen overwhelmingly accepted parents and family adults as their Facebook Friends and offered them equal access as that offered to peers. Facebook provided a space for college freshmen and parents to bond and express affections, although freshmen sometimes considered family adults as being overresponsive or overreactive to Facebook posts. The implications of “friending” parents on Facebook for college freshmen’s privacy negotiation, parent-child relationship, and identity development are discussed.
Short Blue Light Pulses (30 Min) in the Morning Support a Sleep-Advancing Protocol in a Home Setting
Authors: Geerdink Moniek , Walbeek Thijs J. , Beersma Domien G. M. , Hommes Vanja , Gordijn Marijke C. M.
Published: July 2016

Many people in our modern civilized society sleep later on free days compared to work days. This discrepancy in sleep timing will lead to so-called ‘social jetlag’ on work days with negative consequences for performance and health. Light therapy in the morning is often proposed as the most effective method to advance the circadian rhythm and sleep phase. However, most studies focus on direct effects on the circadian system and not on posttreatment effects on sleep phase and sleep integrity. In this placebo-controlled home study we investigated if blue light, rather than amber light therapy, can phase shift the sleep phase along with the circadian rhythm with preservation of sleep integrity and performance. We selected 42 participants who suffered from ‘social jetlag’ on workdays. Participants were randomly assigned to either high-intensity blue light exposure or amber light exposure (placebo) with similar photopic illuminance. The protocol consisted of 14 baseline days without sleep restrictions, 9 treatment days with either 30-min blue light pulses or 30-min amber light pulses in the morning along with a sleep advancing scheme and 7 posttreatment days without sleep restrictions. Melatonin samples were taken at days 1, 7, 14 (baseline), day 23 (effect treatment), and day 30 (posttreatment). Light exposure was recorded continuously. Sleep was monitored through actigraphy. Performance was measured with a reaction time task. As expected, the phase advance of the melatonin rhythm from day 14 to day 23 was significantly larger in the blue light exposure group, compared to the amber light group (84 min ± 51 (SD) and 48 min ± 47 (SD) respectively; t36 = 2.23, p < 0.05). Wake-up time during the posttreatment days was slightly earlier compared to baseline in the blue light group compared to slightly later in the amber light group (–21 min ± 33 (SD) and +12 min ± 33 (SD) respectively; F1,35 = 9.20, p < 0.01). The number of sleep bouts was significantly higher in the amber light group compared to the blue light group during sleep in the treatment period ( F1,32 = 4.40, p < 0.05). Performance was significantly worse compared to baseline at all times during ( F1,13 = 10.1, p < 0.01) and after amber light treatment ( F1,13 = 17.1, p < 0.01), while only in the morning during posttreatment in the blue light condition ( F1,10 = 9.8, p < 0.05). The data support the conclusion that blue light was able to compensate for the sleep integrity reduction and to a large extent for the performance decrement that was observed in the amber light condition, both probably as a consequence of the advancing sleep schedule. This study shows that blue light therapy in the morning, applied in a home setting, supports a sleep advancing protocol by phase advancing the circadian rhythm as well as sleep timing.
Psychosocial Vulnerability Among Patients Contacting a Norwegian Sexual Assault Center
Authors: Vik Bjarte Frode , Nöttestad Jim Aage , Schei Berit , Rasmussen Kirsten , Hagemann Cecilie Therese
Published: July 2016

In this study, the objective was to assess the occurrence of specific vulnerability factors among adult and adolescent females attending a Norwegian sexual assault center (SAC). We also explored assault characteristics and investigated whether these characteristics differed between the group of patients with vulnerability factors compared with the group without such factors. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 573 women ≥ 12 years of age attending the SAC at St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, between July 1, 2003 and December 31, 2010. A patient was considered vulnerable if at least one of the following features was present: intellectual or physical disability; history of present/former mental health problems; history of present/former alcohol/substance abuse; or former sexual assault. At least one vulnerability factor was present in 59% of the cases. More than one vulnerability factor was present in 29%. Reporting at least one vulnerability factor was associated with a higher patient age, unemployment, a higher frequency of reported light/moderate physical violence, and the documentation of minor body injury. In contrast, those without vulnerability more often were students assaulted during night time, by a casual or stranger assailant and reporting a higher intake of alcohol prior to the assault. There are obvious patterns of differences in the nature of sexual assaults reported among victims with specific vulnerability factors compared with victims without these factors. Future research should address these differences and possible solutions for better protection of especially vulnerable individuals against sexual offenses, such as those with mental health and substance abuse difficulties.
Long-Term Reward Patterns Contribute to Personal Goals at Work Among Finnish Managers
Authors: Hyvönen Katriina , Räikkönen Eija , Feldt Taru , Mauno Saija , Dragano Nico , Matthewman Lisa
Published: July 2016

The research addresses the impact of long-term reward patterns on contents of personal work goals among young Finnish managers ( N = 747). Reward patterns were formed on the basis of perceived and objective career rewards (i.e., career stability and promotions) across four measurements (years 2006–2012). Goals were measured in 2012 and classified into categories of competence, progression, well-being, job change, job security, organization, and financial goals. The factor mixture analysis identified a three-class solution as the best model of reward patterns: high rewards (77%), increasing rewards (17%), and reducing rewards (7%). Participants with reducing rewards reported more progression, well-being, job change, and financial goals than participants with high rewards as well as fewer competence and organizational goals than participants with increasing rewards. Workplace resources can be a key role in facilitating goals toward building competence and organizational performance.
Development of a form rolling micro surface texturing system for friction reduction application in the shaft component
Authors: Song X , Huang JZ , Oh Sam , Danno Atsushi , Castagne Sylvie
Published: July 2016

Surface texture is one of the most promising methods to achieve friction reduction in the mechanical components, and it has been rapidly developed in the last decade. The friction reduction mechanism of regularly patterned surface texture is widely considered to be lubricant retention and debris entrapment. There are many ways to manufacture micro surface texture, among which deformed-based micro-surface texturing is the least studied. However, it has many unique advantages that cannot be surpassed by the rest, such as high production efficiency, fine geometrical fidelity and smooth surface finishing. Therefore, this study aims at developing a deformation-based low-cost micro form-rolling machine to create micro surface texture on the cylindrical component. A new demonstrator for examining the friction reduction efficiency of the micro surface texture has also been built and tested. Results show that the shaft with micro surface texture is able to reach a maximum of 48.1% friction reduction at rotation speed 400 r/min with lubricant SAE30 compared to the non-textured workpiece with the same condition.
Field validation of a three-dimensional dynamic track-subgrade interaction model
Authors: Gao Yin , Huang Hai , Ho Carlton L , Judge Aaron
Published: July 2016

An efficient three-dimensional dynamic track-subgrade interaction model has been formulated and then validated by field investigations at various field and traffic conditions including the effect of different train speeds and types of trains. The model contains a two-dimensional discrete support track model and three-dimensional computation-efficient finite element soil subgrade model. In the two-dimensional track model, the rail beam is modelled as an Euler-Bernoulli beam. The two-dimensional track model discretizes the tie and ballast as rigid bodies with designated spacing. The three-dimensional finite element subgrade model is simulated by plane-stress quadrilateral finite elements. The longitudinal direction of the subgrade model is expanded in the frequency domain and is assumed to be homogeneous. Therefore, the computing time could be largely reduced. A moving dynamic loading is applied on top of the rail. The model is capable of taking train speed variations and the profile change of the cross section into consideration. Multiple field instrumentation tests covering the two train types and different train speeds at the test site were then conducted to verify the accuracy of the dynamic track-subgrade interaction model. Testing site is located on the Amtrak's highest speed line (Northeast Corridor: 250 km/h) near Kingston, Rhode Island in the United States. A method to obtain the tie deflection from accelerometer data at Kingston was proposed and then validated at another site on the Northeast Corridor. Tie deflections measured in the field were compared with those predicted by the three-dimensional dynamic track-subgrade interaction model. It is concluded that this model can predict track performance accurately for the Kingston site.
Analysis of performance of two-stage screw compressor under various operating conditions
Authors: Liu Guangbin , Yang Qichao , Zhao Yuanyang , Wang Le , Li Liansheng
Published: July 2016

The screw compressor has a promising application in the process industry due to its appropriate pressure and flow rate. In this paper, a mathematical model of a two-stage oil-free screw compressor is developed to simulate the working process under various operating conditions. The results show that the interstage pressure of the two-stage oil-free screw compressor is built automatically depending on the equal mass flow rate of each stage. It increases with the suction pressure, discharge pressure, and clearance, but decreases with rotating speed. Although the power consumption of the 2nd stage decreases with the suction pressure, the power consumption of the whole compressor always increases with the suction pressure, discharge pressure, rotating speed, and clearance. The volumetric efficiency increases with the suction pressure and rotating speed, but decreases with the discharge pressure and clearance for each stage. The indicated efficiency increases with the rotating speed but decreases with the clearance. A maximum indicated efficiency is found. The volumetric and indicated efficiency of the 2nd stage is more sensitive to the operating condition than that of the 1st stage.
Downward flexibility: Who is willing to take an inferior job?
Authors: Wilson Shaun , Hadler Markus
Published: July 2016

Most workers look forward to better jobs across their careers, but in an age of rising inequality and insecurity at work, some are willing to accept an inferior job in order to avoid joblessness. We use the Work Orientations III survey from the 2005 International Social Survey Programme to explore such ‘downward flexibility’ and develop several regression models specified for 19 OECD countries to test hypotheses and explore macro- and individual-level variations. Workers in liberal ‘labour market regimes’ are more tolerant of downward adaptations, in line with evidence that these regimes produce strongly institutionalized norms of flexibility. Tolerance of a worse job is also higher among those with weak labour market positions (low-income respondents, women and young people). Further macro-level analysis suggests that the ‘model’ country with the most downwardly flexible workers would be rich and unequal, with weak unions and low levels of social protection and industrial rights.
Investigation of false positives associated with loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in archived tissue samples of captive felids
Authors: Suleman Essa , Mtshali Moses Sibusiso , Lane Emily
Published: July 2016

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite that infects humans and many different animals, including felids. Many molecular and serologic tests have been developed for detection of T. gondii in a wide range of hosts. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a field-friendly technique that lacks the practical drawbacks of other molecular and serologic tests, and LAMP assays have been successfully developed for detection of T. gondii in fresh tissue samples. In the current study, both a previously published and a de-novo designed LAMP assay were compared to a quantitative real-time (q)PCR assay, for the detection of T. gondii in archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from captive wildlife. The LAMP assays produced conflicting results, generating both false positives and false negatives. Furthermore, the LAMP assays were unable to positively identify samples with low levels of parasites as determined by qPCR and histopathology. Therefore, these LAMP assays may not be the most suitable assays for detection of T. gondii in archived FFPE and frozen tissue samples.
Resistance of canine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains to pradofloxacin
Authors: Kizerwetter-Świda Magdalena , Chrobak-Chmiel Dorota , Rzewuska Magdalena , Binek Marian
Published: July 2016

We investigated in vitro activity of a novel veterinary fluoroquinolone, pradofloxacin, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) isolates and compared with other fluoroquinolones. A total of 38 MRSP isolates were subjected to agar disk diffusion tests for sensitivity to pradofloxacin, orbifloxacin, marbofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of pradofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin were determined. Mutations in the genes encoding DNA gyrase subunit A (GyrA) and topoisomerase IV (GrlA) proteins associated with fluoroquinolone resistance were studied by an analysis of partial sequences of the genes encoding these proteins. Two MRSP isolates were susceptible in disk diffusion and microdilution test to all fluoroquinolones tested, including pradofloxacin. Based on the results of the disk diffusion testing, 33 of 38 isolates showed resistance to pradofloxacin and 3 were intermediate, whereas, by pradofloxacin MIC testing, 35 isolates were classified as resistant and 1 as intermediate. Single alterations in GyrA and GrlA proteins were observed in the 35 resistant isolates and the 1 intermediate isolate (MIC results). These same 36 isolates were also resistant to the other tested fluoroquinolones. The results of the current study showed that MRSP isolates are usually resistant to all fluoroquinolones, including pradofloxacin. Therefore, in routine susceptibility testing to pradofloxacin by disk diffusion, the results should be carefully interpreted for MRSP isolates, especially those resistant to other fluoroquinolones and, in questionable cases, the pradofloxacin MIC should be determined to confirm the susceptibility testing results.
The Value of a Brief Thought for the Day Reflection on an Academic Consult Service
Authors: O’Neil Thomas , Lyndale Patricia , Szakatis Kathryn , Fitzgerald Tom
Published: July 2016

Background:

Work in hospice and palliative medicine can be stressful. A variety of methods have been used to mitigate workplace stress including mindfulness mediation, reflective writing, and physical activity. An intervention implemented at our institution is a “Thought for the Day,” a short reflection on a piece of poetry, music, or religious writing. Although this practice may be commonplace in the field of hospice and palliative medicine, no literature has been published about its perceived utility by team members with various competing demands on their time.

Objective:

This study’s objective was to obtain a better understanding about the perception and utility of a Thought for the Day held by clinicians rounding on an academic palliative medicine consult service.

Methods:

A survey, containing qualitative and quantitative elements was sent to faculty, staff, and learners who participated in a Thought for the Day over the 18 months between March 2013 and October 2014. Twenty-eight responses were returned and analyzed.

Results:

Most participants (23 of the 28) felt that the Thought for the Day was an important use of their time on the academic consult service. Differences were seen by gender and team role. Additionally, it was reported that the Thought for the Day improved the participants’ perception of teamwork.

Conclusion:

The use of a Thought for the Day reflection may be beneficial and constructive even for a busy academic consult service.
Evaluation of a School-Based Asthma Education Protocol
Authors: Mickel Catherine F. , Shanovich Kathleen K. , Evans Michael D. , Jackson Daniel J.
Published: July 2016

School-based asthma education offers an opportunity to reach low-income children at risk for poor asthma control. Iggy and the Inhalers (Iggy) is an asthma education program that was implemented in a Midwest metropolitan school district. The purpose of this evaluation was to conduct a comprehensive program evaluation. Objectives included increasing children’s asthma-related knowledge and families’ awareness of asthma management, while cultivating collaboration between school nurses and asthma providers. A total of 173 students participated in Iggy education, with 147 completing both initial and 1-month posttests. Thirty-one parents and seven school nurses provided qualitative feedback. Iggy was well received by children, parents, and school nurses. Asthma knowledge increased significantly ( p < .001) between pretest and posttest, and this increase was retained at 1-month follow-up. This program evaluation suggests that our program had a significant, sustained impact on students’ asthma knowledge. It also supports the value of collaboration between asthma providers and school nurses.
Gastrocnemius Contracture in Patients With and Without Foot Pathology
Authors: Jastifer James R. , Marston Jessica
Published: July 2016

Background:

Several studies report performing a recession of the gastrocnemius tendon as surgical treatment of foot and ankle pain related to an isolated gastrocnemius contracture. Few report ankle range of motion using a validated measurement device or report a control group. All previous studies reporting measurements using a validated device have been small in number.

Methods:

Using a previously validated device, 66 patients presenting with foot or ankle pain and 66 controls were measured for ankle range of motion and isolated gastrocnemius contractures. Clinical and goniometer measurement of ankle range of motion was also performed.

Results:

The foot and ankle pain group had a mean dorsiflexion of 11.6 degrees compared with a mean of 17.2 degrees in the control group ( P < .0001). No patients in either group had less than 15 degrees of motion with the knee flexed. The difference in dorsiflexion was less using a goniometer than using the validated device, which may be due to measurement technique and external landmarks.

Conclusion:

Patients with foot and ankle pain had less ankle dorsiflexion than the control group. This is the largest study to date using a validated measurement device as well as a control group and supports the findings of previous authors.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, prospective cohort study.
Melatonin and Human Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Pandi-Perumal Seithikurippu R. , BaHammam Ahmed S. , Ojike Nwakile I. , Akinseye Oluwaseun A. , Kendzerska Tetyana , Buttoo Kenneth , Dhandapany Perundurai S. , Brown Gregory M. , Cardinali Daniel P.
Published: July 2016

The possible therapeutic role of melatonin in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disorder (CAD) is increasingly being recognized. In humans, exogenous melatonin has been shown to decrease nocturnal hypertension, improve systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reduce the pulsatility index in the internal carotid artery, decrease platelet aggregation, and reduce serum catecholamine levels. Low circulating levels of melatonin are reported in individuals with CAD, arterial hypertension, and congestive heart failure. This review assesses current literature on the cardiovascular effects of melatonin in humans. It can be concluded that melatonin deserves to be considered in clinical trials evaluating novel therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular disorders.
Modulation of Interleukins in Sepsis-Associated Clotting Disorders
Authors: Low Christopher , Syed Daneyal , Khan Daniel , Tetik Sermin , Walborn Amanda , Hoppensteadt Debra , Mosier Michael , Fareed Jawed
Published: July 2016

Interleukins play a central role in the immune system and are involved in a variety of immunological, inflammatory, and infectious disease states including sepsis syndrome. Levels of interleukins may correlate with overall survival and may directly or indirectly affect some of the regulators of coagulation and fibrinolysis, thereby disrupting hemostasis and thrombosis. Our hypothesis is that in sepsis-associated coagulopathies (SACs), interleukins may be upregulated, leading to hemostatic imbalance by generating thrombogenic mediators. We profiled the levels of interleukins IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in addition to d-dimer (DD) in patients with SAC and in normal donors. We observed the highest increase in interleukins IL-6 (322-fold), IL-8 (48-fold), IL-10 (72-fold), and DD (18-fold). This suggests that interleukins such as IL-6 and IL-10 have a close association with coagulopathy and fibrinolytic dysregulation in sepsis and can be considered as candidates for potential therapeutic targets in SAC.
Severe phototoxic reaction secondary to subcutaneous 5-azacitidine
Authors: Keating Matthew , Dasanu Constantin A
Published: July 2016

Phototoxicity occurs when the effects of sunlight and certain drugs converge at the skin level. Various pharmacologic agents have been linked to photosensitivity, including agents used in hematology and oncology. We describe herein a severe phototoxic response to subcutaneous 5-azacitidine. There are no previous reports of phototoxicity reactions to this agent in the published literature. As 5-azacitidine is frequently used to treat patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloblastic leukemia, familiarity with this side effect is important for the medical and scientific community at large.
Long-Term Course After Adaptive Multimodal Treatment for Children With ADHD: An 8-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Döpfner Manfred , Ise Elena , Breuer Dieter , Rademacher Christiane , Metternich-Kaizman Tanja Wolff , Schürmann Stephanie
Published: July 2016

Objective: This study reassessed adolescents and young adults (15-22 years old) who received individually tailored multimodal treatment for ADHD (behavior therapy and/or stimulant medication) during childhood 6 to 12 years after treatment ( M = 8.8 years, SD = 1.6). Method: All participants ( N = 75) provided information about their social functioning. Most parents (83%) completed behavior rating scales. Results: Participants demonstrated significant improvement in behavior during the follow-up period with effect sizes on ADHD symptoms of d = 1.2 and 68% of the former patients in the normal range at follow-up. Participants reported elevated rates of grade retention (51%), school dropout (13%), special education service use (17%), school change (47%), and conviction (16%), but few were unemployed (4%). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the effects of individually tailored multimodal treatment for ADHD in childhood are maintained into adolescence and young adulthood. No hints could be found that continued medication results in a more favorable long-term outcome.
Opportunity cost of the dermatologist’s consulting time in the economic evaluation of teledermatology
Authors: Fuertes-Guiró Fernando , Girabent-Farrés Montserrat
Published: July 2016

Introduction

This study, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, has sought to demonstrate that the opportunity cost is a value to take into account in studies of economic cost in telemedicine, illustrated through the time of the dermatologist’s consultation in teledermatology and traditional consultation.

Methods

Economic evaluation studies have been identified that compare teledermatology and traditional dermatological consultation during the period 1998–2015. We carried out a meta-analysis considering the work cost and the dermatologist’s consultation time, analysing their differences. The opportunity cost represented by these differences in the dermatological remote consultation time was subsequently calculated based on the design of a cost/time variable.

Results

It was not possible to meta-analyse the cost of the dermatologist’s consultation due to insufficient standardized complete data. It was possible to carry out a meta-analysis of the consultation time, and three articles were selected (2945 patients). Teledermatology accounts for more time (7.54 min) than conventional consultation ( p < 0.00001) and this difference is an opportunity cost of teledermatology of €29.25 per each remote consultation, with a unitary factor cost/time of 3.88€/minute.

Conclusions

There is no unanimity in the literature regarding which of the two procedures is cheaper; further studies with the necessary standardized variables are required. In this meta-analysis, teledermatology takes more time than a conventional dermatology consultation, which leads to an opportunity cost, increasing the total cost of consultation. The opportunity cost is a value that should be included in an analysis of economic costs, in the context of an economic assessment, when we evaluate a health activity.
Asthma and atopic diseases in adolescence and antidepressant medication in middle age
Authors: Sato Yuki , Hiyoshi Ayako , Melinder Carren , Suzuki Chieko , Montgomery Scott
Published: July 2016

This Swedish register-based cohort study examined whether asthma, hay fever and allergic dermatitis in late adolescence identified in the early 1970s are associated with antidepressant medication in middle age, between 2006 and 2009. After adjustment for childhood and adulthood sociodemographic characteristics, psychological, cognitive and physical function, and comorbidity, the magnitude of the associations diminished for asthma, while hay fever and atopic dermatitis retained associations. Hay fever and atopic dermatitis in adolescence have potentially important implications for future mental health, while asthma may already have influenced an individual’s ability to cope with stress by late adolescence.
Fat in a time of slim: The reinscription of race in the framing of fat desirability in post-apartheid South Africa
Authors: Vincent Louise
Published: July 2016

This article critically examines the way in which the reported sexual desire of black African men for fat women is contained and managed in South African media representations of fat. While sexual desire for fat women represents a potential challenge to the dominant framing of fat as diseased/dysfunctional/disgusting, the article shows how the reduction of this desire to one of two (racialized) ‘explanations’ – either evidence of racial primitivism or a (black male) strategy to avoid infection with HIV – emasculates the potentially powerful oppositional framing of fat as sexy. It is a mark of the dominant frame’s influence that it is capable of co-opting oppositional frames and recasting them in its own image. From the point of view of critiques of the fat-as-disease orthodoxy, the claim to the existence of an alternative norm of fat as sexually desirable in ‘black culture’ emerges as a problematic oppositional frame – saturated with raced assumptions in the way in which it is reported. The counter framing of the (black) fat body as sexually desirable is given column space to be derided and dismissed as an instance of deviant black sexuality, as a mistaken belief in need of ‘correction’, or it is subsumed under a medicalized frame as a strategy for the avoidance of disease rather than an expression of genuine sexual desire.
Rethinking sexual citizenship: Asia-Pacific perspectives
Authors: Mackie Vera
Published: July 2016

The term ‘sexual citizenship’ was largely developed in the Anglophone capitalist liberal democracies of the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The concept is thus inflected by broader understandings of politics in these places. In this article, the author first considers the specificities of ‘sexuality’ and ‘citizenship’ in these Anglophone capitalist liberal democracies. She argues that we need to provincialize these local understandings, for configurations of sexuality and citizenship in the UK, North America, New Zealand or Australia are just as contingent and locally specific as they are in the Asia-Pacific region. She then considers whether the term ‘sexual citizenship’ can be transplanted into places in the Asia-Pacific region with different political and economic systems, welfare systems and social structures, distinctive cultural understandings of sexuality and citizenship and different taxonomies of sexes, genders and sexualities.
Sexual citizenship in a comparative perspective: Dilemmas and insights
Authors: Johnson Carol
Published: July 2016

In this article, the author explores some of the key dilemmas that are involved in attempts to apply concepts such as ‘sexual citizenship’ in a cross-cultural perspective, with particular focus on Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The concept of sexual citizenship can usefully be applied to gay and lesbian rights issues in Australia relatively easily. However, it is not quite so easy to apply this concept to some of Australia’s Asian neighbours. Any comparative analysis needs to take differing priorities, conceptions of sexuality, gender, identity, rights, state and civil society into account but, nonetheless, useful insights can be gained. The author argues that the concept of sexual citizenship is even more widely applicable if aspects of other conceptions of citizenship are incorporated into it, such as conceptions of ‘heteronormative’ citizenship and ‘affective’ citizenship.
The ‘uncanny doubles’ of queer politics: Sexual citizenship in the era of same-sex marriage victories
Authors: Dreher Tanja
Published: July 2016

In this article, the author explores the challenges for sexual citizenship campaigns as same-sex marriage emerges as a touchstone for progressive politics in Australia and beyond. Analysing popular media and public debate, she argues that there is much to be learned from recent critiques of liberal and colonial feminisms. Jasbir Puar argues that the ‘woman question’ is currently being supplemented or supplanted by the ‘gay question’ as a marker of a nation’s modernity, democracy and ‘civilization’. In the context of widespread support for marriage equality, an urgent challenge is how to respond to an emerging ‘homonationalism’ in public culture which positions the West on ‘the right side of history’ in contrast to homophobic Islam, and a liberal version of gay rights which obscures ongoing discrimination and injustice.
The spectre of Communist women, sexual violence and citizenship in Indonesia
Authors: Pohlman Annie
Published: July 2016

In this article, the author examines sexual violence against women during a period of mass social conflict and reflects on how this violence continues to affect sexual and political citizenship in modern Indonesia. The demonization and destruction of a particular group of Communist women, known as ‘Gerwani’, during the mass killings of 1965–1966 created an on-going, pathological discourse about politically active women as gendered and sexual ‘others’ in Indonesia. The reconfiguration of bodies through sexual violence during that period continues to shape gender ideology and sexual politics in Indonesia, particularly through the prescription of more traditional, heteronormative roles for women’s political participation. This negative association with sexuality and sexual violence affects the possibilities for women’s active citizenship in post-New Order Indonesia, and renders it difficult for women to claim sexual autonomy or sexual citizenship.