bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is routine chest radiography necessary after ultrasonography-guided catheter thoracostomy?
Authors: Soon YQA , Tan KWA , Kumar L , Pua U
Published: December 2019

INTRODUCTION Many institutions still perform routine chest radiography (CXR) after tube thoracostomies despite current guidelines suggesting that this is not necessary for simple cases. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of routine CXR following ultrasonography-guided catheter thoracostomies for the detection of complications of symptomatic pleural effusions in hospitalised patients. METHODS This was a retrospective review of 2,032 ultrasonography-guided thoracostomies on hospitalised patients with symptomatic effusions at a single institution from April 2012 to May 2015. The aetiology of effusions was not systemically registered, but patient demographics, procedural details and clinical outcomes were collected. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Generalised estimating equation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between CXR findings and complications while controlling for age. RESULTS Out of 2,032 CXRs, 92.96% (n = 1,889) were normal, 5.81% (n = 118) showed pneumothorax and 1.23% (n = 25) showed catheter kinking. 99 pneumothoraces and 24 kinked catheters were detected in the first hour post procedure. 97.40% (n = 115) of patients with pneumothorax were stable or had minor complications, such as a vasovagal event. 0.20% (n = 4) of the cases had a serious complication following chest drain insertion, resulting in cardiovascular collapse. There was no significant relationship between CXR results and occurrence of complications (p = 0.244). Amount of fluid drained or side of insertion did not affect the clinical outcome. CONCLUSION Routine use of CXR after tube thoracostomy did not significantly change patient management, which was concordant with recent guidelines. Instead, adverse clinical outcomes or procedural factors should guide investigations.
Preventing early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis: clinical risk factor-based screening or culture-based screening?
Authors: Lee J , Naiduvaje K , Chew KL , Charan N , Chan YH , Lin RTP , Yong EL
Published: December 2019

INTRODUCTION Two strategies are available for prevention of early-onset group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis – clinical risk factor-based screening and routine culture-based screening of pregnant women for GBS colonisation. In our hospital, we switched from the former to the latter approach in 2014. METHODS We compared the incidence of early-onset GBS sepsis during 2001–2015 between infants born to pregnant women who were screened for GBS colonisation and those born to women who were not screened. RESULTS Among 41,143 live births, there were nine cases of early-onset GBS sepsis. All infants with GBS sepsis were born to pregnant women who were not screened for GBS colonisation. The incidence of early-onset GBS sepsis among infants of women who were not screened was 0.41 per 1,000 live births (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19–0.77) when compared to infants of women who were screened, for whom the sepsis incidence was zero per 1,000 live births (95% CI 0–0.19; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION Our data suggests that routine culture-based screening of pregnant women for GBS colonisation is a better preventive strategy for early-onset GBS sepsis in neonates when compared to clinical risk factor-based screening.
Chusquea limensis (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae), a new species from the western Andes of Peru

Authors: GUERREIRO CAROLINA , OLIVERA J. JOSÉ ALEGRÍA , PAUCAR ARTURO GRANDA , VEGA ANDREA S.
Published: December 2019

A new, narrowly endemic species from the Andean western slopes of central Peru, Chusquea limensis (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae), is described and illustrated. Identification keys and a comparative table based on vegetative and reproductive characters, including morphologically similar species such as C. huantensis, C. inamoena, C. scandens and C. tarmensis, as well as habitat and geographical distribution notes, are included. Additionally, anatomical and micromorphological characters of the culm and foliage leaf blades of the new species are presented, as a valuable tool for the identification of sterile specimens.
A new species of Imparfinis Eigenmann & Norris, 1900 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Tapajós basin, Brazil
Authors: DA SILVA CASTRO ÍTHALO , WOSIACKI WOLMAR BENJAMIN
Published: December 2019

Imparfinis comprises 20 valid species in the Heptapteridae, being the most diverse taxonomic group of catfishes of the Nemuroglanis subclade. The genus has one of the widest geographical distributions in the neotropical region, found on both sides of the Andes, from Costa Rica to the Paraná and Uruguay river basins in Argentina. A new species of Imparfinis is described from streams of the upper Rio Tapajós and its tributary Teles Pires in northern Brazil. The new species is diagnosed from all congeners by the presence of a vertical dark brown band W-shaped at the base of the caudal-fin rays, a thick dark brown lateral stripe from the snout to the end of the caudal peduncle, dark brown head, long maxillary barbel surpassing the distal margin of the pectoral fin, and presence of 39 or 40 total vertebrae.
The Treatment of Absorbable Organic Halogens and Organic Compounds in Simulated Bleaching Effluents Through the Response Surface Methodology Optimized Fenton System
Authors: Lei Ming , Zhang Qingtong , Min Douyong , Wang Shuangfei
Published: December 2019

In this study, the effects of four main factors on the removal of absorbable organic halogens were evaluated by response surface methodology, and the changes of absorbable organic halogens components were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer during the Fenton reaction.
The high regression coefficient (R2 = 0.9028) and the low coefficient of variation (7.45%) indicated that the model was accurate in predicting the experimental results. The optimized pH, Fe2+ concentration, molar ratio of H2O2/Fe2+
and reaction time were respectively 3.4, 16.3 mM, 22.5 and 1.2 h. Consequently, 93.8% of absorbable organic halogens were removed under the optimized condition. The initial pH is the most important factor impacting the absorbable organic halogens removal. Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass
spectrometer revealed that 25 out of 28 organic compounds including 7 absorbable organic halogens were thoroughly removed. Conclusively, Fenton reaction can effectively remove absorbable organic halogens from the simulated bleaching effluent.
Optimal Temporal Frequency of NSSL Phased Array Radar Observations for an Experimental Warn-on-Forecast System
Authors: Stratman Derek R. , Yussouf Nusrat , Jung Youngsun , Supinie Timothy A. , Xue Ming , Skinner Patrick S. , Putnam Bryan J.
Published: December 2019

A potential replacement candidate for the aging operational WSR-88D infrastructure currently in place is the phased array radar (PAR) system. The current WSR-88Ds take ~5 min to produce a full volumetric scan of the atmosphere, whereas PAR technology allows for full volumetric scanning of the same atmosphere every ~1 min. How this increase in temporal frequency of radar observations might affect the National Severe Storms Laboratory’s (NSSL) Warn-on-Forecast system (WoFS), which is a storm-scale ensemble data assimilation and forecast system for severe convective weather, is unclear. Since radar data assimilation is critical for the WoFS, this study explores the optimal temporal frequency of PAR observations for storm-scale data assimilation using the 31 May 2013 El Reno, Oklahoma, tornadic supercell event. The National Severe Storms Laboratory’s National Weather Radar Testbed PAR in Norman, Oklahoma, began scanning this event more than an hour before the first (and strongest) tornado developed near El Reno, and scanned most of the tornadic supercell’s evolution. Several experiments using various cycling and data frequencies to synchronously and asynchronously assimilate these PAR observations are conducted to produce analyses and very short-term forecasts of the El Reno supercell. Forecasts of low-level reflectivity and midlevel updraft helicity are subjectively evaluated and objectively verified using spatial and object-based techniques. Results indicate that assimilating more frequent PAR observations can lead to more accurate analyses and probabilistic forecasts of the El Reno supercell at longer lead times. Hence, PAR is a promising radar platform for WoFS.
Efficacy of Multi-Modal Migraine Prophylaxis Therapy on Hyperacusis Patients
Authors: Abouzari Mehdi , Tan Donald , Sarna Brooke , Ghavami Yaser , Goshtasbi Khodayar , Parker Erica M. , Lin Harrison W. , Djalilian Hamid R.
Published: December 2019

Objectives:

To evaluate the efficacy of a multi-modal migraine prophylaxis therapy for patients with hyperacusis.

Methods:

In a prospective cohort, patients with hyperacusis were treated with a multi-modal step-wise migraine prophylactic regimen (nortriptyline, verapamil, topiramate, or a combination thereof) as well as lifestyle and dietary modifications. Pre- and post-treatment average loudness discomfort level (LDL), hyperacusis discomfort level measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS), and scores on the modified Khalfa questionnaire for severity of hyperacusis were compared.

Results:

Twenty-two of the 25 patients (88%) reported subjective resolution of their symptoms following treatment. Post-treatment audiograms showed significant improvement in average LDL from 81.3 ± 3.2 dB to 86.4 ± 2.6 dB ( P < .001), indicating increased sound tolerability. The VAS discomfort level also showed significant improvement from a pre-treatment average of 7.7 ± 1.1 to 3.7 ± 1.6 post-treatment ( P < .001). There was also significant improvement in the average total score on modified Khalfa questionnaire (32.2 ± 3.6 vs 22.0 ± 5.7, P < .001).

Conclusions:

The majority of patients with hyperacusis demonstrated symptomatic improvement from migraine prophylaxis therapy, as indicated by self-reported and audiometric measures. Our findings indicate that, for some patients, hyperacusis may share a pathophysiologic basis with migraine disorder and may be successfully managed with multimodal migraine prophylaxis therapy.
Book review: Ishita Banerjee-Dube and Sarvani Gooptu, eds, On Modern Indian Sensibilities: Culture, Politics, History
Authors: Sengoopta Chandak
Published: December 2019

Ishita Banerjee-Dube and Sarvani Gooptu, eds, On Modern Indian Sensibilities: Culture, Politics, History. London and New York, NY: Routledge, 2018, 261 pp.
Book review: Jangkhomang Guite, Against State, Against History: Freedom, Resistance, and Statelessness in Upland Northeast India
Authors: Misra Sanghamitra
Published: December 2019

Jangkhomang Guite, Against State, Against History: Freedom, Resistance, and Statelessness in Upland Northeast India, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018, 364 pp.
Elaboration of the measuring procedure facilitating precision assessment of the geometry of mandible anatomical model manufactured using additive methods
Authors: Budzik Grzegorz , Turek Paweł , Dziubek Tomasz , Gdula Michał
Published: December 2019

This article presents a procedure for minimizing ATOS II Triple Scan system measurement errors during the verification of geometrical accuracy of the final lateral-mandibular condyle model. The process of manufacturing a template geometrically similar to that of lateral-mandibular condyle was performed on the five-axis machining centre 100 DMU MonoBlock. The next stage of the research was related to the implementation of the measurement system procedure on the template model, and the 12 anatomical models of the mandibular body-condyle were manufactured using five different additive methods. As a result of the comparison of anatomical models of the mandibular body-condyle designed in reverse engineering/computer-aided design systems and manufactured using additive methods, the average results of histograms and parameters determining the accuracy of geometry of 12 models were obtained. In the case of models manufactured using fused deposition modelling, PolyJet and selective laser sintering techniques, a unimodal distribution was observed in the same way as in the template model. The best results were obtained in the case of models manufactured using selective laser sintering techniques (standard deviation = 0.06 mm). In the case of fused deposition modelling and PolyJet, a similar value of standard deviation (about 0.07 mm) was observed, despite the fact that the layer thickness for PolyJet technology was 0.016 mm. In the case of melted and extruded modelling and ColorJet Printing technologies, there was a bimodal distribution. Through the implementation of own template and measurement method, it will be easier to estimate errors in the manufacturing of anatomical models of lateral-mandibular condyle part. As a result, medical models, surgical templates and implants will be manufactured more accurately and precisely, which will significantly reduce intraoperative complications during the surgical procedure in this area.
Speed sensorless sliding mode control of induction motor based on genetic algorithm optimization
Authors: Che Haijun , Wu Binglin , Yang Jingming , Tian Ying
Published: December 2019

In the original model reference adaptive induction motor speed sensorless system based on flux linkage, there is a large fluctuation of the rotational speed in transient and steady state. When the motor speed is estimated, the integral part of voltage model affects the accuracy of the estimated speed with high-frequency signals and noise. In order to solve the above problems and further improve the system’s anti-interference performance and the speed estimation accuracy at low speed, an improved method of speed estimation that combines fuzzy proportional integral control and sliding mode control is proposed, by adopting genetic algorithm to optimize the parameters of the three sliding mode controllers, meanwhile, using the error integration criterion as the objective function of genetic algorithm optimization and searching for the optimal value of the objective function. Compared to the conventional method, the simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method in the middle- and low-speed regions with improved robustness against external disturbance, also display the high accuracy of estimated speed, the minor amplitude and frequency of speed fluctuation, and the great dynamic performance indexes of the system.
Experimental investigation of a hybrid nickel-carbon black polydimethylsiloxane conductive nanocomposite
Authors: Dhote Sharvari , Behdinan Kamran , Andrysek Jan , Bian Jia
Published: December 2019

This paper presents an experimental investigation of single and hybrid carbon black and spiky nickel-filled conductive composite to understand the synergy effect when different types and shapes of fillers are combined in a silicone polymer matrix. The electrical and mechanical properties of the conductive composites are measured under a compressive loading cycle. The results showed that the electrical properties of the hybrid conductive polymer composites have a better repeatability at low filler ratio as compared to the virgin nickel or carbon black composite. The new hybrid composite piezoresistive behavior is similar to a high filler ratio nickel composite. This study provided insights to develop a tailored conductive composite with a low mass-ratio and different morphology of fillers.
Negotiating justice: Ceasefires, peace agreements, and post-conflict justice
Authors: Cox Joseph M
Published: December 2019

Post-conflict justice is an integral component in maintaining stability and building peace in the aftermath of civil conflict. Despite its instrumental function, scholars routinely find that policymakers’ choice of justice is shaped by the structural conditions of the post-conflict environment, with outright victories leading to retributive forms of justice and negotiated outcomes yielding restorative forms of justice. However, existing literature conflates ceasefires and peace agreements into a single phenomenon, thereby overlooking the independent effects of each outcome. Leveraging the dual sovereignty framework, this article argues the conflation of negotiated outcomes is problematic because peace agreements and ceasefires generate different post-conflict environments. Relative to ceasefires, peace agreements lead to a reduction in the degree of dual sovereignty because they resolve a conflict’s incompatibility, thereby encouraging efforts to move society beyond war through restorative forms of justice. Due to the persistent threat of recurrent war generated by high levels of dual sovereignty, policymakers following ceasefires will be inclined to pursue retributive forms of justice that may target political opponents or potential defectors to bolster organizational strength. Statistical analyses confirm the underlying expectation that ceasefires and peace agreements yield different post-conflict justice outcomes. Peace agreements, relative to ceasefires, are more likely to be followed by the implementation of amnesties and reparations, whereas ceasefires exhibit a greater probability of yielding purges in the post-conflict environment.
Attributions About Bereaved Spouses: Testing the Myths of Coping With Loss
Authors: Kahler Julie , Papa Anthony , Epstein Emerson , Levin Crissa
Published: December 2019

Social expectations influence how we cope with loss and how people in our social networks respond to us. Wortman and Silver outlined Western cultural assumptions, or myths, about mourning, thought to influence judgments of one’s grief response. In particular, the two myths hypothesized to affect social judgments about grievers’ adjustment were related to (a) the intensities of the grief response and (b) the duration of the grief response. We assessed if these myths affected the attributions of potential support providers in a convenience sample of 510 Amazon Mechanical Turk community participants. The results indicated preheld expectancies that expressing and processing loss is important to recover from grief was related to attributions about the adjustment of spousally bereaved grievers in vignettes. However, any level of grief symptoms displayed in vignettes was associated with participants, indicating they would discourage expression of grief and distance themselves from the person grieving.
Poverty and Interiority in Mother Teresa
Authors: Davies Rachel
Published: December 2019

This article examines how Mother Teresa’s practice of evangelical poverty developed and diverged from some of the great mendicant traditions. It argues that she linked evangelical and interior poverty by establishing existential communion with the poor—not material renunciation—as the deepest expression of Christ-imitation. While mendicant Neoplatonists believed a certain kind of interior poverty was necessary for spiritual growth, Mother Teresa’s aim was to console the suffering Jesus through self-denial and solidarity. The article traces how this understanding developed for her, and some of the ways it may have contributed to her feelings of darkness.
Who Is the “Polis” Addressed by Political Theology? Notes on a Conundrum
Authors: Godzieba Anthony J.
Published: December 2019

How does political theology, with its eschatologically themed commitment to both critique and constructive transformation of the social, economic, and political in the light of the Gospel, break through to a distressed Western polis focused on the immediate and the short-term, with almost no sense of a “future”? I suggest discipleship-as-performance and a temporal and sacramental “natural theology of desire,” in tune with the revelation of the grace of God in Christ in time, as ways of addressing this conundrum and seconding Pope Francis’s insight that “time is greater than space.”
Ecclesiology as Political Theology: On Delivering on a Transformative Strategic Orientation in Ecclesiology
Authors: Murray Paul D.
Published: December 2019

This three-section article reappraises both Edward Schillebeeckx’s continuing significance and the relationship between ecclesiology and political theology. Having identified two differing sets of concerns within political theology, the first section argues that the claim that the church is the true form of political theology needs to be disciplined by a Schillebeeckx-like critical ecclesiology if it is to avoid ecclesiological idealism. The second section argues that such transformative ecclesiology is itself an act of intra-ecclesial political theology; and the third that it needs to be pursued with greater political astuteness than Schillebeeckx manifested in his theology of ministry.
Concerning Victims, Sexuality, and Power: A Reflection on Sexual Abuse from Latin America
Authors: Bingemer Maria Clara Lucchetti
Published: December 2019

This article offers theological reflection on the sexual abuse crisis in the Latin American church, focusing on the child victim. Beginning with a summary of the scandal as it has hit the Latin American church, the author shows how the clerical sexual abuse crisis engages with the particular sociopolitical contexts of children in Latin America. The article then contextualizes a theology of childhood in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s care for the young and vulnerable children. Finally, the author offers some fundamental theological reflections for an ecclesial response to the crisis, focusing on a theology of the child.
Between Ecclesiology and Ethics: Promoting a Culture of Protection and Care in Church and Society
Authors: Orobator Agbonkhianmeghe E.
Published: December 2019

The author underscores the ethical imperatives incumbent on the community called church in light of the needs and experiences of children. The immediate circumstance relates to ongoing revelation of widespread clergy sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults and the moral duty of the community called church to care for and protect them. This approach unfolds within two overlapping and overarching contexts: first, the ecclesiology of the Roman Catholic Church and, second, African cultural beliefs and religious traditions. A particular focus is placed on the paucity of Catholic theological or ethical reflection on the dignity of the child, and remedies for this lacuna, particularly with respect to the African Catholic Church.
Promising but Perplexing Solutions: A Critique of the Draft National Education Policy 2019
Authors: Tilak Jandhyala B. G.
Published: December 2019

This article presents a short critical appraisal of some major recommendations of the K. Kasturirangan’s Committee on the Draft National Education Policy 2019. The committee underlines that the system requires a major overhaul; comprehensive reforms need to be attempted, and piecemeal/quick-fix solutions will not work. Some recommendations in the nearly 500-page report are path-breaking, many deserve applause, some are unacceptable and quite a few require rethinking. Since education is a long-term activity with far-reaching implications for the future of the nation, a long-term vision and not short-term compulsions should guide the formulation of a National Education Policy.
BIC Extensions for Order-constrained Model Selection
Authors: Mulder J. , Raftery A. E.
Published: December 2019

The Schwarz or Bayesian information criterion (BIC) is one of the most widely used tools for model comparison in social science research. The BIC, however, is not suitable for evaluating models with order constraints on the parameters of interest. This article explores two extensions of the BIC for evaluating order-constrained models, one where a truncated unit information prior is used under the order-constrained model and the other where a truncated local unit information prior is used. The first prior is centered on the maximum likelihood estimate, and the latter prior is centered on a null value. Several analyses show that the order-constrained BIC based on the local unit information prior works better as an Occam’s razor for evaluating order-constrained models and results in lower error probabilities. The methodology based on the local unit information prior is implemented in the R package “BICpack” which allows researchers to easily apply the method for order-constrained model selection. The usefulness of the methodology is illustrated using data from the European Values Study.
The role of close others in promoting weight management and body image outcomes: An application of confirmation, self-determination, social control, and social support
Authors: Arroyo Analisa , Burke Tricia J. , Young Valerie J.
Published: December 2019

Four theoretical perspectives grounded this examination of mothers’, romantic partners’, and friends’ interpersonal communication behaviors related to young women’s weight management behaviors and body image outcomes. Specifically, behaviors identified by confirmation (i.e., acceptance and challenge), self-determination (i.e., autonomous and controlled motivation), social control (i.e., positive and negative social control), and social support (i.e., esteem and informational support) were predicted to be associated with young women’s physical activity, healthy eating, body appreciation, and body satisfaction. Female participants ( N = 637) completed online surveys and reported on perceptions of either their mothers’, romantic partners’, or friends’ communication, as well as their own behaviors and self-views. Results identified a number of perceived interpersonal behaviors (e.g., acceptance, autonomous motivation, positive social control) associated with young women’s weight management and body image outcomes, with mothers’ communication being a particularly consistent predictor.
A Systematic Review of Methods to Predict Weight Trajectories in Health Economic Models of Behavioral Weight-Management Programs: The Potential Role of Psychosocial Factors
Authors: Bates Sarah , Bayley Thomas , Norman Paul , Breeze Penny , Brennan Alan
Published: December 2019

Objectives. There is limited evidence on the long-term effectiveness of behavioral weight-management interventions, and thus, when conducting health economic modeling, assumptions are made about weight trajectories. The aims of this review were to examine these assumptions made about weight trajectories, the evidence sources used to justify them, and the impact of assumptions on estimated cost-effectiveness. Given the evidence that some psychosocial variables are associated with weight-loss trajectories, we also aimed to examine the extent to which psychosocial variables have been used to estimate weight trajectories and whether psychosocial variables were measured within cited evidence sources. Methods. A search of databases (Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, NHS Economic Evaluation, Embase, PSYCinfo, CINAHL, EconLit) was conducted using keywords related to overweight, weight-management, and economic evaluation. Economic evaluations of weight-management interventions that included modeling beyond trial data were included. Results. Within the 38 eligible articles, 6 types of assumptions were reported (weight loss maintained, weight loss regained immediately, linear weight regain, subgroup-specific trajectories, exponential decay of effect, maintenance followed by regain). Fifteen articles cited at least 1 evidence source to support the assumption reported. The assumption used affected the assessment of cost-effectiveness in 9 of the 19 studies that tested this in sensitivity analyses. None of the articles reported using psychosocial factors to estimate weight trajectories. However, psychosocial factors were measured in evidence sources cited by 11 health economic models. Conclusions. Given the range of weight trajectories reported and the potential impact on funding decisions, further research is warranted to investigate how psychosocial variables measured in trials can be used within health economic models to simulate heterogeneous weight trajectories and potentially improve the accuracy of cost-effectiveness estimates.
The ‘Channel Crossings’ and the borders of Britain
Authors: Maggs Joseph
Published: December 2019

Since November 2018, a small but increased number of migrants have risked their lives attempting to cross the waters of the English Channel from northern France to reach Britain. Throughout and alongside the final protracted phase of the Brexit process, governing politicians, backed by an uncritical media, have framed these crossings as a threat to British border sovereignty that can only be repelled by ramping up border security. This article argues that the construction of the Channel Crossings as a ‘Border Spectacle’ is an ideological operation that deflects attention away from the UK-French border-zone, which constitutes an extended transnational hostile environment that is, in large part, responsible for producing the conditions of the ‘new migrant crisis’ at Britain’s southeastern land-sea border.
A Comparison of Different Item Response Theory Models for Scaling Speeded C-Tests
Authors: Forthmann Boris , Grotjahn Rüdiger , Doebler Philipp , Baghaei Purya
Published: December 2019

As measures of general language proficiency, C-tests are ubiquitous in language testing. Speeded C-tests are quite recent developments in the field and are deemed to be more discriminatory and provide more accurate diagnostic information than power C-tests especially with high-ability participants. Item response theory modeling of speeded C-tests has not been discussed in the literature, and current approaches for power C-tests based on ordinal models either violate the model assumptions or are relatively complex to be reliably fitted with small samples. Count data models are viable alternatives with less restrictive assumptions and lower complexity. In the current study, we compare count data models with commonly applied ordinal models for modeling a speeded C-test. It was found that a flexible count data model fits equally well in absolute and relative terms as compared with ordinal models. Implications and feasibility of count data models for the psychometric modeling of C-tests are discussed.
Examining the Potential Association Between Immigration and Criminal Involvement Using a Nationally Representative and Longitudinal Sample of Youth
Authors: Rima Dzhansarayeva , Yerbol Alimkulov , Batyrbek Shopabayev , Orynbassar Tlepbergenov , Beaver Kevin M.
Published: December 2019

There has been a great deal of debate regarding the association between immigration and criminal involvement. Against this backdrop, this study sought to make an incremental increase to the literature by examining the nexus between immigration and crime. To do so, data were drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health ( N = 7,622–8,334). The results of the multivariate regression models revealed no evidence that immigrants, in comparison with U.S. citizens, self-reported more involvement in nonviolent delinquency or violent delinquency. Where statistically significant effects did emerge, U.S. citizens reported greater involvement in these acts. Moreover, the analyses also did not provide any evidence that immigrants were more likely than U.S. citizens to report being arrested, pleading guilty, being sentenced to probation, or being incarcerated. Once again, U.S. citizens were significantly more likely to have contact with the criminal justice system when compared with immigrants. These results suggest that the potential link between immigration and crime is likely complex and is not a straightforward association. We conclude by discussing some of the implications of the findings and directions for future research.
Sentencing Domestic Violence Offenders: A Vignette Study of Public Perceptions
Authors: Horstman Nicole J. , Bond Christine E. W. , Eriksson Li
Published: December 2019

This study examined public perceptions of sentencing severity for males convicted of domestic violence assault compared with non-domestic violence assault. Over the years, surveys have reported changes in community attitudes toward seeing domestic violence as a more serious issue and an increased understanding of what acts constitute a domestic violence offense (Carlson & Worden, 2005). This study aimed to (a) examine whether public perceptions of sentencing severity differ between domestic and non-domestic violence assault offenses committed under similar circumstances; and (b) whether these perceptions remain after adjusting for personal attitudes, victimization experiences, and sociodemographic factors. After reading vignette scenarios depicting domestic and non-domestic assault, 284 undergraduate students responded to a survey about their perceptions of appropriate sentence outcomes and length. Results found that regardless of participants’ punitiveness (and other factors), the manipulation of the victim–offender relationship was a significant predictor for judgments of sentencing severity. Notably, the results highlighted a leniency effect in the perceptions of participants toward perpetrators of domestic violence when compared with those who received the non-domestic violence scenario. These findings imply that undergraduate students judge domestic violence as less serious and hence not warranting as severe sentencing as non-domestic violence assault perpetrators. The study indicates that public perceptions of sentencing severity for domestic violence perpetrators are not consistent with the reported shift in public perceptions toward seeing domestic violence as a serious public issue. These findings highlight the importance of continued community education about domestic violence as well as the need to take care when considering engaging public opinion in sentencing practices for domestic violence perpetrators.
Effects of Workplace Violence on Women’s Psychosocial Functioning in Ethiopia: Emotional Demand and Social Relations at Civil Service Sectors in Focus
Authors: Eyasu Nahom , Taa Busha
Published: December 2019

Workplace violence is a serious public problem affecting millions of women employees each year throughout the world. Researchers have established the prevalence, nature, and the degree of this violence; however, less is known about the effect of workplace violence on women’s psychosocial functioning. This research addresses this knowledge gap by examining (a) the relationship between sociodemographic variables and workplace violence, (b) the association between sociodemographic variable and emotional labor, and (c) the effects of workplace violence on emotional demand and social relation. This research draws on a sample of women ( n = 201) from Dabat district’s civil service sectors, derived using systematic and proportionally stratified simple random sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis, post hoc Dunnett test, and binary logistic regression. Results show that workplace violence affected women employees without the discrimination of baseline variables. However, single women (16.43 [±2.91]) who have bachelor degree and above (16.88 [±2.19]) experienced more workplace violence by managers and colleagues when compared to other sociodemographic variables. Workplace violence mostly made women employees show their emotions to customers match with what they truly feel. From respondents, unmarried women and above degree holders had more likely to show their emotions to the customers directly (unadjusted odds ratio [UOR] = 5.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [5.29, 6.25]; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.88, 95% CI = [4.67, 5.23]), arguably engaging in less emotional dissonance and high emotional labor. Sixty-one percent of respondents were also forced to accept others’ points: ideas, concern, and feeling without believing in those views. From these findings, we argue that the workplace violence that women employees experience enables a wave of visible conflict and tension as they had reflected their internal feelings to the clients, coworkers, and managers, and if the women workers have had miscommunication with managers at workplace, it will endanger the institutions to accomplish day-to-day activities.
A Network Analysis of Domestic Violence Beliefs Among Young Adults in India
Authors: Rodriguez Ana L. , Stephens Dionne P. , Brewe Eric , Ramarao Indira , Madhivanan Purnima
Published: December 2019

This study sought to describe the system of beliefs on gender, attitudes toward women, and wife beating, in young adults who live in Mysore, India. Furthermore, it identified structural sex differences in the interplay of values among these matters that can affect individual and community views toward domestic violence. Drawing from survey data gathered from 265 young adult Indian men and women, this study used network analysis to graph a correlation network of beliefs and attitudes toward domestic violence. Node, scale, and network structure descriptions allowed for comparisons among male and female participant responses. The findings support the assertion that there are sex differences among the system of beliefs toward wife beating among Indian young adults. Gender ideology, masculine role in relationships, and legal and social consequences of wife beating emerged as the most important values to focus on when addressing young men’s beliefs of domestic violence and attitudes toward women. In contrast, values influencing women’s perceptions of domestic violence are more complex and related to multiple beliefs about women’s power, family structure, and social and legal implications of domestic violence. The results highlight the importance of recognizing gender differences in the connectivity between gender and wife beating beliefs when designing interventions. There is a need for efforts to accurately target these values and attitudes to more effectively address gendered attitudes and beliefs about domestic violence in this population.
Understanding Health Care Access Disparities Among Human Trafficking Survivors: Profiles of Health Care Experiences, Access, and Engagement
Authors: Price Kathleen , Nelson Brett D. , Macias-Konstantopoulos Wendy L.
Published: December 2019

Human trafficking is associated with a profound burden of physical and psychological trauma. Survivors of trafficking interact with the health care system during and after their experiences of trafficking. Socioeconomic isolation, stigma, shame, guilt, fear of judgment, fear of retribution by traffickers, fear of law enforcement authorities, and other factors known to inhibit disclosure can exert a formative influence on survivors’ health care experiences, health care access, and health services engagement. Using a mixed qualitative-quantitative social science research method, known as by-person factor analysis (or Q-methodology), the current analysis systematically examines the scope of trafficking survivors’ health care experiences and perceptions of medical care, health care access behaviors, and degree of engagement with health services. Among 33 survivors of human trafficking surveyed, 21 met inclusion criteria for this analysis. Three distinct profiles of survivor health care experiences and health services engagement— Avoidant, Distrustful, and Constrained—are identified from the aggregate of survivors’ perceptions of medical care. Although there are salient differences across the three survivor profiles, a feeling of disenfranchisement is a common thread and directly related to health care access behaviors and health services engagement. Understanding that the feeling of disenfranchisement functions as a filter through which trafficking survivors perceive and experience medical care can help health care professionals take appropriate countermeasures. Implications for improving health care access and engagement include the implementation of trauma-responsive, culturally sensitive, and survivor-centered care practices.
An Examination of Stalking Experiences During Military Service Among Female and Male Veterans and Associations With PTSD and Depression
Authors: Lucas Carrie L. , Cederbaum Julie A. , Kintzle Sara , Castro Carl Andrew
Published: December 2019

Stalking is associated with mental health concerns, although little is known about the influence of stalking and mental health concerns among veterans. This study evaluated stalking experienced during military service in two community-based, nonclinical samples of veterans ( N = 1,980). Models explored (a) types of stalking, (b) characteristics of veterans who experienced stalking, and (c) the associations between stalking with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Types of stalking varied by sex; female veterans were significantly more likely to experience stalking than male veterans (58.5% vs. 34.6%, p < .001, respectively). Female veterans reported unwanted messages, emails, or phone calls (37.2%), and male veterans experienced someone showing up unannounced or uninvited (23.5%) most frequently. Stalking experiences also differed by age with female and male veterans 18 to 39 years old significantly more likely to have experienced stalking ( p < .001 and p < .001, respectively) than veterans over age 40. Associations between prior stalking experiences and mental distress were found for both female and male veterans. Both female and male veterans who experienced stalking were significantly more likely to have probable PTSD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.04, 3.39] and OR = 3.08, 95% CI = [2.27, 4.18], respectively) and depression (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = [1.38, 4.58] and OR = 2.78, 95% CI = [2.05, 3.79], respectively). These findings highlight (a) the rates of stalking experienced during military service, (b) the need for assessment of stalking to inform treatment, and (c) lay the foundation for the Department of Defense (DoD) to further evaluate stalking among military populations.
Neighborhood Cohesion, Disorder, and Physical Function in Older Adults: An Examination of Racial/Ethnic Differences
Authors: Millar Roberto J.
Published: December 2019

Objectives: This study examined the link between neighborhood social cohesion, disorder, and physical function in older adults, and identified potential racial/ethnic differences in these associations. Method: Data come from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS; N = 5,619). A series of linear regression models were used to predict physical function. Subgroup analyses and neighborhood/race interactions were used to examine differences. Results: Neighborhood disorder was associated with poorer physical function ( p < .05), while neighborhood cohesion was not ( p = .06). Although tests of interactions were not significant, subgroup analyses showed that neighborhood disorder, and not social cohesion, was associated with poorer physical function only in Whites. Discussion: Disadvantaged neighborhood social environment may contribute to differences in physical function among older adults. Racial and ethnic differences warrant closer investigation in studies of neighborhoods and functional health.
Factors Associated With Multimorbidity Patterns in Older Adults in England: Findings From the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA)
Authors: Nguyen Hai , Chua Kia-Chong , Dregan Alexandru , Vitoratou Silia , Bayes-Marin Ivet , Olaya Beatriz , Prina A. Matthew
Published: December 2019

Objective: We aimed to identify the patterns of multimorbidity in older adults and explored their association with sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors. Method: The sample included 9,171 people aged 50+ from Wave 2 of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was performed on 26 chronic diseases to determine clusters of common diseases within individuals and their association with sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors. Result: Three latent classes were identified: (a) a cardiorespiratory/arthritis/cataracts class, (b) a metabolic class, and (c) a relatively healthy class. People aged 70 to 79 were 9.91 times (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = [5.13, 19.13]) more likely to be assigned to the cardiorespiratory/arthritis/cataracts class, while regular drinkers and physically inactive people were 0.33 times (95% CI = [0.24, 0.47]) less likely to be assigned to this class. Conclusion: Future research should investigate these patterns further to gain more insights into the needs of people with multimorbidity.
Vibration-assisted electrical arc machining of 10% B4C/Al metal matrix composite
Authors: Pandey Shrihar , Shrivastava Pankaj K
Published: December 2019

To shape advanced engineering materials, many unconventional machining processes have been developed. Electrical discharge machining is such an unconventional machining process which is very popular nowadays but it is limited by poor material removal efficiency. Electrical arc machining is another unconventional machining process which is quite similar to electrical discharge machining and is now gaining attention from research fraternity due to its high material removal efficiency. In the present research, an innovative unconventional machining process known as vibration-assisted electrical arc machining has been developed. The performance of vibration-assisted electrical arc machining has been evaluated during machining of Al–B4C metal matrix composite by considering peak current, flushing velocity of dielectric and tool vibrations as input control factors. The quality characteristics considered were material removal rate, tool wear rate, relative electrode wear rate and surface roughness. It has been observed that vibration-assisted electrical arc machining results in approximately 3000% more material removal rate as compared to conventional electrical discharge machining during machining of Al–B4C metal matrix composite. The effects of various input control factors on output parameters have also been discussed. Further modelling and optimization of the process parameters has also been done by artificial intelligence approach.
Multi-objective optimization of auto-body fixture layout based on an ant colony algorithm
Authors: Khodabandeh Milad , Saryazdi Maryam Ghassabzadeh , Ohadi Abdolreza
Published: December 2019

Fixtures are extensively used in many industries such as the car industry, to locate and constrain the sheet part during the assembly stage. Fixture layout affects on deformation of sheet parts. Therefore, fixture layout optimization is crucial to the accuracy and quality of products. In addition, the number of clamps that uses in the fixture is another important factor that must be considered in fixture design. This article presents a novel fixture layout optimization method by combining multi-objective ant colony algorithm (M-ACO) and the finite element method. The proposed method optimizes the fixture layout and the number of clamps simultaneously as a multi-objective problem. An approximation of Pareto frontier is acquired by the proposed method. The fixture layout for the side reinforcement of a car is optimized using the proposed method. The results show that the proposed approach performs effectively to optimize the auto-body fixture layout.
Non-intrusive reduced-order modeling for fluid problems: A brief review
Authors: Yu Jian , Yan Chao , Guo Mengwu
Published: December 2019

Despite tremendous progress seen in the computational fluid dynamics community for the past few decades, numerical tools are still too slow for the simulation of practical flow problems, consuming thousands or even millions of computational core-hours. To enable feasible multi-disciplinary analysis and design, the numerical techniques need to be accelerated by orders of magnitude. Reduced-order modeling has been considered one promising approach for such purposes. Recently, non-intrusive reduced-order modeling has drawn great interest in the scientific computing community due to its flexibility and efficiency and undergoes rapid development at present with different approaches emerging from various perspectives. In this paper, a brief review of non-intrusive reduced-order modeling in the context of fluid problems is performed involving three key aspects: i.e. dimension reduction of the solution space, surrogate models, and sampling strategies. Furthermore, non-intrusive reduced-order modelings regarding to some interesting topics such as unsteady flows, shock-dominating flows are also discussed. Finally, discussions on future development of non-intrusive reduced-order modeling for fluid problems are presented.