bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Participatory systems mapping for complex energy policy evaluation
Authors: Barbrook-Johnson Pete , Penn Alexandra
Published: January 2021

The use of complexity science in evaluation has received growing attention over the last 20 years. We present the use of a novel complexity-appropriate method – Participatory Systems Mapping – in two real-world evaluation contexts and consider how this method can be applied more widely in evaluation. Participatory Systems Mapping involves the production of a causal map of a system by a diverse set of stakeholders. The map, once refined and validated, can be analysed and used in a variety of ways in an evaluation or in evaluation planning. The analysis approach combines network analysis with subjective information from stakeholders. We suggest Participatory Systems Mapping shows great potential to offer value to evaluators due to the unique insights it offers, the relative ease of its use, and its complementarity with existing evaluation approaches and methods.
Building a system-based Theory of Change using Participatory Systems Mapping
Authors: Wilkinson Helen , Hills Dione , Penn Alexandra , Barbrook-Johnson Pete
Published: January 2021

Theory of Change diagrams are commonly used within evaluation. Due to their popularity and flexibility, Theories of Change can vary greatly, from the nuanced and nested, through to simplified and linear. We present a methodology for building genuinely holistic, complexity-appropriate, system-based Theory of Change diagrams, using Participatory Systems Mapping as a starting point. Participatory System Maps provide a general-purpose resource that can be used in many ways; however, knowing how to turn their complex view of a system into something actionable for evaluation purposes is difficult. The methodology outlined in this article gives this starting point and plots a path through from systems mapping to a Theory of Change evaluators can use. It allows evaluators to develop practical Theories of Change that take into account feedbacks, wider context and potential negative or unexpected outcomes. We use the example of the energy trilemma map presented elsewhere in this special issue to demonstrate.
Breaking the logic of neoliberal victimhood: Vulnerability, interdependence and memory in Captain Marvel (Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, 2019)
Authors: Gámez Fuentes María José
Published: January 2021

The contemporary visibility of women’s accomplishments and popular outcry in the face of injustice and/or violence might suggest that women have achieved their aim of putting long-fought feminist principles in the spotlight and have finally earned equality. However, let us not forget that, in the face of violence, the hegemonic matrix of intelligibility has also historically defined women victims by their ‘injurability’, so, intrinsically vulnerable, thus justifying the need of the system to assist them. It is not surprising, then, that, as a response to vulnerability, empowerment is celebrated. In this context, one would think that a blockbuster, such as Captain Marvel (2019), would reproduce the hegemonic economy of recognition where the subjects of violence are either treated as devoid of agency or offered empowerment through a neoliberal individualizing logic. However, the controversy that the film and its female protagonist raised (for adopting explicit feminist language to challenge patriarchy), along with the outcry of white angry men (symptomatized in male film critics) and the Internet nerd-culture (members of which considered themselves aggrieved by the film), provide a fruitful ground to look into the communicative logic of victimhood. Captain Marvel can help us to explore not only the chiaroscuros and phallacy of the victim versus empowered subject script but also the implicit logic that obscures the divisions that this logic perpetuates. In this respect, we are interested in analyzing how the movie stages:

1. The assignation and construction of female vulnerability in a hegemonic shared cultural narrative that privileges the construction of the empowered subject obscuring the politics of emotions;

2. The possibilities of empowerment before such a narrative and in relation to reclaiming historical and personal memories;

3. The sharing of the condition of vulnerability across gender and geographical boundaries and its relation with the criminalization of other vulnerable others such as aliens.
We will be great again: Historical victimhood in populist discourse
Authors: Al-Ghazzi Omar
Published: January 2021

This article explores historical victimhood as a feature of contemporary populist discourse. It is about how populist leaders invoke meta-history to make self-victimising claims as a means for consolidating power. I argue that historical victimhood propagates a forked historical consciousness – a view of history as a series of junctures where good fought evil – that enables the projection of alleged victimhood into the past and the future, while the present is portrayed as a regenerating fateful choice between humiliation and a promised golden age. I focus on the cases of the United States and Turkey and examine two key speeches delivered by presidents Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2017. My case-study approach aims to show how the same narrative form of historical victimhood, with its temporal logic and imaginary, latches on widely different contexts and political cultures with the effect of conflating the leader with the people, solidifying divisions in society, and threatening opponents.
Smoking and snus use among Norwegian students: Demographic, personality and substance use characteristics
Authors: Sæther Solbjørg Makalani Myrtveit , Askeland Kristin Gärtner , Pallesen Ståle , Erevik Eilin Kristine
Published: January 2021

Background and aim:

Smoking rates are decreasing in Norway while the use of snus has increased. We aimed to investigate the co-occurrence of, and the socio-demographics, personality and substance use characteristics associated with, student smoking and snus use.

Methods:

Survey data were collected among students in higher education in Bergen, Norway in 2015 ( N = 11,236, response rate 39.4%). Multinomial regression analyses comparing snus users and smokers to non-users and non-smokers, respectively, on demographic, personality and substance use variables were conducted. Regression analyses comparing current dual users to current smokers and current snus users and comparing daily smokers to daily snus users, on demographic, personality and substance use variables were also conducted.

Results:

In total 67.9% of ever snus users identified themselves as non-smokers (past and current). Several demographic, personality and substance use characteristics associated with smoking and snus use were identified (all = p < .05), some of which were common for both (e.g., use of cannabis) and some which were exclusively associated with either smoking (e.g., neuroticism) or snus use (e.g., extroversion).

Conclusion:

The current study contributes with several novel findings regarding traits associated with smoking and snus use. Though limited by a cross-sectional design, the current findings may suggest that the group of students using snus consists of a combination of previous smokers, students who would have smoked if snus was not available and a new segment who may not have used nicotine if snus was not available.
Generation of reusable learning objects from digital medical collections: An analysis based on the MASMDOA framework
Authors: Buendía Félix , Gayoso-Cabada Joaquín , Sierra José-Luis
Published: January 2021

Learning Objects represent a widespread approach to structuring instructional materials in a large variety of educational contexts. The main aim of this work consists of analyzing the process of generating reusable learning objects followed by Clavy, a tool that can be used to retrieve data from multiple medical knowledge sources and reconfigure such sources in diverse multimedia-based structures and organizations. From these organizations, Clavy is able to generate learning objects that can be adapted to various instructional healthcare scenarios with several types of user profiles and distinct learning requirements. Moreover, Clavy provides the capability of exporting these learning objects through standard educational specifications, which improves their reusability features. The analysis proposed is conducted following criteria defined by the MASMDOA framework for comparing and selecting learning object generation methodologies. The analysis insights highlight the importance of having a tool to transfer knowledge from the available digital medical collections to learning objects that can be easily accessed by medical students and healthcare practitioners through the most popular e-learning platforms.
Styles of policing and police–public interactions: The question of stop-and-search by police units in France
Authors: de Maillard Jacques , Zagrodzki Mathieu
Published: January 2021

Styles of policing are reflected in the methods, decisions and priorities of law enforcement agencies. Based on an ethnographic study of police work in two major French metropolitan areas, this article identifies the styles of policing enforced in France, based on the use of discretionary stop-and-search. Despite nuances due to the variety of units, places and watch commanders, policing is delivered in a mostly proactive and confrontational way, which is reflected in a proliferation of units having an aggressive mandate. Stop-and-search is used to detect criminal activity, ‘take over’ territories and assert police authority, especially when the latter is challenged.
Tribological performances of micro/nano-Si3N4–PTFE–EP composites prepared by high-pressure compression molding
Authors: Gu Dapeng , Liu Shouyao , Lu Gaifen , Wang Shuaibing , Wang Zibo , Chen Xiaofan , Chen Suwen , Yang Bingchao , Pan Deng
Published: January 2021

It is of great significance to improve the tribological performances of self-lubricating system to reduce the exfoliation of abrasive particles. In this work, tribological performances of Si3N4–PTFE–EP self-lubricating composites with surface-modified micro/nano-Si3N4 (20 nm, 100 nm, 500 nm, 1–3 μm, and 10 μm) prepared by high-pressure (3 GPa) compression molding are investigated systematically. The results show that although the surface modification of nano-Si3N4 can improve tribological performances of Si3N4–PTFE–EP composite, Si3N4 particle size is the more critical factor. When Si3N4 particle size is 10 μm, the tribological performances of 70M–Si3N4–30PTFE–EP, 50M–Si3N4–50PTFE–EP, and 30M–Si3N4–70PTFE–EP composites are optimal.
The effect of variable properties and rotation in a visco-thermoelastic orthotropic annular cylinder under the Moore–Gibson–Thompson heat conduction model
Authors: Aboueregal Ahmed E , Sedighi Hamid M
Published: January 2021

The present contribution aims to address a problem of thermoviscoelasticity for the analysis of the transition temperature and thermal stresses in an infinitely circular annular cylinder. The inner surface is traction-free and subjected to thermal shock heating, while the outer surface is thermally insulated and free of traction. In this work, in contrast to the various problems in which the thermal conductivity coefficient is considered to be fixed, this parameter is assumed to be variable depending on the temperature change. The problem is studied by presenting a new generalized thermoelastic model of thermal conductivity described by the Moore–Gibson–Thompson equation. The new model can be constructed by incorporating the relaxation time thermal model with the Green–Naghdi type III model. The Laplace transformation technique is used to obtain the exact expressions for the radial displacement, temperature and the distributions of thermal stresses. The effects of angular velocity, viscous parameter, and variance in thermal properties are also displayed to explain the comparisons of the physical fields.
‘It’s OK to feel’: The emotionality norm and its evolution in U.S. print journalism
Authors: Schmidt Thomas R
Published: January 2021

Between the 1960s and the 1990s journalists in U.S. newspapers created, constructed, and advanced emotionality as a new occupational norm in American print journalism, challenging some aspects of the dominant objectivity norm while simultaneously affirming its overall relevance. This historical study delineates how the emotionality norm emerged as a constitutive element of narrative journalism during this time period. Drawing from archival research, in-depth interviews, and textual analysis of trade publications, this study analyzes how narrative journalists developed moral ideals, practices, and justifications for advancing narrative journalism as an acceptable and desirable mode of emotional storytelling. As the emotionality norm affected journalistic roles, expanded the repertoire of journalistic forms, and transformed the emotive posture of newspapers, it contributed in nuanced and deliberate ways to the interpretive turn in U.S. journalism.
The irreverent life and uncompromising death of Deadspin: Sports blogging as punk journalism
Authors: Serazio Michael
Published: January 2021

When its entire staff resigned in protest of management meddling in 2019, Deadspin had become one of the most influential institutions in American sports journalism. This critical essay examines the blog’s legacy through the unique lens of punk philosophy, drawing upon coverage by and about the site, as well as in-depth interviews with sports media professionals (including those among Deadspin’s leadership). Punk theory helps explain how and why Deadspin cultivated itself in opposition to both the flawed symbiotic dependencies of sports media and the aesthetic restraint of establishment journalism, while pioneering and sharpening the participatory, do-it-yourself culture of blogging. The paper concludes this analysis of what Deadspin might portend for an otherwise-rare adversarial model of sports journalism at a time of dramatic industry and technological upheaval.
A new method to determine the causes of deviation in cylinder pressure curves of motored reciprocating piston engines
Authors: Mährle Christian , Held Stefan , Huber Sebastian , Wachtmeister Georg
Published: January 2021

Simulation calibration of modern engines to test bench measurements, mainly matching the indicated pressure curves in the combustion chamber, is a time consuming task that requires high user experience to manage a multitude of adjustment parameters. In the scope of this work an automated process for calibrating simulations at motored engine operating points is presented. This is achieved using characteristic pressure deviation curves, based on 1D simulations of a simplified base model. They incorporate the dimensionless deviation of the cylinder pressure originating from one parameter. A set of these curves is scaled and superposed to recreate the original pressure deviation between simulation and measurement. The scaling factor is used to quantify each parameter’s suggested adjustment value. This work presents the workflow of creating the characteristic pressure deviation curves, matching the deviation between measurement and simulation and determining the adjustment values. Further, the methodology is tested for interference of different parameters. A series of applications, ranging from 1D and 3D CFD simulation test cases to real world applications in different engines, concludes this work.
Post-postmodern consumer authenticity, shantay you stay or sashay away? A netnography of RuPaul’s Drag Race fans
Authors: Canavan Brendan
Published: January 2021

Consumer negotiation of authenticity is explored through a netnography of online fans of the reality television series RuPaul’s Drag Race. Suggestion is of a post-postmodern approach to negotiating the authenticity of series narratives consumed, associated authentic identities of consumers, and of supporting interactions of the consumer community. A more reconstructive stance arises from some fans’ occasional frustrations over staging interfering with narrative truth and at times perceived dismissal of meaningful fixed identity. Public performances before and with other online fans help to agglomerate and assert preferred versions of these. This post-postmodern approach is distinct from more deconstructive and typically postmodern attitudes also evident among the fandom, and themselves shown to interact with and be reinvigorated by reconstructions. Highlighted is the complex negotiation of authenticity by consumers overall.
Capturing heterogeneous decision making processes: the case with the E-book reader market
Authors: Shim Dongnyok
Published: January 2021

Consumer decision-making within a specific product category can take many forms. This study investigates the individual-specific transferal processes in new product adoption through cognitive, affective, and conative stages. We propose a general and flexible Bayesian multivariate regression model and fit the model to survey data on dedicated E-book reader adoption. The results show that—among six possible transition paths—all paths are feasible for the decision-making process, except for the conative → cognitive → affective path. In terms of market share, those who follow the hierarchy of effect process describing the cognitive → affective → conative process has the biggest market share and those following affective → conative → cognitive path has the smallest share. The contribution of this research is twofold. From a theoretical perspective, this study developed an estimable model for capturing heterogeneity in consumers’ decision-making process. Practically, the study empirically shows that a variety of decision-making paths exist, using survey data on the Korean E-book reader market. In the substantive domain, capturing the heterogeneity of consumer decision-making could provide marketers with insights to help profile consumers and with a basis for customer segmentation.
Gentrification and neighborhood melancholy. Collective sadness and ambivalence in Dortmund’s Hörde district
Authors: Frank Susanne
Published: January 2021

Since 2000, the City of Dortmund has pursued an ambitious flagship project in the district of Hoerde. On the enormous site of a former steel plant, and in the middle of an impoverished working class district, a large new upper-middle class residential area (Phoenix) has been developed around an artificial lake. Qualitative fieldwork suggests that the project has generated mixed feelings among longtime working class dwellers in the old part of Hoerde. Widespread enthusiasm about new lakeside living is interwoven with emotions of sadness and loss, reflecting a neighborhood transformation which unmistakably demonstrates their social, cultural, and political marginalization – feelings that were not allowed to become part of the jubilant official discourse which has marketed the Phoenix project as a shining example of the City’s successful post-industrial structural change. Ever since its announcement, the project has been blamed for triggering gentrification processes – despite the fact that there are still no empirical signs of rising rents or displacement. I argue that the concept of gentrification has been taken up so readily because it is popular, polyvalent, polemical, and critical, enabling citizens to find a language to denounce the blatant social inequalities and power imbalances that competitive urbanism has fostered in Dortmund. However, I also claim that the core of the prevailing sadness – the loss of the familiar neighborhood which could not be grieved over – remains under the radar of standard gentrification discourse. The article thus proposes neighborhood melancholy as a concept to account for the unclear, subconscious, and deeply ambivalent ways in which long-established residents experience their neighborhood’s transformation, expressed within the rubric of gentrification.
A novel time–frequency transform for broadband Lamb waves dispersion characteristics analysis
Authors: Luo Zhi , Zeng Liang , Lin Jing
Published: January 2021

Owing to carrying rich information about structure flaws, broadband Lamb waves are considered as a promising tool for non-destructive testing. However, since every Lamb wave mode has its own dispersion characteristics, the feature extraction among broadband multimodal Lamb wave is challenging. Time–frequency representation is significantly effective to analyze dispersive signals. In this article, taking advantages of the idea of dispersion compensation, two kinds of time–frequency domain dispersion analysis methods for broadband Lamb wave were proposed. The first one is based on the concept of the general parameterized time–frequency transform. A kernel function related to group delay was designed and the time–frequency compensation transform was proposed. The other one combines the segment linear mapping technique and the short-frequency Fourier transform, called the time–frequency de-dispersion transform. Both these two methods work well in representing multimodal Lamb wave signals with high resolution. However, time–frequency de-dispersion transform outperforms in representing multipath Lamb waves than time–frequency compensation transform. Moreover, a mode purification strategy was also proposed for distinguishing the interested mode from interferences. According to verification in synthetic and experimental data, not only the multimodal components but also multipath echoes are represented in time–frequency plane with high resolution. Finally, the proposed method shows a great robustness to inaccuracies in the dispersion data.
Surface modification of PE/PET by two-step method with graphene and silver nanoparticles for enhanced electrical conductivity
Authors: Zhuo Tingting , Chen Zhuoming , Xin Binjie , Xu Yingqi , Song Yingjie , He Shan , Wang Shuai
Published: January 2021

Polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate (PE/PET) nonwoven fabrics were first modified with a continuous graphene layer by using a dipping process, and then deposited with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using magnetron sputtering, and that is a novel method called two-step method. Graphene/PE/PET (GPP) and AgNPs sputtered GPP (AGPP) were prepared to investigate the modification processes on the electrical conductivity of the nonwoven fabrics. The influence of the surface modification by silane coupling agent (KH-560) on the durability of conductive PE/PET composited fabrics is also studied. Surface morphology, chemical structure, thermal stability, electrical conductive and ultraviolet protection properties of the composite fabrics were investigated. The results indicated KH-560 treatment can obviously improve the interfacial adhesion between the graphene and PE/PET then contributes to the enhanced conductive durability of the composite fabrics. The combination of graphene and AgNPs provided more opportunities for the charge transfer paths of AGPP, leading to an improved conductive network and an increased electrical conductivity. In addition, graphene and AgNPs gave GPP and AGPP excellent thermal stability. The research exhibited the advantages of the two-step method, and also indicated AGPP has a promising application for the preparation of wearable electronics.
White matter abnormalities in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Focus on axon growth and guidance
Authors: Mathews Erin , Dewees Kevyn , Diaz Deborah , Favero Carlita
Published: January 2021

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) describe a range of deficits, affecting physical, mental, cognitive, and behavioral function, arising from prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD causes widespread white matter abnormalities, with significant alterations of tracts in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus. These brain regions present with white-matter volume reductions, particularly at the midline. Neural pathways herein are guided primarily by three guidance cue families: Semaphorin/Neuropilin, Netrin/DCC, and Slit/Robo. These guidance cue/receptor pairs attract and repulse axons and ensure that they reach the proper target to make functional connections. In several cases, these signals cooperate with each other and/or additional molecular partners. Effects of alcohol on guidance cue mechanisms and their associated effectors include inhibition of growth cone response to repellant cues as well as changes in gene expression. Relevant to the corpus callosum, specifically, developmental alcohol exposure alters GABAergic and glutamatergic cell populations and glial cells that serve as guidepost cells for callosal axons. In many cases, deficits seen in FASD mirror aberrancies in guidance cue/receptor signaling. We present evidence for the need for further study on how prenatal alcohol exposure affects the formation of neural connections which may underlie disrupted functional connectivity in FASD.
Adolescence and Epilepsy: The Perfect Storm for Suicidal Behavior
Authors: Nickels Katherine
Published: January 2021

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Is STN Neuromodulation of Focal Motor Seizures Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: King-Stephens David
Published: January 2021

[Box: see text]
A Novel Mixed Methods Approach Combining Geospatial Mapping and Qualitative Inquiry to Identify Multilevel Policy Targets: The Focused Rapid Assessment Process (fRAP) Applied to Cancer Survivorship
Authors: Kieber-Emmons Autumn M. , Miller William L. , Rubinstein Ellen B. , Howard Jenna , Tsui Jennifer , Rankin Jennifer L. , Crabtree Benjamin F.
Published: January 2021

Multilevel perspectives across communities, medical systems and policy environments are needed, but few methods are available for health services researchers with limited resources. We developed a mixed methods health policy approach, the focused Rapid Assessment Process (fRAP), that is designed to uncover multilevel modifiable barriers and facilitators contributing to public health issues. We illustrate with a study applying fRAP to the issue of cancer survivorship care. Through this multilevel investigation we identified two major modifiable areas affecting high-quality cancer survivorship care: (1) the importance of cancer survivorship guidelines/data and (2) the need for improved oncology–primary care relationships. This article contributes to the mixed methods literature by coupling geospatial mapping to qualitative rapid assessment to efficiently identify policy change targets.
Tool diameter optimization in S-shaped test piece machining
Authors: Meng Fu , Liwen Guan , Liping Wang , Jiao Mo , Xiao Zhao
Published: January 2021

S-shaped test piece is used to assess the performance of five-axis numerical control machine tools. Compared to traditional test method and test pieces, it performs better and was agreed to be included in the draft international standard at the 79th ISO/TC39SC2 meeting. However, the lack of theoretical research is the barrier to apply for standard and to be widely used. Therefore, this paper aims to study one of the theoretical research that how to choose the suitable tool diameter. We proposed a new research method based on software AdvantEdge, Vector Method for error calculation, Microelement Model of cutting force and deformation model of cantilever beam. The simulation results show that the 20 ≤ diameter < 30 is the proper choices and the 20 is the best choice, which is consistent with the empirical consequence. This method not only provides the theoretical support for the S-shaped test piece, but also can be applied to other parts with complex curved surfaces.
Critical limb ischemia patients clinically improving with medical treatment have lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios
Authors: Erdoğan Sevinç B , Selçuk Ümmühan N , Baştopçu Murat , Arslanhan Gökhan , Çakmak Arif Y , Kuplay Hüseyin , Mete Evren MT , Aka Serap A
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Inflammation is a component in the pathogenesis of critical limb ischemia. We aimed to assess how inflammation affects response to treatment in patients treated for critical limb ischemia using neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocytes ratios (PLR) as markers of inflammation.

Methods

Patients in a single tertiary cardiovascular center with critical limb ischemia unsuitable for surgical or interventional revascularization were retrospectively identified. Data were collected on medical history for risk factors, previous surgical or endovascular revascularization, and outcome. A standard regimen of low molecular weight heparin, aspirin, statins, iloprost infusions, and a standard pain medication protocol were applied to each patient per hospital protocol. Patients with improvement in ischemic pain and healed ulcers made up the responders group and cases with no worsening pain or ulcer size or progression to minor or major amputations made up the non-responders group. Responders and Non-responders were compared for risk factors including pretreatment NLR and PLR.

Results

268 included patients who were not candidates for surgical or endovascular revascularization were identified. Responders had significantly lower pretreatment NLR (4.48 vs 8.47, p < 0.001) and PLR (162.19 vs 225.43, p = 0.001) values. After controlling for associated risk factors NLR ≥ 4.63 (p < 0.001) and PLR ≥ 151.24 (p = 0.016) were independently associated with no response to treatment.

Conclusions

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocytes ratio are markers of inflammation that are reduced in patients improving with medical treatment suggesting a decreased state of inflammation before treatment in responding patients.
Importance of incorporating quantitative imaging biomarker technical performance characteristics when estimating treatment effects
Authors: Obuchowski Nancy A , Remer Erick M , Sakaie Ken , Schneider Erika , Fox Robert J , Nakamura Kunio , Avila Ricardo , Guimaraes Alexander
Published: January 2021

Background/aims

Quantitative imaging biomarkers have the potential to detect change in disease early and noninvasively, providing information about the diagnosis and prognosis of a patient, aiding in monitoring disease, and informing when therapy is effective. In clinical trials testing new therapies, there has been a tendency to ignore the variability and bias in quantitative imaging biomarker measurements. Unfortunately, this can lead to underpowered studies and incorrect estimates of the treatment effect. We illustrate the problem when non-constant measurement bias is ignored and show how treatment effect estimates can be corrected.

Methods

Monte Carlo simulation was used to assess the coverage of 95% confidence intervals for the treatment effect when non-constant bias is ignored versus when the bias is corrected for. Three examples are presented to illustrate the methods: doubling times of lung nodules, rates of change in brain atrophy in progressive multiple sclerosis clinical trials, and changes in proton-density fat fraction in trials for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Results

Incorrectly assuming that the measurement bias is constant leads to 95% confidence intervals for the treatment effect with reduced coverage (<95%); the coverage is especially reduced when the quantitative imaging biomarker measurements have good precision and/or there is a large treatment effect. Estimates of the measurement bias from technical performance validation studies can be used to correct the confidence intervals for the treatment effect.

Conclusion

Technical performance validation studies of quantitative imaging biomarkers are needed to supplement clinical trial data to provide unbiased estimates of the treatment effect.
Agreement in the CARTaGENE cohort between self-reported medication use and claim data
Authors: Moura Cristiano S , Payette Yves , Boileau Catherine , Abrahamowicz Michal , Pilote Louise , Bernatsky Sasha
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To describe the agreement of self-reported medication use with claim prescription records and to ascertain factors associated with agreement between the two data sources.

Methods

Baseline data on self-reported medication use was extracted from CARTaGENE, a cohort study in Quebec, Canada, and from the provincial health insurance records (dispensation database) of the same individuals. Kappa statistics were used to estimate concordance beyond chance between the two data sources. Logistic regression models were adjusted to estimate the association between agreement and selected individual’s characteristics (sex, age, education, region, income, utilization of health care system, and comorbidities).

Results

Agreement between self-reported medication use and administrative data varied considerably across medication classes (kappa 0.54 for respiratory system and 0.91 for systemic hormonal preparations). Overall, agreement improved when a fixed time window of 90 days was used for exposure measurement. Sex, education level, frequency of health care use and the number of reported medications were associated with agreement.

Discussion

Overall, there was a reasonable agreement between the two data sources, but important variations were found for the different drug classes. These results could be used by researchers to more accurately assess drug exposures using real-world data, which are increasingly important to regulators.
Exploring nurses’ experiences of value congruence and the perceived relationship with wellbeing and patient care and safety: a qualitative study
Authors: Dunning Alice , Louch Gemma , Grange Angela , Spilsbury Karen , Johnson Judith
Published: January 2021

Background

Values are of high importance to the nursing profession. Value congruence is the extent to which an individual’s values align with the values of their organisation. Value congruence has important implications for job satisfaction.

Aim

This study explored nurse values, value congruence and potential implications for individual nurses and organisations in terms of wellbeing and patient care and safety.

Method

Fifteen nurses who worked in acute hospital settings within the UK participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data.

Results

Four themes were identified: organisational values incongruent with the work environment; personal and professional value alignment; nurse and supervisor values in conflict; nurses’ values at odds with the work environment. Perceived value incongruence was related to poorer wellbeing, increased burnout and poorer perceived patient care and safety. The barriers identified for nurses being able to work in line with their values are described.

Conclusions

Value congruence is important for nurse wellbeing and patient care and safety. Improving the alignment between the values that organisations state they hold, and the values implied by the work environment may help improve patient care and safety and support nurses in practice.
The Role of Replication Studies in Theory Building
Authors: Irvine Elizabeth
Published: January 2021

At least since Meehl’s (in)famous 1978 article, the state of theorizing in psychology has often been lamented. Replication studies have been presented as a way of directly supporting theory development by enabling researchers to more confidently and precisely test and update theoretical claims. In this article I use contemporary work from philosophy of science to make explicit and emphasize just how much theory development is required before “good” replication studies can be carried out and show just how little theoretical payoff even good conceptual replications offer. I suggest that in many areas of psychology aiming at replication is misplaced and that instead replication attempts are better seen as exploratory studies that can be used in the cumulative development of theory and measurement procedures.
An allision risk model for passing vessels and offshore oil and gas installations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf
Authors: Hassel Martin , Utne Ingrid Bouwer , Vinnem Jan Erik
Published: January 2021

This article presents a new risk model for estimating the probability of allision risk (the impact between a ship under way and a stationary installation) from passing vessels on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). Offshore petroleum operators on the NCS are required by the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) to perform risk assessments to estimate the probability of impacts between ships and offshore installations, both for field related and passing (merchant) vessels. This has typically been done using the aging industry standard COLLIDE risk model, but this article presents a new risk model based on a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) that can replace the old COLLIDE model for passing vessels. The new risk model incorporates a wider range of risk influencing factors (RIFs) and enables a holistic and detailed analysis of risk factors, barrier elements and dependencies. Even though the risk of allision with passing vessels is very small, the potential consequences can be critical. The new risk model is more transparent and provides a better understanding of the mechanisms behind allision risk calculations. The results from the new model are aligned with industry expectations, indicating an overall satisfactory performance. The article discusses several key elements, such as the use of expert judgement to estimate RIFs when no empirical data is available, model sensitivity, and a comparative assessment of the new risk model to the old COLLIDE model.
Vasopressin antagonism in heart failure: a review of the hemodynamic studies and major clinical trials
Authors: Urbach Jonathan , Goldsmith Steven R.
Published: January 2021

For decades, plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels have been known to be elevated in patients with congestive heart failure (HF). Excessive AVP signaling at either or both the V1a and V2 receptors could contribute to the pathophysiology of HF by several mechanisms. V1a activation could cause vasoconstriction and/or direct myocardial hypertrophy as intracellular signaling pathways are closely related to those for angiotensin II. V2 activation could cause fluid retention and hyponatremia. A hemodynamic study with the pure V2 antagonist tolvaptan (TV) showed minimal hemodynamic effects. Compared with furosemide in another study, the renal and neurohormonal effects of TV were favorable. Several clinical trials with TV as adjunctive therapy in acute HF have shown beneficial effects on fluid balance and dyspnea, with no worsening of renal function or neurohormonal stimulation. Two smaller studies, one in acute and one in chronic HF, have shown comparable clinical and more favorable renal and neurohormonal effects of TV compared with loop diuretics. However, long-term treatment with TV did not alter outcomes in acute HF. No data are available other than single-dose studies of an intravenous pure V1a antagonist, which showed a vasodilating effect if plasma AVP levels were elevated. One hemodynamic study and one short-duration clinical trial with the balanced intravenous V1a/V2 antagonist conivaptan (CV) showed hemodynamic and clinical effects largely similar to those with TV in similar studies. A new orally effective balanced V1/V2 antagonist (pecavaptan) is currently undergoing phase II study as both adjunctive and alternative therapy during and after hospitalization for acute HF. The purpose of this review is to summarize what we have learned from the clinical experience with TV and CV, and to suggest implications of these findings for future work with newer agents.
Comment: Advances in Studying the Vocal Expression of Emotion: Current Contributions and Further Options
Authors: Scherer Klaus R.
Published: January 2021

I consider the five contributions in this special section as evidence that the research area dealing with the vocal expression of emotion is advancing rapidly, both in terms of the number of pertinent empirical studies and with respect to an ever increasing sophistication of methodology. I provide some suggestions on promising areas for future interdisciplinary research, including work on emotion expression in singing and the potential of vocal symptoms of emotional disorder. As to the popular discussion of the respective role of universality versus language/culture differences, I suggest to move on from exclusively studying the accuracy of recognition in judgment studies to a more differentiated approach adding production aspects, taking into account the multiple vocal and acoustic features that interact to communicate emotion.
The international politics of amour propre: Revisiting Rousseau’s place in international relations theory
Authors: King Joshua D
Published: January 2021

Realism, constructivism, and liberal institutionalism share the assumption that states are rational and self-maximizing actors. While these theories disagree as to whether states prioritize military power or economic wealth, they converge around the notion that states pursue these goods rationally and predictably. Complaints against and threats of defection from prominent international security and trade regimes, including NATO and the EU, raise doubts about states’ rationality and predictability. Perhaps these theories’ shared assumption about rational action has become an impediment to understanding state behavior and institutional cooperation. To enrich and to expand the conversation within international political theory, my article turns to Rousseau’s international political thought. Rousseau anticipates central arguments in each of the major traditions of IR theory but locates political self-interest in the sub-rational passion amour propre rather than in reason itself. Rousseau exemplifies a more nuanced way to understand the irrational roots of political motivation and the limits of international order. My paper traces the international implications of amour propre through Rousseau’s key texts on international politics and turns to his “Letter to Philopolis” as a way to re-frame Rousseau’s account of political responsibility.
Asking the fox to guard the chicken coop: In defense of minimalism in the ethics of war and peace
Authors: Forster Elisabeth , Taylor Isaac
Published: January 2021

Dominant normative theories of armed conflict orientate themselves around the ultimate goal of peace. Yet the deployment of these theories in the international sphere appears to have failed in advancing toward this goal. In this paper, we argue that one major reason for this failure is these theories’ use of essentially contested concepts—that is, concepts whose internally complex character results in no principled way of adjudicating between rival interpretations of them. This renders the theories susceptible to manipulation by international actors who are able to pursue bellicose policies under the cover of nominally pacific frameworks, and we show how this happened historically in a case study of the Korean War of 1950–1953. In order to better serve the goals of peace, we suggest, the rules of war should be reframed to simpler, but more restrictive, normative principles.
Contraception for young people
Authors: Varma Rajesh
Published: January 2021

Significant progress has been made in improving the awareness of young people of available contraception services and their access to these services. Nonetheless, many young people are reluctant to engage with health care professionals, and thus, can experience adverse consequences, such as unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. This article presents a best practice approach to the management of young people requesting contraception in primary care. A systematic approach is advocated, employing an age-appropriate consultation style, confidentiality, competency testing, risk assessment and an individualised contraceptive treatment plan.
Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Using Artificial Intelligence and Handheld Smartphone-Based Retinal Camera
Authors: Malerbi Fernando Korn , Andrade Rafael Ernane , Morales Paulo Henrique , Stuchi José Augusto , Lencione Diego , de Paulo Jean Vitor , Carvalho Mayana Pereira , Nunes Fabrícia Silva , Rocha Roseanne Montargil , Ferraz Daniel A. , Belfort Rubens
Published: January 2021

Background:

Portable retinal cameras and deep learning (DL) algorithms are novel tools adopted by diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening programs. Our objective is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a DL algorithm and the performance of portable handheld retinal cameras in the detection of DR in a large and heterogenous type 2 diabetes population in a real-world, high burden setting.

Method:

Participants underwent fundus photographs of both eyes with a portable retinal camera (Phelcom Eyer). Classification of DR was performed by human reading and a DL algorithm (PhelcomNet), consisting of a convolutional neural network trained on a dataset of fundus images captured exclusively with the portable device; both methods were compared. We calculated the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity for more than mild DR.

Results:

A total of 824 individuals with type 2 diabetes were enrolled at Itabuna Diabetes Campaign, a subset of 679 (82.4%) of whom could be fully assessed. The algorithm sensitivity/specificity was 97.8 % (95% CI 96.7-98.9)/61.4 % (95% CI 57.7-65.1); AUC was 0·89. All false negative cases were classified as moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) by human grading.

Conclusions:

The DL algorithm reached a good diagnostic accuracy for more than mild DR in a real-world, high burden setting. The performance of the handheld portable retinal camera was adequate, with over 80% of individuals presenting with images of sufficient quality. Portable devices and artificial intelligence tools may increase coverage of DR screening programs.
The Protective Effects of Orthosiphon stamineus Extract Against Intestinal Barrier Injury in High-Fat Diet-Induced Mouse and Oxidative Stress Cell Models
Authors: Cai Xuan , Zhu Lihui , Yin Xiaofeng , Xue Huiqin , Xiao Changfeng , Hang Yiqiong , Xu Jianxiong , Lu Yonghong
Published: January 2021

Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. (Lamiaceae) is commonly used for the treatment of kidney diseases, but its role in intestinal barrier function remains unknown. The present study investigated the protective effects of O. stamineus extract (OE) against oxidative stress-induced injury to the small intestinal epithelium and the possible mechanism. High-performance liquid chromatography fingerprinting was used to analyze OE. Oxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide (1 mM for 1 hour) in an IPEC-J2 cell monolayer model and a high-fat diet in C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks). The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was tested in both models. To evaluate permeability, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was tested in a cell model. Serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and endotoxin contents were determined in a mouse model, and histological sections were analyzed. The messenger ribonucleic acid expression of tight junction proteins was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Pretreatment with OE (50 µg/mL) increased the IPEC-J2 cell monolayer TEER (12.4%) and decreased MDA (from 6.1 to 4.7 mmol/mg prot). Oral administration of OE (100 mg/kg) decreased serum DAO (34.2%), endotoxin (13.4%), and MDA (from 21.3 to 11.0 mmol/mL) in mice. OE upregulated ZO-1 (42.8% in the cell model and 125.0% in mice) and occluding (127.0% in the cell model and 120.3% in mice) gene expression. These results confirmed the protective effect of OE on the intestinal barrier, which was associated with the antioxidant effect of OE; thus, OE is suitable for the prevention and treatment of intestinal barrier injury.