bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensemaking the ‘social’ in social entrepreneurship
Authors: Kimmitt Jonathan , Muñoz Pablo
Published: July 2018

In the collective imagination, the practices and outcomes of social entrepreneurship seem to hold hope for a better future. So far, these practices have been largely assumed as idealised types with the ‘social’ in social entrepreneurship underexplored. Such assumed neutrality, we argue, is hampering the development of a more robust theoretical corpus for understanding the phenomenon and inspiring practices that are more effective. In this article, we analyse the sensemaking of the social in social entrepreneurship by exploring the ways in which social entrepreneurs make sense of social problems and develop solutions for addressing them. Our empirical analyses of the stories of 15 social entrepreneurs indicate two distinct types of sensemaking and sensegiving practices, aligned with Amartya Sen’s notions of social justice. Drawing on these findings, sensemaking and social justice theory, we elaborate a two-type social sensemaking model pertaining to the appreciation and assessment of circumstances and the differing problem/solution combinations emerging from alternative ontological views of what constitutes a social problem.
SWIRL: A sequential windowed inverse reinforcement learning algorithm for robot tasks with delayed rewards
Authors: Krishnan Sanjay , Garg Animesh , Liaw Richard , Thananjeyan Brijen , Miller Lauren , Pokorny Florian T , Goldberg Ken
Published: July 2018

We present sequential windowed inverse reinforcement learning (SWIRL), a policy search algorithm that is a hybrid of exploration and demonstration paradigms for robot learning. We apply unsupervised learning to a small number of initial expert demonstrations to structure future autonomous exploration. SWIRL approximates a long time horizon task as a sequence of local reward functions and subtask transition conditions. Over this approximation, SWIRL applies Q-learning to compute a policy that maximizes rewards. Experiments suggest that SWIRL requires significantly fewer rollouts than pure reinforcement learning and fewer expert demonstrations than behavioral cloning to learn a policy. We evaluate SWIRL in two simulated control tasks, parallel parking and a two-link pendulum. On the parallel parking task, SWIRL achieves the maximum reward on the task with 85% fewer rollouts than Q-learning, and one-eight of demonstrations needed by behavioral cloning. We also consider physical experiments on surgical tensioning and cutting deformable sheets using a da Vinci surgical robot. On the deformable tensioning task, SWIRL achieves a 36% relative improvement in reward compared with a baseline of behavioral cloning with segmentation.
Video Analytics Usage in Transportation Agencies: Nationwide Survey and Maryland Feasibility Study
Authors: Laan Zachary Vander , Sadabadi Kaveh Farokhi , Jacobs Thomas
Published: July 2018

This paper summarizes the findings from a study conducted by the University of Maryland Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (CATT) regarding the potential to extract meaningful traffic information from existing Maryland Department of Transportation-State Highway Administration (MDOT-SHA) closed-circuit television (CCTV) video feeds via image processing. It describes the survey that was developed and administered by CATT between March 10 and June 8, 2017, focusing on transportation agencies’ current use cases and future plans for video analytics. Feedback from 21 agencies (9 of which are using video analytics) indicates a general excitement about the technology, although a persistent theme throughout the responses is that most current solutions are not yet able to provide satisfactory quantitative results (e.g., traffic counts, speeds, turning movements), especially in low light and high glare scenarios. Additionally, the report summarizes the vendor evaluation procedure that was undertaken, which includes identifying suitable video analytics vendors, developing a testbed of representative video clips from MDOT-SHA cameras under various conditions, asking the vendors to demonstrate their product capabilities on the testbed, and analyzing results. With proper camera positioning and calibration, the two vendors who participated achieved results within 5% to 15% of manual counts, and 4% to 7% of probe speeds in the northbound travel direction during a one-hour test clip. However, only one vendor produced results for the more challenging southbound direction, and the estimates were far less accurate (within 25% of manual counts and 20% of probe speeds). Accordingly, it appears that the estimation accuracy is highly sensitive to factors such as camera angle, resolution, and visibility.
Defining TransMilenio Users’ Value and Satisfaction through the Lean Thinking Approach
Authors: Garcia-Suarez Carlos , Rivera-Perez Andres L. , Rodriguez-Valencia Alvaro
Published: July 2018

Bogota is witnessing a steady decline in the user satisfaction for its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. On a one to five point scale, general satisfaction with the system, known as TransMilenio, has fallen from 4.60 in 2001 to 2.62 in 2016. This paper analyzes what is happening to TransMilenio user satisfaction by defining the “Value Concept” within the principles of the “Lean thinking” approach. Qualitative research techniques were used to identify factors that are important to users with regard to what they expect to receive from the system. Quantitative data were collected through an in-person survey of a representative random sample of TransMilenio riders. These data were used in a linear regression model to gain meaningful insights into factors that determine levels of satisfaction for TransMilenio users. The results show that six factors explain user satisfaction. From these results, this investigation proposes that the main efforts of TransMilenio should be in line with riders’ expectations. Our findings can help TransMilenio understand its shortcomings and shed light on how to prevent service declines in other BRT systems modeled on that of Bogota.
Mapping Heavy Vehicle Noise Source Heights for Highway Noise
Authors: Janello Carrie , Donavan Paul R.
Published: July 2018

The NCHRP Project 25-45 was initiated in 2013 to measure noise sources during heavy truck pass-bys using the acoustic beamforming method. Phase I testing included measurements from four relatively flat sites in Northern California, where heavy trucks traveled under moderate vehicle speeds. Sixteen additional sites in North Carolina were tested as part of Phase II. These sites had varying pavement grades, faster/slower posted speed limits, and varying operating conditions. The source mapping results from both phases were used to develop noise versus height profiles. The profiles were not significantly dependent on site and operating conditions. Average profiles were developed for each site to demonstrate that the predominant noise source was tire/pavement noise, with engine/powertrain being the secondary source; elevated sources occurred rarely and were equal to or greater than tire/pavement for only 0.5% of the total 1,289 trucks measured, while only 1.8% were within 5 dB(A) of the pavement source and 4.7% were within 10 dB(A).
Association between Antidepressant Use during Pregnancy and Infants Born Small for Gestational Age
Authors: Ramos Élodie , St-André Martin , Bérard Anick
Published: July 2018

Objective

To measure the association between the class of antidepressant (AD) used according to trimester of exposure during pregnancy and infants born small for gestational age (SGA).

Methods

A case–control study was performed using data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry, which includes 152 107 pregnant women between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2002. For this study, eligible women were aged 15 to 45 years on the first day of gestation, had drug plan coverage from the Régie de l'Assurance Maladie du Québec for 12 months or more prior to and during pregnancy, had at least 1 psychiatric disorder diagnosis before pregnancy, used ADs for at least 30 days in the year prior to pregnancy, and delivered a live singleton. AD exposure during pregnancy was defined according to trimester of use and class (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], tricyclic antidepressants, or other ADs). SGA cases were defined as newborns with a birth weight of less than the 10th percentile according to Canadian charts. Relative risks, adjusted for potential confounders, were estimated using modified Poisson regression.

Results

Among the 938 eligible pregnancies, 128 (13.6%) infants were born SGA. Other ADs, mainly venlafaxine, used by women during the second trimester were associated with an increased risk of infants born SGA, compared with nonusers of ADs (adjusted relative risk = 2.41; 95% CI 1.07 to 5.43). Regardless of the trimester of use, no association was found between SSRIs or tricyclics and the risk of SGA.

Conclusions

This study suggests that use of venlafaxine during the second trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk of infants born SGA.
Effectiveness of municipal solid waste incinerators in replacing other fuels. A primary energy balance approach for the EU28
Authors: Di Maria Francesco , Sisani Federico
Published: July 2018

The latest European Union legislation introduced the possibility of considering high efficiency incineration of waste as a recovery operation, that is, to use waste as a means of producing energy and hence able to replace other fuels. This possibility has been further investigated by expanding the boundaries for the mass and energy balance of municipal solid waste incinerators operating in the EU28. An energetic analysis based on a hybrid primary energy (MJ Mg-1) approach was performed also using the cumulative energy demand index. Average results showed a net hybrid primary energy >0 for those municipal solid waste incinerators recovering only electricity, indicating that no primary energies can be replaced. For those operating in combined heat and power mode, an average hybrid primary energy ranging from about −200 MJ Mg-1 to about −4800 MJ Mg-1 was detected for large-size municipal solid waste incineration facilities (>200,000 Mg y-1). The value of hybrid primary energy for medium and small facilities ranged from about +3000 MJ Mg-1 to −4000 MJ Mg-1. Furthermore, in some operating conditions landfill had a lower hybrid primary energy than those of small-size municipal solid waste incinerators. To some degree, these results are not in agreement with the classification of municipal solid waste incinerators based on the energy efficiency formula, particularly for those recovering only electrical energy.
Self-Discovery Through the Experiential Co-Construction of Life Stories in the Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Masterson Mary
Published: July 2018

Background: Although culture is deeply embedded in language, cultural proficiency is not always gained during language learning. Experiential pedagogies that emphasize reflection may be appropriate for such learning. Purpose: This research explored pupils’ self-awareness as they engaged in the co-construction of personal life stories in one experiential pedagogy, the Autobiography, Biography, and Cross-cultural analyses (ABCs) model. Methodology/Approach: The ABCs methodology was implemented across two secondary-level foreign language classrooms, one of Irish students learning German, and the other of German students learning English utilizing a case study approach. Student writing products generated during early stages of the implementation were analyzed for themes related to self-discovery and cultural awareness, to explore how students negotiated self-image as they experienced cultural exchanges with the cross-cultural partner. Findings/Conclusions: Thematic analysis revealed that in the early stages students’ understanding of the role of culture in their own identities was absent. Implications: Teaching culture alongside language is challenging, especially in an online format. The current study demonstrates that language students do not necessarily show awareness of the self and the role of culture at the outset of the intervention. It also shows how the ABCs model can foster experiential learning in a foreign language classroom setting toward greater cultural awareness through self-discovery.
Rituals and Institutional Maintenance: The Case of the Beating Retreat Ceremony
Authors: Kulkarni Mukta
Published: July 2018

The present study examines ritual-driven institutional maintenance, or the reproduction of social order, in a case where ritual attendance is not mandated, conformity to the recurring ritual enactment is not expected, and where the ritual assumes meaning only as it is performed in perfect coordination with an assumed rival. The study is based on the case of the Beating Retreat ritual conducted daily at the India–Pakistan border. Findings indicate that institutional maintenance rests on (a) distantiation, which serves to create physical and social distance between collectives as ritual participants gain a sense of self and the “other,” and (b) interpellation, which serves to reinforce institutional ideologies as ritual participants internalize and profess what is valued. I extend implications of present findings for social relations within work organizations.
Latent Factor Structure and Construct Validity of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire–Short Form Among Two PTSD Samples
Authors: Lee Daniel J. , Thompson-Hollands Johanna , Strage Michele F. , Marx Brian P. , Unger William , Beck J. Gayle , Sloan Denise M.
Published: July 2018

The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire–Short form (CERQ-Short; Garnefski & Kraaij, 2006) was developed to assess nine theoretically derived factors of emotion regulation. However, the psychometric properties of this measure have never been studied in a clinical sample. The present study examined the latent factor structure and construct validity of the CERQ-Short in two samples presenting for posttraumatic stress disorder treatment ( N = 480). Results indicated that a six-factor solution, rather than the proposed nine factors, was the best-fitting measurement model. The original CERQ-Short factors of acceptance, positive refocusing, other-blame, and self-blame were retained. A novel perseveration factor incorporated both the original rumination and catastrophizing factors and a novel reappraisal factor incorporated items from the original positive reappraisal and putting into perspective factors. The revised six-factor measurement model provided good fit and demonstrated strong construct validity in a second clinical sample. Results support a more parsimonious six-factor CERQ-Short measurement model.
The National Undergraduate Neuroanatomy Competition: Lessons Learned from Partnering with Students to Innovate Undergraduate Neuroanatomy Education
Authors: Geoghegan Kate , Payne December R. , Myers Matthew A. , Hall Samuel , Elmansouri Ahmad , Parton William J. C. , Harrison Charlotte H. , Stephens Jonny , Parker Rob , Rae Shivani , Merzougui Wassim , Nagy Eva , Venkatesh Prarthana , Parrott Rachel , Border Scott
Published: July 2018

Undergraduates often perceive neuroscience to be a challenging discipline. As the scope of neuroscience continues to expand, it is important to provide undergraduates with sufficient opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills with the aim of encouraging the future generation of basic and clinical neuroscientists. Through our experience of developing the National Undergraduate Neuroanatomy Competition (NUNC), we have accrued an extensive volume of performance data and subjective insight into the delivery of undergraduate neuroanatomy education, which has the potential to inform how to better engage students within this field. More broadly, our group has implemented a technology enhanced learning platform alongside a peer-assisted teaching program. These achieve the dual purpose of compensating for the reduction in dedicated neuroanatomy teaching hours and encouraging undergraduates to develop an interest in the neurosciences. Here, we consider how improving the learning experience at an undergraduate level encourages further engagement in the neurosciences and the importance of this within the wider neuroscience community.
Role of Thromboelastography and Rotational Thromboelastometry in the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Korpallová Barbora , Samoš Matej , Bolek Tomáš , Škorňová Ingrid , Kovář František , Kubisz Peter , Staško Ján , Mokáň Marián
Published: July 2018

The monitoring of coagulation by viscoelastometric methods—thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry—may detect the contributions of cellular and plasma components of hemostasis. These methods might overcome some of the serious limitations of conventional laboratory tests. Viscoelastic testing can be repeatedly performed during and after surgery and thus provides a dynamic picture of the coagulation process during these periods. Several experiences with the use of these methods in cardiovascular surgery have been reported, but there is perspective for more frequent use of these assays in the assessment of platelet response to antiplatelet therapy and in the assessment of coagulation in patients on long-term dabigatran therapy. This article reviews the current role and future perspectives of thromboelastography and thromboelastometry in the management of cardiovascular diseases.
Fabrication and mechanical properties of three-dimensional enhanced lattice truss sandwich structures
Authors: Yang Wen , Xiong Jian , Feng Li-Jia , Pei Chong , Wu Lin-Zhi
Published: July 2018

Topological-reinforcement and material-strengthening were used and employed to improve the mechanical properties of lattice truss sandwich structures. This new type of three-dimensional aluminum alloy lattice truss (named enhanced lattice truss) sandwich structure, with a relative density ranging from 1.7% to 4.7%, was designed and fabricated by interlocking and vacuum-brazing method. The out-of-plane compression and shear properties of the enhanced lattice truss sandwich structures (both as-brazed and age-hardened cores) were experimentally and analytically investigated. Good correlations between analytical predictions and experiment results were achieved. Experimental results showed that the mechanical properties of the enhanced lattice truss cores were sensitive to the unit-cell size and parent-alloy properties (i.e. inelastic buckling and tangential modulus). The compressive and shear characteristics of enhanced lattice truss sandwich structures were discussed and found superior to competing lattice truss structures in low density area (0.046–0.124 g/cm3) of material property charts. The combination of topological-reinforcement and material-strengthening provided a way to achieve lightweight sandwich structures with high specific strengths and low densities.
Investigation on the effect of configuration on tensile and flexural properties of aluminum/self-reinforced polypropylene fiber metal laminates
Authors: Pan Lei , Wang Yifan , Hu Yubing , Lv Yunfei , Ali Aamir , Roy Niopn , Ma Wenliang , Tao Jie
Published: July 2018

Tensile and flexural properties of aluminum/self-reinforced polypropylene fiber metal laminates (Al/SRPP FMLs) based on 2/1 and 3/2 configurations are investigated in this paper. The Al/SRPP FMLs based on 2/1 configuration exhibit better performance than the Al/SRPP FMLs based on 3/2 configuration in terms of tensile and flexural properties. The metal volume fraction plays an important role in the tensile strength and flexural strength in both Al/SRPP-2/1 FMLs and Al/SRPP-3/2 FMLs. The tensile stress–strain curves of Al/SRPP-2/1FMLs and Al/SRPP-3/2FMLs decline while the ductility of both FMLs enhances as the temperature increases. The elevated temperature intensifies the delamination of the Al/SRPP FMLs, especially for Al/SRPP-3/2FMLs because of possible more manufacture defects. The outer metal cracking and inter-laminar delamination are the main tensile failure mechanisms. However, delamination at the metal/composite interface and breakage of the constituent materials does not occur after the flexural tests.
Marketplace Coverage and Limited Access to Care Among Employed Beneficiaries? Evidence From Ohio
Authors: Goldstein Evan V , Cai Jie , Liu Anqi
Published: July 2018

This article examines the initial effect of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange) insurance on access to care among employed beneficiaries in a highly populated US state. Does Exchange insurance lead to better/worse health care access for employed beneficiaries, compared with similar individuals covered through standard employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) coverage? This retrospective study uses data from the 2015 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey, a dual-frame and computer-assisted telephone survey administered by the Ohio Colleges of Medicine Graduate Resource Center, the Ohio Department of Medicaid, the Ohio Department of Health, and Ohio State University, in conjunction with RTI International. This study examines a sub-sample of employed adults (age 18-64) covered by either an Exchange plan or ESI, extracted from the full sample of n = 42 876. We use linear propensity score matching using Euclidean distance to balance treatment groups and logistic regression models to estimate the treatment effect of Exchange coverage on all outcome variables. McNemar tests, Rosenbaum sensitivity analysis, and Benjamini-Hochberg procedure adjustments are also conducted. Compared with ESI insurance, Exchange insurance has no significant effect on outcomes measuring either perceived access to care or, more specifically, perceived financial barriers to accessing care. Exchange plan viability remains a hot topic of debate across the United States, given the potential repeal of the individual mandate. We use risk-adjustment methods to demonstrate that Exchange plan beneficiaries do not experience worse access to care than ESI beneficiaries. That said, several key limitations are discussed.
Potential of Botanicals to Control Callosobruchus maculatus (Col.: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), a Major Pest of Stored Cowpeas in Burkina Faso: A Review
Authors: Sanon Antoine , Zakaria Ilboudo , Clémentine L Dabire-Binso , Niango Ba Malick , Honora Nébié Roger Charles
Published: July 2018

Cowpea is an essential food legume in the tropics and particularly for sub-Saharan African populations. Postharvest grain storage, however, is a major constraint for crop expansion and year-round availability due to the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus F., the main storage pest of cowpeas in West Africa. The use of chemicals for cowpea storage is a common practice which represents, however, a risk for consumers, environment, and could also exacerbate pest control. In Burkina Faso, since the early 2000s, several scientific investigations have focused on the control of C maculatus using botanicals considered as promising and safe alternatives to chemicals. The aim of this review is to take stock of the research conducted and to identify the potential candidates on which future studies in this field will focus. The set of data analyzed show that several plants materials, including powders, crushed plants and essential oils (EO), were active against eggs, larvae, and adults of C maculatus, through dose-dependent mortality responses. However, EO extracted from native aromatic plants have yielded the most promising results, specifically EO from Ocimum canum appeared as the best candidate control agent. Other potentially interested EO tested included Hyptis suaveolens, Hyptis spicigera, and Lippia multiflora. Based on these results, attempts to optimize the use of EO for cowpea storage were conducted in laboratory and field conditions. Side effects of botanicals toward the main biological control agent, the ectoparasitoid Dinarmus basalis have also been highlighted. The results are discussed in a view of practical use of botanicals and EO as safe alternatives for Integrated Pest Management in stored cowpeas in Africa and developing countries.
Everyday Routines as Transformative Processes: A Sporting Case
Authors: Hockey John
Published: July 2018

Currently, there is scant sociological research on everyday routines within sport and also upon other routines which make sporting routines themselves possible. This article adds to that very small literature, illustrating how movement between the contexts of paid employment, sport, and home is habitually accomplished. Utilizing qualitative data from a collaborative autoethnography on distance running, a case study of the routines of getting ready for, doing, and leaving daily training sessions is portrayed. The ensuing narrative depicts the cognitive and corporeal routines, which effect the transformations necessary to accomplish daily distance running.
Analysis and critique of ‘Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: A green paper’: Some implications for refugee children and young people
Authors: Cox Pat , McDonald Jane March
Published: July 2018

Adopting a children’s rights perspective, a critique and analysis underpinned by documentary research methodology was undertaken in order to assess the extent to which the government’s Green Paper (Department of Health and Social Care and Department of Education, 2017. Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: a green paper. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/transforming-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-provision-a-green-paper (accessed 7 December 2017)) addresses the mental health and well-being needs of refugee children and young people in England and Wales, identifying strengths, limitations and challenges for future policy and practice. Findings suggest that there is much of potential benefit to refugee children and young people’s future mental health and well-being. However, a paradigm shift, explicit in implications, scale and time frame, will be required, if the Green Paper is to achieve those changes in attitudes, practice and service delivery which it anticipates. We argue that this Green Paper’s overarching challenge is that it is premised on Western-centric models in its understanding of the experiences of refugee children and young people, and management of trauma and mental health. It fails to recognize the meanings and significance of culture, and of diversity and difference, and the need to invest in all communities in facilitating engagement and support for children and young people’s mental health issues.
A method for detecting damage-induced nonlinearity in structures using weighting function augmented curvature approach
Authors: Prawin J , Rao A Rama Mohan
Published: July 2018

Structural damages can result in nonlinear dynamical signatures that can significantly enhance their detection. In this article, we present a new method for identifying damage-induced nonlinearity using vibration response measurements. Among the various types of damages that induce nonlinearity, we focus on the breathing crack. We use the spatial curvature of Fourier power spectrum augmented with rectangular weighting function as a damage-sensitive feature for breathing crack identification. The proposed rectangular weighting function significantly enhances the resolution of superharmonics and intermodulation exhibited by the frequency domain response of the structure with breathing crack for breathing crack identification and characterization. The proposed algorithm is simple, does not involve any complex post-processing and also does not require any numerical model. Both numerical and experimental studies have been carried out to test and verify the proposed algorithm.
Modified Citrus Pectin as a Potential Sensitizer for Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Conti Sefora , Vexler Akiva , Hagoel Lior , Kalich-Philosoph Lital , Corn Benjamin W. , Honig Nir , Shtraus Natan , Meir Yaron , Ron Ilan , Eliaz Isaac , Lev-Ari Shahar
Published: July 2018

Background: Radiotherapy is one of the primary therapies for localized prostatic carcinoma. Therefore, there is an emerging need to sensitize prostatic cancer cells to chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is an effective inhibitor of galectin-3 (Gal-3), which is correlated with tumor progression, proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Purpose: This study was directed to evaluate the efficacy of combining ionizing radiation (IR) with MCP on PCa cells. Study Design: Effects of treatments on PCa cells survival were evaluated using XTT assay, flow cytometry, and clonogenic survival assay. Expression of selected proteins was estimated using western blotting. Cell motility, migration, and invasion were determined. Contribution of reactive oxygen species production to treatment effects on cell viability was tested. Results: Radiotherapy combined with MCP reduced viability and enhanced radiosensitivity associated with a decrease in Gal-3, cleavage of the precursor of caspase-3, increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and downregulation of DNA repair pathways, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. MCP significantly reduced the invasive and migratory potential of PCa cells. Combining sodium pyruvate with MCP and IR mitigated the effect on cell viability. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that MCP sensitized PCa cells to IR by downregulating anti-apoptotic Gal-3, modulating DNA repair pathways, and increasing ROS production. For the first time the correlation between MCP, radiotherapy, and Gal-3 for prostatic cancer treatment was found. In addition, MCP reduced the metastatic properties of PCa cells. These findings provide MCP as a radiosensitizing agent to enhance IR cytotoxicity, overcome radioresistance, and reduce clinical IR dose.
Transformative Sustainability Education and Empowerment Practice on Indigenous Lands
Authors: Williams Lewis
Published: July 2018

Set against a context of Indigenous health disparities, climate turmoil, and unpredictability of human-ecological systems, this article asks the question of how transformative sustainability education (TSE) with its increasing emphasis on Indigenous knowledge and ways of being can be effectively and ethically applied in colonized modern nation-states? In doing so, it makes the necessary links between the interconnected goals of addressing underlying determinants of Indigenous health and supporting the resurgence of Indigenous knowledges and ways of being toward ensuring planetary well-being more generally. As a means of negotiating this critical interface, three pedagogical capabilities of TSE (Scaling DEEP, Scaling OUT, and Scaling UP) are briefly outlined. Having laid this theoretical groundwork, this article (Part 1) focuses primarily on the role of the transformative sustainability educator in Scaling DEEP (effecting cultural and relational transformation from a de-colonial perspective) as a necessary precursor to the interrelated domains of Scaling OUT and UP (programming and policy change).
Sexual Health in Men With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries: A Review and Recommendations for Primary Health-Care Providers
Authors: Aikman Kirsten , Oliffe John L. , Kelly Mary T. , McCuaig Fairleth
Published: July 2018

Sexual health has been well established as a salient priority for men following traumatic spinal cord injury; yet, it continues to be under-addressed by health-care providers in both inpatient and community settings. Given that most men with traumatic spinal cord injuries will be followed by community-based primary health-care providers, including family physicians and nurse practitioners, for their long-term health-care needs, these clinicians are well positioned to address ongoing sexual health issues with this population. A scoping review of literature published between 2007 and 2017 inclusive was undertaken to identify what is known about the sexual health of men with spinal cord injuries. Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings are presented in four themes: (a) patterns and diversity of sexual health concerns; (b) sexual health recovery as an ongoing priority; (c) clinical barriers to addressing sexual health concerns, and (d) recommended interventions and strategies for primary health-care providers. The findings indicate that physiological changes as well as psychological and social factors influence men’s sexual function following spinal cord injury, and that sexual health recovery is an enduring rehabilitation priority. Several barriers including lack of sexual rehabilitation services and consensus around clinician roles, and societal stigmas related to disability and sexuality impede treatment. Attention to sexual health recovery has mainly focused on formal rehabilitation settings; however, many evidence-based clinical strategies and resources are relevant to and adaptable for primary care providers caring for these men in the community.
Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability Study of a Prednisolone Tablet as a Single Oral Dose in Bangladeshi Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Bashar Tafsir , Apu Mohd Nazmul Hasan , Mostaid Md Shaki , Islam Md Saiful , Hasnat Abul
Published: July 2018

The aim of the study was to assess the pharmacokinetic and bioavailability of 2 formulations of 5-mg prednisolone tablets, reference product (Teva UK Limited) and Pred (Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd) as test product. The open-label, randomized, 2-way crossover studies were conducted on 14 healthy subjects. Participants were assigned to receive both products as a single dose (20 mg formulations, 4 × 5 mg tablets) followed by a 2 weeks’ washout period. Following oral administration, samples were obtained at various time intervals and analyzed for prednisolone concentrations using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography assay method with ultraviolet detection. The obtained values for test and reference products were 683.00 ± 94.54 ng/mL and 635.16 ± 125.57 ng/mL for Cmax; 2716.54 ± 196.28 ng·h/mL and 2780.5 ± 119.73 ng·h/mL for AUC0-12; 3284.36 ± 138.12 ng·h/mL and 3317.96 ± 133.95 ng·h/mL for AUC0-∞, respectively. From the paired Student t test, no significant differences between 2 formulations were observed ( P > .05). The 90% confidence intervals of Cmax, AUC0-12, and AUC0-∞ were found to be 99.0% to 100.9%, 99.4% to 100.5%, and 99.9% to 101.3%, respectively. Finally, it can be concluded that Pred (Test) of Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd and prednisolone (Reference) of Teva UK Limited are bioequivalent and interchangeable.
Is this the culture of academies? Utilising the cultural web to investigate the organisational culture of an academy case study
Authors: Morris Jonathan Padraig
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the organisational culture of a comprehensive school that converted to an academy in 2010 by utilising the cultural web model as a tool for analysing an academy’s culture. The case study employs a concurrent mixed-method approach of questionnaires for staff with no responsibility (SNR), focus groups for staff with management responsibility (SMR) and interviews with members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The subsequent results are then discussed in relation to three themes, extracted from the cultural web – ‘student-centric’, ‘staff constraints’ and ‘leadership issues’. The findings from this research successfully demonstrate the model’s ability to afford valuable insight into an academy by offering a depiction of its organisational culture and targets for organisational improvement. In addition, the paper presents a method for the future deployment of the cultural web which enables comparisons of an academy’s subcultures.
Treatment of glioblastoma in adults
Authors: Wick Wolfgang , Osswald Matthias , Wick Antje , Winkler Frank
Published: July 2018

The diagnosis of a glioblastoma is mainly made on the basis of their microscopic appearance with the additional determination of epigenetic as well as mutational analyses as deemed appropriate and taken into account in different centers. How far the recent discovery of tumor networks will stimulate novel treatments is a subject of intensive research. A tissue diagnosis is the mainstay. Regardless of age, patients should undergo a maximal safe resection. Magnetic resonance imaging is the surrogate parameter of choice for follow up. Patients should receive chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide with the radiation schedule adapted to performance status, age and tumor location. The use of temozolomide may be reconsidered according to methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status; patients with an active promoter may be subjected to a trial or further molecular work-up in order to potentially replace temozolomide; patients with an inactive (hypermethylated) MGMT promoter may be counseled for the co-treatment with the methylating and alkylating compound lomustine in addition to temozolomide. Tumor-treating fields are an additive option independent of the MGMT status. Determination of recurrence is still challenging. Patients with clinical or radiographic confirmed progression should be counseled for a second surgical intervention, that is, to reach another macroscopic removal of the tumor bulk or to obtain tissue for an updated molecular analysis. Immune therapeutic approaches may be dependent on tumor types and molecular signatures. In newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma, bevacizumab prolongs progression-free survival without affecting overall survival in an unselected population of glioblastoma patients. Whether or not selection can be made on the basis of molecular or imaging parameters remains to be determined. Some patients may benefit from a second radiotherapy. In our view, the near future will provide support for translating the amazing progress in understanding the molecular background of glioblastoma in to more complex, but promising therapy concepts
Implications of coronary artery calcium testing on risk stratification for lipid-lowering therapy according to the 2016 European Society of Cardiology recommendations: The MESA study
Authors: Bittencourt Marcio S , Blankstein Ron , Blaha Michael J , Sandfort Veit , Agatston Arthur S , Budoff Matthew J , Blumenthal Roger S , Krumholz Harlan M , Nasir Khurram
Published: July 2018

Aims

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guideline on cardiovascular risk assessment considers coronary artery calcium a class B indication for risk assessment. We evaluated the degree to which coronary artery calcium can change the recommendation for individuals based on a change in estimated risk.

Methods and results

We stratified 5602 MESA participants according to the ESC recommendation as: no lipid-lowering treatment recommended ( N = 2228), consider lipid-lowering treatment if uncontrolled ( N = 1686), or lipid-lowering treatment recommended ( N = 1688). We evaluated the ability of coronary artery calcium to reclassify cardiovascular risk. Among the selected sample, 54% had coronary artery calcium of zero, 25% had coronary artery calcium of 1–100 and 21% had coronary artery calcium greater than 100. In the lipid-lowering treatment recommended group 31% had coronary artery calcium of zero, while in the lipid-lowering treatment if uncontrolled group about 50% had coronary artery calcium of zero. The cardiovascular mortality rate was 1.7%/10 years in the lipid-lowering treatment if uncontrolled, and 7.0%/10 years in the lipid-lowering treatment recommended group. The absence of coronary artery calcium was associated with 1.4%/10 years in the lipid-lowering treatment if uncontrolled group and 3.0%/10 years in the lipid-lowering treatment recommended group. Compared with coronary artery calcium of zero, any coronary artery calcium was associated with significantly higher cardiovascular mortality in the lipid-lowering treatment recommended group (9.0%/10 years), whereas only coronary artery calcium greater than 100 was significantly associated with a higher cardiovascular mortality in the lipid-lowering treatment if uncontrolled group (3.2%/10 years).

Conclusion

The absence of coronary artery calcium is associated with a low incidence of cardiovascular mortality or coronary heart disease events even in individuals in whom lipid-lowering therapy is recommended. A significant proportion of individuals deemed to be candidates for lipid-lowering therapy might be reclassified to a lower risk group with the use of coronary artery calcium.
Higher Education and Development in the Knowledge Society
Authors: Bertolin Julio
Published: July 2018

Engendering well-being, peace and prosperity in a nation is a long-standing critical issue for possibly all countries worldwide. Many earlier hypotheses and formulas on how to generate ‘wealth’ have proven inadequate or failed. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the consensus was that the concepts of inclusive political institutions and inclusive economic institutions were crucial to development. However, with economic purposes, governments are increasingly prioritizing the acquisition of practical training and skills. This work argues that these policies are misleading. The integral education in higher education, especially by means of substantial positive externalities, can facilitate economic growth.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Long non-coding RNA TPT1-AS1 promotes cell growth and metastasis in cervical cancer via acting AS a sponge for miR-324-5p
Authors: Jiang Hui , Huang Guanqun , Zhao Nianzhang , Zhang Ting , Jiang Mengni , He Yueming , Zhou Xinke , Jiang Xianhan
Published: July 2018

Background

Increasing studies confirmed that abnormal lncRNAs expression play a critical role in cervical cancer (CC) development and progression. LncRNA TPT1-AS1, a novel lncRNA, its role and underlying mechanisms involved in CC remain largely unknown.

Methods

Colony formation, EdU and Transwell assays were used to determine colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. The subcutaneous tumor model and tail vein injection lung metastasis model were performed to check tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Luciferase activity and RIP experiment were carried out to determine the interaction between miR-324-5p and TPT1-AS1.

Results

We demonstrated for the first time that TPT1-AS1 expression was up-regulated in CC tissues and cell lines. High TPT1-AS1 was significantly correlated with adverse prognostic characteristics and poor survival. TPT1-AS1 overexpression and knockdown experiments revealed that TPT1-AS1 promoted cell colony formation, proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT progression of CC cells in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism indicated that TPT1-AS1 functioned as an endogenous sponge for miR-324-5p in CC cells. Gain- and loss- experiment confirmed that miR-324-5p inhibited cell colony formation, proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT progression of CC cells, and mediated the biological effects of TPT1-AS1. Further investigations confirmed that SP1 was a direct target of miR-324-5p and mediated the effects of TPT1-AS1 and miR-324-5p in CC.

Conclusions

We demonstrated for the first time that TPT1-AS1 as an oncogenic lncRNA in CC progression and as a potential target for CC cure.
Joint time-variant spectral analysis — Part 2: A case study
Authors: Meza Ramses G. , Sierra Antonio , Castagna John P. , Barbato Umberto
Published: July 2018

The joint time-frequency and time-phase analysis applied to a field seismic data highlights lateral changes on preferential frequency and phase illumination at the target across secondary faults. Mutual thin-bed interference modeling suited for the case study area was performed using a well-tying well-based extracted wavelet assumed to be representative of the wavelet embedded on the input seismic data. The long coda of this wavelet is also present on the corresponding thin-bed waveform, indicating the possibility of more complex mutual interference patterns between thin beds and mutual interference at farther vertical separations between thin beds compared with what would occur for an embedded wavelet with a shorter coda. The observed lateral changes on preferential frequency and phase illumination on the seismic data are attributable to collocated lateral changes in the stacking patterns and variable occurrence of vertically adjacent thin beds, which are interpreted as lateral sediment deposition changes induced by the syndepositional activity of the secondary faults. This is a geologic scenario that had not been previously considered on the area until the evidence of this case study provide indirect support for it.
Skin autofluorescence assessment of cardiovascular risk in people with severe mental illness
Authors: Emmerink Daniëlle , Bakker Sybiel , Van Bemmel Thomas , Noorthoorn Eric O. , Naarding Paul
Published: July 2018

Background

People with severe mental illness (SMI) show significantly shorter life expectancy, mostly due to more prevalent cardiovascular disease. Although age is a prominent contributor to contemporary risk assessment and SMI usually affects younger people, these assessments still do not reveal the actual risk. By assessing advanced glycation end products (AGEs), cardiovascular risk can be assessed independent of age.

Aims

To establish whether detection of AGEs with the AGE-reader will give a more accurate cardiovascular risk assessment in people with SMI.

Method

We compared assessment with the AGE-reader with that of the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) table in a group of 120 patients with SMI.

Results

The AGE-reader showed an increased cardiovascular risk more often than the SCORE table, especially in the youngest group.

Conclusions

Because of its ease of use and substantiation by studies done on other chronic diseases, we advocate use of the AGE-reader in daily care for patients with SMI to detect cardiovascular risk as early as possible. However, the findings of the current study should be evaluated with caution and should be seen as preliminary findings that require confirmation by a prospective longitudinal cohort study with a substantial follow-up observation period.

Declaration of interest

None.
Ibrutinib Monotherapy in Symptomatic, Treatment-Naïve Patients With Waldenström Macroglobulinemia
Authors: Treon Steven P. , Gustine Joshua , Meid Kirsten , Yang Guang , Xu Lian , Liu Xia , Demos Maria , Kofides Amanda , Tsakmaklis Nicholas , Chen Jiaji G. , Munshi Manit , Chan Gloria , Dubeau Toni , Raje Noopur , Yee Andrew , O’Donnell Elizabeth , Hunter Zachary R. , Castillo Jorge J.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Ibrutinib is active in previously treated Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). MYD88 mutations ( MYD88MUT) and CXCR4 mutations ( CXCR4MUT) affect ibrutinib response. We report on a prospective study of ibrutinib monotherapy in symptomatic, untreated patients with WM, and the effect of CXCR4MUT status on outcome.

Patients and Methods

Symptomatic, treatment-naïve patients with WM were eligible. Ibrutinib (420 mg) was administered daily until progression or unacceptable toxicity. All tumors were genotyped for MYD88MUT and CXCR4MUT.

Results

A total of 30 patients with WM received ibrutinib. All carried MYD88MUT, and 14 (47%) carried a CXCR4MUT. After ibrutinib treatment, median serum IgM levels declined from 4,370 to 1,513 mg/dL, bone marrow involvement declined from 65% to 20%, and hemoglobin level rose from 10.3 to 13.9 g/dL ( P < .001 for all comparisons). Overall (minor or more than minor) and major (partial or greater than partial) responses for all patients were 100% and 83%, respectively. Rates of major (94% v 71%) and very good partial (31 v 7%) responses were higher and time to major responses more rapid (1.8 v 7.3 months; P = 0.01) in patients with wild-type CXCR4 versus those with CXCR4MUT, respectively. With a median follow-up of 14.6 months, disease in two patients (both with CXCR4MUT) progressed. The 18-month, estimated progression-free survival is 92% (95% CI, 73% to 98%). All patients are alive. Grade 2/3 treatment-related toxicities in > 5% of patients included arthralgia (7%), bruising (7%), neutropenia (7%), upper respiratory tract infection (7%), urinary tract infection (7%), atrial fibrillation (10%), and hypertension (13%). There were no grade 4 or unexpected toxicities.

Conclusion

Ibrutinib is highly active, produces durable responses, and is safe as primary therapy in patients with symptomatic WM. CXCR4MUT status affects responses to ibrutinib.