bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Marginalities: A Study of Participation of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in Arunachal Pradesh
Authors: Mishra Aparimita
Published: December 2018

This article examines the context and implications of increasing participation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Arunachal Pradesh. The key question that is addressed is whether inclusion of women in grassroots-level governance expands the scope for a more inclusive governance. The findings of the study suggest that the mere representation of women in decentralised governance is not enough to bring any qualitative change in local politics so far as inclusiveness is concerned. In the presence of multiple marginalities and multiple forms of exclusion, positive discrimination in one domain has not been able to create a ripple effect in addressing other forms of exclusion. With all its potential as an agent of change, women’s reservation in PRIs remains firmly anchored in the patriarchal politics of identity. The study finds that reservation for women in PRIs, although an important step towards gender equality, has failed to create the ground for a more inclusive form of grassroots governance.
The Other Side of Caste as Social Capital
Authors: Alha Akhil
Published: December 2018

There is an increasing recourse to the concept of social capital in explaining development outcomes in various spheres. In some recent writings, caste is viewed as a form of social capital, and the use of caste-based networks is supported for attaining positive outcomes in entrepreneurship. This article, based on a field survey in a small-scale industrial cluster in Jhunhunu, Rajasthan, critiques the proposition of ‘caste as social capital’ by contending that caste is not an isolated category; in fact, it is relational in nature. Hence, caste-based economic networks may reduce transaction costs and improve efficiency of some, but they create new forms of exclusion by creating strong entry barriers to entrepreneurs from other castes. Social capital, unlike economic capital, increases with use, and its initial endowment might decide its future accumulation. The use of social capital thus leads to the generation of systemic and structural inequalities.
Book review: Deepak Nayyar, Employment, Growth and Development: Essays on a Changing World Economy
Authors: Mohanty Manoranjan
Published: December 2018

Deepak Nayyar, Employment, Growth and Development: Essays on a Changing World Economy. London: Routledge, 2017, xiv+260 pp., ₹895, ISBN: 978-1-138-03812-7 (Hardcover).
Whistleblower Subjectivities: Organization and Passionate Attachment
Authors: Kenny Kate , Fotaki Marianna , Vandekerckhove Wim
Published: December 2018

What is the nature of whistleblower subjectivity? In this article, we depart from current scholarly depictions of this figure as a fearless truth-teller who is fully independent of the organization. We argue for a new framing that sees the self-construction of the whistleblower as infused with passionate attachments to organizational and professional norms, even after one experiences severe reprisals. We base our claims on recently gathered empirical data and draw on Judith Butler to theorize how, contrary to existing understandings, passionate attachments to one’s organization and profession shape whistleblower subjectivity, rather than conscious risk-taking, or autonomous self-reinvention. Our second contribution is to highlight the importance of practical and material supports for this vital figure in society; until now the whistleblower has been idealized as an extraordinary hero rather than a real human in need of assistance. Overall, we propose a new theorization of the whistleblower involving passionate investments in the organization or profession that has cast one out.
The Logic of Tact: How Decisions Happen in Situations of Crisis
Authors: Kornberger Martin , Leixnering Stephan , Meyer Renate E.
Published: December 2018

The mass migration of refugees in the fall of 2015 in Europe posed an immense humanitarian and logistical challenge: exhausted from their week-long journeys, refugees arrived in Vienna in need of care, shelter, food, medical aid, and onward transport. The refugee crisis was managed by an emerging polycentric and intersectoral collective of organizations. In this paper, we investigate how leaders of these organizations made decisions in concert with each other and hence sustained the capacity to act as collective. We ask: what was the logic of decision-making that orchestrated collective action during the crisis? In answering this question, we make the following contribution: departing from March’s logics of consequences and appropriateness as well as Weick’s work on sensemaking during crisis, we introduce an alternative logic that informed decision-making in our study: the logic of tact. With this concept (a) we offer a better understanding of how managers may make decisions under the condition of bounded rationality and the simultaneous transgression of their institutional identity in situations of crisis; and (b) we show that in decision-making under extreme pressure cognition is neither ahead of action, nor is action ahead of cognition; rather, tact explicates the rapid switching between cognition and action, orchestrating decision-making through their interplay.
Personality and Social Capital
Authors: Tulin Marina , Lancee Bram , Volker Beate
Published: December 2018

While previous research has shown that personality shapes social networks, we know very little about the relationship between these important psychological characteristics and the creation of social capital. In this article, we argue that personality shapes individuals’ ability to create social capital, and we predict positive associations between each of the Big Five personality traits and social capital. We tested our hypotheses using the Social Survey of the Networks of the Dutch, 2014, which contains data on about 1,069 respondents, including social capital and Big Five personality measures. Our findings showed that personality and social capital were related such that extraversion and openness predicted instrumental social capital, and extraversion, emotional stability, and agreeableness predicted expressive social capital. Conscientiousness benefited instrumental social capital when respondents were older or when social capital was accessed via weak ties. We discuss these findings in light of existing explanations of the creation of social capital.
Perceptions of the effects of celiac disease on romantic relationships among individuals with celiac disease
Authors: Boon Susan D. , Holmgren Janne A.
Published: December 2018

Individuals ( N = 109) with biopsy-proven celiac disease completed a survey exploring their perceptions of their illness’s impact on their romantic relationships. Whether they met their partners before or after diagnosis, participants perceived the disease to bear modest impact on their relationships with more pronounced positive effects than negative effects. Moreover, controlling for attachment anxiety and avoidance and relationship quality, neither perceptions of the disease’s broader effects on their lives nor perceptions of their partner’s responsiveness consistently predicted their appraisals of its effects on their relationships. Our findings suggest that affected individuals’ appraisals of the disease’s impact on their romantic relationships may be shaped in part by attachment anxiety and relationship quality.
Speeded Recognition of Fear and Surprise in Autism
Authors: Nagy Emese , Paton Stacey C. , Primrose Fiona E. A. , Farkas Tibor N. , Pow Coreen F.
Published: December 2018

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) involve difficulties with socioemotional functioning; however, research on emotion recognition remains inconclusive. Children with ASD have been reported to show less susceptibility to spatial inversion. The aim of this study is to examine whether children with ASD utilize atypical abilities in socioemotional processing. This study tested 13 children with ASD (1 girl, M: 15.10 years, standard deviation [ SD]: 1.60 years), 13 children without ASD (3 girls, M: 15.92 years, SD: 1.03 years), and 20 control adults (11 women, M: 24.77 years, SD: 8.30 years) to investigate the speed and accuracy of their responses to images of neutral faces and faces expressing “easy” (happiness, anger) and “difficult” emotions (surprise, fear) in nonrotated (0°) and rotated (30°, 90°, 150°, 180°, 210°, 270°, and 330°) positions. The results showed that children with ASD recognized both easy and difficult emotions as accurately as did children and adults without ASD. Children with ASD, however, responded significantly faster to difficult emotions when the images were rotated. These results offer less support for a deficiency model than for an atypical, rapid featural type of processing used by children with ASD to encode and understand complex socioemotional stimuli.
Emerging Market Volatility Spillovers
Authors: Serletis Apostolos , Azad Nahiyan Faisal
Published: December 2018

We address the importance of emerging market economies for the global economy by testing for volatility spillovers between the United States and a number of emerging market economies. We use the methodology recently introduced by Diebold and Yilmaz and daily data, over the period from December 8, 2011, to March 21, 2018, on exchange-traded funds (ETFs), retrieved from Yahoo! Finance, for seven emerging market countries—China, Colombia, Greece, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and South Korea. We find statistically significant volatility spillovers from emerging market economies to the United States, meaning that the growth prospects of emerging market economies are becoming extremely relevant for global economic growth.

JEL classification: E32, F20, F42
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for Planning Cluster Randomized Trials in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Perera Subashan , Nadkarni Neelesh K. , Wert David , VanSwearingen Jessie , Brach Jennifer S.
Published: December 2018

Objectives: With the emerging trends, more cluster randomized trials will be conducted in older adults, where facilities are randomized rather than individuals. Similarity of individuals from a facility (intraclass correlation coefficient/ICC) plays a critical role, but not readily available. We document ICCs for measures commonly used in community-dwelling older adults and discuss implications. Method: Secondary analysis of a range of baseline measures from the On the Move cluster randomized trial, whose ICCs were computed using a linear mixed model. Results: Self-reported disability measures related to facility characteristics and sense of community had the greatest ICCs (>0.10), while mobility performance measures had 0.05 to 0.10, and cognitive measure 0.11. Discussion: The ICCs for measures commonly used in older adults are of a sufficient magnitude to have a substantial impact on planned sample size of a study and credibility of results, and should be taken into consideration in study planning and data analysis.
Control and optimization of spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion based on stratified flame ignition
Authors: Chen Tao , Wang Xinyan , Zhao Hua , Xie Hui , He Bangquan
Published: December 2018

Spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion, also known as spark assisted compression ignition, is of considerable interest in gasoline engines because of its potential to enlarge the operating range of gasoline diluted combustion. However, it was found that the spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion process was often characterized with large cycle-to-cycle variations. In this research, a new approach by combining the traditional second-order derivative method and Wiebe function fitting method was proposed to identify different heat release stages of spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion. The heat release characteristics of the spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion based on stratified flame ignition strategy and its control methods were investigated in detail. The effect of control parameters, including spark timing, direct injection ratio and dilution strategy, on improving the thermal efficiency and decreasing the variation of heat release trace in spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion based on stratified flame ignition strategy was analysed. The advance of flame propagation ending point and the increase in the average heat release rate in flame propagation stage benefitted the fuel economy and reduced the variations of heat release in spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion. Although the increase in direct injection ratio contributed to the stability of heat release in the spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion based on the stratified flame ignition strategy, the thermal efficiency of spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion cannot be effectively optimized due to the decrease in combustion efficiency. The application of exhaust gas recirculation and air dilution could decrease the variations of heat release process and increase the thermal efficiency of spark ignition–controlled auto-ignition hybrid combustion based on stratified flame ignition strategy.
Ascent trajectory tracking method using time-varying quadratic adaptive dynamic programming
Authors: Sun Zhengxiang , Chao Tao , Wang Songyan , Yang Ming
Published: December 2018

Ascent trajectory tracking in the longitudinal plane is a class of nonaffine noncascade nonlinear system control problems with single input and multiple output, which is difficult to control by nonlinear method directly. Adaptive dynamic programming algorithm has the advantages of precise control and adaptability for general nonlinear control problem, and the time-varying quadratic adaptive dynamic programming algorithm proposed in this paper promotes the convergence and calculation speed of the traditional adaptive dynamic programming algorithm. To implement the algorithm effectively, the independent variables of ascent model are substituted in the launching coordinate, and then the model is treated as a discrete nominal trajectory tracking problem. Besides, the heuristic dynamic programming structure is used to train the processed model, and thus only the time-varying weight in the designed evaluation network needs to be updated. Simulation shows that the proposed algorithm can update the control variable online after predicting the cost function offline with the dynamic equations, which is faster than the general adaptive dynamic programming algorithm. In addition, the proposed algorithm can effectively and accurately track the nominal trajectory under the uncertainty of parameters compared with the linear quadratic regulators algorithm.
Optimization of engine operating parameters suitable for punnai oil application in CI engine using Grey relational method
Authors: Narendranathan S K , Sudhagar K , Karthikeyan R
Published: December 2018

This work is intended to apply neat form of punnai oil of higher proportion in the existing CI engines with modified operating parameters. It uses neat punnai oil of 50% by volume in compression ignition (CI) engine as diesel–punnai oil blend. The more influencing engine operating parameters such as injection pressure, injection timing, and intake air temperature, and the compression ratio were used for the optimization. A combined Taguchi and Grey relational analysis was used for designing the experiment and optimizing the operating parameters. Based on the methods used, 18 experimental trials were chosen, and their results were fed into the Grey relational analysis. Results of the Grey analysis show that the trial number 13 was performed well. The levels used in this trial such as injection pressure (250 bar), injection timing (25°bTDC), compression ratio (18.5), and intake air temperature (80°C) were identified as the optimum levels of operating parameters for admitting 50% of punnai oil in CI engine. This work had used MiniTab software for designing Taguchi and Grey relational analysis.
Provider perceptions on the management of lupus during pregnancy: barriers to improved care
Authors: Clowse M E B , Eudy A M , Revels J , Neil L , Sanders G D
Published: December 2018

Background

More than half of pregnancies in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) result in adverse outcomes for the mother or the fetus. We sought to identify aspects of current rheumatologic care that could be improved to decrease the frequency of poor outcomes.

Methods

Focus groups with clinical rheumatologists, based on the PRECEDE/PROCEED framework, identified factors that influenced care. A group of women with lupus on their reproductive journey contributed to our understanding of the dilemmas and care provided.

Results

Medically ill-timed pregnancies and medication non-adherence during pregnancy were identified by rheumatologists as the two key dilemmas in care. We identified several communication gaps as key modifiable barriers to optimal management. The approach to physician–patient communication was often unsuitable to sensitive discussions about pregnancy planning. The communication of treatment plans was frequently hampered by gaps in knowledge and both physician and patient confidence in the data, encouraging non-adherence among nervous patients. Finally, local rheumatologists and obstetricians/gynecologists providers frequently did not communicate, leading to varying treatment plans and confusion for patients.

Conclusions

To decrease the frequency of ill-timed pregnancy and medication non-adherence it will be essential to empower rheumatologists, and women with lupus to have open and accurate conversations about pregnancy planning and management.
Episodic Counterfactual Thinking
Authors: De Brigard Felipe , Parikh Natasha
Published: December 2018

Our tendency to engage in episodic counterfactual thinking—namely, imagining alternative ways in which past personal events could have occurred but did not—is ubiquitous. Although widely studied by cognitive and social psychologists, this autobiographically based variety of counterfactual thought has been connected only recently to research on the cognitive and neuroscientific basis of episodic memory and mental simulation. In the current article, we offer an empirical characterization of episodic counterfactual thinking by contrasting it with related varieties of mental simulation along three dimensions: temporal context, degree of episodic detail, and modal profile (i.e., perceived possibility or impossibility). In so doing, we offer a practical strategy to navigate the nascent literature on episodic counterfactual thinking within the context of other mental simulations, and we argue that the evidence surveyed strongly indicates that although connected along the aforementioned dimensions, episodic counterfactual thinking is a psychological process different from episodic memory, episodic future thinking, and semantic counterfactual thinking.
Reducing ethnic inequalities in bowel screening participation in New Zealand: A randomised controlled trial of telephone follow-up for non-respondents
Authors: Sandiford P , Buckley A , Holdsworth D , Tozer G , Scott N
Published: December 2018

Objective

To test whether a telephone follow-up service for high-needs ethnic groups increases bowel screening participation in non-responders to postal invitations.

Methods

Māori, Pacific, and Asian ethnicity individuals who failed to return a bowel screening test kit within four weeks of it being posted were randomly allocated (1:1) to a telephone active follow-up service or a control group. The active follow-up service made multiple attempts to contact the invitee and provide support. Participation rates at eight weeks’ post-randomisation were compared, and the effect of the intervention on overall participation rates was imputed.

Results

A total of 3828 eligible individuals were allocated to active follow-up and 3773 to the control group. The imputed potential overall increase in participation in the active follow-up group was 2.0% (95% CI = 0.6%–3.4%); however, the impact of follow-up varied significantly by ethnicity and deprivation. The imputed increase in participation was significant for Māori (5.2; CI = 1.8%–8.5%) and Pacific (3.6%; CI = 0.7%–6.4%), but not for Asian ethnicities (0.7%; CI=−1.1%–2.4%). In addition, the imputed increase was significant among high deprivation participants (3.9%; CI = 2.0%–5.9%), but not among low deprivation participants (0.3%; CI=−1.6%–2.2%).

Conclusions

Active follow-up led to higher bowel screening participation in Māori and Pacific but not in Asian ethnicities and was more effective in high deprivation subjects. Active follow-up significantly reduced but did not eliminate ethnic inequalities in bowel screening participation.
Economic Impact of Natural Disasters: An Empirical Re-examination
Authors: Panwar Vikrant , Sen Subir
Published: December 2018

Natural disasters cause serious economic and human losses. Yet there remains ambiguity in the existing literature with regard to their impact on the economy at large. This study re-examines the relationship between natural disasters and economic growth. It aims to contribute to a fairly limited literature on the economy-wide and sector-specific consequences of natural disasters in the short-to-medium term (up to 5 years). Further, it examines whether the disaster impacts are dependent on a country’s level of development. Based on panel data consisting of 102 (29 developed and 73 developing) countries over the period 1981–2015, it looks at the growth effects of four types of natural disasters, namely, floods, droughts, storms and earthquakes that were explored using the system generalised method of moments (GMM) approach. The results indicate that natural disasters have diverse economic impacts across economic sectors depending on disaster types and their intensity. The study confirms the findings of previous studies that the economic impacts of natural disasters are statistically stronger in developing countries. These findings may stimulate the policymakers especially in developing countries to explore the efficacy of viable ex-ante disaster risk financing tools (such as insurance, micro-insurance and catastrophic bonds). This would not only safeguard population and physical assets but also ensure adherence to the sustainable development goals.

JEL Classification: Q54, O10
‘A good girl is worth their weight in gold’: Gender relations in British horseracing
Authors: Williams John , Hall Gavin
Published: December 2018

The culture of horseracing is rather under researched by social scientists. It may seem a highly progressive site for gender equality in sport because, unusually, men and women compete directly against each other as owners, trainers and jockeys. But gender inequalities are deeply rooted and persistent in British racing. Our interview-based study suggests that ingrained patterns of sexism, chauvinism and paternalism reproduce patriarchal assumptions among both males and females in racing which act as key barriers, especially for ambitious female jockeys. Conventional ideas about women’s embodiment and their intuitively caring and ‘loving’ nature towards horses may open up prospects for females as junior stable staff, but they also dialectically reduce opportunities elsewhere. Obstacles to advancement on merit mean that family connections and influential networks shape female prospects in racing rather more than is the case for men. New equality strategies pursued from within British racing are welcome, but they are unlikely to challenge existing structures and ideologies or challenge core gender inequalities.
Periocular Sebaceous Carcinoma With Apocrine Differentiation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Pinheiro Jorge Adriano Ferreira , Lopes José Manuel Pedrosa Baptista
Published: December 2018

A 61-year-old man presented with a dome-shaped tumor in the right eyelid. Histology revealed a cutaneous neoplasm with lobular growth pattern. It was composed of large basaloid cells, cells with sebaceous differentiation, and glandular structures with apocrine features. The immunohistochemical study revealed diffuse expression of CK7, EMA, and androgen receptors in the neoplastic cells. Gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 highlighted the luminal cells, consistent with apocrine differentiation. These findings fit with a sebaceous carcinoma with focal glandular apocrine differentiation (“sebo-apocrine” carcinoma). Metastasis to regional lymph nodes were diagnosed 12 months after the surgical procedure. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient is alive, with evidence of persistent locoregional metastasis, but no evidence of distant metastasis. Most cutaneous adnexal tumors present only one cell type of differentiation, but hybrid/combined tumors can occur. Despite “sebo-apocrine” tumors are not unexpected, due to their common origin in the follicular-sebaceous apocrine unit, they are very rarely reported.
Spirituality and Religion After Homicide and Suicide: Families and Friends Tell Their Stories
Authors: Mastrocinque Jeanna M. , Hartwell Taylor , Metzger Jed W. , Carapella-Johnson Renae , Navratil Peter K. , Cerulli Catherine
Published: December 2018

This article presents results from seven focus groups ( n = 27) with families and friends bereaved by homicide or suicide of a loved one, and focuses on spirituality and religion in the aftermath of these traumatic deaths. In exploring how these deaths affected participants’ spirituality and religion, several themes emerged: parental spirituality and intuition, finding comfort, internal challenges with spirituality and religion, and connection with spiritual and religious communities. Experiences and recommendations for responders are discussed. This research draws comparisons between homicides and suicides to elucidate participants’ unique spiritual and religious needs and better inform tailored approaches.
Associations Between Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Metabolic Syndrome by Gender in Young Adults
Authors: Lin Kuei-Man , Chiou Jeng-Yuan , Kuo Hsen-Wen , Tan Jung-Ying , Ko Shu-Hua , Lee Meng-Chih
Published: December 2018

Objective:

Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking, drinking, betel-quid chewing, insufficient exercise, and inadequate sleep are significantly correlated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). To further understand this relationship, this study examined the main effect of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and their interaction on MetS by gender in young adults.

Method:

A cross-sectional study involving 694 young adults from a national survey was performed in which demographic characteristics, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, anthropometric measurements, and blood chemistry panels were collected during face-to-face interviews.

Results:

The prevalence of MetS among young adults was 17.4% and was greater in males than females (19.0% vs. 7.8%). The unhealthy lifestyle-behavior risk factors associated with MetS included smoking (odds ratio [ OR] = 4.53) and physical activity ( OR = 0.51) among males and betel-quid chewing ( OR = 8.90) and less sleep ( OR = 0.08) among females. Significant interaction effects were observed between the abovementioned behaviors and gender for the risk of developing MetS.

Conclusion:

These results can guide health-care providers in reducing MetS risk by encouraging young adult males to reduce or quit cigarette smoking and maintain optimum levels of physical activity and young adult females to quit chewing betel quid and obtain appropriate amounts of sleep.
Taiwan’s opening policy to Chinese tourists and cross-strait relations: The impacts on inbound tourism into Taiwan
Authors: Lin Chih-Yuan , Lee Mateus
Published: December 2018

This article aims to analyze the impact of Taiwan’s 2008 opening policy to Chinese tourists and the effects of cross-strait relations on both Chinese and non-Chinese inbound tourists into Taiwan, with controls in place for other factors. Using annual country-level panel data over the 2000–2016 period, along with the application of the generalized method of moments approach and several static panel data models, the empirical results suggest that while Taiwan’s opening policy to Chinese tourists has had an enhancement effect, there has been no crowding-out effect on either Chinese or non-Chinese inbound tourists into Taiwan. In addition, the cross-strait relations are found to have a negative effect on non-Chinese inbound tourists, but a positive effect on Chinese inbound tourists visiting Taiwan. We conclude that, compared to non-Chinese inbound tourists into Taiwan, the Chinese inbound tourists into Taiwan is both economically and politically oriented.
Current profiles and early predictors of reading skills in school-age children with autism spectrum disorders: A longitudinal, retrospective population study
Authors: Åsberg Johnels Jakob , Carlsson Emilia , Norbury Courtenay , Gillberg Christopher , Miniscalco Carmela
Published: December 2018

This study explores current reading profiles and concurrent and early predictors of reading in children with autism spectrum disorder. Before the age of 3 years, the study cohort underwent a neurodevelopmental assessment following identification in a population-based autism screening. At age 8 years, reading, language and cognition were assessed. Approximately half of the sample ( n = 25) were ‘poor readers’ at age 8 years, meaning that they scored below the normal range on tests of single word reading and reading comprehension. And 18 were ‘skilled readers’ performing above cut-offs. The final subgroup ( n = 10) presented with a ‘hyperlexic/poor comprehenders’ profile of normal word reading, but poor reading comprehension. The ‘poor readers’ scored low on all assessments, as well as showing more severe autistic behaviours than ‘skilled readers’. Group differences between ‘skilled readers’ and ‘hyperlexics/poor comprehenders’ were more subtle: these subgroups did not differ on autistic severity, phonological processing or non-verbal intelligence quotient, but the ‘hyperlexics/poor comprehenders’ scored significantly lower on tests of oral language. When data from age 3 were considered, no differences were seen between the subgroups in social skills, autistic severity or intelligence quotient. Importantly, however, it was possible to identify oral language weaknesses in those that 5 years later presented as ‘poor readers’ or ‘hyperlexics’.
Effects of familiarization on odor hedonic responses and food choices in children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Luisier Anne-Claude , Petitpierre Genevieve , Clerc Bérod Annick , Garcia-Burgos David , Bensafi Moustafa
Published: December 2018

This study assessed whether olfactory familiarization can render food odors more pleasant, and consequently food more attractive, to children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants were first presented with a series of food odors (session 1). Then, they were familiarized on four occasions (time window: 5 weeks) with one of the two most neutral odors (the other neutral odor was used as control) (session 2). In session 3, participants smelled the entire series of odors again. Both verbal and facial responses were compared from session 1 to session 3. After session 3, the children were presented with two identical foods (one containing the familiarized odor and one the control odor) and were asked to choose between these foods. Results revealed (1) a specific increase in positive emotions for the familiarized odor and (2) that 68% of the children chose the food associated with the “familiarized odor” (children who chose the “familiarized odor” food exhibited significantly more sensory particularities). These findings suggest that it is possible to modulate olfactory emotions and expand the dietary repertoire of children with autism spectrum disorder. Application of this paradigm may enable innovative prospects for food education in autism.
Parents training parents: Lessons learned from a study of reciprocal imitation training in young children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hall Trevor A , Mastel Sarah , Nickel Robert , Wainer Allison
Published: December 2018

Parent-mediated interventions are cost-effective ways to increase access to appropriate treatment services to children with autism spectrum disorder. We aimed to engage parents working as partners within rural autism identification teams to facilitate prompt initiation of autism-specific treatment services and expand the amount of treatment available to young children with autism spectrum disorder. To do this, we sought to employ a two-phase training approach: (Phase 1) train parents to fidelity in an evidence-based parent-mediated intervention (reciprocal imitation training), and (Phase 2) evaluate the extent to which parents could effectively coach other parents of newly diagnosed children to implement reciprocal imitation training with their child. We experienced several unexpected barriers to completing all aspects of the Phase 1 training workflow. This led us to pivot toward a process evaluation. We used qualitative interviewing with our partner parents to systematically identify barriers and enhance the likelihood for successful future efforts at such an approach. The lessons we learned and recommendations for others attempting this type of research are presented.
Effects of coaching on the fidelity of parent implementation of reciprocal imitation training
Authors: Penney Ashley , Schwartz Ilene
Published: December 2018

Imitation is an important early social communicative skill that is often impaired in young children with autism. Reciprocal imitation training is an easy-to-implement intervention that targets social imitation and can be taught to parents or other caregivers to implement at home and in the community. In this study, parents of children with autism were taught to implement reciprocal imitation training. The quality of parent fidelity of intervention implementation and rates of child spontaneous imitation were examined in three phases: baseline, post-didactic training, and after the introduction of 1:1 coaching. The results suggest that coaching improved parent fidelity with all parent participants, and this correlated to an increase in spontaneous imitation with some of the child participants.
The shifting politics of patient activism: From bio-sociality to bio-digital citizenship
Authors: Petersen Alan , Schermuly Allegra Clare , Anderson Alison
Published: December 2018

Digital media provide novel tools for patient activists from disease- and condition-specific communities. While those with debilitating conditions or disabilities have long recognised the value of collective action for advancing their interests, digital media offer activists unparalleled opportunities to fulfil their goals. This article explores the shifting politics of ‘activism’ in the increasingly digitally mediated, commercialised context of healthcare, asking: what role have digital media played in the repertoire of activists’ strategies? And, to what extent and how has the use of such media impacted the very concept of activism? Building on sociological ideas on emergent forms of ‘biological citizenship’ and drawing on findings from an analysis of available media, including television and print news reportage, online communications, published histories and campaign material and other information produced by activists in HIV/AIDS and breast cancer communities, we argue that digital media have profoundly shaped how ‘activism’ is enacted, both the goals pursued and the strategies adopted, which serve to broadly align contemporary patient communities’ interests with those of science and business. This alignment, which we characterise as ‘bio-digital citizenship’, has involved a fundamental reorientation of ‘activism’ from less of a struggle for rights to more of a striving to achieve a public profile and attract funding. We conclude by calling for a reconceptualisation of ‘activism’ to more adequately reflect the workings of power in the digital age, whereby the agency and hopes of citizens are central to the workings of political rule.
Outcome of knee arthroplasty in patients aged 65 years or less: a prospective study of 232 patients with 2-year follow-up
Authors: Niemeläinen M. , Moilanen T. , Huhtala H. , Eskelinen A.
Published: December 2018

Background and Aims:

Previous studies have reported lower implant survival rates, residual pain, and higher patient dissatisfaction rates following knee arthroplasty in younger knee arthroplasty patients. We aimed to assess the real-world effectiveness of knee arthroplasty in a prospective non-selected cohort of patients aged 65 years or less with 2-year follow-up.

Material and Methods:

In total, 250 patients (272 knees) aged 65 years or less were enrolled into this prospective cohort study. Patient-reported outcome measures were used to assess the outcome.

Results:

The mean Oxford Knee Score and all Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscales increased significantly (p < 0.001) from preoperative situation to the 2-year follow-up. Significant increase (p < 0.001) in physical activity was detected in High-Activity Arthroplasty Score and RAND-36 Physical Component Score (PCS). Pain was also significantly (p < 0.001) relieved during the follow-up. Total disappearance of pain was rare at 2 years. Patients with milder (Kellgren–Lawrence grade 2) osteoarthritis were less satisfied and reported poorer patient-reported outcome measure than those with advanced osteoarthritis (Kellgren–Lawrence grade 3–4). There was no difference in the outcome (any patient-reported outcome measure) between patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty and those who received unicondylar knee arthroplasty.

Conclusion:

We found that measured with a wide set of patient-reported outcome measures, both total knee arthroplasty and unicondylar knee arthroplasty resulted in significant pain relief, as well as improvement in physical performance and quality of life in patients aged 65 years or less. Real-world effectiveness of these procedures seems to be excellent. 15% of patients still had residual symptoms and were dissatisfied with the outcome at 2 years after the operation.
Laparoscopy for blunt abdominal trauma: a challenging endeavor
Authors: Koto M. Z. , Matsevych O. Y. , Mosai F. , Patel S. , Aldous C. , Balabyeki M.
Published: December 2018

Background and Aims:

Laparoscopy in blunt abdominal trauma is challenging because of multiple associated injuries, higher trauma score values and higher morbidity and mortality, as compared with patients with penetrating abdominal trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of laparoscopy in the management of blunt abdominal trauma patients and to highlight related challenges.

Material and Methods:

Over a 4-year period, patients managed laparoscopically for blunt abdominal trauma were retrospectively analyzed. Perioperative details, indications for laparoscopy and conversion, complications, and length of hospital stay were discussed.

Results:

A total of 35 stable patients underwent laparoscopy. The mean Injury Severity Score was 12 (4–38). Therapeutic laparoscopy was performed in 15 (56%) and diagnostic in 12 (44%) patients. Eight (23%) patients were converted to therapeutic laparotomy. Intraoperative bleeding, complex injuries, visualization problem, and equipment failure necessitated conversion. Three (30%) patients with negative computed tomography scan had therapeutic laparoscopy for mesenteric injuries. There were no missed injuries. The mean length of hospital stay was 11 days in both groups.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopy for stable patients is feasible and safe. Multiple injuries make laparoscopy more difficult, and advanced laparoscopic skills are required. The conversion rate is high; however, the non-therapeutic laparotomies were completely eliminated in this study.
Fracking frames and the courts
Authors: Pedersen Ole W. , Zito Anthony R.
Published: December 2018

This article utilises the concept of policy framing to examine regulatory choices and the contestation of such choices in the context of hydraulic fracturing In the UK. The article makes no argument about the merits of fracking in the UK context, but rather explores how the institutional choices and design serve to shape the legal reasoning, thereby defining the ability of actors outside the London government to engage with its efforts to govern. Through the lens of recent judicial decisions in which claimants have sought to challenge privileged policy frames supportive of hydraulic fracturing, the article finds that the deferential approach taken by the courts serves to reinforce privileged frames, resulting in there being little scope to challenge such frames.
Learner Privacy in MOOCs and Virtual Education
Authors: Zeide Elana , Nissenbaum Helen
Published: December 2018

The current debate about student privacy issues raised by education technology focuses on how schools information with private vendors. It neglects a related but different trend, namely, the rise of online learning platforms offering learning experiences and credentials directly to users. These Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Virtual Education providers seek to ‘disrupt’ the traditional schooling system and position themselves as the next evolution in education. With privacy as the lens, this article highlights problematic dimensions of virtual learning platforms, which fashion themselves as education providers while shaking off the normative and regulatory constraints of traditional educational institutions. Structuring our evaluation around the theory of contextual integrity, we argue that by adopting commercial marketplace norms, these providers undermine core functions and values of education, which include promoting democracy, equal access to opportunity, and self-actualization as well as economic growth. Traditionally, the physical, normative, and regulatory constraints on school information practices created relatively hermetic learning environments. In contrast, Virtual Learning Environments automate instruction, maximize data collection, and codify learning outcomes according to the limited parameters of data-defined metrics and credentials. Because they collect information directly from learners without school mediation, independent Virtual Learning Environment providers fall outside the scope of student privacy regulation and can share information broadly without learner consent or consideration of educational purpose. Our concern is that the new practices risk chilling expression; encouraging narrow viewpoints and filtering out intellectual exploration; exacerbate existing inequities by raising stakes and retaining longitudinal records; and reduce learning to a purely instrumental exercise focused on economic outputs and quantifiable outcomes. MOOCs and Virtual Education providers must go beyond compliance with data collection and use regulation to preserve the values supported by student privacy norms.
Relevance of Whole-Body Vibration Exercises on Muscle Strength/Power and Bone of Elderly Individuals
Authors: Bemben Debra , Stark Christina , Taiar Redha , Bernardo-Filho Mario
Published: December 2018

Beneficial effects are associated with whole-body vibration exercises (WBVEs). Increases in muscular strength/power, flexibility, and gait speed; improvements in bone mineral density, balance, and the quality of life; and decreased pain and risk of falls are reported. The aim is to present a review about the importance of WBVE for elderly individuals, considering clinical studies and meta-analyses, on bone and muscle strength/power. There is evidence supporting beneficial effect of WBVE in postmenopausal women (PW); however, effects in PW with osteoporosis are unclear. Age-related decrease in muscle mass and function contribute to undesirable health conditions, including death risk. The WBVEs improve muscle strength/power, functional independence measure, balance, and various fall risk factors, and mobility, measured by Timed Up and Go test, increased significantly after WBVE. An explanation for the absence of positive effects in some outcomes could be related to discrepancies in WBVE protocols as well as the populations tested. It is concluded that WBVE is effective for counteracting the loss of muscle strength associated with sarcopenia in elderly individuals. Balance and leg and plantar flexor strength improvements due to WBV indicate benefit to reduce risk and incidence of falls, frailty, and fracture risks. However, long-term feasibility of WBVE for musculoskeletal and bone health in elderly individuals needs further investigation.
Nonlinear analysis of the locomotive traction system with rub-impact and nonlinear stiffness
Authors: Wang Junguo , Zhang Jie , Bai Ruisong , Yang Xufeng , Zhao Yongxiang
Published: December 2018

Considering rub-impact forces, eccentricity of rotor, and nonlinear stiffness of armature shaft, a dynamic differential equation is built to investigate the bifurcation and chaos behavior of the locomotive traction system. The nonlinear analysis methods are inclusive of bifurcation diagrams, phase plane portraits, Poincaré maps, displacement–time curves, and spectrograms. The simulation results reveal the complex dynamic comprising period-3 to quasi-periodic bifurcation and intermittent bifurcation. Some research results are references for dynamic design and rub-impact fault diagnosis of the locomotive traction system.
Chimney parallel grafts and thoracic endovascular aortic repair for blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injuries: A systematic review
Authors: Carter Rebeca , Wee Ian Jun Yan , Petrie Kyle , Syn Nicholas , Choong Andrew MTL
Published: December 2018

Background

Whilst the management of blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury has seen a paradigm shift to an ‘endovascular first’ approach, the limitations of thoracic endovascular aortic repair remain. An inadequate proximal landing zone limits the use of thoracic aortic stent grafts and in an emergent polytrauma setting, aortic arch debranching via open surgery may not be practical or feasible. A wholly endovascular approach to debranching utilising ‘off-the-shelf’ stents and parallel graft techniques may represent a possible solution. Hence, we sought to perform a systematic review investigating the use of chimney graft techniques alongside thoracic aortic stenting in blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury.

Methods

We performed the systematic review in accordance to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Searches were performed on Medline (PubMed), Web of Science and Scopus to identify articles describing the use of chimney grafts in traumatic aortic transection (PROSPERO: CRD42017082549).

Results

The systematic search revealed 172 papers, of which 88 duplicates were removed resulting in 84 papers to screen. Based on title, abstract and full text review, six articles were included for final analysis. There were nine patients in total with an average age of 41 (three females, five males, one unspecified), all with significant polytrauma, secondary to the mechanism of injury. A variety of stents were used between centres, with techniques showing a predominance to stenting of the left subclavian artery (77%, n = 7). The technical success rate was 82%, with two (18%) cases of type 1 endoleaks, of which one resolved spontaneously.

Conclusions

Despite the encouraging results, this by no means provides for a firm conclusion given the small sample size. Patients should still be judiciously selected on a case-by-case basis when employing the chimney graft technique. Larger cohort studies are needed to establish these findings.