bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Practices Among United Arab Emirates Pharmacists and Prescribers
Authors: Said Amira S. A. , Hussain Nadia
Published: October 2017

Background: Underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) has placed a heavy financial burden on health care resources worldwide. Realizing the importance of proper ADR reporting is paramount for implementing better patient care. Objective: This study was designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of ADR reporting among United Arab Emirates (UAE) health care professionals to clarify their present strategies and identify steps to avoid underreporting. Methods: A self-administered cross-sectional questionnaire was designed and randomly distributed to different health care personnel ( n = 150). All participants were briefly informed about the aim of the study and given sufficient time to respond. The responses were collected over 6 months. The data were statistically analyzed for each reporter category (community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, and doctors) using the chi-square test. Results: We found that 81%, 83%, and 83.3% of doctors, community pharmacists, and hospital pharmacists, respectively, were not aware of the existence of a reporting center and 56%, 60%, and 72% were not aware of a reporting procedure. Poor ADR reporting practices were shown by responders; only 19%, 14%, and 12.1% of doctors, community pharmacists, and hospital pharmacists reported ADRs. Conclusion: This study showed poor KAP results among health care professionals. Proper educational intervention strategies should be established in different health care settings for better patient care. With proper guidance, objectives in all health care settings should be targeted to positively change the concept of health care to consider ADR reporting as a common accepted daily routine practice.
Limited Influence of Excipients in Extemporaneous Compounded Suspensions
Authors: Dijkers Eli , Nanhekhan Valerie , Thorissen Astrid , Marro Diego , Uriel Marta
Published: October 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify whether compounding oral suspensions with SyrSpend SF based on tablets or capsules is a suitable alternative for using raw pharmaceutical materials. Methods: Suspensions based on 5 different tablets and capsules were studied in SyrSpend SF. The summary of product characteristics of these different tablets and capsules were obtained from the manufacturer. Our hypothesis was that, if the maximum beyond-use date of the study was reached, the excipient did not seem to have an influence on the stability of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) within the studied time frame. Results: All excipients used in flecainide acetate, labetalol HCl, and tiagabine HCl tablets as well as in celecoxib and oseltamivir capsules did not seem to influence the beyond-use date of the overall suspension based on SyrSpend SF. Conclusion: Although using raw materials as API sources is preferred, oral suspensions with SyrSpend SF prepared from crushed tablets or opened capsules could be a possible alternative. Based on this study, a wide range of different excipients does not seem to impact the beyond-use date of different APIs compounded in SyrSpend SF.
Bivalirudin Medication Use Evaluation and Cost Savings Initiative
Authors: Sieg Adam C. , Gass Jennifer A.
Published: October 2017

Bivalirudin is a parenteral anticoagulant that elicits its effect through inhibition of both free and clot bound-thrombin. Inhibition of thrombin serves as a unique mechanism for anticoagulation when compared to heparin as thrombin serves as the final common pathway for the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation cascades. Due to unclear benefit over heparin, concerns regarding reversibility, and most importantly cost its use as a parenteral anticoagulant varies by institution. A recent drug expenditure review within our institution noted a significant increase in the contribution bivalirudin had on the overall drug budget. In an effort to establish the rationale for the cost increase, a medication use evaluation was performed. While it was discovered that 625 out of 1364 days of bivalirudin therapy were potentially avoidable, an equally important discovery was the amount of waste that was associated with bivalirudin therapy. Calculating daily requirements for bivalirudin indicated that 60% of patients required less than 100 mg per day. Within this article, we describe a cost-savings initiative to reduce bivalirudin waste and the resulting cost-avoidance following implementation.
Critical Appraisal of Biomedical Literature With a Succinct Journal Club Template: The ROOTs Format
Authors: Johnson Ashley , Thornby Krisy-Ann , Ferrill Mary
Published: October 2017

Journal clubs are a valuable tool to assist pharmacists in the evaluation of biomedical literature and to promote adoption of evidence-based practices. The concise ROOTs ( relevance, observe validity, obtain clinically significant results, and translate results to clinical practice) method was developed to help simplify and provide structure to any journal club process. Although there are a variety of recommended practices on how to conduct journal clubs using a variety of questions and checklists, many are cumbersome and difficult to complete and present in less than 30 minutes. The concise ROOTs journal club format may be beneficial for clinicians to help them develop an efficient and consistent means to appraise evidence in clinical practice. A sample completed ROOTs template, utilizing the 2015 IMPROVE-IT trial, is provided to further assist in utilizing the template.
Formation of a Citywide Pharmacy Residents’ Collaborative Committee
Authors: Sin Jonathan H. , Chin Jamie , Solodokin Loriel J.
Published: October 2017

Pharmacy residents undergo rigorous training to become skillful and knowledgeable independent practitioners. In addition to delivering direct clinical and operational pharmacy services, residents also participate in various administrative, educational, and scholarly activities as part of their residency experience. Throughout their training, residents may rely on individuals within their network for professional, personal, and emotional support, including residency program directors, preceptors, and co-residents from their respective institutions. Residents from nearby institutions can also serve as a vital resource. Throughout the nation, there are numerous pharmacy residency programs located within the same city or region. Fostering collaboration and relationships between residents from neighboring institutions may provide a support network to augment their training and cultivate an environment to promote work-life balance. We describe our 2-year experience in the formation of a citywide “Pharmacy Residents’ Collaborative Committee.”
Examining the Use of Sodium Nitroprusside in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Is the Benefit Worth the Cost?
Authors: Gibson Caitlin M. , Davis Sondra , Bradford Darien
Published: October 2017

Purpose: Sodium nitroprusside is a vasodilator frequently used in the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) setting. However, the price of a 50-mg vial of sodium nitroprusside increased from $5.00 in 2003 to up to $900 in 2016. The purpose of this review is to help health systems balance high-quality patient care with economic responsibility. Methods: A MEDLINE literature search was performed using the search terms “nitroprusside” and “coronary artery bypass.” All English-language trials in human subjects assessing the use of sodium nitroprusside in the setting of CABG were evaluated. The references of these studies were also reviewed. Results: In the setting of CABG, sodium nitroprusside attenuates conduit vasospasm and reduces the incidence of inflammation, atrial fibrillation, and acute kidney injury after surgery. However, other vasodilators are more effective at maintaining postoperative blood pressure at goal. Conclusions: Despite its cost, sodium nitroprusside may be an appropriate agent to use during CABG operations, but other agents should be considered for treatment of postoperative hypertension.
Hazardous Drug Contamination of Drug Preparation Devices and Staff: A Contamination Study Simulating the Use of Chemotherapy Drugs in a Clinical Setting
Authors: Call Evan , Bill Brian , McLean Chad , Call Nathan , Bernkopf Allyn , Oberg Craig
Published: October 2017

Background: Hazardous drug contamination (HD) in healthcare environments continues, placing healthcare staff at risk of significantly chronic health problems, despite the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and closed system transfer device systems (CSTDs). Objective: This study’s aim was to determine how HD might spread through touch after handling contaminated vials in simulated pharmacy and nursing environments. Methods: UV fluorescent powder Glo Germ (Glo Germ Co., Moab, UT), composed of melamine resin, was used to simulate HD. Following manufacturer’s exact usage specifications, five commercially available CSTDs were tested in the simulated pharmaceutical preparation environment under controlled conditions. UV fluorescence was used to detect the test medium powder that simulated HD following each trial. Photographs, using a Nikon D40X (10.2 mp) camera, were taken at selected stages of testing to document the presence of HD. Results: Transfer of the HD testing medium (Glo Germ) to IV sets, pharmacy PPE, and nursing PPE was observed in 4 of 5 CSTDs tested. The only CSTDs that showed no observable contamination was the Allison Medical Safety Enclosed Vial Adapter (SEVA) system (Littleton, CO). Conclusions: Results show residue from HD vials spread as vial was handled in a pharmacy environment in 4 of 5 CSTDs, contaminating pharmacy PPE, ancillary products, and nursing PPE. No HD residue was detected on PPE, ancillary products, or nursing PPE in the pharmacy after using the SEVA system, providing an effective means to contain HD for drug transfer from vial to delivery system.
A Case of Metronidazole Injection Infiltration Without Sequelae
Authors: North Andrew M. , Yee Justin M.
Published: October 2017

Purpose: This report describes a case of metronidazole injection infiltration which contrasts the sole other case report in the literature at this time, as the patient described herein experienced mild signs and symptoms with prompt resolution and no significant sequelae. Summary: The patient experienced metronidazole injection infiltration during administration open to gravity via an 18-gauge peripheral catheter in the left brachial vein. The site was examined at bedside within approximately 30 minutes of the incident and was noted to be slightly edematous, erythemic, and painful in terms of a 5.5 × 6.6-cm area. No blanching, blister formation, induration, skin discoloration, or diminished capillary refill were observed. The event was conservatively managed in the form of catheter discontinuation and marking of the affected area with a patient skin marker, as hyaluronidase was not administered due to a product osmolarity of ~314 mOsM/L and pH of 5.8. A bedside evaluation the next morning revealed full resolution of the previously described symptoms. The patient was discharged from the facility 11 days later without further complications from the infiltration event. Conclusion: We describe a case of metronidazole injection infiltration which did not require pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic interventions and resulted in complete resolution. This case supplements the current literature by contrasting the sole other case report which resulted in profound necrosis near the intravenous access site. This case suggests metronidazole infiltrations may not require clinician alarm or treatment if events occur under circumstances similar to that which is presented.
Doubling Pharmacist Coverage in the Intensive Care Unit: Impact on the Pharmacists’ Clinical Activities and Team Members’ Satisfaction
Authors: McDaniel Joshua , Bass Lynn , Pate Toni , DeValve Michael , Miller Susan
Published: October 2017

Background: National professional organizations have recognized pharmacists as essential members of the intensive care unit (ICU) team. Critical care pharmacists’ clinical activities have been categorized as fundamental, desirable, and optimal, providing a structure for gauging ICU pharmacy services being provided. Objective: To determine the impact the addition of a second ICU pharmacist covering 30 adult ICU beds at a large regional medical center has on the complexity of pharmacists’ interventions, the types of clinical activities performed by the pharmacists, and the ICU team members’ satisfaction. Methods: A prospective mixed-method descriptive study was conducted. Pharmacists recorded their interventions and clinical activities performed. A focus group composed of randomly selected ICU team members was held to qualitatively describe the impact of the additional pharmacist coverage on patient care, team dynamics, and pharmacy services provided. Results: The baseline period consisted of 33 days, and the intervention period consisted of 20 days. The average complexity of interventions was 1.72 during the baseline period (mode = 2) versus 1.69 (mode = 2) during the intervention period. The number of desirable and optimal clinical activities performed daily increased during the intervention from 8.4 (n = 279) to 16.4 (n = 328) and 2.3 (n = 75) to 8.6 (n = 171) compared with the baseline, respectively. Focus group members qualitatively described additional pharmacist coverage as beneficial. Conclusion: The additional critical care pharmacist did not increase pharmacy intervention complexity; however, more interventions were performed per day. Additional pharmacist coverage increased the daily number of desirable and optimal clinical activities performed and positively impacted ICU team members’ satisfaction.
Cultural Guides, Cultural Critics: Distrust of Doctors and Social Support during Mental Health Treatment
Authors: McConnell William R.
Published: October 2017

Research on relationships and health often interprets culture as the passively transmitted “content” of social ties, an approach that overlooks the influence of cultural resources on relationships themselves. I propose that mental health patients seek social support partly based on cultural resources held by their network members, including members’ medical knowledge and beliefs. I test hypotheses using data from the Indianapolis Network Mental Health Study, an egocentric network survey of new mental health patients ( N = 152) and their personal relationships ( N = 1,868). Results from random-intercept regressions show that patients obtain support from network members who trust doctors and who have experience with mental problems. In contrast, network members who distrust doctors disproportionately cause problems for patients. I discuss how cultural resources can categorize network members as supportive cultural guides or disruptive cultural critics. Reconsidering how culture shapes relationships clarifies the role of networks during illness management and illustrates their potentially harmful effects.
Beyond Recidivism: Exploring the Predictive Validity of a Correctional Risk Assessment Tool on Offender Victimization
Authors: McCafferty James T. , Scherer Heidi
Published: October 2017

A vast body of past research on correctional risk assessment instruments supports their validity in predicting measures of recidivism across diverse offender population samples. Despite similarities in the risk factors for victimization and offending, little is known about whether the generalizability of these actuarial tools can be extended beyond recidivism to predict victimization measures as well. Utilizing a sample of approximately 1,900 recently released male and female prisoners, this study examined whether measures of risk drawn from the Level of Service Inventory–Revised: Screening Version (LSI-R:SV) could predict one’s risk of victimization. Analyses provide evidence that the risk scores and levels were significantly related to both recidivism and victimization. Policy and prevention implications for correctional assessment and offender treatment are discussed.
Disturbance observer design and vibration control for a flexible aircraft wing
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Jinkun , He Wei
Published: October 2017

This study focuses on the disturbance observer design and vibration control problems for a flexible aircraft wing system. The flexible aircraft wing is modeled as a coupled twist-bending infinite dimensional distributed parameter system. The dynamic equations and boundary conditions are described by partial differential equations and ordinary differential equations, respectively. In this paper, an infinite dimensional disturbance observer is proposed to estimate both the boundary disturbances and the distributed spatiotemporally varying disturbances. Considering the coupling between the bending deformation and the twist deformation, a boundary controller is proposed to suppress the vibration and inhibit the adverse effects of external disturbances. By using the proposed disturbance observer and controller, the uniform boundednesss of the closed-loop system is validated through theoretical analysis. Finally, simulation results are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed infinite dimensional disturbance observer and boundary controller.
Analyzing Analyst Research: A Review of Past Coverage and Recommendations for Future Research
Authors: Brauer Matthias , Wiersema Margarethe
Published: October 2017

As visible and knowledgeable experts who constantly collect, analyze, and disseminate information about the future prospects of publicly listed firms, financial analysts fulfill an important information brokerage and monitoring function for investors. By providing investment advice, financial analysts also influence the demand for a firm’s stock and thus its price. Executives pay close attention to financial analysts’ earnings forecasts and recommendations, so much so that they are frequently criticized for excessive focus on their forecasts at the expense of the long-term interests of the firm. But while research on analysts in strategic management is steadily growing, we lack a coherent understanding of the extent and nature of analysts’ diverse influences on executives’ and investors’ decision making and the context in which analysts operate. This is largely due to the fragmentation of the literature and the absence of prior reviews or meta-analyses of the topic. By organizing, synthesizing, and analyzing extant research efforts on analysts in the various domains of strategic management research, we aim to advance our knowledge on the influence of analysts on firms and investors. Further, we hope that our analyses and recommendations help further increase research coverage on this important organizational stakeholder.
Using Generalizability Theory to Inform Optimal Design for a Nursing Performance Assessment
Authors: O’Brien Janet , Thompson Marilyn S. , Hagler Debra
Published: October 2017

The promotion of competency of nurses and other health-care professionals is a goal shared by many stakeholders. In nursing, observation-based assessments are often better suited than paper-and-pencil tests for assessing many clinical abilities. Unfortunately, few instruments for simulation-based assessment of competency have been published that have undergone stringent reliability and validity evaluation. Reliability analyses typically involve some measure of rater agreement, but other sources of measurement error that affect reliability should also be considered. The purpose of this study is three-fold. First, using extant data collected from 18 nurses evaluated on 3 Scenarios by 3 Raters, we utilize generalizability (G) theory to examine the psychometric characteristics of the Nursing Performance Profile, a simulation-based instrument for assessing nursing competency. Results corroborated findings of previous studies of simulation-based assessments showing that obtaining desired score reliability requires substantially greater numbers of scenarios and/or raters. Second, we provide an illustrative exemplar of how G theory can be used to understand the relative magnitudes of sources of error variance—such as scenarios, raters, and items—and their interactions. Finally, we offer general recommendations for the design and psychometric study of simulation-based assessments in health-care contexts.
Audiences: a decade of transformations – reflections from the CEDAR network on emerging directions in audience analysis
Authors: Das Ranjana
Published: October 2017

In this essay, I examine the 10 years between 2004 and 2014 as a transformative, if uncertain, decade for audience analysis, faced with rapidly fragmenting media environments. Next, reflecting on the research done by a 14 country network I direct – Consortium on Emerging Directions in Audience Research (CEDAR), funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, United Kingdom – I examine the features of this decade of transformation, paying attention to the intellectual markers that punctuate this decade and make it stand out in the history of audience studies. I focus on four pivotal axes of transformations which emerge out of the analysis conducted by the CEDAR network and argue that these four represent significant ways in which audience analysis has lived through an uncertain but exciting decade. These axes are audiences’ changing coping strategies with hyper-connected and intrusive media, audience interruptions of media content flows, the co-option of audience labour, and the micro–macro politics of audience action. I conclude by locating this transformative decade 2004–2014 against a longer backdrop of uncertain moments and periods of flux in the field, arguing, that not unlike those points in time, now too, audience analysis has reached a newer, more unknown, but very significant phase.
Differential Effect of Acute Iron Overload on Oxidative Status and Antioxidant Content in Regions of Rat Brain
Authors: Piloni Natacha E. , Reiteri Macarena , Hernando Marcelo P. , Cervino Claudio O. , Puntarulo Susana
Published: October 2017

The hypothesis of this study is that the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of the rat brain are differentially affected in terms of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity by acute Fe overload because Fe is distributed in a heterogeneous fashion among different regions and cells of the brain. The effects on the lipophilic and hydrophilic cellular environment were compared between regions and with the whole brain. A single dose of Fe-dextran increased Fe deposits, reaching a maximum after 6 hr. Both in whole brain and in cortex region, the ascorbyl/ascorbate content ratio was increased after 6 hr of Fe administration, while in striatum and hippocampus, there was no significant changes after Fe overload. Total thiol content decreased in whole brain and cortex, while there were no significant changes in striatum and hippocampus after Fe overload. The content of α-tocopherol (α-T), whether measured in the whole brain or in the isolated regions, did not change following Fe treatment. Lipid radical (LR•) generation rate after Fe-dextran overload only increased in the cortex region. The LR•/α-T content ratio was increased by Fe treatment in cortex but not in the whole brain, striatum, or hippocampus, in agreement with the study tested hypothesis.
Career Transition Points in Toxicologic Pathology: Management and Consulting
Authors: Choudhary Shambhunath , Osborne Tanasa , Adler Rick R. , McDorman Kevin S. , Dillberger John E. , Ochoa Ricardo
Published: October 2017

In the constantly evolving field of toxicologic pathology, a pathologist’s career is often characterized by multiple career transitions. However, these transitions can be challenging and/or overwhelming and may require a shift in focus, strategic approach, and acquisition of new skills and expertise. In order to provide a forum to discuss challenges associated with career transitions and skill set/competencies required to navigate career changes effectively and successfully, the Career Development and Outreach Committee of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP) sponsored a career development workshop entitled “Transitions in a Pathologist’s Career” in conjunction with the STP 36th annual symposium. The presentations at this workshop provided perspectives of managers from pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organizations as well as consultants. This article is designed to provide brief summaries of their talks in this well-received career development workshop.
MitraClip and mitral annuloplasty device as a bridge to transplantation
Authors: Sankar Nainar Madhu , Ramani Salla Sweta , Anantharaman Rajaram , Cherian Kotturathu Mammen
Published: October 2017

A 42-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy and endstage heart failure was evaluated for heart transplantation. He received a MitraClip and Carillon annuloplasty device for functional mitral regurgitation as palliation for his heart failure. Subsequently, he underwent successful heart transplantation.
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors
Authors: Griffiths Roland R , Johnson Matthew W , Richards William A , Richards Brian D , Jesse Robert , MacLean Katherine A , Barrett Frederick S , Cosimano Mary P , Klinedinst Maggie A
Published: October 2017

Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences with participant-attributed increases in well-being. However, little research has examined enduring changes in traits. This study administered psilocybin to participants who undertook a program of meditation/spiritual practices. Healthy participants were randomized to three groups (25 each): (1) very low-dose (1 mg/70 kg on sessions 1 and 2) with moderate-level (“standard”) support for spiritual-practice (LD-SS); (2) high-dose (20 and 30 mg/70 kg on sessions 1 and 2, respectively) with standard support (HD-SS); and (3) high-dose (20 and 30 mg/70kg on sessions 1 and 2, respectively) with high support for spiritual practice (HD-HS). Psilocybin was administered double-blind and instructions to participants/staff minimized expectancy confounds. Psilocybin was administered 1 and 2 months after spiritual-practice initiation. Outcomes at 6 months included rates of spiritual practice and persisting effects of psilocybin. Compared with low-dose, high-dose psilocybin produced greater acute and persisting effects. At 6 months, compared with LD-SS, both high-dose groups showed large significant positive changes on longitudinal measures of interpersonal closeness, gratitude, life meaning/purpose, forgiveness, death transcendence, daily spiritual experiences, religious faith and coping, and community observer ratings. Determinants of enduring effects were psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience and rates of meditation/spiritual practices. Psilocybin can occasion enduring trait-level increases in prosocial attitudes/behaviors and in healthy psychological functioning.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00802282
Grade Retention at the Transition to Secondary School: Using Propensity Score Matching to Identify Consequences on Psychosocial Adjustment
Authors: Mathys Cécile , Véronneau Marie-Hélène , Lecocq Aurélie
Published: October 2017

This study tested whether grade retention at the transition into secondary school had a significant impact on adolescent psychosocial adjustment. A quasi-experimental design was used in which propensity score matching was implemented. Univariate ANCOVAs were subsequently run on a subsample of 181 students enrolled in one typical secondary school in the French-speaking region of Belgium ( M = 12.91 years, 55.8% girls). These analyses revealed that retained students experienced decreases in self-esteem, perceived parental support for competence and involvement in the relationships with their parents, and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation variables. Retained students also failed to show the decrease in delinquent and aggressive behaviors and social withdrawal that was observed in matched promoted students. In sum, grade retention appears to be detrimental to early-adolescence psychosocial adjustment. To decrease rates of grade retention among adolescents, change is needed in parents’, school staff’s, and policymakers’ preconceptions that the practice has overall positive outcomes.
A National Sample of Eighth-Grade Students: The Impact of Middle Grade Schools on Academic and Psychosocial Competence
Authors: Cappella Elise , Schwartz Kate , Hill Jennifer , Kim Ha Yeon , Seidman Edward
Published: October 2017

This study evaluates the effect of attending a U.S. public middle or junior high school as compared with a K-8 school on eighth graders’ academic and psychosocial outcomes. In a national sample, we conducted propensity score weighted regression analysis. Initial findings indicated that for eighth-grade students, attending a middle or junior high school negatively affected teacher- and self-reported reading/writing competence. After applying population weights, only reading self-concept remained negatively affected by middle school enrollment. Exploratory analysis revealed the negative effects of attending a middle grade school may be present only for the students who enter kindergarten not at risk as measured by socioeconomic status (SES) or academic performance. Taken together, results suggest that negative impacts of middle grade schooling may be limited to teacher- and self-reported reading/writing competence, more pronounced in middle versus junior high school, and more salient for less disadvantaged students. Implications for theory, policy, and practice are discussed.
Use of the Social Problem Solving Inventory–Revised With Forensic Populations: A Psychometric Critique
Authors: Bothamley Sarah L. , Tully Ruth J.
Published: October 2017

The Social Problem Solving Inventory–Revised (SPSI-R) is a popular psychometric tool used with multiple populations to assess individual problem solving ability. Problem solving deficits have been implicated within forensic literature, and therefore, assessment of these skills is essential to aid decision making and appraisal of treatment change in forensic populations. This review discusses the extent of the validity and reliability of the SPSI-R within forensic populations, and concludes that while the tool has some valid psychometric properties, further studies using larger forensic samples and being inclusive of more subgroups in forensic contexts are needed to provide reliable group comparison norms. Overall, users of the SPSI-R should be aware of the strengths and limitations of using this tool with a forensic population. Impression management is also a consideration when using the SPSI-R within forensic settings.
Examining Employment Outcomes of Offender and Nonoffender Vocational Program Graduates
Authors: Formon Dana L. , Schmidt Adam T. , Henderson Craig
Published: October 2017

Researchers have found providing employment opportunities for ex-offenders through job training programs to be effective at reducing recidivism. Examining various community-based programs for ex-offenders can be beneficial as they may be able to provide more stable and consistent programming without relying on the justice system. This study examined employment outcomes of graduates with and without criminal histories ( n = 617) from a community-based vocational training program. Results showed that ex-offender graduates obtained employment at equal rates to nonoffender graduates and received equal pay to their nonoffender counterparts. This could indicate that for the vocationally educated ex-offender, employment outcomes may be able to equal those of other job-searching individuals with similar backgrounds but without a criminal history. Community-based programs for ex-offenders may be able to provide effective programming to improve vocational attainment within this group, thereby potentially easing the burden on criminal justice institutions as the sole provider of offender rehabilitation.
Emplacing Indigeneity and rurality in neoliberal disability welfare reform: The lived experience of Aboriginal people with disabilities in the West Kimberley, Australia
Authors: Soldatic Karen , Somers Kelly , Spurway Kim , van Toorn Georgia
Published: October 2017

This article maps the impact of neoliberal restructuring of disability services and income support measures on Aboriginal people with disabilities living in rural areas of the West Kimberley in Australia. The international literature has extensively documented disability and Indigenous neoliberal welfare retraction measures, though as discrete areas of research. We aim to emplace the intersectional experience of such reforms by exposing their unique and qualitatively different dynamics and processes of disablement and Indigenous dispossession in the lived experiences of Aboriginal Australians with disabilities in rural Australia. Interviews conducted with Aboriginal people with disabilities living in the West Kimberley revealed the impact of neoliberal policies of retracting disability supports and rationalising services. The effects were felt in terms of people’s mobility, autonomy and economic security, with chronic, and at times crisis, levels of socio-economic insecurity experienced. Neoliberal spatial structures have led to further peripheralisation of rural and remote populations and a resulting increase in levels of inequality, deprivation and marginalisation for Aboriginal Australians with disabilities, who endure and survive by navigating these disabling spaces.
Ecuador’s experiment in living well: Sumak kawsay, Spinoza and the inadequacy of ideas
Authors: Gerlach Joe
Published: October 2017

In April 2017, Ecuador halted the continental drift to the conservative right in Latin America by electing leftist Lenín Moreno to the Presidency. Attention has turned, therefore, to the legacy of outgoing President Rafael Correa’s decade in power. To that end, this paper examines one of Correa’s signature programmes, ‘Buen Vivir’ (Living Well), a strategic plan for development underscored by the indigenous Kichwa cosmology of ‘sumak kawsay’. Sumak kawsay is a notion that has been co-opted into policy mechanisms in an attempt to both challenge neoliberal modes of governance, and to disrupt the ontological bifurcation of nature and society. Given the emphasis placed on ecological sensibility in sumak kawsay and Buen Vivir, critics have been quick to highlight the contradictory relations between Ecuador’s mode of environmental governance and its extractivist agenda. Such critiques are as staid as they are well rehearsed. Acknowledging the precarious composition of sumak kawsay, the paper questions the extent to which the ethos of experimentalism in politics can be sustained, eliding stymied technocratic forms of the political. It turns, therefore, to Baruch Spinoza’s treatise on adequate and inadequate ideas. In so doing, the paper examines how one can critique an idea without perpetuating a moral economy in judgment. Consequently, the paper considers the way in which Spinoza’s thought can be charged to recuperate imperilled political ideas.
Design optimization of a wind farm layout for maximum wind energy capture: A new constructive approach
Authors: Tifroute M , Bouzahir H
Published: October 2017

Wind energy is becoming an attractive source of clean energy. However, this type of power source is subject to power reductions due to losses in wind energy conversion system and to frequent changes in wind velocity. For that reason, the important phase of a wind farm design is solving the wind farm layout optimization problem, which consists in optimally positioning the turbines within the wind farm so that the wake effects are minimized and therefore the expected power production is maximized. This problem has been receiving increasing attention from the scientific community. In this article, a mathematical optimization scheme is employed to optimize the locations of wind turbines with respect to maximizing the wind farm power production. To formulate the mathematical optimization problem, we used Jensen’s wake model. We calculate the wake loss and express the expected wind farm power as a differentiable function in terms of the locations of the wind turbines. Furthermore, we develop a new constructive approach to find the best solution to the wind turbines placement problem. Finally, our results are compared with those in some other ealier studies.
Significant Chondrocyte Viability Is Present in Acetabular Chondral Flaps Associated With Femoroacetabular Impingement
Authors: Wright Vonda J. , McCrum Christopher Laurence , Li Hongshuai , Tranovich Michael J. , Huard Johnny
Published: October 2017

Background:

Patients presenting with cam deformity of the femoral head and neck sustain repeated trauma to the articular cartilage of the superior acetabulum, with chondral delamination injuries found during hip arthroscopy. Two previous studies reveal conflicting chondrocyte viability data in these traumatic cartilage injuries. The full-thickness nature of flaps may suggest that chondrocytes residing in the cartilage flap matrix in the joint environment would remain viable despite shear trauma.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to determine the in vivo tissue viability of acetabular chondral flaps in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) when samples are analyzed immediately after biopsy. We hypothesize that the majority of the tissue in acetabular chondral flaps is viable in the joint microenvironment.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Partially detached cartilage flaps from 10 patients undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery for FAI were biopsied in a minimally traumatic manner before chondroplasty and microfracture. Samples were placed in cold Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution without phenol red solution and immediately transported on ice to our laboratory. The edge of the samples was trimmed and further cut into 3 separate, 1-mm-thick sections. Sections were stained using a live/dead staining kit. Images were obtained with confocal microscopy, and the percentage of live cells was quantified.

Results:

Patients averaged 36 ± 11 years (range, 18-48 years), and 2 patients were female. The mean body mass index was 28.9 ± 5.6 kg/m2. The total proportion of live cells from all sections analyzed was 85.8%. The proportion of live cells per patient was 87% ± 10%.

Conclusion:

We determined that acetabular chondral flaps are approximately 87% live cells when analyzed immediately after biopsy, with 6 of 10 patients having greater than 90% live cells. These data point to the importance of laboratory techniques in making viability judgments in biologic systems.

Clinical Relevance:

Full-thickness cartilage loss is a difficult problem for all active people but particularly in the young population in whom joint preservation is key. We describe the viability of chondrocytes present in full-thickness acetabular-based chondral flaps encountered during hip arthroscopy. Identification of greater than 85% chondrocyte viability supports a foundation for evaluation and creation of novel clinical innovations for repair and replacement techniques using the flap as donor tissue, as alternatives to chondroplasty and microfracture.
A Biomechanical Analysis of the Association Between Forearm Mechanics and the Elbow Varus Moment in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Solomito Matthew J. , Garibay Erin J. , Nissen Carl W.
Published: October 2017

Background:

The incidence of upper extremity injury in baseball pitchers has increased over the past decade. This has resulted in a large body of research mainly focused on the kinematic and kinetic patterns of the elbow and shoulder to elucidate the cause of these injuries, with little attention on studying the associations of forearm rotation and upper arm joint moments.

Hypothesis:

There will be significant differences in forearm kinematics and kinetics when comparing the fastball pitch with the curveball pitch. There will be a positive association between forearm kinetics, specifically supination and pronation moments, and the elbow varus moment.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 78 pitchers were recruited for this study, and they underwent a pitching analysis using motion analysis techniques. A random-intercept, mixed-effects regression model was used to determine differences in forearm kinematics and kinetics when pitching a fastball compared with a curveball, as well as to determine if associations existed between forearm supination and pronation moments and the elbow varus moment.

Results:

There were a number of significant differences in forearm position when pitching a fastball compared with a curveball, with the curveball producing a more supinated forearm position. Significant associations were found between increasing forearm supination moments and an increase in elbow varus moment for both the fastball and the curveball ( P = .002 and P < .001, respectively). For every 1-N·m increase in the supination moment, there was a 1-N·m and 1.1-N·m increase in the elbow varus moment for the fastball and curveball, respectively.

Conclusion:

The results demonstrated that the forearm position was not associated with the elbow varus moment. However, the supination moment was associated with the elbow varus moment.

Clinical Relevance:

On the basis of these findings, pitching coaches and trainers can understand the implications of proper lower arm pitching mechanics in the later portion of the pitch cycle as a potential risk of injury and, therefore, can develop coaching strategies to reduce incorrect positioning, especially when players are pitching the curveball.
A Note on the Law and Economics of Stolen Valor
Authors: Weisman Dennis L.
Published: October 2017

The issue of stolen valor concerns the act of trading on false claims of being awarded valorous military service medals. The Supreme Court overturned the 2005 Stolen Valor Act, largely on First Amendment grounds, ruling that even false speech deserves some protection. Misrepresentation that devalues the reputation of medals for valor may not violate the revised statute despite reducing the expected wage premium associated with being awarded the medal for valor and discouraging investment in military effort. Hence, the law and economics of stolen valor are in some conflict.

JEL Classifications: D82, H1, K23
Waste-to-energy: A review of life cycle assessment and its extension methods
Authors: Zhou Zhaozhi , Tang Yuanjun , Chi Yong , Ni Mingjiang , Buekens Alfons
Published: October 2017

This article proposes a comprehensive review of evaluation tools based on life cycle thinking, as applied to waste-to-energy. Habitually, life cycle assessment is adopted to assess environmental burdens associated with waste-to-energy initiatives. Based on this framework, several extension methods have been developed to focus on specific aspects: Exergetic life cycle assessment for reducing resource depletion, life cycle costing for evaluating its economic burden, and social life cycle assessment for recording its social impacts. Additionally, the environment–energy–economy model integrates both life cycle assessment and life cycle costing methods and judges simultaneously these three features for sustainable waste-to-energy conversion. Life cycle assessment is sufficiently developed on waste-to-energy with concrete data inventory and sensitivity analysis, although the data and model uncertainty are unavoidable. Compared with life cycle assessment, only a few evaluations are conducted to waste-to-energy techniques by using extension methods and its methodology and application need to be further developed. Finally, this article succinctly summarises some recommendations for further research.
The immune response in trichloroethylene hypersensitivity syndrome: A review
Authors: Zhang Jia-xiang , Li Na , Wang Hui , Shen Tong , Zhu Qi-xing
Published: October 2017

Trichloroethylene (TCE) has been used for a variety of industrial and consumer cleaning purposes because of its ability to dissolve organic substances. The multisystem injuries include those of skin, liver, and kidney, which are defined as TCE hypersensitivity syndrome (THS). THS is a serious occupational health issue. However, the mechanism of immune dysfunction leading to organ injury is poorly understood. Many studies reveal that skin lesions and organ injury caused by TCE are consistent with type IV hypersensitivity, also called delayed hypersensitivity, mediated by T cells. However, many researchers found T cell-mediated type IV hypersensitivity could not account for the pathogenesis of THS fully. Humoral immunity, including immunoglobulins and complement activation, may also play a possible role in THS pathogenesis. This review will describe the history, current understanding, and future research directions of the mechanism of THS.
Home Parenteral Nutrition: Vascular Access and Related Complications
Authors: Dibb Martyn , Lal Simon
Published: October 2017

Patients with chronic intestinal failure are dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN) to maintain health and preserve life. Maintaining safe vascular access is vital to prevent life‐threatening complications such as catheter‐related bloodstream infection or central venous occlusion. Dedicated central venous catheters with rigorous catheter care aseptic protocols are vital in obtaining good long‐term outcomes that allow continuation of PN over many years. Good catheter care requires an experienced multidisciplinary team using appropriate vascular devices, trained to identify and aggressively treat catheter‐related bloodstream infections, catheter occlusions, and catheter‐related thrombosis. Consideration must also be given to evolving strategies to prevent recurrent infections, including prophylactic central venous catheter locks.
Designing cellulosic and nanocellulosic sensors for interface with a protease sequestrant wound-dressing prototype: Implications of material selection for dressing and protease sensor design
Authors: Fontenot Krystal R , Edwards J Vincent , Haldane David , Pircher Nicole , Liebner Falk , Condon Brian D , Qureshi Huzaifah , Yager Dorne
Published: October 2017

Interfacing nanocellulosic-based biosensors with chronic wound dressings for protease point of care diagnostics combines functional material properties of high specific surface area, appropriate surface charge, and hydrophilicity with biocompatibility to the wound environment. Combining a protease sensor with a dressing is consistent with the concept of an intelligent dressing, which has been a goal of wound-dressing design for more than a quarter century. We present here biosensors with a nanocellulosic transducer surface (nanocrystals, nanocellulose composites, and nanocellulosic aerogels) immobilized with a fluorescent elastase tripeptide or tetrapeptide biomolecule, which has selectivity and affinity for human neutrophil elastase present in chronic wound fluid. The specific surface area of the materials correlates with a greater loading of the elastase peptide substrate. Nitrogen adsorption and mercury intrusion studies revealed gas permeable systems with different porosities (28–98%) and pore sizes (2–50 nm, 210 µm) respectively, which influence water vapor transmission rates. A correlation between zeta potential values and the degree of protease sequestration imply that the greater the negative surface charge of the nanomaterials, the greater the sequestration of positively charged neutrophil proteases. The biosensors gave detection sensitivities of 0.015–0.13 units/ml, which are at detectable human neutrophil elastase levels present in chronic wound fluid. Thus, the physical and interactive biochemical properties of the nano-based biosensors are suitable for interfacing with protease sequestrant prototype wound dressings. A discussion of the relevance of protease sensors and cellulose nanomaterials to current chronic wound dressing design and technology is included.