bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Risk Features of Delayed Clinical Progression in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Proposed Prediction Score for Early Intervention
Authors: Bushnaq Saif A. , Qeadan Fares , Thacker Tapan , Abbas Mohammad , Carlson Andrew P.
Published: April 2018

Background: Anticoagulation is the mainstay treatment for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). A subset of patients might deteriorate despite anticoagulation, and in such cases, endovascular therapy is recommended. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on subjects with CVT from January 2005 to October 2016. The primary outcome was clinical deterioration. Bivariate analysis, multiple logistic regression modeling, and linear discriminant analysis were used to determine a predictive model for deterioration; the results from these models were used to construct a CVT score in order to measure the individual likelihood of deterioration. Results: We identified 147 subjects with CVT. The majority were treated with anticoagulation (n = 109, 74.15%); 38 (25.85%) were found to have deterioration, 12 (8.16%) of whom underwent endovascular intervention. The most important risk factors of deterioration, per bivariate analysis, included decreased level of consciousness (odds ratio [OR] = 5.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.59–12.77) and papilledema (OR = 4.52; 95% CI 1.55–13.18). The final multivariable model also included CVT location score (number of sinuses involved), oral contraceptive pill use, sodium level, platelet count, and seizure activity on presentation. This model had a predictive ability to identify deterioration of 83.2%, with a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 76.2%. Patients with a CVT score of ≥5 have at least 50% chance of deterioration. Conclusions: Decreased mental status, seizure activity, papilledema, number of involved sinuses, as well as sodium level and platelet count are the most important factors in predicting deterioration after CVT. This group may represent a subset of patients in whom early endovascular therapy may be considered.
RNA Binding Protein, HuR, Regulates
SCN5A
Expression Through Stabilizing MEF2C transcription factor mRNA
Authors: Zhou Anyu , Shi Guangbin , Kang Gyeoung‐Jin , Xie An , Liu Hong , Jiang Ning , Liu Man , Jeong Euy‐Myoung , Dudley Samuel C.
Published: April 2018

Background

Although transcription is the initial process of gene expression, posttranscriptional gene expression regulation has also played a critical role for fine‐tuning gene expression in a fast, precise, and cost‐effective manner. Although the regulation of sodium channel α‐subunit (

SCN
5A

)
mRNA
expression has been studied at both transcriptional and pre‐
mRNA
splicing levels, the molecular mechanisms governing

SCN
5A

mRNA
expression are far from clear.

Methods and Results

Herein, we show that, as evidenced by ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation assay,
RNA
binding protein Hu antigen R/ELAV like RNA binding protein 1 (HuR/
ELAVL
1) and myocyte enhancer factor‐2C (MEF2C)
transcription factor mRNA
are associated. HuR positively regulated transcription factor
MEF
2C
mRNA
expression by protecting its
mRNA
from degradation. As demonstrated by both chromatin immunoprecipitation–quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay,
MEF
2C enhanced

SCN
5A

transcription by binding to a putative
MEF
2C binding site within

SCN
5A

promoter region. Overexpression of HuR increased the expression of

SCN
5A

mRNA
, and this effect was attenuated by the presence of
MEF
2C small interfering
RNA
in cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our results suggested that HuR participates in a combined network at the
DNA
and
RNA
levels that regulates

SCN
5A

mRNA
expression. HuR upregulates
MEF
2C
mRNA
expression by protecting
MEF
2C
mRNA
from degradation, and consequently, the elevated
MEF
2C enhances

SCN
5A

mRNA
transcription.
Infections and Risk of Peripartum Stroke During Delivery Admissions
Authors: Miller Eliza C. , Gallo Marisa , Kulick Erin R. , Friedman Alexander M. , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Boehme Amelia K.
Published: April 2018

Background and Purpose—

Peripartum strokes during delivery admissions are rare but have high maternal morbidity. Infections have been proposed as a possible stroke trigger. We hypothesized that women who had infections diagnosed at the time of delivery admission would have higher risk of stroke during their delivery hospitalization.

Methods—

We conducted a case–control study using state inpatient administrative databases for California (2007–2011), Florida (2009–2011), and New York (2009–2011). Women whose admission included a vaginal or cesarean delivery, with a new diagnosis of stroke during the admission, were considered cases and were randomly matched to 3 in-state controls by age/admission year and presence and severity of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The primary exposure of interest was infection of any type present on admission. Secondary exposures included race/ethnicity, payer status, delivery method, and known vascular risk factors such as chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol abuse, hypercoagulable states, coagulopathies, and renal disease. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association of infections and known vascular risk factors with stroke risk.

Results—

A total of 455 cases (mean age, 29.8), of whom 195 (42.9%) had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, were matched with 1365 controls. Infection of any type present on admission increased the odds of stroke diagnosis during the admission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–2.35). Risk was higher for genitourinary infections (adjusted odds ratio, 2.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–5.24) and sepsis (adjusted odds ratio, 10.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.15–20.0). The association between infection and stroke during delivery admission did not differ by the presence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Conclusions—

Infections present on admission increased stroke risk during delivery admissions in women with and without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The results were driven by genitourinary infections and sepsis. Infections may be an underrecognized precipitant of peripartum stroke.
Paradigmatic Possibilities as Perspective for Absolute Constructions
Authors: Kruijer Mike , la Roi Ezra
Published: April 2018

Compared to Greek genitive absolutes, Latin ablative absolutes are of two types. The first have agents that are non-coreferential with the subject of the main clause. The second have agents thatarecoreferential with the subject of the main clause. The first type strongly resemble Greek genitive absolutes because of their high frequency of animate subject complements and the similar way in which they articulate referential coherence. The second type, which always contains a perfect passive participle, from a comparative perspective can be seen as a paradigmatic filler, which is a Latin alternative to an anterior active participle. Their subject complements are less frequently animate and in the word order (iconically) placed close to the subject of the main clause that is also the agent of the ablative absolute. However, paradigmatic differences have only minor consequences for the preferred sentence position of the absolute constructions and their internal complexity.
Cerebellum size is positively correlated with geographic distribution range in anurans
Authors: Zhao Chun Lin , Jin Long , Zhong Mao Jun , Xie Feng , Jiang Jian Ping , Li Da Yong , Liao Wen Bo
Published: April 2018

The ‘cognitive buffer’ hypothesis predicts that the costs of relatively large brains are compensated for later in life by the increased benefits of large brains providing a higher chance of survival under changing environments through flexible behaviors in the animal kingdom. Thus, animals that live in a larger range (with a higher probability of environmental variation) are expected to have larger brains than those that live in a restricted geographic range. Here, to test the prediction of the ‘cognitive buffer’ hypothesis that larger brains should be expected to occur in species living in geographic ranges of larger size, we analyzed the relationship between the size of the geographic range and brain size and the size of various brain regions among 42 species of anurans using phylogenetic comparative methods. The results show that there is no correlation between relative brain size and size of the species’ geographic range when correcting for phylogenetic effects and body size. Our findings suggest that the effects of the cognitive buffer and the energetic constraints on brains result in non-significant variation in overall brain size. However, the geographic range is positively correlated with cerebellum size, but not with optic tecta, suggesting that species distributed in a wider geographic range do not exhibit larger optic tecta which would provide behavioral flexibility to allow for an early escape from potential predators and discovery of new food resources in unpredictable environments.
Regulatory Challenges of Data Mining Practices: The Case of the Never-ending Lifecycles of ‘Health Data’
Authors: Comandè Giovanni , Schneider Giulia
Published: April 2018

Health data are the most special of the ‘special categories’ of data under Art. 9 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The same Art. 9 GDPR prohibits, with broad exceptions, the processing of ‘data concerning health’. Our thesis is that, through data mining technologies, health data have progressively undergone a process of distancing from the healthcare sphere as far as the generation, the processing and the uses are concerned. The case study aims thus to test the endurance of the ‘special category’ of health data in the face of data mining technologies and the never-ending lifecycles of health data they feed. At a more general level of analysis, the case of health data shows that data mining techniques challenge core data protection notions, such as the distinction between sensitive and non-sensitive personal data, requiring a shift in terms of systemic perspectives that the GDPR only partly addresses.
New species and subspecies of Calamus (Arecaceae) from Vietnam
Authors: HENDERSON ANDREW , DUNG NGUYEN QUOC
Published: April 2018

Five new species and one new subspecies of Calamus (Arecaceae) from Vietnam are described and illustrated and compared with similar species.
New records and updated checklist of Cicadomorpha (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) species from Greece
Authors: THANOU ZOI N. , AFENTOULIS DIMITRIOS G. , KOUFOPOULOU PANAGIOTA , AMPATZI ARGYRO P. , LEKKOU SOFIA D. , KOUTSOGIANNOPOULOU ΑIKATERINI , BRAVOU ANASTASIA A. , STAMATAKOU GEORGIA D. , VOULGARAKI KONSTANTINA N. , PIPERKAS ANASTASIOS , CHALDAIOU AIKATERINI , KALAITZAKI ARGYRO P. , TSAGKARAKIS ANTONIOS E.
Published: April 2018

Seventeen auchenorrhynchan species of the family Cicadellidae are recorded from Greece for the first time: Euscelidius variegatus (Kirschbaum 1858), Euscelis ohausi (Wagner 1939), Psammotettix notatus (Melichar 1896), Psammotettix striatus (Linnaeus 1758), Psammotettix sabulicola (Curtis 1837), Anzygina honiloa (Kirkaldy 1906), Arboridia versuta (Melichar 1897), Edwardsiana ishidae (Matsumura 1932), Edwardsiana tersa (Edwards 1914), Eupteryx decemnotata (Rey 1891), Eupteryx curtisii (Flor 1861), Eupteryx rostrata (Ribaut 1936), Frutioidia sanguinosa (Rey 1891), Zygina rosea (Flor 1861), Zygina suavis (Rey 1891), Zygina tiliae (Fallen 1806), Anaceratagallia frisia (Wagner 1939). Faunistic and distributional data notes are given for each species and a complete, updated species checklist for Greece is provided.
Quantitative Precipitation Estimation with Operational Polarimetric Radar Measurements in Southern China: A Differential Phase–Based Variational Approach
Authors: Huang Hao , Zhao Kun , Zhang Guifu , Lin Qing , Wen Long , Chen Gang , Yang Zhengwei , Wang Mingjun , Hu Dongming
Published: April 2018

Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) with polarimetric radar measurements suffers from different sources of uncertainty. The variational approach appears to be a promising way to optimize the radar QPE statistically. In this study a variational approach is developed to quantitatively estimate the rainfall rate (R) from the differential phase (ΦDP). A spline filter is utilized in the optimization procedures to eliminate the impact of the random errors in ΦDP, which can be a major source of error in the specific differential phase (KDP)-based QPE. In addition, R estimated from the horizontal reflectivity factor (ZH) is used in the a priori with the error covariance matrix statistically determined. The approach is evaluated by an idealized case and multiple real rainfall cases observed by an operational S-band polarimetric radar in southern China. The comparative results demonstrate that with a proper range filter, the proposed variational radar QPE with the a priori included agrees well with the rain gauge measurements and proves to have better performance than the other three approaches, that is, the proposed variational approach without the a priori included, the variational approach proposed by Hogan, and the conventional power-law estimator-based approach.
Infrared Evaluation of Enantiometric Amount and Application to Racemization at the Interface Between L- and D-Alanine
Authors: Kamei Shun , Hibi Jigen , Ohtsubo Yoshiyuki , Watanabe Hiroshi , Kimura Shin-ichi
Published: April 2018

Amino acids, except for glycine, have two types of molecular structures, L- and D-forms, which are enantiomers. As the L- and D-form molecules have identical chemical and physical properties, they cannot be easily identified by conventional methods. In this study, we found that the amount and the spatial distribution of D-enantiomers in an L-alanine (CH3CH(COOH)NH2) matrix in evaporated thin films, which is one of amino acid molecules, can be evaluated quantitatively using an infrared micro spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation. This method was applied to the evaluation of the volume fraction of a racemic component appearing at the interface between L- and D-alanine thin films.
The Long Shadow of Ferguson: Legitimacy, Legal Cynicism, and Public Perceptions of Police Militarization
Authors: Moule Richard K. , Fox Bryanna Hahn , Parry Megan M.
Published: April 2018

This study examines public perceptions of police militarization, specifically whether individuals believe police are too militarized, and support for practices associated with militarization. Drawing on concepts found in the legal socialization literature—legitimacy and legal cynicism—this study tests hypotheses regarding whether these constructs influence perceptions of militarization. Using a national sample of 702 American adults, a series of ordinary least squares regression models are used to analyze the relationships between legitimacy, cynicism, and perceptions of police militarization. Results suggested that higher levels of legitimacy reduced beliefs that police are too militarized while also increasing support for practices associated with militarization. Cynicism increased beliefs that the police are too militarized, but had no effect on support for militarization. Perceptions of militarization are thus influenced by legal socialization.
The role of faith-based NGOs in social development: Invisible empowerment
Authors: Chowdhury Shofiqur Rahman , Wahab Haris Abd , Islam M Rezaul
Published: April 2018

This article makes an attempt to assess the process and outcomes of faith-based non-governmental organizations’ (FBNGOs) interventions toward community empowerment in social development. Data are derived from contemporary literature using a Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Synthesis (QIMS). Results show that there are very few publications that directly examine the contributions of FBNGOs toward community empowerment. There are some publications which indirectly examine the role of the components of community empowerment, such as community participation, community capacity building, local leadership development, or community resource mobilization, though these are mostly concentrated in Western and African countries. After 9/11, much literature has shown that the role of Islamic NGOs has emerged as a significant aspect in social development discourse. The findings will be of interest to policymakers, donors, and development practitioners.
Cross-Cultural Psychology as a Solution to Global Inequality: Optimism, Overconfidence, or Naiveté?: A commentary on “The Positive Role of Culture: What Cross-Cultural Psychology Has to Offer to Developmental Aid Effectiveness Research” by Symen A. Brouwers
Authors: Chaudhary Nandita
Published: April 2018

This article presents an accurate assessment of international aid and its failure to reach declared objectives. The reason for this widespread miscarriage is attributed to the inability to understand cultural differences. People’s opposition, resistance, or apathy toward interventions are credited to social-psychological predispositions. To save the “saviors,” Brouwers suggests that welfare initiatives should collaborate with cultural sciences, more specifically cross-cultural psychology. I agree with the author about interventions being rather blind to cultural differences resulting in frequent failure to achieve ecological validity. The potential contributions of cultural and social scientists in this field are also undeniable. However, I have some reservations about the confidence placed in cross-cultural psychology for several reasons. Cross-cultural psychology works with individual-psychological and social-collective phenomena, addressing only a fragment of the story of inequality among and between the people of the world. There is little or no attention to history, geography, economics, or politics, all of which have profound impact on poverty and disadvantage. It is as if the world’s problems of poverty can be fixed by reframing how people (both agents and beneficiaries) think about “culture-behavior relationships.” This optimism appears to emerge from overconfidence or naiveté, or both.
Creating a strategic enforcement approach to address wage theft: One academic’s journey in organizational change
Authors: Weil David
Published: April 2018

Strategic enforcement represents a proactive approach to using limited enforcement resources available to a regulatory agency to protect workers as required by the law. It does so by using enforcement tools, outreach, and collaboration with other government agencies, worker advocates, businesses, and the public to change employer behavior in a sustainable way. Strategic enforcement is critical given the limited resources available to government as well as because of the breaking up (fissuring) of modern employment that increases the prevalence of violations and makes responsibility for compliance more opaque. This article lays out the challenges in instituting such an approach based on the author’s experience in leading a major federal workplace agency in the US during the Obama administration. It describes the major elements of a strategic enforcement approach as well as the major organizational innovations that were necessary to put it into place.
Reconsidering Labels and Primary Deviance
Authors: De Coster Stacy , Lutz Jennifer
Published: April 2018

Objective:

We assess Matsueda’s reflected appraisals model of delinquency across groups of previously delinquent and nondelinquent adolescents. We hypothesize that the reflected appraisals process, which entails incorporating informal appraisals by significant others into self-identities, differs across delinquent and nondelinquent adolescents.

Method:

We estimate cross-group models of the reflected appraisals process among delinquent and nondelinquent adolescents using the data (National Youth Survey) and methodology (structural equation modeling) from Matsueda’s original research.

Results:

The informal labeling and identity processes articulated in the reflected appraisals model better explain delinquency continuity than delinquency onset. Notable differences across previously delinquent and nondelinquent groups are found with respect to the influence of parental appraisals on reflected appraisals and with respect to the influence of race on parental and reflected appraisals.

Conclusions:

Informal labeling predicts both continuity and onset of delinquency. Continuity results from delinquent adolescents incorporating troublemaking appraisals into their self-identities and living up to those labels. Identity processes prove unimportant for linking troublemaking appraisals to delinquency among falsely appraised adolescents. Future research is needed to assess the possibility that false appraisals produce delinquency through processes articulated in general strain and defiance theories. We also discuss avenues for future research on race, identities, and delinquency.
EFL Learners’ Knowledge of High-frequency Words in the Comprehension of Idioms: A Boost or a Burden?
Authors: Park Jinkyoung , Chon Yuah V.
Published: April 2018

Single word items have usually been the unit of analysis for measuring L2 learners’ vocabulary size, for designing word lists and for estimating word coverage of reading texts. However, what is lost in these estimates is the consideration of multiword expressions, such as idioms. To empirically test the assertion that the knowledge of single word items will not lead to automatic comprehension of multiword items, a two-part test was conducted on 124 Korean middle school learners of English: One was a test on idioms composed of the top 1,000 words in English; the second tested single word items of the exact same words in the idiom test. Results indicated that the learners’ knowledge of idioms was lagging behind that of single word items even when the learners knew most of the words that constituted the idioms. Differences between the learners’ actual comprehension and reported comprehension level also indicated that the learners were overestimating their comprehension of the items. The comprehension strategies used to decode the meaning of idioms also indicated that guessing from context was the most effective strategy. Implications are discussed in the light of learning the idioms.
Adoption of Digital Technologies in Tertiary Education: Evidence From India
Authors: Paul Shampa , Lal Kaushalesh
Published: April 2018

The article delineates the existing paradigm of educational technologies in Indian tertiary education institutions. The findings are expected to be useful for tertiary education institutions and policy makers so that they can reorient the existing policies that will be helpful in providing quality education commensurate with industrial needs. The study investigates the adoption of new educational technologies and its impact on students. The empirical findings are based on primary data collected from state and privately funded universities located in and around Delhi, India. The findings of the study suggest that there is a positive association between the intensity of technology used and its impact on students. We also find that the use of latest technologies makes students more creative and improves learning abilities. The other factors that influenced the degree of new technologies used are the opinion of students on the following descriptions: (a) Helps in understanding concepts more clearly, (b) Contributes in better illustration of ideas, (c) Provides opportunity to interact with students of other institutions effectively, and (d) Equates with international teaching methodologies.
Depression, Poverty, and Abuse Experience in Suicide Ideation Among Older Koreans
Authors: Lee Shin-Young , Atteraya Madhu Sudhan
Published: April 2018

We examined to what extent the depression, poverty, and elder abuse experience affect suicide ideation among older Koreans. The data from the Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons were used. A sample of 10,279 members was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis revealed that younger old (65–69 years) were more likely to have suicide ideation that oldest old (80 years and older). After including all predicting variables such as depression, poverty, and abuse experience, results showed that depression, poverty, and abuse experience remained predictors for suicide ideation. Higher level of depression ( OR = 1.19) was positively associated with suicide ideation. Poor older person ( OR = 1.59) and those who experienced abuse ( OR = 2.37) were more likely to have suicide ideation than their counterparts. We conclude that suicide prevention policy needs to take a holistic approach, which integrates the mental health of the older people, family welfare, and economic well-being.
The impact of parental absence on early childhood development in the context of Thailand
Authors: Jampaklay Aree , Richter Kerry , Tangchonlatip Kanchana , Nanthamongkolchai Sutham
Published: April 2018

This analysis investigates the impact of parental absence on early childhood development in Thailand, using the Denver II screening tool, based on a study conducted in 2013–2014. Children aged 36 months and younger were included ( n = 923). Results reveal that the crucial factor for delayed development in early childhood is the mother’s presence in the household. Children who were cared for by others were not at higher risk of delayed development as long as their mother was present, while the father’s absence did not make a difference. This study raises concern for the large number of children living separately from their mothers, and also raises questions about the long-term effects of parental migration for this generation of Thai children.
Teaching cyber security to non-tech students
Authors: Arora Bela
Published: April 2018

The majority of cyber security education and training has been based in computer science departments, but we are now seeing the agenda filtering into the political science and international studies curriculum. There exists a challenge in presenting the topic in a non-technical and engaging way. This article will explore the use of Hydra Minerva environment, commonly used in Police Sciences, to facilitate simulations that bring to life the challenges of incident management while enhancing the employability skills of the students. Hydra Minerva facilities offer an alternative to traditional classroom simulations and computer-assisted scenarios that can be invaluable across the curriculum.
The Pathology of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome
Authors: Díaz-Delgado Josué , Whitley Derick B. , Storts Ralph W. , Heatley Jill J. , Hoppes Sharman , Porter Brian F.
Published: April 2018

Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a leading cause of neurologic disease in African pygmy hedgehogs (APHs; Atelerix albiventris). This study describes the signalment, clinical signs, gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural lesions of WHS in a cohort of 12 pet APHs. Microscopically, lesions consisted of status spongiosus of the white matter, typically bilateral and symmetrical, with myelin degeneration and loss that was accompanied by neuronal/axonal degeneration plus reactive microgliosis and mild, focal astrocytosis and astrogliosis. Lesions were most severe in the cerebellum and medulla oblongata, as well as cervical and thoracic spinal cord. Less affected areas were the corona radiata, corpus callosum, corpus striatum, internal capsule, and the mesencephalon. Ultrastructurally, the lesions consisted of splitting of the myelin sheath at the intraperiod line with subsequent focal expansion, resulting in status spongiosus, disruption, dilatation, rhexis, and phagocytosis. Based on these results, WHS is best described as a “spongy myelinopathy” with widespread central nervous system involvement.
Application of the “Foot-in-the-Door” Compliance Technique for Traveler Intercept Surveys
Authors: Sperry Benjamin R. , Siler Emily , Mull Tristan
Published: April 2018

Traveler intercept surveys are used to obtain essential data for transportation planning purposes in a variety of contexts and situations. This paper describes an application of the foot-in-the-door (FITD) compliance technique for traveler intercept surveys as a way to increase participation and improve the overall experience for both the traveler and the organization conducting the survey. Outcomes related to survey participation and response characteristics for three such surveys are presented. The two-stage FITD method described in this paper was successful at collecting a small amount of data from a majority of travelers at the locations being studied while minimizing the inconvenience to the traveler. A follow-up survey conducted via the Internet had a response rate that varied between the different case studies and also among different groups of travelers. Approximately one-third of follow-up survey responses were provided on the same day as the initial interaction between the traveler and the researcher, whereas one-quarter of respondents utilized a mobile device to complete the follow-up survey. The results of these case studies are informative for the development of traveler intercept surveys. Transportation planners are encouraged to consider the FITD technique described in this paper when developing traveler intercept surveys within their jurisdictions.
Application of Traffic Speed Deflectometer for Network-Level Pavement Management
Authors: Shrestha Shivesh , Katicha Samer W. , Flintsch Gerardo W. , Thyagarajan Senthilmurugan
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the traffic speed deflectometer (TSD), a device used for network level structural evaluation, is assessed. TSD testing was performed in nine states on a total of 5,928 miles (some repeated) during three time periods: November 2013, May to July 2014, and June to September 2015. This paper presents (1) the results of repeatability and comparison of the TSD with the falling weight deflectometer (FWD), (2) the results of the comparison of TSD measurements with typical pavement management system (PMS) data, and (3) an approach that can be implemented by State Highway Agencies (SHAs) to incorporate indices derived from TSD data into their PMS decision-making process. The results show that repeated TSD measurements follow similar trends and the TSD measurements and FWD measurements on the same pavement sections follow similar trends as well. Comparing TSD measurements with PMS surface condition data confirmed that the TSD provided valuable information about the structural condition of the tested pavement sections that cannot be derived from the already available pavement surface condition as part of an agency’s PMS. An example of how TSD information can be used to refine the triggered maintenance treatment category as part of a network-level PMS analysis is presented for a roughly 75-mile section of I-81 south in Virginia.
Optimizing the Gradation of Fine Processed Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement and Aggregate Blends for Unbound Base Courses
Authors: Ullah Saad , Tanyu Burak F. , Hoppe Edward J.
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of changes in grain size distribution to the permanent deformation of two different fine processed reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) blended with base course virgin aggregate (VA). Grain size distribution of the RAP-VA blends were created following two different approaches. The first approach was based on mixing RAP and VA to have one grain size distribution, regardless of how much RAP was added to VA (here referred to as the engineered mixture design). The second approach was based on mixing RAP and VA with as-is gradation from the plants to proportions determined by weight and not controlling the outcome of the specific grain size of the mixture. This approach resulted in various grain size distributions (here referred as the as-is mixture design). The engineered mixture design was useful to quantify the effect of adding RAP to the blends, but was not a realistic approach to create blends that may be achieved in the field. The as-is mixture design could not only be achieved in the field, as demonstrated in this study, but also resulted in better performance in terms of permanent deformation. This manuscript describes the comparison of these two approaches and a methodology to optimize the gradation and develop thresholds for RAP-VA blends that may result in similar or better performance than the 100% as-is VA that is used to construct base course in pavement systems.
Beyond Silence: A Randomized, Parallel-Group Trial Exploring the Impact of Workplace Mental Health Literacy Training with Healthcare Employees
Authors: Moll Sandra E. , Patten Scott , Stuart Heather , MacDermid Joy C. , Kirsh Bonnie
Published: April 2018

Objective:

This study sought to evaluate whether a contact-based workplace education program was more effective than standard mental health literacy training in promoting early intervention and support for healthcare employees with mental health issues.

Method:

A parallel-group, randomised trial was conducted with employees in 2 multi-site Ontario hospitals with the evaluators blinded to the groups. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 group-based education programs: Beyond Silence (comprising 6 in-person, 2-h sessions plus 5 online sessions co-led by employees who personally experienced mental health issues) or Mental Health First Aid (a standardised 2-day training program led by a trained facilitator). Participants completed baseline, post-group, and 3-mo follow-up surveys to explore perceived changes in mental health knowledge, stigmatized beliefs, and help-seeking/help-outreach behaviours. An intent-to-treat analysis was completed with 192 participants. Differences were assessed using multi-level mixed models accounting for site, group, and repeated measurement.

Results:

Neither program led to significant increases in help-seeking or help-outreach behaviours. Both programs increased mental health literacy, improved attitudes towards seeking treatment, and decreased stigmatized beliefs, with sustained changes in stigmatized beliefs more prominent in the Beyond Silence group.

Conclusion:

Beyond Silence, a new contact-based education program customised for healthcare workers was not superior to standard mental health literacy training in improving mental health help-seeking or help-outreach behaviours in the workplace. The only difference was a reduction in stigmatized beliefs over time. Additional research is needed to explore the factors that lead to behaviour change.
Paramedics as a New Resource for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Sawyer Simon , Coles Jan , Williams Angela , Williams Brett
Published: April 2018

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has a major impact on the health and well-being of women. The need for a coordinated response from health care professions encountering IPV patients is well established, and guidelines for individual health care professions are needed. Paramedics are believed to frequently encounter IPV patients, and this study aims to create a guideline to direct their response based on expert opinion. A clinical guideline for paramedics was created using current evidence and recommendations from health agencies. A panel of family violence researchers and service delivery experts such as physicians, family violence support agencies, and police commented on the guideline via a Policy Delphi Method to obtain consensus agreement. A total of 42 experts provided feedback over three rounds resulting in 100% consensus. Results include clinical indicators to recognize IPV patients in the prehospital environment, a description of how paramedics should discuss IPV with patients, recommended referral agencies and pathways, and appropriate documentation of case findings. This study has created the first comprehensive, consensus-based guideline for paramedics to recognize and refer IPV patients to care and support. The guideline could potentially be modified for use by ambulance services worldwide and can be used as the basis for building the capacity of paramedics to respond to IPV, which may lead to increased referrals to care and support.
Reflexivity and ethical mindfulness in participatory research with children: What does it really look like?
Authors: Canosa Antonia , Graham Anne , Wilson Erica
Published: April 2018

This article draws attention to the ethical nuances of conducting participatory research with children and young people growing up in a popular tourist destination in Australia. It responds to calls for more reflexively oriented approaches to documenting the ethical dimensions of qualitative research, particularly with children. Prolonged engagement in the field facilitated a deeper understanding of young people’s lived experiences and the challenges they face in negotiating identity, belonging and connection with community. Findings reveal there are a number of important benefits when actively involving young people in research. With the democratisation of the research process, however, comes an increased ethical responsibility which requires a reflexive and relational approach if meaningful and inclusive participation is to be achieved.
Queer Youth Suicide as Disruptive Revelation of God
Authors: Grovijahn Jane Marie
Published: April 2018

This work positions queer youth suicide as deviant aperture into scandal within divine life through an ‘indecenting’ of kenotic agency located in the Incarnation itself. Refuting a heteronormative gaze that defines queer youth suicide as an expression of pathology, I present a disruptive coming out of God who redeems through scandal by posing these suicides as deaths for others. Drawing from two liberation theologians, I offer a construct of martyrdom within historical contexts of an excess of death that is capable of carrying the weight of their agency within a destructive heteronormative reality. Applying Althaus-Reid’s method of ‘indecenting’ within their last deviant act, both vitiated and vindicated in this kenotic agency of God, queer youth suicide becomes a preferred vehicle of divine delight and reclamation. Although disruptive, this divine eloquence spills out everywhere, cracking open a theological praxis where no one ever falls outside of God, especially in death.
Neuroendocrine Neoplasia in Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT Lymphoma) of the Lung: A Case Report and Immunohistochemistry Analysis of Eight Pulmonary MALT Lymphomas
Authors: Savari Omid , Hastings Hope , Rayes Rania , Tomashefski Joseph F.
Published: April 2018

Carcinoid tumorlets are peribronchiolar proliferations of neuroendocrine cells often associated with lung scars. Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that frequently involves the gastrointestinal tract but less commonly is described in the lung. Simultaneous occurrence of neuroendocrine neoplasms and MALT lymphoma is extraordinarily rare and has predominately been reported in the gastrointestinal tract. In this article, we describe the case of a 73-year-old female with coexisting pulmonary MALT lymphoma and carcinoid tumorlets of the right middle lobe. Retrospective series of 8 pulmonary MALT lymphomas are evaluated for neuroendocrine neoplasia by immunohistochemistry. No correlation between MALT lymphoma and neuroendocrine neoplasia was identified in this case series. While the concurrence of these distinctive neoplasms is most likely coincidental, the presence of a common risk factor, or one neoplasm as a risk factor for the other, deserves study of a larger group of pulmonary MALT lymphomas.
Brownfields in Purple States: An Analysis of the Equity of Redevelopment Outcomes Under the Brownfield Program and Voluntary Cleanup Programs in Colorado and Ohio
Authors: Tharp Kelsey , Guehlstorf Nicholas Peter
Published: April 2018

The proliferation of underutilized, derelict, and contaminated properties following a nationwide decline of industrial production has created a unique policy problem. Powerful liability schemes under Superfund made property owners, developers, and lenders hesitant to engage in transactions involving real estate that is contaminated or perceived as contaminated. Adoption of Federal and state policy to address these “Brownfields” in the 1990s and 2000s has attempted to promote redevelopment by limiting liability of involved parties and providing grant funding. This research hypothesizes that “environmental justice communities” have significantly lower likelihood of receiving benefit-maximizing redevelopment projects under both Federal and state-level voluntary cleanup programs. A multinomial logistic regression model considering past use of the site, socioeconomic status of the surrounding census tract and its composite urban sprawl score, and Republican control of the district containing the brownfield were used to assess the probability of a hierarchy of redevelopment outcomes.
A Replication of “Agency Problems of Excess Endowment Holdings in Not-for-profit Firms” (Journal of Accounting and Economics, 2006)
Authors: Calabrese Thad D. , Gupta Anubhav
Published: April 2018

Core, Guay, and Verdi explore whether excessive levels of cash (“endowments”) are associated with nonprofits’ growth in program spending and fixed assets, agency problems, or donors’ monitoring efforts. We replicate their finding that excess endowments are unrelated to growth in program spending. However, unlike the original article, we find that persistent excess endowments are associated with growth in fixed assets. Further, when we alter the model specification to better align with theory, we find excess endowments increase program expense ratios and lead to higher growth in program service spending as well as capital investment. We are also able to replicate the original article’s finding that excess endowments are related to higher CEO and management compensation. However, when we again alter the model specification, we find excess endowments are associated with compensation declines. Overall, we find weaker evidence of a relationship between excess endowments and agency problems than the original article.
Clinicopathologic Features and Radiation Therapy Utilization in Patients with Male Breast Cancer: A National Cancer Database Study
Authors: Weir Joshua , Zhao Yan Daniel , Herman Terence , Algan Özer
Published: April 2018

Male breast cancer (MBC) accounts for approximately 1% of all breast cancers, limiting the data characterizing clinicopathologic features and treatment outcomes in patients with MBC. This paucity of data has led to most of our treatment guidance being extrapolated from patients with female breast cancer (FBC). From 1998 to 2012, data were captured using the National Cancer Database to identify patients with nonmetastatic MBC (n = 23 305) and FBC (n = 2 678 061). Tumor and clinicopathologic features were obtained and compared. Patients with MBC were more likely to have invasive disease, T2-4 tumors, centrally located tumors, positive lymph nodes, estrogen receptor–positive or progesterone receptor–positive tumors, lymphovascular space invasion, and were less likely to have Her2/neu-positive or triple-negative tumors. All of these differences were statistically significant ( P < .001). Treatment comparisons showed that patients with MBC were more likely to undergo mastectomy and less likely to undergo breast-conserving surgery with postoperative radiation utilization found to be less in patients with MBC, both as part of breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and for postmastectomy radiation treatment (PMRT) ( P < .001). Stage-by-stage comparisons showed that median survival, 5-year, and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates are lower in patients with MBC vs patients with FBC ( P < .001). The utilization of adjuvant radiation, both BCT and PMRT, was shown to improve 5- and 10-year OS ( P < .001). Male breast cancer clinicopathologic features appear to be unfavorable in relation to FBC and adjuvant radiation is shown beneficial in survival outcomes. Further investigation is needed to help guide future utilization and treatment with radiation, systemic, and endocrine manipulation in this small population of patients with MBC.
Medical, Surgical, and Wound Care Management of Ulcerated Infantile Hemangiomas: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wang Jane Y. , Ighani Arvin , Ayala Ana P. , Akita Sadanori , Lara-Corrales Irene , Alavi Afsaneh
Published: April 2018

Ulcerated infantile hemangiomas may present a therapeutic challenge, especially if there is concurrent hemorrhage or infection. The aim of this study was to systematically review the published evidence on the treatment of ulcerated hemangiomas, focusing on wound healing as the outcome of interest. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, SCOPUS, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science from inception to July 2016. Seventy-seven studies met our inclusion criteria. One study was a randomized controlled trial, 30 were observational studies, and 46 were case reports or case series. There is significant heterogeneity among the methods used. We reviewed 1239 patients in total. Of the 197 treated with oral propranolol, 191 (97.0%) achieved complete ulcer healing. Thirty-one patients failed corticosteroid therapy (oral, intralesional, or topical) and were subsequently successfully treated with other therapies. Surgical resections were typically performed for larger hemangiomas and those causing complications. None of the therapies discussed appear to offer significant advantages over others. Therefore, treatment decisions should be individualized based on location of disease, extent, symptoms, feasibility, cost, and parental preference.
Contiguous and symmetrical disease expansion and massive necrosis of the cerebral white matter in a patient with neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Ishida Chiho , Ikeda Tokuhei , Komai Kiyonobu , Takahashi Kazuya , Noguchi-Shinohara Moeko , Yamada Masahito
Published: April 2018

The present report discusses the case of a woman with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) who exhibited bilateral optic neuritis, longitudinally extensive myelitis, serum anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies, and a unique pattern of white matter involvement. The disease duration was 26 years, and the patient died at the age of 65 years. Sequential magnetic resonance images obtained during the last 6 years of life revealed leukoencephalopathy-like lesions extending symmetrically and contiguously from the periventricular regions, which had begun to transform into multiple cavities with semi-annular partitions. This unique pattern of white matter abnormalities should thus be considered among those associated with NMO.
Why are COPD patients unable to complete the outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program?
Authors: Sahin Hulya , Naz Ilknur
Published: April 2018

This study aims to compare demographic and clinical characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who complete and fail to complete outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program and to determine the reasons for not completing the program. Patients with COPD referred to the PR program were divided into two groups: Those who completed the program were classified as group 1 and those who did not complete were classified as group 2, and their data were compared. Patients who failed to complete the program were contacted through phone and asked why they ceased their participation in the program. In group 2, number of smoker patients and patients using nebulizer and receiving long-term oxygen treatment, emergency admissions, and dyspnea perception were higher ( p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.033, p = 0.011, p < 0.001, respectively); forced expiratory volume in one second (%) value, exercise capacity, and quality of life were lower ( p = 0.024, p = 0.001, p = 0.014, respectively). When considered from the sociodemographic perspective, group 2 had a lower education level and a higher rate of living alone ( p < 0.001). Factors impairing the program compliance were lack of motivation (49.0%), transportation problems (23.8%), COPD exacerbation (18.4%), work-related reasons (4.8%), and hospitalization (4.1%), respectively. Smokers and severe COPD patients fail to complete PR program due to various reasons, especially lack of motivation. It is very important for health practitioners to inform patients accurately and adopt a positive attitude.