bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Serum Phosphate in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock
Authors: Miller Christopher J. , Doepker Bruce A. , Springer Andrew N. , Exline Matthew C. , Phillips Gary , Murphy Claire V.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Hypo- and hyperphosphatemia are common in severe sepsis and septic shock. Published outcome data in patients with phosphate derangements primarily focus on hypophosphatemia and the general critically ill population. This study aimed to determine the impact of serum phosphate on clinical outcomes in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort analysis of adult mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis or septic shock was performed. Patients were randomly selected from an internal intensive care unit (ICU) database at an academic medical center in the United States and screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Time-weighted phosphate was calculated using all phosphate measurements obtained during ICU admission. The associations between time-weighted phosphate and duration of mechanical ventilation, 28-day mortality, and ICU and hospital length of stay were evaluated using linear or logistic regression as appropriate.

Results:

One-hundred ninety-seven patients were evaluated: 33 were categorized as hypophosphatemia, 123 as normophosphatemia, and 41 as hyperphosphatemia. Patients with time-weighted hyperphosphatemia had a higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score III score and incidence of septic shock. Significantly higher rates of 28-day mortality were observed among those with time-weighted phosphate levels above 3.5 mg/dL. However, both time-weighted hypo- and hyperphosphatemia were associated with decreased duration of mechanical ventilation. For every 0.5 mg/dL increase in time-weighted phosphate referent values from 4.0 to 6.0, the duration of mechanical ventilation decreased by 8% to 26%. For every 0.5 mg/dL decrease in time-weighted phosphate referent values from 3.0 to 1.0, significant decreases in duration of mechanical ventilation ranged from 14% to 41%.

Conclusion:

Time-weighted hyperphosphatemia may be associated with increased mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. However, time-weighted hypo- and hyperphosphatemia were associated with decreased duration of mechanical ventilation. Future studies should further describe the impact of hypo- and hyperphosphatemia on clinical outcomes among critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.
Adaptation, Resilience, and Secure Attachment States of Mind in Young South African Female Students Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence in Childhood
Authors: Bain Katherine , Durbach Carla
Published: March 2018

Much research details the psychological risks to individuals exposed as children to intimate partner violence (IPV). However, resilience has been a neglected area of study within this population. This article details adaptive responses in six participants exposed to IPV in childhood. Adult attachment interviews (AAI) and follow-up semi-structured interviews analyzed using an interpretive thematic analysis revealed common themes relating to psychological defenses and adaptive strategies. Despite exposure to IPV in childhood, these six women were found to have secure attachment states of mind. Resilience was found not to be necessarily synonymous with the absence of distress. Despite the presence of suffering, it remained strongly associated with adaptive, robust defenses to manage distress and to retain caregiving relationships with parents. These defenses appeared to provide participants with ways to survive their traumatic environments and to remain connected to needed but frightening caregiving figures, and facilitated processing of trauma. Adaptation often entailed using compliance and caregiving responses in childhood in response to role reversal in parent–child relationships, but also the relinquishing of these roles in adulthood. Participants’ abilities to coherently acknowledge and discuss their early experiences and retain compassion for their parents seemed linked to their abilities to attain some distance from troubling aspects of their pasts. In doing so, they separated from the unstable relationships of their parents, which fostered transitions to more integrated states of mind.
Super-Volunteers: Who Are They and How Do We Get One?
Authors: Einolf Christopher J. , Yung Cheryl
Published: March 2018

This article investigates super-volunteers, defined as individuals who volunteer 10 or more hours per week with a single organization. We conducted interviews with 25 super-volunteers to explore what motivates them to become super-volunteers and how they choose the organizations for which they volunteer. We also interviewed nine volunteer managers to explore the advantages and disadvantages of employing super-volunteers and what best practices they recommend for supervising them. Most super-volunteers in our sample were highly educated and had retired from careers that involved helping and supervising other people. Most decided on their own to pursue volunteering and then searched carefully for an appropriate organization. The super-volunteers chose nonprofits that they thought were effective, matched their values, and were willing to work with them to develop a meaningful and substantive volunteer position. Volunteer managers stated that super-volunteers brought great value to their agencies and had few disadvantages. However, managing super-volunteers did require more flexibility, time, and one-on-one attention than managing regular volunteers.
Fully integrating academic advising with career coaching to increase student retention, graduation rates and future job satisfaction
Authors: Tudor Thomas R.
Published: March 2018

Higher education institutions in the United States are under increasing pressure to retain and graduate more students. Traditionally, the academic advisor helps students to meet degree graduation requirements and may also do some minor career advising. A new approach is proposed, in which career coaching with industry help becomes just as important and is formalized into the academic advisor’s role. Under this approach, students are advised in relation not only to their progress towards their degree, but also to their progress towards their career. They undergo a required process to choose a career and must make progress towards it while pursuing their degree. The use of formal career coaching combined with academic advising is based on goal-setting theory and career planning research. This new approach to advising may lead to increased student retention and graduation rates and also to higher job satisfaction after graduation.
Tuberculous sacroiliitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and literature review
Authors: Calle E , González L A , Muñoz C H , Jaramillo D , Vanegas A , Vásquez G
Published: March 2018

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are at higher risk of developing opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis (TB), especially extrapulmonary forms like osteoarticular TB, compared to the general population. However, tuberculous sacroiliitis has been scarcely reported in these patients. We present a 34-year-old woman with SLE who developed articular tuberculosis simultaneously affecting the right sacroiliac joint and the left knee. The patient was successfully treated with antituberculosis therapy for nine months. In this case, in addition to the immunological abnormalities of lupus, the long-term glucocorticoid therapy at high dosages was the main risk factor for the development of osteoarticular tuberculosis.
What was it like to suffer from obsessional disorder in the United States, 1840–1950?
Authors: Strayer Mackson
Published: March 2018

The time period from 1840 to 1950 was one of rapid, dramatic change in the experience of suffering from and receiving treatment for obsessional disorder in the United States. Several patient case histories are discussed in detail, including those of a theology professor’s acquaintance (1844), a wealthy gentleman (1880), a hosiery shop proprietor (1938), and a former college student (1949). Although the focus here is on the patients’ experience, many broader aspects of the history of obsessional disorder are also explored.
Corruption in International Business: Does Economic Globalization Help?
Authors: Mukherjee Deepraj
Published: March 2018

While many studies have shown that increased levels of economic globalization diminish the level of corruption among trading partners, there are studies that have raised doubts against this claim. In this article, we explore this relationship in a large sample of 138 countries and find that the effect of economic globalization on the level of corruption is not significant. The findings, however, are not indicative of the undesirability of economic globalization. In fact, we find that greater levels of economic development are associated with lower levels of corruption. Nevertheless, it does call for some precaution and monitoring as trade openness alone may not be the panacea for controlling corruption and other factors, for example, the importance of building of relevant institutions to curb corruption may need to be considered. Additionally, it is important to identify moderator and mediator variables that may change the strength and direction of the aforementioned relationship. We conclude by explaining the implications of our findings for international business (IB).
The Role of SMEs’ Innovation and Learning Orientation in Mediating the Effect of CSR Programme on SMEs’ Performance and Competitive Advantage
Authors: Ratnawati  , Soetjipto Budi Eko , Murwani F. Danardana , Wahyono Hari
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of SMEs’ innovation and learning orientation in mediating the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme on SMEs’ performance and competitive advantage in Malang. This research uses explorative design by distributing questionnaires on small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The analytical tool used is structural equation model (SEM). The results show that CSR programme has a significant effect on SMEs’ innovation, learning orientation and SMEs’ performance. The discussions and implications of this research contribute to the SME sector as it is proved to be able to increase SMEs’ innovation, learning orientation, SMEs’ performance and competitive advantage. This study is limited only to Malang-Indonesia SMEs receiving CSR programme assistance.
Comparative Analysis of the Views of Oncologic Subspecialists and Palliative/Supportive Care Physicians Regarding Advanced Care Planning and End-of-Life Care
Authors: Pifer Phillip M. , Farrugia Mark K. , Mattes Malcolm D.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Early palliative/supportive care (PSC) consultation and advance care planning (ACP) improve outcomes for patients with incurable cancer. However, PSC is underutilized in the United States.

Objective:

To examine philosophical differences among PSC, radiation oncology (RO), and medical oncology (MO) physicians in order to understand barriers to early PSC referral.

Design:

An electronic survey collected views of a nationwide cohort of health-care professionals regarding ACP and end-of-life care.

Setting/Participants/Measurements:

A subgroup analysis compared the responses from all 51 PSC, 178 RO, and 81 MO physician participants (12% response rate), using Pearson χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests for categorical and ordinal data, respectively.

Results:

More statistically significant differences were observed between RO-PSC (12 questions) and MO-PSC (12 questions) than RO-MO (4 questions). Both RO and MO were more likely than PSC physicians to believe doctors adequately care for emotional ( P < .001) and physical ( P < .001) needs of patients with an incurable illness. Both RO and MO were also less likely to believe that PSC physicians were helpful at addressing these needs ( P = .002 and <.001, respectively) or that patients’ awareness of their life expectancy leads to better medical ( P = .007 and .002, respectively) and personal ( P = .001 for each) decisions. Palliative/supportive care physicians felt that doctors are generally less successful at explaining/clarifying advanced life-sustaining treatments than RO ( P < .001) or MO ( P = .004). MO favored later initiation of ACP than either RO ( P = .006) or PSC physicians ( P = .004).

Conclusions:

Differences in perception of appropriate end-of-life care exist between oncologists and PSC physicians, suggesting a need for improved education and communication between these groups.
Tibialis Anterior Reconstruction With Hamstring Autograft Using a Minimally Invasive Approach
Authors: Karnovsky Sydney C. , Desandis Bridget , Papson Andrea K. , O’Malley Quinn , DiGiacomo Robert , O’Malley Martin J. , Cabe Taylor N. , Drakos Mark C.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Tibialis anterior tendon ruptures are rare and can cause significant dysfunction. Often, conservative measures are prescribed because of the morbidity of a tendon transfer as an operative solution. We present a novel reconstruction technique using hamstring autograft, which may obviate the need for local tendon transfer and long-term bracing.

Methods:

Patients who underwent tibialis anterior reconstruction with hamstring autograft between 2011 and 2015 were screened for inclusion. Eight were included. Functional outcomes were assessed pre-and-postoperatively using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS), and Short-Form-12 (SF-12) general health questionnaire. Isokinetic testing using a dynamometer (Biodex System 4 Pro) was performed at 60 and 120 degrees/s, respectively, for inversion/eversion and plantarflexion/dorsiflexion on both ankles at a minimum of 6 months postoperatively to determine peak torque, average power, and total work. Range of motion (ROM) testing was also performed, using a goniometer, at a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. Average follow-up was 17.3 (6.0-40.0) months for strength testing and ROM testing, and 18.5 (12.0-26.0) months for functional outcome scores.

Results:

Average postoperative functional scores improved for all tests. ROM was similar between the uninvolved and involved ankles for inversion/eversion and plantarflexion/dorsiflexion. Patients showed deficits in dorsiflexion strength in all measures tested and improvements in inversion strength. All patients were able to ambulate without a brace.

Conclusion:

Use of a hamstring autograft for tibialis anterior reconstruction resulted in good clinical outcomes. This procedure successfully restored ankle ROM postoperatively and tendon strength in inversion and dorsiflexion, with most patients showing little deficit when comparing their involved and uninvolved sides.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, Case series.
Endoscopic Achilles Tendon Augmentation With Suture Anchors After Calcaneal Exostectomy in Haglund Syndrome
Authors: Vega Jordi , Baduell Albert , Malagelada Francesc , Allmendinger Jörg , Dalmau-Pastor Miki
Published: March 2018

Background:

Haglund syndrome is a common cause of heel pain. Risk for tendon detachment after calcaneoplasty can exist. Open Achilles tendon detachment, calcaneoplasty, bursectomy, pathologic tendon-tissue debridement, and tendon reattachment of the Achilles tendon is a common surgical management of Haglund syndrome combined with insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The aim of this study was to describe the endoscopic calcaneoplasty and anchor suture augmentation of the Achilles insertional area, and the results obtained in patients with an increased risk of Achilles tendon rupture after calcaneoplasty.

Methods:

Between 2012 and 2015, endoscopic calcaneal ostectomy and suture anchor augmentation was performed in 12 patients. Mean age was 44.8 years (range, 35-52 years), and mean follow-up was of 33.5 months (range, 21-46 months).

Results:

The mean AOFAS score increased from 70 preoperatively (range, 55-85) to 92 (range, 63-100) at final follow-up. The mean VISA-A questionnaire increased from 34 preoperatively (range, 15-63) to 92 (range, 30-100) at follow-up. No major complications were reported. All patients returned to their daily activities without limitations, but 2 described complaints with sports activity.

Conclusion:

Endoscopic calcaneoplasty and tendon augmentation with suture anchor for the treatment of Haglund syndrome was a reproducible and safe technique that offered the advantages of the endoscopic technique.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Biomechanical Cadaveric Evaluation of Partial Acute Peroneal Tendon Tears
Authors: Wagner Emilio , Wagner Pablo , Ortiz Cristian , Radkievich Ruben , Palma Felipe , Guzmán-Venegas Rodrigo
Published: March 2018

Background:

No clear guideline or solid evidence exists for peroneal tendon tears to determine when to repair, resect, or perform a tenodesis on the damaged tendon. The objective of this study was to analyze the mechanical behavior of cadaveric peroneal tendons artificially damaged and tested in a cyclic and failure mode. The hypothesis was that no failure would be observed in the cyclic phase.

Methods:

Eight cadaveric long leg specimens were tested on a specially designed frame. A longitudinal full thickness tendon defect was created, 3 cm in length, behind the tip of the fibula, compromising 66% of the visible width of the peroneal tendons. Cyclic testing was initially performed between 50 and 200 N, followed by a load-to-failure test. Tendon elongation and load to rupture were measured.

Results:

No tendon failed or lengthened during cyclic testing. The mean load to failure for peroneus brevis was 416 N (95% confidence interval, 351–481 N) and for the peroneus longus was 723 N (95% confidence interval, 578–868 N). All failures were at the level of the defect created.

Conclusion:

In a cadaveric model of peroneal tendon tears, 33% of remaining peroneal tendon could resist high tensile forces, above the physiologic threshold.

Clinical Relevance:

Some peroneal tendon tears can be treated conservatively without risking spontaneous ruptures. When surgically treating a symptomatic peroneal tendon tear, increased efforts may be undertaken to repair tears previously considered irreparable.
Social Support, Health, and Health Care Access Among Latino Immigrant Men in an Emerging Community
Authors: Documet Patricia Isabel , Troyer Mark M. , Macia Laura
Published: March 2018

Objective. To determine the association of social support with alcohol abuse, depression, and health care access among Latino immigrant men in an emerging Latino community (an area with a small yet growing Latino population). Methods. Cross-sectional baseline data of 140 men prior to a participatory male-to-male community health worker intervention among Latino immigrants were analyzed using logistic regression. Community health workers recruited community participants in Western Pennsylvania between 2011 and 2013. Results. Participants constituted a vulnerable group: 47% had not finished high school, 36% had moderate to severe depression, and 30% reported binge drinking in the past month. Health care access was low (insurance = 6%, usual source = 20%). In multivariable logistic regression high social support was associated with less binge drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.20, 0.98]) and lower depression (OR = 0.22; 95% CI [0.09-0.54]). Social support was associated with having a dentist visit but not with other health care access measures. Conclusions. Results indicate that the role of social support seems important for drinking and depression but remains controversial for health care access. It raises the hypothesis that low social support may be one of the mechanisms for the increase in drinking that happens after immigration.
Detailed numerical modeling and parametric analysis of a composite deck
Authors: Alizadeh E , Dehestani M
Published: March 2018

This paper presents the experimental and numerical analysis of a composite deck consisting of steel core, glass fiber reinforced polymer layer and a concrete slab. A finite element approach is proposed to predict the behavior of the composite deck. In order to demonstrate the efficiency of the composite deck, a reinforced concrete deck with identical ultimate load capacity is designed. The mechanical properties and geometrical configurations of constituent parts of composite deck are modified and the resultant effects are evaluated and discussed thoroughly. The results show that the proposed composite deck with a low thickness, low weight and suitable deformability is appropriate for prefabrication when compared to conventional deck with the same ultimate load capacity. The material properties can be modified to improve ultimate load capacity of the composite deck and the strength-to-weight ratio of the deck is increased by changing the steel material to aluminum. The ultimate load capacity is enhanced by changing the composite deck cross section.
Comparison of urea recirculation and thermodilution for monitoring of vascular access in patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Vega Almudena , Abad Soraya , Aragoncillo Inés , Galán Isabel , Macías Nicolás , Cedeño Santiago , Santos Alba , García Ana , Linares Tania , Martínez-Villaescusa María , López-Gómez Juan M
Published: March 2018

Introduction

It is important to monitor vascular access in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis. Access recirculation can help to detect a need for intervention.

Objectives:

To compare urea recirculation with recirculation by thermodilution using blood temperature monitoring to predict a need for intervention of vascular access over a 6-month period.

Methods:

We analyzed urea recirculation and blood temperature monitoring simultaneously in 61 patients undergoing hemodialysis. During the 6-month follow-up, we recorded all cases of angioplasty or surgery (thrombectomy or reanastomosis). In line with previous studies, we considered a value to be positive when urea recirculation was >10% and blood temperature monitoring >15%. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed.

Results:

Mean urea recirculation was 9.5% ± 6.6% and mean blood temperature monitoring 12.9% ± 4.3% (p = 0.001). Urea recirculation >10% had a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 78%. Blood temperature monitoring >15% had a sensitivity of 33% and specificity of 85%. During follow-up, 25% of patients developed need for intervention of vascular access. We found an association between vascular access dysfunction and urea recirculation. The Kaplan–Meier analysis confirmed an association between urea recirculation and risk of vascular access dysfunction (log rank = 17.2; p = 0.001). We were unable to confirm this association with blood temperature monitoring (log rank = 0.879; p = 0.656).

Conclusion:

Urea recirculation is better predictor of vascular access dysfunction than thermodilution.
Evolution of Synonymous Codon Usage Bias in West African and Central African Strains of Monkeypox Virus
Authors: Karumathil Sudeesh , Raveendran Nimal T , Ganesh Doss , Kumar NS Sampath , Nair Rahul R , Dirisala Vijaya R
Published: March 2018

The evolution of bias in synonymous codon usage in chosen monkeypox viral genomes and the factors influencing its diversification have not been reported so far. In this study, various trends associated with synonymous codon usage in chosen monkeypox viral genomes were investigated, and the results are reported. Identification of factors that influence codon usage in chosen monkeypox viral genomes was done using various codon usage indices, such as the relative synonymous codon usage, the effective number of codons, and the codon adaptation index. The Spearman rank correlation analysis and a correspondence analysis were used for correlating various factors with codon usage. The results revealed that mutational pressure due to compositional constraints, gene expression level, and selection at the codon level for utilization of putative optimal codons are major factors influencing synonymous codon usage bias in monkeypox viral genomes. A cluster analysis of relative synonymous codon usage values revealed a grouping of more virulent strains as one major cluster (Central African strains) and a grouping of less virulent strains (West African strains) as another major cluster, indicating a relationship between virulence and synonymous codon usage bias. This study concluded that a balance between the mutational pressure acting at the base composition level and the selection pressure acting at the amino acid level frames synonymous codon usage bias in the chosen monkeypox viruses. The natural selection from the host does not seem to have influenced the synonymous codon usage bias in the analyzed monkeypox viral genomes.
The Convergence of Dopamine and α-Synuclein: Implications for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mor Danielle E , Ischiropoulos Harry
Published: March 2018

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) leads to severe motor impairment, and pathological inclusions known as Lewy bodies contain aggregated α-synuclein protein. The relationship of α-synuclein aggregation and dopaminergic degeneration is unclear. This commentary highlights a recent study showing that the interaction of α-synuclein with dopamine may be an important mechanism underlying disease. Elevating dopamine levels in mice expressing human α-synuclein with the A53T familial PD mutation recapitulated key features of PD, including progressive neurodegeneration of the SN and decreased ambulation. The toxicity of dopamine was dependent on α-synuclein expression; hence, raising dopamine levels in nontransgenic mice did not result in neuronal injury. This interaction is likely mediated through soluble α-synuclein oligomers, which had modified conformations and were more abundant as a result of dopamine elevation in the mouse brain. Specific mutation of the dopamine interaction motif in the C-terminus of α-synuclein rescued dopamine neurons from degeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans models. Here, these findings are discussed, particularly regarding possible mechanisms of oligomer toxicity, relevance of these models to sporadic and autosomal recessive forms of PD, and implications for current PD treatment.
More Than TV: Channel Ten and Diversity in Free-to-Air Broadcasting
Authors: Green Joshua
Published: March 2018

Free-to-air broadcasting is currently facing some tough challenges. Amidst declining viewing figures, the rise of competing technologies and the infiltration of pay TV, free-to-air broadcasters have watched their audience fragment and their revenue base become shaky. This paper examines the way the Ten Network has reconfigured itself in response to some of these challenges, recasting itself as a free-to-air broadcaster narrowcaster, appealing specifically to the youth market as a way of making itself economically viable. In doing so, Ten has introduced to the Australian television environment a new way of conceiving a television network — as an entity that transcends the broadcasting medium and configures itself as a desired cultural space.

This paper examines Ten's shift from the position of a broadcaster to a narrowcaster through the introduction of niche marketing and determined counter-programming strategies. Hand in hand with this. Ten's branding strategies and expanded media interests have sought to establish the network as a youth cultural mecca rather than simply a youth-focused broadcaster. This paper will look at the way the reconfigured Ten exists as a portal for youth viewers to gain access to a youth-specific public sphere, a commercial space where they can engage in semiotic self-determination and utilise transnational products enabling a process of DIY citizenship (Hartley, 1999: 162).
ABC TV Online, Digitally Yours
Authors: Hawkins Gay
Published: March 2018

Molly Reynolds worked at the ABC as the TV Online Producer for 18 months. She now works for Beyond and is responsible for Beyond Online's foray into broadband Internet. In this interview, she discusses with Gay Hawkins the nature of her work and its implications for the future of television production and delivery.
The other Edge of Commercialisation: Enhancing CCTV's Propaganda
Authors: Zhong Yong
Published: March 2018

This article re-examines the political economics of current Chinese television through three case studies into the operation of China Central Television Station (CCTV). It precedes the case studies with a review of a number of perspectives of Chinese television regarding its relation to businesses and its function as a propaganda instrument. The first case study presents an example to demonstrate the nature of the relationship between CCTV and its business partners. The second case study shows that CCTV is becoming a huge official-profiteering monopoly. The third case study leads to the argument that counter-commercialisation enhances CCTV's ability to propagandise. On the basis of these case studies, I argue that commercialisation is not a one-way process and that it necessarily contains an equal and opposite reactive process that I identify as counter-commercialisation. I hope that the case studies will enhance knowledge about the complexity of Chinese television.
An integrated framework on soundscape perception and spatial experience by adapting post-occupancy evaluation methodology
Authors: Aburawis Ayad A Mohamed , Dokmeci Yorukoglu Papatya Nur
Published: March 2018

The effecting factors of soundscape perception and space experience have a very close relationship. This study aims to synthesize the diversity of soundscape classifications and schemes and unify such factorial variations in order to develop an integrated framework for soundscape perception and spatial experience within a systematic review of recent progress and by adapting post-occupancy evaluation methodology. First, factors under soundscape perception and space experience are reviewed in detail and merged to form conceptual classification models. Six soundscape perception factors are formed as (1) sonic, (2) spatial, (3) temporal, (4) psychological, (5) behavioural and (6) personal. Similarly, five space experience factors are formed as (1) user, (2) usage, (3) architectural design, (4) social context and (5) physical environment. All related items in the literature are presented and the sub-items under each factor are exemplified. Second, factors under the merged conceptual models are integrated by considering occupants’ experience of space regarding their variance in perception of soundscapes through acoustical post-occupancy evaluation. An adapted study design is proposed under indicative, investigative and diagnostic stages of the post-occupancy evaluation by presenting the methods, data types and factorial correlations for each stage.
‘A Petty Form of Suffering’
Authors: Segal Naomi
Published: March 2018

‘Itching is a petty form of suffering,’ wrote André Gide in 1931. Itching may be occasional or obsessive; it positions a person inside a body that exists in familial and social contexts; it can be evoked in debates about righteousness and justice. This article begins with discussion of the work of Didier Anzieu, psychoanalyst author of The Skin-ego: among the nine ‘functions’ of the skin-ego that Anzieu describes, the last is ‘toxicity’, the skin turned against itself in a gesture of self-destruction. In my discussion of three other texts, I connect Gide’s diary entry to his sexuality; Lorette Nobécourt’s novel to the social world; the book of Job to the metaphysics of virtue; and to these I append two semi-comic moments from Jean-Paul Sartre and Sarah Winman, and discussions of ‘leprosy’ and psoriasis, two versions of feeling (in both senses) that one has a skin.
Short- and long-term mortality after pulmonary embolism in patients with and without cancer
Authors: Alotaibi Ghazi , Wu Cynthia , Senthilselvan Ambikaipakan , McMurtry Michael Sean
Published: March 2018

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. It is known that the risk of death varies by provoking factors; however, it is unknown if the risk of death persists beyond the initial diagnosis among patients with cancer-associated and non-cancer provoked patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of cancer on overall, short- and long-term mortality in a cohort of consecutive incident PE patients. Using administrative databases, we identified all incident cases of PE between 2004 and 2012 in Alberta, Canada. Cases were stratified by provoking factors (i.e. unprovoked, provoked, and cancer-associated). A multivariate Cox survival model was used to estimate the hazard ratios of short- and long-term death. We identified 8641 patients with PE, among which 42.2% were unprovoked, 37.9% were provoked and 19.9% were cancer-associated. The 1-year and 5-year survival probabilities were 60% (95% CI: 57–64%) and 39% (95% CI: 36–43%) in patients with cancer-associated PE, 93% (95% CI: 92–94%) and 80% (95% CI: 78–81%) in provoked PE, and 94% (95% CI: 93–95%) and 85% (95% CI: 83–87%) in unprovoked PE, respectively. Compared to patients with unprovoked events, both short-term and long-term survival in patients with cancer-associated PE have a higher observed risk of all-cause mortality in all age groups ( p<0.001). In contrast, patients with provoked events had a similar short- and long-term all-cause mortality. While PE has a significant mortality in all risk groups, patients with cancer have a higher risk of short-term mortality compared to patients with unprovoked PE.
Alcohol and drug use among staff at licensed premises in Norway
Authors: Buvik Kristin , Bye Elin K. , Gripenberg Johanna
Published: March 2018

Aims: There is increased concern about the use of alcohol and illicit drugs in nightlife settings. Most studies of substance use in nightlife settings are from the patrons’ perspective, which leaves an understudied population – the nightclub staff. The aim of this paper is to study self-reported alcohol and substance use among staff at licensed premises in Norway: types of illicit drugs used, attitudes towards drugs, and observed drug use among patrons. Methods: A survey was conducted at server-training courses in 20 different cities in Norway during 2015. The survey included: demographics, respondents’ own alcohol and drug experience, attitudes towards drug use, and observed drug use among patrons at licensed premises. Results: Data were collected from 912 staff working at licensed premises. A majority reported alcohol use in the past year, and 61% reported alcohol use two or more times a month. Overall, 45% of the respondents reported ever-used of illicit drugs. The four most commonly used drugs among staff were cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, and amphetamine. The majority of respondents supported Norway’s strict drug laws, and 63% reported observing drug-intoxicated patrons at licensed premises during the past six months. Conclusions: The proportion of frequent drinkers and heavy episodic drinking among staff at licensed premises was high, and the prevalence of illicit drug use was much higher compared with the general population. Thus, staff at licensed premises can be considered a risk-group for alcohol and illicit drug use and therefore represent an important target population in club drug-prevention programmes.
Health, wellness, and fitness training
Authors: DeNysschen Carol A , Cardina Catherine , Sobol James J , Zimmerman Bridget , Gavronsky Alexander
Published: March 2018

Law enforcement can be a physically and mentally demanding occupation. It is well known that health and fitness is highly related to job performance, career longevity and safety. There is insufficient research on the development of higher education-based coursework in criminal justice programs that emphasize the development of healthful behavior patterns and physical fitness. The purpose of this study was to determine if successful completion of a 14-week health education and fitness training course would increase participants’ physical fitness and capabilities to perform essential physical fitness tasks needed for a career in law enforcement. Fifty-one college students participated in a health promotion program that included multiple components of wellness such as physical fitness, exercise principles, healthy eating behaviors, goal setting and stress management. Results indicated that a college-based health promotion course can successfully prepare physically fit and police academy-ready criminal justice graduates that have an educational foundation in healthy lifestyle.
Examining survey response styles in cross-cultural marketing research: A comparison between Mexican and South Korean respondents
Authors: Beuthner Christoph , Friedrich Maren , Herbes Carsten , Ramme Iris
Published: March 2018

Modern social and marketing research relies heavily on surveys to collect data. At the same time, it is well established that survey responses are influenced by response style biases that vary across individuals, countries and cultures. Investigating such biases, we focused on Mexico and South Korea, two uprising markets mostly neglected in response style research. Data came from a survey instrument of 28 questions focusing on environmental attitudes, individual responsibilities and green packaging characteristics, administered to 500 Mexican and 525 South Korean respondents. We computed response style metrics and compared these to predictions made using scores on Hofstede and Minkov’s quantitative cultural research scale. The predictions made using this scale were largely confirmed through the response style metrics. While respondents in both countries preferred answering items with “Agree” or “Strongly Agree,” respondents in Mexico were about twice as willing to “Disagree” or “Strongly Disagree” than those in South Korea. Overall, respondents in Mexico showed a bias toward extreme responses, while those in South Korea showed a response bias toward mid-point values. Our approach can be used to assist survey design and to interpret the significance of survey results. Data captured from Mexican and South Korean respondents is now available to add to the general body of knowledge on response styles.
Investigating curricular policy as a tool to dismantle the master’s house: Indian Education for All and social studies teacher education
Authors: Stanton Christine R , Morrison Danielle
Published: March 2018

US curricular policies frequently bolster neoliberal power structures within both pre-K to 12 schools and universities by privileging settler–colonial narratives and excluding Indigenous knowledge. However, curricular policies can also serve to enhance social reconstructionist and social justice education. In this article, we describe two case studies focused on a state-level policy—Montana’s Indian Education for All—aimed at advancing understandings about Indigenous experiences and worldviews. The first study’s findings demonstrate Indian Education for All’s potential to support practicing teachers, including teachers with limited experience working with Indigenous communities, in their efforts to confront settler-colonialism and neoliberalism within curricula. The results from our second study suggest the potential for Indian Education for All to create space for Indigenous student leadership. However, our research also provides cautionary notes about the potential for “tools,” such as Indian Education for All, to unintentionally reinforce settler-colonialism, neoliberalism, and racism, as they can create opportunities for racial microaggressions and inequitable expectations. We conclude with recommendations for teacher education programs, institutional leaders, and policymakers.
Experimental Evidence on Reducing Nonresponse Bias through Case Prioritization
Authors: Gummer Tobias , Blumenstiel Jan Eric
Published: March 2018

To reduce nonresponse bias in surveys, it has been suggested that researchers allocate additional fieldwork efforts to cases with low estimated response propensity. If these efforts are successful, nonresponse bias may be reduced by changing the variance of response propensities and hence the covariance between response propensities and variables of interest. The present study provides experimental evidence about how to intervene on low-propensity cases through interviewer selection and allocation in telephone surveys. The results suggest that this intervention can successfully increase cooperation rates for the low-propensity group and reduce nonresponse bias without increasing field costs.
Reliability of nonrepairable phased-mission systems with common bus performance sharing
Authors: Yu Huan , Yang Jun , Zhao Yu
Published: March 2018

This article considers the reliability analysis of phased-mission systems with common bus performance sharing. The whole system consists of client nodes, service elements, and a common bus redistribution system and it undertakes a multi-phase mission. In each phase, the service elements must satisfy the demands of the prespecified client nodes set. The service elements can share their surplus performance with other client nodes through the common bus. In any phase, the system fails if the demands of the prespecified client nodes set are not satisfied. In other words, the entire system succeeds if the demands of the prespecified client nodes set are satisfied in all phases. The reliability of the proposed model is analyzed by the backward recursive algorithm. The optimal allocation problem is solved by the genetic algorithm. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the proposed reliability evaluation method and optimal allocation algorithm.
European spaces and the Roma: Denaturalizing the naturalized in online reader comments
Authors: Catalano Theresa , Fielder Grace E
Published: March 2018

With the entry of several Eastern European nations into the European Union (EU), a ‘third’ space has developed in the discourse for nations perceived as not fully integrated ‘inside’ the EU system. This article investigates the construction of this ‘third space’ in the resultant ‘moral panic’ about undesired immigration from other EU countries and its potential drain on the social services of the United Kingdom and links it to Euroskeptic discourse in British media. The article uses construal operations from cognitive linguistics combined with critical discourse studies as a way of denaturalizing the discourse in online comments that focus on the Bulgarian/Romanian immigration issue which we then connect to anti-Roma discourse. Results reveal a view of the United Kingdom as contaminated by Roma and underscore the need for novel metaphors to be countered before they become entrenched and used as tools for political propaganda.
Rescue therapy with alemtuzumab in B cell/antibody-mediated multiple sclerosis
Authors: Akgün Katja , Metz Imke , Kitzler Hagen H. , Brück Wolfgang , Ziemssen Tjalf
Published: March 2018

Alemtuzumab exerts its clinical efficacy by its specific pattern of depletion and repopulation of different immune cell subsets. Recently, single cases of multiple sclerosis patients who developed severe exacerbation after the first alemtuzumab application, accompanied by re-appearance of peripheral B cells, were reported. Here we present a case with underlying B cell-driven multiple sclerosis that impressively improves after alemtuzumab, although peripheral B cell repopulation took place. Our detailed clinical, histopathological, imaging and immunological data suggest that alemtuzumab can act as an effective rescue treatment in highly active B cell-driven and antibody/complement-mediated multiple sclerosis type II patients.
Researching religious authority in education: Political theology, elites’ theory and the double nexus
Authors: Gearon Liam , Kuusisto Arniika
Published: March 2018

This article provides a theoretical frame to structure methodological approaches to examining religious authority in education. It does so by examining the complex, overlapping relationship between secular and religious authority and the institutional power of education evident through responses to issues of cultural expression. The political theologies research examined ongoing tensions – accommodations, conflicts and resolutions – of religious authority with secular political systems, legal frameworks and institutions of educational replication. Through the data it became clear that education – in the broadest sense, as well as in its formal institutional structures – provided a mediating role for power exchanges between religious and political authority, which was especially evident in responses of religious leaders to issues of cultural and self-expression. Through interviews with senior religious leaders and authority figures in England – technically religious ‘elites’ – the findings provide insights into a ‘double nexus’ conceptual framework for researching religious authority in education: first, the internal nexus within religious traditions and, second, the external nexus of religious communities with secular, legal and political authority. Theoretically and methodologically, this represents a critical synthesis of political theology and elites’ theory, providing as yet underexplored possibilities for researching religious authority in education.
The effects of patient-centered communication, social capital, and internet use on patient empowerment: a cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Jiang Shaohai , Street Richard L.
Published: March 2018

Patient empowerment is a relatively new concept in the context of the Chinese health care system. Based on Street’s ecological framework of communication in healthcare settings, this study examined the social, clinical and media factors that could empower patients. Results from a survey of 401 Chinese adults (response rate, 34%) showed that respondents felt more empowered as health care consumers when they reported having more social capital bonding and bridging, and used the Internet for health purposes more often. Importantly, having had more positive patient-centered communicative experiences with health care providers not only predicted patient empowerment, it also moderated the effects of bridging social capital and Internet use on empowerment. Specifically, the more positive the experience of interacting with health care providers, the weaker the effects of bridging social capital and Internet use on patient empowerment. The findings have important implications for patient empowerment in health care, particularly within the context of China.