bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Improved Kernel Credal Classification Algorithm Based on Regularized Mahalanobis Distance: Application to Microarray Data Analysis
Authors: EL bendadi Khawla , Lakhdar Yissam , Sbai El Hassan
Published: June 2018

Within the kernel methods, an improved kernel credal classification algorithm (KCCR) has been proposed. The KCCR algorithm uses the Euclidean distance in the kernel function. In this article, we propose to replace the Euclidean distance in the kernel with a regularized Mahalanobis metric. The Mahalanobis distance takes into account the dispersion of the data and the correlation between the variables. It differs from Euclidean distance in that it considers the variance and correlation of the dataset. The robustness of the method is tested using synthetic data and a benchmark database. Finally, a set of DNA microarray data from Leukemia dataset was used to show the performance of our method on real-world application.
Phase II Studies with Refametinib or Refametinib plus Sorafenib in Patients with RAS-Mutated Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lim Ho Yeong , Merle Philippe , Weiss Karl Heinz , Yau Thomas , Ross Paul , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Blanc Jean-Frédéric , Ma Yuk Ting , Yen Chia Jui , Kocsis Judit , Choo Su Pin , Sukeepaisarnjaroen Wattana , Gérolami René , Dufour Jean-François , Gane Edward J. , Ryoo Baek-Yeol , Peck-Radosavljevic Markus , Dao Thong , Yeo Winnie , Lamlertthon Wisut , Thongsawat Satawat , Teufel Michael , Roth Katrin , Reis Diego , Childs Barrett H. , Krissel Heiko , Llovet Josep M.
Published: June 2018

Purpose: Refametinib, an oral MEK inhibitor, has demonstrated antitumor activity in combination with sorafenib in patients with RAS-mutated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two phase II studies evaluated the efficacy of refametinib monotherapy and refametinib plus sorafenib in patients with RAS-mutant unresectable or metastatic HCC.

Patients and Methods: Eligible patients with RAS mutations of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) determined by beads, emulsion, amplification, and magnetics technology received twice-daily refametinib 50 mg ± sorafenib 400 mg. Potential biomarkers were assessed in ctDNA via next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Results: Of 1,318 patients screened, 59 (4.4%) had a RAS mutation, of whom 16 received refametinib and 16 received refametinib plus sorafenib. With refametinib monotherapy, the objective response rate (ORR) was 0%, the disease control rate (DCR) was 56.3%, overall survival (OS) was 5.8 months, and progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.9 months. With refametinib plus sorafenib, the ORR was 6.3%, the DCR was 43.8%, OS was 12.7 months, and PFS was 1.5 months. In both studies, time to progression was 2.8 months. Treatment-emergent toxicities included fatigue, hypertension, and acneiform rash. Twenty-seven patients had ctDNA samples available for NGS. The most frequently detected mutations were in TERT (63.0%), TP53 (48.1%), and β-catenin (CTNNB1; 37.0%).

Conclusions: Prospective testing for RAS family mutations using ctDNA was a feasible, noninvasive approach for large-scale mutational testing in patients with HCC. A median OS of 12.7 months with refametinib plus sorafenib in this small population of RAS-mutant patients may indicate a synergistic effect between sorafenib and refametinib—this preliminary finding should be further explored. Clin Cancer Res; 24(19); 4650–61. ©2018 AACR.
Long-Term Immune Alterations Accompanying Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder following Exposure to Suicide Bomb Terror Incidents during Childhood
Authors: Shalev Amit , Benarroch Fortunato , Goltser-Dubner Tanya , Canetti Laura , Saloner Chen , Roichman Asael , Cohen Haim , Galili-Weisstub  Esti , Segman Ronen
Published: June 2018

Background and Aim: Long-term immune alterations have been proposed to play a mechanistic role in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as in its associated increase in medical morbidity and mortality. Better characterization of altered immune function may help identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and potentially targets for preventive intervention. Methods: As part of an ongoing study, we conducted a preliminary case-control comparison of resting immune inflammatory profiles between terror victims treated in childhood at the emergency department over the previous decade, who developed chronic PTSD upon long-term follow-up, and healthy controls. Results: Our preliminary results in a subsample of this ongoing study support and extend elevated resting levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-4, and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted in childhood onset chronic PTSD. Conclusion: Chronic immune alterations may participate in inflammatory activation and signal to the CNS through the neurovascular unit, as well as modulate the neuroendocrine axis. Better characterization and understanding of these preliminary findings may point to diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and potentially elucidate mechanistic involvement of immune activation in PTSD.
Choroidal Mucinous Metastatic Adenocarcinoma from the Colon: A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Ma Lina , Wolkow Natalie , Jakobiec Frederick A.
Published: June 2018

An enucleated globe was submitted from an outside hospital to the Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory for evaluation. There was a minimal amount of accompanying clinical history. Histopathologic examination revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the choroid. The determination of the origin of the tumor proved to be challenging based on the lack of a definitive systemic diagnosis. Initial suspicions that the tumor may represent a breast carcinoma were disproved when immunohistochemical biomarkers for breast carcinoma were negative. Similarly, typical markers of colon adenocarcinoma were not expressed. Positive immunostaining with a newer immunohistochemical marker, SATB2, and defects in DNA mismatch repair helped to confirm that the ocular metastasis was of colonic origin. Further clinical evaluation including imaging studies established that the patient had a primary colonic adenocarcinoma with widespread systemic metastases. The diagnostic utility and biologic significance of these latest immunohistochemical biomarkers for colon cancer are reviewed. Clinicians are encouraged to provide detailed clinical histories with the tissue specimens to enable the discovery of undetected “silent primaries” at the time an ocular metastasis develops and is discovered.
Comparison of Preterm and Term Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties in Different Oxygen Tensions
Authors: Balgi-Agarwal Saloni , Winter Caitlyn , Corral Alexis , Mustafa Shamimunisa B. , Hornsby Peter , Moreira Alvaro
Published: June 2018

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promise as therapeutic agents in treating morbidities associated with premature birth. MSCs derived from the human umbilical cord are easy to isolate and have low immunogenicity and a robust ability to secrete paracrine factors. To date, there are no studies evaluating preterm versus term umbilical cord tissue-derived MSCs. Therefore, our aim was twofold: (1) to compare stem cell properties in preterm versus term MSCs and (2) to examine the impact of oxygen tension on stem cell behavior. Umbilical cord tissue was obtained from 5 preterm and 5 term neonates. The cells were isolated and characterized as MSCs in accordance with the International Society for Cellular Therapy. We exposed MSCs to different oxygen tensions to examine the impact of environmental factors on cell performance. We studied the following stem cell properties: (i) motility, (ii) proliferation, (iii) senescence, (iv) cell viability, (v) colony-forming unit efficiency, and (vi) inflammatory cytokine expression. Under normoxia (21% O2), cells from preterm and term infants had similar properties. Under hypoxic conditions (1% O2), term MSCs had better cell proliferation; however, cells exposed to hyperoxia (90% O2) had the slowest motility and lowest cell viability (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the expression of senescence or cytokine expression between the groups. The term cells demonstrated more colony-forming efficiency than the preterm cells. In sum, our preliminary findings suggest that MSCs derived from term and preterm umbilical cords have similar characteristics, offering the potential of future autologous/allogeneic MSC transplants in neonates.
Whole-Transcriptome Analysis of CD133+CD144+ Cancer Stem Cells Derived from Human Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Wu Yongyan , Zhang Yuliang , Niu Min , Shi Yong , Liu Hongliang , Yang Dongli , Li Fei , Lu Yan , Bo Yunfeng , Zhang Ruiping , Li Zhenyu , Luo Hongjie , Cui Jiajia , Sang Jiangwei , Xiang Caixia , Gao Wei , Wen Shuxin
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: CD133+CD44+ cancer stem cells previously isolated from laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cell lines showed strong malignancy and tumorigenicity. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the enhanced malignancy remained unclear. Methods: Cell proliferation assay, spheroid-formation experiment, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), miRNA-seq, bioinformatic analysis, quantitative real-time PCR, migration assay, invasion assay, and luciferase reporter assay were used to identify differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs and miRNAs, construct transcription regulatory network, and investigate functional roles and mechanism of circRNA in CD133+CD44+ laryngeal cancer stem cells. Results: Differentially expressed genes in TDP cells were mainly enriched in the biological processes of cell differentiation, regulation of autophagy, negative regulation of cell death, regulation of cell growth, response to hypoxia, telomere maintenance, cellular response to gamma radiation, and regulation of apoptotic signaling, which are closely related to the malignant features of tumor cells. We constructed the regulatory network of differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs. qPCR findings for the expression of key genes in the network were consistent with the sequencing data. Moreover, our data revealed that circRNA hg19_circ_0005033 promotes proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemotherapy resistance of laryngeal cancer stem cells. Conclusions: This study provides potential biomarkers and targets for LSCC diagnosis and therapy, and provide important evidences for the heterogeneity of LSCC cells at the transcription level.
Differential Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis by Melatonin Receptor Subtype-Signaling in the Adult Murine Brain
Authors: Fredrich Michaela , Christ Elmar , Korf Horst-Werner
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: Zeitgeber time (ZT)-dependent changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis are regulated by melatonin receptor (MT)-mediated signaling in the adult hippocampus and hypothalamic-hypophyseal system. There are two G-protein-coupled MT subtypes, MT1 and MT2. Therefore, the present study examined which MT subtype is required for the regulation of ZT-dependent changes in cell proliferation and/or apoptosis in the adult murine brain and pituitary. Methods: Adult melatonin-proficient (C3H) mice with targeted deletion of MT1 (MT1 KO) or MT2 (MT2 KO) were adapted to a 12-h light/12-h dark photoperiod and sacrificed at ZT00, ZT06, ZT12, and ZT18. Immunohistochemistry for Ki67 or activated caspase-3 served to quantify proliferating and apoptotic cells in the hippocampal subgranular zone (SGZ) and granule cell layer, the hypothalamic median eminence (ME), and the hypophyseal pars tuberalis. Results: ZT-dependent changes in cell proliferation were found exclusively in the SGZ and ME of MT1 KO mice, while apoptosis showed no ZT-dependent changes in the regions analyzed, neither in MT1 nor in MT2 KO mice. Comparison with our previous studies in C3H mice with functional MTs and MT1/2 KO mice revealed that MT2-mediated signaling is required and sufficient for ZT-dependent changes in cell proliferation in the SGZ and ME, while ZT-dependent changes in apoptosis require signaling from both MT subtypes. Conclusions: Our results indicate that generation and timing of ZT-dependent changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis by melatonin require different MT subtype constellations and emphasize the importance to shed light on the specific function of each receptor subtype in different tissues and physiological conditions.
Effects of number of stretch series on hamstring muscle flexibility in young women
Authors: Vasconcelos Gabriela Souza de , Cini Anelize , Lima Cláudia Silveira
Published: June 2018

O objetivo foi verificar a influência de cinco diferentes séries de alongamento passivo sobre a flexibilidade dos músculos isquiostibiais de mulheres jovens. A amostra foi constituída de 45 estudantes universitários do Curso de Fisioterapia. A amplitude de movimento do quadril e do joelho foi avaliada com goniômetro manual, através de dois testes: Elevação do Membro Inferior Estendido e Extensão de Joelho modificado, antes a após o alongamento. O alongamento foi realizado uma vez por semana, com número de séries diferente: uma; duas; três;quatro e cinco séries de 30 segundos, sendo a ordem estabelecida por sorteio. Os dados referentes ao pré e pós-teste foram comparados utilizando o teste t para amostras pareadas. Para comparação entre o número de séries foi utilizada a One-Way ANOVA, na presença de diferenças o post hoc de Bonferroni foi utilizado (α= 0,05). Os resultados demonstram que o pós teste teve aumento significativo na amplitude de movimento quando comparado ao pré para todos os testes. Na comparação entre as séries foi encontrado aumento significativo na ADM de quadril quando foram realizadas três, quatro e cinco séries de alongamento no teste Elevação do Membro Inferior Estendido e em quatro e cinco séries no teste de Extensão de Joelho modificado. Os dados permitem concluir que os exercícios de alongamento, independente do número de séries, aumentam a ADM articular. No entanto, a aplicação de quatro séries é o mais adequado para ganhos de ADM por apresentar melhores resultados.
The effect of situational variables in free throw shooting effectiveness in small-sided games in basketball
Authors: Rocha Fabrício Freire , Arruda Ademir Felipe Schultz , Miloski Bernardo , Drago Gustavo Lucena Anibal , Drago Murilo Lucena Anibal , Corrêa Umberto Cesar , Aoki Marcelo Saldanha , Moreira Alexandre
Published: June 2018

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a influência das variáveis situacionais na efetividade da finalização (arremessos) de jogadores de basquetebol, durante jogos reduzidos (JRs). A amostra foi constituída de 24 jogadores, das categorias sub-15 e sub-17 (15,6 ± 0,4 anos; 82,1 ± 9,9 kg; 187,6 ± 8,0 cm), pertencentes a equipes que participaram do Campeonato Paulista. Foram analisados 8 JRs, compostos por 4 períodos de 4 minutos, com intervalo de 1 minuto entre os períodos, realizados em uma quadra de tamanho oficial (28m x 15m), com três jogadores em cada equipe (3 vs. 3). O resultado do teste de qui-quadrado indicou que a efetividade da finalização apresentou associação com o tipo de posse de bola (p<0,001), com a condição do arremessador (marcado vs. desmarcado) (p<0,001) e com a distância do arremesso (p<0,001). A regressão logística mostrou que a probabilidade de efetividade do arremesso diminuiu mais de 65% (p<0,001) quando o arremessador estava “marcado” comparado com a condição oposta (desmarcado). Os arremessos curtos apresentam maior chance de sucesso (arremesso efetivo) em aproximadamente 84% quando comparado ao arremesso de média distância (p<0,001). Os resultados, portanto, sugerem que a efetividade do arremesso é influenciada pelo posicionamento do arremessador (distância do marcador) e proximidade da cesta. Em uma perspectiva prática, pode-se sugerir que técnicos orientem seus atletas a buscarem espaços próximos da cesta, sem marcação, a fim de aumentar a chance de sucesso do arremesso.
Pivoting toward Hope
Authors: Ireland-Verwoerd Francisca , Moore Mary Elizabeth
Published: June 2018

This paper explores transformative moments in the lives of young people, drawing from interviews and focus groups with 75 youth. We highlight the emerging theme of hope with portraitures drawn from two young women’s narratives as we give particular attention to the role of imagination, fear, and life experiences in their stories. Then we analyse more generally the interviewees’ narrations of hope and the influences that evoke, support, and/or discourage their hopes. In conclusion, we create a dialogue between the young voices and the theological literature to discover how they challenge and enlarge one another. The paper closes with proposals for educational practice.
New species of Grubeulepis Pettibone, 1969 (Eulepethidae, Annelida) from northern Brazil
Authors: CUTRIM ALLANA STÉPHANIE TAVARES , PRASERES EMANUELLE FERNANDES , CONCEIÇÃO JHULLY MICKAELLY VERMONT SILVA , DE ALMEIDA ZAFIRA DA SILVA , JÚNIOR MIODELI NOGUEIRA , DE OLIVEIRA VERÔNICA MARIA
Published: June 2018

Eulepethidae is one of the least diverse families of scale polychaetes, with only 23 species described thus far. In this study we describe an additional species of Grubeulepis from unconsolidated substrata from Maranhão, tropical Brazil (ca. 2°S). Grubeulepis serrata sp. nov. differs from other species of the family due to the presence of one pair of eyes, 14 pairs of branchiae, posterior lamellae beginning in the 27th segment, with hooked upper notochaetae and serrated outer edge acicular neurochaeta in the 3rd segment. The diagnosis of the genus formerly included species with 10–13 pairs of branchiae, and thus is modified to accommodate the 14 pairs of branchiae from the new species described here. Grubeulepis serrata sp. nov. shares with Grubeulepis mexicana (Berkeley & Berkeley 1939) the number of lateral processes of the 12th elytra, the segment of the foliaceous lamellae and the presence of acicular neurochaeta in the 3rd segment, but they differ in the number of branchiae pairs, eyes and the notochaetae shape. Grubeulepis serrata sp. nov. shares with Grubeulepis geayi (Fauvel 1918) the spiny notochaetae with spoon-shaped distal end, but differ in the hooked upper notochaetae, amount of lateral processes, and elytra articulation.
How Satisfied Are AMS Members with the Society?: Results from the 2014 AMS Survey
Authors: Durre Imke , Behl Mona , Haacker Rebecca , Herman Redina
Published: June 2018

In 2014, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) conducted the latest in its sequence of surveys of its membership. Included in the survey were a number of questions pertaining to the value that members derive from the Society’s products and services. Asked to classify the value of their AMS membership dues as “excellent,” “satisfactory,” or “not good value,” 93% chose at least “satisfactory,” including 36% who selected “excellent.” The three most frequently cited reasons for joining the AMS were attendance at meetings, access to publications, and staying informed. Consistent with these reasons, AMS-sponsored scientific conferences, AMS journals, and BAMS were found to be at least somewhat valuable to more than 90% of survey participants. Those who expressed some level of dissatisfaction cited as reasons the cost of membership dues, travel and registration costs associated with AMS conferences, or a feeling of not being included in the Society. These findings may be pertinent to the Society’s long-term planning for its offering of products and services.
Retire in Peace: Officials’ Political Incentives and Corporate Diversification in China
Authors: Wang Danqing , Luo Xiaowei Rose
Published: June 2018

We develop a theory of how state officials’ political incentives can affect corporate behavior. In the pursuit of multiple goals, such as social stability and economic development, the state designs criteria to evaluate its officials’ performance. Those officials may be motivated to prioritize different goals at different stages of their careers and to mobilize firms to help them achieve those goals. We test our theory in the context of Chinese publicly listed firms’ diversification between 2001 and 2011, when the state faced economic and social ramifications of bankrupt state-owned enterprises (SOEs) laying off large numbers of workers. Our results show that when large layoffs occurred, some firms diversified into industries unrelated to their core business by acquiring bankrupt SOEs and reemploying their workers. This was more likely to occur when the governor of the firm’s home province was closer to retirement, as social stability was more important than economic development for the retiring governor’s career objective. The effect of career stage was weaker for Communist Party leaders, who more consistently prioritized social stability, and when a provincial state experienced intense collective actions that made social stability a stronger immediate focus. The effect was strengthened for firms more vulnerable to officials’ influence, such as those with a strong socialist imprint and those dependent on government resources. Our study extends the Weberian state literature and the political economy research on incentives, and it offers a political explanation for corporate diversification in a major transitional economy.
Delegating Away Democracy: How Good Representation and Policy Successes Can Undermine Democratic Legitimacy
Authors: Singer Matthew
Published: June 2018

Theories of democratic legitimacy argue that people who believe the government is well managed and represents their interests are likely to defend the democratic status quo. Principal-agent theory predicts, however, that these same groups are also more likely to support executive actions that threaten vertical or horizontal accountability. Citizens who feel represented by an ideologically sympathetic and competent executive may be willing to delegate the president additional authority to enact their agenda, even at the expense of democratic principles. Survey data from Latin America are largely consistent with the principal-agent hypothesis; those who voted for the ruling party in the previous election or who perceive that the economy is strong say they not only like democracy and oppose coups but also support limits on critical actors and opposition parties and are willing to let the president bypass the legislature and court. Thus to understand the breakdown of democracy, we must not only examine the conditions that leave the losers of political and economic processes satisfied with the process that culminated in their defeat but also identify conditions when winners tolerate electoral and institutional challenges and are willing to protect space for public criticism.
The Comptroller and Auditor General: Reform the Institution to Enforce Government’s Accountability
Authors: Mathur B.P.
Published: June 2018

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is an institution under our con-stitution for enforcing the accountability of the executive and watching that public money is used with due regard to wisdom, faithfulness and economy. To perform the job efficiently, there is need for fundamental restructuring of its organisational structure, which is an inheritance from the colonial past. There is a need to convert it into a multi-member audit commission at the apex level and strengthen status of State Accountants General, who conduct the audit of state government transactions, by giving them statutory recognition and greater autonomy. To instil public confidence in the incumbent holding the high office of CAG, there is need for transparency in his appointment and only a professional of proven competence should be appointed to the post. Government should recognise the important role CAG can play in effective management of national finances and good governance.
Pathways to care among psychiatric outpatients in a tertiary mental health institution in Singapore
Authors: Jeyagurunathan Anitha , Abdin Edimansyah , Shafie Saleha , Wang Peizhi , Chang Sherilyn , Ong Hui Lin , Abdul Rahman Restria Fauziana , Sagayadevan Vathsala , Samari Ellaisha , Chua Yi Chian , Vaingankar Janhavi Ajit , Verma Swapna Kamal , Wei Ker-Chiah , Chong Siow Ann , Subramaniam Mythily
Published: June 2018

Background:

Pathways to care studies in Singapore are of high interest given the cultural diversity and various sources of help available for those with mental illnesses, ranging from the more traditional to tertiary-level mental health care services.

Aim:

The current study aimed to explore the associations of patients’ socio-demographic characteristics with pathways to first contact and duration of untreated mental illness.

Method:

A total of 402 participants were recruited through convenience sampling. A pathway to care form was used to gather systematic information about the sources of care utilized by participants before approaching a mental health professional. Data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression and multiple linear regression models to assess the associations.

Results:

Majority of participants reported primary care (36.0%) as their first point of contact, followed by non-formal sources of help (33.8%), specialist care (21.8%), police/court (4.0%), websites/media (3.3%) and religious/traditional treatment (1.3%). Those belonging to Malay and Indian ethnicity (vs Chinese) were more likely to make first contact with non-formal sources of help than primary care. Those who received a diagnosis of any mood or anxiety disorder (vs schizophrenia and related psychoses) were less likely to make first contact with specialist care or non-formal sources of help than primary care. Those who were separated/divorced/widowed were significantly associated with higher duration of untreated illness compared to those who were single. Participants whose family/relative initiated the first contact were significantly associated with a shorter duration of untreated illness compared to those who initiated first contact on their own.

Conclusion:

Findings suggest the determinants of the pathways to first contact and duration of untreated illness included diagnosis, ethnicity, marital status and family initiating the first contact. The pathways adopted by these participants need to be kept in mind for planning mental health programmes.
Childhood Family Instability and Young Adult Health
Authors: Gaydosh Lauren , Harris Kathleen Mullan
Published: June 2018

American children live in a variety of family structures throughout their childhoods. Such instability in family arrangements is common and has important demonstrated implications for short-term child outcomes. However, it is not known whether family instability experienced in childhood has enduring health consequences across the life course. Using demographic, social, and biological data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we investigate the family stress model, testing the relationship between parental family instability in childhood and four biological markers of health in young adulthood. This is the first study to examine whether the accumulation of family change in childhood leaves a lasting physiological residue. While family instability is associated with poorer short-term behavioral and socioeconomic outcomes as documented in previous research, we find no evidence of deleterious young adult health consequences. These findings are robust across different measures of physiological health risk and types of family transitions.
The Effect of Incomplete Death Certificates on Estimates of Unintentional Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999-2015
Authors: Buchanich Jeanine M. , Balmert Lauren C. , Williams Karl E. , Burke Donald S.
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

A complete and accurate count of the number of opioid-related overdose deaths is essential to properly allocate resources. We determined the rate of unintentional overdose deaths (non–opioid-related, opioid-related, or unspecified) in the United States and by state from 1999 to 2015 and the possible effects of underreporting on national estimates of opioid abuse.

Methods:

We abstracted unintentional drug overdose deaths ( International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes X40-X44) with contributory drug-specific T codes (T36.0-T50.9) from the Mortality Multiple Cause Micro-Data Files. We assumed that the proportion of unspecified overdose deaths that might be attributed to opioids would be the same as the proportion of opioid-related overdose deaths among all overdose deaths and calculated the number of deaths that could be reallocated as opioid-related for each state and year. We then added these reallocated deaths to the reported deaths to determine their potential effect on total opioid-related deaths.

Results:

From 1999 to 2015, a total of 438 607 people died from unintentional drug overdoses. Opioid-related overdose deaths rose 401% (from 5868 to 29 383), non–opioid-related overdose deaths rose 150% (from 3005 to 7505), and unspecified overdose deaths rose 220% (from 2255 to 29 383). In 5 states (Alabama, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania), more than 35% of unintentional overdose deaths were coded as unspecified. Our reallocation resulted in classifying more than 70 000 unspecified overdose deaths as potential additional opioid-related overdose deaths.

Conclusions:

States may be greatly underestimating the effect of opioid-related overdose deaths because of incomplete cause-of-death reporting, indicating that the current opioid overdose epidemic may be worse than it appears.
Reducing the use of inappropriate coagulation testing in emergency general surgical patients
Authors: Thomas Lydiya , Woon EeLaine , Fong Elizabeth , Parnaby Craig , Watson Henry G
Published: June 2018

Background and aims

Indiscriminate coagulation testing in emergency general surgical patients can lead to inappropriate delay in surgery, cause unnecessary concern and is associated with significant cost. The British Committee for Standards in Haematology recommends against coagulation testing to predict peri-operative bleeding risk in unselected patients. Our aim was to assess the appropriateness of coagulation tests performed in emergency general surgical patients and evaluate the effect of a series of educational interventions on clinical practice.

Methods and results

Appropriate indications for performing coagulation testing included a positive bleeding history, the presence of liver disease/cholestasis, sepsis or use of anticoagulants. Initial data on 142 patients were collected over 2 weeks of receiving. Following analysis, indications for appropriate coagulation testing were highlighted and data were collected on a further 190 patients. Comparing the audit cycles, we observed a decrease in the proportion of patients who underwent routine testing (49.3% vs 32.6%; p = 0.002) and inappropriate testing (67% of tests vs 34% of tests; p < 0.001). Despite being highlighted, there was no evidence of improved documentation of bleeding histories on admission.

Conclusions

This observational study suggests that simple educational messages can reduce the inappropriate use of coagulation screening tests in general surgical emergencies. This seems to result from clarification of the appropriate surgical indications for coagulation testing in this group.
A Gardening Metaphor: A Framework for Closing Racial Achievement Gaps in American Public Education System
Authors: Taylor Jerome , Kyere Eric , King Ѐpryl
Published: June 2018

The overarching purpose of this article is to introduce A Gardening Metaphor (AGM) as an evolving framework for accelerating the closure of racial achievement gaps in America. Toward this end, we provide: (a) an examination of the racial disparities in education that are disproportionately experienced by Black children; (b) a rationale for why racial achievement gaps must be closed; (c) an introduction to components of AGM; and (d) discussion of AGM gap closing potential through case study with implication for research and practice.
Functionality and Risk of Falls in Elders Followed in a Day Care Center in Brazil
Authors: Pinheiro Igor de Matos , Alves Crésio
Published: June 2018

Adult day centers provide comprehensive care for older adults and may enhance autonomy, well-being, and socialization. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of such multidisciplinary day care on functionality, fear of falling, and risk of falls in community elders. Fifty-two seniors who attended day services were followed for 1 year. During the year, the adults maintained functionality for activities of daily living, presented improvement in instrumental activities of daily living, and no longer presented high risk for falls. No association was found between the risk of falling and fear of falling, however. Results are discussed in terms of the positive outcomes of attending day services.
A Chill in Spring: Literary Exchange and Political Struggle in the Hundred Flowers and Anti-Rightist Campaigns of 1956–1958
Authors: Lekner Dayton
Published: June 2018

Who had the power to innovate in the linguistic and literary realms in the high Mao era? To date, scholars have emphasized a top-down enforcement of formulaic language through a mixture of Communist Party organization and Maoist charisma. This article challenges the exhaustiveness of that model by articulating the circulation, appropriation, and modulation of literary tropes during the political campaigns of 1956–1958. To this end, it traces the widespread uptake of the titular metaphor of the Hundred Flowers Campaign and its proliferation throughout public debate. Troubling the top-down model is the challenge to this propagation posed by sociologist Fei Xiaotong 费孝通 (1910–2005) with his essay “The Early Spring Weather of Intellectuals” and the impact that essay, and its central metaphor, had on public discourse. In exploring this battle over the metaphorical season, this article reimagines the Hundred Flowers, Rectification, and Anti-Rightist campaigns through the lens of literary exchange. It argues that in distinct cases it was control of public discourse through literary virtuosity that constituted a key battleground during the campaigns.
Robust attitude fault-tolerant control for unmanned autonomous helicopter with flapping dynamics and actuator faults
Authors: Yan Kun , Chen Mou , Wu Qiangxian , Lu Ke
Published: June 2018

In this paper, an adaptive robust fault-tolerant control scheme is developed for attitude tracking control of a medium-scale unmanned autonomous helicopter with rotor flapping dynamics, external unknown disturbances and actuator faults. For the convenience of control design, the actuator dynamics with respect to the tail rotor are introduced. The adaptive fault observer and robust item are employed to observe the actuator faults and eliminate the effect of external disturbances, respectively. A backstepping-based robust fault-tolerant control scheme is designed with the aim of obtaining satisfactory tracking performance and closed-loop system stability is proved via Lyapunov analysis, which guarantees the convergence of all closed-loop system signals. Simulation results are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
International adoption of the Second Step program: Moderating variables in treatment effects
Authors: Moy Gregory , Polanin Joshua R. , McPherson Casey , Phan Thuy-Vy
Published: June 2018

Second Step is a universal social-emotional learning program designed to decrease antisocial behaviors, increase prosocial behaviors, and increase knowledge about content curriculum. Given the international focus of using Second Step to improve social-emotional skills, it is especially important to provide an updated synthesis on the effect of the intervention. A single-program meta-analysis was completed in order to determine effects of participating in Second Step and to explore moderators of program effectiveness on prosocial and antisocial behavior outcomes as well as knowledge of emotions. Five moderators were explored, including (a) program saturation, (b) dependent variable source, (c) grade range, (d) metro area, and (e) geographical location. A combined total of 18,847 participants were included in the analysis of 27 studies. Results of the current study indicate that Second Step’s impact on students’ knowledge and attitudes of violence and violence prevention is much stronger than on increasing prosocial behavior or reducing antisocial behavior.
Effects of Functional Communication Training Using GoTalk NowTM iPad® Application on Challenging Behavior of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Muharib Reem , Correa Vivian I. , Wood Charles L. , Haughney Kathryn L.
Published: June 2018

This study investigated the effects of a functional communication training intervention consisting of systematic prompting and natural reinforcement on the challenging behaviors of two children with autism spectrum disorder aged 5 and 6 years old. Children who had a history of challenging behavior, consisting of self-injury and disruption, were taught to request preferred stimuli through the GoTalk Now™ application on an iPad®. Using a reversal design, the findings demonstrated a functional relation between functional communication training with the use of the GoTalk Now application and the decreased levels of challenging behaviors. Specifically, one child demonstrated zero levels of challenging behaviors and one child showed a less substantial decrease of challenging behaviors during intervention phases. Directions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.
Dyadic Relations Between Interparental Conflict and Parental Emotion Socialization
Authors: Lee Young-Eun , Brophy-Herb Holly E.
Published: June 2018

This study examined the effects of destructive and constructive interparental conflict on unsupportive parental emotion socialization behaviors ( N = 166 parents of toddlers). Both mothers and fathers completed measures of destructive and constructive interparental conflict and emotion dismissing beliefs and unsupportive responses to toddlers’ expressions of negative emotions such as anger, fear, and sadness. Multilevel modeling for the actor–partner interdependence model indicated spillover effect of destructive conflict and crossover effects of constructive conflict on unsupportive parental emotion socialization. In short, mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of destructive interparental conflict were positively related to their own use of unsupportive emotional socialization behaviors. Mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of constructive interparental conflict were (marginally/trend level) negatively related to the other parent’s use of unsupportive emotion socialization behaviors. These findings advance the literature on the associations between interparental conflict and parental emotion socialization, examining interdependence between mothers and fathers.
The De Facto Independence of Federal Offices of Inspector General
Authors: Kempf Robin J. , Cabrera Jessica C.
Published: June 2018

The question of whether executive agencies can be subject to the control of politically elected legislators has been answered affirmatively, but it remains an open question whether legislators can likewise design an agency to be able to resist such control and influence. This article examines whether the de jure elements established for the system of U.S. federal offices of inspectors general (OIGs) adequately guard their role as independent and objective monitors of the agencies they oversee, and are reflected in their de facto independence from political pressures in the OIGs’ environments, operationalized as changes in the majority party in Congress, the presidency, and executive leadership. This research tests the self-reported outputs of 54 federal OIGs over a 10-and-a-half-year period to see if there are correlations between differences in inspector general (IG) appointment processes, OIGs’ environmental changes, and fluctuations in OIG outputs. Furthermore, it examines whether these results vary depending on whether the OIGs are performing pre factum audits or post factum investigations. Analyses show that OIGs with IGs appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate are more productive than those appointed by agency heads. Furthermore, federal OIGs’ productivity varies depending on who is president and with the OIGs’ proximity to the president, although pre factum audits and post factum investigations do not demonstrate similar patterns. This article sheds light on issues of institutional design and suggests an implicit political nature of pre factum oversight. Implications for policy and practice in the area of government accountability are discussed.
Corruption and Tax Structure in American States
Authors: Liu Cheol , Mikesell John L.
Published: June 2018

We examine the extent to which public corruption influences the tax structure of American states. After controlling for other tax structure influences, we find that states with greater measured public corruption have more complex tax systems, have higher tax burdens, rely more heavily on regressive indirect taxes, and have smaller shares of their tax burdens with initial impact on business. These are significant structural impacts on the tax systems.
Safety Impact of Weaving Distance on Freeway Facilities with Managed Lanes using Both Microscopic Traffic and Driving Simulations
Authors: Cai Qing , Saad Moatz , Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Yuan Jinghui , Lee Jaeyoung
Published: June 2018

With the challenges of increasing traffic congestion, the concept of managed lanes (MLs) has been gaining popularity recently as a means to effectively improve traffic mobility. MLs are usually designed to be left-lane concurrent with an at-grade access/exit. Such a design forms weaving segments since it requires vehicles to change multiple general purpose lanes (GPLs) to enter or exit the ML. The weaving segments could have a negative impact on traffic safety in the GPLs. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of the safety impact of different lengths for each lane change maneuver on GPL weaving segments close to the ingress and egress of MLs through two simulation approaches: VISSIM microsimulation and driving simulator. The two simulation studies are developed based on traffic data collected from freeway I-95 in Miami, Florida. The results from the two simulation studies support each other. Based on the two simulation studies, it is recommended that 1,000 feet be used as the optimal length for per lane change at the GPLs weaving segments with MLs. The safety impact of traffic volume, variable speed limit control strategies, and drivers’ gender and age characteristics are also explored. This study can provide valuable insight for evaluating the traffic performance of freeway weaving segments with the presence of concurrent GPLs and MLs in a highway safety context. It also provides guidelines for future conversion of freeways to include MLs.
Laboratory Characterization of Structural Capacity of North American Heavy Haul Concrete Crossties
Authors: Bastos Josué C. , Álvarez-Reyes Alejandro , Dersch Marcus S. , Edwards J. Riley , Barkan Christopher P. L.
Published: June 2018

Over the past few decades, the use of concrete crossties in North America has increased as a high-performance alternative to timber crossties, especially in heavy-haul freight and higher speed rail corridors. To accommodate heavier axle-loads and prevent center cracking, railroads and suppliers have consistently increased the bending moment thresholds that a crosstie must withstand, leading to stiffer elements that may be more prone to brittle cracking. This paper attempts to characterize the structural capacity of the crosstie at two critical design locations, the center and the rail seat cross sections. Concrete crossties were subjected to four-point bending tests at both the center and rail seat, while recording corresponding deflections using protocols adapted from the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual on Railway Engineering. Experimentation was performed on some of the most representative concrete crosstie designs that are currently installed in North America, with 70 individual crossties undergoing tests. The resulting load-deflection curves illustrate the variability of each crosstie’s response to load and characterize the flexural performance of the crossties. Results showed that North American crosstie designs frequently have significant reserve capacity and high stiffness. The results also indicate that even severely abraded crossties can have enough flexural capacity to withstand typical field loading conditions.
Defining Freeway Design Capacity Based on Stochastic Observations
Authors: Shojaat Siavash , Geistefeldt Justin , Parr Scott A. , Escobar Luis , Wolshon Brian
Published: June 2018

The estimation of capacity as a parameter to assess traffic flow performance on freeway facilities has received considerable attention in the literature. Despite the general acceptance of the stochastic notion of capacity, limited research has been conducted on how to select a single representative design value from a capacity distribution function. This paper reports the results of an empirical comparison between conventional capacity estimates and those obtained by maximizing the sustained flow index (SFI) for 19 U.S. freeway sections. The SFI is defined as the product of the traffic volume and the probability of survival at this volume. The capacity of each cross-section was estimated by analyzing the speed–flow relationship and applying methods for stochastic capacity analysis. The results show that the optimum volumes obtained by maximizing the SFI estimated in 5-minute intervals correspond well to the 15% probability of breakdown proposed in the Highway Capacity Manual 6 th Edition to estimate the capacity from field data. From these results, it was concluded that maximizing the SFI can be considered a preferred approach to estimate a single, representative value of freeway capacity.
Multi-objective optimization design of in-wheel motors drive electric vehicle suspensions for improving handling stability
Authors: Zhang Lipeng , Zhang Silong , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2018

In-wheel motor drive electric vehicle has superior dynamic control capability, but the inner space of wheel hubs that are originally used to install the suspensions is occupied by wheel motors, which leads to an increase in unspring mass and a structural change in suspensions. By referring to a standard car’s suspension to design the suspensions of an in-wheel motor drive electric vehicle, the required vehicle handling stability is hard to reach, so the structure of the suspensions must be redesigned and optimized to facilitate the next step of vehicle dynamics control. In this paper, the virtual prototype is established based on a self-developed in-wheel motor drive electric vehicle, and the correctness of the model is validated by field tests. Then, the design of experiment method is used to analyze the impact of the structural parameters of the front double pivot suspensions and the rear double wishbone suspensions; the sensitivity of the suspension parameters is obtained by entropy measurement, and the suspension parameters with great influence on the handling stability are selected as the design variables and optimized by Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II. Through the optimization, the maximum lateral acceleration and the maximum roll angle can be reduced by 4.8% and 10.3%, respectively, under the double lane change test and reduced by 12.7% and 7.9%, respectively, under the serpentine test. The maximum speeds under double lane change and serpentine test simulations can be increased by at least 7% and 5%, respectively. The related research has guiding significance for the suspension design of the in-wheel motor drive electric vehicles.