bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marriage, Social Control, and Health Behavior: A Dyadic Analysis of Same-sex and Different-sex Couples
Authors: Umberson Debra , Donnelly Rachel , Pollitt Amanda M.
Published: July 2018

Prior research based on studies of heterosexual populations suggests that men’s health benefits more from marriage than women’s, in part because women do more than men to influence the health habits of their spouse. We extend this work by using dyadic survey data from 838 spouses in 419 gay, lesbian, and heterosexual marriages to consider differences in social control tactics across same-sex and different-sex couples—that is, how spouses monitor and regulate each other’s health habits. Results suggest that although gender differences in social control are common, gendered patterns sometimes differ depending on whether one is in a same-sex or different-sex marriage. Results also point to the importance of health habits as strong drivers of relationship dynamics across gay and lesbian as well as heterosexual marriages.
Why we should use Min Max DEVS for modeling and simulation of digital circuits
Authors: Hamri M , Naamane A , Frydman C , Driouche N
Published: July 2018

The delay is a very important element in modeling hardware behavior, and is realized in many hardware description languages such as ADLIB-SABLE, Verilog, and VHDL. The state of the art on hardware delay identifies four classes. In the first class, mean values are used as a precise delay element in the simulation; we found it in VHDL (VHSIC (very high speed integrated circuit) Hardware Description Language), where a single value is utilized to characterize the transport delay. In the second class, the delay is represented by an interval min max, meaning that the delay value is precisely unknown and every value in the interval can represent a possible value for the actual delay. In the third class, a delay is expressed in the form of a stochastic distribution. Fuzzy models of delay constitute the last class. In reality, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a precise value of the delay; there are many reasons for that: temperature, voltage, variation in the manufacturing process, and other environment parameters. The Min Max DEVS formalism allows an efficient design of the min max delay by proposing a definition of the lifetime function based on time interval. Moreover, its simulation semantics allows the simulation of Min Max DEVS models with only one replication, allowing us to conclude whether the min max delay is too large or exact simulations cannot be obtained. In this paper, we propose to highlight the Min Max DEVS formalism through examples from digital circuits, after having recalled its basic definitions and its simulation semantics. Then, we compare the simulation results obtained with those provided by the well-known tool in the field of digital circuits, Verilog, using the same examples.
Medicare Advantage Enrollment and Beneficiary Risk Scores: Difference-in-Differences Analyses Show Increases for All Enrollees On Account of Market-Wide Changes
Authors: Hayford Tamara Beth , Burns Alice Levy
Published: July 2018

Medicare adjusts payments to Medicare Advantage (MA) insurers using risk scores that summarize the relationship between fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare spending and beneficiaries’ demographic characteristics and documented health conditions. Research shows that MA insurers have increasingly documented conditions more thoroughly than traditional Medicare—resulting in higher payments to insurers—but little is known about what factors contribute to diverging risk scores. We apportion that divergence between market-wide increases and increases that vary with length of MA enrollment. We also examine whether effects vary across plan types and whether the enrollment duration effect is contingent upon remaining with the same insurer. Using Medicare administrative data from 2008 to 2013, we employ a difference-in-differences model to compare the growth in risk scores of Medicare beneficiaries who switch from FFS to MA to that of beneficiaries who remain in FFS. We find that the effect of MA enrollment on risk scores increased from 5% in 2009 to 8% in 2012 and that continuous enrollment in MA was associated with an additional 1.2% increase per year, regardless of continuous enrollment with an insurer. Thus, even among those who switched to MA in 2009, enrollment duration comprised less than one-third of the coding intensity difference in 2012. We also find that risk scores grew faster in areas with greater MA penetration and among Health Maintenance Organization enrollees. Overall, our findings suggest that market-wide factors contributed most to the increasing divergence between FFS and MA risk scores.
The associations between bullying victimization and internalizing distress, suicidality, and substance use in Jamaican adolescents: The moderating role of parental involvement
Authors: Elledge L. Christian , Smith Delores E. , Kilpatrick Colton T. , McClain Cara M. , Moore Todd M.
Published: July 2018

The present study investigated whether bullying victimization and parental involvement were associated with internalizing distress, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and substance use in Jamaican adolescents as well as whether parental involvement moderated the relation between bullying victimization and measures of psychological and behavioral distress. Analyses were based on a sample of 1,595 adolescents who were participating in the 2010 Global School-Based Student Health Survey. Data were collected using a complex survey design. Regression models were estimated using weighted data, which allowed us to draw conclusions about the population of Jamaican adolescents. Consistent with findings from international studies, bullying victimization was uniquely and positively associated with feelings of loneliness, sleep difficulties due to worry, smoking frequency, and suicidality for both male and female adolescents as well as with alcohol use frequency for female adolescents. Our pattern of findings also suggested that parental involvement is a more robust correlate of psychological and behavioral adjustment for female adolescents. Female adolescents who reported higher levels of parental involvement were less lonely and less likely to consider or plan suicide. For boys, parental involvement was only negatively related to loneliness. Finally, we found evidence that parental involvement moderated the relation between bullying victimization and cigarette use and considering suicide, although the latter finding was at the level of a nonsignificant trend. Our findings suggest parental involvement may attenuate the relation between bullying victimization and considering suicide but may strengthen the relation between bullying victimization and smoking. We discuss our findings in the context of Jamaican cultural socialization and with an appreciation for the social challenges faced by adolescents experiencing bullying victimization.
Cognitive Health Promotion Program for Community-Dwelling Seniors: Who Are We Reaching?
Authors: Lorthios-Guilledroit Agathe , Parisien Manon , Nour Kareen , Fournier Baptiste , Guay Danielle , Bier Nathalie
Published: July 2018

This exploratory study examines the reach of Jog Your Mind, a multifactorial community-based program promoting cognitive vitality among seniors with no known cognitive impairment. The aim was to determine whether the program successfully reached its target population and to compare the characteristics of participants (sociodemographic, health, lifestyle, attitudes, and cognitive profile) with the general population of seniors. Twenty-three community organizations recruited 294 community-dwelling seniors willing to participate in the program. Descriptive analyses revealed that the participants were mostly Canadian-born educated women living alone. Participants’ health profile and lifestyle behaviors were fairly similar to those of seniors in Québec and Canada. A large proportion of the participants were concerned about their memory. These results suggest that the program did not attract many hard-to-reach members of the population and reached seniors who may have had some cognitive challenges. Cues to action for improving the reach of cognitive health promotion programs are discussed.
Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Sanchez-Prada Andrés , Delgado-Alvarez Carmen , Bosch-Fiol Esperanza , Ferrer-Perez Victoria A.
Published: July 2018

There is consistent evidence that attitudes are important in understanding how people react and behave toward victims and perpetrators of intimate partner violence against women. Researchers have typically measured these attitudes through self-reports. However, explicit measures are prone to socially desirable responding. The overall objective of our research is to provide multimethod measures of public attitudes (explicit and implicit) toward intimate partner violence against women. An opportunity sample of 190 Psychology undergraduates (32 men and 158 women) took part in this study and completed two self-reports: the Inventory of Distorted Thoughts about Women and Violence, and the Inventory of Beliefs about Wife Beating. In addition, they completed a personalized Implicit Association Test, the Gender Violence Implicit Association Test. This study provides evidence of the best way to apply the Gender Violence Implicit Association Test (with feedback) and the best procedure for estimating the Implicit Association Test effect (built-in error penalty). The findings are also consistent with previous research and exhibit a significant disparity between explicit and implicit measures of attitudes toward intimate partner violence against women. These findings, although still preliminary, provide interesting information that affirms the need to incorporate implicit measures of attitudes toward intimate partner violence against women into research on this social problem.
Ultra-low dielectric constant materials with hydrophobic property: Synthesis of poly(aryl ether sulfone) with POSS and biphenyl group in the main chain
Authors: Wang Jingting , Wei Yanfeng , Li Xuesong , Mu Jianxin
Published: July 2018

A series of novel poly(aryl ether sulfone)s (PESs) with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and biphenyl group in the main chain were synthesized from 4,4′-biphenol, biphenol POSS and 4,4′-bis[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-1,1′-biphenyl via a nucleophilic aromatic substitution polycondensation. The structures of the polymers were characterized by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The incorporation of POSS and biphenyl group into PES matrix at various molar percentages of POSS resulted in a dramatic decrease of dielectric constant as well as a significant increase of hydrophobicity. As the content of POSS increased, the dielectric constant decreased from 2.54 to 1.82, while the contact angle can be increased to 122.6°. The thermal properties, crystallinity, solvent resistance, and surface topography were also studied in this article.
Conceptual study of a mechanically integrated parallel hybrid electric turbofan
Authors: Seitz Arne , Nickl Markus , Stroh Anne , Vratny Patrick C
Published: July 2018

In the paper, options for mechanically integrated parallel hybrid propulsion are evaluated, and a conceptual sizing and performance study of a mechanically integrated parallel hybrid electric turbofan engine for a short-range aircraft application is presented and discussed. Through a methodical down-selection procedure, a most promising power plant system architectural concept is identified from an initial cloud of concept candidates. The design of the preferred configuration is conceptualized including initial performance analyses, both at the isolated power plant as well as at the integrated aircraft level. Beside the basic power plant definition, the multidisciplinary concept elaboration includes solutions proposed for the electric systems architectural layout, the major electrical components involved as well as important airframe integration aspects. The components of the electrical power management and distribution system are sized, and efficiency and weights are evaluated under special consideration of thermal management requirements. In result, a best and balanced degree of power hybridization is determined for the studied mechanically integrated parallel hybrid power plants taking account of electric system design and weight impacts as well as power plant operational robustness in case of electric system failure. The overall system assessment includes the evaluation of fuel reduction potentials through a parametric aircraft sizing study including the derivation of key technological requirements for onboard electrical energy storage. In the paper, essential design and sizing strategies for mechanically integrated parallel hybrid aero propulsion systems are derived, and a brief characterization of the associated key technological challenges is provided.
Sexual risk behaviors and practices of female sex workers in Rwanda in over a decade, 2006–2015
Authors: Mutagoma Mwumvaneza , Nyirazinyoye Laetitia , Sebuhoro Dieudonné , Riedel David J , Ntaganira Joseph
Published: July 2018

Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk for HIV. Cross-sectional surveys using a venue–day–time approach for recruitment were conducted among FSWs in Rwanda in 2006, 2010 and 2015. Chi square test for trends was computed to determine behavior changes. Logistic regression models were computed to determine risk factors associated with consistent condom use for the 2015 survey. There were 1041, 1338, and 1978 FSWs surveyed in 2006, 2010, and 2015, respectively. Condom use at the last sexual encounter with a client was similar in all surveys: 84.2%, 64.1%, and 83.3% (p = 1.0), respectively. Comprehensive HIV knowledge among FSWs was higher in 2015 than in 2006: 18.4%, 53.1%, and 71.1% (p = 0.00), respectively. Living in Kigali City and the Western province (aOR = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3–2.8] and aOR = 2.0 [95% CI: 1.4–2.9], respectively) and higher level of education (OR = 2.0 [95% CI: 1.4–2.9]) were positively associated with consistent condom use with a client. Street-based FSWs (aOR = 0.7 [95% CI: 0.6–0.9]); FSWs with sex work as sole occupation (aOR = 0.6 [95% CI: 0.5–0.7]); FSWs who experienced sexually transmitted infections in the last year (aOR = 0.7 [95% CI: 0.5–0.8]) and HIV-positive FSWs (aOR = 0.8 [95% CI: 0.6–0.9]) were less likely to report consistent condom use. HIV prevention methods have evolved among FSWs in RWanda over the last decade, but HIV prevalence remains high. Condom use among many FSWs is inconsistent. New approaches for behavior change and income-generating activities are needed to reduce the vulnerability of FSWs in Rwanda.
Evaluating the energy efficiency of European Union countries: The dynamic data envelopment analysis
Authors: Lu Ching-Cheng , Lu Liang-Chun
Published: July 2018

This study uses the dynamic data envelopment analysis model to evaluate the intertemporal efficiency and the executive efficiency based on fossil fuel CO2 emissions in European Union countries. European Union countries in pursuit of economic growth, taking into account the growth of gross domestic product may result in increased CO2 emissions, countries in order to reduce CO2 emissions to meet the target of the UN climate change conference in Paris 2015, in pursuit of gross domestic product growth and CO2 emission reduction targets. Whether the reduction of CO2 emissions will affect the overall efficiency of the country’s economic growth or not will make gross domestic product a major consideration in carryover variables in this study. This paper analyzes data of 28 selected European countries dating from 2009 to 2013 to study the effects of the undesirable output to the energy efficiency ranking. The variables in the model are the input variables: labor force, real capital stock, and energy consumption and the output variable is the undesirable output of fossil fuel CO2 emissions. In the model, the carryover intermediate activity is real gross domestic product. After the Paris Protocol formally replaced the Kyoto Protocol in 2015, the emphasis of this study is on the future state’s pursuit of economic growth, the gross domestic product as a variable in terms of intertemporal efficiency and using CO2 as a variable of undesirable output to analyze the relationship between national economic development and the greenhouse gas emissions for getting a policy indicator of the environmental protection and economic development.
Wind power potential for energy sustainability and climate change mitigation: A case study in Taiwan
Authors: Kung Chih-Chun , Chen Li-Jiun , Lee Tsung-Ju , Jiang Xianling , Lin Ruiqi
Published: July 2018

According to the latest Taiwan’s energy plan, nuclear power that provides approximately 16% of total electricity will be replaced by renewable energy sources by 2025. Wind power is of particular interest because Taiwan’s maritime climate and constant monsoons make it a feasible alternative that potentially generate a considerable amount of electricity. To better understand how wind power can provide stable electricity output and sequester CO2 emissions, this study employs the Weibull distribution with a threshold regression model to estimate the electricity potential for 370 scheduled wind farm sites and refine electricity estimation according to observed data from all existing wind farms. The results show that, compared to the theoretical estimation models, our proposed refinement method can, in average, reduce estimating error by 87%. The results indicate that construction of all scheduled sites are not a cost-effective approach, and the government may focus on construction of stations that can generate electricity of more than 12 million kWh per year, if capital rationing do exist. Our insightful results thus convey constructive suggestions regarding sites selection, stability of wind speed, and electricity potential of each site, all of which can be helpful in decision making. It is also noteworthy to point out that unless future climate is far deviated from the observed data, wind power can be an effective substitute of nuclear power.
Students’ information literacy self-efficacy: An exploratory study
Authors: Aharony Noa , Gazit Tali
Published: July 2018

The current study focuses on students’ information literacy self-efficacy and investigated whether students estimate that they know how to handle and evaluate the vast amount of information they find on the Internet. The objectives of this study are to explore: (1) to what extent does the openness to experience variable explain students’ information literacy self-efficacy?; (2) to what extent do the cognitive appraisals threat and challenge explain students’ information literacy self-efficacy? and (3) to what extent does the variable of motivation explain students’ information literacy self-efficacy? The research was conducted in Israel during the spring semester of the 2017 academic year and involved 136 students. Researchers used five questionnaires to gather data. Findings suggested that the personality characteristics of openness to experience, as well as threat and challenge, and motivation predicted students’ information literacy self-efficacy.
The effect of mammography screening regimen on incidence-based breast cancer mortality
Authors: Yaffe Martin J , Mittmann Nicole , Alagoz Oguzhan , Trentham-Dietz Amy , Tosteson Anna NA , Stout Natasha K
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Incidence-based mortality quantifies the distribution of cancer deaths and life-years lost, according to age at detection. We investigated the temporal distribution of the disease burden, and the effect of starting and stopping ages and interval between screening mammography examinations, on incidence-based mortality.

Methods

Incidence-based mortality was estimated using an established breast cancer simulation model, adapted and validated to simulate breast cancer incidence, screening performance, and delivery of therapies in Canada. Ten strategies were examined, with varying starting age (40 or 50), stopping age (69 or 74), and interval (1, 2, 3 years), and “No Screening.” Life-years lost were computed as the difference between model predicted time of breast cancer death and that estimated from life tables.

Results

Without screening, 70% of the burden in terms of breast cancer deaths extends between ages 45 and 75. The mean of the distribution of ages of detection of breast cancers that will be fatal in an unscreened population is 61.8 years, while the mean age of detection weighted by the number of life-years lost is 55, a downward shift of 6.8 years. Similarly, the mean age of detection for the distribution of life-years gained through screening is lower than that for breast cancer deaths averted.

Conclusion

Incidence-based mortality predictions from modeling elucidate the age dependence of the breast cancer burden and can provide guidance for optimizing the timing of screening regimens to achieve maximal impact. Of the regimens studied, the greatest lifesaving effect was achieved with annual screening beginning at age 40.
Serum marker truncation limits in first trimester antenatal screening for trisomy 18
Authors: Bestwick Jonathan P , Huttly Wayne J , Wald Nicholas J
Published: July 2018

Objective

To assess whether the accuracy of risk estimation in antenatal screening for trisomy 18 using the Combined test can be improved by revising the truncation limits of two serum markers.

Methods

In an audit of data from 420 trisomy 18 and 573,754 unaffected singleton pregnancies screened at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, London (March 2003 to June 2017), the accuracy of risk estimation was assessed by inspection of a validation plot (the median predicted late first trimester Combined test risk plotted against observed prevalence within categories of predicted risk estimates). Using validation and probability plots, we assessed whether the revised pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (free β-hCG) truncation limits led to more accurate risk estimation and improved screening performance.

Results

With the lower truncation limits currently used for PAPP-A and free β-hCG (0.15 and 0.30 multiples of the median [MoM], respectively), risk was underestimated. Revised lower truncation limits of 0.05 MoM for both PAPP-A and free β-hCG led to greater accuracy, with an increase in the number of trisomy 18 pregnancies detected (from 85.4% to 90.2%) for a small increase in the false-positive rate (from 0.20% to 0.29%) at a 1 in 100 late first trimester risk cut-off.

Conclusion

The revised truncation limits for PAPP-A and free β-hCG increase the accuracy of trisomy 18 risk estimation and improve screening performance using the Combined test. Validation and probability plots are useful in setting screening marker truncation limits.
Plasma levels and diagnostic utility of macrophage-colony stimulating factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 as tumor markers in cervical cancer patients
Authors: Zajkowska Monika , Zbucka-Krętowska Monika , Sidorkiewicz Iwona , Lubowicka Emilia , Gacuta Ewa , Szmitkowski Maciej , Chrostek Lech , Ławicki Sławomir
Published: July 2018

Macrophage-colony stimulating factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 may play an important role in malignant processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic power of those parameters (serological biomarkers) in comparison to cancer antigen 125 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen in cervical cancer patients and in relation to the control groups. The study included 100 cervical cancer patients, 50 patients with cervical ectropion and 50 healthy women. Plasma levels of tested parameters were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cancer antigen 125, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Plasma levels of all parameters in the total cancer group showed statistical significance (in all cases p < 0.05). In stage I of cancer only medial supraclavicular fossa and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, in stage II all the tested parameters and cancer antigen 125, and in stage III + IV macrophage-colony stimulating factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and cancer antigen 125 showed statistical significance when compared to the healthy volunteers group. Macrophage-colony stimulating factor showed the highest value of sensitivity from all tested parameters (I: 56.25%, II: 72.73%, III + IV: 77.14% and 69% in total cervical cancer group). The highest specificity was obtained by matrix metalloproteinase-9 (94%). Positive predictive values were highest also for matrix metalloproteinase-9 (I: 82.35%, II: 84.21%, III + IV: 88% and 94.55% in total cervical cancer group), negative predictive values for macrophage-colony stimulating factor (I: 75.44%, II: 82.69%, III + IV: 87.5% and 58.11% in total cervical cancer group) and tumor markers. In the total cervical cancer group, all tested parameters showed statistically significant areas under receiver operating characteristic curve, but maximum range was obtained for the combination macrophage-colony stimulating factor + squamous cell carcinoma antigen (0.8723). The combined analysis of tested parameters and tumor markers resulted in an increase in sensitivity and areas under receiver operating characteristic curve values, which provides hope for developing new panel of biomarkers that may be used in the diagnosis of cervical cancer in the future.
Examining Internal Structures of a Developmental Measure Using Multidimensional Item Response Theory
Authors: Chen Chieh-Yu , Xie Huichao , Clifford Jantina , Chen Ching-I , Squires Jane
Published: July 2018

Evidence supporting the internal structure of an assessment can provide support for its scoring mechanisms. A total of 1,691 young children in the United States were assessed by their parents using the 16-month questionnaire of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3), and results were used to study the internal structure and dimensionality of the ASQ-3 using item response theory (IRT)/Rasch models. Data were analyzed using IRT including unidimensional and multidimensional Rasch Partial Credit Models to examine four theory-based internal structures. Results supported the hypothesis that the ASQ-3 measures a unidimensional construct—the overall development of children—while preference was given to a more precise multidimensional construct of five interrelated domains. However, concerns emerged regarding the extremely high correlations between items in the fine-motor and problem-solving domains. Findings provide implications for the test developers in terms of item refinement to improve measurement of underlying constructs.
Predictive Relationship Between War Posttraumatic Growth, Values, and Perceived Social Support
Authors: Simsir Zeynep , Dilmac Bulent
Published: July 2018

The aim of this research is to reveal predictive relationships between posttraumatic growth, values, and perceived social support levels of Syrian refugees who have had a war experience. The sample of the research consists of the Syrians who migrated from Syria to Turkey due to the war and who have witnessed the war. According to the results of the research, in the model based on the variables of posttraumatic growth, perceived social support, and owned values, related paths of all the models have been found in good levels of concordance. According to the findings obtained from the analysis of the results, the values that the refugees who had a war experience have and the level of perceived social support directly predicted posttraumatic growth and also the values directly predicted the level of perceived social support.
Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Spain: A Qualitative Study of Patient Experience and the Role of Health Professionals
Authors: Pedraz-Marcos Azucena , Palmar-Santos Ana María , Hale Claire Anne , Zarco-Colón Juan , Ramasco-Gutiérrez Milagros , García-Perea Eva , Velasco-Ripoll Teresa , Martín-Alarcón Josefina , Sapena-Fortea Nuria
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to explore the experience of Spanish people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the support these people received from health professionals, particularly nurses. Nineteen patients with >1 year diagnosis, disease activity moderate or severe (DAS28 > 3.2), and already treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were interviewed. A thematic analysis was performed to interpret the discourses. The difficulties of symptom management; the need for home-adaptations, the difficulties of living with a deteriorating self-image; and the reluctant reliance on medication to control their disease were the main themes that emerged from the discourse analysis of this study. Nurses appeared to have a limited role in RA patients care, and focused primarily on giving information and training for biological therapies. RA patients in Spain would benefit from having contact with specialist nurses who could empower them to self-manage their disease, as happens in other countries.
Effectiveness of Gingivoperiosteoplasty on Alveolar Bone Reconstruction and Facial Growth in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: El-Ashmawi Noha A. , ElKordy Sherif A. , Salah Fayed Mona M. , El-Beialy Amr , Attia Khaled H.
Published: July 2018

Objective:

The aim of the systematic review is to evaluate the effects of gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP) on alveolar bone quality and facial growth in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP).

Search Methods:

Electronic and manual search was done up to October 2017.

Eligibility Criteria:

Clinical and observational studies that compared GPP to control; patients without GPP evaluated either before or after the age for secondary bone graft (SBG).

Data Collection and Analysis:

Studies selection was done by 2 authors independently. Risk ratio and mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models.

Results:

Thirteen articles were included in the review. All studies were at high risk of bias. Poorer alveolar bone quality was found in the GPP group compared to the SBG group. The pooled data showed a statistically significant increase in the incidence of Bergland type III in the GPP group compared to SBG (risk ratio: 11.51, 95% CI: 3.39-35.15). As for facial growth, GPP group resulted in a more retruded maxillary position (as indicated by “Sella-Nasion-Subspinale” angle [SNA value]) compared to control group by −1.36 (CI: −4.21 to 1.49) and −1.66 (CI: −2.48 to −0.84) when evaluated at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The protocol for presurgical infant orthopedics used in conjunction with the GPP procedure might have affected the results of the alveolar bone and facial growth outcomes.

Conclusions:

Definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of GPP cannot be drawn. Very weak evidence indicated that GPP might not be an efficient method for alveolar bone reconstruction for patients with unilateral and bilateral CLP. Gingivoperiosteoplasty surgery could lead to maxillary growth inhibition in patients with CLP.
Linguistic Indicators of Reflective Practice Among Music Education Majors
Authors: Springer D. Gregory , Yinger Olivia Swedberg
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine linguistic indicators of reflective practice in preservice music teachers’ written reflections following peer-teaching experiences. In an instrumental rehearsal techniques course, eight preservice music educators completed four peer-teaching episodes and submitted a written reflection after each episode. Reflections were analyzed with Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software to examine students’ usage of pronouns (first-person singular, first-person plural, third-person singular, and third-person plural), temporal focus words (past-, present-, and future-focused words), and affect words (positive- and negative-emotion words). Results indicated significantly more first-person singular words over all other types of pronouns, fewer future-focused words than past- or present-focused words, and more positive-emotion words than negative-emotion words. These linguistic results were observed across all episodes (i.e., they did not change across time). Results are interpreted in light of previous linguistic analysis literature, and implications for music teacher educators are discussed.
Working with College Students to Improve Their Improvisation and Composition Skills: A Self-Study with Music Teacher Educators and a Music Theorist
Authors: Pellegrino Kristen , Beavers Jennifer P. , Dill Susan
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this self-study of teacher education practices was to examine and improve improvisation and composition teaching practices for three university professors at the same institution. Primary data sets were individual researcher journals and transcripts of seven researcher meetings. Secondary data sets were music major surveys, interviews, observations, and written communications. Findings are discussed in three sections: origins of our insecurities, turning point realizations and conversations, and our changed teaching practices and students’ learning. With the encouragement and support of our coresearchers, each of us experienced greater success in regularly integrating improvisation and composition into our teaching, which yielded notable increases in our students’ confidence and skills when improvising and composing, as well as willingness to incorporate them into their own teaching. We noticed improved student learning in many areas, as well as a more sophisticated transference of knowledge between playing, reading, and writing music.
Crystalloid Granuloma of Parotid Gland: A Case Report With Review of the Literature
Authors: Motoda Norio , Onda Munehiko , Nakamizo Munenaga , Ohashi Ryuji , Okubo Kimihiro , Naito Zenya
Published: July 2018

Crystalloid granuloma (CG) of salivary gland is an extremely rare inflammatory disease, and only 6 cases have been reported in the English literature. CG is histologically characterized by a granulomatous reaction to amylase crystalloid deposition. A 73-year-old woman presented with a painful left neck mass. Computed tomography depicted a mass located in the lower pole of the left parotid gland, suspicious for a tumoral lesion. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology found amylase crystalloid deposition with a few inflammatory cells. Surgical sections of the mass revealed formation of a granuloma containing abundant eosinophilic but glassy and transparent amorphous crystalloids, suggestive of α-amylase crystalloid. No neoplastic elements were detected. The case was eventually diagnosed with CG in the parotid gland. Our findings suggest that when we identify amylase crystalloids in fine needle aspiration cytology smears from the salivary gland, CG should be considered even if neoplasm is clinically or radiographically suspected.
Amyloid Plaques of Alzheimer’s Disease as Hotspots of Glutamatergic Activity
Authors: Ovsepian Saak V. , O’Leary Valerie B. , Zaborszky Laszlo , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Dolly J. Oliver
Published: July 2018

Deposition of amyloid plaques in limbic and associative cortices is amongst the most recognized histopathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Despite decades of research, there is a lack of consensus over the impact of plaques on neuronal function, with their role in cognitive decline and memory loss undecided. Evidence has emerged suggesting complex and localized axonal pathology around amyloid plaques, with a significant fraction of swellings and dystrophies becoming enriched with putative synaptic vesicles and presynaptic proteins normally colocalized at hotspots of transmitter release. In the absence of hallmark active zone proteins and postsynaptic receptive elements, the axonal swellings surrounding amyloid plaques have been suggested as sites for ectopic release of glutamate, which under reduced clearance can lead to elevated local excitatory drive. Throughout this review, we consider the emerging data suggestive of amyloid plaques as hotspots of compulsive glutamatergic activity. Evidence for local and long-range effects of nonsynaptic glutamate is discussed in the context of circuit dysfunctions and neurodegenerative changes of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dynamic reliability prediction of vehicular suspension structure with damping random uncertainties
Authors: Wang Wei , Song Yuling , Chen Jun , Shi Shuaibing
Published: July 2018

This research is conducted such that a two degrees of freedom nonlinear stochastic vibration model of vehicular suspension structure with random bilinear damping forces and cubic nonlinear restoring forces is established. Based on extreme value theory (EVT) and Monte Carlo integration method (MCIM), a novel method of predicting the failure probabilities of the maximum amplitude responses of suspension structure is proposed. The extreme value distribution functions of amplitude responses, which are analytical expressed by underlying amplitude distribution functions, are acquired by using EVT. In order to obtain the analytical expressions of the underlying distribution functions, histograms are used to estimate their distribution forms. Under the log-normal distribution assumption, the means and standard deviations of the underlying distributions are calculated by using MCIM, and then by setting up amplitude failure levels, the extreme distribution functions and failure probabilities of amplitude responses are obtained. The Monte Carlo simulation method-based numerical analyses give enormous supports to use of the proposed prediction means.
Survival Study of Triple-Negative and Non–Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in a Brazilian Cohort
Authors: Gonçalves Homero , Guerra Maximiliano Ribeiro , Duarte Cintra Jane Rocha , Fayer Vívian Assis , Brum Igor Vilela , Bustamante Teixeira Maria Teresa
Published: July 2018

Objective:

To analyze the clinical, pathological, and sociodemographic aspects between triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC in a Brazilian cohort and identify potential prognostic factors.

Methods:

This hospital-based retrospective cohort study included 447 women with breast cancer treated at referral centers in Southeastern Brazil. Overall and disease-free survival were compared; prognostic factors were evaluated.

Results:

Triple-negative breast cancer corresponded to 19.5% of breast cancer diagnosis and was more prevalent among nonwhite and less educated women. The patients with TNBC tended to present with stage III cancer, high p53 expression, lymphocytic infiltration, and multifocality and treated with radical surgery and chemotherapy. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival were 62.1% and 57.5% for TNBC and 80.8% and 75.3% for non-TNBC, respectively ( P < .001). The TNBC recurrence was associated with multicentricity, whereas lymph node involvement increased the risk of both recurrence and death. Non-TNBC worse clinical course was associated with nonwhite ethnicity, lower education level, lymph node involvement, and advanced stage.

Conclusions:

Triple-negative breast cancer exhibited a more aggressive behavior, earlier and more frequent recurrence, and worse survival compared with non-TNBC. While biological and social variables were associated with poorer prognosis in non-TNBC, only lymph node involvement and multicentricity were correlated with worse clinical outcomes in TNBC.
“Al-Khabith”—The malignant cunning disease: Sociocultural complexity and social representations of cancer in the occupied Palestinian territory
Authors: Albarghouthi Samar Issa , Klempe Sven Hroar
Published: July 2018

This qualitative research aims to understand the sociocultural complexity and social representations of cancer in the occupied Palestinian territory. The researcher conducted 16 in-depth semi-structured individual interviews with Palestinians from the occupied Palestinian territory, using thematic analysis as a methodology and social representation theory as the theatrical framework. The findings revealed three main themes. The first theme is social representations of cancer and cancer treatments divided into four subthemes: (1.1) manifestations of dilemmatic indeterminacy and vagueness. The second subtheme (1.2) refers to social representations of cancer in close proximity with death. The third subtheme (1.3) is constituted by metaphorical social representations of cancer, and the fourth (1.4) refers to social re-presentations of cancer. The second theme is the paradoxical social representations of cancer patients as divided into three subthemes: (2.1) pity-based societal responses, (2.2) manifestations of stigma, and (2.3) cancer rumors, a form of collective sense-making. The third theme, religious discourses and social representations of cancer, is divided into three subthemes: (3.1) cancer as predestined by the will of God, (3.2) cancer as a punishment or a trial, and (3.3) a spiritual journey of healing. The implications of this research suggest that social representations research can take a lead in promoting social and health change. The biomedical paradigm alone is failing in Palestine to encounter the sociocultural complexity connected to representations of cancer and its impact on future-health behaviors. Thus, stakeholders and policy-makers in Palestine need to build a mutual interaction between scientific encounters and lay thinking encounters. This requires building community-based health interventions and a sustainable health promotion programs to ensure higher penetration to the social outreach (families, hospital setting, clinics, and schools). To combat ill-health beliefs, stakeholders can benefit from utilization of community participation through creating space for dialogue and debate about cancer and its representations, which accordingly moving towards social and health change.
Exploring the way sexually explicit material informs sexual beliefs, understanding and practices of young men: A qualitative survey
Authors: Charles Peter , Meyrick Jane
Published: July 2018

Little research has examined how exposure to sexually explicit material may affect beliefs, attitudes and actions of young men. This study explored self-reported effects on young males. A ‘snowballed’ sample of males aged 18–25 years was recruited within one workplace (11/40 response rate). The qualitative survey data were analysed using thematic analysis. Key themes included increased levels of availability/extreme content of sexually explicit material, seen by young men having negative effects on sexual attitudes/behaviours. Participants reported confusion between real and sexually explicit material which informed expectations of a healthy sex life but may be mediated by potential ‘buffers’ of family openness or sex education.
Performance evaluation of different air distraction system on thermal uniformity and energy saving: A case study of a Japanese detached house
Authors: Fan Yunqing
Published: July 2018

Heat shock is generated from zonal temperature differences. The pre-heating control through an air conditioning system can provide a good thermal environment, and reduce the risk of suffering heat shock in a house and with low energy consumption. In this study, a room air-conditioner (RAC) and air recirculating fan system (ARF) connected to the temperature zone of living room and washing room are applied in a detached house. The design aims to reduce the overconsumption of system energy and fulfil the healthy demand. With low air supply velocity (0.5 m/s) of ARF, the floor supply case can produce a saving of 33.9% energy for RAC to reach the target temperature 20°C in wash room (0.8 m height) in comparison to the ceiling supply case. However, return opening located on the floor was closer to RAC compared to ceiling case, hence, place of return opening should be accounted for energy reduction rate relatively.
Investigation of rotary inertial dynamic effects on chatter boundary in milling process using three-dimensional Timoshenko tool model
Authors: Mokhtari Ali , Mazidi Abbas , Jalili Mohammad M
Published: July 2018

Chatter prediction is essential to conduct stable machining. Many of the previous studies made to simulate milling process have not considered gyroscopic and rotary inertial dynamics effects. The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of rotary inertial dynamics on prediction of chatter in the milling operation. For this purpose, a three-dimensional rotating cantilever Timoshenko beam is considered for modeling the cutting tool. In the proposed model, cutting forces are applied at the end of the beam. Imposing spectral finite element model, the governing delay partial differential equations of the system reduce to nondelay ordinary differential equations. The main contributions of the current research are modeling the cutting tool as a continuous model by Timoshenko beam theory, finding and solving nondelay ordinary differential equations of the cutter via spectral finite element model, and studying the effects of gyroscopic and rotary inertial dynamics, completely. For validating, the system stability predictions obtained from the presented model are compared with experimental outcomes from the literature. Besides the common stability lobe diagram which is in terms of depth of cut and the spindle speed, other stability diagrams based on cutter length and diameter are illustrated. Using this model, influences of rotary inertial dynamics on these stability diagrams are investigated. The results show that ignoring the rotary inertial dynamics causes significant errors in prediction of chatter boundaries especially in high angular velocity of the tool. In addition, the effect of number of the cutter teeth on the stability of milling process is studied. The presented stability diagram may help a machinist to choose a better set of parameters, such as tool length and diameter, number of cutter flutes, depth of cut, and spindle velocity, for doing a stable milling process.
Who does the dishes? Precarious employment and ethnic solidarity among restaurant workers in Los Angeles’ Chinese enclave
Authors: Lee Rennie
Published: July 2018

Large-scale immigration to the US from Asian and Latin American countries has garnered much scholarly attention on immigrants’ economic integration. To enhance their economic prospects, newly arrived immigrants with limited English skills who face discrimination may rely on other immigrants with shared national origins to form businesses and find jobs. Ethnic enclave economy model describes a mutually beneficial relationship between coethnic employers and employees that relies on shared ethnicity and ethnic solidarity. However, employers are increasingly hiring non-coethnics, indicating a change in the ethnic economy and questions the role of ethnic solidarity. This study examines the consequences of hiring non-coethnic labor by focusing on Chinese and Latino employees in Chinese-owned restaurants in Los Angeles. Drawing on interviews and ethnographic fieldwork, this study examines the reasons for hiring Latinos, the role of ethnic solidarity in job allocation and pay practices, and how Chinese employers manage the two groups of workers. In general, this study finds that despite sharing ethnic solidarity with employers, Chinese workers experience worse treatment than non-coethnics via complaint management, off-the-clock violations, and wage theft. In contrast, Latino workers do not share ethnic solidarity with their employers, but still receive more favorable treatment because Chinese employers are concerned that Latino workers will use institutional means to file formal complaints and report labor violations. This study’s findings contribute to a larger discussion about whether the obligations associated with ethnic solidarity outweigh the benefits and whether ethnic enclave employment provides pathways for upward mobility among coethnics.