bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Routine Laboratory Tests in Assessing Risk of Recurrent Venous Thrombosis: Results from the MEGA Follow-Up Study
Authors: Morelli Vânia , Lijfering Willem , Rezende Suely , Vlieg Astrid , Rosendaal Frits , Cannegieter Suzanne
Published: October 2018

Background Kidney function, measured as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), glucose levels and haematologic variables (blood cell count) are easily obtainable tests, and have been associated with increased risk of first venous thrombosis (VT). Whether these routine tests can identify patients at risk of recurrence is unclear.

Aim Our aim was to investigate the predictive value of serum glucose levels, eGFR and haematologic variables in patients at risk of recurrent VT.

Methods Patients with a first VT were followed from discontinuation of anticoagulant treatment. Percentile categories of eGFR, glucose levels and haematologic variables were established. Crude incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of recurrence were estimated in each percentile category. Cox regression models were used to compare groups, adjusted for age and sex.

Results Of 2,106 patients followed for a median of 6.9 years, 326 developed recurrence (incidence rate, 2.7/100 patient-years; 95% CI, 2.5–3.1). The adjusted hazard ratio for recurrence was 1.5 (95% CI, 0.9–2.4) in the lowest eGFR percentile category (< 59 mL/min/1.73 m2) versus the reference (≥86 mL/min/1.73 m2). Stratification by unprovoked or provoked first events yielded similar results. The combination of a first unprovoked VT with renal dysfunction was associated with a threefold increased risk of recurrence compared with those with first provoked VT and normal kidney function (hazard ratio, 3.1, 95% CI, 1.6–5.9). Glucose levels and haematologic variables were not associated with increased recurrence risk.

Conclusion Testing glucose levels and haematologic variables did not identify patients at increased risk of recurrent VT. Renal dysfunction tests may have some predictive value, particularly in combination with other variables.
Impact of Exercise on Hemophilia
Authors: Ljungkvist Marcus , Salim Maryem , Zetterberg Eva
Published: October 2018

Sports and strenuous exercise have traditionally been discouraged for people with hemophilia (PWH) because of the perceived risk of bleeding. In this review, studies investigating the pros and cons of exercise are presented, and although most studies are of low validity, the randomized trials that do exist tell us that PWH benefit from exercise in terms of improved muscular function, endurance, and quality of life and that increased bleeding does not seem to be an issue. The authors also review the studies that have analyzed the current physical status of PWH compared with the general population in different countries. Finally, they review the current knowledge on the effect of exercise on specific coagulation factors as well as on global coagulation and demonstrate that exercise increases factor VIII levels in healthy persons, all persons with hemophilia B (HB) and in persons with mild and moderate hemophilia A (HA). Further, the authors did not find any evidence that the global coagulation capacity, measured with thrombin generation or thromboelastographic methods, increases after exercise in severe HA or HB.
A compact high-voltage pulse forming module with hundreds of nanoseconds quasi-squared output pulse
Authors: Li Fei , Song Falun , Zhu Mingdong , Jin Xiao , Gan Yanqing , Gong Haitao
Published: October 2018

A pulse forming module (PFM) with a multifunction of energy storage and a quasi-squared pulse output is developed to meet the challenge of a compact design and square output waveform in a high-power Marx generator. A simplified pulse forming circuit comprising only 2 parallel connected LC sections, in which every section contains an inductor and a capacitor in series, has been proposed and investigated carefully to obtain a quasi-squared waveform. Influences of inductance values in the circuit on its output waveform to a resistive load are investigated. PFMs are designed and fabricated based on the 2 LC section circuit, in which series folded film capacitors are employed to achieve a high energy density of 0.04 J/cm3 at a charging voltage of 120 kV. The as-designed module can output a quasi-squared waveform with FWHM of about 180 ns and the flattop duration greater than 90 ns. It can work at a repetition rate as high as 50 Hz, while the output waveforms show small differences. This research has developed a PFM with a quasi-squared output waveform based on a simplified 2 LC section circuit, which shows potential to reduce the size of the high power generator system that is based on it.
Global firing rate contrast enhancement in E/I neuronal networks by recurrent synchronized inhibition
Authors: Han Fang , Gu Xiaochun , Wang Zhijie , Fan Hong , Cao Jinfeng , Lu Qishao
Published: October 2018

Inhibitory synchronization is commonly observed and may play some important functional roles in excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) neuronal networks. The firing rate contrast enhancement is a general feature of information processing in sensory pathways, and a new mechanism of contrast enhancement by inhibitory synchronization in E/I neuronal networks is investigated in this paper. Inspired by the firing rate contrast enhancement phenomenon by the lateral feed-forward inhibition, we reveal that the firing rate contrast enhancement could also occur by recurrent inhibition in E/I networks. It is further found that the synchronized inhibitory neurons act as a global inhibition which can enhance the firing rate contrast of excitatory neurons globally in synchronized E/I networks, even in partially synchronous states. Therefore, the firing rate contrast enhancement might be an important function of inhibitory synchronization and might facilitate information transmission in neural systems.
JET diagnostic enhancements testing and commissioning in preparation for DT scientific campaigns
Authors: Figueiredo J. , Murari A. , Perez Von Thun C. , Marocco D. , Tardocchi M. , Belli F. , García Muñoz M. , Silva A. , Craciunescu T. , Blanchard P. , Balboa I. , Hawkes N. , Carvalho I. S. , Tal B. , Bernardo J. , Zychor I. ,   JET Contributors
Published: October 2018

In order to optimize the scientific exploitation of JET (Joint European Torus) during the upcoming deuterium-tritium experiments, a set of diagnostic systems is being enhanced. These upgrades focus mainly on the experimental and operational conditions expected during tritium campaigns. It should be stressed that measurements relevant for burning plasmas are specifically targeted. Previously non-available capabilities, such as a current measurement system fully covering all poloidal field circuits, are described in detail. Instrument descriptions, performance prediction, testing, and initial commissioning results of these systems are presented.
Optimizing neutron imaging line of sight locations for maximizing sampling of the cold fuel density in inertial confinement fusion implosions at the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Batha S. H. , Volegov P. L. , Fatherley V. E. , Geppert-Kleinrath V. , Wilde C. H.
Published: October 2018

Neutron imaging provides a ready measurement of the shape of the “hot spot” core of an inertial confinement fusion implosion. The 14-MeV neutrons emitted by deuterium-tritium reactions are imaged at the National Ignition Facility using a pinhole array onto a scintillator, and the images are recorded on a camera. By changing the gate time of the camera, lower energy neutrons, downscattered by the cold fuel surrounding the hot spot, are recorded. The cold fuel density can be reconstructed using the two images. The kinematics of the scattering coupled with the scattering cross sections restrict the angular extent of the cold fuel sampled, with the backside of the implosion not being sampled at all. This work demonstrates the limited region of the cold fuel measured by the current line of sight (40%). At completion of the three planned lines of sight, 79% of the cold fuel will be sampled.
Plasma rotation measurement using UV and visible spectroscopy on Aditya-U tokamak
Authors: Shukla G. , Chowdhuri M. B. , Shah K. , Manchanda R. , Mayya K. B. K. , Ghosh J. ,   Aditya-U Team
Published: October 2018

A high resolution spectroscopic diagnostic for the measurement of the spatial profile of toroidal rotation velocity (vt) and temperature (Ti) of carbon ions has been developed and implemented on the Aditya-U tokamak. The diagnostic consists of a high resolution 1 m (f/8.7) spectrometer having an 1800 grooves/mm grating coupled with a charged couple device. The setup allows measurements from 5 toroidal lines-of-sights passing through different minor radii in the horizontal mid-plane of the Aditya-U tokamak. The carbon line emissions at 529 nm in visible and 229.6 and 227.09 nm in the ultra violet spectral range are recorded using the setup. Initial results show that typical Aditya-U plasmas have a maximum carbon ion temperature (Ti) of ∼120 eV and a rotation velocity (vt) of ∼−14 km/s in the counter plasma-current direction.
Low temperature wet-O2 annealing process for enhancement of inversion channel mobility and suppression of Vfb instability on 4H-SiC (0001) Si-face
Authors: Hirai Hirohisa , Kita Koji
Published: October 2018

For improvement of 4H-SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor performance, a post-oxidation annealing (POA) process in a wet environment after dry oxidation was systematically investigated. By tuning the wet-POA conditions, we clarified that wet-POA at low temperatures is more advantageous for both the enhancement of channel mobility and the suppression of flatband voltage instability. One of the mechanisms of channel mobility enhancement is attributed to the decrease in the density of traps in oxide near the MOS interface, rather than conventional interface traps. The effects of the wet environment on interfacial properties were also discussed based on oxide growth kinetics on 4H-SiC.
Islanding detection method based on S transform and ANFIS
Authors: Yu Songsen , Yin Lulin
Published: October 2018

In distributed generation systems, islands of power generation will disturb grid recovery and power quality. Therefore, various islanding detection technologies have been proposed, and most are remote detection, local active, and passive methods. Most islanding detection technologies are currently implemented with high computational complexity, inaccurate detection, affecting power quality (active methods), and other problems. This paper proposes an islanding detection method based on S transform (ST) and Adaptive-Network-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). It uses ST for electrical signal processing and then extracts features which are used as the inputs of the ANFIS system. ANFIS starts training and learning to obtain classification capabilities and accurately determines the islanding events and outputs the results. The innovation of this method is the combination of ST and ANFIS structure. ST has better time-frequency characteristics and signal processing capability. ANFIS can automatically start training and learning in order to enhance the capability. The combination of these two methods can greatly improve the accuracy of islanding detection. The ST and ANFIS based islanding detection method proposed in this paper are simulated in MATLAB Simulink. According to the different characteristics of islanding and non-islanding conditions, full consideration is given to the comprehensiveness of the condition design, and 20 sets of data are designed. Through the training of 12 sets of data, and the testing of 8 sets of data, with equal quantity for the islanding and non-islanding cases, the output of this method is completely correct. Also, the proposed method is compared to ANFIS based and artificial neural network based islanding detection methods. The results show that the proposed ST-ANFIS based islanding detection method can accurately detect the islanding and non-islanding conditions with higher accuracy.
Invited Article: Enhanced four-wave mixing in waveguides integrated with graphene oxide
Authors: Yang Yunyi , Wu Jiayang , Xu Xingyuan , Liang Yao , Chu Sai T. , Little Brent E. , Morandotti Roberto , Jia Baohua , Moss David J.
Published: October 2018

We demonstrate enhanced four-wave mixing (FWM) in doped silica waveguides integrated with graphene oxide (GO) layers. Owing to strong mode overlap between the integrated waveguides and GO films that have a high Kerr nonlinearity and low loss, the FWM efficiency of the hybrid integrated waveguides is significantly improved. We perform FWM measurements for different pump powers, wavelength detuning, GO coating lengths, and number of GO layers. Our experimental results show good agreement with theory, achieving up to ∼9.5-dB enhancement in the FWM conversion efficiency for a 1.5-cm-long waveguide integrated with 2 layers of GO. We show theoretically that for different waveguide geometries an enhancement in FWM efficiency of ∼20 dB can be obtained in the doped silica waveguides and more than 30 dB in silicon nanowires and slot waveguides. This demonstrates the effectiveness of introducing GO films into integrated photonic devices in order to enhance the performance of nonlinear optical processes.
Spectroscopy of the electronic excited states of thioxophosphane, HPS, and of its deuterated species
Authors: Mehnen B. , Linguerri R. , Ben Yaghlane S. , Mogren Al Mogren M. , Elmarghany A. , Hochlaf M.
Published: October 2018

The stable low energy states of the HPS and DPS molecules have been studied through multi-reference ab initio methods in conjunction with large atomic basis sets. Stable states for these species have been examined up to 7 eV above the ground state minimum. We found six stable electronic states that are mostly mono-configurational. These states may be involved in the photodynamics and photodissociation of this molecule. In particular, the 2 1A′ state presents two minima on the potential energy surface, one of them close to linear configuration. This state may be populated after the absorption of a visible photon from the ground state and gives rise to large amplitude motions that may eventually induce isomerization to electronically excited HSP. Moreover, we characterized these states spectroscopically to facilitate the assignment of the vibronic spectra of the HPS and DPS species. For these low-energy states, we thus computed vertical and adiabatic excitation energies, and for the stable ones, a full set of spectroscopic constants including harmonic frequencies and anharmonic vibrational, rotational, and centrifugal distortion constants. The calculated potential energy surfaces for these states have been used in a variational procedure to deduce the pattern of vibrational levels up to 4000 cm−1 above the corresponding vibrationless level. Our data may serve for the assignment of the IR and Vis spectra of HPS and DPS.
The effect of multidirectional bias magnetic fields on the converse magnetoelectric response of multiferroic concentric composite ring
Authors: Newacheck Scott , Webster Taylor , Youssef George
Published: October 2018

A composite multiferroic ring was characterized under two orthogonal bias magnetic fields while electrically loaded near resonance to measure the circumferential converse magnetoelectric (CME) response. The composite multiferroic structure consisted of an inner magnetostrictive Terfenol-D ring with an axially aligned preferred magnetocrystalline axis bonded to a radially polarized outer piezoelectric poled lead zirconate titanate ring to form a concentric ring structure. A single uniform bias magnetic field was varied from zero to beyond magnetic saturation while the composite ring's axial alignment was changed from perpendicular to parallel with respect to the bias magnetic field direction. The change in the ring orientation thus subjected the ring to two orthogonal bias magnetic fields, whose strengths were calculated based on the orientation angle. The overall CME behavior was found to be largely correlated with the perpendicular magnetic field strength assisted with the shape anisotropy of the ring structure favoring magnetization along the longest axis. Nonetheless, the parallel magnetic field had a notable contribution to the CME response by enhancing the magnetization in the preferred axial direction and activating other unique magnetocrystalline axes. In all, the CME behavior with respect to two orthogonal bias magnetic fields is characterized by an interplay of magnetocrystalline and shape anisotropies bolstered by the parallel and perpendicular magnetic fields.
The Jacobi diffusion process as a neuronal model
Authors: D’Onofrio Giuseppe , Tamborrino Massimiliano , Lansky Petr
Published: October 2018

The Jacobi process is a stochastic diffusion characterized by a linear drift and a special form of multiplicative noise which keeps the process confined between two boundaries. One example of such a process can be obtained as the diffusion limit of the Stein’s model of membrane depolarization which includes both excitatory and inhibitory reversal potentials. The reversal potentials create the two boundaries between which the process is confined. Solving the first-passage-time problem for the Jacobi process, we found closed-form expressions for mean, variance, and third moment that are easy to implement numerically. The first two moments are used here to determine the role played by the parameters of the neuronal model; namely, the effect of multiplicative noise on the output of the Jacobi neuronal model with input-dependent parameters is examined in detail and compared with the properties of the generic Jacobi diffusion. It appears that the dependence of the model parameters on the rate of inhibition turns out to be of primary importance to observe a change in the slope of the response curves. This dependence also affects the variability of the output as reflected by the coefficient of variation. It often takes values larger than one, and it is not always a monotonic function in dependency on the rate of excitation.
Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s Autocracy: Governmental Constraints, 1960s–1970s
Authors: Schayegh Cyrus
Published: October 2018

Even when Mohammad Reza Shah became an autocrat by the early 1960s, systemic constraints on his power persisted. One was government officials. They certainly accepted the shah’s governmental centrality. But in parallel they inventively created more elbowroom for themselves than they are normally credited for, shaping everyday administration and co-shaping policies. The article substantiates this argument in two steps. First, it looks at Iran’sSāzmān-e bimeh-hā-ye ejtemāʿi-ye kārgarān(Workers Social Insurance Organization [SBIK]), drawing principally on French-language International Labor Organization (ILO) archival files. Although the shah had a well-publicized stake in social insurance expansion, the SBIK influenced policy strategy, sometimes against his explicit wishes; also, it handled routine operations and relations with the ILO independently from him. Second, the article zooms out to analyze Persian-language Harvard University Iranian Oral History Project interviews with high-ranking officials, alongside other published and unpublished sources, to show how government officials maintained some autonomy vis-à-vis the shah. Their strategies included self-effacement, the agreement on a unified cabinet policy position before a royal audience, resignation threats, open pushback, and gifts, including favors, to third parties.
Peyer’s patch myeloid cells infection by Listeria signals through gp38+ stromal cells and locks intestinal villus invasion
Authors: Disson Olivier , Blériot Camille , Jacob Jean-Marie , Serafini Nicolas , Dulauroy Sophie , Jouvion Grégory , Fevre Cindy , Gessain Grégoire , Thouvenot Pierre , Eberl Gérard , Di Santo James P. , Peduto Lucie , Lecuit Marc
Published: October 2018

The foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) crosses the intestinal villus epithelium via goblet cells (GCs) upon the interaction of Lm surface protein InlA with its receptor E-cadherin. Here, we show that Lm infection accelerates intestinal villus epithelium renewal while decreasing the number of GCs expressing luminally accessible E-cadherin, thereby locking Lm portal of entry. This novel innate immune response to an enteropathogen is triggered by the infection of Peyer’s patch CX3CR1+ cells and the ensuing production of IL-23. It requires STAT3 phosphorylation in epithelial cells in response to IL-22 and IL-11 expressed by lamina propria gp38+ stromal cells. Lm-induced IFN-γ signaling and STAT1 phosphorylation in epithelial cells is also critical for Lm-associated intestinal epithelium response. GC depletion also leads to a decrease in colon mucus barrier thickness, thereby increasing host susceptibility to colitis. This study unveils a novel innate immune response to an enteropathogen, which implicates gp38+ stromal cells and locks intestinal villus invasion, but favors colitis.
CD49b defines functionally mature Treg cells that survey skin and vascular tissues
Authors: Fan Xiying , Moltedo Bruno , Mendoza Alejandra , Davydov Alexey N. , Faire Mehlika B. , Mazutis Linas , Sharma Roshan , Pe’er Dana , Chudakov Dmitriy M. , Rudensky Alexander Y.
Published: October 2018

Regulatory T (Treg) cells prevent autoimmunity by limiting immune responses and inflammation in the secondary lymphoid organs and nonlymphoid tissues. While unique subsets of Treg cells have been described in some nonlymphoid tissues, their relationship to Treg cells in secondary lymphoid organs and circulation remains unclear. Furthermore, it is possible that Treg cells from similar tissue types share largely similar properties. We have identified a short-lived effector Treg cell subset that expresses the α2 integrin, CD49b, and exhibits a unique tissue distribution, being abundant in peripheral blood, vasculature, skin, and skin-draining lymph nodes, but uncommon in the intestines and in viscera-draining lymph nodes. CD49b+ Treg cells, which display superior functionality revealed by in vitro and in vivo assays, appear to develop after multiple rounds of cell division and TCR-dependent activation. Accordingly, single-cell RNA-seq analysis placed these cells at the apex of the Treg developmental trajectory. These results shed light on the identity and development of a functionally potent subset of mature effector Treg cells that recirculate through and survey peripheral tissues.
Lymph nodes go with the flow
Authors: Czepielewski Rafael S. , Randolph Gwendalyn J.
Published: October 2018

In this issue, Bovay et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20180217) invoke a compelling model of interplay between the venous and lymphatic vasculature in regulating the developmental genesis and early expansion of LNs. This work supports an emerging model that lymph–venous crosstalk supports LN functionality at all stages.
Splicing of an automodulatory domain in Cav1.4 Ca2+ channels confers distinct regulation by calmodulin
Authors: Williams Brittany , Haeseleer Françoise , Lee Amy
Published: October 2018

Ca2+ influx through Cav1.4 L-type Ca2+ channels supports the sustained release of glutamate from photoreceptor synaptic terminals in darkness, a process that is critical for vision. Consistent with this role, Cav1.4 exhibits weak Ca2+-dependent inactivation (CDI)—a negative feedback regulation mediated by Ca2+-bound calmodulin (CaM). CaM binds to a conserved IQ domain in the proximal C-terminal domain of Cav channels, but in Cav1.4, a C-terminal modulatory domain (CTM) disrupts interactions with CaM. Exon 47 encodes a portion of the CTM and is deleted in a Cav1.4 splice variant (Cav1.4Δex47) that is highly expressed in the human retina. Cav1.4Δex47 exhibits CDI and enhanced voltage-dependent activation, similar to that caused by a mutation that is associated with congenital stationary night blindness type 2, in which the CTM is deleted (K1591X). The presence of CDI and very negative activation thresholds in a naturally occurring variant of Cav1.4 are perplexing considering that these properties are expected to be maladaptive for visual signaling and result in night blindness in the case of K1591X. Here we show that Cav1.4Δex47 and K1591X exhibit fundamental differences in their regulation by CaM. In Cav1.4Δex47, CDI requires both the N-terminal (N lobe) and C-terminal (C lobe) lobes of CaM to bind Ca2+, whereas CDI in K1591X is driven mainly by Ca2+ binding to the C lobe. Moreover, the CaM N lobe causes a Ca2+-dependent enhancement of activation of Cav1.4Δex47 but not K1591X. We conclude that the residual CTM in Cav1.4Δex47 enables a form of CaM N lobe regulation of activation and CDI that is absent in K1591X. Interaction with the N lobe of CaM, which is more sensitive to global elevations in cytosolic Ca2+ than the C lobe, may allow Cav1.4Δex47 to be modulated by a wider range of synaptic Ca2+ concentrations than K1591X; this may distinguish the normal physiological function of Cav1.4Δex47 from the pathological consequences of K1591X.
Assessment of commercial feasibility of the device for the combined cutting of conducting materials by calculation of integrated koefficient
Authors: Khafizov I I , Levshtanova Y Y
Published: October 2018

Authors have considered the problem points connected with commercialization of university intellectual property items in the field of electrochemistry, namely the device of electrochemical cutting of conducting materials. Key criteria for evaluation of an intellectual property item are designated. The method of calculation of commercial appeal which is most acceptable for this development on the basis of the generalized integrated coefficient, theoretically is offered and its commercial value is almost proved.
Direction of chip flow for milling of shaped surfaces by ball end mill
Authors: Ryabov E A , Khisamutdinov R M , Yu Yurasov S
Published: October 2018

There investigated the direction of chip flow on the front surface by machining with non-cylindrical original instrumental surface end mills.
Punishment, Marxism, and Political Economy
Authors: De Giorgi Alessandro
Published: October 2018

The political economy of punishment is a critical approach within the sociology of punishment that hypothesizes the existence of a structural relationship between transformations of the economy and changes in the penal field. Inspired by a neo-Marxist framework, this materialist critique of punishment explores—from both a historical and a contemporary perspective—the connections between the reorganization of a society’s system of production and the emergence, persistence, or decline of specific penal practices. Thus, materialist criminologists have investigated the parallel historical emergence of factories as the main sites of capitalist production and of prisons as the main institutions of punishment in modern societies. Scholars in the field have also explored the correlations between incarceration rates and socioeconomic indicators, such as unemployment rates, poverty levels, welfare regimes, and labor markets. This materialist framework has been criticized in mainstream criminological literature for its alleged economic determinism. In particular, critiques have focused on the theory’s tendency to overlook the cultural significance of punishment and the politico-institutional dimensions of penality, as well as on its exclusive emphasis on the instrumental side of penal practices as opposed to their symbolic dimensions. In response to these critiques, some recent works have tried to integrate the old political economy of punishment with epistemological tools from different disciplinary fields in order to overcome some of the limitations of the materialist approach. This broadening of the structural paradigm in criminology could point toward the envisioning of a “cultural political economy of punishment.” Particularly in its more recent iterations, the materialist critique of punishment provides a powerful lens for investigating current transformations in the penal field, such as the advent of mass incarceration and the ongoing prison crisis in the United States.
Police Officer Suicide
Authors: Violanti John M.
Published: October 2018

All too often we emphasize the dangers of police work, but seem to neglect the hidden psychological danger of this profession. Suicide is a consequence of that hidden danger. It is a clear indication of the intolerable strain placed on the police officer’s work and life roles. Policing is an occupation replete with stress and traumatic incidents. For example, witnessing death, encountering abused children, and experiencing violent street combat weigh heavily as precipitants to depression, alcohol use, and suicide among police. Ideas as far back as Freud’s aggression theory relate to the police because officers cannot legally express anger and aggression outwardly and turn it within. Following Freud, other studies examined the frustration of police work and how it was turned inward. Other theoretical ideas concerning police suicide that have emerged over the years are included in this article—police cultural socialization, strain theory, and interpersonal suicide theory.

Scientific research on police suicide has helped to focus on this topic. Much research is on suicide rates in an effort to determine the scope of this problem. Several recent studies are discussed in this article, including a national study. Such studies, however, are not without controversy and more work is necessary to clarify the validity of findings. There is lack of data available on police suicide, which adds to the problem of research. Many believe that causes of police suicide are really no different than those in other groups in society, such as relationship problems, financial difficulties, or significant loss. While scholars cannot yet be certain that police work is an etiological suicide risk factor, we can with some assurance state that it serves as a fertile arena for suicide precipitants. Culturally approved alcohol use and maladaptive coping, firearms availability, and exposure to psychologically adverse incidents all add to the suicide nexus.

Last, and most important, the issue of police suicide prevention is discussed. Likely the biggest challenge in prevention is convincing officers to go for help. The police and societal culture at large attach a stigma to suicide which is difficult to deal with. Additionally, the police culture does not allow for weakness of any kind, either physical or psychological. Several promising prevention approaches are discussed. Given the reluctance to report the deaths of police officers as suicides unfortunately leaves us in a position of “best guess” based on what evidence we can collect. Looking to the future, the development of a national database focused on police suicide would help to establish the actual scope of this tragic loss of life. Interventions need to more efficaciously target at-risk police officers. More research, using longitudinal study designs, is needed to inform interventions and, in particular, to determine how suicide prevention efforts can be modified to meet the unique needs of law enforcement officers.
Globalization, Digital Technology, and Teacher Education in the United States
Authors: Keengwe Jared
Published: October 2018

Generally, as a result of the need for many schools to compete on a global level, the use of digital technologies has increased in teacher education programs as well as in U.S. public schools. The dynamics of globalization and digital technologies also continue to influence teacher preparation programs, with multiple implications for educational policies and practices in U.S. public schools. Rapidly emerging developments in technologies and the digital nature of 21st-century learning environments have shaped and transformed the ways learners access, process, and interpret both the general pedagogical content knowledge and discipline-specific content in teaching and learning. Ultimately, the roles of students and teachers in digital learning environments must change to adapt to the dynamic global marketplace. In practice, these changes reiterate the need for teacher educators to prepare skilled teachers who are able to provide social and academic opportunities for building a bridge from a monocultural pedagogical framework to a globally competent learning framework, which is critical to addressing the realities of 21st-century classroom experiences. Specifically, there is a need to equip teacher candidates with cultural competency and digital skills to effectively prepare learners for a digital and global workplace. The lack of cultural competency skills, knowledge, attitudes, and dispositions implies potential social and academic challenges that include xenophobia, hegemony, and classroom management issues. The development of 21st-century learning skills is also central to the preparation of digital and global citizens. The 21st-century globalization skills include communication skills, technological literacy and fluency, negotiations skills, knowledge on geography, cultural and social competency, and multiculturalism. To be relevant in the era of globalization, teacher education programs should take the lead on providing learners with knowledge that promotes global awareness and the 21st-century learning skills required to become responsible global and digital citizens.
Primary care providers’ views on a future lung cancer screening program
Authors: O’Brien Mary Ann , Llovet Diego , Sullivan Frank , Paszat Lawrence
Published: October 2018

Background

The National Lung Screening Trial demonstrated that screening with low-dose computed tomography significantly reduces mortality from lung cancer in high-risk individuals.

Objective

To describe the role preferences and information needs of primary care providers (PCPs) in a future organized lung cancer screening program.

Methods

We purposively sampled PCPs from diverse health regions of Ontario and from different practice models including family health teams and community health centres. We also recruited family physicians with a leadership role in cancer screening. We used focus groups and a nominal group process to identify informational priorities. Two analysts systematically applied a coding scheme to interview transcripts.

Results

Four groups were held with 34 providers and administrative staff [28 (82%) female, 21 (62%) physicians, 7 (20%) other health professionals and 6 (18%) administrative staff]. PCPs and staff were generally positive about a potential lung cancer screening program but had variable views on their involvement. Informational needs included evidence of potential benefits and harms of screening. Most providers preferred that a new program be modelled on positive features of an existing breast cancer screening program. Lung cancer screening was viewed as a new opportunity to counsel patients about smoking cessation.

Conclusions

The development of a future lung cancer screening program should consider the wide variability in the roles that PCPs preferred. An explicit link to existing smoking cessation programs was seen as essential. As providers had significant information needs, learning materials and opportunities should be developed with them.
Assessing red drum spawning aggregations and abundance in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico: a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Lowerre-Barbieri Susan K , Tringali Michael D , Shea Colin P , Walters Burnsed Sarah , Bickford Joel , Murphy Michael , Porch Clay
Published: October 2018

Many marine fish form spawning aggregations (FSAs) and exhibit meta-population stock structure, affecting reproductive resilience and the optimal spatial scale of management. Red drum use a known FSA site off Tampa Bay (TB FSA site) and another presumed FSA site off Charlotte Harbor (CH FSA site). We studied these sites for 3 years (2012–2014) to assess space use and annual abundance at the TB FSA site using: (i) genetically profiled fish, non-lethally sampled by purse seine (n = 9087); (ii) aerial surveys (n = 37); and (iii) acoustic telemetry (n = 122 fish). Thousands of fish concentrated at the TB FSA site to spawn each year, dispersing afterward to an area of at least ∼150 km along the coast and 90 km offshore. Fish acoustically tagged at the TB FSA site showed strong annual spawning site fidelity (91% in 2013 and 85% in 2014) and the straying rate to the CH FSA site to the south was low (6–13%). Annual abundance at the TB FSA site varied, with the estimated abundance in 2013 being four times greater than that estimated for 2014. Similarly, aerial surveys in 2013 sighted 2.5 times as many aggregations as in 2014. However, fine-scale space use, which typically goes unassessed in abundance estimates (short-term surface behaviour and temporary migration), also differed between these years and needs to be integrated into future capture-mark–recapture models.
A ‘wind of change’—shaping public opinion of the Arab Spring using metaphors
Authors: Núñez Alexandra , Gerloff Malte , Do Dinh Erik-Lân , Rapp Andrea , Gehring Petra , Gurevych Iryna
Published: October 2018

Newspapers create publicity, draw attention to topics, and try to gain thematic acceptance from the reader. To achieve this, they use linguistic strategies and select culturally and historically evolved encyclopedic knowledge sources. In our pilot study we explore the presentation of the events in the Middle East–North African region between December 2010 and November 2011 that were soon metaphorically framed as the Arab Spring. To this end, we use a text corpus consisting of 300 opinion pieces from five national German newspapers. To get access to the conceptual knowledge structure and the linguistic strategies, we combine text mining methods and cognitive linguistics. We focus on conceptual metaphors (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980) and their binary source–target structure, where the source domain reveals the underlying conceptual knowledge structures of the speaker. This research focus is justified by the omnipresence of political abstract nouns and by the consistency of metaphors—in particular, genitive metaphor constructions—within the corpus. We first annotate parts of our corpus for such metaphors. Then, additional genitive metaphors are automatically extracted using an adapted metaphor detection system. Finally, we use a clustering algorithm to group the metaphors by source domain. In the following manual cluster analysis, we show that conceptual metaphors are being used throughout the corpus in a systematic way to implicitly categorize and assess the Arab Spring.
Remembrance of contemporary events: On setting up the Sunflower Movement Archive
Authors: Chuang Tyng-Ruey
Published: October 2018

In the late evening of 18 March 2014, students and activists stormed into and occupied the main chamber of Taiwan's Legislature. The event set off the Sunflower Movement, signifying a turning point in Taiwan's recent history. Researchers at Academia Sinica arranged to acquire all the supporting artifacts and documentary materials in the chamber before the protest came to a peaceful end. In this article, we discuss the issues in archiving and making available to the public a large collection of artifacts created by thousands of participants during a contemporary event. We demonstrate systems designed to encourage people to identify objects of their own in the archive. We show how an accessible catalog to the archive can help people tell their stories, hence collectively may strengthen the public's recollections about the movement.
A Validation and Calibration Process for Self-reported Tobacco Use With Participants’ Cotinine Levels: An Example From the Building Blocks Trial
Authors: Huang Chao , Roberts Zoe , Cannings-John Rebecca , Sanders Julia , Pickett Kate , Montgomery Alan , Robling Michael
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Reducing smoking in pregnancy was a primary outcome in our Building Blocks trial of the Family Nurse Partnership. We calibrated maternal reports of smoking using cotinine values derived from urine samples to assess tobacco use. This involves identifying the extent to which an individual accurately reports smoking and requires complete and synchronized data collection over time. However, some urine samples may be missed or collected at a different time from self-report (non-synchronized

Methods

We used statistical validation processes to address both non-synchronized and incomplete data. First, we examined consistency in reporting behaviors at baseline and follow-up for participants grouped by extent of non-synchronized time of collection. Second, we used data from complete cases to infer values for mothers with missing urine samples at follow-up. We then used Markov chain transition rate matrix constructed to assess the robustness of such inferences.

Results

Maternal underreporting and overreporting of smoking were consistent across the 870 participants grouped by different levels of noncontemporary data collection (Breslow-Day test: p = .24; chi-square test: p = .69). Using participants’ baseline reporting behaviors to infer their follow-ups provided comparable smoking outcomes (4.5 cigarettes/day with SD of 5.5) to the simulated counterparts (4.5 cigarettes/day with SD of 6.0).

Conclusion

We have demonstrated consistent reporting behavior over time and minimal impact due to nonaligned follow-up urine sample collection. For studies collecting smoking data, this proposed method provided a pragmatic solution to facilitate the calibration process of self-reported tobacco use and retain adequate power without introducing undue bias.

Implications

Synchronized and completed data collection is essential but very often hard to achieve in smoking related studies. When violated, proper statistical validation process should be followed to minimize the potential bias and loss of power in trial analyses. For this purpose, we provided the Building Block trial as an example to demonstrate how to deal with the non-synchronization and incompleteness issues in data collection.
The Relationship Between Progestin Hormonal Contraception and Depression: A Systematic Review
Authors: Worly Brett L. , Gur Tamar L. , Schaffir Jonathan
Published: October 2018

(Abstracted from Contraception 2018;97(6):478–489)

Reliable contraceptive options are needed by sexually active women of reproductive age who want to prevent pregnancy. To avoid the risks or adverse effect of estrogen, many women choose a hormonal contraceptive formulated only with progestin.
A Prospective Cohort Study of Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring: Deceleration Area Is Predictive of Fetal Acidemia
Authors: Cahill Alison G. , Tuuli Methodius G. , Stout Molly J. , López Julia D. , Macones George A.
Published: October 2018

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018;218:523.e1–523.e12)

Intrapartum electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is the most commonly used tool in obstetrics in the United States, used ubiquitously in US hospitals to monitor the fetal heart rate during labor. However, clear categorization of EFM patterns that predict acidemia remains unclear, and there is a lack of evidence supporting EFM's ability to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Contextualizing Work-Based Assessments of Faculty and Residents: Is There a Relationship Between the Clinical Practice Environment and Assessments of Learners and Teachers?
Authors: Stroud Lynfa , Kulasegaram Kulamakan , McDonald-Blumer Heather , Lorens Edmund , St. Amant Lisa , Ginsburg Shiphra
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Competence is bound to context, yet seldom is environment explicitly considered in work-based assessments. This study explored faculty and residents’ perspectives of the environment during internal medicine clinical teaching unit (CTU) rotations, the extent that each group accounts for environmental factors in assessments, and relationships between environmental factors and assessments.

Method

From July 2014 to June 2015, 212 residents and 54 faculty across 5 teaching hospitals at University of Toronto rated their CTU environment using a novel Practice Environment Rating Scale (PERS) matched by block and hospital. Faculty-PERS data were paired to In-Training Evaluation Reports (ITERs) of residents supervised during each block, and Resident-PERS data to Resident Assessment of Teaching Effectiveness (RATE) scores of the same faculty. Differences between perceptions and assessments were tested using repeated-measures MANOVAs, ANOVAs, and correlations.

Results

One-hundred sixty-four residents completed the PERS; residents rated the CTU environment more positively than faculty (3.91/5 vs. 3.29, P < .001). Residents were less likely to report considering environmental factors when assessing faculty (2.70/5) compared with faculty assessing residents (3.40, P < .0001), d = 1.2. Whereas Faculty-PERS ratings did not correlate with ITER scores, Resident-PERS ratings had weak to moderate correlations with RATE scores (overall r = 0.27, P = .001).

Conclusions

Residents’ perceptions of the environment had small but significant correlations with assessments of faculty. Faculty’s perceptions did not affect assessments of residents, potentially because they reported accounting for environmental factors. Understanding the interplay between environment and assessment is essential to developing valid competency judgments.
Clinical Reference Points for the Screen for Child Anxiety–related Disorders in 2 Investigations of Youth With Chronic Pain
Authors: Cunningham Natoshia R. , Jagpal Anjana , Nelson Sarah , Jastrowski Mano Kristen E. , Tran Susan T. , Lynch-Jordan Anne M. , Hainsworth Keri , Peugh James , Mara Constance A. , Kashikar-Zuck Susmita
Published: October 2018

Objective:

Anxiety is common in pediatric chronic pain and is related to a higher risk for poor outcomes; thus, there is a need for effective clinical screening methods to identify youth with chronic pain and co-occurring anxiety. The Screen for Child Anxiety–related Disorders (SCARED) is a validated measure that defines clinically significant anxiety using the traditional clinical cut-off, but in pain populations, may fail to screen in youth with subclinical anxiety that may also be at increased risk. Two studies aimed to devise a clinically meaningful approach to capture anxiety severity in pediatric chronic pain.

Materials and Methods:

Study 1 (n=959) and Study 2 (n=207) were completed at 2 separate pediatric pain clinics, where the SCARED was administered along with measures of disability, activity limitations, pain intensity, quality of life, and pain catastrophizing. Groups with different levels of anxiety were compared on clinical outcomes via multivariate analyses of variance or independent samplesttests.

Results:

A tertile solution suggested the following anxiety groupings based on the SCARED: minimal (0 to 12), subclinical (13 to 24), and clinical (≥25). Across both studies, the tertile solution was generally superior in classifying different levels of pain-related outcomes.

Discussion:

Future directions include testing the utility of this anxiety classification system to identify youth with subclinical levels of anxiety for early intervention focused on both pain and anxiety management.