bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Prevalence, Incidence, and Quality-of-Life Impact of Lymphedema After Treatment for Vulvar or Vaginal Cancer
Authors: Gane Elise M. , Steele Megan L. , Janda Monika , Ward Leigh C. , Reul-Hirche Hildegard , Carter Jonathan , Quinn Michael , Obermair Andreas , Hayes Sandra C.
Published: July 2018

Background:

Incidence of lymphedema appears to be higher in women with vulvar/vaginal cancer than in those with other forms of gynecological cancer. The objective of this work was to determine the point prevalence and incidence of lymphedema in women with vulvar/vaginal cancer and to describe symptom burden and quality of life (QOL).

Methods:

Prospective longitudinal cohort study conducted in Brisbane, Australia, including adult women with newly diagnosed vulvar/vaginal cancer. The primary outcome was self-reported swelling of the legs, vulvar area, or pelvis/abdomen or a clinical diagnosis of lymphedema. Severity of associated symptoms and QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General) were also reported. Assessments were conducted over 2 years.

Results:

All participants (vulvar: n = 20; vaginal: n = 2; mean [SD] age = 57 [12] years) received surgical treatment, and 8 (36%) also received adjuvant therapy. By 24 months postdiagnosis, only 2 (9%) women had no evidence of lymphedema; all others self-reported swelling (n = 10; 45%), had a clinical diagnosis (n = 1; 5%), or both (n = 9; 41%). Three or more symptoms of moderate or greater intensity were reported by 7 (44%) women at 2 years. The presence of lower limb symptoms (including mild intensity) was associated with reduced QOL (any symptom: QOL estimate = −13.29; 95% CI, −19.30 to −7.27; P < .001).

Limitations:

Small sample size limits interpretation of findings.

Conclusion:

These findings demonstrate that the majority of women receiving treatment of vulvar/vaginal cancer experience lymphedema and symptoms of swelling are associated with lower QOL. Monitoring of swelling via patient self-report may identify women at risk of low QOL outcomes after treatment of vulvar/vaginal cancer.
Preoperative Fascia Iliaca Block Does Not Improve Analgesia after Arthroscopic Hip Surgery, but Causes Quadriceps Muscles Weakness
Authors: Behrends Matthias , Yap Edward N. , Zhang Alan L. , Kolodzie Kerstin , Kinjo Sakura , Harbell Monica W. , Aleshi Pedram
Published: July 2018

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background

Ambulatory hip arthroscopy is associated with postoperative pain routinely requiring opioid analgesia. The potential role of peripheral nerve blocks for pain control after hip arthroscopy is controversial. This trial investigated whether a preoperative fascia iliaca block improves postoperative analgesia.

Methods

In a prospective, double-blinded trial, 80 patients scheduled for hip arthroscopy were randomized to receive a preoperative fascia iliaca block with 40 ml ropivacaine 0.2% or saline. Patients also received an intraarticular injection of 10-ml ropivacaine 0.2% at procedure end. Primary study endpoint was highest pain score reported in the recovery room; other study endpoints were pain scores and opioid use 24 h after surgery. Additionally, quadriceps strength was measured to identify leg weakness.

Results

The analysis included 78 patients. Highest pain scores in the recovery room were similar in the block group (6 ± 2) versus placebo group (7 ± 2), difference: −0.2 (95% CI, −1.1 to 0.7), as was opioid use (intravenous morphine equivalent dose: 15 ± 7mg [block] vs. 16 ± 9 mg [placebo]). Once discharged home, patients experienced similar pain and opioid use (13 ± 7 mg [block] vs. 12 ± 8 mg [placebo]) in the 24 h after surgery. The fascia iliaca block resulted in noticeable quadriceps weakness. There were four postoperative falls in the block group versus one fall in the placebo group.

Conclusions

Preoperative fascia iliaca blockade in addition to intraarticular local anesthetic injection did not improve pain control after hip arthroscopy but did result in quadriceps weakness, which may contribute to an increased fall risk. Routine use of this block cannot be recommended in this patient population.
Use of a Nonexercise Estimate for Prestroke Peak Vo 2 During the Acute Stroke Hospital Stay
Authors: Mattlage Anna E. , Redlin Sara A. , Rosterman Lee R. , Harn Nick , Sisante Jason-Flor V. , Abraham Michael G. , Billinger Sandra A.
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

For individuals with acute stroke, it is difficult to conduct an exercise test to assess peak oxygen consumption (peak Vo
2). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a clinically feasible tool for assessing prestroke peak Vo
2 using a nonexercise estimation equation to test whether estimated prestroke peak Vo
2 was related to the functional outcome measures at discharge from the hospital in individuals after an acute stroke. We hypothesized that the estimated prestroke peak Vo
2 would be significantly related to discharge Physical Performance Test (PPT), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and lower extremity Fugl-Meyer (LEFM) assessment.

Methods:

Estimated prestroke peak Vo
2 was calculated using a previously validated prediction equation using the following variables: body mass index, age, sex, resting heart rate, and a self-reported measure of physical activity. Outcome measures were assessed 4 days after enrollment or immediately before discharge (whichever occurred first).

Results:

Thirty-four participants (mean age = 56.0, SD = 12.6 years; 20 men) with acute stroke were enrolled within 48 hours of admission. For all individuals, mean estimated prestroke peak Vo
2 was 27.3 (SD = 7.4) mL·kg−1·min−1 and had a weak, nonsignificant relationship with the PPT (r = 0.19; P = .28), 6MWT (r = 0.10; P = .56), and LEFM (r = 0.32; P = .06). However, when considering sex, women, but not men, had a significant relationship with LEFM (r = 0.73; P = .005) and moderate but nonsignificant relationship with PPT (r = 0.53; P = .06) and 6MWT (r = 0.47; P = .10).

Conclusions:

Within 48 hours of stroke admission, we were able to administer a nonexercise equation to estimate prestroke peak Vo
2. For the entire sample, functional measures conducted at discharge were not related to estimated prestroke peak Vo
2. However, when considering sex, the relationship between prestroke Vo
2 and the functional measures was strengthened.
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research: The Year (2015) in Review
Authors: Ricard Paul , Cahalin Lawrence P.
Published: July 2018

Practitioners need access to and the ability to openly discuss advances in practice and concepts as they apply to the practice of cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. Lack of accessibility to research literature, limited personal time, or insufficient knowledge to adequately review the breadth of literature published each year can hinder this process. This article provides an overview of cardiovascular and pulmonary research published in 2015 that the authors believe most important and relevant or speaks to the volume or trend of current topics in the clinical practice of cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. Several key sections are used to describe selected articles and are followed by brief overview of clinical relevance of this material presented at the 2016 Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, California.
Examination of Arterial Stiffness and Neurodynamics of Middle-Aged Individuals: A Pilot Study
Authors: Gugliotti Mark , Ingenito Teresa , Douris Peter , Jung Min-Kyung , Asaro Alessandro , Epifania Jillian , Garrick Robert , Kartsev Gleb , Lin Yiyu , Mathew Brian , Paul Anika
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

Increases in arterial stiffness can result in higher pulse wave velocity (PWV) of the arterial blood leading to arterial vascular disease. Studies have shown high PWV is correlated to poor trunk and hamstring flexibility. Poor trunk and hamstring flexibility has additionally been correlated to the presence of neuropathodynamics (NPD) within the peripheral nervous system. Although the coexistence of poor hamstring flexibility and NPD is clear, a paucity of data exists to suggest any relationship between NPD and increased arterial stiffness. We hypothesized a significant relationship would exist between NPD and increased arterial stiffness.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study. The PWV, blood pressure, range of motion, hamstring flexibility, and neurodynamic response to a straight leg raise was measured in 47 middle-aged adults. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine relationships among PWV, age, blood pressure, sex, fitness level, hamstring flexibility, and neurodynamic response.

Results:

The presence of NPD was found not to be a significant predictor of PWV. Only systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = .003) and age (P = .012) was found to be significant predictor variables for PWV.

Conclusions:

The results of this study show no significant relationship between NPD and arterial stiffness. Our findings do, however, indicate that SBP and age should be considered valid predictor variables of underlying arterial vascular disease.
The Hospice and Palliative Care Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Workforce
Authors: Pawlow Patricia , Dahlin Constance , Doherty Caroline L. , Ersek Mary
Published: July 2018

One barrier to continued growth of palliative care is the shortage of qualified hospice and palliative care clinicians. Advanced practice registered nurses are an important part of the interdisciplinary palliative care team, and strengthening this workforce can help alleviate the shortage of clinicians and improve access to quality palliative care. However, there is a dearth of information about this workforce. The purpose of this study was to describe the current hospice and palliative care advanced practice registered nurse workforce, their educational needs, and barriers to practice. The investigators distributed an online survey between October 2016 and January 2017 and received 556 responses. Sixty-three percent had more than 20 years of experience as a registered nurse yet were newer to practice as a hospice and palliative care advanced practice nurse, with 53.8% having 0 to 5 years of experience in this role. Forty-one percent indicated that their traditional graduate educational preparation was insufficient in preparing them for their specialty role. Most indicated that they did not experience barriers to practice in their current position, but 7.3% identified significant issues. These results can inform future professional, educational, and regulatory efforts to support and develop the palliative care advanced practice registered nurse workforce.
Csmd2 is a Synaptic Transmembrane Protein that Interacts with PSD-95
Authors: Gutierrez Mark A , Dwyer Brett E , Franco Santos J
Published: July 2018

Mutations and copy number variants of the Cub and Sushi Multiple Domains 2 (CSMD2) gene are associated with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. CSMD2 is a single-pass transmembrane protein with a large extracellular domain comprising repeats of Cub and Sushi domains. Although the biological functions of CSMD2 have not been studied, the association between CSMD2 variants and cognitive function suggest that it may have a role in brain development or function. In this study, we show that mouse Csmd2 is expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the brain. Csmd2 protein exhibits a somatodendritic localization in the neocortex and hippocampus, with smaller puncta localizing further out in the neuropil. We show that many of these Csmd2 puncta co-localize with the synaptic protein PSD-95. Using immunohistochemical and biochemical methods, we further demonstrate that Csmd2 localizes to dendritic spines and is enriched in the postsynaptic density. We also find Csmd2 at ribbon synapses of the inner plexiform layer of the retina, suggesting a broader synaptic function of Csmd2 in the central nervous system. Finally, we show that the cytoplasmic tail domain of Csmd2 interacts with synaptic scaffolding proteins of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family. The association between Csmd2 and MAGUK member PSD-95 is dependent on a PDZ-binding domain on the Csmd2 tail, which is also required for synaptic targeting of Csmd2. Together, these results point toward a function for Csmd2 in dendrites and synapses, which may account for its association with several psychiatric disorders.
An enhanced set of displacement parameter restraints in CRYSTALS
Authors: Parois Pascal , Arnold James , Cooper Richard
Published: July 2018

Crystallographic restraints are widely used during refinement of small-molecule and macromolecular crystal structures. They can be especially useful for introducing additional observations and information into structure refinements against low-quality or low-resolution data (e.g. data obtained at high pressure) or to retain physically meaningful parameter values in disordered or unstable refinements. However, despite the fact that the anisotropic displacement parameters (ADPs) often constitute more than half of the total model parameters determined in a structure analysis, there are relatively few useful restraints for them, examples being Hirshfeld rigid-bond restraints, direct equivalence of parameters and SHELXL RIGU-type restraints. Conversely, geometric parameters can be subject to a multitude of restraints (e.g. absolute or relative distance, angle, planarity, chiral volume, and geometric similarity). This article presents a series of new ADP restraints implemented in CRYSTALS [Parois, Cooper & Thompson (2015), Chem. Cent. J.
9, 30] to give more control over ADPs by restraining, in a variety of ways, the directions and magnitudes of the principal axes of the ellipsoids in locally defined coordinate systems. The use of these new ADPs results in more realistic models, as well as a better user experience, through restraints that are more efficient and faster to set up. The use of these restraints is recommended to preserve physically meaningful relationships between displacement parameters in a structural model for rigid bodies, rotationally disordered groups and low-completeness data.
Investigating different options in course delivery – traditional vs online: is there another option?
Authors: Hass Ashley , Joseph Mathew
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine students’ perceptions of online vs traditional (face-to-face) course offerings at the business school of a liberal arts university in southwest USA. The research compares perceptions of students who have been subjected to online education along with those who have not been exposed to online education and examines likelihood to take online courses.

Design/methodology/approach

Paper and pencil surveys were distributed in different classes in business classes at a university in southwest USA. The target group was undergraduate students.

Findings

The results indicate that overall, students have neutral perceptions about online courses, while favorable perceptions are strongly associated with likelihood to take online courses. Moreover, prior exposure with online courses is not a significant factor in forming favorable perceptions about online courses.

Research limitations/implications

The present research is limited in generalizability and the institution surveyed in the southwest region is new to online courses offering in their curriculum and not all the participants had prior experience with online courses.

Originality/value

Although this paper compares online education with traditional, another option for methods of education include hybrid models incorporating both. A possible third option not discussed through this research is a hybrid or blended learning course, a combination of both online and traditional courses. This opens the options for the student, as hybrid courses can be built with many different options. One includes using technology for “screencasts” or lectures online.
Lifecycle view of managing different changes in projects
Authors: Vuorinen Lauri , Martinsuo Miia Maarit
Published: July 2018

Purpose

A project contractor can promote the success of a delivery project by planning the project well and following a project management methodology (PMM). However, various changes typically take place, requiring changes to the project plan and actions that deviate from the firm’s established PMM. The purpose of this paper is to explore different types of changes and change management activities over the lifecycle of delivery projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative single case study design was used. In total, 17 semi-structured interviews were carried out during a delivery project in a medium-sized engineering company that delivers complex systems to industrial customers.

Findings

Both plan-related changes and deviations from the PMM were mapped throughout the project lifecycle. Various internal and external sources of change were identified. An illustrative example of the interconnectedness of the changes reveals the potential escalation of changes over the project lifecycle. Managers and project personnel engage in different change management activities and improvisation to create alternative paths, re-plan, catch up, and optimize project performance after changes.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical study is limited to a single case study setting and a single industry. The findings draw attention to the interconnectedness and potential escalation effect of changes over the lifecycle of the project, and the need for integrated change management and improvisation actions.

Practical implications

Efficient change management and improvisation at the early phase of a delivery project can potentially mitigate negative change incidents in later project phases. Changes are not only the project manager’s concern; project personnel’s skilled change responses are also helpful. The findings emphasize the importance of the project customer as a source of changes in delivery projects, meaning that customer relationship management throughout the project lifecycle is needed for successful change management.

Originality/value

The study offers increased understanding of changes and change management throughout the project lifecycle. The results show evidence of plan-related and methodology-related changes and their interconnections, thereby proposing a lifecycle view of integrated change management and improvisation in projects.
Development and validation of a formative scale of technological advancement in hotels from the guest perspective
Authors: Ruiz-Molina Maria-Eugenia , Servera-Francés David , Arteaga-Moreno Francisco , Gil-Saura Irene
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is, first, to review the main conceptual proposals for the study of information and communication technologies (ICT) in tourism companies, and second, to develop and validate a formative scale for measuring the degree of technological advancement in hotels, based on the perceptions of a sample of Spanish hotel guests.

Design/methodology/approach

After a literature review on the measurement of technology advancement in tourism, a formative scale for ICT advancement in hotels from the guest perspective is developed and validated through a multiple-indicator, multiple-cause model estimated through partial least squares regression with data from 197 Spanish hotel guests.

Findings

Results of the empirical research allow validating the proposed formative scale for measuring technological advancement in hotels, identifying solutions that hotel guests mainly associate with highly technified establishments.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed and validated formative scale for measuring the degree of technological advancement of hotels is expected to enable the proposal of models where the relations between central variables in consumer behaviour research (e.g. value) and their dependent variables (e.g. satisfaction) may be influenced by guests’ perception of hotel technology.

Originality/value

This paper presents an initial attempt to develop a scale for measuring the degree of technological advancement of tourism companies, a topic that has received scant attention in acad`emic research in spite of the importance of technology in this industry.
A spectral analysis based heteroscedastic model for the estimation of value at risk
Authors: Zhao Yang
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on a better model to capture the trait of varying volatility in various financial time series, as well as to obtain reliable estimate of value at risk (VaR).

Design/methodology/approach

The typical methods in spectral analysis are used to obtain the sample of conditional mean, conditional variance and residual term. The generalized regression neural network is used to establish a time-varying non-linear model, and the non-parametric kernel density estimation method is applied for the estimation of VaR.

Findings

The proposed model is able to follow the heteroscedastic characteristic which is common in financial time series, and the estimated VaR is satisfactory.

Practical implications

The analysis method in this study allows the hedgers, bankers, financial analysts as well as economists to draw a better inference from financial time series. Also, relatively more precise estimate of the VaR value for a certain kind of financial asset is available. The model with its derived estimates would definitely help in developing other models.

Originality/value

Up-to-date, the study in literature which models financial time serial from the viewpoint of spectral analysis is rare to see. Thus, the proposed model, along with a comprehensive empirical study which reveals desirable result for the estimation of VaR would enrich the related researches at present.
Narrative persuasion in social media: an empirical study of luxury brand advertising
Authors: Huang Ran , Ha Sejin , Kim Sun-Hwa
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of social media communication in luxury brand advertising from a narrative persuasion perspective. Specific purposes are to examine how characteristics of a message giver (i.e. comprehension fluency, imagery fluency) and message receiver (i.e. transportability, need for affect) influence the narrative persuasion process which further affects consumers’ subsequent responses (i.e. positive affect, brand social networking services [SNS] attitudes and intentions) within the luxury hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was performed via Amazon MTurk. A total of 193 usable responses from SNS users were obtained. The structural equation modeling approach was used to test the proposed model.

Findings

Results show that comprehension fluency and imagery fluency as message-giver factors and transportability as a message-receiver factor positively affect narrative transportation. In addition, narrative transportation leads to positive affect, brand SNS attitudes and visit intentions, while positive affect also influences brand SNS attitudes and visit intentions. Furthermore, additional analyses indicate that narrative transportation mediates the effects of comprehension fluency on affect and brand SNS as well as the effects of transportability on positive affect, brand SNS attitude and visit intention.

Originality/value

Characteristics of a message giver and message receiver altogether are not well understood in the current literature. Empirical evidence in this study contributes to the social media marketing and brand advertising research fields.
A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designs
Authors: Höfler Elke , Zimmermann Claudia , Ebner Martin
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the lessons learned in implementing specific design patterns within the “Dr Internet” massive open online course (MOOC).

Design/methodology/approach

MOOCs are boasting considerable participant numbers, but also suffer from declining participant activity and low completion rates. Learning analytics results from earlier xMOOCs indicate that this might be alleviated by certain instructional design patterns – critical aspects include shorter course duration, narrative structures with suspense peaks, and a course schedule that is diversified and stimulating. To evaluate their impact on retention, the authors have tried to implement these patterns in the design of the “Dr Internet” MOOC.

Findings

Statistical results from the first run of the case study MOOC do not indicate any strong influences of these design patterns on the retention rate.

Research limitations/implications

With inconclusive statistical results from this case study, more research with higher participant numbers is needed to gain insight on the effectiveness of these design patterns in MOOCs. When interpreting retention outcomes, other influencing factors (course content, pacing, timing, etc.) need to be taken into account.

Originality/value

This publication reports about a case study MOOC and gives practical hints for further research.
Service models and culture: impact on work behaviours
Authors: Mathies Christine , Lee Jenny (Jiyeon) , Wong Anthony
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Service employees’ cultural values play an integral part in the service encounter. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether frontline employees’ (FLEs) individual cultural values moderate the relationship between service models and work behaviours and whether these behaviours influence their psychological well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected online from 341 US and Indian respondents who spent at least 40 per cent of their work time interacting with customers. Cultural values were measured as individual-level constructs. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test hypotheses.

Findings

Individualism/collectivism significantly moderates the relationship between service models and work-related outcome, in particular organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB), while uncertainty avoidance does not. Collectivism strengthens the positive linkage between the win-win service model and OCB but weakens the association of OCB with the efficiency model. FLEs with the win-win model display more surface acting when they have low uncertainty avoidance and high power distance. Employee psychological well-being is then influenced negatively by surface acting, but positively by OCB.

Research limitations/implications

A more varied sample covering additional countries and a wider range of industries could provide additional insights.

Practical implications

The results of this study are particularly beneficial for service firms that require to satisfy customers by managing culturally diverse FLEs.

Originality/value

Extending the limited research on service models, this study examines the interplay of culture and service models and its impact on FLE work behaviours and the resultant well-being. The findings thus provide greater insights in how service employees’ cultural orientations influence their work behaviours and psychological well-being.
Testing the impact of citizen characteristics and demeanor on police officer behavior in potentially violent encounters
Authors: James Lois , James Stephen , Vila Bryan
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether citizen characteristics (race/ethnicity and attire) or demeanor predicted how officers interacted in simulation scenarios that could turn violent.

Design/methodology/approach

Controlled-laboratory experiments were conducted during which police participants (n=50) responded to equivalent numbers of black, white, and Hispanic individuals in multiple branching video scenarios in a use-of-force simulator. Within these scenarios, the attire of on-screen individuals was varied (“street” or “business” clothing) as was their demeanor – individuals were either friendly or confrontational. Each scenario had the potential to end peaceably or turn violent, depending on how the officers treated people in the simulator.

Findings

Multi-level modeling revealed that neither the race/ethnicity nor the attire of on-screen individuals predicted how officers interacted with them. However, the demeanor of on-screen individuals did – officers were significantly more likely to verbally escalate and end up with a deadly outcome when faced with confrontational individuals (f=3.96; df=1, 558; p<0.05).

Research limitations/implications

These findings offer important new insight into how fairly officers interact with people during routine encounters that have the potential to turn violent, and what this means for perceptions of police legitimacy, procedural justice, and allegations of racial bias.

Originality/value

This is the first laboratory study to test the impact of citizen characteristics and demeanor on how officers escalate and de-escalate encounters.
The consequences of restricting police arrest authority: less deterrence and more crime
Authors: Mourtgos Scott M. , Wise Richard A. , Petros Thomas
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Past research indicates that increasing police arrests deters crime. However, little research exists on how restricting police arrests affects crime. The purpose of this paper is to test whether restrictions on police authority to arrest affects deterrence and crime rates.

Design/methodology/approach

The data consisted of crime statistics for 105 criminal suspects from a medium-sized police department in the western USA. A 2×4 mixed analysis of variance compared the suspects’ criminal activity for a four-month period before and after the arrest restrictions were imposed to ascertain how they affected deterrence and crime rates.

Findings

The restrictions on police arrests significantly increased the crime rate. Moreover, the crime rate increased the longer the restrictions on police arrest authority were in effect. In sum, the present study provides empirical support for the hypothesis that restrictions on police arrest authority decrease deterrence and increase the crime rate.

Practical implications

The present study suggests that restrictions on police arrest authority decreases deterrence and may significantly increase the crime rate. The restrictions may also have deleterious effects on police departments. Several states have recently imposed restrictions on police authority to arrest, and many other states are considering implementing such restrictions. Policy makers should carefully consider the results of the present study before implementing these policies.

Originality/value

The study fills a void in the crime literature by demonstrating that restrictions on police authority to arrest can decrease deterrence and increase the crime rate.
Explaining the Brexit Referendum: The Role of Worker Skill Level in Voter Decisions
Authors: Park Youngduek , Kim Yongmin
Published: July 2018

On 23 June 2016, the UK's ‘Brexit’ referendum saw a majority vote to leave the EU—a result that shocked the world. Using European Social Survey data, we argue that Brexit was not simply decided by less‐educated voters who did not understand the EU's value. Pro‐Brexit votes were determined by economic interests as well as emotional, psychological, and attitudinal factors related to European integration. We demonstrate that skill level played a more important role in voter decision than education, gender, age, and political stance.
The Dynamics of Blood Drop Release from Swinging Objects in the Creation of Cast‐off Bloodstain Patterns
Authors: Williams Elisabeth M. P. , Graham Emma S. , Jermy Mark C. , Kieser David C. , Taylor Michael C.
Published: July 2018

Although the characteristics of cast‐off bloodstain patterns are well known, the physics of the mechanism by which they are created is poorly understood. The aim of this work was to describe the process by which blood droplets disengage from swinging objects. Cast‐off droplets were recorded using high‐speed digital video photography, and the resulting cast‐off patterns were analyzed to draw inferences about the trajectories of individual drops. Blood on the object's distal end formed ligaments, which subsequently disintegrated into droplets. Initial droplet trajectories were approximately tangential to the trajectory of the location on the object from which the droplet was released. The application of the laws of physics to the mechanism of cast‐off is discussed, and the process of drop formation is compared to that of passive drop formation. A technical description of cast‐off is proposed, and a diagram to aid investigators in interpreting cast‐off patterns at crime scenes is offered.
Building A Longitudinal Cohort From 9‐1‐1 to 1‐Year Using Existing Data Sources, Probabilistic Linkage, and Multiple Imputation: A Validation Study
Authors: Newgard Craig D. , Malveau Susan , Zive Dana , Lupton Joshua , Lin Amber
Published: July 2018

Objective

The objective was to describe and validate construction of a population‐based, longitudinal cohort of injured older adults from 9‐1‐1 call to 1‐year follow‐up using existing data sources, probabilistic linkage, and multiple imputation.

Methods

This was a descriptive cohort study conducted in seven counties in Oregon and Washington from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011, with follow‐up through December 31, 2012. The primary cohort included all injured adults ≥ 65 years served by 44 emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. We used nine existing databases to assemble the cohort, including EMS data, two state trauma registries, two state discharge databases, two state vital statistics databases, the Oregon Physician Order for Life‐Sustaining Treatment registry, and Medicare claims data. We matched data files using probabilistic linkage and handled missing values with multiple imputation. We independently validated data processes using 1,350 randomly sampled records for probabilistic linkage and 3,140 randomly sampled records for variables created from existing data sources.

Results

There were 15,649 injured older adults in the primary cohort, with 13,661 (87.3%) total matched records and 9,337 (59.7%) matches to the index ED/hospital visit. The sensitivity of linkage was 99.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 99.3%–100%) for any match and 98.3% (95% CI = 96.2%–99.4%) for index event matches. The specificity of linkage was 95.7% (95% CI = 93.7%–97.2%) for any match and 100% (95% CI = 99.2%–100%) for index event matches. Name, date of birth, home zip code, age, and hospital had the highest yield for linkage. Patients with matched records tended to be higher acuity than unmatched patients, suggesting selection bias if unmatched patients were excluded. Compared to hand‐abstracted values, the sensitivity of electronically derived variables ranged from 18.2% (abdominal‐pelvic Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥ 3) to 97.4% (in‐hospital mortality), with specificity of 88.0% to 99.8%.

Conclusions

A population‐based emergency care cohort with long‐term outcomes can be constructed from existing data sources with high accuracy and reasonable validity of resulting variables.
Value of repeat radical transurethral resection for selected patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Li Zhuo , Li Yuanwei , Lu Qiang , Chen Jia
Published: July 2018

Background

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and necessity of repeat transurethral resection (re‐TUR) treatment for selected patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer and to investigate the possibility of bladder sparing.

Methods

The study included 61 selected patients with invasive bladder cancer who were treated by re‐TUR and in whom biopsies of the muscle layer of the tumour bed were negative. Re‐TUR was performed within 4–6 weeks of the initial resection. Pirarubicin instillation was scheduled for the bladder‐preserving group. The prognosis was compared with that of patients in our previous research, which included 93 selected patients with invasive bladder cancer who were treated by radical TUR. In that research, we found that the overall survival and disease‐specific survival rates were 59.1 and 65.2%, respectively. The clinical stage of tumour influenced the survival rates.

Results

Of the 61 patients who underwent re‐TUR, 31 never had disease relapse, 19 had disease recurrence and 11 had disease progression. The clinical stage of the tumour influenced the overall survival and disease‐specific survival. The 5‐year overall survival rate was 70% and disease‐specific survival rate was 74%, respectively. Compared with the TUR group, both the overall survival and disease‐specific survival rates of the re‐TUR group both increased significantly (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Re‐TUR combined with pirarubicin instillation is a suitable bladder‐preserving treatment for selected patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer, based on good overall survival and disease‐specific survival rates demonstrated in this research. The clinical stage of tumour has a major influence on the survival rates.
Does Accounting Treatment of Share‐based Payments Impact Performance Measures for Banks?
Authors: Alhaj Ismail Alaa , Adwan Sami , Stittle John
Published: July 2018

This paper identifies, evaluates and analyses the resulting impact of mandatory expensing of share‐based compensation (SBC) under IFRS2/FASB123R on a set of widely used performance measures in the EU and US banking industry. The paper shows that the accounting treatment of SBC schemes, following the mandatory adoption of IFRS2/FAS123R, has a statistically significant negative impact on the selected performance measures over the period 2004–11. The impact also seems to be material, yet modest, for US banks and only for large and high‐growth EU banks, indicating that earlier public concerns and criticisms of the implementation of IFRS2/FAS123R are largely unsubstantiated. The findings also show that banks continue to use SBC, but there is a reduction, albeit insignificant, in the recognised SBC expense over the period 2009–11. That is, earlier public concerns that firms would curtail employing SBC in their employees’ compensation schemes to avoid the effect of SBC expense recognition on their financial ratios came to light after the first option life‐cycle in the post‐adoption period was over. The findings also show a marked movement towards using cash‐settled‐based payments, possibly due to their manipulative accounting treatment, a potentially interesting issue for related accounting research and accounting standard setters.
Land Grabbing, the State and Chiefs: The Politics of Extending Commercial Agriculture in Ghana
Authors: Lanz Kristina , Gerber Jean‐David , Haller Tobias
Published: July 2018

Since 2006, Ghana has experienced a wave of large‐scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) for agricultural purposes. Although these acquisitions are enabled by favourable agricultural and investment policies, investors nevertheless generally negotiate directly with traditional authorities, often bypassing state authorities in the acquisition process. The strength of customary authorities is often attributed to the weakness of the state. Considering historical political precedents, this article argues that chiefs in fact increasingly derive their power and legitimacy from state and donor policy. Chiefs play a crucial role in translating the (inter)national investment and development logic into local customary settings which are characterized by complex and overlapping use rights to land and natural resources. Using data from an LSLA in Ghana's Volta Region, this study shows how chiefs continuously redefine and adapt the customary land tenure system and its intricate governance logic to the globalized neoliberal policy setting, readily switching between different institutional settings (institution shopping) to legitimize their actions. Those whose rights under customary tenure are least secure are most likely to lose out in the process of institutional change from common to private property, while those with close connections to the customary elite are most likely to benefit from LSLAs.
Estimating the mitigation effect of Tokai earthquake measures on housing damage: a counterfactual approach
Authors: Miyazaki Takeshi , Ohtani Ryu , Ohno Taichi , Takasugi Tsuyoshi , Yamada Toshihiro
Published: July 2018

This paper evaluates the mitigation effect of Tokai earthquake measures on housing damage using a counterfactual approach. It focuses on those measures that stimulate ex‐ante investment in disaster prevention in the supposedly affected area, including earthquake‐proof retrofitting and improved housing construction; the effect of the measures on housing losses is estimated monetarily. The study compares factual disaster damage computed using a real distribution of houses with counterfactual damage to a hypothetical housing distribution that would occur if the measures were not implemented. The key findings are: (i) the disaster mitigation effects of Tokai earthquake measures on housing amount to approximately JPY 18 billion (USD 0.18 billion) for Yamanashi Prefecture and JPY 0.26 trillion (USD 2.6 billion) for Shizuoka Prefecture, which would be at the centre of the event; (ii) a before–after comparison biases estimates of the mitigation effect; and (iii) statistically, the measures do not mitigate the housing damage predicted for an earthquake in Tokai.
Combined use of external therapeutic ultrasound and tirofiban has synergistic therapeutic effects on no‐reflow after myocardial reperfusion
Authors: Xu Ting‐Yan , Zhao Hang , Qiao Zhi‐Qing , He Ben , Shen Xue‐Dong
Published: July 2018

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the combined use of external therapeutic ultrasound (ETUS) and the specific glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor tirofiban on myocardial no‐reflow in a canine model of acute myocardial infarction after reperfusion.

Methods

The canine myocardial no‐reflow model was established by a 3‐hour occlusion of the left anterior desecending coronary artery followed by a 2‐hour reperfusion. Twenty‐four canines were divided into four groups (6/group): (1) control, (2) tirofiban alone, (3) ETUS combined with tirofiban (ETUS + tirofiban), and (4) ETUS alone.

Results

The area of no‐reflow in each of the three treatment groups was significantly decreased, compared with the control group, with the ETUS + tirofiban group having the smallest area. Also, the ETUS + tirofiban group had the highest recanalized rate of microvessels in the no‐reflow area and fewer impaired cellular organelles. The recovery rates of the endocardial and middle circumferential strain as well as longitudinal strain in the ETUS + tirofiban group were significantly greater than those of the tirofiban group. Moreover, the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) was significantly increased in the ETUS + tirofiban group, compared with the other groups.

Conclusions

The combined use of ETUS and tirofiban offers synergistic benefits for the treatment of myocardial no‐reflow.
Recognition and personhood: A critique of Bernstein's account of the wrongfulness of torture
Authors: Brennan Johnny
Published: July 2018

J. M. Bernstein argues that to capture the depths of the harm of torture, we need to do away with the idea that we possess intrinsic and inviolable worth. If personhood is inviolable, then torture can inflict only apparent harm on our standing as persons. Bernstein claims that torture is a paradigm of moral injury because it causes what he calls “devastation”: The victim experiences an actual degradation of his or her personhood. Bernstein argues that our value is given to us through mutual recognition and hence can be lost. In this paper, I argue that if our human value can be lost, then it first must be built up. If it must be built up, then the question of our status before the building begins must be answered. Bernstein faces a problem of human beings who fall outside relations of mutual recognition and hence are valueless. His best option for answering this problem is to point to the centrality of the body in his account of recognition, but doing so reveals a notion of intrinsic worth implicit in his account. I call for a revision of Bernstein's account that can hold on to devastation without eschewing intrinsic worth.
The role of adaptive strategies in plant naturalization
Authors: Guo Wen‐Yong , van Kleunen Mark , Winter Marten , Weigelt Patrick , Stein Anke , Pierce Simon , Pergl Jan , Moser Dietmar , Maurel Noëlie , Lenzner Bernd , Kreft Holger , Essl Franz , Dawson Wayne , Pyšek Petr
Published: July 2018

Determining the factors associated with the naturalization of alien species is a central theme in ecology. Here, we tested the usefulness of a metric for quantifying Grime's seminal concept of adaptive strategies – competitors, stress‐tolerators and ruderals (CSR) – to explain plant naturalizations worldwide. Using a global dataset of 3004 vascular plant species, and accounting for phylogenetic relatedness and species’ native biomes, we assessed the associations between calculated C‐, S‐ and R‐scores and naturalization success for species exhibiting different life forms. Across different plant life forms, C‐scores were positively and S‐scores negatively associated with both the probability of naturalization and the number of regions where the species has naturalized. R‐scores had positive effects on the probability of naturalization. These effects of the scores were, however, weak to absent for tree species. Our findings demonstrate the utility ofCSR‐score calculation to broadly represent, and potentially explain, the naturalization success of plant species.
Bede's miracles reconsidered
Authors: Ahern Eoghan
Published: July 2018

The miracles depicted by the Venerable Bede – particularly in his Historia ecclesiastica – have proved problematic for historians. This article will first recapitulate the argument that miracles were not a clearly defined category for Bede in the way they would become for later philosophers and as is often assumed by modern commentators. It will then explore the idea that Bede's miraculous episodes can best be appreciated as signa that point to a meaning beyond the literal. In particular, it will argue against the idea that Bede thought that extra‐biblical history could not be read allegorically in the same way as sacred history. It is imperative that we develop a more refined understanding of Bede's conceptualization of the miraculous if we are to better comprehend the mechanics of his celebrated narrative of the English church.
The voice of the dead king Chindasuinth: poetry, politics, and the discourse of penance in Visigothic Spain
Authors: Ungvary David
Published: July 2018

Around ad 653, Eugenius II, bishop of Toledo, composed a first‐person poetic epitaph for the deceased Visigothic king Chindasuinth (r. 642–53) in which the monarch is made to speak with self‐deprecating candour. This paper offers a reassessment of the poem's language and rhetorical strategy by situating it within contemporary discourses surrounding royal admonition and penance. Rather than interpreting Eugenius's composition as an act of defamation, as the majority of critics have done, it reads the poem as a dignifying literary expression of atonement. This reading corresponds with other specimens of Eugenius's poetry and evidence from a developing literary culture at Chindasuinth's court.
Ecology and conservation of the American eel in the Caribbean region
Authors: Kwak Thomas J. , Engman Augustin C. , Lilyestrom Craig G.
Published: July 2018

The majority of American eel, Anguilla rostrata LeSueur, knowledge is derived from temperate regions in the United States and Canada, with little known from its tropical Caribbean distribution. Findings of original research on American eel distribution, abundance, population biology, habitat ecology and threats from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico were synthesised. American eel were captured from 48 of 116 sites (41.4%) in 26 of 49 river basins (53.1%) during 2005–2016, and it was extirpated upstream of dams and migration barriers >3.0 m high (38.9% of habitat). Mean density and biomass were 438.9 fish/ha and 23.44 kg/ha, respectively. Upstream habitats favoured larger individuals, and females were larger than males. The swim‐bladder parasite Anguillicoloides crassus Kuwahara, Niimi & Hagaki was not found in 120 eels examined. Realised threats include dams and other migratory barriers, habitat loss and alteration and pollution; exotic species and commercial fishing are impending threats; and the least understood is climate change.