bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Baseline Anemia in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Prespecified Analysis From the VALIDATE‐SWEDEHEART Trial
Authors: Wester Axel , Attar Rubina , Mohammad Moman Aladdin , Andell Pontus , Hofmann Robin , Jensen Jens , Szummer Karolina , Erlinge David , Koul Sasha
Published: August 2019

Background

The impact of baseline anemia in a contemporary acute coronary syndrome (
ACS
) population undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the era of predominant radial artery access, potent P2Y12 inhibition, and rare use of glycoprotein
II
b/
III
a inhibitors has not been adequately studied.

Methods and Results

ACS
patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between 2014 and 2016 in the
VALIDATE
‐
SWEDEHEART
(Bivalirudin Versus Heparin in
ST
‐Segment and Non–
ST
‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients on Modern Antiplatelet Therapy in the Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence‐Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies Registry) trial without missing values for hemoglobin were included (n=5482). Mortality, myocardial reinfarction, and major bleeding at 180 days were assessed using Cox regression models and propensity score matching. All studied comorbidities were more common in
ACS
patients who had anemia (n=792).
ACS
patients with anemia had higher rates of 180‐day mortality (6.9% versus 2.1%; hazard ratio, 1.9; 95%
CI
, 1.3–2.7;
P
<0.001), myocardial reinfarction (4.3% versus 1.9%; hazard ratio, 1.7; 95%
CI
, 1.1–2.7;
P
=0.013), and major bleeding (13.4% versus 8.2%; hazard ratio, 1.3; 95%
CI
, 1.0–1.6;
P
=0.041). The results were most evident in patients with a hemoglobin value <100 g/L, who had a nearly 10 times higher mortality rate.

Conclusions

Baseline anemia in
ACS
patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, treated according to current practice including routine radial artery access, constitutes a high‐risk feature for both ischemic events, bleeding events, and mortality. A multidisciplinary approach is warranted to maximize benefit and minimize patient risk.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02311231.
The Battle of Maiwand and the Taliban’s Tarani
Authors: Noorzai Roshan
Published: August 2019

This study analyzes the post-September 11 Taliban’s discourse, exploring particularly the sujet of the battle of Maiwand (July 27, 1880) in the Taliban’s tarani (pl. of tarana “chant, song”). After providing a brief history of the post-September 11 conflict in Afghanistan, the paper examines Afghanistan’s experience of colonialism in the 19th century by discussing the Anglo-Afghan wars, with a focus on the battle of Maiwand and its importance in the modern history of Afghanistan. This study takes a postcolonial and postmodernist approach to discourse analysis. Using a postmodernist approach, the author tried to understand how the Taliban saw the post-September 11, 2001 conflict, and how they legitimized their actions. This study concludes that the Taliban used Afghanistan’s past experience of colonialism in their discourse. In fact, they refer to the historical events and personalities, those led resistance against colonial powers in the 19th century, for propaganda purposes. In addition, the paper shows that the colonial past is an important factor in the success or failure of interventions and peacekeeping missions, particularly in Afghanistan.
Précis of The Appearance of Ignorance: Knowledge, Skepticism, and Context, Vol. 2
Authors: DeRose Keith
Published: August 2019

The Appearance of Ignorance develops and champions contextualist solutions to the puzzles of skeptical hypotheses and of lotteries. It is argued that, at least by ordinary standards for knowledge, we do know that skeptical hypotheses are false, and that we’ve lost the lottery. Accounting for how it is that we know that skeptical hypotheses are false and why it seems that we don’t know that they’re false tells us a lot, both about what knowledge is and how knowledge attributions work. Along the way, the following are all explained and defended: Moorean methodological approaches to skepticism, on which one seeks to defeat, rather than refute, the skeptic; contextualist responses to skepticism; contextualist substantive Mooreanism; the basic safety approach to knowledge and the double-safety picture of what knowledge is; insensitivity accounts of various appearances of ignorance; the closure principle for knowledge; and the claim that our knowledge that we are not brains in vats is a priori, despite its being knowledge of a deeply contingent fact.
The Influences of Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves on Multiscale Rainfall Variability over the South China Sea and Maritime Continent in December 2016
Authors: Chen Wei-Ting , Hsu Shih-Pei , Tsai Yuan-Huai , Sui Chung-Hsiung
Published: August 2019

We studied the scale interactions of the convectively coupled Kelvin waves (KWs) over the South China Sea (SCS) and Maritime Continent (MC) during December 2016. Three KWs were observed near the equator in this month while the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) was inactive. The impacts of these KWs on the rainfall variability of various time scales are diagnosed, including synoptic disturbances, diurnal cycle (DC), and the onset of the Australian monsoon. Four interaction events between the KWs and the westward-propagating waves over the off-equatorial regions were examined; two events led to KW enhancements and the other two contributed to the formation of a tropical depression/tropical cyclone. Over the KW convectively active region of the MC, the DC of precipitation was enhanced in major islands and neighboring oceans. Over the land, the DC hot spots were modulated depending on the background winds and the terrain effects. Over the ocean, the “coastal regime” of the DC appeared at specific coastal areas. Last, the Australian summer monsoon onset occurred with the passage of a KW, which provided favorable conditions of low-level westerlies and initial convection over southern MC and the Arafura Sea. This effect may be helped by the warm sea surface temperature anomalies associated with the La Niña condition of this month. The current results showcase that KWs and their associated scale interactions can provide useful references for weather monitoring and forecast of this region when the MJO is absent.
On Asymptotic Standard Normality of the Two Sample Pivot
Authors: Majumdar Rajeshwari , Majumdar Suman
Published: August 2019

The asymptotic solution to the problem of comparing the means of two heteroscedastic populations, based on two random samples from the populations, hinges on the pivot underpinning the construction of the confidence interval and the test statistic being asymptotically standard normal, which is known to happen if the two samples are independent and the ratio of the sample sizes converges to a finite positive number. This restriction on the asymptotic behavior of the ratio of the sample sizes carries the risk of rendering the asymptotic justification of the finite sample approximation invalid. It turns out that neither the restriction on the asymptotic behavior of the ratio of the sample sizes nor the assumption of cross sample independence is necessary for the pivotal convergence in question to take place. If the joint distribution of the standardized sample means converges to a spherically symmetric distribution, then that distribution must be bivariate standard normal (which can happen without the assumption of cross sample independence), and the aforesaid pivotal convergence holds.

AMS Classification: 62E20, 62G20
Disease-related stressors of caregiving burden among different types of family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia in rural China
Authors: Peng Man-Man , Chen Hong-Lin , Zhang Tin , Yao Yong-You , Li Zi-Han , Long Lan , Duan Qing-Qing , Lin Fu-Rong , Zen Ya , Chen Jia , Ng Siu-Man , Chan Cecilia Lai-Wan , Ran Mao-Sheng
Published: August 2019

Background:

Little is known about the impacts of schizophrenia on different types of caregiving burden.

Aim:

This study aims to examine how the severity of schizophrenia, social functioning and aggressive behavior are associated with caregiving burden across different kinship types.

Method:

The analytic sample included 300 dyads of persons with schizophrenia and their family caregivers in Xinjin, Chengdu, China. The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) was utilized to identify the patients, whose symptom severity, social functioning and aggressive behavior were measured. Caregiving burden was estimated using the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers–short (BSFC-s).

Results:

A higher level of burden was significantly associated with female caregivers, larger family size, lower income, worse symptoms, poorer functional status and more aggressive behaviors. Parent caregivers showed greater burden if the patients had better functioning of social interest and concern or more aggression toward property. Mother caregivers showed greater burden than fathers. Spouses tended to perceive greater burden if the patients had better marital functioning, poorer occupational functioning or more aggressive behaviors toward property. Patients attacking others or a father with schizophrenia was related to a higher burden of child caregivers. A heavier burden of other relatives was correlated with patients’ more verbal aggression and self-harm.

Conclusion:

This study shows the distinct impacts of disease-related factors on the caregiving burden across different kinship types. Our findings have implications for health-care professionals and practitioners in terms of developing more targeted family-based or individualized intervention to ameliorate burden according to kinship types and deal with behavioral and functional problems in schizophrenia.
Microstructure and mechanical characterizations of graphene nanoplatelets-reinforced Mg–Sr–Ca alloy as a novel composite in structural and biomedical applications
Authors: Ramezanzade S , Ebrahimi GR , Parizi M Torabi , Ezatpour HR
Published: August 2019

In this study, the novel composites were fabricated by the introduction of Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca alloy as the matrix and addition of different amounts of graphene nanoplatelets (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 wt.%) as reinforcement using a stir casting technique followed by homogenization and extrusion in order to improve the mechanical properties of the base alloy. Optimum weight percent of adding graphene nanoplatelets was 0.2 wt.%. The addition of 0.2 wt.% graphene nanoplatelets in the extruded Mg–Sr–Ca alloy led to the grain refinement (∼36%), the decrease of anisotropy (∼14%) and the lowest twin formation. Moreover, the tensile and compressive yield strengths and tensile and compressive fracture strains of extruded Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca/0.2GNP composite were enhanced by 22.8%, 66.7%, 43.1% and 28%, respectively. The load transfer was significant strengthening mechanism. The uniform dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets followed by the increase of non-basal slip and grain refinement improved tensile fracture strain. In addition to maintained factors, the increase of compressive fracture strain in the extruded Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca/0.2GNP composite was affected by local stresses caused by twins which resulted non-basal slip and conserved basal slip due to presence of twins. Simultaneously, enhancement of the strengthening and elongation efficiencies in both tensile and compressive tests was achieved in Mg-0.3Ca-0.3Sr/0.2GNP. The biocorrosion behavior of extruded Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca/0.2GNP composite was promoted by 11% compared with Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca alloy. Comparative plots indicated that the fabricated materials can be introduced as a new class of composites for the purpose of structural as well as biomedical applications.
Exploring the advantages and limitations of sampling methods commonly used in research facilities for zebrafish health inspections
Authors: Marancik David , Collins Jason , Afema Josephine , Lawrence Christian
Published: August 2019

Examining zebrafish populations for the presence of disease is an integral component of managing fish health in research facilities. Currently, many different strategies are used for zebrafish fish health inspections, which is a scenario that may result in subjective and biased diagnostic evaluations. The goal of this study was to compare the success of pathogen detection between a sample size of randomly selected fish ( n = 60) that provides 95% confidence in pathogen detection based on a presumed pathogen prevalence level ≥5%, and other subpopulations and sample numbers commonly submitted for diagnostic testing within a 1000 tank, 30,000 fish, recirculating research system. This included fish collected from a sump tank ( n = 53), sentinel fish ( n = 11), and fish that were found moribund or freshly dead ( n = 18). Additionally, five fish from each subpopulation were collected for histopathologic examination. A second study used retrospective data to examine pathogen distribution between systems ( n = 2−5) in multi-system facilities ( n = 5) using a sample size of 60 fish per system. For the pathogens detected, results supported the use of representative sample numbers rather than smaller numbers of populations considered more at risk. The exception to this is for the moribund/mortality group, which may be a resource for targeted surveillance of select pathogens. Each system within multi-system facilities should be considered separate units in terms of fish health inspections and biosecurity. Development of these evidence-based standards for fish health inspections in zebrafish systems enhances fish welfare, provides identification of potentially zoonotic pathogens, and ensures scientific integrity and reproducibility of research results.
Child Sexual Abuse Survivors’ Grief Experiences After the Death of the Abuser
Authors: Lin Yu-Ying , Servaty-Seib Heather L. , Peterson Jean
Published: August 2019

This qualitative study examined the language of women who were child sexual abuse survivors ( N =  16) to gain insight into their grief experiences following the death of their abusers. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 62 years ( M =  47.4) and the majority were White, had been abused by a family member, and had sought child sexual abuse-related counseling. Five primary themes emerged during analysis: (a) grief reflecting a complex relationship; (b) loss of opportunity for confrontation, clarity, and connection; (c) funeral as liability, not benefit; (d) others’ lack of understanding of multilayered grief; and (e) coping through transformation. Discussion illuminates sense-making and connections between themes and existing thanatological concepts and research.
Relationships Between Cortically Mediated Attentional Dysfunction and Social Anxiety, Self-Focused Attention, and External Attention Bias
Authors: Tomita Nozomi , Imai Shoji , Kanayama Yusuke , Kumano Hiroaki
Published: August 2019

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a marked fear and avoidance of social situations or a fear of being evaluated by others. Although training for top-down attentional control has been an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder, few studies have demonstrated that individuals with social anxiety have top-down attentional dysfunction. This study used dichotic listening (DL) tasks to investigate the relationship between social anxiety and top-down attentional control over relevant brain activities. We also investigated relationships between both social situation-dependent self-focused attention and external attention bias and situation-independent attentional control. Thirty-six healthy participants underwent near-infrared spectroscopy scanning while performing top-down selective and divided attention DL tasks. Then, they undertook a speech task and completed a questionnaire to assess the degrees of their self-focused attention and external attention bias. The results showed that the degree of social fear and self-focused attention during the speech task were negatively correlated with scores on the selective attention task and with the activity of the left pars opercularis during the selective DL task, which were related to each other. These results suggest that a relationship exists between social fear, self-focused attention in a social situation, and top-down selective attentional dysfunction as assessed both behaviorally and by brain activity changes.
Explicit nonlinear model predictive control tracking control based on a sliding mode observer for a quadrotor subject to disturbances
Authors: Miladi Nadia , Dimassi Habib , Hadj Said Salim , M’Sahli Faouzi
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we propose an explicit nonlinear model predictive control (ENMPC) method based on a robust observer to solve the trajectory tracking problem for outdoor quadrotors. We take into consideration the external aerodynamic disturbances present in the dynamics of the Newton-Euler quadrotor model. To overcome the effects of these disturbances, a high gain observer combined with a first order sliding mode observer are proposed to estimate both the states and the unknown disturbances using the only positions and angular measurements of the quadrotor. The estimated signals are then used by the predictive controller in order to ensure the trajectory tracking objective. Despite the presence of bounded disturbances, the convergence of the composite controller (ENMPC technique with the latter observers) is guaranteed through a stability analysis. Theoretical results are validated with some numerical simulations showing the good performances of the proposed tracking control approach.
Effect of air quality and dust deposition on power generation performance of photovoltaic module on building roof
Authors: Wang Haidong , Meng Xiangzhe , Chen Jianbo
Published: August 2019

Due to the dust deposition on the surface of photovoltaic modules and the air pollution, the power generation performance of photovoltaic modules will be significantly affected. In order to quantitatively estimate the effect of air quality and dust deposition on the power generation performance of photovoltaic modules, a distributed photovoltaic system on a building roof in Shanghai is studied in this paper. Both artificial and natural dust deposition conditions are tested in terms of the influence of these factors on the power generation efficiency of photovoltaic modules. The variation of solar radiation intensity with PM2.5 concentration in Shanghai and the variation of photovoltaic module power generation capacity with PM2.5 concentration are tested and analyzed. The experimental results show that the surface dust of photovoltaic module reduces the power and efficiency of photovoltaic module. Experimental comparison between the dusty photovoltaic module and clean photovoltaic module shows that the dust on photovoltaic modules can reduce the power and efficiency significantly, where the highest power generation decrease is 35.226% and the highest power generation efficiency decrease is 5.546% as indicated in the experiments. Result shows that the amount of solar radiation is exponentially correlated to the PM2.5 concentration.

Practical application: The influence of air quality and dust deposition on the performance of distributed PV modules is of vital importance under severe particulate pollution in Shanghai. This research helps predict the degradation of the photovoltaic system power generation efficiency, and determine whether to clean up the dust on the photovoltaic system according to accumulated PM concentration. This reduces the cost of cleaning of the dust on photovoltaic system. This study provides theoretical and experimental basis for the design of the building roof mounted solar photovoltaic system according to the local haze condition.
How Far Is the Optimal Intercity Distance? Evidence from China
Authors: Xiang Guocheng , Xiong Yunjun , Liu Jingjing , Zhong Shihu , Jiang Xin
Published: August 2019

Based on the “centripetal force” and “centrifugal force” of the intermolecular distance model in physics, this article establishes a worthwhile and original mathematical model to analyze the influence of the distribution of cities on urban labor productivity. We incorporate the crowding parameter into the local spillover model and demonstrate the existence of the optimal intercity distance. In addition, we estimate the optimal intercity distance for urban economic efficiency by using data from Chinese prefecture-level cities. Judging from the deviation between the actual average distance and the optimal average distance in each region, the cities in the eastern region are overcrowding, and the cities in the central and western regions are too sparse. Findings in this study carry several important policy implications. For areas in the central and western regions with large administrative areas and large populations, it would be appropriate to increase the number of prefecture-level cities and industrial density through industrial transfer and development. This approach is conducive not only to improving the economic efficiency of the central and western cities and reducing the congestion of eastern cities but also to accommodating the radiation effect of the city on rural areas and achieving the goal of common prosperity.
Identification of potential core genes in Kawasaki disease using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Wu Wenbin , You Keyou , Zhong Jinchan , Ruan Zhanwei , Wang Bubu
Published: August 2019

Objective

The present study aimed to elucidate the underlying pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD) and to identify potential biomarkers for KD.

Methods

Gene expression profiles for the GSE68004 dataset were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The pathways and functional annotations of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in KD were examined by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) tool. Protein–protein interactions of the above-described DEGs were investigated using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING).

Results

Gene Ontology analysis revealed that DEGs in KD were significantly enriched in biological processes, including the inflammatory response, innate immune response, defense response to Gram-positive bacteria, and antibacterial humoral response. In addition, 10 hub genes with high connectivity were selected from among these DEGs ( ITGAM, MPO, MAPK14, SLC11A1, HIST2H2BE, ELANE, CAMP, MMP9, NTS, and HIST2H2AC).

Conclusion

The identification of several novel hub genes in KD enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of this disease. These genes may be potential diagnostic biomarkers and/or therapeutic molecular targets in patients with KD. ITGAM inhibitors in particular may be potential targets for KD therapy.
The Influence of Legal Brothels on Illegal Sexual Service Purchasing Habits: The U.S. Context
Authors: Wakefield Chris , Brents Barbara G.
Published: August 2019

In this study, we use a survey of sex workers’ clients to examine the relationship between having paid for services in legal brothels in Nevada and paying for criminalized sexual services among male clients. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) and generalized ordered logistic regression models, the use of legal brothels is found to be negatively related to reported purchasing of criminalized sexual services, regardless of criminal history, income, and most other demographic factors. When tested by criminalized purchase context, purchases made using the Internet, from public, outdoor contacts (such as the street) and indoor, public contacts (like bars), were less likely to occur with brothel experience. This study addresses a critical gap in scholarship on sex workers’ clients purchasing choices with consideration to both market choice and frequency of purchase when having been exposed to a legal replacement for an illegal transaction. Implications and areas of further study are discussed.
Into the Wild, Out of the Woods: A Systematic Case Study on Facilitating Emotional Change
Authors: Gunst E. , Willemsen J. , Desmet M. , Watson J. C. , Loeys T. , Vanhooren S.
Published: August 2019

Cognitive and behavioral treatment programs for individuals who have committed sexual offenses (ISOs) have shown significant but small effect sizes. A growing body of research points toward the importance of difficulties in affect regulation (AR) as a risk factor for sexual recidivism. On this basis, it seems important to target difficulties in AR in treatment. The current systematic case study investigates the potential contribution of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) to changing problematic AR in ISOs. Kevin was a high-risk offender with a traumatic history who met the diagnostic criteria of pedophilic and borderline disorders, with serious AR difficulties. Self-report outcome measures, observation measures, and a biomarker were used to track changes in AR, psychological symptoms, and distress during baseline (Phase A); treatment as usual (Phase B); treatment with an EFT component added (Phase C); and follow-up (Phase A). Statistically significant change was found in AR, psychological symptoms, and distress during treatment (Phase B + C); however, it is not possible to attribute these changes causally to EFT. An examination of the qualitative process data provides deeper insights into how the client reacted to specific EFT interventions. Verbatim clinical vignettes are included to clarify key interventions, hindrances, and mechanisms of change. This study provides preliminary support for the role of therapy to facilitate emotional change in ISOs.
Ankle Sprains in the National Basketball Association, 2013-2014 Through 2016-2017
Authors: Herzog Mackenzie M. , Mack Christina DeFilippo , Dreyer Nancy A. , Wikstrom Erik A. , Padua Darin A. , Kocher Mininder S. , DiFiori John P. , Marshall Stephen W.
Published: August 2019

Background:

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in basketball. Despite this, the incidence and setting of ankle sprains among elite basketball players are not well described.

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiology of ankle sprains among National Basketball Association (NBA) players.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

All players on an NBA roster for ≥1 NBA game (preseason, regular season, or playoffs) during the 2013-14 through 2016-17 seasons were included. Data were collected with the NBA electronic medical record system. All NBA teams used the electronic medical record continuously throughout the study period to record comprehensive injury data, including onset, mechanism, setting, type, and time lost. Game incidence rates were calculated per 1000 player-games and per 10,000 player-minutes of participation, stratified by demographic and playing characteristics.

Results:

There were 796 ankle sprains among 389 players and 2341 unique NBA player-seasons reported in the league from 2013-14 through 2016-17. The overall single-season risk of ankle sprain was 25.8% (95% CI, 23.9%-28.0%). The majority of ankle sprains occurred in games (n = 565, 71.0%) and involved a contact mechanism of injury (n = 567, 71.2%). Most ankle sprains were lateral (n = 638, 80.2%). The incidence of ankle sprain among players with a history of prior ankle sprain in the past year was 1.41 times (95% CI, 1.13-1.74) the incidence of those without a history of ankle sprain in the past year ( P = .002). Fifty-six percent of ankle sprains did not result in any NBA games missed (n = 443); among those that did, players missed a median of 2 games (interquartile range, 1-4) resulting in a cumulative total of 1467 missed player-games over the 4-season study period.

Conclusion:

Ankle sprains affect approximately 26% of NBA players on average each season and account for a large number of missed NBA games in aggregate. Younger players and players with a history of ankle sprain have elevated rates of incident ankle sprains in games, highlighting the potential benefit for integrating injury prevention programs into the management of initial sprains. Research on basketball- and ankle-specific injury prevention strategies could provide benefits.
Risk and Refuge: Adolescent Boys’ Experiences of Violence in “Post-Conflict” Colombia
Authors: Browne Amanda , Bennouna Cyril , Asghar Khudejha , Correa Catalina , Harker-Roa Arturo , Stark Lindsay
Published: August 2019

Increasingly, researchers and practitioners are examining connections between public and private cycles of violence. In complex emergency settings, these cycles of violence often intersect with conflicting norms and values as societies work toward sustainable peace. Gender norms, particularly norms of masculinity, are not often highlighted in transdisciplinary violence studies. Furthermore, few studies on either subject capture the perspectives and experiences of adolescent boys. This study seeks to explore adolescent boys’ (13-17 years) experiences with violence at home and in the community in “post-conflict” Colombia. Thematic qualitative analysis of 20 interview transcripts from 14 Colombian boys in Cundinamarca ( n = 5) and Córdoba ( n = 9) revealed themes of conflict avoidance, hegemonic masculinity, and opportunities for change in the form of positive coping habits. Further research into social and emotional coping behaviors and linkages to perpetuating violence between adolescence and adulthood is needed.
Changes in Rape Myth Acceptance Among Undergraduates: 2010 to 2017
Authors: Beshers Sarah , DiVita Margaret
Published: August 2019

The objective of this study is to characterize changes in rape myth acceptance (RMA) among college students from 2010 to 2017. Two samples of undergraduates in a northeastern university in the United States participated in the study, consisting of 464 students in the fall semester of 2010 and 534 students in the spring semester of 2017. Participants took an anonymous web-based survey to measure levels of RMA. The instrument was a revised and updated version of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance scale. Data analysis was both descriptive and inferential. For all subscales and the overall total RMA, differences in scores by year of survey (2017 compared with 2010) were significant; 2017 scores were significantly lower than 2010 scores. The greatest differences were for the She asked for it and She lied subscales, 1.76 versus 2.62 ( p < .001) and 2.26 versus 2.69 ( p < .001), respectively. In both years, male students and younger students were significantly more likely to endorse rape myths. RMA among undergraduates at one northeastern university has lessened since 2010.
Investigation of nickel ammonia phosphate with different morphologies as a new high-efficiency flame retardant for epoxy resin
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Wu Hongjuan , Meng Weihua , Li Jiahe , Cui Yumeng , Xu Jianzhong , Qu Hongqiang
Published: August 2019

Nanowires, nanosheets, and microflowers of nickel ammonium phosphate (NiNH4PO4·H2O) were synthesized by a mixed solvothermal method and used to improve the flame retardancy of epoxy resin (EP). The solvent concentration and surfactant content were found to play a key role in nucleation and growth of NiNH4PO4·H2O. The structure of NiNH4PO4·H2O was characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The flame retardancy, thermostability, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy mechanism of EP/NiNH4PO4·H2O composites were analyzed using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimetry (Cone), mechanical property tests, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermogravimetric–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that NiNH4PO4·H2O has proper thermal stability and greatly improves the flame retardancy of EP. The nanosheets outperformed the other morphologies; the EP/5% NiNH4PO4·H2O nanosheets have an LOI of 35.2%, which exceeds that of pure EP (24.7%). Furthermore, Cone showed that these nanosheets have the lowest peak heat release rate and peak smoke production rate, which are 69.1% and 36.5% lower than those of pure EP, respectively. NiNH4PO4·H2O can promote the formation of a stable char layer and release nonflammable gases, thus protecting the matrix by preventing heat and oxygen transfer and reducing the concentration of combustible gas. NiNH4PO4·H2O is expected to serve as a new high-efficiency flame retardant for EP.
Holocene relative shore-level changes and Stone Age palaeogeography of the Pärnu Bay area, eastern Baltic Sea
Authors: Nirgi Triine , Rosentau Alar , Habicht Hando-Laur , Hang Tiit , Jonuks Tõnno , Jõeleht Argo , Kihno Kersti , Kriiska Aivar , Mustasaar Mario , Risberg Jan , Suuroja Sten , Talviste Peeter , Tõnisson Hannes
Published: August 2019

The shore displacement and palaeogeography of the Pärnu Bay area, eastern Baltic Sea, during the Stone Age, were reconstructed using sedimentological and archaeological proxies and GIS-based landscape modelling. We discovered and studied buried palaeochannel sediments on the coastal lowland and in the shallow offshore of the Pärnu Bay and interpreted these data together with previously published shore displacement evidence. The reconstructed relative shore-level (RSL) curve is based on 78 radiocarbon dates from sediment sequences and archaeological sites in the Pärnu Bay area and reported here using the HOLSEA sea-level database format. The new RSL curve displays regressive water levels at −5.5 and −4 m a.s.l. before the Ancylus Lake and Litorina Sea transgressions, respectively. According to the curve, the total water-level rise during the Ancylus Lake transgression (10.7–10.2 cal. ka BP) was around 18 m, with the average rate of rise about 35 mm per annum, while during the Litorina Sea transgression (8.5–7.3 cal. ka BP), the water level rose around 14 m, with average rate of 12 mm per annum. During the short period around 7.8–7.6 cal. ka BP, the RSL rose in Pärnu, but probably also in Samsø (Denmark), Blekinge (Sweden) and Narva-Luga (NE Estonia–NW Russia), faster than the concurrent eustatic sea level calculated from the far-field sites. The palaeogeographic reconstructions show the settlement patterns of the coastal landscape since the Mesolithic and provide new perspective for looking Mesolithic hunter-fisher-gatherer settlement sites on the banks of the submerged ca. 9000 years old river channel in the bottom of the present-day Pärnu Bay.
A Thealogy of Radical Immanence: Goddess and the Posthuman
Authors: Mantin Ruth
Published: August 2019

In this article I offer possibilities for conversations between a feminist, post-realist thealogy and an exploration of the posthuman as presented by Rosi Braidotti. Braidotti draws on the influence of Baruch Spinoza to argue for an awareness of the ‘radical immanence’ which allows a challenge to the hierarchically dualistic assumptions of an anthropocentric paradigm. I maintain that the role of ‘Goddess-talk’ can contribute to this exploration with its figurations of a transgressive sacrality which can embrace ambiguity and plurality and which is immanent in a connection and interdependence with all forms of life. Such a thealogy can have points of contact with Braidotti’s call for an interrogation of what is meant by ‘being human’, a consideration of the implications of a ‘post-anthropocentric’ world and a challenge to the ways in which a global capitalist economy is undertaking the commodification of life itself.
Arachne’s Voice: Race, Gender and the Goddess
Authors: Maya Kavita
Published: August 2019

This article considers the issue of racial difference in the Goddess movement, using the mythological figure of Arachne, a skilful weaver whom the goddess Athena transformed into a spider, to explore the unequal relational dynamics between white Goddess feminists and women of colour.

Bringing Goddess spirituality and thealogical metaphors of webs and weaving into dialogue with postcolonial and black feminist perspectives on the politics of voice, marginality and representation, the article points to some of the ways in which colonial narratives weave through Goddess feminism, including practices of silencing and the romanticization of racial difference. Ultimately, I argue that feminist spirituality must recognize and address structural inequality between white women and women of colour, or in other words, listen to Arachne’s voice.
Women, Personhood, and the Male God: A Feminist Critique of Patriarchal Concepts of God in View of Domestic Abuse
Authors: Moder Ally
Published: August 2019

Domestic abuse is a common occurrence for women in the Christian Church. Underlying this dark reality is a long history of patriarchal theological interpretations that have depicted God as a dominant male figure that subjects women to male hierarchy as a subordinate. Often based on an understanding of Jesus as subordinate to God the Father in the Trinity, the correlated praxis of the Church has commonly been to subject women to suffering at the hands of men – even at the cost of their lives – thus mimicking the death of Christ. This deeply flawed androcentric theology and subsequent praxis of women’s subordination has been severely challenged by liberal feminists, and rightly so for the sake of women’s survival and flourishing. This article utilizes the Social Trinity to provide a Christian feminist critique of patriarchal atonement models and theology towards the feminist goal of liberating women from male-perpetrated violence. Ultimately a reframing of God will be presented that includes women as full persons and calls them to resist the suffering of domestic abuse and to reclaim their full personhood as the imago Dei.
‘Hard, primitive and below the belt’: The Korean War, Prisoners of War, and Training for Conduct After Capture
Authors: Fitzpatrick Meghan
Published: August 2019

This article looks at what impact the Korean War (1950–53) had on British policy regarding how soldiers should behave if captured by the enemy. It explores the training available to the average serviceman between the First World War and the early 1950s and examines how fears of brainwashing prompted the first major investigation of prisoner behaviour and training in modern British history. Using primary sources, the article also traces how the war contributed to a philosophical shift in attitudes towards the prisoner of war and a reassessment of the skills necessary to survive on the modern battlefield.
Differential Utilization of Palliative Care Consultation Between Medical and Surgical Services
Authors: Nguyen Minh-Thuy , Feeney Timothy , Kim Chanmin , Drake F. Thurston , Mitchell Suzanne E. , Bednarczyk Magdalena , Sanchez Sabrina E.
Published: August 2019

There is a paucity of data regarding the utilization of palliative care consultation (PCC) in surgical specialties. We conducted a retrospective review of 2321 adult patients (age ≥18) who died within 6 months of admission to Boston Medical Center from 2012 to 2017. Patients were included for analysis if their length of stay was more than 48 hours and if, based on their diagnoses as determined by literature review and expert consensus, they would have benefited from PCC. Bayesian regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 99% credible intervals (CrI) of receiving PCC adjusted for age, sex, race, insurance status, median income, and comorbidity status. Among the 739 patients who fit the inclusion criteria, only 30% (n = 222) received PCC even though 664 (90%) and 75 (10%) of these patients were identified as warranting PCC on medical and surgical services, respectively. Of the 222 patients who received PCC, 214 (96%) were cared for by medical services and 8 (4%) were cared for by surgical services. Patients cared for primarily by surgical were significantly less likely to receive PCC than primary patients of medical service providers (OR, 0.19, 99% CrI, 0.056-0.48). At our institution, many surgical patients appropriate for PCC are unable to benefit from this service due to low consultation numbers. Further investigation is warranted to examine if this phenomenon is observed at other institutions, elucidate the reasons for this disparity, and develop interventions to increase the appropriate use of PCC throughout all medical specialties.
Effect of the CPAP-SAVER Intervention on Adherence
Authors: Shapiro April L.
Published: August 2019

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice, but adherence is poor, contributing to a myriad of comorbidities that increase health burden. The study purpose was to examine the effect of the CPAP-SAVER intervention on adherence among adults with newly diagnosed OSA. Sixty-six participants were randomly assigned to intervention or standard care groups. Data were analyzed using chi-square, t-tests, and correlations. At one month, there was no significant difference in adherence between groups; CPAP beliefs and attitude were significantly higher and attitude significantly increased for the intervention group. Focus on CPAP beliefs and attitude by practitioners may impact CPAP adherence. With further research and replication of this study in larger samples to determine generalizability, the CPAP-SAVER intervention may provide underpinnings for the eventual development of an OSA-CPAP adherence management protocol.
The Divorced Family–Focused Care Model: A Nursing Model to Enhance Child and Family Mental Health and Well-Being of Doubly Bereaved Children Following Parental Divorce and Subsequent Parental Cancer and Death
Authors: Marcussen Jette , Hounsgaard Lise , Bruun Poul , Laursen Merete Golles , Thuen Frode , Wilson Rhonda
Published: August 2019

The experience of parental death concomitant with parental divorce occurs for 46% of Danish children and 50% of American children who lose a parent to death. This experience of loss and double bereavement compounds increased risk of mental health problems. The aim of this study was to explore nursing interventions for double bereaved children that promoted their well-being. A phenomenological–hermeneutic approach was used to conduct 20 interviews with nurses in family cancer care. Ricoeur’s theoretical framework was followed with naïve reading, structural analysis, and critical interpretation, resulting in the formulation of a new model of nursing care for these children: the Divorced Family–Focused Care Model. Four themes were apparent: (a) collection of information about family structure, (b) assessment of support needs, (c) initiation of well-being support, and (d) coordination and follow-up focused on the child’s well-being. The new intervention model has implications for health care education and implementation of health care policies.
Assessing Parents’ Treatment Fidelity: A Survey of Practitioners in Home Settings
Authors: Fallon Lindsay M. , Cathcart Sadie C. , Sanetti Lisa M. Hagermoser
Published: August 2019

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities may benefit from home-based interventions to promote positive, prosocial behavior. Frequently, a practitioner (e.g., behavior analyst) provides training and support to parents to achieve behavior change. When this occurs, progress-monitoring data pertaining to both treatment fidelity and child outcomes are important to deciding if supports delivered are effective. Yet, little is known about treatment fidelity assessment in this setting. In the current study, behavior analysts working across the United States in homes ( n = 314) were surveyed. Results indicate that nearly all participants reported having received some or extensive training on the importance of treatment fidelity. Most respondents also indicated that treatment fidelity is assessed in at least 30% of sessions in homes when working with parents, primarily by means of direct observation versus indirect methods. Implications for future consultation research and the practice are provided.
The Value of Media Studies Approaches for the Evaluation of Entertainment Education: A Case Study of East Los High
Authors: Kim Grace , Noriega Chon
Published: August 2019

As entertainment education (EE) becomes an increasingly popular medium for delivering health information, evaluation of EE is key to better understanding how it not only influences audiences but also how it can be better implemented. We suggest that EE evaluation has largely focused on impact while its implementation, specifically through narrative, characters, and genre, has remained unexplored. We propose drawing from theories and methods used in media studies to complement current approaches to understanding and evaluation of EE that can help improve EE for health education. East Los High serves as a case study, through which we examine the characters and the narrative demands of the telenovela genre to reveal a disproportional depiction of Latino men and women that ultimately replays familiar Latino stereotypes of criminality and exaggerated sexuality. We discuss the implications this has on the show’s ability to do public health work.
Transition Zone in Total Colonic Aganglionosis and Colorectal Hirschsprung’s Disease Shows a Similar Trend of Mucosal Innervation: Image Processing and Analysis Study
Authors: Cordeiro-Rudnisky Fernanda , Ahn Sangtae , Sheuka Natallia , Whyte Christine , Boguniewicz Ann , Fan Rong , Lin Jingmei , Jennings Timothy A , Lee Hwajeong
Published: August 2019

The aganglionic segment of bowel in Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) varies in length. It is not clear whether total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) merely represents a long form of HD or a different phenotype of the disease. Animal model studies suggest that TCA may have a longer transition zone (TZ) than conventional colorectal HD. We compared mucosal innervation of TZ in 2 TCA cases and 10 conventional colorectal HD cases by quantifying calretinin-positive mucosal nerve fibers using image processing and analysis. One TCA was associated with esophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula, the other with trisomy 21. The gradients of calretinin-stained pixel count increase per distance from the beginning of TZ (slope) for TCA were not significantly different from those for the conventional HD group. Given this observation, it is speculated that the length of TZ in TCA may fall within the range of and may not be much longer than conventional colorectal HD.
Lactate Predicts Both Short- and Long-Term Mortality in Patients With and Without Sepsis
Authors: Villar Julian , Short Jack H , Lighthall Geoffrey
Published: August 2019

Objective:

To measure the relationship between lactate and mortality in hospital inpatients. Main outcomes of interest were 3-day, 30-day, and 1-year all-cause mortality.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study, October 2011 to September 2013.

Setting:

University-affiliated US Veterans Affairs Hospital.

Patients:

All inpatients with lactate level measured during the study period.

Measurements:

Analysis of peak lactate level (mmol/L) during the most recent admission for patients who died, and peak lactate level during an admission for surviving patients. Covariates including sepsis, ICU admission, code blue and rapid response calls, medical vs surgical ward, liver disease, kidney disease, and hospice status were recorded.

Results:

In total, 3325 inpatients were included; 564 patients had sepsis. Median lactate 1.7 mmol/L (interquartile range [IQR] 1.2-2.6). The 3-day, 30-day, and 1-year mortality were 2.5%, 10%, and 24%, respectively. A lactate level cutoff of ⩾4 mmol/L had best test characteristics (sensitivity 52.4%, specificity 91.4%) to predict increased 3-day mortality. Unadjusted risk ratio of death in 3 days for lactate ⩾4 was 10.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.8-15.7). Patients with sepsis had a consistently higher risk of death compared with patients without sepsis for any given level of lactate. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3-day mortality for lactate ⩾4 was 7.6 (95% CI 4.6-12.5); 30-day mortality was 2.6 (95% CI 1.9-3.6); and 1-year mortality was 1.8 (95% CI 1.4-2.6). Lactates in the normal range (<1.7) were also independently associated with 30-day and 1-year mortality.

Conclusions:

Lactate predicts risk of death in all patients, although patients with sepsis have a higher mortality for any given lactate level. We report the novel finding that serum lactate, including normal values, is associated with long-term mortality.