bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embryonic stem cell-derived exosomes inhibit doxorubicin-induced TLR4-NLRP3-mediated cell death-pyroptosis
Authors: Tavakoli Dargani Zahra , Singla Dinender K.
Published: June 2019

Doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiac side effects are regulated through increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, it remains unknown whether Dox induces the specific inflammatory-mediated form of cell death called pyroptosis. The current study is undertaken to determine whether Dox induces pyroptosis in an in vitro model and to test the potential of exosomes derived from embryonic stem cells (ES-Exos) in inhibiting pyroptosis. H9c2 cells were exposed to Dox to generate pyroptosis and then subsequently treated with exosomes to investigate the protective effects of ES-Exos. Mouse embryonic fibroblast-exosomes (MEF-Exos) were used as a cell line control. We confirmed pyroptosis by analyzing the presence of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome that initiates pyroptosis, which was further confirmed with pyroptotic markers caspase-1, IL-1β, caspase-11, and gasdermin-D. The presence of inflammation was confirmed for proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, and IL-6. Our data show that Dox exposure significantly ( P < 0.05) increases expression of TLR4, NLRP3, pyroptotic markers (caspase-1, IL-1β, caspase-11, and gasdermin-D), and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in H9c2 cells. The increased expression of inflammasome, pyroptosis, and inflammation was significantly ( P < 0.05) inhibited by ES-Exos. Interestingly, our cell line control, MEF-Exos, did not show any protective effects. Furthermore, our cytokine array data suggest increased anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-9, and IL-13) and decreased proinflammatory cytokines (Fas ligand, IL-12, and TNF-α) in ES-Exos, suggesting that anti-inflammatory cytokines might be mediating the protective effects of ES-Exos. In conclusion, our data show that Dox induces pyroptotic cell death in the H9c2 cell culture model and is attenuated via treatment with ES-Exos.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity is mediated through increased oxidative stress, apoptosis, and necrosis. We report for the first time as per the best of our knowledge that Dox initiates Toll-like receptor 4 and pyrin domain containing-3 inflammasome formation and induces caspase-1-mediated inflammatory pyroptotic cell death in H9c2 cells. Moreover, we establish that inflammation and pyroptosis is inhibited by embryonic stem cell-derived exosomes that could be used as a future therapeutic option to treat Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.
Histologische Subtypen des Lungenkarzinoms - von der organbezogenen zur molekulargenetisch bestimmten Onkologie
Authors: Lang Susanne
Published: June 2019

Objective: Lung cancer is classified as a single entity comprised of multiple histological subtypes. But how similar are these subtypes on a genetic level? This paper aims to address this question through a concise overview of germline and somatic differences between small cell lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, and lung squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: We reveal the weak overlap found between these 3 lung cancer subtypes using published data from one of the largest germline genetic studies on lung cancer to date and somatic mutation data from Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC). Results: These data indicate that these 3 subtypes share very little with each other at the genetic level. At the germline SNP level, only 24 independent SNPs from 2 chromosomes were shared across all 3 subtypes. We also demonstrate that only 30 unique cancer-specific mutations overlap the 3 subtypes from COSMIC, and that this is fewer than overlapping mutations chosen at random. Finally, we show that only 3 somatic mutational signatures are shared between these 3 subtypes. Conclusion: This paper highlights that these 3 lung cancer subtypes may be distinct diseases at the genetic level. In the era of precision medicine, we feel that these genomic differences will be of utmost importance in the choice of lung cancer therapy in the future.
ПРОФІЛАКТИКА ОЖИРІННЯ У ПІДЛІТКІВ
Authors: Artemenko A. S.
Published: June 2019

У статті описано основні принципи профілактики ожиріння. Кожен зайвий кілограм маси тіла погіршує показники фізіологічного здоров’я і в результаті провокує появу нових захворювань. При своєчасному зверненні до лікаря і зміні способу життя можна запобігти або зменшити кількість негативних наслід­ків надлишкової маси тіла.
Post-analytical laboratory work: national recommendations from the Working Group for Post-analytics on behalf of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Authors: Lenicek Krleza Jasna , Honovic Lorena , Vlasic Tanaskovic Jelena , Podolar Sonja , Rimac Vladimira , Jokic Anja
Published: June 2019

The post-analytical phase is the final phase of the total testing process and involves evaluation of laboratory test results; release of test results in a timely manner to appropriate individuals, particularly critical results; and modification, annotation or revocation of results as necessary to support clinical decision-making. Here we present a series of recommendations for post-analytical best practices, tailored to medical biochemistry laboratories in Croatia, which are intended to ensure alignment with national and international norms and guidelines. Implementation of the national recommendations is illustrated through several examples.
Blockchain and Public Procurement
Authors: Carvalho Raquel
Published: June 2019

Public procurement relies in an apparent irreconcilability between competition, which implies some confidentiality, and transparency. The latest Public Procurement Directives have made e-procurement a mandatory feature. Since blockchain technology has been developed and designed to accomplish integrity, transparency, efficiency and data accuracy, goals which are very much appreciated in public procurement, an interesting question then arises: is there room to apply this technology within public procurement procedures? Will smart contracts be an interesting tool within public procurement? Considering public duties such as data protection, which must be complied with by contracting authorities, and some blockchain features such as non-withdrawable information and the likely broad access to the information there enclosed, one can be drawn to conclude that there is no possible conciliation between these two procedures. The mandatory e-procurement implies some neighbouring problems with this technology. Yet, are there any technological solutions for some of the drawbacks?
The Congress of Vienna and the Making of Second Slavery
Authors: Bretones Lane Fernanda , de Paula Costa Santos Guilherme , El Youssef Alain
Published: June 2019

This article analyzes the ways that discussions regarding the abolition of the slave trade held at the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815) affected slavery in the Iberian empires. Drawing from newspaper coverage, diplomatic correspondence, and conference minutes, we reassess the conditions under which Portuguese and Spanish agents negotiated with their British counterparts; highlight the Iberian political dilemmas that surfaced at the Congress; and elucidate the plenipotentiaries’ subsequent resolutions addressing the transatlantic slave trade. As a result of the talks held in Vienna, Spanish subjects in Cuba and Portuguese subjects in Brazil established political and diplomatic strategies to support slavery in order to maintain their positions in the world market of tropical goods. In other words, while slavery was undergoing reconfiguration in Brazil and Cuba, slave-owners and their political representatives were forced to engage with the hegemonic, abolitionist discourse systematically established by the British at the Congress in order to formulate their proslavery response. The article thus demonstrates that the Congress of Vienna was integral to the international consolidation of the politics of “second slavery” in the Americas. In other words, Brazil and Cuba were forced to engage with the hegemonic discourse systematically established by the British at the Congress in reconfiguring slavery and formulating their proslavery defense.
A new rare species of Oedipoda Latreille, 1829 (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from South Italy
Authors: FONTANA PAOLO , BUZZETTI FILIPPO MARIA , MASSA BRUNO
Published: June 2019

Oedipoda cynthiae n. sp. (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae) is described from Apulia (South Italy). In the past, the same population here considered had been assigned to O. miniata and later to O. charpentieri. Morphological features, biogeographical considerations, and a preliminary molecular analysis confirm that this population must be assigned to a new species, which is described and illustrated here.
Validation of Heterocerus heydeni Kuwert, 1890 based on morphology and DNA barcoding, with notes on the problems of classification of the Heteroceridae (Coleoptera)
Authors: LITOVKIN STANISLAV V. , SAZHNEV ALEXEY S. , ČIAMPOR FEDOR JR
Published: June 2019

New taxonomic data on mud-loving beetles are provided based on morphological characters and DNA barcoding. Heterocerus heydeni Kuwert, 1890 was previously considered a junior synonym of H. flexuosus Stephens, 1828, but we support the validity of the species and restore the name. H. heydeni is redescribed, based on material from Central Asia and European part of Russia. Specimens of H. hauseri Kuwert, 1893 were also studied, suggesting it as a possible junior synonym of H. heydeni. We provide new DNA barcodes for H. flexuosus and Augyles cf. flavidus and comment on Heterocerus barcode data published in Barcode Of Life Data Systems (BOLD).
The Variations of Structure and Water Flux Performance of Porous Alumina Supported Graphene Oxide Membrane During Heat Treatment Process
Authors: Qiao Xinying , Huang Jianguo , Li Weidong , Gou Mintao , Han Yangyang , Yan Jianghao , Zhang Tao
Published: June 2019

Graphene oxide membrane was fabricated based on a silane-modified Al2O3 ceramic substrate via a parallel dip-coating method. The effect of thermal treatment on the structure and performance of graphene oxide membranes was mainly studied in this paper. The thermal
behaviours of graphene oxide powder and membranes were analysed by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were applied for micro-morphology analysis. The category and content of chemical bonds
were studied by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the interplanar spacing was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the thermal treatment temperature should not exceed 350 °C in order to ensure the integrity
of the graphene oxide basic structure. The content of functional groups in graphene oxide was altered along with various temperatures, which led to changes in the contact angle and hydrophilicity. The pure water flux reached 15 L m–2 h –1 under 0.2 MPa pressure
when the ceramic substrate was coated with 0.5 mg/mL graphene oxide dispersion and treated at 190 °C. The study indicates that the performance of the graphene oxide/ceramic composite membranes can be optimized by heat treatment.
Aerosol versus Greenhouse Gas Effects on Tropical Cyclone Potential Intensity and the Hydrologic Cycle
Authors: Sobel Adam H. , Camargo Suzana J. , Previdi Michael
Published: June 2019

Aerosol cooling reduces tropical cyclone (TC) potential intensity (PI) more strongly, by about a factor of 2 per degree of sea surface temperature change, than greenhouse gas warming increases it. This study analyzes single-forcing and historical experiments from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, aiming to understand the physical mechanisms behind this difference. Calculations are done for the tropical oceans of each hemisphere during the relevant TC seasons, emphasizing multimodel means. PI theory is used to interpret the difference in the PI response to aerosol and greenhouse gas forcings in terms of three factors. The net surface turbulent heat flux (sum of the latent and sensible heat fluxes) explains half of the difference, thermodynamic efficiency explains at most a small fraction, and surface wind speed does not explain the remainder, perhaps because of the use of monthly mean data. Changes in turbulent surface heat fluxes are interpreted as responses to surface radiative flux changes in the context of the energy balance of the ocean mixed layer. Radiative kernels are used to estimate what fractions of the surface radiative flux changes are feedbacks due to temperature and water vapor changes. The greater effect of aerosol forcing occurs because shortwave forcing has a greater direct, temperature-independent component at the surface than does longwave forcing, for a forcing amplitude that provokes the same SST change. This conclusion recalls prior work on the response of precipitation to radiative forcing, and the similarities and differences between precipitation and potential intensity in this regard are discussed.
Evaluating Alternative Drought Indicators in a Weather Index Insurance Instrument
Authors: Williams Travis M. , Travis William R.
Published: June 2019

Weather index insurance is a popular means of mitigating agricultural risks. Drought is a significant cause of lost agricultural production, and so precipitation index–based plans are common. Simple “percent of normal” indices are often used because they are easy to calculate and communicate to policyholders. However, the ability of such indices to reflect production losses is limited, reducing the ability of insurance to efficiently mitigate risk. This is especially true in rangeland livestock production given the cumulative effects of rainfall and other factors on range production and the complex relationships between range and livestock weight gain, which is the rancher’s main product and source of income. More sophisticated drought indices incorporate the complexities of drought into their design and would, in theory, serve as more appropriate payment triggers. This study uses a suite of drought indices to test correlation with production and the behavior of insurance based on those indices. Payout patterns based on each index were simulated within the actuarial framework of a precipitation-based insurance program aimed at livestock producers. Results were compared with the program’s precipitation index, showing that drought indices have higher correlations with range production, a tendency to incentivize growing-season protection, more even geographic distributions of risk, reduced policyholder ability to seek higher payments through strategic coverage choices, and increased provider ability to adjust payment patterns to reduce the risk of nonpayment given loss.
P2V-MAP: Mapping Market Structures for Large Retail Assortments
Authors: Gabel Sebastian , Guhl Daniel , Klapper Daniel
Published: June 2019

The authors propose a new, exploratory approach for analyzing market structures that leverages two recent methodological advances in natural language processing and machine learning. They customize a neural network language model to derive latent product attributes by analyzing the co-occurrences of products in shopping baskets. Applying dimensionality reduction to the latent attributes yields a two-dimensional product map. This method is well-suited to retailers because it relies on data that are readily available from their checkout systems and facilitates their analyses of cross-category product complementarity, in addition to within-category substitution. The approach has high usability because it is automated, is scalable and does not require a priori assumptions. Its results are easy to interpret and update as new market basket data are collected. The authors validate their approach both by conducting an extensive simulation study and by comparing their results with those of state-of-the-art, econometric methods for modeling product relationships. The application of this approach using data collected at a leading German grocery retailer underlines its usefulness and provides novel findings that are relevant to assortment-related decisions.
International politics by other means: External sources of civil war
Authors: Toukan Mark
Published: June 2019

The literature on civil wars has recently turned towards their international context but lacks an account for how conflict beyond a state’s borders contributes to civil war onset. I argue that interstate rivalries can increase the risk of civil war in other states when rivals come to associate the foreign-policy orientation of other states with their own security. I present three pathways through which rivals increase the risk of civil war in other states. First, competition between rivals creates a ratchet effect by which the prospect of one’s involvement in a conflict makes it more likely that the other becomes involved. This dynamic makes support easier to secure and lowers the expected costs of war for governments and opposition groups. Second, rivals encourage domestic polarization as parties attempt to capture their influence, making domestic conflicts more intractable. Third, uncertainty over the potential for intervention by rivals increases the risk of miscalculation. I test the implications of the theory with novel spatial measures of interstate conflict and rivalry. Using logistic regressions and random forests, I find that being in the neighborhood of interstate rivals can increase a state’s risk of civil war.
Training Car Wash Skills to Chinese Adolescents With Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Community
Authors: Lee Gabrielle T. , Pu Yunhuan , Xu Sheng , Lee Michelle W. , Feng Hua
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of video modeling and visual task analysis on the acquisition, maintenance, and engagement of washing cars for three Chinese adolescents with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Video-based training was conducted in the conference room of a university-affiliated autism research center in China, and the hands-on training using visual task analysis took place in a local car wash. Three male adolescents (16–19 years old) participated in this study. A multiple probe across four tasks design was used. Results indicated that the training was effective in increasing independent and accurate responses of car wash tasks for all participants, and two of the three participants had a relatively high level of task engagement after the training. The acquired skills and improved task engagement were maintained for up to 6 months without practice. Implications in vocational skills training for Chinese adolescents in the community are discussed.
A National Study of the Differential Impact of Novice Teacher Certification on Teacher Traits and Race-Based Mathematics Achievement
Authors: Anderson Kenneth Alonzo
Published: June 2019

In this study, differential prediction of student outcomes by race and teacher traits relative to the certification levels of novice teachers was assessed. Overall, algebra achievement was higher for students who were taught by teachers with standard certificates relative to students who were taught by novice teachers with nonstandard certificates. The most conservative estimates show that findings are equivalent to approximately 8 months of additional instruction for students who were taught by teachers with standard certificates. However, the benefits of being taught by a teacher with standard certification did not translate to underrepresented racial groups. Overall, there were several differences in dispositions across certification conditions. With respect to underrepresented racial groups, only one disposition was significantly different across conditions. Teachers with nonstandard certificates reported higher emphasis on increasing mathematics interests. For underrepresented racial groups, relationships between both certification conditions and achievement were underwhelming. Recommendations to improve teacher effectiveness are provided.
Value of the Goodenough Drawing Test as a research tool to detect developmental delay in South African preschool children
Authors: Springer Priscilla Estelle , Kalk Emma , Pretorius Chrisma , Chirehwa Maxwell Tawanda , Kruger Mariana , Cotton Mark Frederic , Laughton Barbara
Published: June 2019

There is a need for simple, cost-effective research tools to detect developmental delay in preschool children in low- and middle-income countries where insufficient resources are often a barrier to detection and management. The Goodenough Draw-a-Person test is freely available, easily administered, and requires limited language ability and equipment; it is thus potentially useful in resource-constrained settings. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Draw-a-Person test to identify developmental delay in 5-year-old preschool children using the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales-Extended Revised eye-hand coordination subquotient as the gold standard. This was a cross-sectional analysis of drawings by South African preschool children from low-income families, whose Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales-Extended Revised assessments included a human figure drawing. Draw-a-Person test quotients were estimated independently by a developmental paediatrician and two medical officers to calculate inter-rater agreement. The paediatrician’s scores were used to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Draw-a-Person test quotient (<85) to predict developmental delay with the eye-hand coordination subquotient (<75). A total of 125 children were included, with a mean age of 60.8 months (range 59–66 months) of which 48.8% were boys. The mean Draw-a-Person test score was 94 (standard deviation 15) with 28 Draw-a-Person test scores below 85. Applying the Draw-a-Person test cut-off of 85, sensitivity of the Draw-a-Person test to the eye-hand coordination subquotient was 80% and specificity 89%. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [0.78–0.96]). The Goodenough Draw-a-Person test could thus be a useful research tool for detecting fine motor and visuoperceptual delay in South African preschool children.
Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired Persons in Separate and General Agencies
Authors: Cavenaugh Brenda S. , Giesen J. Martin , Pierce Steven J.
Published: June 2019

In 1997, the National Council on Disability recommended that separate Title I vocational rehabilitation (VR) grants to state agencies serving only consumers who are visually impaired should be eliminated. This study found that such separate VR agencies serve consumers who are more socially and economically disadvantaged, have more severe visual impairments, have more secondary disabilities, and incur greater service costs than do general agencies. In addition, various outcome criteria indicate the overall superiority of separate agencies.
Development and Evaluation of a Procedure to Assess Mobility Route Learning
Authors: Tellevik Jon Magne , Martinsen Harald , Storliløkken Magnar , Elmerskog Bengt
Published: June 2019

In this study, a system was designed for monitoring learning progression and observing how an instructor directs a student's attention toward goals, such as landmarks and shorelines, on mobility routes. The aim was to determine the activities, or skills, that correspond to major steps in mobility route learning.
Inferences and Word Associations of Children with Visual Impairments
Authors: Wyver Shirley R. , Markham Rosalyn , Hlavacek Sonia
Published: June 2019

A comparison of the performance of children with congenital visual impairments and sighted children on two tasks involving inferences found some differences between the two groups when the information was visual, but not when it was nonvisual. The results of a word association task found that visual impairment affected some aspects of responses to both visual and nonvisual items, but had little effect on other aspects. Differences in semantic and lexical functioning seem to be related to the way the two groups acquire information.
Functional Outcomes Reported by Consumers of the Independent Living Program for Older Individuals who are Blind
Authors: Moore J. Elton , Giesen J. Martin , Weber James M. , Crews John E.
Published: June 2019

This study surveyed 940 elders regarding their perceptions of the services they received under the Independent Living Program for Older Individuals Who Are Blind (Title VII, Chapter 2 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973, as amended). Significant differences were found in perceived outcomes based on the elders’ gender, age, living arrangements, and age at onset of visual impairment. The results have programmatic and service delivery implications for staff who conduct program evaluation.
Implementation of Assistive Technology with Students who are Visually Impaired: Teachers’ Readiness
Authors: Abner Gerald H. , Lahm Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2019

Teachers of students of visual impairments in Kentucky were surveyed to identify the current assistive technologies their students were using and to identify the teachers’ possible unmet training needs. Although the teachers had access to and used computer-based technologies, they lacked the training and support for teaching specific technologies to their students, so only half their students used these technologies.
An Initial Study of Reading and Comprehension Rates for Students who Received Optical Devices
Authors: Corn Anne L. , Wall Robert S. , Jose Randall T. , Bell Jennifer K. , Wilcox Karen , Perez Ana
Published: June 2019

Initial reading speeds across grades show points at which children with low vision are at risk of developing low literacy skills. Outcome group measures showed that children who received optical devices increased their silent reading speeds and comprehension rates. Findings indicate the provision of optical devices offer a benefit for deciphering text but not for the mechanics of reading.
Testing Nonverbal Intelligence of Working-age Visually Impaired Adults: Evaluation of the Adapted Kohs Block Design Test
Authors: Reid Juliet M. V.
Published: June 2019

This article presents an initial empirical investigation of the Adapted Kohs Block Design Test with 78 working-age adults with visual impairments. The test is shown to have adequate reliability and initial concurrent validity. Construct validity within the limitations of the sample size was inconclusive, but indicated that further investigation of the test is warranted.
A Qualitative Analysis of Employers’ Experiences with Visually Impaired Workers
Authors: Wolffe Karen E. , Candela Anthony R.
Published: June 2019

This article reports the results of interviews with nine employers who have hired, accommodated, and trained workers with visual impairments in competitive positions. On the basis of the results of this qualitative study, the authors describe a proposed model for enhancing the employment rate of visually impaired job seekers.
Predictors of Job-Seeking Behavior among Persons with Visual Impairments
Authors: Leonard Robin
Published: June 2019

This follow-up study of 60 nonworking persons with visual impairments who contacted a vision rehabilitation agency for vocational placement services over a five-year period found that the absence of other health or physical conditions and being unemployed one year or less were significant predictors of job-seeking behavior.
The Effects of Practice with Prescribed Reading Glasses on Students with Low Vision
Authors: Smith Janice K. , Erin Jane N.
Published: June 2019

This article reports on a study of the effects of regular instruction and practice with prescription reading glasses with three students with low vision. The results indicated that two students demonstrated no advantage in reading large print and one student experienced a decreased reading rate using standard print and reading glasses. Furthermore, all three students preferred to read standard print with reading glasses.
Toward a Diagnostic Intervention Model for Fostering Harmonious Interactions between Deaf-Blind Children and Their Educators
Authors: Janssen Marleen J. , Riksen-Walraven J. Marianne , Van Dijk Jan P. M.
Published: June 2019

This article presents a diagnostic intervention model as a guide for designing and conducting interventions to foster harmonious interactions between deaf-blind children and their educators in various settings and explicates its theoretical and empirical foundations.
The Interaction between Mothers and their Visually Impaired Infants: An Intersubjective Developmental Perspective
Authors: Loots Gerrit , Devise Isabel , Sermijn Jasmina
Published: June 2019

In this article, an intersubjective developmental theory that focuses primarily on the development of the interworld between the caregiver and the infant is used to integrate and interpret the seemingly incoherent and contradictory research findings on the interactions between mothers and their infants with visual impairments. The implications for further research and early intervention practices are presented.
Clinical Application of a Self-Report, Functional Independence Outcomes Measure in the DVA's Blind Rehabilitation Service
Authors: De l'Aune William , Williams Michael , Watson Gale R. , Schuckers Penny , Ventimiglia Gale
Published: June 2019

This article reports on a self-report measure of functional independence that is being used to measure outcomes of blind rehabilitation programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Analyses of the data have resulted in the clinical protocol that is currently in use nationally by the DVA Blind Rehabilitation Service.
Profile of Personnel Preparation Programs in Visual Impairments and Their Faculty: A Status Report
Authors: Silberman Rosanne K. , Ambrose-Zaken Grace , Corn Anne L. , Trief Ellen
Published: June 2019

This article profiles the program delivery models, funding sources, and faculty demographics of 43 personnel preparation programs in 2002–03. It shows that there was an increase in the number of programs and full-time faculty and a greater diversity of delivery models, although the number of tenure-track positions declined.
“The O&M in My Life”: Perceptions of People who are Blind and their Parents
Authors: Higgins Nancy
Published: June 2019

This study explored the effects of orientation and mobility (O&M) training and O&M instructors on the lives of 15 participants in New Zealand. The participants thought that O&M was essential and a professional domain and that their instructors were both effective and ineffective. They also thought that the white cane and dependence are stigmatizing and that restrictions on movement and the lack of O&M instruction are disabling.
Conversational Interactions between Mothers and their Infants who are Congenitally Blind, Have Low Vision, or are Sighted
Authors: Conti-Ramsden Gina , Pérez-Pereira Miguel
Published: June 2019

This study of the conversational interactions of three mothers and their infants—one who was sighted, one with low vision, and one who was congenitally blind—found similarities between the sighted and low vision dyads. However, the mother of the blind infant talked more and used more directives, and her directives contained more descriptions and were more likely to occur in clusters. The complex nature of directives and their adaptive role with infants who are blind are discussed.
Head and Neck Cancer Complications in the Geriatric Population Based on Hospital Case Volume
Authors: Rubin Samuel J. , Wu Kevin Y. , Kirke Diana N. , Ezzat Waleed H. , Truong Minh Tam , Salama Andrew R. , Jalisi Scharukh
Published: June 2019

Objective:

To determine whether surgical case volume is a predictive factor of surgical outcomes when managing geriatric patients with head andneck cancer.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were obtainedfrom the Vizient Database, which included a total of 93 academicinstitutions. Men and women aged between 65 and 100 years undergoing head and neck cancer surgery during 2009 and 2012,excluding cases of thyroid cancer and skin cancer of the head and neck(n = 4544) were included in the study. Hospital case volume was definedas low (≤21 cases/year), moderate (22-49 cases/year), or high (≥50 cases/year). The frequency of comorbidities and complications wasmeasured by hospital case volume using a χ2 test. Significancewas determined with an α level of .05.

Results:

The largest number of head and neck cancer cases involving comorbidities (90.54%) and the highest rate of overall complications(27.50%) occurred in moderate case volume institutions compared to athe complication rate of 22.89% in low volume hospitals and 21.50% in highvolume hospitals ( P < .0001). The most common comorbidities across all3 hospital case volumes included hypertension, metastatic cancer,and chronic pulmonary disease and the most common complicationsincluded hemorrhage/hematoma and postoperative pulmonarycompromise.

Conclusion:

With more geriatric patients requiring surgery for head andneck cancer, it would be beneficial to manage the more complex cases at high volume centers and to develop multidisciplinary teams to optimizecase management and minimize complications.
The Death of the Clinic? Emerging Biotechnologies and the Reconfiguration of Mental Health
Authors: Rüppel Jonas , Voigt Torsten H.
Published: June 2019

This guest editorial opens with a brief overview of the transformations of medicine and mental health that can be observed since the second half of the twentieth century. New genetics and biotechnologies hold out the promise of overcoming presumed limitations in the field of mental health care, that is, the fact that diagnostic procedures in psychiatry and clinical psychology still largely rely on the narratives of patients and questionnaires, supposedly subjective assessments by physicians and psychologists. It is envisioned that innovative genetic and proteomic tools, (neuro)imaging technologies, and objective laboratory tests for blood biomarkers will enable better diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases. We argue that emerging biotechnologies do not revolutionize mental health, despite their promise to do so. Instead, we observe a pluralization of research and treatment approaches in the domain of mental health. The second part of this editorial discusses the contributions to this special issue on emerging biotechnologies and mental health and outlines how they address some of the gaps in social studies of psychiatry and mental health in the twenty-first century.
Evolution and Conceptual Foundations of Nonhospice Palliative Care
Authors: Beasley Amy M. , Bakitas Marie A. , Ivankova Nataliya , Shirey Maria R.
Published: June 2019

The term nonhospice palliative care was developed to describe and differentiate palliative care that is delivered prior to the end of life. The purpose of this article is to better define and clarify this concept using Rodgers’s evolutionary concept analysis method. Attributes of nonhospice palliative care include (a) patient- and family-centered care, (b) holistic care, (c) interdisciplinary team, (d) early intervention, (e) quality of life-enhancing, (f) advanced care planning, (g) any age of the patient, (h) at any stage in illness, (i) care coordination, (j) concurrent curative treatment options, and (k) provided by primary and specialist providers. Nonhospice palliative care antecedents are serious illness, education, and access to services; consequences include benefits for the patient, family, provider, and health care system. Offering a clearly defined concept may allow for changes in health care to improve access to these services.
Empowering students to take ownership of their learning: Lessons from one piano teacher’s experiences with transformative pedagogy
Authors: Coutts Leah
Published: June 2019

As the number of adults seeking to learn the piano increases, so too does the need for piano teachers to understand how to better facilitate their learning. Self-direction is an oft-cited requirement of adult learning, but one that is often absent from piano studios. This practitioner-based research investigates the role of the teacher in fostering and supporting self-direction, empowering adult piano students to take ownership of their learning. It offers pedagogical insights into the author’s experiences within her own piano studio and details the practical application of theories and strategies offered within the fields of piano pedagogy and adult learning.

This study finds that fostering self-direction is more complex than offering the balance between guidance and freedom that some experts suggest. It also requires strong student–teacher rapport, supporting and building students’ self-efficacy and being willing to set aside expectations. This was made possible by implementing transformative pedagogical strategies, such as effective questioning, collaborative discussions and adapting the structure of lessons. While the author’s journey is uniquely her own, the approaches used to engage adult students with their learning, and the use of reflective practice as professional development, may be of interest to other studio instrumental teachers.
Microcellular morphology evolution of polystyrene/thermoplastic polyurethane blends in the presence of supercritical CO2
Authors: Qu Zhongjie , Mi Jianguo , Jiao Yang , Zhou Hongfu , Wang Xiangdong
Published: June 2019

In this article, a facile melt blending and solid batch foaming approach was proposed to prepare microcellular polystyrene/thermoplastic polyurethane (PS/TPU) blending foams with supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2). Compared with those of pure PS and pure TPU, an interesting phenomenon about the enhanced complex viscosity and storage modulus, as well as decreased loss factor of PS/TPU blends, was found. The solubility of CO2in the PS/TPU blends was enhanced, owing to the CO2solubilization effects of TPU. An interesting bimodal cell structure (BCS) was observed in the PS/TPU blending foams with the TPU content of 10, 15, and 20%. Consequently, a significant conclusion could be speculated that the generation of BCS in the PS/TPU blending system depended on not only the viscosity and morphology of the polymer blends but also the solubility and diffusivity of the CO2as well as the type of cell nucleation. The thermal insulation property of PS foam was improved by the introduction of TPU.
Animal Labourers and the Law in Colonial India
Authors: Chhabra Heeral
Published: June 2019

This article is a tentative effort to highlight the symbiotic but systematically underrated position of animals in labour history. It argues for an expansion of human-centric definitions of labour to include non-human animals in this domain. The discussion focuses in later parts on colonial rule in India to examine debates about three colonial legislative enactments dealing with animals as labouring bodies in various capacities. Predictably, this colonial discourse and intervention remains human-centric, too. Yet, closer reading of such historical evidence also indicates exciting scope for developing various aspects of the ‘animal question’ in relation to labour history and South Asian studies.
Postcolonial Land Governance in Pakistan: Exclusionary Practices on State-Owned Farms
Authors: Mehmood Asif
Published: June 2019

Current developments in Pakistan highlight the unresolved issue of proprietary rights for long-standing tenants of state-owned farms comprising thousands of acres in various districts of Punjab. The pendulum of state response to the hereditary claims of people who have lived and worked on this land for generations swings presently towards expropriation, rather than respect for rural people’s basic rights. The scenario is further complicated because the military is a significant party to these disputes. This article scrutinises the handling of these protracted disputes over land rights and identifies emerging patterns of land governance in Pakistan that will alter the future relationship of these farmers with the government. The article shows that in this specific case, the problems are not merely a continuation of traditional local feudal powers, but now relate to new postcolonial realities, especially Pakistan’s economic co-operation with China.
Immunophenotyping of Murine Precursor B-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: A Comparison of Immunohistochemistry and Flow Cytometry
Authors: Janke Laura J. , Mullighan Charles G. , Dang Jinjun , Rehg Jerold E.
Published: June 2019

In humans and in mouse models, precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LBL) can be classified as either the pro-B or pre-B subtype. This is based on the expression of antigens associated with the pro-B and pre-B stages of B-cell development. Antigenic markers can be detected by flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry (IHC), but no comparison of results from these techniques has been reported for murine B-ALL/LBL. In our analysis of 30 cases induced by chemical or viral mutagenesis on a WT or Pax5+/– background, 18 (60%) were diagnosed as pro-B by both flow cytometry and IHC. Discordant results were found for 12 (40%); 6 were designated pro-B by IHC and pre-B by flow cytometry and the reverse for the remaining 6 cases. Discordance occurred because different markers were used to define the pro-B–to–pre-B transition by IHC vs flow cytometry. IHC expression of cytoplasmic IgM (μIgM) defined the pre-B stage, whereas the common practice of using CD25 as a surrogate marker in flow cytometry was employed here. These results show that CD25 and μIgM are not always concurrently expressed in B-ALL/LBL, in contrast to normal B-cell development. Therefore, when subtyping B-ALL/LBL in mice, an IHC panel of B220, PAX5, TdT, c-Kit/CD117, CD43, IgM, and ΚLC should be considered. For flow cytometry, cytoplasmic IgM may be an appropriate marker in conjunction with the surface markers B220, CD19, CD43, c-Kit/CD117, BP-1, and CD25.
How Uneven is the Urban Mobility Playing Field? Inequalities among Socioeconomic Groups in Santiago De Chile
Authors: Iglesias Vicente , Giraldez Francisca , Tiznado-Aitken Ignacio , Muñoz Juan Carlos
Published: June 2019

A central issue in urban inequity has to do with distributive justice in the costs and benefits associated with urban transport, and whether certain population groups are systematically disadvantaged about mobility, accessibility, affordability, and externalities, the preponderant factors in transport poverty. This article proposes a methodology for analyzing how investment in transport infrastructure and non-housing construction, mobility levels (trip distances, times, and speeds) and the associated trip costs (monetary, accidents, pollution, and energy consumption) are distributed across the different socioeconomic quintiles of a city. The methodology was applied to the real-world case of Santiago de Chile. The results showed that compared with the lowest income quintile, people in the highest income quintile made 1.2 times more trips at an average speed 1.6 times higher. In relation to costs, the richest quintile generated 6.7 times as much pollution and used 7 times as much energy but consumed a significantly lower share of their income (10% vs. 45%). In addition, the top quintile was the beneficiary of 2.5 times more investment in both transport infrastructure and new construction space for commercial activities and services over the period considered. Finally, private car use in the top quintile was 5.3 times greater. This transport mode accounts for 6.8 times more of the accident rate than public transport, bicycles, or walking combined. This clearly inequitable scenario points to the needs for progressive policies that target lower income groups and promote a more rational use of cars in view of their negative impacts on the city.
Effect of Trip Generation Time on Evacuation Time Estimates
Authors: Herrera Nelida , Smith Todd , Parr Scott A. , Wolshon Brian
Published: June 2019

The entry of evacuation traffic into a road network plays an important role in how efficiently a threatened area will clear prior to the onset of hazardous conditions. Trip generation times are also instrumental in forecasting evacuation times when using traffic simulation. Given the dependency on loading rates, there is a need to understand the sensitivity of evacuation time estimates (ETEs) to network loading behavior. The contribution of this work is to quantify the impact of faster and slower loading of the population over a range of population sizes and network topologies during a nuclear power plant emergency. Examining the impact of trip generation time on ETEs, the results of this research show consistency with both prior research and observation. Specifically, in smaller, more confined areas, clearance times generally follow the loading curves that precipitated them. In larger population areas, however, it is likely that longer loading times tend to meter departures thereby limiting the formation of significant congestion despite significantly higher demand. These results suggest that clearance times generally follow loading patterns, unless there are other demand or capacity conditions (localized or global) which lead to the formation of congestion and propagate delay thereby increasing travel times. Although this research was focused on evacuations associated with nuclear power plant emergencies, it is assumed that these findings could be directly applicable to other emergencies and non-emergency scenarios where unbalanced surges in demand occur.
Analysis of Rural Interstate Fatality Rates in Consideration of Recent Increases in Maximum Statutory Speed Limits
Authors: Warner Jacob , Chawla Hitesh , Zhou Chao , Savolainen Peter T.
Published: June 2019

The relationship between traffic safety and speed limits has been an area of significant research. Since the repeal of the National Maximum Speed Law in 1995, states have full autonomy in establishing maximum statutory speed limits. Since 2001, at least 25 states have increased their maximum limits to speeds as high as 85 mph. This study examines changes in rural interstate fatalities from 2001 to 2016 in consideration of such increases. Speed limit policy data include the maximum speed limit for each state–year combination, as well as the proportion of rural interstate mileage posted at each speed limit in each state. Random parameter negative binomial models are estimated to control for unobserved heterogeneity, as well as time-invariant effects unique to each state. The results show that increasing the mileage of rural interstates posted at 70, 75, or 80 mph by 1% is associated with fatality increases of 0.2%, 0.5%, and 0.6%, respectively. These increases are more pronounced than when considering only the maximum statutory limits in each state. The study also examines the influence between these higher limits and the frequency of fatal crashes involving speeding and driver distraction. At the highest limits of 75 and 80 mph, the increases among these subsets of crashes are greater than the increases in total fatalities. Ultimately, this study provides important empirical evidence in support of continuing speed limit policy discussions, in addition to identifying salient analytical concerns that should be considered as a part of longitudinal analyses of state-level fatality data.