bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unifying Concurrent Objects and Distributed Tasks
Authors: Castañeda Armando , Rajsbaum Sergio , Raynal Michel
Published: November 2018

Tasks and objects are two predominant ways of specifying distributed problems where processes should compute outputs based on their inputs. Roughly speaking, a
task
specifies, for each set of processes and each possible assignment of input values, their valid outputs. In contrast, an
object
is defined by a sequential specification. Also, an object can be invoked multiple times by each process, while a task is a one-shot problem. Each one requires its own
implementation
notion, stating when an execution satisfies the specification. For objects,
linearizability
is commonly used, while tasks implementation notions are less explored.

The article introduces the notion of
interval-sequential
object, and the corresponding implementation notion of
interval-linearizability
, to encompass many problems that have no sequential specification as objects. It is shown that interval-sequential specifications are
local
, namely, one can consider interval-linearizable object implementations in isolation and compose them for free, without sacrificing interval-linearizability of the whole system. The article also introduces the notion of
refined tasks
and its corresponding satisfiability notion. In contrast to a task, a refined task can be invoked multiple times by each process. Also, objects that cannot be defined using tasks can be defined using refined tasks. In fact, a main result of the article is that interval-sequential objects and refined tasks have the same expressive power and both are complete in the sense that they are able to specify any prefix-closed set of well-formed executions.

Interval-linearizability and refined tasks go beyond unifying objects and tasks; they shed new light on both of them. On the one hand, interval-linearizability brings to task the following benefits: an explicit operational semantics, a more precise implementation notion, a notion of state, and a locality property. On the other hand, refined tasks open new possibilities of applying topological techniques to objects.
Comparison of Effects of Diet on Mammary Cancer: Efficacy of Various Preventive Agents and Metabolomic Changes of Different Diets and Agents
Authors: Lubet Ronald A. , Beger Richard D. , Miller Mark Steven , Luster John , Seifried Harold E. , Grubbs Clinton J.
Published: November 2018

To determine the effects of diet, rats were placed on a standard diet (4% fat) or on a modified Western (high-fat diet, HFD) diet (21% fat) at 43 days of age (DOA) and administered methylnitrosourea (MNU) at 50 DOA. Rats were administered effective (tamoxifen, vorozole, and Targretin) or ineffective (metformin and Lipitor) chemopreventive agents either by daily gavage or in the diet beginning at 57 DOA and continuing until sacrifice (190 DOA). Latency period of the tumors was determined by palpation, and multiplicity and cancer weights per rat were determined at final sacrifice. Rats on the HFD versus standard diet had: (i) a 6% increase in final body weights; (ii) significant decreases in tumor latency; and (iii) significant increases in final tumor multiplicity and average tumor weight. Tamoxifen, vorozole, and Targretin were highly effective preventive agents, whereas Lipitor and metformin were ineffective in rats on either diet. Serum was collected at 78 DOA and at sacrifice (190 DOA), and metabolomics were determined to identify the metabolite changes due to diets and effective agents. Rats given the HFD had increased levels of saturated free fatty acids (including myristate) and decreased levels of 2-aminooctanoate. Furthermore, rats on the HFD diet had increased levels of 2-aminobutyrate and decreases in glycine markers previously identified as indicators of prediabetes. Targretin increased long-chain glycophospholipids (e.g., oleyl-linoleoyl-glycerophosphocholine) and decreased primary bile acids (e.g., taurocholate). Tamoxifen increased palmitoyl-linoleoyl-glycophosphocholine and decreased stearoyl-arachidonyl glycophosphocholine. Finally, increased levels of methylated nucleotides (5-methylcytidine) and decreased levels of urea cycle metabolites (N-acetylcitrulline) were associated with the presence of mammary cancers.
Sex-Specific Associations of Androgen Receptor CAG Trinucleotide Repeat Length and of Raloxifene Treatment with Testosterone Levels and Perceived Stress in Schizophrenia
Authors: Owens Samantha J. , Weickert Thomas W. , Purves-Tyson Tertia D. , Ji Ellen , White Christopher , Galletly Cherrie , Liu Dennis , O’Donnell Maryanne , Shannon Weickert Cynthia
Published: November 2018

Lower testosterone levels are associated with greater negative symptoms in men with schizophrenia. Testosterone signals via androgen receptor (AR). A functional variant in the AR gene (CAG trinucleotide repeat polymorphism) is associated with circulating testosterone and mood-related symptoms in healthy people. Raloxifene increases testosterone in healthy males and reduces symptom severity and improves cognition in schizophrenia; however, whether raloxifene increases testosterone in men with schizophrenia is unknown. We assessed the interaction of a functional AR gene variant and adjunctive raloxifene on peripheral testosterone and symptom severity in schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia (59 males and 38 females) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of adjunctive raloxifene (120 mg/day). Healthy adults (46 males and 41 females) were used for baseline comparison. Baseline circulating testosterone was decreased in male patients compared to male controls and positively correlated with CAG repeat length in male controls and female patients. Male patients with short, compared to long, CAG repeat length had higher stress scores. Raloxifene treatment increased testosterone in male patients, but was unrelated to AR CAG repeat length, suggesting that raloxifene’s effects may not depend on AR activity. Sex-specific alterations of the relationship between AR CAG repeat length and testosterone suggest that altered AR activity may impact perceived stress in men with schizophrenia.
6- and 8-Prenylnaringenin, Novel Natural Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Found in Hops, Exert Antitumor Activity on Melanoma Cells
Authors: Venturelli Sascha , Niessner Heike , Sinnberg Tobias , Berger Alexander , Burkard Markus , Urmann Corinna , Donaubauer Kathrin , Böcker Alexander , Leischner Christian , Riepl Herbert , Frank Jan , Lauer Ulrich M , Garbe Claus , Busch Christian
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Prenylnaringenins are natural prenylflavonoids with anticancer properties. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet. Here we report a novel mode of action of 6- and 8-prenylnaringenin (PN) on human melanoma cells: Inhibition of cellular histone deacetylases (HDACs). Methods: We performed in silico and in vitro analyses using 6-PN or 8-PN to study a possible interaction of 6-PN or 8-PN with HDAC as well as Western blot and FACS analyses, real-time cell proliferation and cell viability assays to assess the impact of 6-PN and 8-PN on human metastatic melanoma cells. Results: In silico, 6-PN and 8-PN fit into the binding pocket of HDAC2, 4, 7 and 8, binding to the zinc ion of their catalytic center that is essential for enzymatic activity. In vitro, 100 µmol/L of 6-PN or 8-PN inhibited all 11 conserved human HDAC of class I, II and IV. In clinical oncology HDAC inhibitors are currently investigated as new anticancer compounds. In line, treatment of SK-MEL-28 cells with 6-PN or 8-PN induced a hyperacetylation of histone complex H3 within 2 h. Further, 6-PN or 8-PN mediated a prominent, dose-dependent reduction of cellular proliferation and viability of SK-MEL-28 and BLM melanoma cells. This effect was apoptosis-independent and accompanied by down-regulation of mTOR-specific pS6 protein via pERK/pP90 in SK-MEL-28 cells. Conclusion: The identification of a broad inhibitory capacity of 6-PN and 8-PN for HDAC enzymes with antiproliferative effects on melanoma cells opens the perspective for clinical application as novel anti-melanoma drugs and the usage as innovative lead structures for chemical modification to enhance pharmacology or inhibitory activities.
Intrinsic Surface Effects of Tantalum and Titanium on Integrin α5β1/ ERK1/2 Pathway-Mediated Osteogenic Differentiation in Rat Bone Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Lu Mengmeng , Zhuang Xiaohua , Tang Kaiwei , Wu Peishi , Guo Xiaojing , Yin Linling , Cao Huiliang , Zou Derong 
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Accumulating evidence demonstrates the superior osteoinductivity of tantalum (Ta) to that of titanium (Ti); however, the mechanisms underlying these differences are unclear. Thus, the objective of the present study was to examine the effects of Ta and Ti surfaces on osteogenesis using rat bone mesenchymal stromal cells (rBMSCs) as a model. Methods: Ta and Ti substrates were polished to a mirror finish to minimize the influences of structural factors, and the intrinsic surface effects of the two materials on the integrin α5β1/mitogen-activated protein kinases 3 and 1 (ERK1/2) cascade-mediated osteogenesis of rBMSCs were evaluated. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin Red staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot assays of critical osteogenic markers were conducted to evaluate the effects of the two substrates on cell osteogenesis. Moreover, the role of the integrin α5β1/ERK1/2 pathway on the osteoinductive performance of Ta and Ti was assessed by up- and down-regulation of integrin α5 and β1 with RNA interference, as well as through ERK1/2 inhibition with U0126. Results: Osteogenesis of rBMSCs seeded on the Ta surface was superior to that of cells seeded on the Ti surface in terms of ALP activity, extracellular matrix calcification, and the expression of integrin α5, integrin β1, ERK1/2, Runt-related transcription factor 2, osteocalcin, collagen type I, and ALP at both the mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, down-regulation of integrin α5 or integrin β1, or ERK1/2 inhibition severely impaired the osteoblastic differentiation on the Ta surface. By contrast, over-expression of integrin α5 or integrin β1 improved osteogenesis on the Ti substrates, while subsequent ERK1/2 inhibition abrogated this effect. Conclusion: The integrin α5β1/ERK1/2 pathway plays a crucial role in regulating rBMSCs osteogenic differentiation; thus, the greater ability of a Ta surface to trigger integrin α5β1/ERK1/2 signaling may explain its better osteoinductivity. The different effects of Ta and Ti surfaces on rBMSC osteogenesis are considered to be related to the conductive behaviors between integrin α5β1 and the oxides spontaneously formed on the two metals. These results should facilitate the development of engineering strategies with Ta and Ti surfaces for improved osteogenesis in endosteal implants.
ЗМІНИ ГЕМОПОЕЗУ В КІСТКОВОМУ МОЗКУ ТА СЕЛЕЗІНЦІ ЩУРІВ WISTARHAN ЯК МЕХАНІЗМ ГЕМАТОТОКСИЧНОЇ ДІЇ ТЕБУКОНАЗОЛУ
Authors: Usenko T. V. , Shulyak V. G. , Prodanchuk M. G.
Published: November 2018

Вступ. Однією з найбільш застосовуваних діючих речовин фунгіцидів триазольної групи є тебуконазол. Проведені раніше дослідження периферичної крові показали його гематотоксичну дію.

Мета дослідження – вивчити процеси кровотворення в кістковому мозку та селезінці щурів-самців WistarHan при гострій інтоксикації тебуконазолом технічним, 97 %.

Методи дослідження. Статевозрілим щурам-самцям WistarHan, поділеним на контрольну (0 мг/кг) та 2 експериментальні групи, одноразово внутрішньошлунково через зонд було введено токсичну дозу тебуконазолу – 1700 мг/кг маси тіла (1/2 від ЛД50). Периферичну кров досліджували на 0, 1, 3, 7 та 14 постекспозиційні доби. Вивчали гематологічні показники: кількісний вміст еритроцитів та ретикулоцитів, концентрацію гемоглобіну, рівень гематокриту, еритроцитарні індекси, кількість лейкоцитів і тромбоцитів. Гемограму з морфологічною оцінкою клітин крові аналізували в мазках периферичної крові. Гемопоез у кістковому мозку (мієлограма) та селезінці (спленограма) досліджували на 7 і 14 постекспозиційні доби.

Результати й обговорення. Встановлено анемізуючу дію, ретикулоцитопенію та появу макрофагів у периферичній крові. У кістковому мозку відмічено пригнічення еритропоезу з порушенням процесів гемоглобіноутворення в нормоцитах, у селезінці розвинулось екстрамедулярне кровотворення. Встановлено супресивну дію на клітини еозинофільного та базофільного рядів. Спостерігали компенсаторну активізацію нейтрофілопоезу, лімфоцитопоезу та моноцитопоезу в кістковому мозку.

Висновок. Встановлено декілька механізмів гематотоксичної дії тебуконазолу технічного, 97 %: порушення гемоглобіноутворення, депресію еритропоезу з патологічною регенерацією, розвиток екстрамедулярного кровотворення в селезінці та вплив на деякі ланки імунітету.
Melitoid amhipods of the genera Ceradocus Costa, 1853 and Victoriopisa Karaman and Barnard, 1979 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Maeridae) from the South China Sea, Malaysia
Authors: LIM J. H. C. , AZMAN B. A. R. , OTHMAN B. H. R.
Published: November 2018

Two new species of Melitoid amphipods from Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Tinggi, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia were described and illustrated. Specimens were collected by means of an airlift suction sampler at seagrass areas of the two islands. Ceradocus mizani sp. nov. found commonly at seagrass areas of Malaysian waters, can be readily distinguished from any other known Ceradocus species by a set of distinct characters based on the asymmetrical male gnathopod 2; sculpturing on the palm of the larger gnathopod 2; serrated pleonal epimeron 1–3; and multidentate dorsal pleonites and urosomites with 11 spines on urosomite 1 and 6 spines on urosomite 2. Victoriopisa tinggiensis sp. nov. on the other hand is characterized by its prolonged lateral cephalic lobe; the presence of an anteroventral notch on the head; weakly developed eyes; and pereopod 7 basis with intermediate lobation. This would be the first record of the genus Ceradocus and Victoriopisa from the waters of Peninsular Malaysia. Discovery of these two new species represents an ongoing and continuous effort on amphipod taxonomical studies here in Malaysia.
Marcusadorea, a new genus of lepralioid bryozoan from warm waters
Authors: VIEIRA LEANDRO M. , MIGOTTO ALVARO E. , WINSTON JUDITH E.
Published: November 2018

A new cheilostome bryozoan genus Marcusadorea (type species Marcusadorea jamaicensis n. sp. from the north coast of Jamaica) is described and illustrated along with a second species, Coleopora corderoi Marcus, 1949 from Southeast Brazil. A third species, Holoporella tubulosa Canu & Bassler, 1928, described from the Caribbean, but also present in Brazil, is included in this genus and redescribed. At least one Indo-West-Pacific species, “Cosciniopsis” efatensis Tilbrook, 2006, is a congener.
Platiana cechovskyi sp. nov. from Malaysia, a remarkable new member of Dimini (Elateridae: Dendrometrinae) with strongly serrate antennae
Authors: KUNDRATA ROBIN , SORMOVA ELISKA
Published: November 2018

Platiana Schimmel, 1993 is a moderately large genus in Dimini endemic to South East Asia. Hitherto only four species of this genus were known from Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we describe and figure Platiana cechovskyi sp. nov. from the Cameron Highlands. This species is characteristic by its relatively small body, dark coloration, and strongly serrate antennae which are rarely encountered in Dimini. An identification key to the Platiana species from Peninsular Malaysia as well as a distribution map for all known species are provided.
Report of Frank Balfour-Browne’s collecting in Gran Canaria and Madeira (1932-1933), with the description of Ochthebius (Cobalius) lanthanus sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae)
Authors: RIBERA IGNACIO , FOSTER GARTH N.
Published: November 2018

Ochthebius (Cobalius) lanthanus sp. nov. is described from rockpools in Gran Canaria, based on specimens collected by Professor F. Balfour-Browne in 1932 and newly collected material. The species is morphologically very similar to O. (Cobalius) algicola Wollaston, 1871 from Madeira, but at a genetic distance of ca 10% as measured with the gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. The water beetle collections of Balfour-Browne’s trip to Gran Canaria (1932) and Madeira (1933) are also reported.
Evolution of WRF-HAILCAST during the 2014–16 NOAA/Hazardous Weather Testbed Spring Forecasting Experiments
Authors: Adams-Selin Rebecca D. , Clark Adam J. , Melick Christopher J. , Dembek Scott R. , Jirak Israel L. , Ziegler Conrad L.
Published: November 2018

Four different versions of the HAILCAST hail model have been tested as part of the 2014–16 NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT) Spring Forecasting Experiments. HAILCAST was run as part of the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) WRF Ensemble during 2014–16 and the Community Leveraged Unified Ensemble (CLUE) in 2016. Objective verification using the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor maximum expected size of hail (MRMS MESH) product was conducted using both object-based and neighborhood grid-based verification. Subjective verification and feedback was provided by HWT participants. Hourly maximum storm surrogate fields at a variety of thresholds and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) convective outlooks were also evaluated for comparison. HAILCAST was found to improve with each version due to feedback from the 2014–16 HWTs. The 2016 version of HAILCAST was equivalent to or exceeded the skill of the tested storm surrogates across a variety of thresholds. The post-2016 version of HAILCAST was found to improve 50-mm hail forecasts through object-based verification, but 25-mm hail forecasting ability declined as measured through neighborhood grid-based verification. The skill of the storm surrogate fields varied widely as the threshold values used to determine hail size were varied. HAILCAST was found not to require such tuning, as it produced consistent results even when used across different model configurations and horizontal grid spacings. Additionally, different storm surrogate fields performed at varying levels of skill when forecasting 25- versus 50-mm hail, hinting at the different convective modes typically associated with small versus large sizes of hail. HAILCAST was able to match results relatively consistently with the best-performing storm surrogate field across multiple hail size thresholds.
Attributes of evidence-based occupational therapists in stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Hallé Marie-Christine , Mylopoulos Maria , Rochette Annie , Vachon Brigitte , Menon Anita , McCluskey Annie , Amari Fatima , Thomas Aliki
Published: November 2018

Background.

A better understanding of the features characterizing expert evidence-based occupational therapists in stroke rehabilitation is needed to inform the design of educational and knowledge translation interventions aimed at addressing research–practice gaps.

Purpose.

The study aimed to identify the attributes of evidence-based occupational therapy stroke rehabilitation experts from the perspective of their peers.

Method.

Forty-six occupational therapy clinicians and managers completed an online questionnaire asking them to nominate “outstanding” and “expert evidence-based” occupational therapists in stroke rehabilitation and to explain their choices. A thematic analysis of respondents’ statements was conducted.

Findings.

Both outstanding and expert evidence-based occupational therapists were perceived to be motivated self-learners; to have extensive knowledge, skills, and experience; to act as scholarly practitioners; to achieve superior client outcomes; and to work in specialized settings.

Implications.

The development of future strategies supporting occupational therapy students and clinicians to become lifelong learners should take into account key attributes of expertise, such as motivation for continuous learning and professional development.
Provider Adherence to Preventative Health Care Guidelines in Adolescent Girls Presenting for Well Visit
Authors: Brown Maria D. , Rausch Joseph , Berlan Elise D.
Published: November 2018

A dearth of research exists examining provider adherence to preventative health care guidelines at adolescent well-care visits. We examined adherence in 3 domains: documentation of sexual activity, documentation of menstrual characteristics, and administration of the human papillomavirus vaccine. We identified electronic health records of a random sample of 124 adolescent girls seen within the hospital-affiliated pediatric primary care clinics from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015. Approximately one quarter of the records examined had no documentation of sexual activity. Documentation occurred more frequently in English speakers ( P = .003). Asian girls had the least documentation of sexual activity ( P = .003). Clinicians documented menses characteristics in only 27% of adolescent girls with no documentation noted for Asian adolescents. Over 40% of eligible adolescents did not receive the human papillomavirus vaccine. Only 19.4% of adolescents received all the 3 recommended services. This study demonstrates that adolescent girls are not receiving recommended assessments or care to protect their reproductive health.
Economic Sanctions and Public Opinion: Survey Experiments From Russia
Authors: Frye Timothy
Published: November 2018

Do economic sanctions turn the public against the target government or cause it to rally around the flag? How do sanctions affect attitudes toward the sanctioner? How does bad economic performance under sanctions shape support for the target government? Despite their importance, these questions have rarely been explored with survey data. Results from two surveys in Russia find that exposure to information about economic sanctions does not generate a rally around the flag, leads some groups to withdraw support from the target government, and reduces support for the sanctioner. Respondents also react more strongly to the reasons why sanctions were put in place—the annexation of Crimea—than to the sanctions themselves. These results suggest the need to reevaluate theories of the impact of economic sanctions and blame-shifting under autocracy.
Spiritual Explanatory Models of Mental Illness in West Nile, Uganda
Authors: Verginer Lucia , Juen Barbara H.
Published: November 2018

Integrating indigenous cultural knowledge into conceptualizing mental illness offers highly valuable insights to better contextualize mental health. The meaning given to symptoms determines what is abnormal and requiring treatment. In Uganda, the formal health care system is neither the only nor the most widespread treatment provider. Help is often sought from traditional and religious healers, too. Despite numerous calls for cooperation between the healing systems, this has translated into reality only to a very limited degree. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into local explanatory models of mental illness, to gain an understanding of the different patients’ needs, and to develop a more comprehensive system of care. We used an ethnographic investigation approach, which allowed for a more holistic view of the research field. This was geographically delimited to the West Nile subregion in Northern Uganda. We conducted a total of 56 semistructured interviews with traditional healers ( n = 5), Christian religious healers ( n = 3), psychiatric patients ( n = 16), their attendants ( n = 16), and community members ( n = 16). In addition, we used the method of participant observation. The data collected were analyzed using Qualitative Content Analysis and Grounded Theory methodology. For the purpose of this article, we exclusively extracted the spiritual explanatory models. These were spirit possession and curse. Both were traditional concepts with a religious reinterpretation involving the action of spirits.
Using Financial Incentives to Improve Rates of Viral Suppression and Engagement in Care of Patients Receiving HIV Care at 3 Health Clinics in Louisiana: The Health Models Program, 2013-2016
Authors: Brantley Antoine D. , Burgess Samuel , Bickham Jacquelyn , Wendell Deborah , Gruber DeAnn
Published: November 2018

Objectives:

The Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project aimed to reduce HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality among racial/ethnic minority groups in 8 states. We evaluated Health Models, a pay-for-performance program piloted by the Louisiana Department of Health that used financial incentives to improve rates of engagement in HIV medical care and viral suppression among people with HIV.

Methods:

We enrolled 2076 patients of 3 urban HIV specialty clinics in Louisiana in the Health Models pay-for-performance program on a rolling basis from September 2013 through September 2016 and gave patients cash incentives to attend HIV medical appointments, achieve or maintain viral suppression, and link to supportive services. We used laboratory data collected from Louisiana’s HIV surveillance database to calculate rates of engagement in care and viral suppression during the first 24 months of enrollment.

Results:

Of the 2076 patients who enrolled, 1400 (67.4%) were non-Hispanic black, 1480 (71.3%) were male, 1175 (56.6%) were men who have sex with men, and 1371 (66.0%) reported an annual income of <$15 000. At enrollment, 1456 (70.1%) patients were engaged in HIV care, and 1197 (57.7%) patients were virally suppressed. After 12 months of enrollment, 1474 of 1783 (82.7%) patients were virally suppressed. Of enrolled patients with at least 12 or 24 months of follow-up data, 1299 of 1317 (98.6%) patients were engaged in care during their first 12 months of enrollment, and 995 of 1033 (96.3%) patients were engaged in care between 12 and 24 months of enrollment.

Conclusions:

During the implementation of Health Models, enrolled patients had increases in rates of viral suppression and achieved rates of engagement in care and viral suppression that were higher than national levels; however, additional supportive services may be needed to further reduce socioeconomic disparities in the rates of viral suppression.
Socially skilling toil: New artisanship in papermaking in late Chosŏn Korea
Authors: Lee Jung
Published: November 2018

In pre-modern Korea, paper was renowned for its white glossy surface and cloth-like strength, becoming an important item in both tributary exchanges and private trade. The unique material of the tak tree and related technical innovations, including toch’im, the repeated beating of just-produced paper that provides sizing and fulling effects, were crucial to this fame. However, the scholar-officials who integrated papermaking into the state production system in order to meet administrative and tributary needs initially made toch’im corvée and then penal labor, thereby dismissing it as simple toil. They were not alone, though, in denigrating a form of manual labor. Historiographies of modern science and technology are generally silent about such work, focusing instead on how we invented the human out of drudgery. However, papermakers in late Chosŏn Korea (the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries) chose to identify their artisanship with toch’im and eventually succeeded in securing recognition for that technique as a highly paid specialty. By examining this skilling of toch’im, this paper seeks to change the historiographical silence about toil. It overcomes the archival silence that accompanies manual skills by tracing toch’im’s contours through its changing locations and associations in society’s changing social and material networks, revealing paper artisans’ social techniques, or everyday politics that eventually dignified their laborious technique. Paper artisans’ changing relationships with tak barks, tools and facilities, central and local authorities, farmers, merchants, and scholar-officials reveal how such social skilling was made in late Chosŏn Korea, where papermaking became a most successful industry. This tracing of toch’im re-situates creative toil and everyday politics of artisanal hands in the interconnected transformation of social relations, craft, and knowledge practices.
Evolution characteristics and model of nanopore structure and adsorption capacity in organic-rich shale during artificial thermal maturation: A pyrolysis study of the Mesoproterozoic Xiamaling marine shale with type II kerogen from Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China
Authors: Xu Liangwei , Wang Yang , Liu Luofu , Chen Lei , Chen Ji
Published: November 2018

Thermal maturity has a considerable impact on hydrocarbon generation, mineral conversion, nanopore structure, and adsorption capacity evolution of shale, but that impact on organic-rich marine shales containing type II kerogen has been rarely subjected to explicit and quantitative characterization. This study aims to obtain information regarding the effects of thermal maturation on organic matter, mineral content, pore structure, and adsorption capacity evolution of marine shale. Mesoproterozoic Xiamaling immaturity marine oil shale with type II kerogen in Zhangjiakou of Hebei, China, was chosen for anhydrous pyrolysis to simulate the maturation process. With increasing simulation temperature, hydrocarbon generation and mineral transformation promote the formation, development, and evolution of pores in the shale. The original and simulated samples consist of closed microspores and one-end closed pores of the slit throat, all-opened wedge-shaped capillaries, and fractured or lamellar pores, which are related to the plate particles of clay. The increase in maturity can promote the formation and development of pores in the shale. Heating can also promote the accumulation, formation, and development of pores, leading to a large pore volume and surface area. The temperature increase can promote the development of pore volume and surface area of 1–10 and 40-nm diameter pores. The formation and development of pore volume and surface area of 1–10 nm diameter pores are more substantial than that of 40-nm diameter pores. The pore structure evolution of the sample can be divided into pore adjustment (T < 350°C, EqRo < 0.86%), development (350°C < T < 650°C, 0.86% < EqRo < 3.28%), and conversion or destruction stages (T > 650°C, EqRo > 3.28%). Along with the increase in maturity, the methane adsorption content decreases in the initial simulation stage, increases in the middle simulation stage, and reaches the maximum value at 650°C, after which it gradually decreases. A general evolution model is proposed by combining the nanopore structure and the adsorption capacity evolution characteristics of the oil shale.
Applying the Curriculum Research Framework in the Design and Development of a Technology-Based Tier 2 Mathematics Intervention
Authors: Doabler Christian T. , Clarke Ben , Firestone Allison R. , Turtura Jessica E. , Jungjohann Kathy J. , Brafford Tasia L. , Sutherland Marah , Nelson Nancy J. , Fien Hank
Published: November 2018

Mathematics interventions aimed at accelerating the learning of students with mathematics difficulties (MD) should be developed through a design science approach such as the Curriculum Research Framework (CRF). Precision Mathematics is a National Science Foundation-funded DRK–12 Design and Development project focused on building mathematical proficiency with the critical concepts and problem-solving skills of early measurement and data analysis among first- and second-grade students with MD. The Precision Mathematics curriculum incorporates (a) technology-based activities that offer individualized opportunities for instruction and practice and (b) hands-on activities that promote small-group instructional interactions. Our production of the first-grade Precision Mathematics intervention was grounded in the CRF, which involves a series of iterative cycles of development, implementation field-testing, analysis, and revision. Results from initial implementation studies suggest that teachers and students can feasibly implement the first-grade Precision Mathematics intervention in authentic education settings. Challenges faced in developing technology-based mathematics interventions are discussed.
Gypsy–Traveller communities in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands: socially and digitally excluded?
Authors: Townsend Leanne , Salemink Koen , Wallace Claire Denise
Published: November 2018

With the pervasiveness of digitisation communications, those that are left behind are seen as socially excluded. In both academic and policy discourses, it is assumed that digital inclusion as a route into mainstream society is a desirable solution to problems of multiple exclusion and has led to many studies of the digital inclusion/exclusion of ‘hard to reach’ groups. Yet, Gypsy–Travellers, among the most marginalised people in society, have received little attention. Using data from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, we assess the impact of digital communications on Gypsy–Traveller communities. This article makes a contribution in the following ways: First, we address the theories of ‘fields of inclusion’ to show how exclusion and inclusion work together in different ways; Second, we explore how different policy frameworks in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom shape these possibilities; Third, we document the forms of inclusion that Gypsy–Travellers experience in terms of digital communications; Fourth, we look at how Gypsy–Travellers use digital communications to recreate their own cultures as well as selectively integrate with mainstream society.
Injection Laryngoplasty for Children with Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Procedural Limitations and Swallow Outcomes
Authors: Meister Kara D. , Johnson April , Sidell Douglas R.
Published: November 2018

Objective

Vocal fold immobility with resultant dysphagia is a known cause of morbidity in the pediatric population. Herein we evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of injection laryngoplasty in children.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary academic children's hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Patients <12 years of age with unilateral vocal fold immobility, dysphagia, and objective swallow study data were included. Primary outcome measures included perioperative adverse events and the ability to advance the diet, as defined by initiation of oral feeds or reduction in thickener following postoperative swallow study.

Results

The mean age of the cohort (N = 41) was 43.83 months (range, 0.5‐144 months), and 46.3% of patients were <18 months old. Perioperative adverse events included increased oxygen requirement (n = 3), prolonged operating room time secondary to tenuous cardiopulmonary status (n = 2), and postoperative readmission within 30 days (n = 1). A total of 63.63% (n = 21 of 33) of patients safely advanced their diet following objective improvement on swallow study. Patients undergoing injection laryngoplasty ≤6 months of the onset of vocal fold immobility were more likely to advance their diet following surgery.

Conclusion

Injection laryngoplasty has the potential to advance or initiate an oral diet for children with vocal fold immobility, including those in the first months of life. It is relatively free of adverse events, but certain limitations in the pediatric population must be considered. Preoperative characteristics, including timing of injection and premorbidity diet, may guide clinicians in predicting those patients most likely to advance their diet following injection laryngoplasty.
Trust: Condition of action or condition of appraisal
Authors: Barbalet Jack
Published: November 2018

Research in sociology on social trust is historically recent, reflecting changing conditions underlying self-appraisal in late modernity. Acknowledgement of these changing conditions, and especially their institutional background, contributes to a reconceptualization of the notion of trust and the role of inter-personal trust in social relationships. Under conditions of late modernity, described in the article as ‘precarious institutional maturity’, trust operates primarily as a term in a vocabulary of motive or as a value or appraisal regarding self and other, rather than directly facilitating social relationships. The supposed significance of trust, it is shown, tends to be exaggerated in the literature. The importance of the widely neglected institutional context is indicated in part through consideration of the case of guanxi (Chinese connections) in which high levels of social solidarity exist in the absence of trust.
Economic inequality, social policy and a good society
Authors: O'Connor Nat
Published: November 2018

The economic discourse on bringing about a fairer or more equal society has thus tended to focus heavily on increasing the cash income of disadvantaged households, while lessening the focus on non-cash economic benefits derived from social policies. The dominance of cash in the economic inequality discourse leads inexorably to (perhaps well-intentioned) policies to reduce personal taxation for lower income households and to increase their cash incomes, including the recently popular idea of an unconditional Universal Basic Income. This paper argues that innovative direct solutions to the provision of various goods and services by alternative means tend to be squeezed out of the current discourse about economic inequality. Through analysis of the Minimum Essential Standard of Living, an argument is made that a more sophisticated social policy discourse is needed to tackle disparities in people’s material conditions, beyond a focus on cash income, in order to bring about the foundational conditions for a good society even in the context of low economic growth and/or fiscal austerity.
Land and freedom? The tax that dare not speak its name
Authors: Ellis Hugh
Published: November 2018

In this paper, it is argued that a more equitable distribution of the values derived from land is an important precondition for fairer society and an important practical way of securing resources for public services. Betterment taxation is a technically feasible but politically difficult way of achieving this. Following a broad review of the policy and technical background to land values and the various forms of land and betterment taxation in England, an outline sketch of a new system is set out for a betterment tax that is progressive, efficient, effective and transparent. It is concluded that a gradated betterment tax could reinforce the achievement of socially inclusive place making. Even a modest redistribution of the benefits which flow from the development of land could be transformational for many of our communities.
Efficiently Simulating Personal Vehicle Energy Consumption in Mesoscopic Transport Models
Authors: Needell Zachary A. , Trancik Jessika E.
Published: November 2018

Mesoscopic transport models can efficiently simulate complex travel behavior and traffic patterns over large networks, but simulating energy consumption in these models is difficult with traditional methods. As mesoscopic transport models rely on a simplified handling of traffic flow, they cannot provide the second-by-second measurement of vehicle speeds and accelerations that are required for accurately estimating energy consumption. Here we present extensions to the TripEnergy model that fill in the gaps of low-resolution trajectories with realistic, contextual driving behavior. TripEnergy also includes a vehicle energy model capable of simulating the impact of traffic conditions on energy consumption and CO2 emissions, with inputs in the form of widely available calibration data, allowing it to simulate thousands of different real-world vehicle makes and models. This design allows TripEnergy to integrate with mesoscopic transport models and to be fast enough to run on a large network with minimal additional computation time. We expect it to benefit from and enable advances in transport simulation, including optimizing traffic network controls to minimize energy, evaluating the performance of different vehicle technologies under wide-scale adoption, and better understanding the energy and climate impacts of new infrastructure and policies.
Developing Pilot Interventions to Address Food Insecurity and Nutritional Needs of People Living With HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Interinstitutional Approach Using Formative Research
Authors: Derose Kathryn P. , Palar Kartika , Farías Hugo , Adams Jayne , Martínez Homero
Published: November 2018

Background:

Food insecurity and malnutrition present challenges to HIV management, but little research has been done in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Objective:

To assess levels of food insecurity and malnutrition among people living with HIV (PLHIV) across multiple countries in LAC to inform pilot projects and policy.

Methods:

Through interinstitutional collaboration, we collected data on sociodemographics, household food security, anthropometry, and commonly consumed foods among adults seeking care at HIV clinics in Bolivia, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic (DR; N = 400) and used the results for pilot projects.

Results:

Most PLHIV had moderate or severe household food insecurity (61% in Bolivia, 71% in Honduras, and 68% in DR). Overweight and obesity were also highly prevalent, particularly among women (41%-53% had body mass index ≥25). High body fat was also prevalent, ranging from 36% to 59%. Among salient foods, fruits and vegetables were lacking. Country-specific pilot projects incorporated locally tailored nutrition counseling with a monthly household food ration, linkage to income-generating projects, or urban gardens. Nutritional counseling was conducted initially by professionals and later modified for peer counselors given the lack of nutritionists.

Conclusion:

High levels of food insecurity and overweight among PLHIV in LAC have important implications, since prior interventions to address food insecurity among PLHIV have focused on underweight and wasting. Formative research and intersectoral collaboration facilitated locally appropriate nutritional materials and interventions, enhanced local capacities, and helped incorporate nutritional guidelines into policies and practice. Addressing human capital constraints in resource-poor settings and developing complementary strategies were key recommendations.
Psychometric Properties of the WRAT Math Computation Subtest in Mexican Adolescents
Authors: Abreu-Mendoza Roberto A. , Chamorro Yaira , Matute Esmeralda
Published: November 2018

The goal of this study was to provide normative scores and examine the psychometric properties of the Math Computation subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test–IV (WRAT-IV) for Mexican adolescents after the completion of junior high school. We group-administered this subtest to 1,318 first-year Mexican high school students. We then obtained its overall internal reliability and examined its underlying factor structure. Finally, we determined its concurrent and criterion validity by evaluating a subsample of 106 students that included adolescents with mathematical difficulty, mathematical talent, and typical performance. Results showed that the subtest has a good internal reliability and appropriate psychometric characteristics, suggesting its appropriateness for the detection of adolescents with particular difficulty or ability in mathematics. The exploratory factor analysis identified three factors: arithmetic, fractions and basic algebra, and rational numbers. There were also sex differences in the number of correct responses, but the effect size was small.
Prevalence and Predictors of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Critically Ill Medical Patients Who Underwent Diagnostic Duplex Ultrasonography
Authors: Gibson Charlisa D. , Colvin Mai O. , Park Michael J. , Lai Qingying , Lin Juan , Negassa Abdissa , Shah Chirag D. , Langston Matthew D.
Published: November 2018

Introduction:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a recognized but preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). We examined the prevalence and risk factors for DVT in MICU patients who underwent diagnostic venous duplex ultrasonography (DUS) and the potential effect on clinical outcomes.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study examining prevalence of DVT in 678 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary care level academic MICU from July 2014 to 2015. Patients who underwent diagnostic DUS were included. Potential conditions of interest were mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, sepsis, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, central venous catheters, prior DVT, and malignancy. Primary outcomes were pulmonary embolism, ICU length of stay, and mortality. Additionally, means of thromboprophylaxis was compared between the groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine predictors of DVT occurrence.

Results:

Of the 678 patients, 243 (36%) patients underwent DUS to evaluate for DVT. The prevalence of DVT was 16% (38) among tested patients, and a prior history of DVT was associated with DVT prevalence ( P < .01). Between cases and controls, there were no significant differences in central venous catheters, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, sepsis, SOFA scores, malignancy, and recent surgery. Patients receiving chemical prophylaxis had fewer DVTs compared to persons with no prophylaxis (14% vs 29%; P = .01) and persons with dual chemical and mechanical prophylaxis ( P = 0.1). Fourteen percent of patients tested had documented DVT while on chemoprophylaxis. There were no significant differences in ICU length of stay ( P = .35) or mortality ( P = .34).

Conclusions:

Despite the appropriate use of universal thromboprophylaxis, critically ill nonsurgical patients still demonstrated high rates of DVT. A history of DVT was the sole predictor for development of proximal DVT on DUS testing. Dual chemical and mechanical prophylaxis does not appear to be superior to single-chemical prophylaxis in DVT prevention in this population.
A Women-Centric Approach: Key to Satisfaction With Agency Services
Authors: Wilson Bincy
Published: November 2018

Involvement of women in commercial sexual activity (CSA) has always been viewed from a moralistic point of view in India, with legislations attempting to rescue and rehabilitate them. Some, however, look at this involvement as legitimate work. Agencies engaged in service provision align themselves to these differing ideologies. This article examines the organizational frameworks and ideologies of agencies engaged in service provision to women in or exiting from CSA, along with assessing women’s level of satisfaction and the duration of services received from these agencies. In doing so, 40 service providers from nine agencies across five major cities in India were interviewed, and 163 women receiving services from these agencies participated in a survey. The findings revealed that agencies differed based on their guiding principles, factors determining services, structure, involvement of peers/survivors, and decision-making process. The level of satisfaction with services, and duration of services received, was the highest for those in women-centric agencies and the lowest in government state protective homes. Agencies assisting women in CSA must consider adopting non-institutional-based and women-centric service approaches, as this would make a real difference to those being assisted.