bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negotiating the Intersection of the Urban-Rural Divide and Gender in Contemporary China: Rural Female University Students
Authors: Wang Lifang
Published: March 2017

This article, based on a qualitative study of 54 rural female students attending urban Chinese higher education institutions from 2011 to 2012, contests the portrayal of such students as victims suffering from a low level of ability. My research reveals instead that these women exerted agency to recognize, negotiate, and resist both the urban-rural divide and patriarchy, both of which shaped their lives and identities. My research findings also reveal that their lives were multidimensional and diverse, and thus their situations could not be explained by analyzing the effects of either the urban-rural divide or gender alone, but rather by engaging in an analysis of interlocking power structures. The participants’ identities were fluid and in a constant process of formation as they negotiated the various forms of patriarchy they encountered when they moved from their rural homes to attend the urban academies.
Confusion and collectivism in the ICT sector: Is FLOSS the answer?
Authors: Marks Abigail , Chillas Shiona , Galloway Laura , Maclean Gavin
Published: March 2017

Information and communication technology (ICT) workers rarely join trade unions. This is usually explained by the individualized nature of work. This article examines broader forms of collectivism for these workers, drawing on survey and interview data. The focus is on social class, attitudes towards unions and professional bodies and participation in the broader ICT community – specifically Free, Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS). The findings reveal absence of formal collective frames of reference or organization, yet the creativity, autonomy and initiative central to the identity of ICT workers may offer opportunities for collectivization particularly with regard to participation in FLOSS communities.
Invisibility through the interface: the social consequences of spatial search
Authors: Frith Jordan
Published: March 2017

Location-based services are mobile applications that use a device’s location to provide relevant results. Spatial search applications are a popular subset of location-based services that enable people to search through their surrounding space to find nearby locations. This article examines spatial search applications through a framework that combines critical geography research with research on the power search engines exert over information visibility. The main argument of the article is that popular spatial search applications, such as Yelp, may subtly reproduce existing forms of spatial segregation by rendering certain location invisible through the mobile mapping interface.
Existential provisions: The technopolitics of public infrastructure
Authors: Folkers Andreas
Published: March 2017

The paper provides a technopolitical analysis of public infrastructure by attending to the ways large technical systems became a political problem and how the development of infrastructure has inflected biopower, territoriality and security. It seeks to deepen the historical understanding of technopolitics by exploring the concept of Daseinsvorsorge (existential provision), which served as a crucial framework guiding public infrastructure provisions in Germany. Daseinsvorsorge provides a particularly revealing lens through which to examine questions of technopolitics, since it makes it possible to illuminate the dis/continuities in the government of infrastructure between three distinct political regimes: Nazi Germany, the post-war Federal Republic and contemporary Germany. The concept first became operative in post-war Germany, but it had emerged during the Third Reich in the work of Carl Schmitt’s disciple Ernst Forsthoff. Forsthoff identified steps towards Daseinsvorsorge in Nazi infrastructure planning, which was part and parcel of war mobilization, and borrowed tropes from the geopolitical imaginary of Nazi Germany like Lebensraum. After the war, Daseinsvorsorge aimed at establishing equal living conditions within Germany. With European integration and the privatization of infrastructure, the norms and forms of Daseinsvorsorge eroded without vanishing, since they surface in modified ways in EU guidelines and in critical infrastructure protection.
Longitudinal effects of working memory on L2 grammar and reading abilities
Authors: Sagarra Nuria
Published: March 2017

Adults demonstrate difficulty and pronounced variability when developing second language (L2) grammatical knowledge and reading skills. We examine explanations in terms of individual differences in working memory (WM). Despite numerous studies, the association between WM and adult second language (L2) acquisition remains unclear, and longitudinal studies are scarce and contradictory. This study investigates whether WM affects L2 grammar and reading development in beginning classroom learners, using WM tests with (Waters and Caplan’s 1996 test) and without (Daneman and Carpenter’s 1980 test) a demanding processing task. In Experiment 1, 82 beginning first language (L1) English learners of Spanish completed Daneman and Carpenter’s test, and grammar and reading pretests and posttests one year apart. In Experiment 2, 330 beginning English learners of Spanish completed the same tests as in Experiment 1 and Waters and Caplan’s test. The results reveal that only Waters Caplan’s test (response time, recall span) yielded WM effects, and that response time (processing) negatively correlated with recall span (storage). These findings reveal longitudinal WM effects on L2 grammar and reading development at early acquisition stages, support resource-sharing WM models, and urge scholars to adopt WM tests with a processing task performed under timed conditions, and to analyse response time.
Decentralized control of multi-robot partially observable Markov decision processes using belief space macro-actions
Authors: Omidshafiei Shayegan , Agha–Mohammadi Ali–Akbar , Amato Christopher , Liu Shih–Yuan , How Jonathan P , Vian John
Published: March 2017

This work focuses on solving general multi-robot planning problems in continuous spaces with partial observability given a high-level domain description. Decentralized Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (Dec-POMDPs) are general models for multi-robot coordination problems. However, representing and solving Dec-POMDPs is often intractable for large problems. This work extends the Dec-POMDP model to the Decentralized Partially Observable Semi-Markov Decision Process (Dec-POSMDP) to take advantage of the high-level representations that are natural for multi-robot problems and to facilitate scalable solutions to large discrete and continuous problems. The Dec-POSMDP formulation uses task macro-actions created from lower-level local actions that allow for asynchronous decision-making by the robots, which is crucial in multi-robot domains. This transformation from Dec-POMDPs to Dec-POSMDPs with a finite set of automatically-generated macro-actions allows use of efficient discrete-space search algorithms to solve them. The paper presents algorithms for solving Dec-POSMDPs, which are more scalable than previous methods since they can incorporate closed-loop belief space macro-actions in planning. These macro-actions are automatically constructed to produce robust solutions. The proposed algorithms are then evaluated on a complex multi-robot package delivery problem under uncertainty, showing that our approach can naturally represent realistic problems and provide high-quality solutions for large-scale problems.
Internationalization strategy and the home-regionalization hypothesis: The case of Australian multinational enterprises
Authors: Kim Youngok , Gray Sidney J
Published: March 2017

In this study, we set out to, first, replicate the classification of multinational enterprise (MNE) types proposed by Rugman and Verbeke in the Australian context. Second, we explore how a firm’s international experience influences the degree of its home regionalization and how industry affects the international experience–home regionalization relationship. We find that while home regionalization is still a dominant regionalization strategy for Australian MNEs, the proportions are different from those of Rugman and Verbeke. In particular, the share of home-regional firms is less pronounced and the share of host-regional firms is higher than Rugman and Verbeke’s findings. We also find that a firm’s international experience is negatively related to home regionalization, and that this relationship is further moderated by the firm’s industry. Our findings suggest that more attention be devoted to uncovering both home-country effects and the differential impact of international experience on home regionalization across industries.
The issuance of warrants in rights offerings: Agency costs and signaling effects
Authors: Balachandran Balasingham , Kanapathippillai Sutharson , Krishnamurti Chandrasekhar , Theobald Michael , Velayutham Eswaran
Published: March 2017

We examine the issuance choice across rights issues of equity, unit offerings, and standalone warrants and investigate the market reactions to these issue types. We find that agency costs, growth opportunities, and current funding needs relative to assets in place are prime drivers of the type of equity issuance choice. Managers use quality signals such as underpricing, underwriting status, and the proportion of funds raised by exercising warrants in determining the features of the warrant issue. Furthermore, we document that the market reacts more favorably to standalone warrants issues than units and equity during the rights offering period.
Early Versus Delayed Motion After Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-analyses
Authors: Houck Darby A. , Kraeutler Matthew J. , Schuette Hayden B. , McCarty Eric C. , Bravman Jonathan T.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Previous meta-analyses have been conducted to compare outcomes of early versus delayed motion after rotator cuff repair.

Purpose:

To conduct a systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses comparing early versus delayed motion rehabilitation protocols after rotator cuff repair to determine which meta-analyses provide the best available evidence.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. Search terms included “rotator cuff repair,” “early passive motion,” “immobilization,” “rehabilitation protocol,” and “meta-analysis.” Results were reviewed to determine study eligibility. Patient outcomes and structural healing were extracted from these meta-analyses. Meta-analysis quality was assessed using the Oxman-Guyatt and Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) systems. The Jadad decision algorithm was then used to determine which meta-analyses provided the best level of evidence.

Results:

Seven meta-analyses containing a total of 5896 patients met the eligibility criteria (1 Level I evidence, 4 Level II evidence, 2 Level III evidence). None of these meta-analyses found immobilization to be superior to early motion; however, most studies suggested that early motion would increase range of motion (ROM), thereby reducing time of recovery. Three of these studies suggested that tear size contributed to the choice of rehabilitation to ensure proper healing of the shoulder. A study by Chan et al in 2014 received the highest QUOROM and Oxman-Guyatt scores, and therefore this meta-analysis appeared to have the highest level of evidence. Additionally, a study by Riboh and Garrigues in 2014 was selected as the highest quality study in this systematic review according to the Jadad decision algorithm.

Conclusion:

The current, best available evidence suggests that early motion improves ROM after rotator cuff repair but increases the risk of rotator cuff retear. Lower quality meta-analyses indicate that tear size may provide a better strategy in determining the correct rehabilitation protocol.
Thickness control in a new flexible hybrid incremental sheet forming process
Authors: Zhang Huan , Lu Bin , Chen Jun , Feng Sule , Li Zongquan , Long Hui
Published: March 2017

Incremental sheet forming is a cost-effective process for rapid manufacturing of sheet metal products. However, incremental sheet forming also has some limitations such as severe sheet thinning and long processing time. These limitations hamper the forming part quality and production efficiency, thus restricting the incremental sheet forming application in industrial practice. To overcome the problem of sheet thinning, a variety of processes, such as multi-step incremental sheet forming, have been proposed to improve the material flow and thickness distribution. In this work, a new process has been developed by introducing multi-point forming as preforming step before conducting incremental sheet forming processing. Employing an established hybrid sheet forming system and the corresponding thickness prediction model, the preform shape can be optimized by employing a two-step optimization approach to improve the sheet thickness distribution. In total, two case study examples, including a hemisphere part and an aerospace cowling part, are fabricated using the developed hybrid flexible process in this study. The experimental results show that the hybrid flexible forming process with the optimal preform design could achieve sheet parts with more uniform thickness distribution and reduced forming time.
A study on the milling temperature and tool wear of difficult-to-machine 508III steel
Authors: Cheng Yaonan , Guan Rui , Lu Zhenzhen , Xu Ming , Liu Yizhi
Published: March 2017

Difficult-to-machine 508III steel is widely applied in the water-chamber heads of steam generators for nuclear power stations of AP1000 nuclear islands. The dominant machining process for these components is heavy-duty cutting. Since 508III endures significant mechanical impacts and alternating thermal loads during milling, the cutting temperature is relatively high. High temperatures reduce the surface quality of the workpieces and accelerate insert wear, which shortens the insert service life and reduces cutting efficiency. In this article, the welding set and amplifying circuit of thermocouples were designed. Coated cemented carbide inserts were adopted. The wired half-artificial thermocouple method was utilized to conduct 508III steel milling temperature tests. The influence regularity of cutting parameters on the milling temperature was analyzed, and the regression model of the milling temperature was constructed, which provided boundary conditions for insert simulation analysis. Second, finite element simulations of the milling process and milling inserts were carried out to analyze the temperature variation regularity and insert temperature distribution during milling. The simulation results were compared with the experimental results for validation. Finally, the wear behavior of the 508III milling insert was characterized by analyzing the wear condition of both the rake surface and flank surface of the milling insert, as well as the wear amount of the flank surface. The interactive influence regularity between the insert wear and milling temperature was explored. The milling temperature distribution and insert wear state obtained from the simulation agreed with the experimental results. The availability and reliability of the designed milling temperature test system were validated, which provides theoretical foundations and technical support for developing inserts and improving the cutting efficiency of difficult-to-machine materials.
Solitary Discourse Is a Productive Activity
Authors: Zavala Julia , Kuhn Deanna
Published: March 2017

Young adults received information regarding the platforms of two candidates for mayor of a troubled city. Half constructed a dialogue between advocates of the candidates, and the other half wrote an essay evaluating the candidates’ merits. Both groups then wrote a script for a TV spot favoring their preferred candidate. Results supported our hypothesis that the dialogic task would lead to deeper, more comprehensive processing of the two positions, and hence a richer representation of them. The TV scripts of the dialogue group included more references to city problems, candidates’ proposed actions, and links between them, as well as more criticisms of proposed actions and integrative judgments extending across multiple problems or proposed actions. Assessment of levels of epistemological understanding administered to the two groups after the writing tasks revealed that the dialogic group exhibited a lesser frequency of the absolutist position that knowledge consists of facts knowable with certainty. The potential of imagined interaction as a substitute for actual social exchange is considered.
A five consecutive years’ study of renal function outcome among biopsy proven lupus nephritis patients in Southern Iran
Authors: Pakfetrat M , Malekmakan L , Kamranpour M , Tadayon T
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common complications of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) responsible for an increase in mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcome for LN patients and factors that correlate with their outcome.

Materials and methods

We included 80 patients with proved LN and more than three-years follow up at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. We prepared a data gathering sheet for each patient and extracted the data from patients’ file records which existed in the hospital.

Results

The mean age of patients was 36.6 ± 10.6 years, and 88.3% of patients were women. Men develop remission less than women (three men (33.3%) vs 49 women (72.1%), p = 0.014). Chronic kidney disease (GFR < 60) developed in 14.2% of our patients, and 7.8% progressed to end stage renal disease (ESRD). We found a significant relation between initial creatinine (Cr), GFR, and urine 24 hour protein with developing ESRD ( p = 0.002, 0.039, < 0.001, respectively). Also we found that hypertensive patients are at risk of developing ESRD 0.4 times more than normotensive patients ( p = 0.047, CI: 0.131–0.985). Lack of remission was significantly associated with ESRD progression ( p = 0.025).

Conclusion

There is a strong agreement among studies that initial Cr, hypertension and lack of remission are associated with poor outcome in LN patients. As a result we must observe hypertensive patients and patients with increased Cr more carefully. Also, we should consider changing treatment in patients who do not develop remission. In spite of dominancy of women in SLE, men are likely to have poorer outcomes.
Humanitarian security in Jordan’s Azraq Camp
Authors: Hoffmann Sophia
Published: March 2017

Azraq, a new camp for Syrian refugees in the Jordanian desert, presents an unprecedented integration of humanitarian service delivery and harsh security measures. I argue that Azraq’s ‘innovative’ order can only be explained in reference to three security claims that international refugee aid answers to: the claim to secure Syrian refugees, the claim to secure the Jordanian state and the claim to secure aid workers. Implementing these claims entails contradictory practices, which should create dilemmas for humanitarian aid, yet in Azraq these practices merge with each other. This merging (or integration) is aided by the humanitarian sector’s eager embrace of hi-tech solutions, especially digital data management. The article contributes to the growing debate about how security is articulated in the humanitarian arena by placing this debate’s key findings into conversation within a richly researched study of Azraq’s ‘material assemblage’ (Hilhorst and Jansen, 2010; Meiches, 2015). Further, the article emphasizes the importance of the under-researched area of aid organizations’ own security management.
Teaching Empathy and Ethical Decision Making in Business Schools
Authors: Baker Diane F.
Published: March 2017

Researchers in behavioral ethics seek to understand how individuals respond to the ethical dilemmas in their lives. In any given situation, multiple social and psychological variables interact to influence ethical decision making. The purpose of this article is to explore how one such variable, empathy, affects the ethical decision-making process and to identify specific instructional strategies that both increase empathy and challenge students to consider the role that empathy plays in their own decisions. Two learning activities are described. The first requires students to recommend median salaries for several positions in a fictitious company and then use those salaries to create two family budgets, one for an entry-level position and another for the CEO. The second activity measures students’ empathic concern and encourages students to consider the relationship between empathic concern and decision making in business. Increased awareness of self and others prompts a more deliberate, thoughtful decision-making process when assessing ethical situations.
Giving Voice to Values: A Pedagogy for Behavioral Ethics
Authors: Gentile Mary C.
Published: March 2017

Management education has had a long and somewhat conflicted relationship with the integration of ethics and values-driven leadership into its curriculum. This essay presents some of the key challenges around pedagogy, curriculum design, as well as organizational and faculty concerns; and then outlines how behavioral ethics has triggered some significant advances in addressing these concerns while also has raising new questions and potential problems for business ethics education. The Giving Voice to Values pedagogy and curriculum is introduced and explained as a promising response to both of these sets of problems.
Translating Intervention: When Corporate Culture Meets Chinese Socialism
Authors: Chan Andrew , Clegg Stewart , Warr Matthew
Published: March 2017

Under socialist development, the contemporary Chinese Communist Party (CCP) refashions thought management with a changed message. The Party increasingly promotes Chinese cultural values, through a policy of designed corporate culture programs within state-owned and private enterprises. The culture is one that inculcates corporate cultural values “imported” from corporate culture discourses in the Western business world. A curious “translation of ideas” has occurred, ideas that have traveled from the Korean Peninsula and War, through the boardrooms of corporate America and into the mundane practices of the CCP, to build corporate culture. At the core of this culture are practices that Schein has termed coercive persuasion. This article discusses the role of coercive persuasion in two sites: (a) China’s state-owned enterprises and (b) private businesses and social organizations. We conclude that as ideas travel, they may change in substance, whereas in form and functionality, they remain surprisingly similar.
The Effect of Direct Democracy on Turnout
Authors: Dvořák Tomáš , Zouhar Jan , Novák Jakub
Published: March 2017

Does direct democracy lead to increased electoral turnout? Research in the United States has demonstrated this effect and proposed two reasons for it: (1) the process of being involved in direct political participation may educate citizens and lead to their increased long-term political engagement (this explanation draws on the theory of participatory democracy) and/or (2) underlying issues and competitive campaigning draw public interest and cause higher turnout, although this effect is election-specific and short term. Recent empirical findings overwhelmingly favor the latter hypothesis although both mechanisms seem to apply. However, research on this topic is made difficult by the fact that direct democracy and elections take place simultaneously in the United States, which makes it hard to disentangle the effects of each. We present a study from the Czech Republic where direct democracy is not tied to elections. We analyze the effects of local/municipality direct democracy and demonstrate that it leads to increased turnout in upcoming local and national elections. We demonstrate a strong effect sparked by competitive direct democracy campaigns as well as a relatively weak long-term institutional effect of direct democracy.
The utility of routine pre-chemotherapy screening with cardiac gated blood pool scan for patients at low risk of anthracycline toxicity
Authors: Chia Puey Ling , Chiang K , Snyder R , Dowling A
Published: March 2017

Background

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy is used in many malignancies. Current recommendations by several groups suggest cardiac monitoring prior to and during anthracycline therapy. We aim to review the usefulness of baseline cardiac screening for left ventricular ejection fraction to assess if it had any impact on chemotherapy decisions in patients to be treated with anthracycline-based regimens or any beneficial effect upon outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective three-year audit of cancer patients who underwent GBPS prior to anthracycline (doxorubicin) chemotherapy. Subjects were identified via records from the Department of Nuclear Medicine. Pharmacy dispensing records identified those who received doxorubicin. Patient demographics, cancer type, cardiac risk factors, GBPS ejection fraction (EF), and cumulative anthracycline dose were collected.

Results

From 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2012, 179 patients underwent GBPS pre-doxorubicin chemotherapy. The mean age was 59 years (range 21–89 years), with 51% being males. Only two patients (1.1%) had an abnormal EF < 50%, while 33 patients (18%) had an EF 51–59% and 144 patients (80%) had EF ≥ 60%. The two patients with reduced baseline EF still received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. All 135 patients without any known cardiovascular risk factors had normal EFs. The total number of patients who received anthracycline chemotherapy during the same period was 207. Thus 28 patients (13%) commenced anthracycline without a prior GBPS.

Conclusion

Only 1.1% of the screened patients had EF < 50%. These two patients still received doxorubicin chemotherapy despite a compromised EF, as their treating clinicians believed that the benefits of chemotherapy outweighed the risk of potential cardiac toxicity. Our audit questions the practice of routine cardiac evaluation pre-anthracycline screening with GBPS. We propose that routine screening only be requested if cardiac risk factors are present.
Longitudinal thumbnail fissures due to erlotinib therapy for lung cancer
Authors: Dasanu Constantin A , Alvarez-Argote Juliana , Lippman Scott M , Plaxe Steven C
Published: March 2017

While therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors leads to meaningful clinical responses in several tumor types, it has also been linked with perplexing toxic effects. Skin effects of these agents such as generalized papulo-pustular rash, trichomegaly, fingertip fissures, xerosis, pruritus and paronichias are now well characterized. Though uncommon, nail atrophic changes have also been described in subjects treated with these classes of agents. We describe herein unusual longitudinal thumbnail fissures caused by erlotinib therapy for metastatic lung cancer. Unique features are bilateral thumbnail involvement and central location in the nail bed. This side effect of erlotinib has not been previously reported in the medical literature.
Exact solution of some exterior boundary value problems of elasticity in parabolic coordinates
Authors: Zirakashvili Natela
Published: March 2017

The present work, by using the method of the separation of variables, states and analytically (exactly) solves the external boundary value problems of elastic equilibrium of the homogeneous isotropic body bounded by the parabola, when normal or tangential stresses are given on a parabolic border. Using MATLAB software, the numerical results and constructed graphs of the mentioned boundary value problems are obtained.
Diagnostic performances of manual and automated reticulocyte parameters in anaemic cats
Authors: Paltrinieri Saverio , Fossati Marco , Menaballi Valentina
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performances of manual and instrumental measurement of reticulocyte percentage (Ret%), reticulocyte number (Ret#) and reticulocyte production index (RPI) to differentiate regenerative anaemia (RA) from non-regenerative anaemia (NRA) in cats.

Methods

Data from 106 blood samples from anaemic cats with manual counts (n = 74; 68 NRA, six RA) or instrumental counts of reticulocytes (n = 32; 25 NRA, seven RA) collected between 1995 and 2013 were retrospectively analysed. Sensitivity, specificity and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) were calculated using either cut-offs reported in the literature or cut-offs determined from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

All the reticulocyte parameters were significantly higher in cats with RA than in cats with NRA. All the ROC curves were significantly different ( P <0.001) from the line of no discrimination, without significant differences between the three parameters. Using the cut-offs published in literature, the Ret% (cut-off: 0.5%) was sensitive (100%) but not specific (<75%), the RPI (cut-off: 1.0) was specific (>92%) but not sensitive (<15%), and the Ret# (cut-off: 50 × 10³/µl) had a sensitivity and specificity >80% and the highest LR+ (manual count: 14; instrumental count: 6). For all the parameters, sensitivity and specificity approached 100% using the cut-offs determined by the ROC curves. These cut-offs were higher than those reported in the literature for Ret% (manual: 1.70%; instrumental: 3.06%), lower for RPI (manual: 0.39; instrumental: 0.59) and variably different, depending on the method (manual: 41 × 10³/µl; instrumental: 57 × 10³/µl), for Ret#. Using these cut-offs, the RPI had the highest LR+ (manual: 22.7; instrumental: 12.5).

Conclusions and relevance

This study indicated that all the reticulocyte parameters may confirm regeneration when the pretest probability is high, while when this probability is moderate, RA should be identified using the RPI providing that cut-offs <1.0 are used.
Relationship of Genetic Variants With Procedural Pain, Anxiety, and Distress in Children
Authors: Ersig Anne L. , Schutte Debra L. , Standley Jennifer , Leslie Elizabeth , Zimmerman Bridget , Kleiber Charmaine , Hanrahan Kirsten , Murray Jeffrey C. , McCarthy Ann Marie
Published: March 2017

Objective:

This study used a candidate gene approach to examine genomic variation associated with pain, anxiety, and distress in children undergoing a medical procedure.

Study Design:

Children aged 4–10 years having an IV catheter insertion were recruited from three Midwestern children’s hospitals. Self-report measures of pain, anxiety, and distress were obtained as well as an observed measure of distress. Samples were collected from children and biological parents for analysis of genomic variation. Genotyped variants had known or suspected association with phenotypes of interest. Analyses included child-only association and family-based transmission disequilibrium tests.

Results:

Genotype and phenotype data were available from 828 children and 376 family trios. Children were 50% male, had a mean age of 7.2 years, and were 84% White/non-Hispanic. In family-based analysis, one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs1143629, interleukin ( IL1B) 1β) was associated with observed child distress at Bonferroni-corrected levels of significance ( p = .00013), while two approached significance for association with high state anxiety (rs6330 Nerve Growth Factor, Beta Subunit, [ NGFB]) and high trait anxiety (rs6265 brain-derived neurotrophic factor [ BDNF]). In the child-only analysis, multiple SNPs showed nominal evidence of relationships with phenotypes of interest. rs6265 BDNF and rs2941026 cholecystokinin B receptor had possible relationships with trait anxiety in child-only and family-based analyses.

Conclusions:

Exploring genomic variation furthers our understanding of pain, anxiety, and distress and facilitates genomic screening to identify children at high risk of procedural pain, anxiety, and distress. Combined with clinical observations and knowledge, such explorations could help guide tailoring of interventions to limit procedure-related distress and identify genes and pathways of interest for future genotype–phenotype studies.
Disability progression markers over 6–12 years in interferon-β-treated multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Río Jordi , Rovira Àlex , Tintoré Mar , Otero-Romero Susana , Comabella Manuel , Vidal-Jordana Ángela , Galán Ingrid , Castilló Joaquín , Arrambide Georgina , Nos Carlos , Tur Carmen , Pujal Berta , Auger Cristina , Sastre-Garriga Jaume , Montalban Xavier
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To investigate the association between activity during interferon-beta (IFNβ) therapy and disability outcomes in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods:

A longitudinal study based on two previously described cohorts of IFNβ-treated RRMS patients was conducted. Patients were classified according to clinical activity after 2 years (clinical cohort) or to clinical and radiological activity after 1 year (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cohort). Multivariate Cox models were calculated for early disease activity predicting long-term disability.

Results:

A total of 516 patients from two different cohorts were included in the analyses. Persistent clinical disease activity during the first 2 years of therapy predicted severe long-term disability (clinical cohort). In the MRI cohort, modified Rio score and no or minimal evidence of disease activity (NEDA/MEDA) did not identify patients with risk of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) worsening. However, a Rio score ≥ 2 (hazard ratio (HR): 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7–6.4); ≥3 new T2 lesions (HR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.5–5.6); or ≥2 Gd-enhancing lesions (HR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1–4) were able to identify patients with EDSS worsening.

Conclusion:

Although early activity during IFNβ therapy is associated with poor long-term outcomes, minimal degree of activity does not seem to be predictive of EDSS worsening over 6.7-year mean follow-up.
Immediate transient thrombocytopenia at the time of alemtuzumab infusion in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ranganathan Usha , Kaunzner Ulrike , Foster Stacyann , Vartanian Timothy , Perumal Jai S
Published: March 2017

Background:

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Although Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) has been reported as a secondary autoimmune phenomenon following alemtuzumab infusion, immediate thrombocytopenia during the infusion has not been reported.

Objective:

We report transient, reversible, self-limiting acute-onset thrombocytopenia during the first course with alemtuzumab.

Results and conclusion:

In total, 3 of 22 paitents developed mild self-limited bruising associated with a drop in platelet count from their baseline during the intial 5-day course of alemtuzumab. Upon chart review, all 22 patients who received alemtuzumab developed an immediate mostly asymptomatic drop in platelet count which returned to normal within 2 months post-infusion.
64-Slice CT compared to MRI to clear cervical spine injury in high-risk GCS < 14 blunt trauma patients admitted to the ICU
Authors: McCallum Jessica , McLaughlin Patrick , Hameed Morad , Kanji Hussein D
Published: March 2017

Objective

Clearance of cervical spine injury including ligamentous injury is of paramount importance as results of missed injury may have serious consequences. In obtunded patients, cervical spine clearance is challenging. This study sought to determine whether a negative 64-slice CT scan alone is sufficient to clear cervical spine injury.

Patients and methods

All consecutive blunt trauma patients admitted to a regional (level 1) trauma center from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2012 were screened for inclusion in this study. High-risk, GCS < 14, blunt trauma patients were included if they were admitted to the intensive care unit, had a negative 64-slice CT, and MRI of diagnostic quality. GCS was measured at the time of CT scan. Patients with a positive finding on CT scan were excluded. All images were re-interpreted by a trauma radiologist blinded to clinical outcome. Details of missed injuries and clinical impact were reported. The primary outcome was missed clinically significant injury, defined as any injury requiring an additional intervention including continued immobilization or surgery.

Results

There were 5891 blunt trauma patients admitted to the ICU, 44 of whom met inclusion criteria. Patients had a median injury severity score of 35 and MRI three (2–9) days after CT. Eight of 44 (18%) patients had a positive finding on MRI and five of the findings were clinically insignificant. Three patients (7%) with focal neurologic findings on clinical exam had missed injuries requiring immobilization with a collar. Two of these patients had spine disease, which may have increased their injury risk.

Conclusions

In high-risk obtunded blunt trauma patients admitted to the ICU, a negative 64-slice CT scan alone is insufficient to clear clinically significant cervical spine injury, with a missed clinically significant injury rate of 7%. When considered with symmetric motor function, a negative 64-slice CT scan may be sufficient. A prospective study is required to confirm these findings.
Comments on systematic methodologies of action research in the new millennium: A review of publications 2000–2014
Authors: Chen Siyu , Huang Fuquan , Zeng Wenjie
Published: March 2017

Substantial attention has been given to action research. A systematic review was implemented in 2001 to provide a complete summary of existing action research studies, but there is no systematic exploration of action research publications for this millennium. The general objective of this study was to systematically retrieve and review empirical studies on action research methodologies from 2000 to 2014. The consecutive and structured process of searching, selecting and examining articles through the Matrix Method was elaborated clearly in this paper. This study has found a wide variety of action research paradigms, data collection, and analysis methods and this paper discussed action research quality from these three aspects. Actor-network theory was introduced to propose the Spectrum of action research paradigms. In addition, a new classification was presented to group all data collection methods into those conducted respectively by researchers, participants, and both. Six kinds of commonly used data analysis approaches were extracted. Limitations and conclusions of the study were articulated in this paper.
“Humane” Immigration Enforcement and Latina Immigrants in the Detention Complex
Authors: Gómez Cervantes Andrea , Menjívar Cecilia , Staples William G.
Published: March 2017

We explore the criminalization of Latina immigrants through the interwoven network of social control created by law, the justice system, and private corporations—the immigration industrial complex. Considerable scholarly research has focused on understanding the overtly coercive practices of deportation and the consequences for families and communities; less attention has been devoted to the social control mechanisms of detention facilities and “Alternative to Detention Programs” (ATD programs) operating in the United States. We know relatively little about the consequences for immigrant populations, especially of the purported “humane” practices in the enforcement apparatus. Based on existing documents produced by governmental offices, including Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, Government Accountability Office, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and private correctional facilities, we conducted semistructured interviews with 11 immigration lawyers who have access to women who are and/or have been detained, are in supervised ATD programs, are/were in deportation proceedings, or attempt(ed) to claim asylum. An examination of immigration confinement, especially the laws and policy decisions behind the exponential increase in these detentions, reveals important gender dynamics in these practices. The subtle and benevolence-signaling discourse evoking “family,” “motherhood,” and the care of children masks the harsh “business as usual” tactics that treat women and their children in ways indistinguishable from those used in the criminal justice system. We contend that this feminized and infantilized language functions to conceal widespread civil and human rights violations, physical and sexual violence, and mistreatment reproduced by the immigration detention system today.
A Cadaveric Study of the Thread Trigger Finger Release: The First Annular Pulley Transection Through Thread Transecting Technique
Authors: Guo Danqing , Guo Danzhu , Guo Joseph , McCool Logan C. , Tonkin Brionn
Published: March 2017

Background: After the thread transecting technique was successfully applied for the thread carpal tunnel release, we researched using the same technique in the thread trigger finger release (TTFR). This study was designed to test the operational feasibility of the TTFR on cadavers and verify the limits of division on the first annular (A1) pulley to ensure a complete trigger finger release with minimal iatrogenic injuries. Methods: The procedure of TTFR was performed on 14 fingers and 4 thumbs of 4 unembalmed cadaveric hands. After the procedures, all fingers and thumbs were dissected and visually assessed. Results: All of the digits and thumbs demonstrated a complete A1 pulley release. There was no injury to the neurovascular bundle (radial digital nerve in case of thumb), flexor tendon, or A2 pulley for each case. Conclusions: The cadaveric study showed that the technique of TTFR was safe and effective, and the future clinical study is necessary to verify the findings of this study.
Modelling weather dependence in online reliability assessment of power systems
Authors: Perkin Samuel , Svendsen Arne Brufladt , Tollefsen Trond , Honve Ingrid , Baldursdottir Iris , Stefansson Hlynur , Kristjansson Ragnar , Jensson Pall
Published: March 2017

Probabilistic reliability assessment of power systems is an ongoing field of research, particularly in the development of tools to model the probability of exogenous threats and their potential consequences. This paper describes the application of a weather-dependent failure rate model to a region of the Icelandic transmission system, using 10 years of weather data and overhead line fault records. The studied failure rate model is compared with a constant failure rate model, in terms of variability and how well the models perform in a blind test over a 2 year period in reflecting the occurrence of outages. The weather-dependent and constant failure rate models are used as input to a state-of-the-art risk assessment tool to determine the sensitivity of such software to weather-dependent threats. The results show the importance of weather-dependent contingency probabilities in risk estimation, and in quantitative assessment of maintenance activities. The results also demonstrate that inclusion of weather dependence in power system reliability assessments affects the overall distribution of risk as a positively skewed distribution, with high-risk periods occurring at low frequency.
The Reciprocal Relationship Between Perceptions of Moral Goodness and Knowledge of Others’ True Selves
Authors: Christy Andrew G. , Kim Jinhyung , Vess Matthew , Schlegel Rebecca J. , Hicks Joshua A.
Published: March 2017

The idea of true selves is widespread in folk psychology. Most research on this topic has focused on the precursors to and consequences of feeling that one knows or is expressing one’s own true self. As such, little is known about the conditions under which people feel like they know the true selves of others. In five studies (total N = 815), we tested and found support for the hypothesis that moral information is inherently tied to perceived knowledge of others’ true selves. Across all studies, using both descriptive texts (Studies 1–3) and computer-generated faces as stimuli (Studies 4 and 5), participants felt that they knew more about the true selves of highly moral targets relative to other targets and, conversely, believed the targets possessed more moral traits when they felt that they knew the individual’s true self.
“Chorea”: A Unique Presentation of Left Atrial Myxoma in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Chikkabyrappa Sathish M. , Tretter Justin T. , Vishwanath Vijay , Bhatla Puneet
Published: March 2017

We report an unusual presentation of a large left atrial myxoma in an eight-year-old girl who presented with the sudden onset of chorea. This case illustrates the fact that the presentation of chorea in nonendemic areas for rheumatic fever should raise suspicion for a myxoma. The chorea resolved soon after removal of the myxoma, supporting the hypothesis of an immune-mediated mechanism, or manifestation of paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to the myxoma.
Trajectories of Affective Response as Warning Signs for Suicide Attempts
Authors: Bagge Courtney L. , Littlefield Andrew K. , Glenn Catherine R.
Published: March 2017

Change in affect is widely considered a warning sign for suicidal behavior. However, no study to date has directly examined such within-person changes during the hours preceding a suicide attempt. This study aimed to identify subgroups differentiated by affective patterns leading up to their suicide attempt, determine whether types of affect can be considered warning signs among these subgroups, and identify subgroup clinical correlates. Participants included 216 suicide attempters presenting to the hospital within 24 hours of their attempt. A timeline follow-back methodology was used to assess near-term behaviors and affect prior to the attempt, and a battery of measures assessed distal clinical correlates and attempt characteristics. Four affective subgroups were identified and were distinguished by specific affective warning signs and clinical correlates. Findings indicate that affective changes are warning signs for some, but not all, suicide attempters and highlight the exceptional challenge of predicting imminent risk for suicide.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Autobiographical Memories in Everyday Life
Authors: Schönfeld Sabine , Ehlers Anke
Published: March 2017

Evidence from self-reports and laboratory studies suggests that recall of nontrauma autobiographical memories may be disturbed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but investigations in everyday life are sparse. This study investigated unintentional nontrauma and trauma memories in trauma survivors with and without PTSD ( N = 52), who kept an autobiographical memory diary for a week. We investigated whether unintentional nontrauma memories show an overgeneral memory bias and further memory abnormalities in people with PTSD, and whether unintentional trauma memories show distinct features. Compared to the no-PTSD group, the PTSD group recorded fewer nontrauma memories, which were more overgeneral, more often from before the trauma or related to the trauma, were perceived as distant, and led to greater dwelling. Trauma memories were more vivid, recurrent, and present and led to greater suppression and dwelling. Within the PTSD group, the same features distinguished trauma and nontrauma memories. Results are discussed regarding theories of autobiographical memory and PTSD.