bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New York State: Comparison of Treatment Outcomes for Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms Using an Instrumental Variable Analysis
Authors: Bekelis Kimon , Missios Symeon , Coy Shannon , Singer Robert J. , MacKenzie Todd A.
Published: July 2015

Background

There is wide regional variation in the predominant treatment for unruptured cerebral aneurysms. We investigated the association of elective surgical clipping and endovascular coiling with mortality, readmission rate, length of stay, and discharge to rehabilitation.

Methods and Results

We performed a cohort study involving patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms, who underwent surgical clipping or endovascular coiling from 2009 to 2013 and were registered in the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database. An instrumental variable analysis was used to investigate the association of treatment technique with outcomes. Of the 4643 patients undergoing treatment, 3190 (68.7%) underwent coiling, and 1453 (31.3%) underwent clipping. Using an instrumental variable analysis, we did not identify a difference in inpatient mortality (marginal effect, 0.13; 95%
CI
, −0.30, 0.57), or the rate of 30‐day readmission (marginal effect, −1.84; 95%
CI
−4.06, −0.37) between the 2 treatment techniques for patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Clipping was associated with a higher rate of discharge to rehabilitation (marginal effect, 2.31; 95%
CI
0.21, 4.41), and longer length of stay (β, 2.01; 95%
CI
0.85, 3.04). In sensitivity analysis, mixed‐effect regression, and propensity score, adjusted regression models demonstrated identical results.

Conclusions

Using a comprehensive all‐payer cohort of patients in New York State with unruptured cerebral aneurysms, we did not identify an association of treatment method with mortality or 30‐day readmission. Clipping was associated with a higher rate of discharge to rehabilitation and longer length of stay.
American Higher Education and Income Inequality
Authors: Hill Catharine B.
Published: July 2015

This paper demonstrates that increasing income inequality can contribute to the trends we see in American higher education, particularly in the selective, private nonprofit and public sectors. Given these institutions’ selective admissions and commitment to socioeconomic diversity, the paper demonstrates how increasing income inequality leads to higher tuition, costs, and financial aid. A numerical example is presented that estimates how much lower tuition, spending (costs), and financial aid would have been if household incomes in the United States had grown by the same aggregate amount between 1971 and 2009, but with no increase in income inequality. The policy implications include the government addressing rising income inequality directly or changing the incentives facing higher education and will be of interest to those concerned with the rising cost of higher education and issues of access and affordability.
On the presence of North American clubmoss Huperzia lucidula (Lycopodiaceae) in China: An intercontinental disjunction or misidentification
Authors: Shrestha Nawal , Zhang Xian-Chun
Published: July 2015

The North American shining clubmoss, Huperzia lucidula, was originally thought to be endemic to North America. However it was reported from China by Ren Chang Ching in 1981, and hence was believed to have a disjunct distribution in North America and Asia. Since then, in all Chinese literature H. lucidula has been described as a disjunct taxon, although in North American literature it has nearly always only been reported from eastern North America. The studies on the Chinese taxon are at present insufficient to address this taxonomical and biogeographical disparity. In this study we have attempted to unravel this issue using integrative morphological and molecular analyses. Morphological study included a thorough examination of specimens from the entire distribution range of H. lucidula in the USA, Canada and China following field collections. Molecular study included Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetical analyses of three chloroplast markers: the genes rbcL and matK and the psbA-trnH intergenic spacer. The results showed distinct morphological differences between the North American and Chinese taxa, sufficient to recognize them as separate species. The molecular results corroborated these findings and supported the separation of the two taxa. Based on our results, the Chinese taxon is neither a variant of H. lucidula nor sister to it and therefore the supposed disjunct distribution of H. lucidula is erroneous and a result of misidentification. The Chinese taxon that was firstly reported by Ching as H. lucidula var. asiatica has been elevated to the species rank and a new combination has been made.
Two new species of Anthurium section Xialophyllium (Araceae) from Panama
Authors: Ortiz Orlando Oriel , Croat Thomas , Baldini Riccardo Maria
Published: July 2015

Two new species of Anthurium section Xialophyllium from Panama are described here. Both species have close affinities with Anthurium microspadix, A. davidsoniae and A. myosuroides. Anthurium monteazulense sp. nov., known only from Chiriquí Province, is characterized by its epiphytic habit, internodes somewhat longer than broad, loosely intact cataphylls, leaf blades subcordate, bullate, ovate with two pairs of basal veins and short-stipitate green to greenish yellow cylindroid spadix. The other species, Anthurium batistae sp. nov., known only from Veraguas Province, is characterized by its terrestrial habit, elongate internodes, deciduous cataphylls, leaf blades rounded at base, ovate with one pair of basal veins and prominently stipitate purplish red cylindroid spadix.
Cylindrosporus flavidus gen. et comb. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) segregated from Onnia
Authors: Zhou Li-Wei
Published: July 2015

Onnia is one of the seven genera of Inonotus s.l., belonging to Hymenochaetaceae. According to the current concept, Onnia differs from the other six genera of Inonotus s.l. mainly by its either stipitate or sessile basidiocarps, duplex context, presence of hymenial setae and hyaline, thin-walled basidiospores. As the only species with sessile basidiocarps and cylindrical basidiospores in Onnia, O. flavida was transferred from Inonotus without molecular test. In this study, for the first time, Onnia flavida is included in nLSU- and ITS-based phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Onnia flavida belonged to Hymenochaetaceae and was clearly separated from Onnia and other six genera of Inonotus s.l. Moreover, there is no other current genus in Hymenochaetaceae fit to accommodate this species from both morphological and phylogenetic perspectives. Therefore, a monotypic genus Cylindrosporus is newly proposed to accommodate the new combination C. flavidus. The distinct characters of Cylindrosporus that distinguish it from other morphologically and phylogenetically related genera are discussed.
The phylogeny of mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpoidea: Gryllotalpidae)
Authors: CADENA-CASTAÑEDA OSCAR J.
Published: July 2015

The monophyly and phylogenetic relationships of the family Gryllotalpidae were researched. Twenty-six in-group taxa, representing all known genera of Gryllotalpidae were included in a cladistic analysis, based on 89, morphological characters (including genital characters of the males). The different analyses of the resulting data matrix supported the monophyly of Scapteriscinae and Gryllotalpinae and its internal group. Subfamilies, tribes and genera of Gryllotalpidae are fully diagnosed, illustrated and keys to their identification are provided. Four tribes are established (Indioscaptorini n. trib. (Scapteriscinae), Triamescaptorini n. trib., Gryllotalpellini n. trib. and Neocurtillini n. trib. (Gryllotalpinae)) and two other are fully delimited (Scapteriscini stat. rev. and Gryllotalpini stat. rev.). Two new genera are described (Neoscapteriscus n. gen. and Leptocurtilla n. gen.) and as well as seven new species: Gryllotalpella rehni n. sp., G. tindalei n. sp., G. lawrencei n. sp., Neocurtilla ingrischi n. sp., N. townsendi n. sp., Leptocurtilla juanmanueli n. sp. and L. chopardi n. sp. The following nomenclatural changes were made: All species previously placed in Scapteriscus s.l. are transferred to the new genus Neoscapteriscus, except Scapteriscus oxydactilus and S. headsi that are still placed in Scapteriscus, Gryllotalpa chilensis reinst. stat. and Leptocurtilla maranona, n. comb. Finally, previous contributions about the phylogenetic relationships of molecrickets are contrasted with the results of this research.
Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus, a new species of sweetlips (Perciformes:
Haemulidae) from northern Australia and the resurrection of P. unicolor (Macleay, 1883), species previously confused with P. schotaf (Forsskål, 1775)
Authors: JOHNSON JEFFREY W. , WILMER JESSICA WORTHINGTON
Published: July 2015

Two distinct haemulid fishes from Australia and the Indo-Australian Archipelago respectively have long been confused with Plectorhinchus schotaf (Forsskål, 1775). Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus sp. nov. is described from 17 specimens collected off western and far northern Australia, between the Monte Bello Islands, Western Australia and Torres Strait, Queensland. It has also been confirmed outside this range by photographs taken at Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia, and at Claremont Isles and Lizard Island, Queensland. The new species is unique among the genus in having a combination of dorsal-fin rays XII, 18–20, lateral-line scales 56–61, gill rakers 7–9 on the upper limb and 18–20 on the lower limb of the first arch, nostrils minute, and fresh colouration in adults including body uniformly grey, cheek, opercles and posterior margin of the opercular membrane uniformly blue-grey, and rim of orbit and upper edge of maxilla dusky yellow. In contrast to its closest congeners, the juveniles have a distinctive pattern of narrow creamish-white to pale grey stripes on a dark grey to chocolate brown background on the head and body, and oblique dark stripes progressing with growth to spots on the caudal fin. Plectorhinchus unicolor (Macleay, 1883) from Japan to northern Australia is resurrected from the synonomy of P. schotaf and redescribed on the basis of the holotype and 24 non-type specimens. Plectorhinchus unicolor is most similar to P. schotaf, but can be distinguished by fresh colouration, modal dorsal and pectoral-fin ray counts and DNA barcoding. Plectorhinchus schotaf appears to be restricted to the region from southeast Africa to the Arabian Sea, including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Plectorhinchus griseus (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1830) from Indian and Sri Lankan Seas has previously been treated as a junior synonym of P. schotaf, but in accordance with Smith (1962), is here confirmed as a valid species, readily distinguished from the latter by a concavity in the lateral profile of the snout in adults, deep body and high soft dorsal-fin ray count. Comparison of the CO1 genetic marker utilised in DNA barcoding also resulted in significant genetic divergences between the new species, P. unicolor and their closest sampled congeners. Some behavioural observations are also presented for the species treated, including aggressive interactions between individuals of the new species, the likes of which have not previously been recorded among species of Plectorhinchus.
Two new species of the millipede family Blaniulidae (Diplopoda, Julida) from caves in central and southeastern Europe
Authors: ANTIĆ DRAGAN Ž. , MOCK ANDREJ , ENGHOFF HENRIK
Published: July 2015

Two new species, one each of the previously monotypic genera Cibiniulus Verhoeff, 1927, and Thassoblaniulus Mauriès, 1985, are described from caves in Slovakia and Albania, respectively: C. slovacus Antić, Mock & Enghoff, sp. n. and T. radjai Antić & Enghoff sp. n. Brief discussions on relationships with congeners and on the taxonomic position of the genera Cibiniulus and Thassoblaniulus within Blaniulidae are presented, as well as a distribution map for both genera.
Description of two final stadium platystictid larvae from Borneo, including that of Drepanosticta ?attala Lieftinck, identified using DNA barcoding (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae)
Authors: ORR ALBERT G. , DOW RORY A.
Published: July 2015

The final stadium larva of Drepanosticta ?attala Lieftinck, is described and illustrated based on a single male specimen collected at Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre, Brunei. The larva was identified by matching the mitochondrial marker COI with that of known adult specimens. The larva presented a good match with both D. attala and D. barbatula Lieftinck in this gene, but as adults of only the former species had been collected at the locality, it is presumed more likely to be that species. Another, unidentified platystictid larva, Platystictidae A, collected at the same general locality is also described. The two larvae show significant differences from each other and from D. sundana Krüger, the only other Oriental region member of the family for which larval morphology is known. The three species are also compared with the larvae of the Neotropical genus Palaemnema, which they closely resemble, despite being currently placed in different subfamilies. Based on this known material, Oriental and Neotropical forms differ significantly in details of mandibular morphology, especially the armature of the molar field.
Four new species of the genus Agrilus Curtis, 1825 from Ecuador (Coleoptera, Buprestidae)
Authors: CURLETTI GIANFRANCO
Published: July 2015

Agrilus delsinnei n. sp., Agrilus yanzatzanus n. sp., Agrilus touroultinus n. sp, Agrilus quito n. sp. from Ecuador are described.
Andean region: a shapefile of Morrone’s (2015) biogeographical regionalisation
Authors: LÖWENBERG-NETO Peter
Published: July 2015

Morrone's (2015) biogeographic regionalisation of the Andean region is based on the distributional ranges of terrestrial plants and animals. It is the most comprehensive and methodologically supported biogeographical scheme for the region to date. The Andean region comprises one transition zone (the South American transition zone), three subregions (Central Chilean, Subantarctic and Patagonian) and 15 provinces (Morrone, 2015).
The Predictability of Rainfall over the Greater Horn of Africa. Part II: Prediction of Monthly Rainfall during the Long Rains
Authors: Nicholson Sharon E.
Published: July 2015

Seasonal prediction of the boreal spring rains in the Greater Horn of Africa has been notoriously challenging. Predictability is markedly lower than during the autumnal rainy season. Part I of this article explored predictability at the seasonal scale, using multiple linear regression. However, the three months of the boreal spring season are clearly different climatologically and with respect to the prevailing atmospheric circulation and controls on interannual variability. For that reason, the current study follows up on Part I by examining the predictability of the three months individually. The current study utilizes 1- and 2-month lead times and the results are evaluated via cross validation. This approach provided improved skill for April and May in the equatorial rainfall region, but not for March in this region and not for the region with predominantly summer rainfall. Overall, the best predictors are shown to be atmospheric variables, most often zonal and meridional wind. Sea surface temperatures and sea level pressure provided little predictive skill.
Diagnosis of Track Forecast Errors for Tropical Cyclone Rita (2005) Using GEFS Reforecasts
Authors: Galarneau Thomas J. , Hamill Thomas M.
Published: July 2015

Analysis and diagnosis of the track forecasts for Tropical Cyclone (TC) Rita (2005) from the Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) reforecast dataset is presented. The operational numerical weather prediction guidance and GEFS reforecasts initialized at 0000 UTC 20–22 September 2005, 2–4 days prior to landfall, were all characterized by a persistent left-of-track error. The numerical guidance indicated a significant threat of landfall for the Houston, Texas, region on 24 September. The largest mass evacuation in U.S. history was ordered, with the evacuation resulting in more fatalities than TC Rita itself. TC Rita made landfall along the Texas–Louisiana coastal zone on 24 September. This study utilizes forecasts from the GEFS reforecast and a high-resolution regional reforecast. The regional reforecast was generated using the Advanced Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting Model (AHW) with the GEFS reforecasts providing the initial and boundary conditions. The results show that TC Rita’s track was sensitive to errors in both the synoptic-scale flow and TC intensity. Within the GEFS reforecast ensemble, the nonrecurving members were characterized by a midlevel subtropical anticyclone that extended too far south and west over the southern United States, and an upper-level cutoff low west and anticyclone east of TC Rita that were too weak. The AHW regional reforecast ensemble further highlighted the role of intensity and steering-layer depth in TC Rita’s track. While the AHW forecast was initialized with a TC that was too weak, the ensemble members that were able to intensify TC Rita more rapidly produced a better track forecast because the TCs followed a deeper steering-layer flow.
Telling biological time from a blood sample: current capabilities and future potential
Authors: von Schantz Malcolm , Skene Debra J
Published: July 2015

Circadian rhythms, near-24 h oscillations that reflect homeostatic control by an internal timing system rather than the influence of external factors, are an important and sometimes underappreciated aspect of human physiology and biochemistry. Over the past few decades, the pineal gland hormone melatonin has been established both as a robust marker of circadian phase in plasma or saliva and as a chronobiotic drug administered to reset the timing of the circadian oscillator. Recent work by our own and other laboratories has sought to systematically investigate whole categories of molecular components in blood samples in a hypothesis-free fashion by employing metabolomic methodologies to study low molecular weight compounds and transcriptomic methodologies to study gene expression in white blood cells, respectively. A number of components have been pinpointed that show a rhythmic circadian variation or are affected by imposed factors such as sleep deprivation. Although melatonin, a robust and reliable circadian phase marker, will be a hard act to follow, these lines of research suggest numerous potential leads for useful new markers of biological timing.
Familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia: a rapid and novel mass spectrometry approach to diagnosis
Authors: Ryan Joshua B , Brennan Stephen O , Potter Howard , Wolmarans Louise , Florkowski Christopher M , George Peter M
Published: July 2015

Background

Familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia is an important cause of discordant thyroid function test results (due to an inherited albumin variant); however, the diagnosis can be challenging. A 51-year-old man had persistently elevated free thyroxine (T4), with discordant normal thyroid-stimulating hormone and normal free triiodothyronine. He was clinically euthyroid and had a daughter with similar thyroid function test results. We aimed to apply a whole protein mass spectrometry method to investigate this case of suspected familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia.

Methods

Intact serum albumin was assessed directly using electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results were confirmed using tryptic peptide m/z mapping and targeted DNA sequencing (exons 3 and 7 of the albumin gene). We also used this sequencing to screen 14 archived DNA samples that were negative for thyroid hormone receptor mutations (in suspected thyroid hormone resistance).

Results

Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated heterozygosity for an albumin variant with a 19 Da decrease in mass, indicative of an Arg→His substitution. The familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia variant was confirmed with peptide mapping (showing the precise location of the substitution, 218Arg→His) and DNA sequencing (showing guanine to adenine transition at codon 218 of exon 7). The same familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia variant was identified in one additional screened sample.

Conclusions

Time-of-flight mass spectrometry is a novel procedure for diagnosing familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia. The test is rapid (<10 min), can be performed on <2  μL of serum and requires minimal sample preparation.
A Review of Adverse Reactions in Infants From Medications in Breastmilk
Authors: Anderson Philip O. , Manoguerra Anthony S. , Valdés Verónica
Published: July 2015

The types and rate of adverse drug reactions experienced by breastfed infants whose mothers are taking medications has not been well defined. This article reviews the literature on adverse drug reactions in infants since a previous review in 2002. Case reports and studies of adverse drug reactions in breastfed infants whose mothers were taking a prescribed or over-the-counter medication were selected. Fifty-three case reports and 16 studies were located. Serious acute adverse drug reactions from drugs in breastmilk appear to be uncommon. Infants under 2 months of age, and especially those under 1 month, appear to be most susceptible. Similar to previous reviews, free iodine, opioids, and the use of multiple central nervous system drugs simultaneously were identified as drugs of concern. A few narrowly focused studies are now available on long-term effects of maternal drug therapy on breastfed infants and they are mostly reassuring.
Suffering, recognition and reframing: Healthcare choices and plural care pathways for women with chronic back pain
Authors: Kirby Emma , Broom Alex , Sibbritt David , Refshauge Kathryn , Adams Jon
Published: July 2015

Chronic back pain is a major health and social problem in Australia, often concealed and given limited credibility vis-a-vis other health conditions. Care practices are diversified with allied health, biomedical and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners regularly being consulted for help and care, often concurrently. While this differentiated ‘healthcare market’ may on one level be viewed as positive in terms of diverse therapeutic choices, there is also potential for difficulties with regard to care practices and negotiating competing therapeutic modalities. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 50 women aged 60–65 from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health living with chronic back pain, this article explores their accounts of suffering and the experiences of engaging in pluralistic healthcare choices, with a particular focus on CAM. The findings reveal the ways by which healthcare pluralism is connected to the dynamics of suffering and relations of recognition.
Healthcare choice: Bourdieu’s capital, habitus and field
Authors: Collyer Fran M , Willis Karen F , Franklin Marika , Harley Kirsten , Short Stephanie D
Published: July 2015

The promotion of choice is a common theme in both policy discourses and commercial marketing claims about healthcare. However, within the multiple potential pathways of the healthcare ‘maze’, how do healthcare ‘consumers’ or patients understand and experience choice? What is meant by ‘choice’ in the policy context, and, importantly from a sociological perspective, how are such choices socially produced and structured? In this theoretical article, the authors consider the interplay of Bourdieu’s three key, interlinked concepts – capital, habitus and field – in the structuring of healthcare choice. These are offered as an alternative to rational choice theory, where ‘choice’ is regarded uncritically as a fundamental ‘good’ and able to provide a solution to the problems of the healthcare system. The authors argue that sociological analyses of healthcare choice must take greater account of the ‘field’ in which choices are made in order to better explain the structuring of choice.
Planning for an (un)certain future: Choice within English end-of-life care
Authors: Borgstrom Erica
Published: July 2015

Neoliberal policies are shaping the healthcare landscape by emphasizing individual choice. End-of-life care is a case in point as patient choice, through advance care planning, is a key conceptual framework for motivating service development and provision. Based on qualitative ethnographic research in England, this article describes what choice is and how it is enacted in the context of end-of-life care. Within policy, choice represents individual autonomy and is a goal to strive towards. In order to enable choice, healthcare professionals are to openly discuss dying with patients and in turn, patients are expected to express their preferences. However, by focusing on two case studies, the article demonstrates how people struggle to articulate choice in these ways and the preferences expressed represent the complex contexts in which care is performed. Although death is certain, the possibility of control alluded to by choice rhetoric is not realized in practice.
Choice in the American healthcare system: Changing dynamics under the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Doonan Michael , Katz Gabrielle
Published: July 2015

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the United States changed the available options of healthcare coverage and providers. Through a comparative case study methodology, this article analyzes variations and trends in choice of provider and/or health plan and implications for consumers. Choice is explored at the national and state level for public and private health insurance options. This includes employer-based insurance, marketplace options, and the public Medicare and Medicaid programs. Findings indicate that too much choice can create confusion and lead to economically inefficient plan selection. Employer structuring of choice retains a wide choice of providers, but passes more cost on to employees. ACA marketplaces come short of structuring managed competition where choice drives efficiency. While the previously uninsured have far better options under reform, the system-wide range, degree, and complexity of choice tend to favor insurers over consumers.
Simulation-based design concept evaluation for ambulance patient compartments
Authors: Kibira Deogratias , Lee Y Tina , Marshall Jennifer , Feeney Allison Barnard , Avery Larry , Jacobs Allie
Published: July 2015

To address the inadequacy of ambulance design standards, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and BMT Designers and Planners have collaborated to develop new design standards for ambulance patient compartments. This paper presents a simulation-based approach to evaluate and guide improving patient compartment designs that conform to developed requirements for better performance and safety of ambulance users. Those requirements address hazards stemming from (1) the inability of providers to remain safely restrained while treating patients, and (2) the musculoskeletal damage from awkward body postures. An initial design was developed through the axiomatic design approach with inputs from stakeholders such as emergency medical service providers and ambulance manufacturers. The design was imported into a human task simulation tool. It was tested for performance to identify areas for further improvements, which resulted in a second design concept. This paper shows how computer simulation was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the two successive design concepts in enabling providers to perform a range of medical care tasks while remaining seated and restrained. We also evaluated the musculoskeletal effect of these designs on the providers. The results showed that using a simulation-based evaluation produced patient compartments that better meet user requirements when compared with traditional designs. This research produced a set of requirements and recommendations that we believe will lead to better design standards and guidelines for the next generation of ambulances.
Negative Case Selection: Justifications and Consequences for Set-Theoretic MMR
Authors: Mikkelsen Kim Sass
Published: July 2015

The combined usage of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) and process tracing (PT) in set-theoretic multi-method research (MMR) holds great potential for reaching valid inferences. Established views of case selection after QCA hold that studying negative cases provides lessons about the causes of an outcome in a limited set of circumstances. In particular, recommendations focus on negative cases only if they contradict the analysis or if suitably similar positive match cases exist to leverage comparisons. By contrast, I argue that set-theoretic MMR can gain from studying negative cases even when these conditions do not hold. First, negative cases can give insights into why an outcome fails to occur. Second, they can help guard against theoretical inconsistency between explanations for the outcome and its absence. Third, they can ensure that the mechanisms producing the outcome and its absence are not too similar to be logically capable of resulting in different outcomes. Following these arguments, I recommend that studies of negative cases in set-theoretic MMR focus on failure mechanisms in carefully bounded populations, search for theoretical inconsistency among mechanisms, and focus in part on the mechanism proposed to produce the outcome.
Signals of Contrastiveness
Authors: Murphy M. Lynne , Jones Steven , Koskela Anu
Published: July 2015

By examining contexts in which “emergent” oppositions appear, we consider the relative contribution of formal parallelism, connective type, and semantic relation (considered as an indicator of relative semantic parallelism) in generating contrast. The data set is composed of cases of ancillary antonymy—the use of an established antonym pair to help support and/or accentuate contrast between a less established pair. Having devised measures for formal and semantic parallelism, we find that but is less likely to appear in contexts with high levels of formal parallelism than non-contrastive connectives like and or punctuation. With respect to semantic parallelism, we find that contrastive connectives are less likely to occur with pairs that are in traditional paradigmatic relations (“nym relations”: antonymy, co-hyponymy, synonymy). The article’s main hypothesis—that non-paradigmatic relations need more contextual sustenance for their opposition—was therefore supported. Indeed, pairs in nym relations were found to be more than twice as likely to be joined by a non-contrastive connective as by a contrastive one.
The experience of non-offending caregivers following the disclosure of child sexual abuse: understanding the aftermath
Authors: Bux Waheeda , Cartwright Duncan J , Collings Steven J
Published: July 2015

Non-offending caregivers play a critical role in mediating the child survivor’s recovery from child sexual abuse. Despite this, little has been documented about their experiences in the South African context. This exploratory qualitative study investigates the experiences of 10 caregivers following the disclosure of sexual abuse of a child under their care. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that caregivers experienced multiple forms of emotional, psychological, and situational difficulties following the disclosure of child sexual abuse. Five core themes were identified: distress, concern for the child, alienation, coping style, and grief. The findings suggest that not only do caregivers experience vicarious traumatisation but also that caregiver distress impacted their parenting abilities.
Comparison of Sugeno and Mamdani fuzzy models optimized by artificial bee colony algorithm for nonlinear system modelling
Authors: Bagis Aytekin , Konar Mehmet
Published: July 2015

This paper is an extended version of the paper presented at TOK 2014 (Turkish Automatic Control National Meeting) which examined the determination of Sugeno type fuzzy model parameters optimized by the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm for a microstrip antenna. This paper presents a performance comparison of the Sugeno and Mamdani type fuzzy models proposed for nonlinear system modelling. To determine the parameters of the fuzzy models, the ABC algorithm is used. For this purpose, several nonlinear system examples which given in the literature were considered, and the results obtained by the optimized fuzzy models were compared with the other modelling approaches in the literature. Simulation results demonstrate that the use of the ABC algorithm provides a remarkable contribution to the model’s performance.
Media exposure of novel protests: domestic femininity in news coverage of the Great Railway Adventure protests
Authors: Nulman Eugene
Published: July 2015

Social Movements often incorporate masculinity into protest events as a means of achieving media attention. This attention is then used to mobilize, increase membership, and generate social and political outcomes. This article explores the media attention potential of novel social movement actions that deal with ‘domestically feminine’ elements of protest. This article examines the case of the Great Railway Adventure, a series of protests in England organized by the Craftivist Collective and Climate Rush incorporating feminine dress, craftwork, and food. It analyzes the success of these elements in generating media attention and the role the elements play in news media’s framing of the protests. By employing a qualitative content analysis of newspaper articles, I found that the elements were able to achieve limited levels of media attention through novelty and situational irony when combined with more standard elements of direct action campaigning. These elements also shaped the content of many but not all of the news articles.
Extending flow further: Narrative of a Filipino musician
Authors: Garces-Bacsal Rhoda Myra
Published: July 2015

This paper is a preliminary attempt to describe how flow was experienced by an eminent singer-songwriter from the Philippines. Csikszentmihalyi (1990, 1996) has written extensively about the elements of the flow state among creative people and its contributions to positive psychology and optimal level of functioning. Through multiple in-depth interviews (nine hours and 45 minutes of conversation) conducted with the artist-collaborator, it was evident that while flow was indeed experienced and keenly felt, there were cross-cultural variations and nuances that made the experience distinct. This paper explores how the concept of flow can be extended further to reflect the realities of an artist coming from a different sociocultural background. The implications of the research findings for educators and practitioners are discussed.
Human capital and SME internationalization: Empirical evidence from Belgium
Authors: Onkelinx Jonas , Manolova Tatiana S , Edelman Linda F
Published: July 2015

This article explores the role of firm-level human capital for the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Building on the resource-based view of the firm and theories of SME internationalization, we hypothesize that the level of human capital will vary with SME internationalization strategy and will be of considerable importance for firms that follow a strategy of accelerated internationalization. At the same time, we suggest a threshold point, after which additional firm endowments of human capital become less productive. We test our ideas using a unique dataset of all manufacturing SMEs in Belgium which internationalized between 1998 and 2005. Findings indicate a significant curvilinear (inverted U) association between the level of human capital and the firm’s export intensity when firms choose a strategy of accelerated internationalization.
A Generalized Assessment of the Impact of Regionalization and Provider Learning on Patient Outcomes
Authors: Zhang Yun , Lee Shoou-Yih D. , Gilleskie Donna B. , Sun Yepeng , Padakandla Arun , Jacobs Bruce L. , Montgomery Jeffery S. , Montie James E. , Wei John T. , Hollenbeck Brent K.
Published: July 2015

We present a generalized model to assess the impact of regionalization on patient care outcomes in the presence of heterogeneity in provider learning. The model characterizes best regionalization policies as optimal allocations of patients across providers with heterogeneous learning abilities. We explore issues that arise when solving for best regionalization, which depends on statistically estimated provider learning curves. We explain how to maintain the problem’s tractability and reformulate it into a binary integer program problem to improve solvability. Using our model, best regionalization solutions can be computed within reasonable time using current-day computers. We apply the model to minimally invasive radical prostatectomy and estimate that, in comparison to current care delivery, within-state regionalization can shorten length of stay by at least 40.8%.
Six-Year Follow-up of Slaughterhouse Surveillance (2008–2013)
Authors: Vidal E. , Tolosa E. , Espinar S. , de Val B. Pérez , Nofrarías M. , Alba A. , Allepuz A. , Grau-Roma L. , López-Soria S. , Martínez J. , Abarca M. L. , Castellà J. , Manteca X. , Casanova M. I. , Isidoro-Ayza M. , Galindo-Cardiel I. , Soto S. , Dolz R. , Majó N. , Ramis A. , Segalés J. , Mas L. , Chacón C. , Picart L. , Marco A. , Domingo M.
Published: July 2015

Meat inspection has the ultimate objective of declaring the meat and offal obtained from carcasses of slaughtered animals fit or unfit for human consumption. This safeguards the health of consumers by ensuring that the food coming from these establishments poses no risk to public health. Concomitantly, it contributes to animal disease surveillance. The Catalan Public Health Protection Agency (Generalitat de Catalunya) identified the need to provide its meat inspectors with a support structure to improve diagnostic capacity: the Slaughterhouse Support Network (SESC). The main goal of the SESC was to offer continuing education to meat inspectors to improve the diagnostic capacity for lesions observed in slaughterhouses. With this aim, a web-based application was designed that allowed meat inspectors to submit their inquiries, images of the lesions, and samples for laboratory analysis. This commentary reviews the cases from the first 6 years of SESC operation (2008–2013). The program not only provides continuing education to inspectors but also contributes to the collection of useful information on animal health and welfare. Therefore, SESC complements animal disease surveillance programs, such as those for tuberculosis, bovine cysticercosis, and porcine trichinellosis, and is a powerful tool for early detection of emerging animal diseases and zoonoses.
Influence of Exercise and Intra-articular Site on Canals in Articular Calcified Cartilage of Equine Third Carpal Bones
Authors: Herdan C. L. , Nicholson C. L. , Firth E. C.
Published: July 2015

The third carpal bone (C3) responds to exercise by adaptive modeling of bone and articular calcified cartilage along the dorsal load path. Canals penetrating articular calcified cartilage, thought to contain vascular tissue, are reported in numerous species. Their significance remains unclear. Our objective was to determine if the number of canals was significantly different in strenuously exercised and control young horses and in a site of intermittent high loading compared to sites sustaining lower habitual loads. Volumetric bone mineral density in the radial facet of C3 of strenuously exercised and gently exercised (control) 19-month-old thoroughbred horses ( n = 6/group) was determined by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. The hyaline cartilage was corroded to expose the surface of articular calcified cartilage. The number of canals penetrating the articular calcified cartilage surface in en face scanning electron microscopy images was compared in 4 regions. Volumetric bone mineral density of C3 was significantly greater ( P = .004) in strenuously exercised horses. There were 2 morphologically distinct groups of canals and significantly fewer ( P = .006) large canals in the dorsal than in the palmar aspect of C3 in control but not in exercised horses. Roughly circular depressions in the articular calcified cartilage surface around apparently forming canals were visible in some samples and have not been previously described in the literature. The canals may be evidence of chondroclastic activity reaching the interface of hyaline and calcified cartilage. Further work is needed to elucidate the relationships between presence of canals and the responses to exercise and to joint disease.
Valvular and Mural Endocardiosis in Aging Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Cooper T. K. , Spitsbergen J. M.
Published: July 2015

Endocardiosis or myxomatous degeneration of the cardiac valves is a well-described age-related change in humans and dogs. Lesions consist of polypoid nodular proliferations of loose extracellular matrix and valvular interstitial cells, most commonly affecting the mitral valve. This entity has not been previously described in fish. Herein we report the appearance, location, and occurrence of valvular and mural endocardiosis in a retrospective survey of aging laboratory zebrafish. Endocardiosis was present in 59 of 777 fish (7.59%), most commonly affecting the sinoatrial (34 fish; 57.6%) and atrioventricular (33 fish; 55.9%) valves. Lesions were more common in fish raised in recirculating water systems and fed commercial diets (52/230 fish; 22.6%) versus flow-through systems with fish fed semi-purified diets (4/234; 1.71%). Lesions were overrepresented in fish heterozygous for a mutant smoothened allele (34/61 fish, 55.7% vs 17/168, 10.1% wild type). There was no association between endocardiosis and intestinal carcinoids. Valvular endocardiosis is a significant age- and husbandry-related background finding in zebrafish and should be considered in the design and interpretation of research studies.
“They’re Really PD Today”
Authors: Jones Emma S. , Wright Karen M.
Published: July 2015

The therapeutic relationship is of particular importance when working with patients with antisocial personality disorder, but despite this, there is a paucity of literature exploring student nurses’ perceptions of developing a therapeutic relationship with such patients. Hence, this qualitative study explored the perceptions of second-year mental health nursing students of developing a therapeutic relationship with this patient group. Student nurses from a University in the Northwest of England participated in two focus groups, to compare the perceptions of a group of student nurses who had experience in secure settings (forensic hospital) with those who had not. Four key themes emerged: diagnosis, safety, engagement, and finally environmental influences. Both groups commented on looking beyond the diagnosis and seeing the person. The student nurses cited other staff in their clinical placement areas as hugely influential in terms of the development of their perceptions of patients with antisocial personality disorder and how to relate to them.
Strain, Negative Emotions, and Level of Criminality Among Chinese Incarcerated Women
Authors: Sun Ivan Y. , Luo Haishan , Wu Yuning , Lin Wen-Hsu
Published: July 2015

General strain theory (GST) has been one of the most frequently tested criminological theories. According to GST, strain tends to generate negative emotions, which create pressures for corrective action, such as crime and delinquency. Although GST has received strong empirical support, one under-addressed issue is the lack of diversity in sampling population in assessing the generalizability of the theory. Using survey data collected from 335 incarcerated women in four Chinese prisons, this study examined the impact of strain and negative emotions on the level of female criminality. The strain variable, physical abuse, and discrimination, exerted a positive effect on female inmates’ levels of criminality, whereas negative emotions were not significantly related to female criminality. Two control variables, age of current offense and educational attainment, were predictive of female criminality, with younger and less-educated women having more serious criminality. Implications for future research and policy are discussed.
Remote sensing flow velocity of debris-covered glaciers using Landsat 8 data
Authors: Sam Lydia , Bhardwaj Anshuman , Singh Shaktiman , Kumar Rajesh
Published: July 2015

Changes in ice velocity of a glacier regulate its mass balance and dynamics. The estimation of glacier flow velocity is therefore an important aspect of temporal glacier monitoring. The utilisation of conventional ground-based techniques for detecting glacier surface flow velocity in the rugged and alpine Himalayan terrain is extremely difficult. Remote sensing-based techniques can provide such observations on a regular basis for a large geographical area. Obtaining freely available high quality remote sensing data for the Himalayan regions is challenging. In the present work, we adopted a differential band composite approach, for the first time, in order to estimate glacier surface velocity for non-debris and supraglacial debris covered areas of a glacier, separately. We employed various bandwidths of the Landsat 8 data for velocity estimation using the COSI-Corr (co-registration of optically sensed images and correlation) tool. We performed the accuracy assessment with respect to field measurements for two glaciers in the Indian Himalaya. The panchromatic band worked best for non-debris parts of the glaciers while band 6 (SWIR – short wave infrared) performed best in case of debris cover. We correlated six temporal Landsat 8 scenes in order to ensure the performance of the proposed algorithm on monthly as well as yearly timescales. We identified sources of error and generated a final velocity map along with the flow lines. Over- and underestimates of the yearly glacier velocity were found to be more in the case of slow moving areas with annual displacements less than 5 m. Landsat 8 has great capabilities for such velocity estimation work for a large geographic extent because of its global coverage, improved spectral and radiometric resolutions, free availability and considerable revisit time.
The Many Faces of Special Education Within RTI Frameworks in the United States and Finland
Authors: Björn Piia M. , Aro Mikko T. , Koponen Tuire K. , Fuchs Lynn S. , Fuchs Douglas H.
Published: July 2015

Response to intervention (RTI) can be considered an everyday practice in many parts of the United States, whereas, in Finland, only recently has a new framework for support in learning taken shape. Choosing Finland as the comparative partner for this policy paper is justified as its educational system has been widely referenced on the basis of good Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results. The results of the present comparative article showed first, that the U.S. RTI was primarily intended for diagnosing and preventing learning disabilities whereas the Finnish RTI is mainly an administrative structure for support. Second, the U.S. RTI includes clear definitions regarding the intensity, duration, and content of support provided within each tier whereas the Finnish version contains no explicit guidelines for support. Third, the U.S. RTI assumes no special educational services in the first two tiers, but the Finnish framework includes special educational services from the onset of support. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.