bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contesting ‘bogus self-employment’ via legal mobilisation: The case of foster care workers
Authors: Kirk Eleanor
Published: February 2020

The rise of the ‘gig’ economy has placed a spotlight on employment status, leading to challenges over the nature of working relationships and attendant rights from increasingly diverse groups. The predominant image of the struggle against ‘bogus self-employment’ features the mostly young, male riders and drivers engaged in platform work. This article examines the distinctive campaign of foster carers to be recognised as workers, focusing upon the emergence of the campaign and the imaginative solidarities forged with seemingly disparate groups of precarious workers. Drawing from interviews and observation, this article explores the tactics used in contesting ‘bogus’ self-employment, the achievements and challenges faced. The concept of legal mobilisation is used as lens, capturing the blend of strategic litigation, organising and legal enactment. This article concludes by considering how this solidaristic project might be further broadened to provide fully inclusive protections for all those who work for a wage.
Look, Puppies! A Visual Content Analysis of Required Risk Statements Embedded in Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising
Authors: King Jesse , Koppenhafer Leslie , Madrigal Robert
Published: February 2020

Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on television is a prominent source of information about medical conditions and their potential treatments. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that DTCA include a major statement presenting the medication’s most important risk information in a fair and balanced manner. However, there is growing concern about the visual content that accompanies this risk information within DTCA major statements. Specifically, the FDA has failed to provide guidance on how to measure DTCA’s adherence to the fair and balanced provision. This research introduces eight metrics organized into three categories to perform a visual content analysis of 230 existing DTCAs. Using these metrics, the authors test for differences in visual content between the major risk statement and the remaining portions of an ad. Our results indicate that the major risk statements of DTCAs feature more positive imagery, visually complex imagery, and motion than other portions of the ads. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for public policy makers, consumers, and marketers.
Service Captivity: No Choice, No Voice, No Power
Authors: Rayburn Steven W. , Mason Marlys J. , Volkers Maarten
Published: February 2020

Service captivity occurs when consumers engage in services that significantly constrain their choice, voice, and power—and yet, despite these restrictions, consumers are limited in their option to exit the exchange. The authors conceptualize and develop an empirically grounded framework of service captivity, contextualize service captivity within two settings to further support the framework and expose negative service delivery, and then highlight its pervasiveness through a typology of captivity archetypes. Service captivity is more pervasive than current marketing literature would suggest, and consumers experience constraints that can lead to felt vulnerability, which then contributes to a negative spiral of service. Findings from this research extend the broader marketing conversation by revealing consumers’ common market experiences and highlighting the importance of understanding service captivity for consumer and policy researchers. The authors discuss the potential for policy makers and consumer advocates to interrupt the negative service spiral and alleviate consumer vulnerability through policy and market actions connected to service captivity.
Radiogenomic Models Using Machine Learning Techniques to Predict EGFR Mutations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Nair Jay Kumar Raghavan , Saeed Umar Abid , McDougall Connor C. , Sabri Ali , Kovacina Bojan , Raidu B. V. S. , Khokhar Riaz Ahmed , Probst Stephan , Hirsh Vera , Chankowsky Jeffrey , Van Kempen Léon C. , Taylor Jana
Published: February 2020

Background:

The purpose of this study was to build radiogenomics models from texture signatures derived from computed tomography (CT) and 18F-FDG PET-CT (FDG PET-CT) images of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with and without epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) mutations.

Methods:

Fifty patients diagnosed with NSCLC between 2011 and 2015 and with known EGFR mutation status were retrospectively identified. Texture features extracted from pretreatment CT and FDG PET-CT images by manual contouring of the primary tumor were used to develop multivariate logistic regression (LR) models to predict EGFR mutations in exon 19 and exon 20.

Results:

An LR model evaluating FDG PET-texture features was able to differentiate EGFR mutant from wild type with an area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.87, 0.76, 0.66, and 0.71, respectively. The model derived from CT texture features had an AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.83, 0.84, 0.73, and 0.78, respectively. FDG PET-texture features that could discriminate between mutations in EGFR exon 19 and 21 demonstrated AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.86, 0.84, 0.73, and 0.78, respectively. Based on CT texture features, the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.75, 0.81, 0.69, and 0.75, respectively.

Conclusion:

Non-small cell lung cancer texture analysis using FGD-PET and CT images can identify tumors with mutations in EGFR. Imaging signatures could be valuable for pretreatment assessment and prognosis in precision therapy.
Self-Esteem, Narcissism, and Aggression: Different Types of Self-Esteem Predict Different Types of Aggression
Authors: Amad Suzana , Gray Nicola S. , Snowden Robert J.
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between self-esteem, narcissism, and measures of proactive and reactive aggression in two large community samples of young adults from two countries (the United Kingdom and Malaysia). Self-esteem and narcissism were measured through the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, whereas aggression was measured by the Reactive–Proactive Aggression Questionnaire in 501 young adults with approximately equal numbers of men and women. In both countries, low levels of self-esteem were associated with reactive aggression while high levels of narcissism were associated with proactive aggression. Although this pattern was similar for both genders, the associations between both types of self-evaluation and proactive aggression were greater for men. The results suggest that people with low self-esteem are prone to greater reactive aggression due to anger and hostility, whereas those with high levels of narcissism can act with deliberate, planned aggression to achieve a goal. These effects appear stable across gender and culture.
Thermomechanically induced post-buckling analysis of functionally graded material plates with circular cut-outs resting on elastic foundations
Authors: Kumar Rajesh
Published: February 2020

Post-buckling analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) plates resting on Winkler and Pasternak elastic foundations subjected to thermomechanical loadings with circular cut-outs at centre and random material properties is presented. The material properties of each constituent’s materials, volume fraction index, thermal expansion coefficients, foundation stiffness parameters and thermal conductivities are taken as independent basic random input variables. The basic formulation is based on applying Reddy’s higher order shear deformation theory, which requires C1 continuous element approximation. A modified form C0 continuity is applied in the present investigation. A serum-free expansion medium with mean-centred first-order regular perturbation technique for composite plates is extended for FGM plates to solve the random eigenvalue problem. Typical numerical results are presented to examine the second-order statistics for effect of the volume fractions index, plate length-to-thickness ratios, plate aspect ratios, types of loadings, amplitude ratios, support conditions and various shape and size of holes with random thermomechanical properties. The results obtained by the present solution approach are validated with published papers and the robust method of simulation. It is found that the laminates with round cuts (FGM plates resting on Winkler and Pasternak elastic foundations) have a significant influence on the post-buckling response under Thermomechanical loading conditions. Present investigations are useful for the applications and further research.
Vancomycin in peritoneal dialysis: Clinical pharmacology considerations in therapy
Authors: Lam Edwin , Lien Yi Ting (Kayla) , Kraft Water K , Piraino Beth , Vozmediano Valvanera , Schmidt Stephan , Zhang Jingjing
Published: February 2020

Intraperitoneal vancomycin is the first-line therapy in the management of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. However, due to the paucity of data, vancomycin dosing for peritonitis in patients on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is empiric and based on clinical experience rather than evidence. Studies in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients have been used to provide guidelines for dosing and are often extrapolated for APD use, but it is unclear whether this is appropriate. This review summarizes the available pharmacokinetic data used to inform optimal dosing in patients on CAPD or APD. The determinants of vancomycin disposition and pharmacodynamic effects are critically summarized, knowledge gaps explored, and a vancomycin dosing algorithm in PD patients is proposed.
Discrimination based on political beliefs: A field experiment on the freedom of assembly
Authors: Adam Christian , Grohs Stephan , Knill Christoph
Published: February 2020

Public officials have been shown to discriminate against citizens based on race and gender. We suggest that bureaucrats also discriminate based on political beliefs that citizens reveal to them. We support this argument with evidence from the application of freedom of assembly rights in the context of gay marriage. We confront German city administrations with requests about the organization of a political rally and randomize the underlying political belief and cause: the promotion of or opposition to same-sex marriage. We find that none of these causes receives discriminatory treatment per se. Instead, further explorative, yet theory-guided, analysis indicates that the cultural and political environment within which bureaucracies are embedded determines which of the two requests receives worse and less helpful answers. I.e. the treatment effect seems to be moderated by the local prevalence of Catholicism and the strength of sexually conservative political parties that oppose same-sex marriage.
Monitoring of hole surface integrity in drilling of bi-directional woven carbon fiber reinforced plastic composites
Authors: Barik Tarakeswar , Pal Kamal , Parimita Smruti , Sahoo Priyabrata , Patra Karali
Published: February 2020

Fiber-reinforced plastic is one of the top priorities lightweight materials with excellent mechanical properties for the aerospace industries in recent years. However, it is difficult to machine despite having unique properties due to its non-homogeneous and abrasive nature in alternate fiber and matrix layers. Thus, it is found to be a challenging task to drill hole on such hard-to-machine materials, which is highly essential for the development of most of the engineering structural components. The present work addresses various drilling-induced defects such as delamination, circularity error, and roughness variations in the hole surface during drilling of quasi-isotropic cross-fiber oriented bi-directional woven-type carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminate using a full factorial design of experiments for different drill geometry. The response surface methodology was considered for the regression model development, which was found to be highly significant. The machining forces with associated torque have also been acquired during drilling, which was divided and further analyzed in time domain to correlate with drilling flaws. The drilling-induced delamination was found to be higher at a high feed rate using a higher drill point angle due to substantial thrust force generation at the initial stages in the drilling cycle. However, the internal surface finish with associated circularity error was reduced for higher spindle speed with less feed rate using a low drill point angle because of low torque fluctuation at the final drilling phases. The axial thrust force was found to be a prime indicator of drilled hole surface delamination, whereas drilling torque precisely indicated internal surface roughness as well as circularity error. The global root mean square, along with a local peak of thrust and torque, both were highly essential to completely characterize the drilled hole quality.
Electric discharge machining using rapid manufactured complex shape copper electrode: Parametric analysis and process optimization for material removal rate, electrode wear rate and cavity dimensions
Authors: Singh Jagtar , Singh Gurminder , Pandey Pulak M
Published: February 2020

The present investigation addresses the machining outcome of electric discharge machining using a rapid manufactured complex shape copper electrode. Developed rapid manufacturing technique using an amalgamation of polymer 3D printing and pressureless sintering of loose powder as rapid tooling has been used to fabricate copper electrode from the computer-aided design model of the desired shape. The fabricated electrode was used for the electric discharge machining of the D-2 steel workpiece. Central composite design was employed to study the electric discharge machining parameters (pulse duration, duty cycle and peak current) effect on the electric discharge machining characteristics such as material removal rate, electrode wear rate and cavity dimensional deviation as overcut from electrode computer-aided design model. Analysis of variance was executed to attain significant parameters along with interactions. Peak current was found to be the utmost dominating parameter for three responses. The high percentage of carbon was observed on the electrode surface after electric discharge machining at the high level of pulse duration and resulted in low electrode wear rate. The high percentage of dimensional deviation was noticed at the maximum duty cycle and maximum peak current by the substantial interactions. Genetic algorithm-based multi-objective optimization was employed for the electric discharge machining parameters optimization to maximize material removal rate, minimize electrode wear rate and dimensional deviation. The multi-feature complex copper electrode was fabricated and used for electric discharge machining as the case study to check the efficacy of the optimized process. It was witnessed that the process was competent to fabricate complex shape cavity as per the desired computer-aided design model shape with efficient material removal rate and electrode wear rate.
Experimental and numerical analysis of dual-adhesive stepped-lap aluminum joints
Authors: Ferreira CL , Campilho RDSG , Moreira RDF
Published: February 2020

The use of adhesive bonds has attracted considerable interest from the scientific community. Stepped-lap joints have the advantage of decreasing stress gradients along the bond length, although the outer steps still encounter stress levels above the steps in the inner zone of the joint. One possible way to reduce this stress gradient is to combine this type of joint with the use of two adhesives. This work consists of an experimental and numerical evaluation of stepped-lap dual-adhesive joints between aluminum adherends, for various overlap lengths ( LO), and comparison with stepped-lap single-adhesive joints. The adhesives Araldite® AV138, Araldite® 2015, and Sikaforce® 7752 were evaluated. Numerically, cohesive zone models with a triangular damage law were applied in the joint behavior prediction. The analysis of the results is presented in the form of failure modes, stress analysis, damage variable analysis, load–displacement ( P–δ) curves and maximum load ( Pm), and energy required to failure ( U). It was concluded that, in general, cohesive zone model presented precise predictions. In general, no significant increase in strength was achieved with dual-adhesive joint but, on the other hand, significant energy increases were obtained.
Three-dimensional squeezed flow of aqueous magnetite–graphene oxide hybrid nanofluid: A novel hybridity model with analysis of shape factor effects
Authors: Dinarvand Saeed , Rostami Mohammadreza Nademi
Published: February 2020

In the present article, we intend to study quasi-analytically the unsteady three-dimensional squeezed flow of the magnetite–graphene oxide/water hybrid nanofluid inside a rotating channel with two horizontal and parallel sheets, in which the lower sheet is stationary, stretchable, and permeable, while the upper sheet is moving and impermeable. Our methodology is based on the single-phase Tiwari–Das hybrid nanofluid model considering nanoparticles and base fluid masses instead volume concentration of first and second nanoparticles. The dimensional partial differential equations are altered to a set of nondimensional ordinary differential equations with the help of similarity transformation method, which is then solved numerically using the bvp4c function from MATLAB. The governing similarity parameters are the empirical shape factor of nanoparticles, the suction parameter, the squeezing parameter, the rotation parameter, the Eckert number, and the Prandtl number. Results indicate that when the upper sheet faster moves toward the lower sheet, the profiles trend is opposite in comparison with when the upper sheet faster moves away from the lower one. On the one hand, the drastic thermal conductivity of the graphene oxide is a major reason to achieve maximum heat transfer rate enhancement of our working fluid. Finally, this study may be applicable in biomechanics, flow through arteries, food processing, polymer processing, lubrication, injection modeling, etc.
Building collaborative platforms for urban innovation: Newcastle City Futures as a quadruple helix intermediary
Authors: Vallance Paul , Tewdwr-Jones Mark , Kempton Louise
Published: February 2020

There is a growing academic and policy interest in the notion of using cities as ‘living laboratories’ to develop and test responses to the social, environmental and economic challenges present in contemporary urbanism. These living laboratories are often assumed to function through ‘quadruple helix’ relations between varied actors from the public, private, university and community sectors. However, empirical research that explores the real-world functioning of these arrangements is comparatively limited. This paper will help address this gap through the case of Newcastle City Futures (NCF) – a university-anchored platform for collaborative urban foresight research, public engagement and innovation. In particular, the paper will concentrate on a two-year period when NCF focused on the facilitation of innovation demonstrator projects guided by the vision of Newcastle upon Tyne developing a postindustrial future as a ‘test-bed city’. Detailed empirical accounts of the development of two demonstrator projects are used to illustrate and analyse processes of cross-sectoral collaboration and engaging the public in co-design. These are used to support the conceptual argument that the presence of the quadruple helix as a form of local innovation system should not be taken as given. Instead, the collaborative relationships required for transformational interventions in the future of cities need to be actively constructed by diverse actors and supported by intermediary vehicles such as NCF.
Identification and Risk Profiling of Major Stressors in the Indian IT Sector
Authors: Chatterjee Saikat , Shukla Amit
Published: February 2020

Workplace stress has always been considered as a potential source of job dissatisfaction and many psychosomatic disorders in employees the world over. The IT sector has emerged as a major contributor to work stress in India over the last 2 decades. Still there is lack of sector-specific studies, and most of the existing studies treat work stress as an umbrella term. Against this background, the objective of this article is twofold: one, to identify different types of stressors, and the other, to rate them according to their severity. The outcome should be helpful in devising proper mitigation strategies. On the basis of findings from the two field studies, the article identifies major stressors among junior level Indian IT professionals ( n1 = 38), and then furnishes a risk profile of these stressors on the basis of their frequency and impact ( n2 = 234). At the end, 21 stressors are identified in the given context, and their ‘riskiness’ is presented in a descending order in terms of risk scores. Implications of findings are discussed at the end. All the stressors were assigned a score in terms of their frequency, impact and risk. At the end, techno-stress emerged as the most serious stressor in both in terms of its frequency of occurrence and impact. The results serve as a guide to the management in the IT firms in addressing the prevalent high levels of stress at workplace. The risk scores will help them in allocating resources and, setting and prioritizing their HR strategies to this end. Amid few studies conducted in the context of stress in the Indian IT sector, this article offers useful and practical insights while deploying a novel approach of risk profiling.
Conceptualizing Internationalization at a Distance: A “Third Category” of University Internationalization
Authors: Mittelmeier Jenna , Rienties Bart , Gunter Ashley , Raghuram Parvati
Published: February 2020

Internationalization efforts in higher education have often been categorized according to Jane Knight’s binary of “Internationalization at Home” (IaH) and “Internationalization Abroad” (IA). However, a rising number of technology-supported activities have created new opportunities for university internationalization. For example, students can now remain “at home” while using technology to study with an institution or program that is simultaneously located “abroad.” We have conceptualized these activities as a new third category called Internationalization at a Distance (IaD). In this article, we introduce the concept of IaD and outline an in-depth case study of an international distance education provider at scale, the University of South Africa.
Acoustic wave focusing by doubly curved origami-inspired arrays
Authors: Srinivas Vivek , Harne Ryan L
Published: February 2020

Spherically focused transducers have been long relied on to target acoustic energy delivery. Yet, these structures have limitations with respect to size and mobility for medical treatment applications. Recent developments in the field of reconfigurable structures reveal that the ancient art of origami inspires new platforms by which to enable spherical shapes that are additionally foldable for ease of transport. This research explores the opportunities for a unique, flat foldable doubly curved tessellated array to enable wave focusing capability similar to an ideal medical transducer shape: the spherical cap transducer. An analytical model of the doubly curved array is created and validated against data collected from a proof-of-concept array. The model is then leveraged to understand how the array design and complexity relatively govern the wave focusing capability. The findings show that doubly curved acoustic arrays do not require excessive facet refinement to achieve wave focusing similar to nominal spherically focused transducers. Yet, the optimal frequencies for which such capability is borne out vary substantially on the basis of array design. The discoveries of this research motivate future consideration of flat foldable doubly curved acoustic arrays for potential implementation into medical transducer development for hard-to-access surgical treatments.
Review of nonlinear vibration energy harvesting: Duffing, bistability, parametric, stochastic and others
Authors: Jia Yu
Published: February 2020

Vibration energy harvesting typically involves a mechanical oscillatory mechanism to accumulate ambient kinetic energy, prior to the conversion to electrical energy through a transducer. The convention is to use a simple linear mass-spring-damper oscillator with its resonant frequency tuned towards that of the vibration source. In the past decade, there has been a rapid expansion in research of vibration energy harvesting into various nonlinear vibration principles such as Duffing nonlinearity, bistability, parametric oscillators, stochastic oscillators and other nonlinear mechanisms. The intended objectives for using nonlinearity include broadening of frequency bandwidth, enhancement of power amplitude and improvement in responsiveness to non-sinusoidal noisy excitations. However, nonlinear vibration energy harvesting also comes with its own challenges and some of the research pursuits have been less than fruitful. Previous reviews in the literature have either focussed on bandwidth enhancement strategies or converged on select few nonlinear mechanisms. This article reviews eight major types of nonlinear vibration energy harvesting reported over the past decade, covering underlying principles, advantages and disadvantages, and application-specific guidance for researchers and designers.
Monitoring of bolt looseness using piezoelectric transducers: Three-dimensional numerical modeling with experimental verification
Authors: Li Ning , Wang Furui , Song Gangbing
Published: February 2020

Across multiple industries, bolted connections have been widely used to hold different parts and components together, due to their advantages such as convenient use and low cost. However, bolt looseness may lead to disastrous consequences if not promptly detected. In this article, a novel numerical modeling is proposed to simulate the piezoelectrically enabled active sensing method that can monitor the looseness of bolted connection, and this investigation can help us better understand the mechanism of the active sensing of a bolted connection. Compared to prior investigations, the main contribution of this article is that we develop a new three-dimensional modeling method on microscopic roughness of bolted interface by using the fractal contact theory. The numerical results, backed by experimental verification from the testing on a bolted joint, reveal that the received signal peak amplitude is proportional to the bolt preload. This phenomenon can be attributed to the enlarging actual contact area with the increasing preload, since a larger contact surface can enhance stress wave propagation. Moreover, the proposed numerical modeling has better performance than similar research in the past, which can provide guidance for future investigations on bolt looseness monitoring.
Side Effects May Include Fun: Pre- and Post-Market Surveillance of the GridlockED Serious Game
Authors: Hale Stephen J. , Wakeling Sonja , Blain J. Bruce , Pardhan Alim , Mondoux Shawn , Chan Teresa M.
Published: February 2020

Introduction. As serious games are a relatively new phenomenon in medical education, there is little data on end user demographics or usage. In this study our goal was to describe the demographics and usage for purchasers of the GridlockED board game, a serious board game for teaching about a systems approach to managing care in the emergency department. Methods. We conducted a two-phase survey of individuals interested in purchasing GridlockED. Users were asked to complete a brief demographic survey before accessing the purchasing site. A follow-up survey was performed 3-6 months after the initial survey. That survey was to assess participants’ usage, play patterns, and what changes to GridlockED they would like to see. Individuals who did not purchase the board game were asked about their barriers to purchase. Results. After one year of sales, 213 games were purchased, 560 individuals had completed the intake survey with 408 consented to follow-up. Responding purchasers were from 16 different roles in healthcare in 11 countries. Our follow-up survey collated 53 responses (out of 408 individuals, 14% response rate). The majority (63%) of respondents reported having played the game, with the most common use cases being for fun (40%), teaching trainees (21%) or training with colleagues (13%). Price of the game unit was cited as the largest barrier to purchase (60%). Conclusion. GridlockED attracted interest from a wide range of medical professionals around the world. Users reported using the game for fun and for teaching/training purposes. The main barrier to purchase was the game’s price.
The Acquisition of 21st-Century Skills Through Video Games: Minecraft Design Process Models and Their Web of Class Roles
Authors: Hewett Katherine J. E. , Zeng Guang , Pletcher Bethanie C.
Published: February 2020

Background. Qian and Clark reported that little is known on the acquisition of 21st-century skills through video games and no educational model exists on how to best teach these skills in the classroom. Studies that explore educational models exhibited through video games like Minecraft contribute to the growing body of research in the field of game studies, game-based learning, and virtual environments.

Aim. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the 21st-century design processes, skills, and behaviors of high school gamers in order to generate an educational model that illustrates how those classroom gamers attempted to critically think, create, communicate, and collaborate (Four Cs) in Minecraft.

Method. The triangulated data collection included six qualitative case study interviews, observation data (with demographics) from thirteen participants, and visual artifacts from six classes grounded in social constructivist, social constructionist, and interpretivist theories. It should be noted that ninety-five students collaborated with the participants on the six Minecraft projects.

Results. The data collection generated two educational Four Cs models that illustrate the participants’ leadership and design processes. Four 21st-century themes emerged from the research study: 1.) Leadership: Models for Design 2.) Navigating the 3D World, 3.) Think Outside-the-Box, and 4.) Real-world Connections.

Conclusions. It can be concluded that Minecraft can help students learn to problem-solve, improve their research skills, be resourceful, multitask, and develop their social skills through teamwork (Four Cs). When students are given a task in Minecraft they will self-organize and student leaders will emerge. Minecraft challenged the participants to assess a problem, analyze it from another perspective, and find a creative solution collaboratively.
Oral-Facial-Digital Syndrome Type 1: Further Clinical and Molecular Delineation in 2 New Families
Authors: Faily Sara , Perveen Rahat , Chandler Kate , Clayton-Smith Jill
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Oral-facial-digital syndrome type 1 (OFD1) [OMIM 311200] is a rare genetic disorder associated with congenital anomalies of the oral cavity, face, and digits. This condition is associated with mutations in the OFD1 gene. Our objective was to recruit patients with the OFD1 clinical phenotype without genetic confirmation, aiming to identify genetic variants in the OFD1 gene.

Design:

Three patients from 2 unrelated families were recruited into our study. We employed a variety of genomic techniques on these patients, including candidate gene analysis, array comparative genomic hybridization, whole-exome sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing.

Results:

We investigated 3 affected patients from 2 unrelated families with a clinical diagnosis of OFD1. We discovered a novel pathogenic dominant missense mutation c.635G>C (p.Arg212Pro) in the OFD1 gene in one family. A novel frameshift, loss-of-function mutation c.306delA (p.Glu103LysfsTer42) was detected in the affected patient in the second family.

Conclusions:

These new genetic variants will add to the spectrum of known OFD1 mutations associated with the OFD1 disorder. Our study also confirms the variable phenotypic presentation of OFD1 and its well-recognized association with central nervous system malformations and renal anomalies. Molecular diagnostic confirmation achieved in these families will have positive implications for their medical management.
Donor Competition and Public Support for Foreign Aid Sanctions
Authors: Kohno Masaru , Montinola Gabriella R. , Winters Matthew S. , Kato Gento
Published: February 2020

Previous research suggests that ideology, material interests, and moral values drive citizens’ preferences over foreign aid policy. Little attention has been paid to how perceptions of the international environment affect these preferences. We examine the extent to which citizens in a traditional donor country consider donor competition when deciding whether to impose aid sanctions on governments engaged in human rights violations. Employing an information experiment conducted among Japanese adults, we find that the prospect of another donor ready to act as a substitute aid-provider reduces support for the use of aid sanctions. This effect runs most strongly through a pathway privileging security concerns, and the effect is larger among respondents who have preexisting concerns about the other donor. These results highlight the way in which public desires for foreign aid to bring about material returns can hinder a government’s ability to use aid to promote good governance ends.
Driving a Wedge? Republicans, Immigration, and the Impact of Substantive Appeals on African American Vote Choice
Authors: Nteta Tatishe M. , Rice Douglas
Published: February 2020

Recently, a number of prominent Republican elites have argued that the economic plight of African Americans is attributable to undocumented immigration to the United States. Have these arguments concerning the link between black economic well-being and undocumented immigration become commonplace in the rhetoric of Republican elites, and if so, does exposure to these appeals impact black vote choice? Employing data from over forty years of congressional speeches, the campaign speeches and public addresses of President Donald Trump, televised campaign advertisements from the Wisconsin/Wesleyan Advertising Projects, and a survey experiment embedded in the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Study, we find that Republican elected officials have increasingly made substantive appeals to blacks on the issue of immigration reform, that exposure to this type of substantive appeal leads blacks to more strongly support a fictional Republican candidate, and that this support is moderated by a respondent’s level of linked fate. These findings challenge existing scholarship that Republican elites ignore the concerns of the black community and suggest that Republicans may be using the issue of immigration to drive a wedge in the Democratic electoral coalition by targeting the Democratic Party’s strongest constituency.
Inequality Federalism and Economic Self-Interest in Subnational Progressive Tax Politics
Authors: Newman Benjamin J. , Teten Paul
Published: February 2020

In a national context of unabated inequality growth and recurrent tax cuts benefiting the wealthy, we have witnessed a notable rise in “inequality federalism,” characterized by subnational initiatives to redress economic inequality through progressive taxation and social spending. While leading research documents the tendency for Americans to fall prey to “unenlightened self-interest” when evaluating complex national tax policy, recent research suggests that the simplicity and clarity of emerging subnational redistributive initiatives facilitates the enactment of economic self-interest, particularly among lower income citizens. This short article builds on prior work by offering the most extensive analysis to date of the role of economic self-interest in public support for subnational progressive tax policies. Drawing upon opinion polls covering eight separate state ballot measures or legislative enactments, we find that in each instance the greatest level of support for the respective progressive tax policy is observed among lower income citizens.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling of the Structure of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adults
Authors: Gomez Rapson , Stavropoulos Vasileios
Published: February 2020

This study examined the structure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in an adult community sample using first-order confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and bifactor confirmatory factor analysis and ESEM models, with two group factors (inattention [IA] and hyperactivity/impulsivity [HY/IM]) and two different three group factors (IA, hyperactivity [HY], and impulsivity [IM]; and IA, motoric HY/IM, and verbal HY/IM). A total of 738 adults (males = 374 and females = 364) between 17 and 72 years of age completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. The results provided most support for the ESEM model with group factors for IA, motoric HY/IM, and verbal HY/IM. The factors in this model were reasonably well defined, had good internal consistency omega reliabilities, and had support for their external validities, thereby making it a suitable model for ratings of the ADHD symptoms presented in the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. The theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
Fractional-order sliding mode control synthesis of supercavitating underwater vehicles
Authors: Phuc Bui Duc Hong , Phung Viet-Duc , You Sam-Sang , Do Ton Duc
Published: February 2020

A high-speed supercavitating vehicle is a future underwater vehicle which exploits the supercavitating propulsion technology providing a promising way to increase the vehicle speed. Robust control challenges include complex vehicle maneuvering dynamics caused by factors such as undesired switching, delayed state dependency, and nonlinearities. As effective and applicable controllers, a novel fractional-order sliding mode controller is proposed to robustly control the uncertain high-speed supercavitating vehicle system against external disturbances. The control scheme uses sliding mode control and can produce better control actions than conventional the integer-order counterpart. In this algorithm, the fractional calculus is applied to calculate the noninteger integral or derivative in the sliding mode control algorithm, providing new capabilities for uncertain high-speed supercavitating vehicle control in seeking to operate the underwater vehicle better. The performance of the proposed fractional-order sliding mode controller has been proven through analytic simulation results, which show fast responses with smooth control actions and the ability to deal with nonlinear planing force and external disturbance. One of the interesting features of the fractional-order control system is the time convergence rate of the sliding variable vector, which is greatly improved compared with the integer-order sliding mode control. Finally, the robust control system with a novel fractional-order sliding mode controller algorithm, using high flexibility of controlling undersea vehicles, can provide superior dynamical performance with stability compared with its integer-order counterpart against system uncertainties and disturbances.
Synchronous duodenum and descending colon metastasis from primary lung neuroendocrine small-cell carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Tanriverdi Ozgur , Alkan Ali , Ozseker Burak , Solak-Ozseker Havva , Kilinc Rabia Mihriban
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Metastasis to the gastrointestinal tract from lung cancer is very uncommon and is often asymptomatic. Although small bowel metastasis may commonly occur, metastases to the stomach and colon are uncommon.

Case report

In this paper, we present a previously healthy 57-year-old male patient, a 60-packet per year smoker, who was taken to the emergency room with complaints of increasing abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and dyspnea for the last three months. Endoscopic examination revealed polypoid lesions in the duodenum and the descending colon. We diagnosed neuroendocrine small-cell lung cancer based on histopathological and immunohistochemical staining. Management and outcome: A cisplatin (d1, 60 mg/m2/day)–etoposide (d1 to d3, 120 mg/m2/day) regimen was given every three weeks as palliative chemotherapy. After the three course of chemotherapy, the lung radiograph showed a decline in hilar expansion and there was no pleural effusion. Then, he died of acute respiratory failure two weeks after radiotherapy of brain.

Discussion

Gastrointestinal tract metastasis of lung cancer is recognized synchronously with or rarely before diagnosis. It is generally recognized after the diagnosis of lung cancer. These patients often have other concurrent body metastases. Prognosis is poor, and survival expectation is short. The most common metastases to the gastrointestinal tract are squamous and large cell lung cancer metastases. Our aim is to emphasize the importance of immunohistochemical examination for masses in the gastrointestinal tract and to present this rare case of synchronous duodenal and colonic metastases of small-cell lung cancer.
The real-life outcome of pazopanib in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma: A retrospective cross-sectional study of a Turkish cohort
Authors: Karaağaç Mustafa , Sezgin Yasin , Eryılmaz Melek Karakurt , Araz Murat , Kaplan Muhammet Ali , Artaç Mehmet
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Soft tissue sarcomas are a heterogeneous and rare group of cancers with a short median overall survival despite the chemotherapy. Pazopanib has approval for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of Turkish patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma who received pazopanib.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective study. The inclusion criteria were: ≥18 years of age, having histologically proven advanced soft tissue sarcoma and receiving pazopanib at least one day.

Results

A total of 79 patients were assessed in this study. The median age was 49.6 years. The average dose intensity of pazopanib was 767 mg (400–800). The median duration of pazopanib treatment was 6.11 months. Fourteen patients (17.7%) used pazopanib at first line for advanced soft tissue sarcomas. The most common cause of discontinuation of pazopanib was the progression of the disease (89.6%). Pazopanib was well tolerated. The most common grade ≥3 side effect was anemia. The most common grade ≤2 side effects were anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. The median progression-free survival, overall survival, and follow-up were 3.97 months, 11.40 months, and 32.72 months, respectively. Female gender, good performance status, and the presence of pazopanib-induced hypothyroidism were associated with longer progression-free survival. Also, good performance status and being a responder to first-line treatment were associated with longer overall survival.

Conclusions

We showed that pazopanib was well tolerated and had clinical benefit in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma in a Turkish cohort. This is the first study that suggests pazopanib-induced hypothyroidism may act as a predictive marker for better outcomes in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma.
A fatal case of Immune thrombocytopenia secondary to the immune checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab in a patient with BRAF wild type metastatic melanoma
Authors: Hadfield Matthew J , Mui Gracia
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the field of oncology in recent years. Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the protein cytotoxic T-lymphocyte 4, which is involved in the inhibition of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. When uninhibited, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes can act to recognize and kill cancer cells. This increased activity of immune cells can inadvertently destroy healthy tissue leading to a class of side effects known as immune-related adverse events. Immune thrombocytopenia purpura secondary to checkpoint inhibitors is an uncommon complication (<1%) and in most instances resolve spontaneously without aggressive treatment.

Case report

We present a case of immune thrombocytopenia purpura developing in a patient recently started on ipilimumab for BRAF wild-type metastatic melanoma. The patient presented to his primary oncologist with confusion and lethargy. Subsequent blood work revealed a platelet count of 16,000 ng/mL. The patient was transferred to the emergency department where a computed tomography scan revealed bilateral frontal lobe hemorrhages. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit for further management.

Management and outcome

The patient received IV immunoglobulins at 1 g/kg every 24 h in addition to IV Decadron 40 mg daily. In addition, the patient continued to receive significant platelet transfusions. The patient’s platelet count recovered to 78,000 ng/mL (baseline for this patient > 130,000 ng/mL.) The patient developed worsening mental status and was found to have significant increase in previously found bilateral frontal hemorrhages. The patient was transitioned to comfort measures only due to very poor prognosis and passed away in hospice care.

Discussion

Checkpoint inhibitors have provided durable responses in multiple cancers that previously had a paucity of treatment options. This case demonstrates that immune thrombocytopenia purpura is a possible adverse event of these therapies and thus platelet monitoring should be included in all patients.
Very high-dose methylprednisolone for treatment of nivolumab-induced limbic encephalitis: A case report
Authors: Taillefer Vincent-Thierry , Pigeon Marjorie , Chen Michelle , Larochelle Catherine , Florescu Marie , Bélanger Karl , Adam Jean-Philippe
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Nivolumab is a programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of eight different cancers including metastatic melanoma. Immune checkpoint blockade may lead to a range of neurologic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) with severity varying from mild to life-threatening, including encephalitis.

Case report

We describe a case of a 68-year-old man who developed alteration in mental status, physical weakness and fatigue after nine cycles of nivolumab 3 mg/kg every two weeks. These symptoms were compatible with a clinical diagnosis of autoimmune limbic encephalitis, although no specific antibodies were detected and the initial MRI was normal.

Management and outcome

The patient received intravenous methylprednisolone 1 g daily for 5 days, which was then converted to a maintenance dose of oral prednisone. The patient made a full clinical recovery but relapsed clinically upon steroid tapering, while hypersignal in the left mesial temporal suggestive of limbic encephalitis was observed on repeated MRI.

Discussion

Because of the prevailing usage of nivolumab in many cancer protocols, this case highlights the importance of rapidly recognising neurological impairment in patients treated with nivolumab and of initiating very high doses of corticosteroids.