bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A theoretical study of collective plasmonic excitations in double-layer silicene at finite temperature
Authors: Dadkhah N. , Vazifehshenas T. , Farmanbar M. , Salavati-fard T.
Published: March 2019

We explore the temperature-dependent plasmonic modes of an n-doped double-layer silicene system which is composed of two spatially separated single layers of silicene with a distance large enough to prevent interlayer electron tunneling. By applying an externally applied electric field, we numerically obtain the poles of the loss function within the so-called random phase approximation to investigate the effects of temperature and geometry on the plasmon branches in three different regimes: topological insulator, valley-spin polarized metal, and band insulator. Also, we present the finite-temperature numerical results along with the zero-temperature analytical ones to support a discussion of the distinct effects of the external electric field and temperature on plasmon dispersion. Our results show that at zero temperature both the acoustic and optical modes decrease when the applied electric field is increased and experience a discontinuity at the valley-spin polarized metal phase as the system transitions from a topological insulator to a band insulator. At finite temperature, the optical plasmons are damped around this discontinuity, and the acoustic modes may exhibit a continuous transition. Moreover, while the optical branch of plasmons changes non-monotonically and noticeably with temperature, the acoustic branch dispersion displays a negligible growth with temperature for all phases of silicene. Furthermore, our finite-temperature results indicate that the dependency of two plasmonic branches on the interlayer separation is not affected by temperature at long wavelengths; the acoustic mode energy varies slightly with an increase in the interlayer distance, whereas the optical mode remains unchanged.
Magnetic hard nanobubble: A possible magnetization structure behind the bi-skyrmion
Authors: Yao Yuan , Ding Bei , Cui Jie , Shen Xi , Wang Yanguo , Wang Wenhong , Yu Richeng
Published: March 2019

Transport of intensity equation (TIE) has been applied to process the simulated and experimental images of the magnetic hard nanobubbles, which were acquired using a Lorentz transmission electron microscope. Systematic studies demonstrated that the processing parameter in TIE can modulate the features of the retrieved magnetization and induce the bi-spiral structures which may be identified as bi-skyrmions.
In situ determination of exerted forces in magnetic pulling cytometry
Authors: Bush Joshua , Maruthamuthu Venkat
Published: March 2019

Localized application of exogenous forces on soft biomaterials and cells is often essential for the study of their response to external mechanical stimuli. Magnetic means of applying forces, particularly those based on permanent magnets and magnetic beads coupled to substrates or cells provide an accessible means of exerting forces of appropriate magnitude. The amount of force exerted, however, is often inferred from calibration performed ex situ, with typically similar but different magnetic beads. Here, we construct a simple magnetic tweezer by coupling a pencil-shaped stainless-steel probe to permanent neodymium magnets using a 3D printed adapter. We then demonstrate the in situ determination of magnetic bead pulling forces on a super-paramagnetic micro-bead coupled to a soft substrate using traction force microscopy. We determine the force exerted on the magnetic bead by the magnet probe – and thus exerted by the magnetic bead on the soft polyacrylamide substrate – as a function of the distance between the probe tip and the magnetic bead. We also show that we can determine the force exerted on a magnetic bead coupled to a cell by the changes in the traction force exerted by the cell on the soft substrate beneath. We thus demonstrate that forces of nanonewton magnitude can be locally exerted on soft substrates or cells and simultaneously determined using traction force microscopy. Application of this method for the in situ measurement of localized exogenous forces exerted on cells can also enable dissection of cellular force transmission pathways.
High-quality CoFe2O4 thin films with large coercivity grown via a wet chemical route
Authors: Zhao Chengxi , Gao Anming , Yang Yansong , Tu Cheng , Bhutani Ankita , Walsh Kathy A. , Gong Songbin , Shoemaker Daniel P.
Published: March 2019

In permanent magnet applications, response often scales with volume or dimension in power-conversion and magnetostrictive applications, even in film form. In microelectromechanical devices it is necessary to explore versatile methods of dense film deposition with film thicknesses approaching one micron. In this study, we present a wet chemical route to hard magnetic cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) films to produce films with large coercivity, controllable thickness, saturation approaching that of the bulk, and smoother morphology than state-of-the art sputtered or pulsed-laser-deposited films. The development of etching and releasing processes demonstrates how these films are suitable for precise engineering in a variety of form factors and applications.
Multilevel home energy management integrated with renewable energies and storage technologies considering contingency operation
Authors: Mehrjerdi Hasan
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a multilevel energy management system between homes and the electrical grid. The proposed model includes three levels: the first level is made of the utility grid, and it can send or receive energy from the second level. The second level is formed as a common level that is equipped with a wind turbine, battery energy storage, and a diesel generator. The second level can exchange energy with both the first and third levels. The third level is formed with a set of buildings with different loading patterns, and some of them are also equipped with solar panels. The third level can send or receive energy from the second level. The second level is a common level between two other levels. The proposed planning minimizes the cost of consumed energy by houses in the third level through optimal utilization and management of all levels. The problem optimizes the power between levels 1 and 2, the power between levels 2 and 3, the charging-discharging pattern of the battery in level 2, and the operation pattern of the diesel generator in level 2. The plan optimally utilizes both wind and solar resources (in levels 2 and 3) to minimize the energy cost and deals with their intermittency nature by means of stochastic programming. The plan is also designed to operate under contingency conditions when the utility grid (first level) is out of access. In such a situation, the problem utilizes the available technologies in levels 2 and 3 (i.e., wind, solar, battery, and diesel) to supply the houses in the third level. The diesel generator plays a major role under contingency and emergency conditions to maintain the resiliency of the system.
Impedance-matched dielectric metasurfaces for non-discrete wavefront engineering
Authors: Miyata Masashi , Nakajima Mitsumasa , Hashimoto Toshikazu
Published: March 2019

Metasurfaces can manipulate optical wavefronts by locally shifting the phase of incident light with metallic or dielectric optical nanoresonators that are generally arranged on a lattice with subwavelength spacing. However, such conventional metasurfaces inevitably generate a spatially discrete multi-level phase profile due to the spacing of their building blocks. This directly leads to an efficiency reduction and thus limits their capability. Here, we propose and demonstrate highly efficient transmissive metasurfaces with the ability to form a continuous phase profile. The proposed strategy relies on the fact that high-index dielectric nanobeams with gradually modulated widths can be interpreted to be a virtually impedance-matched material with spatial variations of its refractive index. By highly utilizing such features, one-dimensionally continuous, arbitrary phase profiles can be created in a simple manner with the width profile design. Since spatial transmittance variations can be minimized due to the impedance matching feature, this approach provides a nearly ideal phase profile for spatial light modulation with phase-only filtering operations. We demonstrate that this approach has the capability to improve the performance in various metasurface-based optical components, including polarization-dependent, large-angle beam deflectors and versatile multi-beam splitters. Considering that designing optical phases even in deep-subwavelength regimes is critical for free-space optics, the proposed approach will enable new classes of optical components with complex wavefront engineering.
Towards antenna miniaturization at radio frequencies using plasma discharges
Authors: Laquerbe Vincent , Pascaud Romain , Laffont Adrien , Callegari Thierry , Liard Laurent , Pascal Olivier
Published: March 2019

An original electrically small antenna concept relying on plasma discharges is presented in this paper. It consists of a small coaxial probe placed above a ground plane and surrounded by a hemispherical inductively coupled plasma discharge. This plasma discharge behaves as a subwavelength epsilon-negative resonator exhibiting a localized surface plasmon resonance at microwave frequencies with significant radiation efficiency. Measurements show that the plasma allows impedance matching of the radiating element and frequency agility from 310 to 390 MHz by controlling the power delivered to the discharge. Meanwhile, significant radiation enhancement up to 20 dB at 300 MHz is measured. The existence of the localized surface plasmon resonance is finally confirmed by a Mie analysis considering the measured plasma characteristics.
Team coordination in high-risk circus acrobatics
Authors: Filho Edson , Rettig Jean
Published: March 2019

To advance understanding of the mechanisms allowing for team coordination (TC) in complex motor actions, we
conducted a qualitative study with eight elite hand-to-hand circus acrobats. Data collection consisted of field observations, an
open-ended interview with the participants’ head coach, and focus group interviews with all acrobats. Data analysis yielded three
higher order themes: TC, collective efficacy (CE), and TC-CE linkage. Teammates’ shared and complementary mental models, as well
as implicit and explicit communication dynamics, emerged as formative sub-themes of TC; self-efficacy and other’s-efficacy emerged as
reflective sub-themes of CE. Our findings also suggest that TC is likely inter-related to CE in a systemic fashion. Practitioners
should encourage the development of both shared and complementary models of thinking, while promoting verbal and non-verbal
communication skills. Finally, increasing teammates’ confidence in themselves and in their teammates can help in the development
of CE as well as the enhancement of TC.
Developing a model of the determinants of medication nonadherence in older community-dwelling patients
Authors: McLoughlin Affraic , Bennett Kathleen , Cahir Caitriona
Published: March 2019

Medication nonadherence is associated with adverse health outcomes in older populations. The aim of this study was to develop a model that describes the relationship between the determinants of nonadherence, per the World Health Organization (WHO) model of nonadherence and the necessity–concerns framework (NCF) and nonadherence in a cohort of older community-dwelling patients. A retrospective cohort study of 855 community-dwelling patients aged ≥70 years from 15 practices. Medication nonadherence was assessed by (i) medication possession ratio (MPR < 80%) and (ii) the median MPR across all drugs dispensed. Patient questionnaires, interviews, and medical records measured the determinants of nonadherence per the WHO and NCF frameworks. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was undertaken to generate the model of best fit. Two structural equation models (SEM) were developed to evaluate the relationship between the WHO factors, the NCF, and nonadherence (Model 1: MPR < 80%, Model 2: median MPR). The CFA produced a reasonable fit (χ2(113) = 203, p < .001; root mean square error of approximation = 0.03; comparative fit index = 0.98, and weighted root mean square residual = 0.97) and adequate internal consistency (r = .26–.40). SEM analysis (Model 1) showed a significant direct relationship between patient-related (β = 0.45, p < .01), socioeconomic (β = 0.20, p < .01), and therapy-related factors (β = −0.27, p < .01) and nonadherence (MPR < 80%). Similar results were found for Model 2 (median MPR). There was a significant direct relationship between medication concerns (β = −0.13, p < .01) and nonadherence. Therapy-related (β = −0.04, p < .05) and patient-related factors (β = −0.06, p < .05) also had a significant mediating effect on nonadherence through medication concerns. Health care professionals need to address medication concerns and management of adverse effects in older populations to improve adherence and clinical outcomes.
Floral colour structure in two Australian herbaceous communities: it depends on who is looking
Authors: Shrestha Mani , Dyer Adrian G , Garcia Jair E , Burd Martin
Published: March 2019

Background and Aims

Pollinator-mediated interactions between plant species may affect the composition of angiosperm communities. Floral colour signals should play a role in these interactions, but the role will arise from the visual perceptions and behavioural responses of multiple pollinators. Recent advances in the visual sciences can be used to inform our understanding of these perceptions and responses. We outline the application of appropriate visual principles to the analysis of the annual cycle of floral colour structure in two Australian herbaceous communities.

Methods

We used spectrographic measurements of petal reflectance to determine the location of flowers in a model of hymenopteran colour vision. These representations of colour perception were then translated to a behaviourally relevant metric of colour differences using empirically calibrated colour discrimination functions for four hymenopteran species. We then analysed the pattern of colour similarity in terms of this metric in samples of co-flowering plants over the course of a year. We used the same method to analyse the annual pattern of phylogenetic relatedness of co-flowering plants in order to compare colour structure and phylogenetic structure.

Key Results

Co-flowering communities at any given date seldom had colour assemblages significantly different from random. Non-random structure, both dispersion and clustering, occurred occasionally, but depended on which bee observer is considered. The degree of colour similarity was unrelated to phylogenetic similarity within a co-flowering community.

Conclusions

Perceived floral colour structure varied with the sensory capabilities of the observer. The lack of colour structure at most sample dates, particularly the rarity of strong dispersion, suggests that plants do not use chromatic signals primarily to enable bees to discriminate between co-flowering species. It is more likely that colours make plants detectable in a complex landscape.
The Surgical Needle
Authors: Byrne Miriam , Aly Al
Published: March 2019

A variety of modern surgical needles are available to today’s surgeon. However, a surgeon’s preference of surgical needles, is usually influenced by experience, ease of use, and the postoperative result, such as scar quality. This article describes the selection of needle designs available, and their intended clinical applications. Key factors in the basic design of the surgical needle include, the quality of its alloy, surface coating, and needle geometry. The needle alloy provides strength and ductility. Silicon coating maintains the sharpness and consistency of penetration of the needle. Sharpness is also determined by the angle of the point and taper ratio of the needle. Needle sizes range from extremely fine microsurgical needles to very thick needles for sternal closure. Needlepoint type is selected based on the particular tissue type where they are used. A conventional cutting needle is used for tough tissue, such as skin, whereas a reverse cutting needle is selected to reduce the risk of tissue cutout. Round-body needles are used in tissues that are easy to penetrate and in crucial procedures such as tendon repair, where suture cutout would be disastrous. A blunt-point, round-body needle dilates rather than cuts, and is preferred in abdominal fascial closure, to prevent inadvertent visceral injury and bleeding. The taper-cut needle punctures and then dilates and is used for vascular anastomosis. Although the needle and suture choice are entirely the surgeon’s, this article hopefully may serve as a reference for those who are deciding on these issues critically.
Understanding the Importance of Contact Heterogeneity and Variable Infectiousness in the Dynamics of a Large Norovirus Outbreak
Authors: Zelner Jon , Adams Carly , Havumaki Joshua , Lopman Ben
Published: March 2019

Background

Large norovirus (NoV) outbreaks are explosive in nature and vary widely in final size and duration, suggesting that superspreading combined with heterogeneous contact may explain these dynamics. Modeling tools that can capture heterogeneity in infectiousness and contact are important for NoV outbreak prevention and control, yet they remain limited.

Methods

Data from a large NoV outbreak at a Dutch scout jamboree, which resulted in illness among 326 (of 4500 total) individuals from 7 separate camps, were used to examine the contributions of individual variation in infectiousness and clustered contact patterns to the transmission dynamics. A Bayesian hierarchical model of heterogeneous, clustered outbreak transmission was applied to represent (1) between-individual heterogeneity in infectiousness and (2) heterogeneous patterns of contact.

Results

We found wide heterogeneity in infectiousness across individuals, suggestive of superspreading. Nearly 50% of individual infectiousness was concentrated in the individual’s subcamp of residence, with the remainder distributed over other subcamps. This suggests a source-and-sink dynamic in which subcamps with greater average infectiousness fed cases to those with a lower transmission rate. Although the per capita transmission rate within camps was significantly greater than that between camps, the large pool of susceptible individuals across camps enabled similar numbers of secondary cases generated between versus within camps.

Conclusions

The consideration of clustered transmission and heterogeneous infectiousness is important for understanding NoV transmission dynamics. Models including these mechanisms may be useful for providing early warning and guiding outbreak response.
Socioeconomic disadvantage and the risk of advanced chronic kidney disease: results from a cohort study with 1.4 million participants
Authors: Weldegiorgis Misghina , Smith Margaret , Herrington William G , Bankhead Clare , Woodward Mark
Published: March 2019

Background

Several studies have investigated the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes; less is known about its effect on chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to measure the association between deprivation, CKD Stages 4–5 and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in a general population sample.

Methods

This observational study examined 1 405 016 participants from the English Clinical Practice Research Datalink (2000–14), linked to hospital discharge data and death certification. Deprivation was assessed according to the participant’s postcode. Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for CKD Stages 4–5 and ESRD, adjusting for age and sex, and additionally for smoking status, body mass index, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, prior CVD and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline.

Results

During 7.5 years of median follow-up, 11 490 individuals developed CKD Stages 4–5 and 1068 initiated ESRD. After adjustment for age and sex, the HRs and confidence interval (CI) comparing those in the 20% most deprived of the population to the 20% least deprived were 1.76 (95% CI 1.68–1.84) and 1.82 (95% CI 1.56–2.12) for CKD Stages 4–5 and ESRD, respectively. Further adjustment for known risk factors and eGFR substantially attenuated these HRs. Adding our results to all known cohort studies produced a pooled relative risk of 1.61 (95% CI 1.42–1.83) for ESRD, for comparisons between highest to lowest categories of deprivation.

Conclusion

Socioeconomic deprivation is independently associated with an increased hazard of CKD Stages 4–5 and ESRD, but in large part may be mediated by known risk factors.
Asymmetric biotic interchange across the Bering land bridge between Eurasia and North America
Authors: Jiang Dechun , Klaus Sebastian , Zhang Ya-Ping , Hillis David M , Li Jia-Tang
Published: March 2019

The exchange of biotas between Eurasia and North America across the Bering land bridge had a major impact on ecosystems of both continents throughout the Cenozoic. This exchange has received particular attention regarding placental mammals dispersing into the Americas, including humans after the last glacial period, and also as an explanation for the disjunct distribution of related seed plants in eastern Asia and eastern North America. Here, we investigate bi-directional dispersal across the Bering land bridge from estimates of dispersal events based on time-calibrated phylogenies of a broad range of plant, fungus and animal taxa. We reveal a long-lasting phase of asymmetrical biotic interchange, with a peak of dispersal from Asia into North America during the late Oligocene warming (26–24 Ma), when dispersal in the opposite direction was greatly decreased. Influx from North America into Asia was lower than in the opposite direction throughout the Cenozoic, but with peak rates of dispersal at the end of the Eocene (40–34 Ma) and again in the early to middle Miocene (16–14 Ma). The strong association between dispersal patterns and environmental changes suggests that plants, fungi and animals have likely dispersed from stable to perturbed environments of North America and Eurasia throughout the Cenozoic.
How Does Smoking and Nicotine Dependence Change After Onset of Vaping? A Retrospective Analysis of Dual Users
Authors: Martínez Úrsula , Martínez-Loredo Víctor , Simmons Vani N , Meltzer Lauren R , Drobes David J , Brandon Karen O , Palmer Amanda M , Eissenberg Thomas , Bullen Christopher R , Harrell Paul T , Brandon Thomas H
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Although some smokers switch to exclusive use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), others become dual users of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Little is known about how the onset of vaping affects the use of and dependence on combustible cigarettes or total nicotine use and dependence, which may influence health-related and cessation outcomes. Using self-report data of current combustible and e-cigarette use and retrospective recall of pre-vaping smoking in a sample of dual users, the aims of this study were (1) to compare pre- and post-vaping number of cigarettes per day and combustible cigarette dependence; (2) to compare pre- and post-vaping total nicotine use frequency (number of vaping sessions and cigarettes smoked per day), and total nicotine dependence; and (3) to examine predictors of nicotine dependence.

Methods

We used baseline data from a smoking cessation trial with 2896 dual users. Nicotine use frequency and the Heaviness of Smoking Index were used as measures of nicotine use and dependence, respectively.

Results

Participants decreased cigarettes/day from pre- (M = 19.24, SD = 9.01) to post-vaping (M = 11.15, SD = 8.02, p < .0001) and combustible cigarette dependence declined from pre- (M = 3.55, SD = 1.51) to post-vaping (M = 2.11, SD = 1.60, p < .0001). Total daily nicotine use frequency increased after initiating vaping (M = 19.25, SD = 9.01 vs. M = 29.46, SD = 8.61; p < .0001), as did total nicotine dependence (M = 3.55, SD = 1.51 vs. M = 4.68, SD = 1.38; p < .0001). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that variables associated with greater overall nicotine dependence included: younger age, lower education, more years smoking, higher pre-vaping nicotine dependence, using e-cigarettes more days per month, more puffs per vaping session, higher e-liquid nicotine concentration, and longer vaping history.

Conclusions

Dual use leads to a reduction in the number of combustible cigarettes, but total nicotine use and dependence increases.

Implications

In dual users, a reduction in smoking following onset of vaping may offer some harm reduction via reduction in cigarette intake. However, the increase in total nicotine use and dependence could affect the ability to quit either or both products.
Genetic Epidemiology, Infectious Disease, and Public Health Ethics
Authors: Duggal Priya , Geller Gail , Sutherland Andrea
Published: March 2019

This chapter outlines the ethical issues raised by the use of genomics in the study of infectious disease, in research and development of preventive and therapeutic measures, and to inform public health interventions and policies. More than two decades of ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) research on the application of genomics to complex diseases have produced many insights that are also relevant to infectious diseases; however, a number of factors unique to infectious diseases underscore the importance of identifying novel ELSI issues that might emerge from the application of genomics in this context, including issues surrounding personalized medicine and public health. While the science of genomics in the context of infectious disease is still in its infancy, and it is too early to identify all of the potential ELSI issues that may emerge from it, policy recommendations for public health strategies to prevent and control infectious disease must attend to such concerns.
Newborn Screening in the United States: Ethical Issues
Authors: Lewis Michelle Huckaby , Botkin Jeffrey R.
Published: March 2019

The purpose of newborn screening is to identify and treat infants with certain conditions prior to the onset of symptoms in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. The development of new technology, including genomic sequencing, has expanded the number of conditions that can be detected in the newborn period. Whether infants should be screened for conditions for which there is no available treatment is a subject of debate. The retention and secondary use of de-identified residual newborn screening dried blood samples without explicit parental permission have been controversial. In light of these challenges, some question whether mandatory newborn screening continues to be justified. This chapter will explore key ethical issues faced by state newborn screening programs in the United States.
An Overview of Ethics, Public Health Policy, and Politics
Authors: Hyder Adnan A. , Bishai David M.
Published: March 2019

An understanding of what influences policy decisions, what determines investments for specific public health interventions, and how agreements are made regarding new programs in public health is crucial for helping navigate the ethical implications of public health programs and interventions. This chapter provides an overview of the Public Health Policy and Politics section of The Oxford Handbook of Public Health Ethics. The section’s overall goal is to highlight ethical issues emerging from the work in, and study of, politics and policy development in public health, both within countries and globally. The chapters in this section analyze a set of ethical issues related to politics and public health policies, interventions, and programs, and emphasize the importance of communication among various disciplines, such as bioethics, political science, and development studies.
Second Thoughts on Enhancement and Disability
Authors: Hall Melinda C.
Published: March 2019

Transhumanist arguments in support of radical human enhancement are inimical to disability justice projects. Transhumanist thinkers, the strongest promoters of human enhancement, and fellow travelers who claim enhancement is a moral obligation, make arguments that rely on the denigration of disabled embodiment and lives. These arguments link disability with risk. The promotion of human enhancement is therefore open to significant disability critique despite transhumanism’s claims to allyship with disability justice activism. This chapter lays out such a disability critique of enhancement and further supports its claims by describing bioethics, and therefore transhumanism, as biopolitical in the sense Michel Foucault uses the term. Finally, this chapter develops an alternative vision of enhancement. This alternative vision poses a disability-inclusive future, accepts the risks of embodiment, and lays groundwork for a counterdiscourse of enhancement.
The Neurolinguistics of Bilingualism
Authors: Green David W. , Kroll Judith F.
Published: March 2019

In the last two decades, the development of new methods for imaging and tracking the neural basis of language processing has revealed remarkable evidence for plasticity. Perhaps no other topic on language has exploited these developments as fully as bilingualism. Until recently, the acquisition and use of a second language, especially for adults, had been taken to be a model of how language processes might be constrained beyond early childhood. The new research has exposed a system that is more open to new language learning and more tightly coupled to the brain networks that engage cognitive control mechanisms than previously understood. This chapter reviews the most exciting new findings on how second-language learners and bilinguals adapt to the openness of the system to enable proficient language use. In this way, bilingualism becomes a model for the development of neuroplasticity across the life span.
Assertion and Testimony
Authors: Hinchman Edward S.
Published: March 2019

Which is more fundamental, assertion or testimony? Should we understand assertion as basic, treating testimony as what one gets when one adds an interpersonal addressee? Or should we understand testimony as basic, treating mere assertion—assertion without testimony—as what one gets when one subtracts that interpersonal relation? This article argues for the subtractive approach and for the more general thesis that its treatment of the interpersonal element in assertion makes understanding that interpersonal element the key to understanding how assertion expresses belief. This theory of belief expression in assertion treats it as internalizing the transmission of belief in testimony. How we understand that internalizing move depends on how we conceptualize the interpersonal element in testimony. Since what will be called the Command Model does not give one the conceptual resources to make this move, one should adopt an alternative that will be called the Custodial Model, on which a testifier aims not to convince her addressee but to reason with him—to give him reasons to believe what she tells him, where those reasons are grounded in her trustworthiness in thus attempting to influence him. The subtractive approach to assertion thus rests on a key distinction between the aims of reasoning and persuasion.
Stress and Personality Disorders
Authors: White Christina Noel , Conway Christopher C. , Oltmanns Thomas F.
Published: March 2019

This chapter reviews literature investigating the complex relationships between stress and personality disorders. Various forms of early life adversity, particularly experiences of abuse and neglect, portend the development of personality disorders and maladaptive personality traits later in life. Much of this association appears to be causal (i.e., independent of genetic risk). A comparatively much smaller literature suggests that acute stressful events later in development show complex interrelations with personality disorders. These connections appear to be bidirectional, such that not only does stress influence the development of personality, but personality also influences stress exposure. Additionally, personality traits influence the way in which individuals respond to stressors, both psychologically and physiologically. Our review concludes by underlining enduring methodological problems and conceptual issues that await resolution in future empirical work.
The Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain
Authors: Sun Wei-Hsin , Su Yu-Shiuan , Chen Chih-Cheng
Published: March 2019

Chronic pain is not merely a prolonged form of acute pain but rather results from plastic changes that occur along sensory transduction pathways from the peripheral to the central nervous system. Recent studies have revealed that “hyperalgesic priming,” the plastic changes of nociceptors, is essential for the transition from acute to chronic pain. Once challenged, nociceptors may elicit a signal switch to favor pain chronicity in response to future noxious stimuli. This article summarizes the recent progress in research into hyperalgesic priming in different chronic pain models and highlight how the plastic changes of the signal switch varies in different nociceptors. Also discussed is the involvement of proton-sensing receptors in pain chronicity associated with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
the Roman Empire in the Synoptic Gospels
Authors: Diehl Judith A.
Published: March 2019

This article introduces past and current scholarship that uses postcolonial criticism as an approach to the interpretation of the New Testament (NT) Synoptic Gospels. Historically, the NT was written primarily during the colonization and control of the Roman Empire; therefore, it is not strictly “postcolonial” literature. Reading the NT through the lens of postcolonial interpretation, readers can see that experiences connected to modern colonialism are apparent in the ancient texts. Did the Gospel writers find it necessary to employ subversive language and symbols to conceal their true meanings from the imperial authorities? This chapter offers a brief review of the biblical scholarship that recognizes anti-imperial rhetoric within three biblical accounts of Jesus and his countercultural message to the first-century Jewish and Gentile world.
Cognitive Work Analysis
Authors: Burns Catherine M.
Published: March 2019

Rasmussen and Vicente’s cognitive work analysis (CWA) is well known as an approach to developing a rich set of design requirements. CWA has become quite well recognized as an approach to understand complex domains and generate requirements for effective new designs. These requirements have resulted in information system interfaces that have improved performance in process control, health, finance, and military domains. The pattern of performance improvements seen with displays developed from CWA is quite particular. For example, improved performance is often seen in fault detection and diagnosis, but not particularly in the performance of regular tasks. Human performance in unanticipated situations is improved, but not performance in normal situations. One way to look at the effects of CWA-based interventions is to consider that CWA creates performance more typical of experts. CWA was a method founded on attempts to understand human expertise and transfer the knowledge of human experts into a design so that the less expert could benefit. From this grounding, CWA is an important method for understanding and transferring expertise. This chapter will move through the steps of CWA and their various contributions to the understanding and development of expertise. Finally, how CWA can be used to develop and transfer expertise through design will be discussed.
Phenomenological Psychopathology of Neurodiversity
Authors: Bertelli Marco O. , De Groef Johan , Rondini Elisa
Published: March 2019

The term “neurodiversity” is commonly used to refer to intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder, which are the neurodevelopmental disorders with the most severe impact on a person”s overall functioning along the life-span. Although a wide interpersonal variability, these conditions are associated with peculiarities in the subjective existential experience and in the psychological insight, with a particular reference to areas of emotionality, spirituality, practical skills, socialization, and psychic suffering. These peculiarities lead to a complex psycho-physical continuous vulnerability, including neurovegetative dystonia, lack of environmental mastery, low coping, difficulties in self-determination, repeated losses, and societal exclusion. Care provision should aim at improving quality of life, by enabling the “neurodiverse” (or “psycho-characterized”) person to pursue a self-development aimed at optimizing the relationship between importance and satisfaction in the most emic areas of life, such as being, belonging, and becoming.
Reality Negotiation
Authors: Gallagher Matthew W.
Published: March 2019

This chapter presents an overview of the development and status of the reality negotiation construct and relates it to a variety of coping processes. The reality negotiation construct follows from the social constructionist tradition and first appeared in discussions of how excuses protect self-images by decreasing the causal linkage to negative outcomes. The reality negotiation construct was later expanded to include a discussion of how the process of hoping may be used to increase perceived linkage to positive outcomes. In the three decades since these constructs were first introduced, five individual differences measures have been developed, and the effects of these reality negotiation techniques have been studied extensively. Reality negotiation techniques can be both maladaptive and adaptive and have been shown to be associated with coping and social support in a variety of populations. The chapter concludes by highlighting a few areas in which reality negotiation research could expand to further its relevance and applicability to the field of positive psychology.
Programmed Improvisation Inspired from Autonomous Humanoids
Authors: LaViers Amy
Published: March 2019

This essay outlines the use of the mathematical machinery used to program automated systems as a way to describe a form of structured improvisation. Examples of such automated systems range from simple devices like a remote control to complex automation governing the status of a high-security building. The essay points out the connection of the mathematics governing these systems to the movements induced in users of such automated systems and will delve into how such objects describe a whole class of possible movement sequences, or choices, in a given structured improvisation. In a world where such programmed devices are ubiquitous, this type of exploration from the arts is essential in understanding how these devices are changing our lives.
The End of Enslavement, ‘Greek style’
Authors: Vlassopoulos Kostas
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines the processes through which slaves in ancient Greek communities exited slavery, as well as their status and condition as freed people. It examines the nature of the existing evidence for manumission and freed people and its implications for studying the topic; it explores the forms of manumission and the processes through which slaves managed to gain their freedom; finally, it discusses the meanings that freedom had for freed people in the various conditions in which they found themselves after exiting slavery. The chapter places particular attention on the significance of the master–slave, free–slave, and community formation dialectics for manumission and for life after slavery. It also engages with fruitful comparisons between different areas and communities of the Greek world, as well as between Greek and Roman manumission and freed people.
Cryptic conspirators: a conversation about thrombocytopenia and antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Vreede Andrew P. , Bockenstedt Paula L. , McCune W. Joseph , Knight Jason S.
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review

Although antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is best known for conveying increased risk of thrombotic events and pregnancy morbidity, thrombocytopenia is also recognized as a common association. In this review, we will explore the relationship between thrombocytopenia and APS, highlighting our evolving understanding – and persistent knowledge gaps – through clinically oriented questions and answers.

Recent findings

A history of thrombocytopenia likely portends a more severe APS phenotype (including increased risk of thrombosis). Although the pathophysiology underlying thrombocytopenia in APS has yet to be definitively revealed, mechanisms that play a role (at least in subsets of patients) include: immune thrombocytopenic purpura/ITP-like autoantibodies against platelet glycoproteins; antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-mediated platelet activation and consumption; and potentially life threatening thrombotic microangiopathy. Although thrombocytopenia is often ‘mild’ in APS (and therefore, may not require specific therapy), there are causes of acute-onset thrombocytopenia that mandate emergent work-up and treatment. When APS-related thrombocytopenia does require therapy, the approach must be individualized (requiring an understanding of pathophysiology in the particular APS patient). For patients with ITP-like disease, rituximab is emerging as a popular approach to treatment; in contrast, there are hints that thrombopoietin mimetics may be associated with elevated thrombotic risk.

Thrombocytopenia is common in APS, and is likely associated with more severe disease. Improved understanding of thrombocytopenia in APS has the potential to improve risk stratification, reveal novel aspects of APS pathophysiology, and lead to treatments that are more individualized and holistic.
Complications and Accuracy of Computed Tomography–guided Transthoracic Needle Biopsy in Patients Over 80 Years of Age
Authors: Tongbai Thanisa , McDermott Shaunagh , Fintelmann Florian J. , Price Melissa C. , Sharma Amita , Gilman Matthew D.
Published: March 2019

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complications and diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography–guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) in patients aged 80 years and older.

Materials and Methods:

Consecutive PTNB procedures performed in an academic institution between July 2009 and June 2013 were reviewed. Procedures were performed according to a standard protocol using conscious sedation and rapid on-site pathology evaluation. Patient demographics, lesion characteristics, complications, and final tissue diagnosis were reviewed. Patients below 80 years of age and over 80 years were compared using binary logistic regression.

Results:

Of 894 biopsies, 141 (16%) were performed on patients over 80 years of age. Comparison of patients over and below 80 years of age did not differ significantly with regard to lesion size and morphology (P=0.663 and 0.453, respectively), and diagnostic accuracy (P=0.268). Pneumothorax rates were 23% versus 24% (P=0.682), and chest tube insertion was required in 2% of both groups (P=0.924). Hemoptysis rates were 3% versus 2% (P=0.376).

Conclusions:

PTNB is a safe and accurate procedure in patients aged 80 years and older. Complications and diagnostic accuracy are similar to those observed in younger patients.
Short-term Outcomes of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy With D2 Lymphadenectomy to Open Distal Gastrectomy for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer (KLASS-02-RCT)
Authors: Lee Hyuk-Joon , Hyung Woo Jin , Yang Han-Kwang , Han Sang Uk , Park Young-Kyu , An Ji Yeong , Kim Wook , Kim Hyoung-Il , Kim Hyung-Ho , Ryu Seung Wan , Hur Hoon , Kong Seong-Ho , Cho Gyu Seok , Kim Jin-Jo , Park Do Joong , Ryu Keun Won , Kim Young Woo , Kim Jong Won , Lee Joo-Ho , Kim Min-Chan
Published: March 2019

Objective:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of KLASS-02-RCT, a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) with D2 lymphadenectomy with open distal gastrectomy (ODG).

Summary Background Data:

Although several benefits of laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery have been reported, strong evidence is still limited, especially in locally advanced gastric cancer which requires extensive lymph node dissection.

Methods:

Enrollment criteria included histologically confirmed cT2-4a and N0-1 gastric adenocarcinoma. Thirty-day morbidity, 90-day mortality, postoperative pain, and recovery were compared between LDG and ODG groups.

Results:

A total of 1050 patients were randomly assigned to LDG (n = 526) or ODG group (n = 524) between November 2011 and April 2015. After excluding patients who received bypass or no surgery, 1011 patients were analyzed as actual treatment group. Mean number of totally retrieved lymph nodes was similar in both groups (LDG = 46.6 vs ODG = 47.4, P = 0.451). Early morbidity rate was significantly lower after LDG (16.6%) than after ODG (24.1%; P = 0.003). Postoperative analgesics use and patients’ reported pain score were significantly lower after LDG. First day of flatus was earlier after LDG (3.5 vs 3.7 d, P = 0.025) and postoperative hospital stay was shorter in LDG group (8.1 vs 9.3 d, P = 0.005). Ninety days’ mortality rate was similar in both groups (LDG = 0.4% vs ODG = 0.6%, P = 0.682).

Conclusions:

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer shows benefits in terms of lower complication rate, faster recovery, and less pain compared with open surgery.
Updated Alternative Fistula Risk Score (ua-FRS) to Include Minimally Invasive Pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Mungroop Timothy H. , Klompmaker Sjors , Wellner Ulrich F. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Coratti Andrea , D’Hondt Mathieu , de Pastena Matteo , Dokmak Safi , Khatkov Igor , Saint-Marc Olivier , Wittel Uwe , Abu Hilal Mohammed , Fuks David , Poves Ignasi , Keck Tobias , Boggi Ugo , Besselink Marc G.
Published: March 2019

Objective:

The aim of the study was to validate and optimize the alternative Fistula Risk Score (a-FRS) for patients undergoing minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) in a large pan-European cohort.

Background:

MIPD may be associated with an increased risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). The a-FRS could allow for risk-adjusted comparisons in research and improve preventive strategies for high-risk patients. The a-FRS, however, has not yet been validated specifically for laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and hybrid MIPD.

Methods:

A validation study was performed in a pan-European cohort of 952 consecutive patients undergoing MIPD (543 laparoscopic, 258 robot-assisted, 151 hybrid) in 26 centers from 7 countries between 2007 and 2017. The primary outcome was POPF (International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery grade B/C). Model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC; discrimination) and calibration plots. Validation included univariable screening for clinical variables that could improve performance.

Results:

Overall, 202 of 952 patients (21%) developed POPF after MIPD. Before adjustment, the original a-FRS performed moderately (AUC 0.68) and calibration was inadequate with systematic underestimation of the POPF risk. Single-row pancreatojejunostomy (odds ratio 4.6, 95 confidence interval [CI] 2.8–7.6) and male sex (odds ratio 1.9, 95 CI 1.4–2.7) were identified as important risk factors for POPF in MIPD. The updated a-FRS, consisting of body mass index, pancreatic texture, duct size, and male sex, showed good discrimination (AUC 0.75, 95 CI 0.71–0.79) and adequate calibration. Performance was adequate for laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and hybrid MIPD and open pancreatoduodenectomy.

Conclusions:

The updated a-FRS (www.pancreascalculator.com) now includes male sex as a risk factor and is validated for both MIPD and open pancreatoduodenectomy. The increased risk of POPF in laparoscopic MIPD was associated with single-row pancreatojejunostomy, which should therefore be discouraged.