bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common Examiner Scoring Errors on Academic Achievement Measures
Authors: Harrison Gina L. , Goegan Lauren D. , Macoun Sarah J.
Published: April 2018

This study examined the scoring errors across three widely used achievement tests (Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement–Second Edition [KTEA-2], Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Achievement–Third Edition [WJ-III], and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Third Edition [WIAT-III]) by novice examiners. A total of 114 protocols were evaluated for differences between the measures on the frequency and type of scoring errors. Within-measure analyses were also conducted to identify particular composites or subtests that might be more prone to error. Among the three measures, the WIAT-III was found to have the most scoring elements and was, therefore, the measure most susceptible to errors in scoring. Irrespective of the measure, more errors occurred on composites requiring greater examiner inference and interpretation, similar to previous studies on the propensity of scoring errors on cognitive measures. Results are discussed in relation to assessment fidelity and to assessment training practices.
Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis in the United Arab Emirates: Characteristics From a Multicenter Study and Global Comparison
Authors: Ismail Fatima Y. , Gordon-Lipkin Eliza , Huether Katherine , Blair Iain , Szólics Miklós , Alsaadi Taoufik , Aziz Faisal , Suleiman Jehan , Schiess Nicoline
Published: April 2018

We delineate the clinical characteristics, incidence, and prevalence of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 2010 to 2014. Eighty-two patients (65% female) were identified. Fifty-three (64.6%) were Emiratis (45 from Abu Dhabi and 8 from 5 other emirates) and 29 were expatriates. Mean age of onset was 15.9 years overall, 15.3 years in males and 16.3 years in females. Patients with onset before age 12 years presented with visual symptoms while those with onset after age 12 years presented with a mixture of visual, motor and sensory symptoms. Interferon beta-1a was the most frequently used disease-modifying therapy (48%). In Abu Dhabi Emirati nationals, the age- and sex-adjusted prevalences were 26/100 000 for males and 36/100 000 for females. The total incidence in Emirati nationals from 2010 to 2014 was 2.3/100 000 for ages 10 to 14 years and 7.2/100 000 for ages 15 to 19 years. By comparison with international cohorts, the incidence of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis in Abu Dhabi is higher whereas gender distribution is similar.
Impact of Mobility Device Use on Quality of Life in Children With Friedreich Ataxia
Authors: Ejaz Resham , Chen Shiyi , Isaacs Charles J. , Carnevale Amanda , Wilson Judith , George Kristen , Delatycki Martin B. , Perlman Susan L. , Mathews Katherine D. , Wilmot George R. , Hoyle J. Chad , Subramony Sub H. , Zesiewicz Theresa , Farmer Jennifer M. , Lynch David R. , Yoon Grace
Published: April 2018

Objective:

To determine how mobility device use impacts quality of life in children with Friedreich ataxia.

Study Design:

Data from 111 pediatric patients with genetically confirmed Friedreich ataxia were collected from a prospective natural history study utilizing standardized clinical evaluations, including health-related quality of life using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 Generic Core Module.

Results:

Mobility device use was associated with worse mean PedsQL total, physical, emotional, social, and academic subscores, after adjusting for gender, age of disease onset, and Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale score. The magnitude of the difference was greatest for the physical subscore (–19.5 points, 95% CI = –30.00, –8.99, P < .001) and least for the emotional subscore (–10.61 points, 95% CI = –20.21, –1.02, P = .03). Transition to or between mobility devices trended toward worse physical subscore (–16.20 points, 95% CI = –32.07, –0.33, P = .05).

Conclusions:

Mobility device use is associated with significant worsening of all domains of quality of life in children with Friedreich ataxia.
Comparison of Ketamine- Versus Nonketamine-Based Sedation on Delirium and Coma in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Shurtleff Vanessa , Radosevich John J. , Patanwala Asad E.
Published: April 2018

Background:

At this time, there are no studies evaluating the risk of delirium or coma with the use of ketamine in mechanically ventilated adult patients, compared to conventional therapies such as propofol or dexmedetomidine.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the number of days alive without delirium or coma in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit receiving analgosedation infusions with ketamine versus without ketamine.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at an academic medical center in the United States. Consecutive mechanically ventilated adult patients between November 2015 and April 2017 were evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the sedative regimen used: ketamine based or nonketamine based. The primary outcome was the number of days alive without delirium or coma. The secondary outcomes were incidence of delirium, incidence of coma, and ventilator-free days at day 28.

Results:

The study cohort consisted of 79 patients, of which 39 received ketamine- and 40 received nonketamine-based sedation. The number of days alive without delirium or coma was 6 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 2-9 days) with ketamine and 4 days (IQR: 3-7 days) with nonketamine ( P = .351). Delirium occurred in 29 (74%) of 39 patients with ketamine and 34 (85%) of 40 patients with nonketamine ( P = .274). Coma occurred in 16 (41%) of 39 patients with ketamine and 6 (15%) of 40 patients with nonketamine ( P = .013). The median ventilator-free days were 13 days (IQR: 0-23 days) with ketamine and 21 days (0-25 days) with nonketamine ( P = .229).

Conclusions:

Sustained ketamine-based sedation in mechanically ventilated patients may be associated with a higher rate of observed coma but similar delirium- and coma-free days compared nonketamine-based regimens.
Criminal Careers Among Female Perpetrators of Family and Nonfamily Homicide in Australia
Authors: Eriksson Li , McPhedran Samara , Caman Shilan , Mazerolle Paul , Wortley Richard , Johnson Holly
Published: April 2018

Knowledge of women’s pathways to serious offending, including homicide, is limited. This study contributes to a small but growing body of literature examining the criminal careers of serious female offenders by using interview data with females convicted of murder or manslaughter in Australia to examine various dimensions of their criminal careers, specifically, prevalence, frequency, age of onset, duration, and offending variety. In particular, in this study we compared criminal career dimensions across women who had killed a family member (e.g., intimate partner, children) and those whose victims were not part of the family unit (i.e., acquaintances or strangers). Our findings reveal differences between female homicide offenders who kill within and outside of the family unit. Although both groups had comparable overall lifetime prevalence of self-reported participation in criminal offending, findings indicate that participation among the family group was typically at low levels of frequency, of limited duration, and with relatively little variety in categories of offending. The family group also reported lower contact with the criminal justice system compared with the nonfamily group, and were less likely to have experienced some form of criminal/legal sanction in the 12 months prior to the homicide incident. This suggests that women who kill family members are more “conventional” than their nonfamily counterparts, in terms of having low and time-limited (i.e., short duration) lifetime participation in criminal offending.
Hybrid Masculinity and Young Men’s Circumscribed Engagement in Contraceptive Management
Authors: Fefferman Ann M. , Upadhyay Ushma D.
Published: April 2018

This research explores how gender shapes contraceptive management through in-depth interviews with 40 men and women of color ages 15 to 24, a life stage when the risk of unintended pregnancy is high in the United States. Although past research focuses on men’s contraception-avoidant behaviors, little sociological work has explored ways men engage in contraception outside of condoms, such as contraceptive pills. Research often highlights how women manage these methods alone. Our research identifies how young men of color do help manage these methods through their engagement in contraceptive decision making and use. Men accomplish this without limiting their partners’ ability to prevent pregnancy. This is despite structural barriers such as poverty and gang-related violence that disproportionately affect low-income young men of color and often shape their reproductive goals. However, men’s engagement is still circumscribed so that women take on a disproportionate burden of pregnancy prevention, reifying gender boundaries. We identify this as a form of hybrid masculinity, because men’s behaviors are seemingly egalitarian but also sustain women’s individualized risk of unintended pregnancy. This research points to the complexity of how race, class, and gender intersect to create an engaged but limited place for men in contraceptive management among marginalized youth.
Aspects of aero-engine nacelle drag
Authors: Robinson Matthew , MacManus David G , Sheaf Christopher
Published: April 2018

To address the need for accurate nacelle drag estimation, an assessment has been made of different nacelle configurations used for drag evaluation. These include a sting mounted nacelle, a nacelle in free flow with an idealised, freestream pressure matched, efflux and a nacelle with a full exhaust system and representative nozzle pressure ratio. An aerodynamic analysis using numerical methods has been carried out on four nacelles to assess a near field drag extraction method using computational fluid dynamics. The nacelles were modelled at a range of aerodynamic conditions and three were compared against wind tunnel data. A comparison is made between the drag extraction methods used in the wind tunnel analysis and the chosen computational fluid dynamics approach which utilised the modified near-field method for evaluation of drag coefficients and trends with Mach number and mass flow. The effect of sting mounting is quantified and its influence on the drag measured by the wind tunnel methodology determined. This highlights notable differences in the rate of change of drag with free stream Mach number, and also the flow over the nacelle. A post exit stream tube was also found to create a large additional interference term acting on the nacelle. This term typically accounts for 50% of the modified nacelle drag and its inclusion increased the drag rise Mach number by around Δ M = 0.026 from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] for the examples considered.
Hip stem fatigue: : The implications of increasing patient mass
Authors: Westerman Ashley P , Moor Andrew R , Stone Martin H , Stewart Todd D
Published: April 2018

General trends of increasing body mass index have been observed in many western countries along with an increasing demand for joint replacement. Standards have been developed for testing the fatigue properties of femoral stems; however, the loads that these apply are based on a historic patient weight and may not be valid in the current patient population. Several fatigue tests were conducted using distally fixed titanium alloy stems positioned according to the ISO standard but with a cyclic load based on a current 75th percentile patient sample. Smaller sized stems (currently not weight restricted) fractured in; 30,000 cycles, while larger sized stems were found to have excellent durability under loads simulating walking and stumbling. The results suggest that while the fatigue properties of medical grade titanium are very good, the ISO pre-clinical durability testing standard does not represent the influence of femoral offset or stem size sufficiently to reflect safe design practice.
Subjective Confidence Predicts Information Seeking in Decision Making
Authors: Desender Kobe , Boldt Annika , Yeung Nick
Published: April 2018

There is currently little direct evidence regarding the function of subjective confidence in decision making: The tight correlation between objective accuracy and subjective confidence makes it difficult to distinguish each variable’s unique contribution. Here, we created conditions in a perceptual decision task that were matched in accuracy but differed in subjective evaluation of accuracy by orthogonally varying the strength versus variability of evidence. Confidence was reduced with variable (vs. weak) evidence, even across conditions matched for difficulty. Building on this dissociation, we constructed a paradigm in which participants ( N = 20) could choose to seek further information before making their decision. The data provided clear support for the hypothesis that subjective confidence predicts information seeking in decision making: Participants were more likely to sample additional information before giving a response in the condition with low confidence, despite matched accuracy. In a preregistered replication ( N = 50), these findings were replicated with increased task difficulty levels.
A study on multi-domain modeling and simulation of precision high-speed servo numerical control punching press
Authors: Xu Teng , Xia Qin-Xiang , Long Jinchuan , Long Xiaobin
Published: April 2018

The multi-domain modeling and simulation of the precision high-speed punching press was carried out using the software SimulationX in this article. The key technical problems of the multi-domain modeling, such as the establishment of the sub-systems of mechanics with accurate structures and dimensions, improvement of modeling accuracy and simulation efficiency by dividing and dealing with components in group and import of the displacement-depended stamping forces on the stamping dies, have been resolved to establish the integral multi-domain model, which contains sub-systems of mechanics, hydraulic and servo driven of the complete punching press. Vibration quantity of the punching press was predicted through simulation, and validity of the multi-domain model was confirmed by experimental measurement. The vibration reduction in the punching press based on the topology optimization of the slider and design of rotational speed variation curve of the servo motor were investigated. The results show that through topology optimization, the mass of the slider could be decreased under the premise of guaranteeing the structural strength, by which the vibration quantity of the punching press can be decreased; rotational speed of the servo motor could be decreased during the stamping period by designing the rotational speed variation curve, which leads to a decrease in acceleration and vibration of the slider during that period, with which the forming precision can be guaranteed.
Identifying diffusion patterns of research articles on Twitter: A case study of online engagement with open access articles
Authors: Alperin Juan Pablo , Gomez Charles J , Haustein Stefanie
Published: April 2018

The growing presence of research shared on social media, coupled with the increase in freely available research, invites us to ask whether scientific articles shared on platforms like Twitter diffuse beyond the academic community. We explore a new method for answering this question by identifying 11 articles from two open access biology journals that were shared on Twitter at least 50 times and by analyzing the follower network of users who tweeted each article. We find that diffusion patterns of scientific articles can take very different forms, even when the number of times they are tweeted is similar. Our small case study suggests that most articles are shared within single-connected communities with limited diffusion to the public. The proposed approach and indicators can serve those interested in the public understanding of science, science communication, or research evaluation to identify when research diffuses beyond insular communities.
Resource allocation and rationing in nursing care: A discussion paper
Authors: Scott P Anne , Harvey Clare , Felzmann Heike , Suhonen Riitta , Habermann Monika , Halvorsen Kristin , Christiansen Karin , Toffoli Luisa , Papastavrou Evridiki
Published: April 2018

Driven by interests in workforce planning and patient safety, a growing body of literature has begun to identify the reality and the prevalence of missed nursing care, also specified as care left undone, rationed care or unfinished care. Empirical studies and conceptual considerations have focused on structural issues such as staffing, as well as on outcome issues – missed care/unfinished care. Philosophical and ethical aspects of unfinished care are largely unexplored. Thus, while internationally studies highlight instances of covert rationing/missed care/care left undone – suggesting that nurses, in certain contexts, are actively engaged in rationing care – in terms of the nursing and nursing ethics literature, there appears to be a dearth of explicit decision-making frameworks within which to consider rationing of nursing care. In reality, the assumption of policy makers and health service managers is that nurses will continue to provide full care – despite reducing staffing levels and increased patient turnover, dependency and complexity of care. Often, it would appear that rationing/missed care/nursing care left undone is a direct response to overwhelming demands on the nursing resource in specific contexts. A discussion of resource allocation and rationing in nursing therefore seems timely. The aim of this discussion paper is to consider the ethical dimension of issues of resource allocation and rationing as they relate to nursing care and the distribution of the nursing resource.
Social class differences in youths’ participation in organized sports: What are the mechanisms?
Authors: Andersen Patrick Lie , Bakken Anders
Published: April 2018

Despite several decades of Sport for All policies, social class differences in organized sports participation of youth persist. However, few population-based studies have examined how social class may influence adolescent participation. We use survey data from upper secondary school students (aged 16–19) from the Norwegian capital of Oslo ( N = 10,531) and investigate the factors through which social class operates. To measure parental social class, we use the well-established Erikson, Goldthorpe and Portocarero class scheme, supplemented by indicators of economic and cultural resources. We also include data on immigrant status, neighbourhood and school affiliation. There were large differences in organized sport participation between youth from the higher and lower social classes. Indicators of parental economic resources mediated many of these differences and had an additional independent statistical effect. Indicators of cultural resources, immigrant status, and neighbourhood and school affiliation only had modest effects. We conclude that social class plays a major role in organized sport participation, and economic resources are particularly important. Methodologically, we suggest that well-established social class schemes should be used in such research, supplemented with more detailed indicators of economic resources.
Between Professional Norms and Professionalism: Risk Assessment and Decision-Making of Arab Social Workers Regarding Children at Risk
Authors: Nouman Hani , Enosh Guy , Jarjoura Amal
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

Four factors might bias child risk assessment and recommendation of treatment for children at high risk among Arab social workers in Israel: collaboration of parents and social workers; improvement in child conditions; and child’s gender; as well as the social worker’s personal, cultural, and professional characteristics.

Methods:

An experimental survey design, using case descriptions manipulating cooperation, improvement and child’s gender, in addition to a questionnaire regarding the social workers’ personal and professional characteristics. The case descriptions were drawn from actual welfare files and adapted. Data were collected from 130 Arab social workers.

Results:

Risk assessment and recommendation were not influenced by child’s gender and social workers’ personal, cultural, or professional characteristics. Cooperative families and child’s improvement increased chances for recommending continuation in current treatment. Cooperation influenced only choice of community treatments and not out-of-home placements. Improvement influenced all options.

Conclusions:

Personal, cultural, and professional-training differences did not affect workers’ recommendations. The role of professional socialization, professional norms, and professionalism seems to outweigh all other factors.
Older, Seriously Ill Veterans’ Views on the Role of Religion and Spirituality in Health-Care Delivery
Authors: Boucher Nathan A. , Steinhauser Karen E. , Johnson Kimberly S.
Published: April 2018

Objectives:

To describe older Veteran’s perspectives on the current delivery of religious or spiritual (R/S) care.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews with older veterans with advanced stage cancer, heart failure, or pulmonary disease to elicit views on when, how, and by whom religious and spiritual care is preferred.

Results:

The sample (n = 17) was largely male (94%), non-Hispanic white (52.9%), Christian (82.3%), and most had at least some college education (64.7%). Participants shared diagnoses of cancer (47%), heart failure (35.2%), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (17.6%). As a group, participants had moderate religiosity. Themes relevant to the study goal of improving VA care delivery are as follows: (1) process of R/S engagement, (2) timing of R/S engagement, and (3) awareness of services. Veterans discussed the need for VA providers to accommodate diverse spiritual beliefs, importance of screening for spiritual needs, inclusion of family spiritual support, need for higher visibility of services, use of nonchaplains for R/S support, and times when R/S is important.

Discussion:

Veterans recognize the diversity of their fellow veterans and note the opportunities and challenges in providing R/S support in the VA care setting. The findings have implications for quality improvement in VA care including efforts focused on enhanced outreach to veterans, bolstered education for staff, and more nuanced approaches to R/S support.
Put Down That Phone! Smart Use of Smartphones for Work and Beyond
Authors: Morandin Gabriele , Russo Marcello , Ollier-Malaterre Ariane
Published: April 2018

Although we use our smartphone for many important daily activities, overreliance on them can have some unintended and unfortunate consequences. Unlike the devices used by prior generations, smartphones are more than mere inanimate objects, and instead have become personally involved “subjects.” All of us—including individuals, organizations, families, and even societies—need to become more aware of the risks associated with such powerful communication devices. We acknowledge the myriad benefits and promises of smartphones, but also highlight their downsides. We identify a series of initiatives that could foster a greater awareness on the costs and benefits of such devices for the sake of employees, their employers, and many stakeholders outside of work.
The biology of consciousness from the bottom up
Authors: Braun Claude MJ , Lovejoy Shaun
Published: April 2018

This essay aims to outline a scientific approach to the investigation of consciousness emphasizing achievements and promise of hardcore bottom-up biology. We propose to contemplate what would be the minimal requirements of consciousness in the simplest of life forms. We show that, starting from the molecular nuts and bolts of such life forms, it is the extreme multitudinousness of the moving material components forming consciousness, and their organized swarming, that appears outstanding. This is in stark contrast with the impression obtained from introspection that consciousness is a single, unconstrained, immaterial stream.
Use of a Surgical Debriefing Checklist to Achieve Higher Value Health Care
Authors: Rose Michael R. , Rose Katherine M.
Published: April 2018

Efforts to improve surgical care by using checklists have been inconsistent in results and not reproducible at scale. The ideal manner for using checklists, along with the time horizon for achieving meaningful and measurable benefits, has been unclear. This article describes a novel process for utilizing debriefing checklists to improve value in surgical care. Debriefings of 54 003 consecutive surgical cases and subsequent analysis of 4523 defects in care by multidisciplinary teams led to rapid-cycle iterative changes in care design and processes. Four dimensions of health care value were achieved: debrief-driven improvements reduced the proportion of surgical cases with reported defects, was associated with a significant reduction in the 30-day unadjusted surgical mortality, lowered costs by substantial gains in efficiency and productivity, and led to a better workforce safety climate. Meaningful and sustained improvements required consistent broad-based teamwork over multiple years, an evidence-based data-driven approach, and senior leader and governance engagement.
A Comprehensive Theory of Integration
Authors: Singer Sara J. , Kerrissey Michaela , Friedberg Mark , Phillips Russell
Published: April 2018

Efforts to transform health care delivery to improve care have increasingly focused on care integration. However, variation in how integration is defined has complicated efforts to design, synthesize, and compare studies of integration in health care. Evaluations of integration initiatives would be enhanced by describing them according to clear definitions of integration and specifying which empirical relationships they seek to test—whether among types of integration or between integration and outcomes of care. Drawing on previous work, we present a comprehensive theoretical model of relationships between types of integration and propose how to measure them.
Culturally Responsive Instruction and Literacy Learning
Authors: Keehne Chelsea N. K. , Sarsona M. Waiʻaleʻale , Kawakami Alice J. , Au Kathryn H.
Published: April 2018

Research in culturally responsive instruction (CRI) to improve literacy learning was explored through study of Hawaiian-focused charter schools. Building on work by Au, an indigenous framework reflecting the work of these schools was developed, highlighting five elements: (a) literacy in indigenous languages; (b) community connections; (c) a shared vision that encompasses culture, academic proficiency, and community; (d) authentic assessment; and (e) teaching grounded in culture and higher level thinking. Schools implemented CRI in an outward-looking, action-oriented manner and literacy was viewed as a means of serving community, not as an end in itself. Schools emphasized CRI as content, in contrast to earlier research with Native Hawaiian students that viewed CRI as process. CRI centered on exploration of cultural identity as the basis for gaining cultural knowledge of one’s ancestors, as well as Western academic knowledge for the purpose of contributing to the well-being of family, community, and nation.
Cutaneous Hematolymphoid and Histiocytic Proliferations in Children
Authors: Gru Alejandro A , Dehner Louis P
Published: April 2018

This article focuses on cutaneous hematopoietic neoplasms that are more likely to be encountered in the pediatric age-group and includes both lymphoproliferative and histiocytic disorders. The cutaneous hematologic disorders in children have a different epidemiologic profile to what is seen during adulthood. Although mycosis fungoides is the most frequent form of cutaneous lymphoma in adults, it is very rare in children. Because lymphoblastic leukemias and lymphomas are more frequent in the pediatric setting, cutaneous leukemic infiltrates are relatively common in this age-group. Similarly, histiocytic disorders are more common in children, particularly Langerhans cell histiocytosis and juvenile xanthogranuloma. Notably, the histiocytic disorders have undergone significant modifications on their nomenclature in the basis of the molecular characteristics that are present in them. A summary of the most frequent cutaneous hematopoietic disorders in children will be discussed further in this review.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Acute Injury Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zissler Angela , Stoiber Walter , Pittner Stefan , Sänger Alexandra M
Published: April 2018

Objectives:

We provide a systematic review of the literature to identify clinical studies assessing the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on acutely injured tissues of human subjects, also highlighting the biological mechanisms by which the technique is proposed to promote the processes of early tissue repair. Special attention is also paid to the progress of research in animal models.

Method:

A systematic review of the literature on ESWT of acute injuries of bone and soft tissue as available in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases up to December 2017 was conducted.

Results:

A total of 10 studies were included. There is some evidence for the application of ESWT in an early postacute injury phase. Most studies report benefits with no or minimal side effects. However, different types of treated tissues and wounds (varying cause and severity) and resulting heterogeneity in study design and outcome measurement make it difficult to compare studies. The picture of knowledge remains limited by an apparent lack of data on optimal treatment timing and on tissue- and injury-specific parameters.

Conclusions:

Although the amount of studies to date is still limited, recent clinical research has presented first successful steps to introduce ESWT as a means of treatment in acute injury care. Therefore, on the basis of the analyzed data, further testing is encouraged to validate optimal timing, physical settings, and possible long-term effects to exclude potential risks.
Creating ‘international communities’ in southern Spain: Self-segregation and ‘institutional whiteness’ in Swedish lifestyle migration
Authors: Lundström Catrin
Published: April 2018

This article examines intra-European relations in narratives of Swedish lifestyle migrants living permanently or part-time on the Spanish Sun Coast. It pays particular attention to the complexities of Swedish migrants’ cultural identities and patterns of self-segregation in the Spanish society by investigating the following questions: How do boundaries of social networks that Swedish lifestyle migrants participate in, or interrelate, with a sense of ‘likeness’? In what ways are the formation of these ‘international’ networks mediated through ideas of cultural similarity and parallel difference, and how do such notions both override and uphold boundaries tied to social, cultural and racial divisions? It is argued that the formation of so-called ‘international communities’ on the Spanish Sun Coast tend to cluster mainly north-western European lifestyle migrants, which calls for an analysis of ‘orientations’ towards a certain ‘likeness’, and the function of these spaces and communities as spaces of ‘institutional whiteness’ that work as a ‘meeting point’ where some bodies tend to feel comfortable as they already belong here. The social and cultural boundaries that surround these communities destabilises the idea of a common, culturally homogeneous European identity and display intra-European racial divisions mediated through discourses of cultural differences. What appears is a south–north divide built upon a deep Swedish postcolonial identification with Anglo Saxon and north-western European countries and cultures, and a parallel dis-identification with (the former colonial powers in) southern Europe.
“But that was meant to be a compliment!”: Evaluative costs of confronting positive racial stereotypes
Authors: Alt Nicholas P. , Chaney Kimberly E. , Shih Margaret J.
Published: April 2018

Past research on confronting racial prejudice has largely examined negative racial stereotypes. In the present work, we investigate perceiver and target perspectives associated with the evaluative costs of confronting positive racial stereotypes. We demonstrate that, in general, Asian Americans and African Americans who confront positive racial stereotypes suffer higher evaluative costs compared to targets who confront negative racial stereotypes and those who do not confront due, in part, to the lower perceived offensiveness of positive stereotypes (Studies 1 and 2). Moreover, Asian American and African American participants report lower confrontation intentions and higher anticipated evaluative costs for confronting positive, compared to negative, stereotypes. Furthermore, higher perceived offensiveness and lower anticipated favorable evaluations serially mediate the relationship between stereotype valence and confrontation intentions (Study 3). Overall, this research extends our understanding of the evaluative costs associated with confronting prejudice, with important downstream consequences regarding the continued prevalence of positive racial stereotypes.
Gentrification and occupancy rights
Authors: Huber Jakob , Wolkenstein Fabio
Published: April 2018

What, if anything, is problematic about gentrification? This article addresses this question from the perspective of normative political theory. We argue that gentrification is problematic insofar as it involves a violation of city-dwellers’ occupancy rights. We distinguish these rights from other forms of territorial rights and discuss the different implications of the argument for urban governance. If we agree on the ultimate importance of being able to pursue one’s located life plans, the argument goes, we must also agree on limiting the impact of gentrification on peoples’ lives. Limiting gentrification’s impact, however, does not entail halting processes of gentrification once and for all.
Surface fatigue crack identification in steel box girder of bridges by a deep fusion convolutional neural network based on consumer-grade camera images
Authors: Xu Yang , Bao Yuequan , Chen Jiahui , Zuo Wangmeng , Li Hui
Published: April 2018

This study conducts crack identification from real-world images containing complicated disturbance information (cracks, handwriting scripts, and background) inside steel box girders of bridges. Considering the multilevel and multi-scale features of the input images, a modified fusion convolutional neural network architecture is proposed. As input, 350 raw images are taken with a consumer-grade camera and divided into sub-images with resolution of 64 × 64 pixels (67,200 in total). A regular convolutional neural network structure is employed as baseline to demonstrate the accuracy benefits from the proposed fusion convolutional neural network structure. The confusion matrix is defined for prediction performance evaluation on the test set. A total of six additional entire raw images are used to investigate the robustness and feasibility of the proposed approach. A binary conversion process based on the optimal entropy threshold method is applied and closely followed to identify the crack pixels in the sub-images. The effect of the super-resolution inputs on accuracy is investigated. Results show that the trained modified fusion convolutional neural network can automatically detect the cracks, handwriting, and background from the raw images. The recognition errors of the fusion convolutional neural network in both the training and validation processes are smaller than those of the regular convolutional neural network. The super-resolution process hurts the general identification accuracy.
Medical Home–Head Start Partnership to Promote Early Learning for Low-Income Children
Authors: Grant Abigail R. , Ebel Beth E. , Osman Nasra , Derby Kiersten , DiNovi Cheryl , Grow H. Mollie
Published: April 2018

Objective. To improve Early Head Start/Head Start (EHS/HS) screening, referral, and enrollment for children from diverse, low-income communities. Method. Using existing resources, we built a pediatric clinic–Head Start partnership. Key steps included (1) screening protocol and tracking system, (2) a community partner as a single point of referral contact, (3) provider education, and (4) monthly outcome reporting. A pre- and post-cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate outcomes, with medical chart review conducted for all wellness visits among children aged 0 to 4 years pre- and postintervention. Results. The preintervention group included 223 patients. The postintervention group included 235 patients. EHS/HS screening improved significantly after the intervention, rising from 8% in the preintervention period to 46% in the postintervention period (odds ratio [OR] 10.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] [5.9, 19.4]). EHS/HS documented referral rates increased from 1% in the preintervention period to 20% in the postintervention period (OR 18.3, 95% CI [5.7, 93.6]). Thirty-two of the 42 patients in the postintervention group referred to EHS/HS were reached to determine enrollment status. Six children (14%) had enrolled in EHS/HS. Conclusion. With use of existing resources, a medical home–Head Start partnership can build an integrated system that significantly improves screening and referral rates to early learning programs.
Use of Integrative Oncology, Involvement in Decision-Making, and Breast Cancer Survivor Health-Related Quality of Life in the First 5 Years Postdiagnosis
Authors: Andersen M. Robyn , Sweet Erin , Hager Shelly , Gaul Marcia , Dowd Fred , Standish Leanna J.
Published: April 2018

Objective: This study sought to describe changes in the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of women who do and do not seek naturopathic oncology (NO) complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) care during and immediately after breast cancer treatment, and to explore the predictive role of NO CAM care, demographic characteristics, and involvement in decision-making on HRQOL in breast cancer survivors. Methods: Matched cohorts of breast cancer survivors who did and did not choose to supplement their breast cancer treatment with NO care within 2 years of diagnosis participated. NO users were identified through naturopathic doctors’ clinics and usual care (UC) controls with similar prognosis were identified through a cancer registry. The registry provided information about all participants’ age, race, ethnicity, marital status, stage of cancer at time of diagnosis, date of diagnosis, and use of conventional medical treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and endocrine therapy). Data of participants’ self-reported involvement in decision-making and HRQOL were collected at study enrollment and at 6-month follow-up. Results: At 6-month follow-up, the NO patients reported significantly more involvement in decision-making about care and better general health than did UC patients ( P < .05). Self-reported involvement in decision-making about cancer treatment was associated with better role-physical, role-emotional, and social-functional well-being ( P < .05). Race, age, marital status, and congruence of preferred and achieved levels of involvement also predicted aspects of HRQOL in breast cancer survivors ( P < .05). Conclusions: Both NO CAM care and involvement in decision-making about cancer treatment may be associated with better HRQOL in breast cancer survivors.
Integrative Oncology in Supportive Cancer Care in Israel
Authors: Shalom-Sharabi Ilanit , Frenkel Moshe , Caspi Opher , Bar-Sela Gil , Toledano Martine , Samuels Noah , Schiff Elad , Ben-Arye Eran
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Integrative oncology (IO) services provide complementary/integrative medicine (CIM) therapies to patients as part of their supportive cancer care. In this study, we examine and compare the structural, operational, financial and academic/research-related aspects of IO services in Israeli oncology centers. Methods: The medical directors of seven Israeli IO programs completed questionnaires which explored the objectives and organizational features of their service within the context of supportive cancer care. Results: All participating IO services addressed patient-reported concerns related to quality of life and function, within the context of conventional supportive cancer care. The centers shared similar characteristics regarding the procedure of referral to their service and emphasized research and teaching initiatives within an academic framework, as part of their clinical practice. A number of obstacles to integration were identified, primarily those related to financial considerations, such as the need for patients to carry the cost of the CIM treatments. Conclusions: IO services situated within conventional oncology departments in Israel share a number of characteristics, as well as obstacles to their incorporation into standard care. All participating centers described both clinical and academic activities, including research initiatives and the promotion of CIM in an academic setting. Further research is needed in order to better understand the place of CIM in the oncology setting and prioritize the allocation of resources in order to advance the inclusion of CIM in standard supportive cancer care.
The Lifestyle Medicine Outpatient Clinic at Loma Linda University Health
Authors: Cramer Tonya , Rea Brenda
Published: April 2018

Medical management of chronic health concerns relies heavily on behavioral change, most specifically medication adherence. Yet approximately 50% of patients with chronic illnesses are not thought to take their medications as prescribed. Moreover, it is recognized that lifestyle and behavioral changes can reduce the need for medication. It is well documented that patient outcomes and their success in achieving behavioral change is improved with engagement and support from a medical care team. As the inpatient lifestyle medicine service was being conceptualized at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH), it became apparent that an outpatient service would be necessary for follow-up care of the patients and support the lifestyle medicine treatments initiated in the hospital. Additionally, an outpatient clinic would be available to the patient population at Loma Linda and potentially prevent hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality with proactive lifestyle medicine treatment. The initial outpatient clinic opened in February 2017 and was soon expanded to meet patient demand. Currently, the LLUH Lifestyle Medicine Outpatient Clinic is available 5 days a week, utilizing 5 physicians.
Facilitating integration of regulated pharmacy technicians into community pharmacy practice in Ontario: Results of an exploratory study
Authors: Salameh Luna , Yeung Daniel , Surkic Natali , Gregory Paul , Austin Zubin
Published: April 2018

Background:

The integration of regulated pharmacy technicians (RPTs) into community pharmacy practice was intended to relieve pharmacists of certain technical duties to facilitate greater provision of direct patient care services, commensurate with expanded scope of practice. There is scant data available regarding the success, value and impact of RPT integration, either in Canada or in other jurisdictions.

Methods:

Pharmacists and RPTs working in community practices were interviewed. Qualitative data were categorized using an iterative coding process to identify themes related to barriers and facilitators to integrating and optimizing the role of the RPT in community practice in Ontario.

Results:

A total of 16 RPTs and 12 pharmacists were interviewed from community sites in Ontario. Strategies for facilitating successful integration of RPTs into daily workflow were identified, based on 4 major themes: environmental factors, interpersonal factors, professional identity formation and innovative use of delegation.

Interpretation:

Integration of RPTs into community practice is complex and requires careful management, planning, training and follow-up to ensure attainment of objectives. Simply hiring RPTs and placing them into existing workflow patterns is generally not a successful implementation strategy.

Conclusions:

Implementation strategies identified through this study can provide employers, managers, pharmacists and RPTs with opportunities to enhance RPT integration and optimize the role of both pharmacists and RPTs in community practice.
A simple model for temperature response of single-zone passive buildings
Authors: Stiles Michael R
Published: April 2018

This article presents a method for calculating interior air temperature as a function of ambient conditions for simple structures (single-zone passive buildings with low infiltration). Examples of such structures are unconditioned greenhouses, storage facilities, and wholly passive solar houses. The method was tested in a partially unoccupied apartment building for 8 days. A simple model was applied to the data in which interior air temperature was taken as an exponential step response to a change in exterior temperature. The time constant calculated from this relationship exhibited periodic fluctuations from day to day. A method is described for reconstructing the interior temperature record using these findings in the step change model. The average difference between the recorded and modeled data was −0.1°C for the period of monitoring. This was unexpected considering that insolation was not monitored or taken into account in the model. The simple step response model was thus sufficient to reconstruct the recorded interior temperature data at this test site. The paper concludes with recommendations for further testing of the method.
STAT3 as a potential immunotherapy biomarker in oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Attili Ilaria , Karachaliou Niki , Bonanno Laura , Berenguer Jordi , Bracht Jillian , Codony-Servat Jordi , Codony-Servat Carles , Ito Masaoki , Rosell Rafael
Published: April 2018

Immune checkpoint blockade has modified the treatment landscape for many types of tumors, including lung cancer. Still our knowledge on the biology of the interaction between tumor cells and the microenvironment is limited, preventing the optimal use of these new compounds and the maximum benefit that the patients can derive from them. We have actively worked on the role of STAT3, a transcriptional factor that causes innate resistance to targeted therapies in oncogene-addicted tumors. In this short review we take the opportunity to express our opinion and review existing knowledge on the immune role of STAT3 and the possible implications that this may have for the discovery of new biomarkers to predict response to immunotherapy, as well as new partners to combine with and increase the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
A note on the impact resistance of concrete target against rigid projectile
Authors: Li Yongchang , Wu Hao , Fang Qin , Peng Yong
Published: April 2018

Concrete is an inhomogeneous cementitious composite which mainly consists of the cement matrix and the random distributed coarse aggregates. As for the most widely used construction materials of the protective structures designed to withstand the intentional or accidental impact loadings caused by high-speed projectiles, the impact resistance of concrete target against the rigid projectile impact is mainly dependent on the mass, density, impact velocity, diameter, and nose shape of the projectile, as well as strength and density of the target, and hardness and size of the coarse aggregates. However, the above influential parameters are not sufficiently considered in the existing cavity expansion–based model and constant resistance model for predicting the depth of penetration of a projectile. In this article, the influences of the hardness and size of the coarse aggregates on the depth of penetration are examined through the existing experimental data, and an improved rigid projectile penetration model for concrete target is proposed and validated by 19 sets of ogive- and flat-nosed projectile penetration tests.