bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the wellbeing of professional musicians through the lens of Positive Psychology
Authors: Ascenso Sara , Williamon Aaron , Perkins Rosie
Published: May 2016

Recognizing the need to include musicians in mainstream wellbeing profiling and to move beyond a focus on debilitating factors of the music profession, this study aimed to understand how professional musicians experience wellbeing in the light of Positive Psychology. Guided by the PERMA model, the goal was to track enhancers and challenges for wellbeing in relation to the model’s five components: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment. Participants included six professional musicians from six activities: solo, orchestral, choral, chamber, conducting and composing. Two interviews were conducted with each participant, separated by two weeks of diary record-keeping. Results point to high wellbeing. A clear sense of self appears as an overarching sustainer of wellbeing and the transition to professional life as the most challenging time regarding musicians’ flourishing. Positive emotions emerged as highly related to musical moments, while varying repertoire and experiencing different ensembles appeared as central sources of engagement. Meaning emerged as linked to the shared nature of music-making, and a sense of accomplishment was built on internal goals and oneness in performance with others. The key processes for positive functioning appeared to involve responses to, and regulation by, relationships. Implications are discussed in relation to the role of holistic training in educational settings.
The Impact of Vocational Education and Training Programs on Recidivism: A Systematic Review of Current Experimental Evidence
Authors: Newton Danielle , Day Andrew , Giles Margaret , Wodak Joanne , Graffam Joe , Baldry Eileen
Published: May 2016

Although the association between unemployment and offending is well established, relatively little is known about the impact of vocational education and training programs on re-offending, with much of the previous work in this area failing to control for, or correct, selection bias. This article reports the findings of a systematic review, which considers the findings of only those studies that have used experimental or quasi-experimental designs to evaluate vocational training and employment program outcomes for adult offenders. The analysis identifies key features, based on these studies, of those programs associated with the best outcomes and recommends selection criteria for those who are most likely to benefit from prison vocational education and training.
Narratives of Compensated Dating of Girls in Hong Kong Using Routine Activity Theory: Results of a Focus Group Study of Guardians
Authors: Li Jessica C. M. , Cheung Chau-kiu , Jia Cindy X. S. , Yu Yolanda M. Y. , Nguyen Ping
Published: May 2016

This article presents public discourses on compensated dating of adolescent girls in Chinese society. Data are obtained from eight focus groups comprising 50 guardians at private, parochial, and public levels (i.e., social workers, police officers, parents of students, and community representatives). Qualitative data are used to demonstrate how the guardians conceptualize and contextualize compensated dating as an outcome of the dynamics of societal features. Social features such as contemporary ideologies, Internet technology advancement, commercialization of human relationships, and ambiguity between “right” and “wrong” motivate the service providers and customers of compensated dating, and accelerate their convergence and weakened levels of guardianship in society. This study is the first to connect the features of compensated dating of adolescent girls with recent societal changes using the routine activity approach. The findings confirm the application of the routine activity approach in the phenomenon of girls’ compensated dating, and also offer theoretical and practical implications.
Making a smart city for the smart grid? The urban material politics of actualising smart electricity networks
Authors: Bulkeley Harriet , McGuirk Pauline M , Dowling Robyn
Published: May 2016

In a growing debate about the smart city, considerations of the ways in which urban infrastructures and their materialities are being reconfigured and contested remain in the shadows of analyses which have been primarily concerned with the management and flow of digitalisation and big data in pursuit of new logics for economic growth. In this paper, we examine the ways in which the ‘smart city’ is being put to work for different ends and through different means. We argue that the co-constitution of the urban as a site for carbon governance and a place where smart energy systems are developed is leading to novel forms of governmental intervention operating at the conjunction of the grid and the city. We seek to move beyond examining the rationales and discourses of such interventions to engage with the ways in which they are actualised in and through particular urban conditions in order to draw attention to their material politics. In so doing, we argue that the urban is not a mere backdrop to transitions in electricity provision and use but central to its politics, while electricity is also critical to the ways in which we should understand the politics of urbanism.
Geographies of race and ethnicity II
Authors: Pulido Laura
Published: May 2016

In this report I argue that environmental racism is constituent of racial capitalism. While the environmental justice movement has been a success on many levels, there is compelling evidence that it has not succeeded in actually improving the environments of vulnerable communities. One reason for this is because we are not conceptualizing the problem correctly. I build my argument by first emphasizing the centrality of the production of social difference in creating value. Second, I review how the devaluation of nonwhite bodies has been incorporated into economic processes and advocate for extending such frameworks to include pollution. And lastly, I turn to the state. If, in fact, environmental racism is constituent of racial capitalism, then this suggests that activists and researchers should view the state as a site of contestation, rather than as an ally or neutral force.
Towards improved migraine management: Determining potential trigger factors in individual patients
Authors: Peris Francesc , Donoghue Stephen , Torres Ferran , Mian Alec , Wöber Christian
Published: May 2016

Background

Certain chronic diseases such as migraine result in episodic, debilitating attacks for which neither cause nor timing is well understood. Historically, possible triggers were identified through analysis of aggregated data from populations of patients. However, triggers common in populations may not be wholly responsible for an individual’s attacks. To explore this hypothesis we developed a method to identify individual ‘potential trigger’ profiles and analysed the degree of inter-individual variation.

Methods

We applied N = 1 statistical analysis to a 326-migraine-patient database from a study in which patients used paper-based diaries for 90 days to track 33 factors (potential triggers or premonitory symptoms) associated with their migraine attacks. For each patient, univariate associations between factors and migraine events were analysed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

We generated individual factor-attack association profiles for 87% of the patients. The average number of factors associated with attacks was four per patient: Factor profiles were highly individual and were unique in 85% of patients with at least one identified association.

Conclusion

Accurate identification of individual factor-attack profiles is a prerequisite for testing which are true triggers and for development of trigger avoidance or desensitisation strategies. Our methodology represents a necessary development toward this goal.
The ACL Graft Has Different Cross-sectional Dimensions Compared With the Native ACL
Authors: Thein Ran , Spitzer Elad , Doyle John , Khamaisy Saker , Nawabi Danyal H. , Chawla Harshvardhan , Lipman Joseph D. , Pearle Andrew D.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Impingement of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts against the femoral notch and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is thought to be influenced primarily by tunnel position and graft orientation. Recent data have implied that the native ACL is ribbon-shaped.

Purpose:

To evaluate the 3-dimensional shape and cross-sectional area of the native ACL versus the ACL graft and to compare the degree of impingement against the femoral notch and PCL.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Bilateral knee magnetic resonance images were analyzed for 27 patients with unilateral bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) ACL reconstruction performed via transtibial or anteromedial portal femoral tunneling techniques. Three-dimensional models of the ACL, PCL, femur, and tibia were digitally rendered. The cross-sectional area and dimensions of the native ACL and the reconstructed graft were determined at 3 equally spaced locations and compared via Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. In addition, impingement of the ACL on the PCL and femoral notch was graded in 3 groups. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used to compare the proportional differences of impingement of the native and reconstructed ACL on the PCL and femoral notch, respectively. All analyses were performed using 2-sided hypothesis testing, with statistical significance at P < .05.

Results:

Cross-sectional areas at all 3 points on the ACL graft were significantly greater than those of the native ACL ( P < .001). The long- to short-axis ratio for the native ACL was significantly greater at each location compared with the corresponding locations along the ACL graft ( P < .001), implying that the native ACL is “flatter” than is an ACL graft. There were 19 operated knees (70%) with contact or impingement between the ACL graft and the femoral notch compared with zero knees with a native ACL ( P < .001). In addition, 22 operated knees (81%) showed contact or impingement between the ACL graft and the PCL, compared with 7 knees (26%) with a native ACL ( P < .001). No significant differences in impingement frequency were noted between the transtibial and anteromedial tunneling techniques for ACL graft specimens ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

Native ACLs have a smaller cross-sectional area, are “flatter,” and experience less incidence of impingement compared with anatomically placed BPTB ACL grafts.
Secular Trends in Heights and Weights in Boys and Girls Over 3 Decades in Rural India
Authors: Mamidi Raja Sriswan , Rajkumar Hemalatha , Radhakrishna K. V. , Babu J. J.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Secular trends in height reported from developing countries are few and scarce.

Objective:

To assess secular trends in linear growth in boys and girls from birth to 18 years of life in rural households of India based on periodical cross-sectional surveys conducted over a period of 35 years.

Materials and Methods:

The present study uses data from baseline and final surveys of National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau from 1975 to 1979 (N = 6043) to 2012 to 2013 (N = 11 910) on anthropometry from birth to 18 years from 7 states in households of rural India.

Results:

The overall improvement in 18+ boys and girls was 3.1 and 1.0 cm, respectively, over a period of 35 years. The increments in height of 18+ were highest for both boys (7.4 cm) and girls (4.8 cm) in the state of Kerala followed by Tamil Nadu (boys, 7.3 cm and girls, 3.8 cm). Under-5 stunting rates reduced from 82% in the baseline survey to 45.7% in the final survey at 1.35% per year in the pooled states and was similar in both boys and girls. The recovery in stunting was highest in Tamil Nadu (1.63% per year) followed by Kerala (1.46% per year).

Conclusion:

The pattern of secular trends in height in rural India seen over 3 decades was strikingly similar to that of developed countries. The phenomenal improvement in linear growth in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in children younger than 5 years and adolescents suggests that growth potential for Indians is similar to that of developed countries.
Sociospatial Dimensions of Water Injustice: The Distribution of Surface Water Toxic Releases in California’s Bay-Delta
Authors: Liévanos Raoul S.
Published: May 2016

Previous water injustice research focuses predominantly on inequities and power relations in water use, management, governance, and rights. This article charts a new research direction with a case study of the unequal distribution of surface water toxic release hazard levels across census block groups in California’s Bay-Delta region in the year 2000. The article draws on secondary data and geographic information systems, as well as spatial regression analyses to test intersectional environmental inequality hypotheses regarding the determinants of surface water cumulative areal-weighted modeled hazard scores (CAWMHS)—a new environmental health hazard indicator derived in this study from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators database. Spatial error regression models demonstrate that black disadvantage and isolated Latino disadvantage are the strongest and positive demographic determinants of surface water CAWMHS, net of other factors. Findings have scholarly and practical implications for environmental inequality and water injustice research and policy.
Arthritis, Depression, and Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Quach Lien T. , Burr Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2016

The aims of this study were to examine the association between different types of arthritis and falls and to investigate whether clinically significant depression symptoms (CSDS) moderate these relationships. The study used nationally representative data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study ( n = 7,715, M age = 75, 62% female, and 90% White). Among the respondents, 42% experienced at least one fall during the previous 2 years. About one third had some form of arthritis: 22% osteoarthritis (OA), 4.8% rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 2.3% both OA and RA, and 7.9% with other arthritis types. About one fifth of respondents had CSDS. OA and CSDS are associated with the odds of falling (17% and 29%, respectively), adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, health conditions, and psychiatric medications. There was no statistically significant interaction between types of arthritis and CSDS. Health care providers should pay attention to managing arthritis, especially OA, and CSDS to prevent falls among older adults.
Auto-Gerontology: A Personal Odyssey
Authors: Palmore Erdman B.
Published: May 2016

The four leading theories of optimal aging are activity, continuity, successful aging, and selective optimization with adaptation. All tend to support the slogan, “Use it or lose it.” I have tried to continue using my abilities in four key areas: professional, volunteer, personal relationships, and physical fitness. Ageism also has become personal for me because I have made it a personal priority to do what I can to reduce ageism. This includes research and writing, developing a list of 45 advantages to aging, avoiding ageist jokes and language, developing positive slogans about aging, maintaining personal fitness, going on birthday adventures, and being proud of my age (85). I close with answers to some questions about auto-gerontology.
Construct Validity of Fluency and Implications for the Factorial Structure of Memory
Authors: Jewsbury Paul A. , Bowden Stephen C.
Published: May 2016

Fluency is an important construct in clinical assessment and in cognitive taxonomies. In the Cattell–Horn–Carroll (CHC) model, Fluency is represented by several narrow factors that form a subset of the long-term memory encoding and retrieval (Glr) broad factor. The CHC broad classification of Fluency was evaluated in five data sets, and the CHC narrow classification was evaluated in an additional two data sets. The results suggest that Fluency tests are more strongly related to processing speed (Gs) and acquired knowledge (Gc) than to Glr, but Fluency may also be represented as a distinct broad factor. In the two additional data sets with a large number of Fluency tests, the CHC Fluency narrow factors failed to replicate with confirmatory factor analysis. An alternative and simpler narrow structure of Fluency was found, supporting the factorial distinction of semantic versus orthographic Fluency. The results have important implications for the factorial structure of memory, the classification of Fluency tests, and the assessment of Fluency.
Test Review: An Interview With Amy Gabel: About the WISC-V
Authors: Greathouse Dan , Shaughnessy Michael F.
Published: May 2016

Whenever a major intelligence or achievement test is revised, there is always renewed interest in the underlying structure of the test as well as a renewed interest in the scoring, administration, and interpretation changes. In this interview, Amy Gabel discusses the most recent revision of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition (WISC-V). She addresses issues concerning clinical use, standardization, validity, reliability, and other uses of the test as well as addresses new subtests and their use.
Teaching Planning Studios: An Online Assessment Task to Enhance the First Year Experience
Authors: Alizadeh Tooran , Tomerini Deanna , Colbran Samantha
Published: May 2016

Planning studios, through learning by doing, introduce students to relevant practical skills. The problem is that not all students, especially in the first-year, spend the required time on task, so they fall behind and fail to catch up. The article is based on the Community of Inquiry framework and proposes an online assessment to ensure that teaching, social, and cognitive elements are present when there is no face-to-face contact between the teaching team and students. The article follows a planning cohort across their first two studios that adopted the online assessment, and it provides an opportunity to evaluate the impact on the first-year experience.
Limitations of Routine Verification of Nasogastric Tube Insertion Using X‐Ray and Auscultation
Authors: Nejo Takahide , Oya Soichi , Tsukasa Tsuchiya , Yamaguchi Naomi , Matsui Toru
Published: May 2016

Several bedside approaches used in combination with thoracoabdominal X‐ray are widely used to avoid severe complications that have been reported during nasogastric tube management. Although confirmation by X‐ray is considered the gold standard, it is not yet perfect. We present 2 cases of rare complications in which the routine verification methods could not detect all the complications related to the nasogastric tube placement. Case 1 was a 17‐year‐old male who presented with a brain tumor and repeatedly required nasogastric tube placement. Despite normal auscultatory and X‐ray findings, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly after resuming the enteral nutrition (EN). Computed tomography images showed the presence of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG). Urgent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed esophagogastric submucosal tunneling of the tube that required an emergency open total gastrectomy. Case 2 was a 76‐year‐old man with long‐term EN after stroke. While the last auscultatory verification was normal, he suddenly developed extensive HPVG due to gastric mucosal injury following EN, which resulted in progressive intestinal necrosis, general peritonitis, and death. These 2 cases indicated that routine verification methods consisting of auscultation and X‐ray may not be completely reliable, and the awareness of the limitations of these methods should be reaffirmed because expeditious examinations and necessary interventions are critical in preventing life‐threatening complications.
Bad education? Childhood recollections of pornography, sexual exploration, learning and agency in Finland
Authors: Spišák Sanna , Paasonen Susanna
Published: May 2016

This article draws on a memory-work project on the childhood experiences and memories of pornography in Finland to argue that the autobiographical younger self used in these reminiscences is a creature distinct from the cultural figure of a child at risk, and that the forms of learning connected to pornography are more diverse and complex than those limited to sexual acts alone. The notion of an asexual child susceptible to media effects remains detached from people’s accounts of their childhood activities, experiences and competences. By analyzing these, it is possible to critically reexamine the hyperbolic concerns over the pornification and sexualization of culture.
‘The problem is that I don’t know’ – Agency and life projects of transnational migrant children and young people in England and Spain
Authors: Rübner Jørgensen Clara
Published: May 2016

This article discusses the life projects of migrant children and young people in England and Spain and illustrates the importance of exploring family dynamics, contextual legal constraints, and ‘transnational uncertainties’ as part of young migrants’ ideas about the future. It reflects on the dilemma posed by acknowledging the agency of migrant children in relation to their future while at the same time considering the constraints they meet as minors and migrants within a broader family and societal context.
A new continuously variable transmission system applied to transmission system of the roadheader's cutting unit
Authors: Wang Huan , Sun Dongye , Qin Datong
Published: May 2016

For the existing roadheader, the transmission system of the cutting unit cannot regulate speed and the cutting motor may break down because of the impact vibration. In this study, the power reflux hydraulic transmission system, which is a new continuous variable transmission system, is put forward to ameliorate these problems. The basic characteristics such as the speed ratio, efficiency and torque ratio are analysed on the basis of expounding the basic structure and operational principle of the power reflux hydraulic transmission system. The dynamic model of the transmission system of the cutting unit is established. The pulse signal is used as the simulation of the loads, when the roadheader suddenly encounters the high strength rock. Then the torsional vibration characteristics of the existing roadheader and the roadheader that is equipped with the power reflux hydraulic transmission system are analysed. The contrastive simulation results show that the motor and transmission system vibration of the roadheader which is equipped with the power reflux hydraulic transmission system is markedly attenuated relative to the existing roadheader. So the power reflux hydraulic transmission system can protect the cutting unit's motor and the transmission system.
Design and optimization of a dual quadruped vehicle based on whole close-chain mechanism
Authors: Wu Jianxu , Yao Yanan , Ruan Qiang , Liu Xiaoping
Published: May 2016

A new “whole close-chain mechanism” concept is proposed for the design of the modular legged unit of walking vehicles. Based on this concept, the walking vehicle called dual quadruped vehicle is developed and constructed. The vehicle designed as an omnidirectional carrying platform contains two identical single-driven quadruped mechanisms. The details of the design procedure are given, including the single close-chain legged mechanism, the modular legged unit, and the dual quadruped vehicle. The construction description of the single leg is presented. With the optimum design of the whole close-chain legged mechanism, the two foot-point characteristic trajectories are investigated. Based on the strategies of the legged module integration, the best phase configuration in pitching movement and the steering analysis are discussed and illustrated. Dynamic simulations and experiments are performed to verify the validity of the theoretical analysis of the new concept and the maneuverability of the vehicle prototype.
Effect of PVDF nanofibers on the fracture behavior of composite laminates for high-speed woodworking machines
Authors: Fotouhi M , Saghafi H , Brugo T , Minak G , Fragassa C , Zucchelli A , Ahmadi M
Published: May 2016

The use of light composites when designing fast moving parts for machine tools is emerging as a very efficient solution for improving productivity. Nevertheless, several aspects of these materials have to be carefully considered in woodworking. This paper aims to investigate the effect of interleaved nanofiber on mode I interlaminar properties and the failure modes that occur in this mode. For this purpose, woven carbon/epoxy laminates with and without Polyvinylidene difluoride nanofibers in the mid-plane were subjected to mode I interlaminar loading and the results were compared with each other. Acoustic emission technique was also utilized for better understanding of the failure modes that occurred in the virgin and nanofibers-modified specimens. Mechanical data and acoustic emission parameters associated with pattern recognition analyses were used for investigation of the interlaminar properties and the occurred failure modes. The mechanical results showed that the electrospun nanofibrous mat was able to increase the GIC by 98%. The acoustic emission results highlighted that different failure modes were the origin of different interlaminar failure behaviors. Different percentages of the failure modes in the modified specimens compared with the virgin ones were observed. Furthermore, the number of occurred interlaminar failure modes diminished in the modified composite layers.
Investigation on feed direction cutting force in ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding of dental ceramics
Authors: Meng Heng , Zheng Kan , Xiao Xingzhi , Liao Wenhe
Published: May 2016

The feasibility of ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding in dental restoration has been preliminarily proved. Improving the machining quality of zirconia ceramics by controlling cutting force is the focus of the researchers. However, the existing feed direction cutting force model for ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding does not take the ultrasonic vibration amplitude and frequency into account. This paper presents a mathematical model for feed direction cutting force in ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding of zirconia under the consideration of amplitude and frequency, and assuming that brittle fracture is the primary mechanism of material removal in ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding of zirconia. The effects of amplitude and frequency on the motion, effective cutting distance, and theoretical removal of an abrasive particle have been analyzed. Besides, the number of active abrasive particles is calculated with analyzing the influences of lateral cracks and ultrasonic vibration. The variation laws of cutting force and penetration depth of an abrasive particle during ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding have also been analyzed. Therefore, the relationship between feed direction cutting force and input variables is predicted through the developed model. Finally, pilot experiments are conducted for the mathematical model verification. Experimental results show that the trends of input variables for feed direction cutting force agree well with the trends of the developed cutting force model. Hence, the mathematical model can be applied to evaluate the feed direction cutting force in ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding of zirconia ceramics.
Evaluation of the longitudinal restraint, uplift resistance, and long-term performance of high-density polyethylene crosstie rail support system using static and cyclic loading
Authors: Lotfy Ibrahim , Issa Mohsen A
Published: May 2016

Rail track longevity is a primary concern for the railroad industry in the US. Therefore, it is important to study the rail support system in detail. This includes understanding the interactions between the rail, the different fastening components, and the crosstie. Then evaluate the support system’s long-term performance. Over the past several years, the railroad industry in the US has been leaning toward implementing alternative solutions to the traditional hardwood timber crossties. Recycled plastic composite crossties present an appealing and effective solution due to their sustainably, environmental benefits, durability, and ease of installation. Several US manufacturers are currently offering commercial crosstie solutions using different recycled plastic composite materials. Thousands of composite plastic crossties are currently in service in a wide variety of railroad tracks. Researchers have investigated this material in the past; however, additional research is still needed to fully understand the rail support system and its long-term behavior. This paper presents an experimental investigation aiming to understand and assess the performance of the full rail support system: the rail section, fastening assembly, and recycled high-density polyethylene crossties. The study encompassed a comprehensive experimental investigation using static and cyclic test methods recommended by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association manual. The static tests addressed the performance of the rail support system when subjected to uplift forces and longitudinal loading in the direction of the rail track, e.g. breaking and traction forces. The dynamic test evaluated the long-term behavior of the rail support system while being subjected to repeated loading for three million fatigue cycles. The outcomes of this study showed great results; the crossties survived the fatigue loading with normal wear and minimal degradation, which highlights the potential of these materials if properly optimized and engineered.
Factors associated with the level of CD4 cell counts at HIV diagnosis in a French cohort: a quantile regression approach
Authors: Bruneau Léa , Billaud Eric , Raffi François , Hanf Matthieu
Published: May 2016

The consensus definition of late presentation for human immunodeficiency virus patient based on a CD4 threshold of 350 cells/mm3 has limitations concerning risk factors identification since there is growing biomedical justification for earlier initiation of treatment. The objective was to overcome this problem by simultaneously determining factors associated with different levels of CD4 counts at the time of diagnosis. Between January 2000 and July 2014, 1179 patients with a first human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis and entering care in a French human immunodeficiency virus reference center were enrolled. Factors associated with each 5 percentile from 5th to 95th quantile of CD4 counts at diagnosis were simultaneously studied in a multivariable quantile regression model. At each of the quantiles, the factors identified as negatively associated with CD4 count at diagnosis were older age, male sex , foreign patients, hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus co-infection, employment status, non-MSM transmission, heterosexual transmission, suburban and rural’s place of residence and earlier period of diagnosis. Association with CD4 count was not uniformly significant, most factors being significant for some quantiles. The only significant determinant for all quantiles was being born in a foreign country. These results are particularly helpful in the context of human immunodeficiency virus clinical care, management and prevention.
Chemsex and the city: sexualised substance use in gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men attending sexual health clinics
Authors: Hegazi A , Lee MJ , Whittaker W , Green S , Simms R , Cutts R , Nagington M , Nathan B , Pakianathan MR
Published: May 2016

The objective of this study was to analyse associations between sexualised substance use (chemsex), STI diagnoses and sexual behaviour among gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men accessing sexual health clinics to better inform clinical pathways. A retrospective case notes review was undertaken following the introduction of more detailed and holistic profomas for all gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men attending two London sexual health clinics between 1 June 2014 and 31 January 2015. Chemsex status was documented for 655/818. Overall, 30% disclosed recreational drug use of whom 113 (57%) disclosed chemsex and 27 (13.5%) injecting drugs. HIV-positive gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men were more likely to disclose chemsex (AOR 6.68; 95% CI 3.91–11.42; p < 0.001). Those disclosing chemsex had a higher incidence of acute bacterial STIs (AOR 2.83 CI 1.79–4.47; p < 0.001), rectal STIs (AOR 3.10 CI 1.81–5.32; p < 0.001) or hepatitis C (AOR 15.41 CI 1.50–158.17; p = 0.021). HIV incidence in the study period was 1.8% (chemsex) vs. 0.9% (no chemsex) (p = 0.61). Chemsex was associated with having more sexual partners, transactional sex, group sex, fisting, sharing sex toys, injecting drug use, higher alcohol consumption and the use of ‘bareback’ sexual networking applications (p < 0.004). Chemsex participants were also more likely to have accessed post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV in the study period and report sex with a discordant HIV or hepatitis C-infected partner (p < 0.001). Chemsex disclosure is associated with higher risk-taking behaviours, acute bacterial STIs, rectal STIs and hepatitis C incidence. HIV incidence was higher but not significantly so in the study period. Chemsex disclosure in sexual health clinics should prompt an opportunity for prevention, health promotion and wellbeing interventions.
Infants’ pain cries: Natural resources for co-creating a proto-interaction order
Authors: Berducci Domenic F.
Published: May 2016

This study applies conversation analysis to an infant/caregiver activity, “getting vaccinated.” Here, an infant’s natural reactions (crying) to pain (inoculations) appear to function as inchoate social devices aiding the co-creation of an emerging proto-social interaction order. I argue and demonstrate that the infant’s cries comprise its (biological, as opposed to psychological) devices that contribute to the proto-interaction order, when systematically responded to by caregivers, and thus (inadvertently) employed as interactional resources. The caregivers’ responses to the crying demonstrate that the participants’ actions, including the infant’s, constitute resources for creating a proto-social-interaction order from the interacting normative and biological rule systems. Finally, since conversation analysis has not traditionally been applied to infant/caregiver interaction, I contrast relevant conversation analyses to developmental psychological studies.
Changing joint regulation and labour market policy in Italy during the crisis: On the edge of a paradigm shift?
Authors: Colombo Sabrina , Regalia Ida
Published: May 2016

In the case of Italy, many of the more common assumptions about the impact of the crisis on employment relations do not fit. We briefly outline the main traditional features of joint regulation and labour market policy in Italy and then illustrate how the crisis erupted in a situation already marked by major defects. We go on to discuss the social partners’ positions and practices showing how the crisis influenced social dialogue and collective bargaining in a complex way. They largely maintained their previous organizational strength and continued to play a central role in the regulation of labour; yet, a significant, unexpected change was the more autonomous role assumed by the state. In the medium term, this may eventually result in a deep transformation of the whole labour relations system.
Closing the gap: New data on the last documented Myotragus and the first human evidence on Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Bover Pere , Valenzuela Alejandro , Torres Enric , Cooper Alan , Pons Joan , Alcover Josep A
Published: May 2016

The chronology of the extinction of the Balearic fossil bovid Myotragus balearicus in Mallorca and Menorca has been under discussion since its discovery in 1909, and especially in the last decades, thanks to the radiocarbon dates that have been obtained from several deposits of the island of Mallorca. Here, we present new radiocarbon dates of M. balearicus bones (including the most recent date ever obtained for the species, 4035 ± 32 BP, 2830–2470 cal. BC) that together with a newly published radiocarbon date for the evidence of the first human presence in the island (introduced Caprinae bone, 3884 ± 36 BP; 2470–2210 cal. BC) allow us to reduce the uncertainty period for the Myotragus extinction (UPME) in Mallorca from 1660 to 620 years ( p > 95%) or even to 350 years ( p > 90%) and to reject the hypotheses suggesting a climate change–driven (i.e. non-human) extinction of the species. This new scenario points to the causal relationship between the first human arrival and the M. balearicus extinction. The chronological gap between the earliest documented M. balearicus and the first documented human presence represents one of the shortest time periods documented between endemic megafauna and humans on any Mediterranean island.
Late-Holocene glacier advances and related climate conditions in the Hailuogou catchment, Gongga Shan, eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xu Xiangke , Muhammad Ateeq Q , Pan Baolin
Published: May 2016

We present simulations for the late-Holocene glacier advances in the Hailuogou catchment, Gongga Shan, in attempts to test the glacier sensitivity to climate changes and constrain the climate conditions that support these glacier advances. We use a coupled mass-balance and ice-flow model parameterized using empirical glaciological and climatological data to simulate the glacier extents by fitting modeled glaciers to corresponding glacial landforms. The glacier sensitivity test showed that in the Hailuogou catchment, glacier area expands increasingly quickly until 4°C cooling, beyond which decreased expansion occurs up to at least 5°C cooling, but the modeled glacier volume increases steadily up to 5°C with an approximate linear rate being 1.1 × 109 m3/0.5°C. The temperatures were estimated to be 1.9–3.1°C, 1.5–2.6°C, and 1.0–2.2°C cooler than present for the respective Guanjingtai, Hailuogou, and ‘Little Ice Age’ (‘LIA’) Maximum glacial stages, considering a realistic precipitation field being 80–120% of present value. Model results also suggested that the Hailuogou catchment was covered by glaciers of 64.1, 59.3, and 53.8 km2 and ice volumes of 8.79 × 109, 7.99 × 109, and 6.92 × 109 m3 in the Guanjingtai, Hailuogou, and ‘LIA’ Maximum glacial stages, respectively. These findings help to understand the relationships between glacier dynamic and climate change and the hydrological evolution in the Hailuogou catchment. We therefore encourage using the model as a powerful tool to retrieve past ice extents and evaluate their related climate conditions on the vast Tibetan Plateau.
Climatic or dietary change? Stable isotope analysis of Neolithic–Bronze Age populations from the Upper Ob and Tobol River basins
Authors: Motuzaite Matuzeviciute Giedre , Kiryushin Yurii F , Rakhimzhanova Saule Zh , Svyatko Svetlana , Tishkin Alexey A , O’Connell Tamsin C
Published: May 2016

Dietary changes in the populations inhabiting southwest Siberia and northern Kazakhstan indicate concurrent changes in the economy, at the same time marking the beginnings of East–West interaction across northern Eurasia. The introduction of domestic animal species of Near Eastern origin, such as sheep and goat, dramatically changed the lives of the local population. Past palaeodietary research using stable isotope analysis has mainly focussed on pastoral populations of the Bronze Age period. It is crucial, however, to assess the diets of humans and animals from earlier periods (Neolithic/Chalcolithic) in order to understand the timing and nature of dietary change during the Bronze Age of southwest Siberia and northern Kazakhstan, in particular the possible contribution of environmental change influencing dietary shifts. In this paper, we report the results of stable isotope analysis on 55 human and 45 faunal samples from southwest Siberia (Upper Ob River) and northern Kazakhstan (Tobol River basin), ranging from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. These data, combined with published human and faunal collagen results from the region as well as new accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) radiocarbon dating results, indicate little change in animal diet over time, but a notable change in human diet at ca. 2500 cal. BC. The data allow us to determine the time when pastoralism came to the fore, with concomitant economic differences to the local population.
Survival analysis with delayed entry in selected families with application to human longevity
Authors: Rodríguez-Girondo Mar , Deelen Joris , Slagboom Eline P , Houwing-Duistermaat Jeanine J
Published: May 2016

In the field of aging research, family-based sampling study designs are commonly used to study the lifespans of long-lived family members. However, the specific sampling procedure should be carefully taken into account in order to avoid biases. This work is motivated by the Leiden Longevity Study, a family-based cohort of long-lived siblings. Families were invited to participate in the study if at least two siblings were ‘long-lived’, where ‘long-lived’ meant being older than 89 years for men or older than 91 years for women. As a result, more than 400 families were included in the study and followed for around 10 years. For estimation of marker-specific survival probabilities and correlations among life times of family members, delayed entry due to outcome-dependent sampling mechanisms has to be taken into account. We consider shared frailty models to model left-truncated correlated survival data. The treatment of left truncation in shared frailty models is still an open issue and the literature on this topic is scarce. We show that the current approaches provide, in general, biased estimates and we propose a new method to tackle this selection problem by applying a correction on the likelihood estimation by means of inverse probability weighting at the family level.
Missing continuous outcomes under covariate dependent missingness in cluster randomised trials
Authors: Hossain Anower , Diaz-Ordaz Karla , Bartlett Jonathan W
Published: May 2016

Attrition is a common occurrence in cluster randomised trials which leads to missing outcome data. Two approaches for analysing such trials are cluster-level analysis and individual-level analysis. This paper compares the performance of unadjusted cluster-level analysis, baseline covariate adjusted cluster-level analysis and linear mixed model analysis, under baseline covariate dependent missingness in continuous outcomes, in terms of bias, average estimated standard error and coverage probability. The methods of complete records analysis and multiple imputation are used to handle the missing outcome data. We considered four scenarios, with the missingness mechanism and baseline covariate effect on outcome either the same or different between intervention groups. We show that both unadjusted cluster-level analysis and baseline covariate adjusted cluster-level analysis give unbiased estimates of the intervention effect only if both intervention groups have the same missingness mechanisms and there is no interaction between baseline covariate and intervention group. Linear mixed model and multiple imputation give unbiased estimates under all four considered scenarios, provided that an interaction of intervention and baseline covariate is included in the model when appropriate. Cluster mean imputation has been proposed as a valid approach for handling missing outcomes in cluster randomised trials. We show that cluster mean imputation only gives unbiased estimates when missingness mechanism is the same between the intervention groups and there is no interaction between baseline covariate and intervention group. Multiple imputation shows overcoverage for small number of clusters in each intervention group.
Patients’ Perception of Service Quality of Health Care Services in India
Authors: Pramanik Auditi
Published: May 2016

Service quality is considered as a key component for employer brand that is determined through customers’ satisfaction. In this context, the primary goal of the health care industry is to provide the best possible service to their patients in order to sustain in the market. An assessment will give an opportunity to find out the loopholes in the services for future rectifications and to reach the desired goal. This study is, therefore, an attempt to measure the perception of patients regarding quality of health care services in India along with a comparative study on urban and rural hospitals. Here, current status of health care service quality and preferred service dimensions of urban and rural patients in India was investigated through literature review and questionnaire survey. Data were collected from 368 patients, who were then hospitalized or already discharged. The Service Quality Measurement scale (SERVQUAL) was applied to verify the hypotheses. The findings reveal that the health care service quality was unsatisfactory and patients’ preferences of dimensions were distinct in urban and rural areas. These gaps exist due to lack of knowledge, costly modern medical substances and treatments and so on. The study has implication in maintaining standard of health care service quality, making policies and serving research purposes.
Cilia-associated bacteria in fatal Bordetella bronchiseptica pneumonia of dogs and cats
Authors: Taha-Abdelaziz Khaled , Bassel Laura L. , Harness Melanie L. , Clark Mary Ellen , Register Karen B. , Caswell Jeff L.
Published: May 2016

Bordetella bronchiseptica frequently causes nonfatal tracheobronchitis, but its role in fatal pneumonia is less recognized. Our study evaluated histologic identification of cilia-associated bacteria as a method for diagnosis of B. bronchiseptica pneumonia. Cases of fatal bronchopneumonia were studied retrospectively, excluding neonates and cases of aspiration pneumonia, minor lung lesions, or autolysis. The study population comprised 36 canine and 31 feline cases of bronchopneumonia. B. bronchiseptica was identified in 8 of 36 canine and 14 of 31 feline cases based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) using serum from a rabbit hyperimmunized with pertactin, PCR testing (Fla2/Fla12), and/or bacterial culture data when available. Of these, IHC was positive in 4 canine and 7 feline cases, PCR was positive in 8 canine and 14 feline cases, and B. bronchiseptica was isolated in 2 of 5 canine and 3 of 9 feline cases tested. Examination of histologic sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin revealed bronchial cilia-associated bacteria in 4 of 36 canine and 5 of 31 feline cases; these were all positive by IHC and PCR. The presence of cilia-associated bacteria had been noted in the pathology report for only 2 of these 9 cases. Thus, the presence of cilia-associated bacteria seems frequently overlooked by pathologists, but is a diagnostically significant feature of B. bronchiseptica pneumonia. A specific diagnosis of B. bronchiseptica pneumonia is important because it suggests primary or opportunistic bacterial pneumonia rather than aspiration pneumonia, and because of the risk of animal-to-animal transmission of B. bronchiseptica, the availability of vaccines for disease prevention, and the potential zoonotic risk to immunocompromised pet owners.