bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human, Also Human
Authors: Kafka Ben
Published: November 2018

The first time you hear a patient's unconscious, I mean really hear it in all of its immediacy and intimacy, there's a shock—no matter how much Freud you've read, how much analysis you've had, how prepared you think you are. My first patient was an eleven-year-old boy. We met two or three times a week at his school, a middle school for bright children from poor, mostly black and brown families. There we were in one of our sessions, which were held in the principal's office, the closest thing the overcrowded school had to a private space. I was listening to him explain how, in different countries, there are different gestures for “fuck you.” He was pretty clearly enjoying the opportunity to use the forbidden word and make the forbidden gesture in my presence. In the United States it's the middle finger, he told me; then showed me. In China, it's the index and pinkie fingers. He paused for a moment over this gesture, which had triggered an association: Spider-Man. My patient then began to spin one of those vivid, violent daydreams that took up most of our sessions for the year and a half we worked together: Spider-Man is in China, he tries to shoot his web, but the people think he's gesturing “fuck you” at them. So they cut off his fingers. He tries to shoot the web from his mouth, so they cut off his mouth. He tries to shoot it from his butt—by now the patient was laughing hard—they cut off his butt. Defeated, Spider-Man returns home to find his mother. He gets into bed with her. She gets pregnant and has a baby. When Spider-Man realizes what's happened, somebody—it's not clear who—cuts out his eyes. Spider-Man dies.
Turnera spicata: a new species of Turneraceae (Passifloraceae s.l.) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: ROCHA LAMARCK , ARBO MARIA MERCEDES , RIBEIRO PATRÍCIA LUZ
Published: November 2018

Turnera spicata, a new species from the Atlantic Forest of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, is described and illustrated here. The new species belongs to the ser. Capitatae, it can be recognized by leaves with 1–2(–3) pairs of basilaminar nectaries, bracteoles lanceolate, inflorescence spike-like abbreviated raceme, corolla white with yellow base and fruits with verrucose epicarp. Turnera spicata is morphologically compared with the closer species, T. albicans.
Phylogeny of the climber genus Haumania (Marantaceae) endemic to the tropical lowland rainforest in Central Africa
Authors: LEY ALEXANDRA CAROLINE , RÖSER MARTIN
Published: November 2018

The genus Haumania (Marantaceae) consists of three described species of perennial climbers endemic to the tropical lowland rainforest in Central Africa. To unravel their phylogenetic relationship to each other, we used variation among DNA sequences of two nuclear ribosomal (nr) and four plastid (p) markers in five to seven accessions per species sampled across their respective distribution range. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses were applied. All datasets and analyses corroborated the monophyly of the genus. Within the genus, individuals of the species H. danckelmaniana and H. leonardiana were each monophyletic. Individuals of H. liebrechtsiana, however, were paraphyletic. They clustered into two distinct geographic clades (Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo), with the Gabonese clade being most closely related to the individuals of H. danckelmaniana. The latter might be due to introgression in areas of distributional overlap between these two species, as shown in earlier phylogeographic studies. A recent hybridisation event between H. danckelmaniana and H. liebrechtsiana is documented here in a single individual by incongruence in the nr and p dataset. Overall, the study provides support for H. leonardiana being sister to all other species of this genus. To confirm the absence of hybridisation in H. leonardiana further sampling is proposed in the respective areas of distributional overlap with its sister species.
A new species of the genus Ablabesmyia Johannsen from the Neotropics and description of the pupa of Ablabesmyia bianulata Paggi (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae)
Authors: SIRI AUGUSTO , PAGGI ANALÍA C.
Published: November 2018

The male, pupa and fourth instar larva of Ablabesmyia platensis sp. n. from La Plata, Buenos Aires province, Argentina and the pupa of A. bianulata Paggi collected in southern Argentina are described and figured. The male adult diagnosis of A. bianulata is emended, and the aedeagal complex is redescribed and photographed. Differences in the aedeagal complex and the color pattern of the pupa mainly distinguish these two species. The new species is also compared with the Neotropical A. oliveirai Oliveira et Gessner.
Two new synonymies in the genus Praocis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: FLORES GUSTAVO E. , PIZARRO-ARAYA JAIME
Published: November 2018

The genus Praocis Eschscholtz, 1829 belongs to Praocini, an endemic Neotropical tribe of Pimeliinae from southern South America. According to the last revision (Kulzer 1958) Praocis comprises 77 species and 7 subspecies arranged in ten subgenera, distributed from central Peru to the southern part of Patagonia in Argentina and Chile.
New terebellids (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from northeastern Brazil
Authors: SANTOS ANDRE SSOUZA DOS , DE MATOS NOGUEIRA JOÃO MIGUEL , FUKUDA MARCELO VERONESI , CHRISTOFFERSEN MARTIN LINDSEY
Published: November 2018

Four new species of terebellid polychaetes were collected at the Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Ponta de Tubarão, State of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. These species are Streblosoma patriciae sp. nov., Terebella leslieae sp. nov., Nicolea ceciliae sp. nov., and Pista alonsae sp. nov. All these species are herein described and compared with the morphologically most similar congeners.
Three new species of chydorid cladocerans of subfamily Aloninae (Branchipoda: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from Brazil
Authors: SINEV ARTEM Y. , ELMOOR-LOUREIRO LOURDES M. A.
Published: November 2018

Three new species of Aloninae cladocera from Central and South Brazil are described. Two of them, Acroperus tupinamba sp. n. and Alona yara sp. n., were previously recorded from the area as European taxa Acroperus harpae (Baird, 1834) and Alona quadrangularis (O.F. Müller, 1776), respectively. Acroperus tupinamba differs from the other species of Acroperus in smaller size, long posterior setae of the valves, shorter and wider postabdomen, short setules near the base of postabdominal claw, long apical spines of antenna, and peculiar morphology of limb IV exopodite. Alona yara differs from A. quadrangularis and A. kolweizii Van Damme & Dumont, 2008 in the number of ventral setules on ventral face of limb I, from A. boliviana Sinev et Coronel, 2006 in the shape of the body and postabdomen, narrow labral keel, and absence of projections on epipodites IV–V. The third new species, Celsinotum candango sp.n. differs from all other species of the genus in proportions of postabdomen. It differs from Australian species (C. hypsophilum Frey, 1991, C parooensis Frey, 1991, and C. platamoides Frey, 1991) in a less developed dorsal keel, lateral head pores located close to midline, longer spine on basal segment of antennal exopodite, and in the presence of extremely large projections on exopodites IV–V. Celsinotum candango differs from Brazilian C. laticaudatum Smirnov & Santos-Silva, 1995 in a shorter spine on basal segment of antenna exopodite, in the shape of postabdomen and in morphology of postabdominal denticles. At present, Aloninae fauna of Brazil includes 35 species, and true diversity is undoubtedly higher, with more new species to be expected in the country.
A study of the subfamily Archoleptonetinae (Araneae, Leptonetidae) with a review of the morphology and relationships for the Leptonetidae
Authors: LEDFORD JOEL M. , GRISWOLD CHARLES E.
Published: November 2018

Detailed examination of the spinning organs and legs of Archoleptoneta schusteri Gertsch (1974) has revealed a cribellum and calamistrum, which represents the discovery of the first cribellate member of the Leptonetidae. Subsequent examination of all other described Archoleptoneta species has confirmed the presence of a rectangular colulus similar to other leptonetids. A comparative review of the characters used to support the Leptonetidae is presented, including a discussion of their phylogenetic implications. The distribution of several features of the spinning organs, respiratory system, and genitalia suggests that the phylogenetic position of the Leptonetidae needs to be reevaluated, and makes their position within the Haplogynae uncertain. Illustrations and detailed discussion of characters in the Archoleptonetinae and Leptonetinae are provided. Archoleptoneta schusteri Gertsch is redescribed including detailed images of its spinning organs and genitalia. All ecribellate archoleptonetines are transferred to the new genus Darkoneta gen. nov. based on the loss of the cribellum, giving the following new combinations: Darkoneta arganoi (Brignoli, 1974). comb nov., Darkoneta garza (Gertsch, 1974) comb nov., Darkoneta obscura (Gertsch, 1974) comb nov., and Darkoneta stridulans (Platnick, 1994) comb nov. Three new species are described: Archoleptoneta gertschi sp. nov. from Eastern California, Darkoneta reddelli sp. nov. from Puebla, Mexico, and Darkoneta quetzal sp. nov. from San Lorenzo, Guatemala. Dichotomous keys are provided with a discussion of problems with the diagnosis of females. Distribution maps for each species are shown with a discussion of areas that require additional sampling in order to resolve species limits.
Description of Doryphoribius dawkinsi, a new species of Tardigrada (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae) from the Costa Rican highlands, with the key to the genus Doryphoribius
Authors: MICHALCZYK ŁUKASZ , KACZMAREK ŁUKASZ
Published: November 2018

A new eutardigrade from Costa Rican highlands, Doryphoribius dawkinsi sp. nov., is described and figured. The new species is most similar to Doryphoribius zyxiglobus but differs from it mainly by the presence of gibbosities I c and L IV , and also by the absence of lunules on claws. Apart from the new species description, we propose a unified system of numbering and identifying cuticular gibbosities. Moreover, using two independent traits (the number of placoids and the presence/absence of cuticular gibbosities), we define four groups of species within the genus Doryphoribius (doryphorus, evelinae, vietnamensis and zappalai group) and provide a diagnostic key to all known Doryphoribius species.
New localities of endangered Chinese turtles from museum specimens and the practical and ethical challenges using and reporting natural history collection data
Authors: FONG JONATHAN J. , QIAO GE-XIA
Published: November 2018

The turtle fauna of Asia is one of the most diverse in terms of number of species, but is also the most endangered. This is a result of human activities such as habitat destruction and over-harvesting for the pet, food, and medicine trades (van Dijk et al., 2000). Effective conservation measures require adequate baseline data on the ecology, systematics, and geographic distribution of each species. Unfortunately, Asian turtle research is difficult because of the longstanding, high-volume Asian turtle trade that includes long-distance transport. Not only are wild turtles increasingly difficult to find, those found in the field may have escaped or been released into the wild. In particular, because of the turtle trade, reconstructing the natural distributions of turtles becomes a problem; turtle records from Asia need to be treated with caution. A specific example of this situation was pointed out by Parham & Li (1999), where some records from the pet trade proved to be misleading.
Pediatric Sports-Related Injuries
Authors: Brown Thomas , Moran Mark
Published: November 2018

At any time there are millions of athletes ages 6 to 18 years participating in sports-related activities and the number is increasing. Unfortunately, the number of overuse injuries is also on the rise. This increase is most likely associated with single-sport specialization before the onset of puberty. As physicians and health care providers, we must educate these young athletes, their parents, and coaches to ensure safety. Short breaks are recommended and everyone involved should understand the athlete should not train more than 5 days per week and must take off 2 to 4 months per year consecutively depending on the specific sport and position on the team. To understand the complexity of these overuse injuries, it is important to have knowledge of the unique characteristics of the immature musculoskeletal system, periods of rapid growth, and the function of the growth plate, which is often involved in these injuries.
Food insecurity, mental distress and suicidal ideation in rural Africa: Evidence from Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana
Authors: Sweetland Annika Claire , Norcini Pala Andrea , Mootz Jennifer , Kao Jennifer Chien-Wen , Carlson Catherine , Oquendo Maria A. , Cheng Bryan , Belkin Gary , Wainberg Milton
Published: November 2018

Background:

In sub-Saharan Africa, mental and substance-related disorders account for 19% of all years lived with disability, yet the intersection between poverty and mental distress is poorly understood since most psychiatric research is conducted in high-income countries.

Aims:

To examine the prevalence of and associations between food insecurity, mental distress and suicidal ideation in three rural village clusters in sub-Saharan Africa.

Method:

Cross-sectional multivariate analysis of sociodemographic variables associated with mental distress and suicidal ideation in three countries. The sample included 1,142 individuals from three rural village clusters in Nigeria ( n = 380), Uganda ( n = 380) and Ghana ( n = 382). Food insecurity was measured based on the number of months in the previous year that the respondent’s family reported being ‘unable to eat two square meals per day’. Mental distress was assessed using the Kessler non-specific psychological distress scale (K6) and suicidal ideation was measured using an item from PRIME-MD. Other sociodemographic variables included gender, age, literacy and occupation.

Results:

The prevalence of individuals with moderate or severe mental distress in Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana were higher than previously reported in the literature: 35.5%, 30.8% and 30.4%, respectively, and suicidal ideation rates were 29.7%, 21.3% and 10.9%. No differences were observed in mental distress between men and women in any of the sites. Being a farmer (vs student or other) was protective for mental distress in two sites (Uganda and Ghana) but no other social indicators, such as age, gender, literacy and food insecurity, were significantly associated with mental distress. Risk for suicidal ideation differed across sites: it was associated with food insecurity in Nigeria, female gender in Uganda, and older age in Uganda.

Conclusions:

Mental distress and suicidal ideation were highly prevalent in three settings of extreme poverty across all groups, in ways that were not always consistent with the global literature. These findings suggest that more research is needed in to better understand the social etiology of mental distress in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Face of Grief in Foster Care
Authors: Look Angela
Published: November 2018

Foster care is a necessary institution to protect some of this county’s most vulnerable children. However, it also often re-traumatizes children who have already undergone significant trauma. In this article, I will provide a synopsis of some current statistics about foster care and the experience of the foster care system. Furthermore, I will provide an overview of a handful of relevant grief theories and expend a call to those within the field to develop more unique grief theories and interventions for children in the foster care system.
The analysis of residential sorting trends: Measuring disparities in socio-spatial mobility
Authors: Modai-Snir Tal , Plaut Pnina
Published: November 2018

Ethnic and socioeconomic segregation levels vary over time and so do the spatial levels of these segregations. Although a large body of research has focused on how residential mobility patterns produce segregation, little is known about how changing mobility patterns translate into temporal and scale variations in sorting. This article develops a methodological framework designed to explore how changing mobility patterns reflect such trends. It introduces a measure of sorting that reflects the extent of disparities among groups in their socio-spatial mobility. Trends in the direction and the extent of sorting can be exposed by computing sorting measures over consecutive periods. The measure is broken down to capture the relative contributions of residential mobility to sorting at hierarchically nested geographical units, for example cities and their constituent neighbourhoods. An empirical demonstration shows that changes in residential mobility patterns affect the magnitude and spatial level of residential sorting, which vary even over the short term.
Mentoring in Context: A Comparative Study of Youth Mentoring Programs in the United States and Continental Europe
Authors: Preston Justin M. , Prieto-Flores Òscar , Rhodes Jean E.
Published: November 2018

Most of the existing body of research on formal youth mentoring has focused on programs in the United States, with few inquiries into how mentoring programs have taken shape in other contexts. In this article, we compare and contrast programs in the United States and continental Europe to investigate how context shapes the ways in which programs are conceived and implemented. Concerns about inequality and delinquency have been major drivers of program expansion in the United States, while concerns about the influx of migrants into linguistically and culturally homogeneous communities have fostered the expansion of programs in continental Europe. Through a series of program comparisons, we explored differences in volunteer characteristics, target populations, and how programs and benefits are construed. Implications for implementation and future research across both contexts are discussed.
Video Annotation Software in Teacher Education: Researching University Supervisor’s Perspective of a 21st-Century Technology
Authors: Ardley Jillian , Johnson Jacqueline
Published: November 2018

Video recordings for student teaching field experiences have been utilized with student teachers (also known as teacher candidates) to (a) capture the demonstration of their lesson plans, (b) critique their abilities within the performance, and (c) share and rate experiences for internal and external evaluations by the state and other organizations. Many times, the recording, saving, grading, and sharing process was not efficient. Thus, the feedback cycle from the university supervisor to the teacher candidate was negatively impacted. However, one communication technology tool that has the potential to facilitate the feedback process is video annotation software. This communication technology uses the storage within a remote server, known also as a cloud, to store videos that include typed commentary that is in sync with the portion of the video recorded. A group of university supervisors piloted a video annotation tool during student teaching to rate its effectiveness. Through a survey, the participants addressed how they perceived the implementation of the video annotation tool within the student teaching experience. Results suggest a video annotated technology-based supervision method is feasible and effective if paired with effective training and technical support.
Key Concepts, Theories, and Issues in African/Black Psychology: A View From the Bridge
Authors: Jamison DeReef F.
Published: November 2018

An impressive body of psychological literature exists that attests to the amount of intellectual labor put forth by Black psychologists in developing and implementing unique approaches to understanding people of African descent. Yet the impact of these contributions made by Black psychologists have often been marginalized and rendered invisible within the overall context of Black intellectual thought. The absence leaves a void in the literature for those seeking an accurate account of the ideas that shape contemporary Black thought. This cursory review of the psychological literature attempts to fill that void by examining some of the major issues, concepts, and themes addressed in African/Black psychology, as well as identifying a few neglected areas and offering suggestions for future research directions in the discipline.
Ministerial staff of the Czech Republic 25 years after the ‘Velvet Revolution’
Authors: Ochrana František , Plaček Michal , Křápek Michal
Published: November 2018

The article analyses ministerial staff of the Czech Republic 25 years after the Velvet Revolution. It characterizes ministerial employees during the period of the communist regime in former Czechoslovakia (1948–1989) and following the anti-communist coup. In order to analyse the present-day situation, it uses our own survey of the staff working at ministries in the Czech Republic. Within the survey (conducted April–June 2013) all 14 ministries of the Czech Republic were contacted. In total, 1351 respondents (ministerial employees of the Czech Republic) participated in the survey. The research aimed to examine the gender structure, age, education, acquired experience and performed activities of ministerial staff. The results of the research also signal that in some areas (e.g. within the so-called systematized employment positions and the prescribed level of education at some ministries) the residual effects of the previous regime still manifest themselves. The results of this research may be an inspiration for similar research projects in other countries of the former Soviet bloc.
Reflections on bridging the academic/practitioner divide: “Drugs and Thugs” as a case study
Authors: Straussman Jeffrey D
Published: November 2018

The academic/practitioner divide is real. Having observed and participated in this divide over four decades it seems as if the same issues get repeated over and over. This paper offers one approach that was used several years ago. The “case” is a collaboration between a recently hired Professor of Practice and the author, a full professor with only limited government experience. There were two main challenges in the relationship. The diplomatic had to adjust to a different organizational culture and the academic had to adjust to contact he wasn't familiar with. A new elective course was developed called, Drugs, Crime, and Terrorism. I describe this process and draw lessons about the value of this type of experience for faculty, practitioners, and professional education.
Commentary: The Emergence of Pod Mods at Vape Shops
Authors: Galstyan Ellen , Galimov Artur , Sussman Steve
Published: November 2018

The vape shop industry is a rapidly growing market sector with a constantly changing product landscape. The rapid evolution of nicotine delivery systems, most notably the emergence of salt nicotine e-juice and pod mod devices, have resulted in a sudden shift in the product market, suggesting new implications for the health professions in addressing electronic cigarette use.
Modified risk scoring system for acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease
Authors: Kanayama Masatoshi , Osaki Toshihiro , Nishizawa Natsumasa , Nakagawa Makoto , So Tomoko , Kodate Mantaro
Published: November 2018

Background

Lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease often develop acute exacerbation of their interstitial lung disease after lung resection. Special care is needed in selection of the surgical procedure to reduce acute exacerbation and provide long-term survival.

Methods

The Japanese Association for Chest Surgery devised a risk scoring system based on 7 risk factors to predict the probability of postoperative acute exacerbation. We excluded surgical procedures and used a modified system categorizing 4 groups: group A (risk score 0–6), group B (risk score 7–10), group C (risk score 11–14), and group D (risk score 15–18). We retrospectively examined 60 lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease to determine whether the modified risk scoring system is useful for selecting the optimal surgical procedure in anticipation of curability and risk of postoperative acute exacerbation.

Results

Eight (13.3%) patients experienced postoperative acute exacerbation. In group A ( n = 20), there was no difference in the incidence of acute exacerbation between wedge (0%) and anatomic resection (6.3%, p = 0.800). In group B ( n = 40), the incidence was significantly higher after anatomic resection (5.0% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.046). Thus group A had high-quality outcomes with anatomic resection, and in group B, the incidence of postoperative acute exacerbation can be reduced if wedge resection is performed.

Conclusions

Our modified risk scoring can be useful for selecting the optimal surgical procedure in anticipation of curability and the risk of acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease after lung cancer surgery.
Training pre-service general educators in assistive technology competencies for students with visual impairments
Authors: Jones Beth Ashby , Rudinger Belinda , Williams Nichole , Witcher Stephanie
Published: November 2018

Teacher knowledge of, and comfort with, assistive technology (AT) is key for student use of AT. Previous research identified the AT competencies needed for instructing students with visual impairments (VI) and level of competency required in each. The authors selected 20 of the competencies most appropriate for general education teachers instructing students with VI and investigated the impact of pre-service teacher training in AT on their self-rated competency levels. Pre-service teachers were given a pre-test (using qualitative and quantitative measures), trained in AT using a scavenger hunt in the AT Lab at the university where the study took place, and then completed a post-test of the same measures. Participants could name more AT software and devices on the post-test and viewed themselves as more competent with regards to the 20 SAT competencies.
“Missed opportunities”: Adults with visual impairments’ reflections on the impact of physical education on current physical activity
Authors: Yessick Amanda , Haegele Justin A
Published: November 2018

Research suggests that adults with visual impairments tend to participate in inadequate amounts of physical activity and are at high risk for developing health-related conditions. The most likely environment for youth with visual impairments to learn about physical activity is school-based physical education (PE) classes. However, little research exists examining the influence of PE on lifelong physical activity for those with visual impairments. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of adults with visual impairments toward the impact of PE on their current physical activity participation. Sixteen participants (7 males and 9 females) with visual impairments who attended integrated public schools and private schools participated in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured, audio-taped telephone interviews and reflective field notes. A semi-structured interview guide was used to ensure that the same lines of inquiry were pursued across participants. Member checking, peer debriefing, and communicative validity were utilized to support trustworthiness. An inductive analysis was used to interpret the data. Two key themes were revealed. The first theme, ineffectual PE experiences, described participants’ beliefs that PE experiences had little impact on their current physical activity. The second theme, retrospective needs, revealed modifications the participants believed would have improved their PE experiences. One of the primary objectives of PE is to provide the tools needed for lifelong physical activity. Upon completion of the study, most participants indicated that they considered themselves to be physically active in adulthood. However, this was attributed to meaningful experiences outside of their respective school-based PE classes.
An analysis of the impact of visual impairment on activities of daily living and vision-related quality of life in a visually impaired adult population
Authors: Jones Nabila , Bartlett Hannah Elizabeth , Cooke Richard
Published: November 2018

Previous research has shown that people with visual impairment are more likely to be malnourished and have reported to have difficulty shopping for, preparing, and eating food. They are also reported to have a poor quality of life. The present study aims to investigate the impact of visual impairment on activities of daily living and Vision-Related Quality of Life (VR-QoL) in a sample of adults with visual impairment who are living in the United Kingdom.

A 37-question survey evaluating the nutritional status and the activities of daily living, cooking and shopping, was disseminated to adults with visual impairment who were 18 years and older. VR-QoL was also assessed using the validated, Questionnaire of Vision-Related Quality of Life Measure (VCM1).

Participants reported that being visually impaired made it difficult to shop for, prepare, and cook meals, and this correlated significantly with level of visual impairment. The VCM1 score of ⩾2.1 was reported by 74% of people with visual impairment revealing VR-QoL is more than a little of a concern for most of the participants. The mean VCM1 score for females was 2.9 ± 0.98 and 2.5 ± 1.1 for males. Level of visual impairment was not found to influence the VCM1 scores. This indicates even those with visual impairment below the level required for sight impairment registration report a reduced VR-QoL.

It is the responsibility and duty of society to support people with visual impairment or other disabilities rather than blaming them for not ‘integrating’. Among other things, this can be done by incorporating norms into the marketing. These norms might help to raise and increase the awareness of suppliers to the needs of consumers with visual impairment. Furthermore, such norms may contribute to our ongoing efforts for a more inclusive and accessible environment.
The Impact of Performance Management Under Environmental Turbulence
Authors: Pasha Obed , Poister Theodore H.
Published: November 2018

Performance management is an established concept in the public sector, with several empirical studies supporting its beneficial impact on organizational performance. Research on performance management, however, is still in initial stages and mostly examines the impact of this practice under stable environmental conditions. This study adds to the literature by analyzing the effect of this system on performance of local transit agencies in a turbulent environment characterized by the Great Recession and its aftermath. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on survey responses from 162 local transit agencies in the United States is used to extract the four components of performance management, namely, formal strategic planning, logical incrementalism, performance measurement, and performance information use. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis shows that an independent use of formal strategic planning and logical incrementalism has a negative impact on organizational performance under turbulence. Performance measurement and a blend of formal strategic planning and logical incrementalism, however, show a positive impact.
The Determinants of Municipal Structures on a Political-Administrative Dimension
Authors: Wei Wenchi , Butler J. S. , Jennings Edward T.
Published: November 2018

Adjusting municipal structures and cross-adoption of structural characteristics between mayor-council and council-manager municipalities have been common in the United States in recent decades. This research investigates seven essential structural characteristics of U.S. municipalities and constructs a municipal structure political-administrative index. We attempt to examine the determinants of municipal structures on a political-administrative dimension. We incorporate political conflict theory and class cleavage theory into our theoretical model of the cost analysis of citizens to explain municipal structure choices. Data are collected from the Decennial Census, American Community Survey, and three rounds of national surveys of municipal structures by the International City/County Management Association in 2001, 2006, and 2011. The final data set contains 6,777 municipality-year observations, and the empirical results demonstrate that municipal structure choices are statistically significantly associated with citizens’ socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Citizens’ income levels play a crucial role in determining municipal structure changes during the sample period (2001-2011).
Utility of serum galactomannan antigen testing combined with chest computed tomography for early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with hematological malignancies with febrile neutropenia after antifungal drug treatment
Authors: Wang Xiaoning , Guo Guili , Cai Ruibo , He Pengcheng , Zhang Mei
Published: November 2018

Objective

To investigate the value of serum galactomannan antigen (GM) testing combined with chest computed tomography (CT) as a noninvasive method for early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with hematological malignancies with febrile neutropenia after antifungal drug treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 376 patients with febrile neutropenia from January 2015 to August 2017. All patients were given broad-spectrum antibiotics and divided into the control group (effective antibiotic treatment, no antifungal drugs given) and the observational group (ineffective antibiotic treatment, antifungal drugs given). The serum GM testing, chest CT, and microbiological examination findings were compared between the two groups.

Results

The false-positive rates of GM testing for IPA in the control and observational groups were 4.04% and 8.65%, respectively, and the false-negative rates in the two groups were 1.10% and 9.62%, respectively. Sixty-five patients in the observational group and 11 in the control group had typical features of CT imaging.

Conclusion

Clinical weekly screening of serum GM and chest CT may be an effective combined approach to the early diagnosis of IPA in patients with febrile neutropenia, even if they have undergone antifungal treatment.
Assessing the Incremental Validity of Andrews and Bonta’s “Moderate Four” Predictors of Recidivism Using a Diverse Sample of Offending and Truant Youth
Authors: Papp Jordan , Campbell Christina A. , Anderson Valerie R.
Published: November 2018

Bonta and Andrews suggest that there are eight factors that predict recidivism among offenders, which they call the “Central Eight.” They split up the Central Eight into the “Big Four” and the “Moderate Four,” with the Big Four hypothesized to be more strongly associated with recidivism than the Moderate Four. The purpose of this study was to assess the incremental validity of the Moderate Four relative to the Big Four as they are measured on the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI). The sample comprised 2,436 youth between the ages of 9 and 18 ( M = 14.34) in the formal probation and truancy division from a juvenile county court in the Midwest. Recidivism was measured as a new petition filed against a youth in court within 2 years of a youth’s initial offense. Results indicated that the Moderate Four predictors provided no incremental validity beyond the Big Four but did not reduce the predictive validity of the YLS/CMI.
Photopolymerizable Injectable Cartilage Mimetic Hydrogel for the Treatment of Focal Chondral Lesions: A Proof of Concept Study in a Rabbit Animal Model
Authors: Pascual-Garrido Cecilia , Aisenbrey Elizabeth A. , Rodriguez-Fontan Francisco , Payne Karin A. , Bryant Stephanie J. , Goodrich Laurie R.
Published: November 2018

Background:

In this study, we investigate the in vitro and in vivo chondrogenic capacity of a novel photopolymerizable cartilage mimetic hydrogel, enhanced with extracellular matrix analogs, for cartilage regeneration.

Purpose:

To (1) determine whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) embedded in a novel cartilage mimetic hydrogel support in vitro chondrogenesis, (2) demonstrate that the proposed hydrogel can be delivered in situ in a critical chondral defect in a rabbit model, and (3) determine whether the hydrogel with or without MSCs supports in vivo chondrogenesis in a critical chondral defect.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Rabbit bone marrow–derived MSCs were isolated, expanded, encapsulated in the hydrogel, and cultured in chondrogenic differentiation medium for 9 weeks. Compressive modulus was evaluated at day 1 and at weeks 3, 6, and 9. Chondrogenic differentiation was investigated via quantitative polymerase reaction, safranin-O staining, and immunofluorescence. In vivo, a 3 mm–wide × 2-mm-deep chondral defect was created bilaterally on the knee trochlea of 10 rabbits. Each animal had 1 defect randomly assigned to be treated with hydrogel with or without MSCs, and the contralateral knee was left untreated. Hence, each rabbit served as its own matched control. Three groups were established: group A, hydrogel (n = 5); group B, hydrogel with MSCs (n = 5); and group C, control (n = 10). Repair tissue was evaluated at 6 months after intervention.

Results:

In vitro, chondrogenesis and the degradable behavior of the hydrogel by MSCs were confirmed. In vivo, the hydrogel could be delivered intraoperatively in a sterile manner. Overall, the hydrogel group had the highest scores on the modified O’Driscoll scoring system (group A, 17.4 ± 4.7; group B, 13 ± 3; group C, 16.7 ± 2.9) ( P = .11) and showed higher safranin-O staining (group A, 49.4% ± 20%; group B, 25.8% ± 16.4%; group C, 36.9% ± 25.2%) ( P = .27), although significance was not detected for either parameter.

Conclusion:

This study provides the first evidence of the ability to photopolymerize this novel hydrogel in situ and assess its ability to provide chondrogenic cues for cartilage repair in a small animal model. In vitro chondrogenesis was evident when MSCs were encapsulated in the hydrogel.

Clinical Relevance:

Cartilage mimetic hydrogel may offer a tissue engineering approach for the treatment of osteochondral lesions.
Is Patient Satisfaction Associated With Clinical Outcomes After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation in the Knee?
Authors: Tírico Luís E.P. , McCauley Julie C. , Pulido Pamela A. , Demange Marco K. , Bugbee William D.
Published: November 2018

Background:

The association between patient satisfaction and patient-reported outcomes after cartilage repair is not well understood.

Purpose:

To investigate the association of patient satisfaction with pain, function, activity level, and quality of life after fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation in the knee.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This study comprised 371 patients (396 knees) who underwent primary OCA transplantation for osteochondral lesions in the knee between 1997 and 2015. Mean ± SD patient age was 31.8 ± 11.6 years, and 62% were male. The majority of grafts (62%) were located on the femoral condyle; the mean number of grafts per knee was 1.5 ± 0.8; and the median graft area was 6.9 cm2 (range, 1.8-50 cm2). Pain, function, activity level, and quality of life were evaluated pre- and postoperatively via International Knee Documentation Committee scores and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores. Patient satisfaction with the results of the OCA transplantation was assessed postoperatively. All follow-up evaluations occurring at postoperative 1 year or later were included in the analysis.

Results:

The mean follow-up time was 5.5 years. Overall, the satisfaction rate was 88.1%, and this rate was constant over time. Satisfaction rates varied by diagnosis, age, sex, and anatomic location of the allograft. Postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee pain, function, and total scores differed between patients who were satisfied and not satisfied (all P < .001). All Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscale results differed between those who were satisfied and not satisfied (all P < .001). Having a diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans was the only variable that predicted which patients would be satisfied with the results of the allograft, after controlling for age, sex, anatomic location of the graft, and number of grafts.

Conclusion:

A consistently high and durable patient satisfaction rate after OCA transplantation was found. Satisfied patients reported lower pain and higher function, activity levels, and quality of life as compared with patients who were not satisfied. Patients with osteochondritis dissecans had a particularly high level of satisfaction with the OCA procedure.
Increased Intracranial Pressure in Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Orbach Rotem , Schneebaum Sender Nira , Lubetzky Ronit , Fattal-Valevski Aviva
Published: November 2018

Objective:

To assess the intracranial pressure in pediatric acute disseminated encephalomyelitis using spinal tap opening pressure on lumbar puncture, which is routinely performed as part of suspected acute disseminated encephalomyelitis workup. Compared to other cerebrospinal fluid parameters such as cell count, protein concentration, and presence of oligoclonal bands, cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure is infrequently recorded.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of children diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis admitted to a tertiary referral hospital between 2005 and 2016.

Results:

Of the 36 children diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, 24 had the cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure documented in their records. The mean cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure was 27.6±12.6 cmH2O, range 9-55 cmH2O (95% confidence interval 21.9-33.6). Cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure in the acute disseminated encephalomyelitis group was statistically significantly higher ( P = .0013, 95% confidence interval 4.2-15.0) than the accepted upper limit in this age group (18 cmH2O). In 10 of 24 patients (42%), the opening pressure was above 28 cmH2O.

Conclusions:

Increased opening pressure was the most frequent cerebrospinal fluid abnormal finding in our cohort, which suggests a potential role of increased intracranial pressure in the acute disseminated encephalomyelitis pathophysiological disease mechanism. In certain cases, the opening pressure value could have monitoring and therapeutic implications, and therefore its measurement is highlighted by this study.
Clinical Predictors for Unsafe Direct Discharge Home Patients From Intensive Care Units
Authors: Lau Vincent Issac , Priestap Fran , Lam Joyce N. H. , Basmaji John , Ball Ian M.
Published: November 2018

Purpose:

To describe factors (demographics and clinical characteristics) that predict patients who are at an increased risk of adverse events or unplanned return visits to a health-care facility following discharge direct to home (DDH) from intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods:

Prospective cohort study of all adult patients who survived their stay in our medical–surgical–trauma ICU between February 2016 and 2017 and were discharged directly home. Patients were followed for 8 weeks postdischarge. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with adverse events or unplanned return visits to a health-care facility following DDH from ICU.

Results:

A total of 129 DDH patients were enrolled and completed the 8-week follow-up. We identified 39 unplanned return visits (URVs). There was 0% mortality at 8 weeks postdischarge. Eight potential predictors of hospital URVs ( P < .2) were identified in the univariable analysis: prior substance abuse (odds ratio [OR] of URV of 2.50 [95% confidence interval: 1.08-5.80], hepatitis (OR: 6.92 [1.68-28.48]), sepsis (OR: 11.03 [1.19-102.29]), admission nine equivalents of nursing manpower score (NEMS) <24 (OR: 2.28 [1.03-5.04], no fixed address (OR: 22.9 [1.2-437.3]), ICU length of stay (LOS) <2 days (OR: 2.95 [1.28-6.78]), home discharge within London, Ontario (OR: 2.44 [1.00-5.92]), and left against medical advice (AMA; OR: 6.06 [2.04-17.98]).

Conclusions:

Our study identified 8 covariates that were potential predictors of URV: prior substance abuse, hepatitis, sepsis, admission NEMS <24, no fixed address, ICU LOS <2 days, home discharge within London, Ontario, and left AMA. The practice of direct discharges home from the ICU would benefit from adequately powered multicenter study in order to construct a clinical prediction model (that would require further testing and validation).
Validation of Questionnaire on Violence in Affective Relationships
Authors: de Melo Rosana Alves , Cavalcante Valença Fernandes Flávia Emília , Tassitano Rafael Miranda , Randau Karina Perrelli
Published: November 2018

The aim was to describe the criteria for construction, validation of content, and appearance of a questionnaire for the identification of violence in affective relationships in adolescence. Transverse methodological study, with a quantitative approach, conducted in the period between June and November 2017, with the construction of a questionnaire and validation of the content and appearance, by means of a Delphi survey with 20 experts on the area of violence and adolescence. To evaluate the clarity and pertinence of the items of the questionnaire, a pilot test was conducted with 76 adolescents, and analysis of the validity of content and reliability of the items by means of Content Validity Index (CVI), the Interrater Agreement (IRA), and the Cronbach alpha. The data were analyzed and processed by means of the Excel and Stata, version 14.0, programs. The indexes calculated in the first round of Delphi provided the following results: CVI = 0.93 and IRA = 0.93, showing evidence of the validity and reliability of the construct content, and in the second round, the questionnaire yielded a percentage of 100% agreement among the professionals and researchers. Verification of the internal consistency presented a mean value of 0.803, calculated by means of the Cronbach alpha. The questionnaire has validity of content and appearance in accordance with the proposed objective, bearing in mind that the indexes of faithfulness and agreement and the Cronbach alpha attained values above those of the established pattern of 80%.
Phenome-wide association study identifies dsDNA as a driver of major organ involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Barnado A. , Carroll R.J. , Casey C. , Wheless L. , Denny J.C. , Crofford L.J.
Published: November 2018

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dsDNA antibodies are associated with renal disease. Less is known about comorbidities in patients without dsDNA or other autoantibodies. Using an electronic health record (EHR) SLE cohort, we employed a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) that scans across billing codes to compare comorbidities in SLE patients with and without autoantibodies. We used our validated algorithm to identify SLE subjects. Autoantibody status was defined as ever positive for dsDNA, RNP, Smith, SSA and SSB. PheWAS was performed in antibody positive vs. negative SLE patients adjusting for age and race and using a false discovery rate of 0.05. We identified 1097 SLE subjects. In the PheWAS of dsDNA positive vs. negative subjects, dsDNA positive subjects were more likely to have nephritis ( p = 2.33 × 10−9) and renal failure ( p = 1.85 × 10−5). After adjusting for sex, race, age and other autoantibodies, dsDNA was independently associated with nephritis and chronic kidney disease. Those patients negative for dsDNA, RNP, SSA and SSB negative subjects were all more likely to have billing codes for sleep, pain and mood disorders. PheWAS uncovered a hierarchy within SLE-specific autoantibodies with dsDNA having the greatest impact on major organ involvement.