bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexural and free vibration control of smart epoxy composite beams using shape memory alloy wires actuator
Authors: Gol Zardian Mohsen , Moslemi Navid , Mozafari Farzin , Gohery Scott , Yahya Mohd Yazid , Burvill Colin , Ayob Amran
Published: June 2020

Shape memory alloys are increasingly used in numerous smart engineering structures. This study experimentally investigates static flexural and free vibration characteristics of composite beams reinforced with shape memory alloy wires. The key to this study is using shape memory alloy fibers as a means for influencing and tuning the static and dynamic responses of structures. A series of static three-point bending and modal experiments is performed to capture the capability of shape memory alloy wires in controlling the static and dynamic responses of a reinforced beam. Static and dynamic behaviors of the fiber-reinforced beam with different volumetric fiber fractions are examined. Before heat excitation, increasing the number of shape memory alloy wires leads to higher beam stiffness and lower beam deflection. However, with both heat activation and the higher number of shape memory alloy wires, beam deflection is significantly reduced. The modal vibration tests demonstrated that when shape memory alloy wires are not activated, the magnitude of natural frequencies slightly decreases by increasing the number of shape memory alloy wires. However, with heat excitation, the higher number of shape memory alloy wires, in contrast, increases the magnitude of natural frequencies. Furthermore, the higher number of activated shape memory alloy wires shows to predominantly increase the magnitude of higher modes of vibration rather than lower modes.
College Student Commitment and Outdoor Orientation Programming
Authors: Davidson Curt , Ewert Alan
Published: June 2020

Background:

Increasingly colleges and universities are utilizing Outdoor Orientation Programs (OOPs) to help incoming students assimilate into college life. These programs have shown promise in recent analyses for enhancing desired outcomes with particular consideration shown to pro-social behavior and retention outcomes.

Purpose:

To examine how effective OOPs are in preparing students for a successful college student experience, particularly with variables known to influence student success and commitment to college.

Methodology/Approach:

Data were collected from four universities across the United States. Participants in this study were 205 undergraduate students from 17 to 25 years old who self-enrolled in their respective institutions OOP. This study used the College Student Readiness Inventory to generate a hypothesis concerning the possible effects of an OOP experience concerning predictive and outcomes variables relative to college student commitment.

Findings/Conclusions:

Using SmartPLS, the main effects of the OOP indicated predictive relationships between Commitment to College and Goal Striving, Communication Skills, Social Activity, Emotional Reactivity, Study Skills, and Social Connection. Academic Self-Discipline, Academic Self-Confidence, and Self-Determination on Commitment to College.

Implications:

Study findings suggest specific connections between predicting college student commitment before and after an OOP.
Aesthetic Objects, Aesthetic Judgments and the Crafting of Organizational Style in Creative Industries
Authors: Bazin Yoann , Korica Maja
Published: June 2020

In this article, we conceptually engage with style as central to creative industries. We specifically argue that style is crafted into being via an interplay between aesthetic judgments and “aesthetic objects.” We define aesthetic objects as temporary, material settlements fueled by a continual sense of dissatisfaction, eventually resolved through relational engagements. These remain under aesthetic inquiry throughout the process of crafting, until brought to particular close. We elaborate our theorizing with a non-traditional exemplar of the Bride Dress in the preparation of a 2009 Jean-Paul Gaultier’s fashion show. Our subsequent contribution is a richer conceptual understanding of style, with a material, aesthetic engagement at its center. In addition, in foregrounding under-explored features (i.e., aesthetic judgments, crafting of physical materials), and introducing new concepts (i.e., aesthetic objects), we outline promising openings for and significant connections with scholarship on creative or fluid industries, style, and organizational identity.
A Multimodal Quality Improvement Curriculum for Pediatric GME Program Directors
Authors: Payne Asha S. , Pavuluri Padma , Sten May-Britt , Corriveau Christiane , Berkowitz Deena A. , Sarnacki Rachel , Soghier Lamia , Patterson Mary , Ottolini Mary C.
Published: June 2020

The 2016 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Clinical Learning Environment Review report identified knowledge gaps for quality in the clinical environment. It suggested quality improvement (QI) training is necessary to develop skills to improve health care quality. However, at the authors’ institution, there is limited department-level QI mentorship and engagement, thus limiting QI experiences for residents and fellows. The authors developed pediatric graduate medical education program director (PD) proficiency in QI through a fellowship-focused QI project. PDs underwent an 18-month QI curriculum consisting of focused online QI education, a half-day workshop, additional QI didactic sessions, project presentations, and individual QI coaching. QI knowledge in 9 domains and participants’ confidence were assessed. Participants’ self-perceived confidence and skills increased by at least 20% in most domains. Overall, PDs felt prepared to help with their fellows’ future QI projects. Fellowship-focused QI projects and individual coaching were key to course engagement.
Long-Term Experiencing of Parental Death During Childhood: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Meyer-Lee Callie B. , Jackson Jeffrey B. , Gutierrez Nicole Sabatini
Published: June 2020

This qualitative study examined the long-term experience of childhood parental death by exploring how adults (a) retrospectively conceptualize their experiences of childhood parental death and (b) currently experience their parent’s death. Analysis of interviews with 12 adults who experienced parental death as children identified six themes centered on the impact of parental death circumstances, their initial reactions, other losses, long-term grief triggers, and relationships with the deceased parent, surviving parent, and other family members on their grieving process. Themes indicated the grief experience was ongoing and connected to attachment needs.
Implementing Family Systems Care Through an Educational Intervention With Nurses and Midwives in Obstetrics and Gynecological Care: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation
Authors: Naef Rahel , Kaeppeli Barbara Meier , Lanter Regula , Petry Heidi
Published: June 2020

This mixed-methods study examined Family Systems Care (FSC) implementation through a 1-day educational session combined with 4 months of guided application of FSC knowledge and skills in obstetrics and gynecology settings. Nurses and midwives’ ( n = 47) attitudes toward families and their practice skills with families were assessed before the educational intervention began (Time 0), after the completion of the 1-day educational session (Time 1), and after 4 months of the FSC guided implementation phase that included coaching and mentoring (Time 2). Four focus groups with the nurses and midwives explored their FSC implementation experiences. Participants reported an initial drive to implement FSC, which faltered over time. A perceived fit to the needs of families in obstetrics and gynecology, a supportive context, and facilitated learning on the units promoted FSC uptake. Participants understood FSC as: (a) involving family members in care, a practice they felt confident about; (b) assessing families’ situations, needs, concerns, which were practices that were new and stressful; and (c) offering family nursing interventions, which they felt insufficiently prepared for. Practice skills in FSC increased after the 1-day educational session but decreased to baseline after the FSC guided implementation phase. Attitudes of the nurses and midwives toward the families did not change. Following the education and guided implementation, participants’ ability to work with families in a relational, systemic way could not be fully established or sustained.
Philanthropic Funding for Community and Economic Development: Exploring Potential for Influencing Policy and Governance
Authors: Thomson Dale E.
Published: June 2020

Philanthropic foundations are prominent participants in collaborations to revitalize some distressed cities. Their participation and vast resources raise questions about their potential to influence city policy, become part of local governing regimes, and alter regimes’ policy biases. Yet, no comprehensive, empirical studies exist to establish the potential scale of this phenomenon across a large number of cities. This study begins to fill that void by analyzing a unique database of foundation giving for community and economic development (CED) relative to other city funding sources in 30 legacy cities. I conclude that the potential for foundation influence on policy and governance is substantial for a subset of large legacy cities with especially high need and local, resource-rich foundations. Comparative case studies of these cities can provide critical knowledge regarding potential evolution of decision-making processes, governing regimes, and policy outputs in legacy cities.
Successful alectinib desensitization in a patient with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive adenocarcinoma of the lung and alectinib-induced drug rash
Authors: Anderson Ben E , Luczak Tiana S , Ries Lauren M , Hoefs Gena E , Silva-Benedict Anne C
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Alectinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) as the preferred first-line treatment option for the treatment of metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Skin toxicity is a known adverse effect of this medication, yet current recommendations are unclear regarding how to best manage patients who develop severe skin toxicity while taking alectinib.

Case report

Here, we describe a case of successful rechallenge with alectinib by utilizing a desensitization procedure in a patient who had developed severe alectinib-induced skin toxicity about two weeks into treatment. Management and outcome: Upon resolution of the initial skin toxicity symptoms, the patient was rechallenged with alectinib using a modified version of a previously published desensitization procedure. The patient tolerated the rechallenge with no recurrence of skin toxicity or other adverse effects and was able to continue treatment with alectinib.

Discussion

Alectinib is currently recommended as the preferred first-line treatment option for the treatment of metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene rearrangement-positive NSCLC due to improved progression-free survival when compared to crizotinib. The development of skin toxicity can lead to early discontinuation of alectinib treatment, forcing providers and patients to select alternative, potentially less effective options. This case report provides evidence that patients who have experienced severe skin toxicity due to alectinib may be able to continue this first-line treatment option by rechallenging them using a desensitization procedure.
Simulation to Teach Safe Patient Handling and Mobility for Home Caregivers
Authors: Roberts Toni
Published: June 2020

Safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) programs are needed in the home care environment. As patient-lifting technology and devices become more widely available for use in the home setting, caregivers need opportunities to learn how to properly use these devices. Nonmedical caregivers employed by personal support services agencies (PSSAs) and home caregivers have very limited access to opportunities for SPHM training in rural areas of Tennessee. Safe patient handling and mobility training utilizing simulation with an interprofessional approach was developed and provided to 17 nonmedical and family home caregivers. The training was evaluated utilizing Kirkpatrick’s Four-Level Training Evaluation Model. Participants completed anonymous surveys immediately following the training and 4 to 6 weeks after the training. Survey I (n = 17): Respondents indicated increased knowledge of safe patient handling (94%) and applied knowledge of safe patient handling in training (90%). Survey II (n = 6): Most respondents (67%) indicated that they had applied the knowledge and skills that they had learned in the training. Two respondents (33%) indicated that they had not yet had the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learned. The survey also showed that all respondents believed that the knowledge and skills they had learned helped to decrease the risk of personal injury and injury to patients. Safe patient handling and mobility training utilizing simulation with an interprofessional approach was effective in promoting safety of nonmedical and family caregivers in the home setting. Based on the success of this program, more training opportunities should be implemented to improve patient and caregiver safety.
Role of Signals In Consumers’ Economic Valuation of Restaurant Choices
Authors: Lin Michael S. , Sharma Amit , Ouyang Yuxia
Published: June 2020

While businesses provide “signals” related to products/services to alleviate information asymmetry and facilitate consumers’ economic valuation of their offerings, it is not always clear which of these signals is more effective. This study investigated the comparative effectiveness of signals on influencing consumers’ choices and their willingness to pay (WTP) for a restaurant meal. Results of an online stated choice experiment (N =328) suggest that local independent ownership, local sourcing, and food quality significantly influenced individuals’ choices and increased WTP for a meal. Higher food quality signal in a local and independently owned restaurant was associated with a 40% WTP price premium than in a national chain restaurant. Findings of this study contribute to our understanding of signaling factors’ relative influence on an individual’s decision. The study also offers management implications for restaurant owners on how to effectively align signals to target potential consumers.
Surgical treatment of rostrotentorial meningioma complicated by foraminal herniation in the cat
Authors: Kouno Shigenori , Shimada Masakazu , Sato Asaka , Kanno Nobuo , Suzuki Shuji , Harada Yasuji , Hasegawa Daisuke , Hara Yasushi
Published: June 2020

Objectives

This study was performed to evaluate retrospectively the clinical signs, complications and postoperative outcomes of feline intracranial meningioma (IM) with concurrent cingulate, transtentorial and foramen magnum herniations.

Methods

The medical records and MRI scans of cats with IM and cerebral herniation were reviewed. Cases involving concurrent cingulate, transtentorial and foramen magnum herniations were included. Owners were contacted to obtain long-term follow-up information.

Results

Seven cats (four castrated males and three spayed females) met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 13.0 years (range 9.9–16.1 years) and median duration of clinical signs was 35 days (range 21–163 days). The clinical signs of cats with cerebral herniation included visual impairment (n = 5 [71.4%]), ataxia (n = 4 [57.1%]), impaired consciousness (n = 2 [28.6%]), head pressing (n = 2 [28.6%]), paresis (n = 1 [14.3%]), torticollis (n = 1 [14.3%]) and personality changes (n = 1 [14.3%]). Median tumour volume, cranial cavity volume and tumour volume:intracranial volume ratio before surgery were 3.37 cm3 (range 3.23–11.5 cm3), 32.6 cm3 (range 29.8–78.3 cm3) and 10.4% (range 5.3–35.3%), respectively. Median overall tumour excision rate was 90.6%. Preoperative intracranial pressure (ICP) ranged from 15 to 32 mmHg (median 29 mmHg). In all cases, the ICP dropped to 0 mmHg immediately after tumour removal. No adjuvant therapy was required after surgery. The median survival period was 612 days (range 55–1453 days).

Conclusions and relevance

The results of this study indicate that surgical treatment of rostrotentorial IM is effective and allows prolonged survival, even in cats with concurrent cingulate, transtentorial and foramen magnum herniations.
Prevalence of, and factors associated with, positive urine cultures in hyperthyroid cats presenting for radioiodine therapy
Authors: Keebaugh Audrey E , DeMonaco Stefanie M , Grant David C , Panciera David L
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are reported to be relatively common in hyperthyroid cats, with prevalence rates ranging from 12% to 22%. Factors that are associated with UTIs include age, decreasing body weight and active urine sediments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of positive urine cultures (PUCs) in hyperthyroid cats and associated risk factors for PUC.

Methods

In total, 197 hyperthyroid cats presenting for radioiodine therapy had urine cultures prospectively performed on cystocentesis samples. Data pertaining to clinical signs, drug history, age, weight, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum thyroxine and urinalysis were also evaluated.

Results

The prevalence of PUCs in this population of hyperthyroid cats was 5.1% and all cats were subclinical. Microscopic bacteriuria was significantly associated with a PUC (60%) compared with a negative urine culture (1.6%) status. Age, weight, urine specific gravity <1.020, urine pH, hematuria, pyuria, thyroxine concentration, breed and sex were not associated with PUC status.

Conclusions and relevance

The prevalence of PUCs in this population of cats was lower than previous reports of cats with hyperthyroidism. Cats with a PUC were subclinical at the time of culture, regardless of urine sediment abnormalities. Further studies are necessary to determine the clinical significance of subclinical bacteriuria in hyperthyroid cats.
Resorbable polylactic acid polymer plates in repair of blow-out orbital floor fractures
Authors: Esmail Mohamed Esmail Khalil , Ibrahiem Mohamed Farag Khalil , Abdallah Raafat Mohyeldeen Abdelrahman , Elshafei Ahmed Mohamed Kamal , Gawdat Tamer Ismail
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the use of the resorbable polylactic acid polymer implants (Resorb X) in the management of orbital floor blow-out fractures as regards safety, cosmetic, and functional results.

Methods:

In a prospective, interventional case series, 22 patients with traumatic blow-out floor fractures underwent lower fornix transconjunctival repair using polylactic acid implant insertion over the defect without fixation. Orbital imaging was done preoperatively, at 1 month and 1 year postoperatively with orbital computed tomography with 2 mm cuts of axial, sagittal, and coronal scans. Outcome measures included the maximum vertical height of the orbit at the fracture plane and its changes over time.

Results:

At the final follow-up, both limitation of elevation and diplopia improved in 82% of cases, while 63.6% of cases showed improvement of enophthalmos. Radiological restoration of the orbital vertical height was recorded in 100% of cases without implant displacement at 1 month. However, after 1 year, a significant floor bowing was found in 45.5% of cases, which showed a strong positive correlation with preoperative defect size ( r = 0.820).

Conclusions:

Resorb X mesh plates can be a good option for the safe reconstruction of orbital floor blow-out fractures. Good anatomical and functional results were obtained in small orbital floor defects. Late bowing under pressure may limit their use in medium-sized floor defects.
Telescoping the City: Technological Urbiquity, or Perceiving Ourselves from the Above
Authors: Tripodi Lorenzo
Published: June 2020

The paradigmatic turn into network society has radically transformed the capacity to situate ourselves into geographical extension and communities. While the view from above has historically represented privileged vantage points reserved for elites, the popularization of mobile digital devices and the general technological acceleration have disclosed new elevated standpoints to the masses, such as those provided by mobile phones locative applications, imposing them as banal stances in the everyday practice of global citizens. The steady use of internet maps and satellite infrastructure allows the instant telescoping of the individual gaze to the above, augmenting individual capacity to real time position oneself with pinpoint accuracy onto the planetary grid and visually investigate distant realities in trans-scalar continuity. This text proposes the concept of technological urbiquity as a neologism to describe a fast-emerging techno-social condition that provides remote access to almost everything that once was the reason for the city to exist and endorses the process of planetary urbanization. It is a condition that, I want to argue, has a disruptive capacity in respect to consolidated geographical categories and social roles, but that also obscures the emerging subjacent techno-political order and its inherent fragility and unsustainability.
Does perceived risk really matter in travel behaviour?
Authors: Caber Meltem , González-Rodríguez M Rosario , Albayrak Tahir , Simonetti Biagio
Published: June 2020

In spite of its importance in understanding tourist behaviour, the scientific knowledge about risk perceptions about a destination has begun to expand especially after 1960s. Especially, far more research is yet needed for exploring the role of risk on potential tourists’ travel motivations, destination image perceptions and visit intentions. This study, therefore, attempts to clarify the moderated impact of risk perception in the relationship among travel motivations, destination image and travel intentions. With this purpose, two survey studies were conducted on German tourists visiting Turkey, whereas the participants evaluated their perceptions about Spain or Greece. The results in both cases showed a high direct influence of travel motivations on destination image perception and a significant direct impact of destination image perception on travel intention. The findings also revealed that risk perception has a negative moderated effect on travel motivations, destination image and travel intention relationships.
The impact of first as opposed to second language pre-task planning on the content of problem-solving task performance
Authors: Aubrey Scott , Lambert Craig , Leeming Paul
Published: June 2020

Research on pre-task planning to date has mainly focused on task performance. However, the effects of planning are contingent on what learners actually do during planning time. One important factor that may determine the quality and usefulness of planning is whether it is done in the first language (L1) or the second language (L2). This research addresses this issue by investigating the relative benefits of collaborative planning in the L1 and L2 in terms of ideas generated and transferred to an oral problem-solving task. Seventy-two Japanese university EFL learners were randomly assigned to one of two planning conditions: L1P (L1 planning, Japanese) and L2P (L2 planning, English). Dyads in each group were given 10 minutes to plan the content of a problem-solving task in the respective languages before individually performing the timed 2.5-minute oral task. Data took the form of transcribed planning discussions and transcribed task performances. All data were coded for idea units and sorted into categories of problem–solution discourse structure (situation, problem, response, evaluation). A qualitative comparison of L1 and L2 planners’ generation of idea units during planning, transfer and performance was conducted to supplement the quantitative analysis. Findings indicate the L1P condition has significant advantages over the L2P condition in terms of idea conceptualization, but this advantage had a limited impact on subsequent L2 task performance. Pedagogical implications are discussed in terms of possibilities for productively incorporating L1 planning during task implementation in foreign language contexts where learners share a common first language.
Neoliberalism, individual responsibilization and the death positivity movement
Authors: Koksvik Gitte H
Published: June 2020

In this article I offer a critical analysis of the loosely defined death positivity movement. Death positivity presents itself as oppositional and liberating, gaining legitimacy by reference to the narratives of death taboo and death denial. I show how the movement encourages extending continuous, self-reflexive engagement in identity and lifestyle to dying and death, arguing that death positivity employs and advocates a particular enterprising culture and furthers a neoliberal discourse of individual responsibilization. To make my argument, I look more closely at the death-positive discourse as it is furthered by two North American initiatives in particular; Death Over Dinner as presented by its founder Michael Hebb in the 2018 book about the initiative, and selected videos published by Order of the Good Death, spearheaded by mortician, author and YouTube personality Caitlin Doughty.
Comparative research on the air pollutant prevention and thermal comfort for different types of ventilation
Authors: Zhang Yang , Yu Wenxuan , Li Youli , Li Han
Published: June 2020

In this article, a comparative study on the outdoor air pollutant prevention and indoor thermal comfort for different types of ventilation was carried out. Both objective experiment, subjective experiment and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation were conducted to investigate the differences in air pollutant prevention and thermal comfort between four common ventilation methods, namely supplying on the ceiling and returning on the ceiling (SC-RC), supplying on the ceiling and returning on the side wall (SC-RSW), supplying on the side wall and returning on the ceiling (SSW-RC), and supplying on the side wall and returning on the side wall (SSW-RSW). Results show that SSW-RSW can provide the highest indoor air quality according to the indoor average PM2.5 concentration. Overall thermal sensation was introduced to evaluate the indoor comfort under the four ventilation methods. The voting results show that the indoor thermal comfort can be enhanced by 29–36% under SSW-RSW and SSW-RC. Therefore, SSW-RSW is more suitable for providing a healthy and comfortable indoor environment.
Economic downturns and the Greek referendum of 2015: Evidence using night-time light data
Authors: Xezonakis Georgios , Hartmann Felix
Published: June 2020

Much like Brexit, the Greek bailout referendum of 2015 could have been a watershed event that significantly affected the European Economic and Monetary Union and possibly the European Union as a whole. While the referendum did not live up to the hype, the fact remains that the Greek people decided to risk ‘exit’ and reject their international creditors’ bailout terms. In this article, we explore how the cycle of sovereign debt crisis, the externally imposed austerity and the resulting recession affected the outcome of that referendum. We further provide a limited test for the ‘left-behind’ hypothesis, which has been a prominent explanation for recent ‘unexpected’ or ‘surprising’ choices that have been made at the polls. Using municipality data and novel data sources, such as night-time light transmission, we provide aggregate-level support for our expectations.
Adaptive calibration of Diesel engine injection for minimising fuel consumption with constrained NOx emissions in actual driving missions
Authors: Manuel Luján José , Pla Benjamín , Bares Pau , Pandey Varun
Published: June 2020

This article proposes a method for fuel minimisation of a Diesel engine with constrained [Formula: see text] emission in actual driving mission. Specifically, the methodology involves three developments: The first is a driving cycle prediction tool which is based on the space-variant transition probability matrix obtained from an actual vehicle speed dataset. Then, a vehicle and an engine model is developed to predict the engine performance depending on the calibration for the estimated driving cycle. Finally, a controller is proposed which adapts the start-of-injection calibration map to fulfil the [Formula: see text] emission constraint while minimising the fuel consumption. The calibration is adapted during a predefined time window based on the predicted engine performance on the estimated cycle and the difference between the actual and the constraint on engine [Formula: see text] emissions. The method assessment was done experimentally in the engine test set-up. The engine performace using the method is compared with the state-of-the-art static calibration method for different [Formula: see text] emission limits on real driving cycles. The online implementation of the method shows that the fuel consumption can be reduced by 3%–4% while staying within the emission limits, indicating that the estimation method is able to capture the main driving cycle characterstics.
Bodies in the field: methodological reflections on Tai Chi and pregnancy in an ethnographic study at a Chinese community centre in the North West of England
Authors: Wood Naomi
Published: June 2020

This article explores the idea of the body as a research tool in ethnographic fieldwork, looking specifically at how the body can play a part in facilitating and developing relationships in the field. I use my experiences of fieldwork, undertaken in a Chinese community centre in the North West of England, to explore this in two ways. Firstly, through the process of using the body to learn a physical skill – Tai Chi – alongside the other centre members; and secondly through my pregnancy in the field, in order to consider what is communicated and enabled through the particular nature of specific bodies in the field. Both examples explore fieldwork as embodied, relational and intersubjective; in both, relationships with research participants are forged and developed in different ways through the body. Implications are drawn from this in relation to the impact of the research participants on the researcher and in relation to aspects of building relationships in the field that do not rely solely on verbal interactions or shared language, particularly in multi-cultural and multi-lingual research sites.
Seeing and communicating: photography and young male adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Klein Uschi
Published: June 2020

Digital photography is deeply embedded in people’s daily lives, as camera phones and digital compact cameras are widely used in social and cultural settings. People have an increased agency and choice over what they want to photograph, where and when; many people carry their smartphones everywhere and share their images instantly via social media platforms. Within the recent scholarship on everyday photography, however, little attention has been paid to the photographic practices of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), one of many marginalized groups whose photography has not been explored. This article addresses this shortfall. Drawing on a qualitative, image-based investigation, the author turns to phenomenology to examine four young male ASD adults’ unique ways of seeing and being-in-the-world as expressed through the use of their camera. Their involvement indicates that ASD people have the potential to have a powerful voice in how society conceives of what autism is and what it means to live with ASD. A case study discussion of key research findings presents examples of the pictures taken in the sphere of participants’ everyday lives, revealing that the camera acts as an extension of experience and perception, a mediator and filter. Photography enables the four male ASD individuals’ being-in-the-world and exposes the social life of this marginalized group. The article offers a significant contribution to the field of visual communication and sensory experience.
Happy hearts do not hang down: the design process for the 2018 Valentine’s Day postage stamps of Finland
Authors: Raappana-Luiro Leena
Published: June 2020

This article focuses on the multimodal design process for a set of Valentine’s Day postage stamps. It shows how semiotic resources were used to create the overall mood of the design. In particular, the style of the images made the general mood melancholic. During the process, the design was adapted to a commercial Valentine’s Day context through changes in specific resources.
Voter Purges After Shelby
Authors: Feder Catalina , Miller Michael G.
Published: June 2020

In Shelby County v. Holder (570 U.S. 529 (2013)), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the “coverage formula” in Section 4b of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) that determined which jurisdictions had to presubmit changes in their election policies for federal approval. This ruling allowed covered counties full control over their election laws for the first time in 40 years. We engage the question of whether counties that had previously been “covered” purged voters at a higher rate than noncovered counties after the coverage formula was struck down. We find increases in purge rate of between 1.5 and 4.5 points in formerly covered jurisdictions post- Shelby, compared with counties that had not been subject to preclearance. Most of the increase came immediately, as the effect in 2014 is substantively and significantly higher than that in 2016. These findings suggest that while counties may have aggressively purged voters in 2014—the first election after the coverage formula’s demise—they may have tempered this behavior thereafter.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for a Refugee Mother With Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Faber Jessie , Lee Eunjung
Published: June 2020

This case study illustrates a short-term cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for a refugee single mother of a 4-year-old son to address depression and anxiety symptoms. Although she has histories of multiple trauma experiences such as sexual abuse and intimate partner violence, the client preferred to focus on current difficulties rather than trauma histories. As such, non-trauma-focused CBT utilizing psychoeducation, skill building, activity monitoring and scheduling, and cognitive restructuring is implemented over 10 individual sessions. The client’s progress was measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire–Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF), and a full-length Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) at the intake, midpoint, and last session. The client showed improvement in all measures after the treatment, which corresponded with the client’s verbal reports during the session. This case illustrates the critical clinical decision-making points made by the therapist, and recommends the evidence-based practice protocol that considers empirically supported treatments for the comorbidity of depression and anxiety with multiple trauma experiences, the client preference, and contextual factors in addressing complex clinical presentations.
Effect of Exercise on Mortality and Recurrence in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Morishita Shinichiro , Hamaue Yohei , Fukushima Takuya , Tanaka Takashi , Fu Jack B. , Nakano Jiro
Published: June 2020

Purpose: Exercise could lower the risk of cancer recurrence and improve mortality, exercise capacity, physical and cardiovascular function, strength, and quality of life in patients with cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to determine the effects of exercise on mortality and recurrence in patients with cancer. Methods: We searched for articles published before May 2019 in MEDLINE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, ProQuest, and PEDro. We included RCTs of exercise interventions, such as resistance exercise and aerobic exercise, in patients with cancer that evaluated the risk of mortality and recurrence. The standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated for quantitative indices. The random-effect model was used as the pooling method. Results: Of 2868 retrieved articles, 8 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis, with a mean PEDro score of 4.50 (SD = 1.25). Exercise significantly reduced the risk of mortality in patients with cancer and in cancer survivors (risk ratio [RR] = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.40-0.93, I2 = 0%, P = .009). Exercise significantly reduced the risk of recurrence in cancer survivors (RR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.29-0.92, I2 = 25%, P = .030). Conclusion: This study found that exercise has a favorable effect on mortality and recurrence in patients with cancer. However, the effect could not be fully determined due to data insufficiency.
Predictors of Arm Nonuse in Chronic Stroke: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Buxbaum Laurel J. , Varghese Rini , Stoll Harrison , Winstein Carolee J.
Published: June 2020

Background. Nonuse (NU) after stroke is characterized by failure to use the contralesional arm despite adequate capacity. It has been suggested that NU is a consequence of the greater effort and/or attention required to use the affected limb, but such accounts have not been directly tested, and we have poor understanding of the predictors of NU. Objective. We aimed to provide preliminary evidence regarding demographic, neuropsychological (ie, apraxia, attention/arousal, neglect), and psychological (ie, self-efficacy) factors that may influence NU in chronic stroke. Methods. Twenty chronic stroke survivors with mild to moderate sensory-motor impairment characterized by the Upper-Extremity Fugl-Meyer (UEFM) were assessed for NU with a modified version of the Actual Amount of Use Test (AAUT), which measures the disparity between amount of use in spontaneous versus forced conditions. Participants were also assessed with measures of limb apraxia, spatial neglect, attention/arousal, and self-efficacy. Using stepwise multiple regression, we determined which variables predicted AAUT NU scores. Results. Scores on the UEFM as well as attention/arousal predicted the degree of NU ( P < .05). Attention/arousal predicted NU above and beyond UEFM ( P < .05). Conclusions. The results are consistent with the importance of attention and engagement necessary to fully incorporate the paretic limb into daily activities. Larger-scale studies that include additional behavioral (eg, sensation, proprioception, spasticity, pain, mental health, motivation) and neuroanatomical measures (eg, lesion volume and white matter connectivity) will be important for future investigations.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Upper-Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke: One-Year Follow-up
Authors: Dawson Jesse , Engineer Navzer D. , Prudente Cecília N. , Pierce David , Francisco Gerard , Yozbatiran Nuray , Tarver W. Brent , Casavant Reema , Kline Danielle K. , Cramer Steven C. , Van de Winckel Ann , Kimberley Teresa J.
Published: June 2020

Background. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation may improve upper-limb impairment and function after ischemic stroke. Objective. To report 1-year safety, feasibility, adherence, and outcome data from a home exercise program paired with VNS using long-term follow-up data from a randomized double-blind study of rehabilitation therapy paired with Active VNS (n = 8) or Control VNS (n = 9). Methods. All people were implanted with a VNS device and underwent 6 weeks in clinic therapy with Control or Active VNS followed by home exercises through day 90. Thereafter, participants and investigators were unblinded. The Control VNS group then received 6 weeks in-clinic Active VNS (Cross-VNS group). All participants then performed an individualized home exercise program with self-administered Active VNS. Data from this phase are reported here. Outcome measures were Fugl-Meyer Assessment—Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (Functional and Time), Box and Block Test, Nine-Hole Peg Test, Stroke Impact Scale, and Motor Activity Log. Results. There were no VNS treatment–related serious adverse events during the long-term therapy. Two participants discontinued prior to receiving the full crossover VNS. On average, participants performed 200 ± 63 home therapy sessions, representing device use on 57.4% of home exercise days available for each participant. Pooled analysis revealed that 1 year after randomization, the FMA-UE score increased by 9.2 points (95% CI = 4.7 to 13.7; P = .001; n = 15). Other functional measures were also improved at 1 year. Conclusions. VNS combined with rehabilitation is feasible, with good long-term adherence, and may improve arm function after ischemic stroke.
It Does Matter If You Win or Lose, and How You Play the (Video) Game
Authors: Hemovich Vanessa
Published: June 2020

Most violent video game (VVG) research focuses on aggressive behaviors as the primary outcome variable of interest. Using pro-social behavior as the dependent variable, this study explores factors beyond VVG content as a contributing factor to player outcomes. Participants were randomly assigned to play VVG or non-VVG content with viewing screens obstructed by large pieces of paper to increase difficulty, or unobstructed. Screen condition accounted for 34.5% of the variance in pro-social behavior of helping to retrieve spilled pens. Players in obstructed viewing conditions experienced more in-game losses and engaged in significantly less helping behavior. Fewer pens were retrieved by participants in obstructed viewing conditions while playing either a VVG or non-VVG. The present study cautions against generalized assumptions that VVG content is a primary determinant of behavior and underscores the role of important contextual factors like failure and achievement loss to consider in future studies of this nature.
Predictors of intracranial hemorrhage in acute ischemic stroke after endovascular thrombectomy
Authors: Enomoto Masaya , Shigeta Keigo , Ota Takahiro , Amano Tatsuo , Ueda Masayuki , Matsumaru Yuji , Shiokawa Yoshiaki , Hirano Teruyuki
Published: June 2020

Background

Limited data are available regarding the predictors, clinical relevance, and bleeding rate by surgical devices of intracranial hemorrhage after endovascular thrombectomy. This is partially explained by the difference in the classification and definition of hemorrhage among studies. The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of hemorrhagic transformation and isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage after endovascular thrombectomy.

Methods

This was a retrospective, multicenter observational cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy between January 2015 and December 2018. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors, the impact on clinical outcomes, and the bleeding rate by surgical devices of hemorrhagic transformation and isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Results

Among 610 eligible patients, hemorrhagic transformations occurred in 93 (15.2%). Fourteen patients (2.3%) were classified as having symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage was found in 60 (9.8%) patients. In the logistic regression analyses, diabetes mellitus (odds ratio: 1.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–3.49) was associated with hemorrhagic transformation, and the number of device passes (odds ratio: 1.33; 95% confidence interval: 1.11–1.59) was associated with isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both hemorrhagic transformation and isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage were associated with poor 90-day functional outcomes. There was a significant correlation between treatment with stent retrievers and isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Patients with diabetes mellitus were vulnerable to hemorrhagic transformation, whereas those who underwent several attempts of thrombectomy were susceptible to isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both hemorrhage types worsened the functional outcome. Treatment with the stent retriever was significantly associated with postprocedural isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Transcranial duplex ultrasound monitoring of intracranial arterial stenosis treated with ELUTAX “3” drug-eluting balloon
Authors: Elvira Soler Elena , Serrano Serrano Blanca , López Hernández Nicolás , Guevara Dalrymple Natasha , Moliner Castellano Sarai , Gallego León Jose Ignacio
Published: June 2020

We report the results of transcranial ultrasound monitoring in three patients with intracranial arterial stenosis of the middle cerebral artery treated with the only drug-eluting balloon certificated for intracranial use in highly symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis, ELUTAX “3” (AR Baltic Medical). We performed transcranial Doppler ultrasounds 24 h, 72 h, 10 days, 15 days and 30 days after the angioplasty, thereby measuring mean flow velocity (MFV) in the maximum stenosis area in patients with symptomatic steno-occlusive disease of the middle cerebral artery treated with ELUTAX “3”. Two patients were treated during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) due to acute ischemic stroke and one patient was treated on elective basis due to symptomatic pre-occlusive stenosis, with recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) refractory to medical therapy. In Case 1, the first transcranial Doppler ultrasounds evidenced MFV of 348 cm/s, with progressive MFV reduction until 15 days post-treatment, with MFV of 177 cm/s. In Case 2, 24 h after angioplasty had an MFV of 258 cm/s, decreasing to 103 cm/s at 30 days. Case 3 had an MFV of 436 cm/s before angioplasty that immediately decreased after the procedure to 364 cm/s, with a final MFV of 260 cm/s at 30 days. We have recorded a progressive MFV reduction in intracranial arterial stenosis, with better outcomes in patients treated during MT. In our experience, the use of ELUTAX “3” for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis achieves a progressive improvement of stenosis, evident in the first weeks, to a higher extent in cases of occlusive thrombosis. More studies are needed to provide more information about this device.