bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Planning for Culturally Relevant Disciplinary Literacy
Authors: Colwell Jamie , Gregory Kristen , Taylor Valerie
Published: April 2020

This qualitative multiple case study examined four preservice teachers’ planning and perceptions of planning for culturally and socially relevant disciplinary literacy instruction in secondary disciplines. Four disciplines were represented: art, English, history, and physical education (P.E.)/health. This research sought to understand how a secondary literacy course and its requirements, with a particular focus on culturally relevant disciplinary literacy (CRDL) instruction. Particularities of the four disciplines of study represented were also considered to inform crosscontent literacy coursework. Findings indicated preservice teachers (PSTs) recognized potential of CRDL to engage students in critical thought. However, core disciplines (English and history) had varying viewpoints of the reality of such instruction compared with noncore disciplines (art and P.E./health), and all PSTs struggled to perceive CRDL as a primarily student-focused approach to instruction.
Newman’s Compelling Reasons for a Medical School with Catholic Professors
Authors: Vélez Juan R.
Published: April 2020

Only one year after starting the Catholic University of Ireland (1854), John Henry Newman arranged for the purchase of a medical school, the Cecilia-Street Medical School, which gained immediate success and has continued to this day as a part of University College Dublin. This article is a historical piece that examines the importance Newman gave to Catholic doctrine for the formation of medical students. He understood that according to a hierarchy of sciences, theology and religion are above medicine and its practice and that there are some important religious truths that future Catholic physicians need to learn. In this article, we present a brief history of the origins of the medical school, and discuss his choice of only Catholic professors, and his concern for the doctrinal and moral formation of future doctors.

When John Henry Newman established a medical school in Dublin he chose from only Catholic professors to ensure that the students, almost all Catholic, would receive teaching consistent with their faith, and also that they would have as role models Catholic physicians. He understood the harmony between science and faith, and thus sought professors with very good medical knowledge, who at the same time professed the Catholic faith.
Doctors Don't Treat Cadavers
Authors: Mullady Brian Thomas
Published: April 2020

The modern problem caused by the Enlightenment of reducing human beings to cadavers seriously affects the image medical professionals have of their art. The world of the spirit and therefore the place of the spiritual soul should be taken into consideration even in problems of physical healings because the human being is a combination of body and spirit. The teachings of faith can contribute to this. Because of the unique attitude of Christianity to the problem of physical and spiritual healing, Christ is a special model and teacher in this.
The Importation of Violent “Codes” of South Korean Inmates
Authors: Choi Jaeyong , Dulisse Brandon
Published: April 2020

Despite the popularity of the importation model, the majority of previous institutional misconduct research has used individual characteristics, such as race, prior record, education, and sex as proxies to test this theory. This study examines particular oppositional beliefs and values found in Anderson’s “code of the street” through an analysis of self-report data from 951 adult male prison inmates in South Korea. This study fills a void in previous research by examining direct impacts of imported belief systems on inmate interpersonal aggression toward fellow inmates and correctional officers.
Promoting Inmates’ Positive Attitudes toward Participating in a Restorative Justice Process: The Effects of a Victim Awareness Process
Authors: Weimann-Saks Dana , Peleg-Koriat Inbal
Published: April 2020

In the present study, we conducted an empirical experiment to examine whether exposure to a victim awareness procedure would affect inmates’ attitudes toward participating in a restorative-justice process. In addition, the study sought to evaluate whether there are differences between inmates serving their sentences in prisons with different therapeutic orientations. The findings indicate that participants who were exposed to a victim awareness procedure were more aware of the harm caused to the victim and showed a higher level of positive attitudes toward participating in restorative-justice process than those who were not. Contrary to our hypothesis, no differences were found between the prisons.
Promoting Forgiveness at a Christian College: A Comparison of the REACH Forgiveness and Forgive for Good Methods
Authors: Toussaint Loren L. , Griffin Brandon J. , Worthington Everett L. , Zoelzer Mitchell , Luskin Frederic
Published: April 2020

The present study is the first randomized, controlled trial comparing REACH Forgiveness and Forgive for Good, two of the most commonly used approaches to promote forgiveness. Additionally, the combined effects of psychoeducation and a community forgiveness intervention were examined. Psychoeducation participants were 99 Luther College students randomly assigned to six hours of one of two types of forgiveness training led by undergraduate facilitators or a control condition. The community forgiveness intervention involved campus-wide modifications to the environment that were difficult for most students to not notice. Unforgiveness and forgiveness were measured at pre-, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up. Both forgiveness groups reported decreased unforgiveness and increased forgiveness pre- to post-intervention, and these gains were maintained at follow-up. Both methods were found to be equally effective, can be taught by undergraduates, and were effective in tandem with a community intervention.
The algorithm of nighttime pedestrian detection in intelligent surveillance for renewable energy power stations
Authors: Peng Bao , Chen Zhi-Bin , Fu Erkang , Yi Zi-Chuan
Published: April 2020

Intelligent surveillance is an important management method for the construction and operation of power stations such as wind power and solar power. The identification and detection of equipment, facilities, personnel, and behaviors of personnel are the key technology for the ubiquitous electricity The Internet of Things. This paper proposes a video solution based on support vector machine and histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) methods for pedestrian safety problems that are common in night driving. First, a series of image preprocessing methods are used to optimize night images and detect lane lines. Second, an image is divided into intelligent regions to be adapted to different road environments. Finally, the HOG and support vector machine methods are used to optimize the pedestrian image on a Linux system, which reduces the number of false alarms in pedestrian detection and the workload of the pedestrian detection algorithm. The test results show that the system can successfully detect pedestrians at night. With image preprocessing optimization, the correct rate of nighttime pedestrian detection can be significantly improved, and the correct rate of detection can reach 92.4%. After the division area is optimized, the number of false alarms decreases significantly, and the average frame rate of the optimized video reaches 28 frames per second.
Supplementary energy development boundaries of staged fracturing horizontal wells in tight oil reservoirs
Authors: Lin Lijun , Lin Wei , Xiong Shengchun , Yang Zhengming
Published: April 2020

Staged fracturing horizontal well technology is an important means of improving tight reservoir development efficiency. Taking a typical tight oil block in the Oilfield A as the studied area, the vertical well–horizontal well joint arrangement pattern is adopted in this study. The energy supplementary development effects of multiple permeability scales, different arrangement spacing, and different media (H2O, CO2) are discussed through the numerical simulation method. Combined with the principles of petroleum technology economics, the economic evaluation model for staged fracturing horizontal wells in tight oil reservoir development is proposed, thereby determining the technical boundary and economic boundary of supplementary energy development with different media. Studies indicate that the technical boundary and economic boundary of water-flooding development in the Oilfield A are 0.4 and 0.8 mD, respectively, and the technical boundary and economic boundary of CO2-flooding development are 0.1 and 0.4 mD, respectively. This study provides theoretical support for field operation of Oilfield A and guidance for selection of development mode for tight oil reservoirs.
In-Person and Technology-Mediated Peer Support in Diabetes Care: A Systematic Review of Reviews and Gap Analysis
Authors: Litchman Michelle L. , Oser Tamara K. , Hodgson Lisa , Heyman Mark , Walker Heather R. , Deroze Phyllisa , Rinker Joanne , Warshaw Hope
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to report a systematic review of reviews of evidence and gaps focused on in-person and technology-mediated diabetes peer support and its impact on clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of reviews in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Reviews published in English from December 1978 through December 2018 examining clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes were included. The search yielded 167 reviews that were examined for inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Results

Nine systematic reviews and meta-analyses meeting criteria were included. Findings suggest peer support interventions can have a positive impact on clinical (A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight), behavioral (diabetes knowledge, being active, healthy eating, medication management, self-management, self-efficacy, empowerment), and psychosocial (social support, health and diabetes distress, depression, quality of life) outcomes. Research gaps exist related to understanding the effects of emerging technology-mediated peer support modalities and the effects of peer support on gestational diabetes.

Conclusion

Many clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial benefits related to in-person and technology-mediated peer support exist. Diabetes care and education specialists should incorporate and recommend peer support resources for people with diabetes.
Culture and Patterns of Reciprocity: The Role of Exchange Type, Regulatory Focus, and Emotions
Authors: Deng Yingli , Wang Cynthia S. , Aime Federico , Wang Long , Sivanathan Niro , Kim Yun Chung (Karina)
Published: April 2020

Reciprocity is a fundamental mechanism for sustained social relationships. Escalation-based theories suggest that reciprocity intensifies over time. In contrast, equity-based theories propose that people reciprocate behaviors in kind. We reconcile these conflicting perspectives by examining social exchanges across different cultural contexts. Using three complementary experiments, we investigate when, how, and why individuals in East Asian settings and those in North American settings differentially reciprocate positive versus negative behaviors over time. Study 1 demonstrated that in positively framed exchanges (i.e., giving) Americans escalated their reciprocity, but Singaporeans reciprocated in kind. However, in negatively framed exchanges (i.e., taking), Singaporeans escalated their reciprocity, but Americans reciprocated in kind. Study 2 replicated the results using Hong Kongers and showed that cultural differences in regulatory focus were associated with specific emotions (i.e., anxiety and happiness), which then escalated reciprocity. To establish causality, Study 3 manipulated regulatory focus within one culture and replicated the pattern of results.
Genes-in-Dyads: A Study of Relationship Quality
Authors: Das Aniruddha
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Using dyadic genetic information on older couples, this study queried associations of a polygenic score for well-being with one’s own as well as a partner’s relationship experiences.

Method

Data were from the 2010 wave of the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. Analysis was through structural equation modeling.

Results

Especially among women, the genetic score was associated with individuals’ own relationship experiences. Genetic externalities—linkages of one’s genes with a partner’s experiences—were also observed. No significant gender variations emerged.

Discussion

Contrary to conceptions implicit in much of existing genetics literature—which focuses on individuals’ own gene–trait associations—the interpersonal environments most crucial to life course and health outcomes are shaped by the genes of all involved actors. Genetic externalities are a central component. Implications for the life course and gene–environment literatures are discussed.
Evaluation of a Model of Long-Term Middle Ear Catheterization for Repeat Infusion Administration and Cochlear Hair Cell Injury in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Lafond Jean-Francois , Tenneson Kelly , Émond Frederick , Foucault Claudia , Vogel Susan , Boubekeur Hamid
Published: April 2020

Middle ear administration has numerous applications, including antibiotherapy and gene therapy, and is increasingly used to target the auditory and vestibular systems. In animal studies, investigating repeated exposure that mimics clinical dosing regimens has remained a challenge due to the lack of suitable models. Intratympanic injections are not suitable for long-term studies due to the increased risk related to tympanic membrane rupture or scarring and repeat anesthesia events. Surgical models of middle ear catheterization previously used have not been reliable for longer than 4 weeks, resulted in elevated stress levels, and have been associated with significant changes related to the surgery and/or the presence of the catheter such as local trauma and inflammatory and degenerative processes. These complications cause decreased hearing/deafness and greatly diminish the value and accuracy of ototoxicity studies. We describe here a procedure that permits repeat dosing into the middle ear of guinea pigs and can be used to produce a model of aminoglycoside-induced hair cell injury. The innocuity of the procedures and the efficacy of the ototoxicity model were confirmed using auditory brain stem response assessment, histopathological evaluation, and cytocochleograms. Procedure-related changes were limited to minimal inflammation in the middle ear.
Context as a Facilitator of the Implementation of Evidence-based Nursing: A Meta-synthesis
Authors: Clavijo-Chamorro María Zoraida , Sanz-Martos Sebastián , Gómez-Luque Adela , Romero-Zarallo Gema , López-Medina Isabel M.
Published: April 2020

Nurses have numerous difficulties in implementing science due to obstacles related to the work context. The aim is to explore the work-context-related facilitators of the application of evidence in clinical practice by nursing professionals. Qualitative meta-synthesis of primary studies on nurses’ experiences of work-context-related facilitators, as defined by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services model. Using the Qualitative Appraisal and Review Instrument of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Of the total 57 primary research articles included, an explanatory model of the facilitating factors related to the work context was generated on the basis of four general categories: institutional support (leadership), multidisciplinary support (teamwork and communication), culture of improving quality of care (nursing professionals’ attitudes towards change) and use of research (valuing research). Action can be taken on the facilitating factors of the evidence-based practice application in nursing clinical environments, providing resources and motivation from the organization.
Relationship changes of military couples during reintegration: A longitudinal analysis
Authors: Knobloch-Fedders Lynne M. , Knobloch Leanne K. , Scott Samantha , Fiore Hannah
Published: April 2020

This study drew on the emotional cycle of deployment model to track the content, valence, and sequence of relationship changes experienced by returning service members and at-home partners during the transition from deployment to reintegration. In a longitudinal study, 555 military couples (1,100 individuals) wrote 7,387 comments describing changes that had occurred in their relationship during the past month. A content analysis identified 10 substantive categories: emotional intimacy, sexual intimacy, spending time together, appraisals of the relationship, life changes, readjustment to daily life, conflict, family changes, commitment, and reports of no change. The frequency of changes reported in emotional intimacy, sexual intimacy, readjustment to daily life, and conflict declined across the transition. In contrast, reports of life changes, and comments stating that no change had occurred, increased over time. Independent coders judged each change as positive (42.1%), negative (32.4%), or neutral (25.5%) in valence. Participants described fewer positive changes as the transition progressed, although this tendency slowed over time. In contrast, the frequency of negative changes remained stable across the transition, and the frequency of neutral changes increased. The findings are used to advance theory, research, policy, and intervention designed to help military couples negotiate relationship changes across the post-deployment transition.
Difficult intubation and anesthetic management in an adult patient with undiagnosed congenital tracheal stenosis: a case report
Authors: Song Ji-A , Bae Hong-Beom , Choi Jeong-Il , Kang Jeonghyeon , Jeong Seongtae
Published: April 2020

In the operating room, unanticipated difficult intubation can occur and anesthesiologists can experience challenging situations. Undiagnosed tracheal stenosis caused by congenital factors, trauma, tumors, or post-intubation injury, can make advancing the endotracheal tube difficult. We present an adult patient in whom we were unable to pass an endotracheal tube into the trachea. This was caused by undiagnosed congenital mid-tracheal stenosis with complete tracheal rings. When faced with an unanticipated difficult airway, the anesthesiologist needs to comprehend the results of preoperative evaluations. If an unusual situation (e.g., congenital tracheal stenosis) occurs, active cooperation with other departments should be considered.
Findings on cryptogenic organizing pneumonia: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yao Hui-Ming , Zuo Wei , Wang Xiao-Lei , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2020

A 70-year-old man presented to our hospital because of a cough with bright red blood for 1 month. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed that there was a patchy, dense shadow below the pleura of the upper lobe of the left lung. This shadow was approximately 2.7 × 2.2 cm in size, with rough edges, adjacent pleural traction, and localized thickening. Percutaneous pulmonary needle biopsy was performed under CT guidance. Morphological features were characterized by multifocal centrilobular distribution of fibromyxoid polyps of granulation tissue in the lumen of distal airspaces and small bronchioles. These findings supported the diagnosis of focal cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. The patient was then treated with ceftazidime and prednisone. After this treatment, the patient visited the clinic and complete resolution of his respiratory symptoms and nearly complete resolution of the mass on chest CT were observed. The findings in our case provide clinical experience to help with the diagnosis of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, which is difficult to diagnose.
The Typology of Settlements in Ramesside Middle Egypt. An Analysis of the Wilbour Papyrus
Authors: Antoine Jean-Christophe
Published: April 2020

A statistical analysis of text A of the Wilbour Papyrus shows that the pattern of landholdings surrounding localities well reflects the population inhabiting settlements and allows their categorization without preconceived idea. The resulting typology fits only in part with classifications relying on administrative considerations, the central place theory or archeological criteria. Urban features are not limited to regional capitals. Main and secondary urban centers are distinguished by a hinterland of small localities; this hinterland is exclusive to each main urban center but shared in secondary urban centers. Small rural settlements are not homogenous and can be distinguished according to their agricultural activity, particularly cattle and horse breeding, and the locally predominant landholding institution.
Frequency Optimization Models for Reducing Overcrowding Discomfort
Authors: Agrawal Kinshuk , Suman Hemant K. , Bolia Nomesh B.
Published: April 2020

One of the most important aspects of improving public bus transport attractiveness is reducing overcrowding in buses. However, most of the mathematical models that focus on designing bus services minimize the total social cost without considering the overcrowding discomfort. Further, they are mostly non-linear in nature and use heuristic and meta-heuristic approaches. Thus, they are difficult to understand and use by practitioners. This work addresses these gaps through models that include overcrowding discomfort and are also easy to implement and contextualize by practitioners. The authors develop one non-linear and two linear models to determine the optimum frequency of buses and apply them over a network of 34 routes of Delhi. The results reveal that the existing number of buses in Delhi is not sufficient to cater to the existing travel demand of peak hours, even after their optimum allocation. The authors also present a step-by-step procedure to enable practitioners to determine the minimum additional number of buses required to reduce the target discomfort and waiting time.
Method for Direct Measurement of Structural Rolling Resistance for Heavy Vehicles
Authors: Nielsen Natasja R. , Chatti Karim , Nielsen Christoffer P. , Zaabar Imen , Hjorth Poul G. , Hecksher Tina
Published: April 2020

In this paper, a new in situ method for determining the structural rolling resistance (SRR), defined as the dissipated energy caused by deformation of the pavement when subjected to a moving load, is presented. The method is based on the relation between SRR and the slope of the deflection basin under a moving load. Using the Traffic Speed Deflectometer, the deflection slope is measured at several positions behind and in front of the right rear-end tire pair of a full-size truck trailer while driving under realistic conditions. The deflection slope directly under the tire is estimated from a linear interpolation between the two nearest sensors. A set of data from a test road segment located in Denmark is analyzed and the SRR coefficients are found to be in the range 0.005% to 0.05%. The deflection slope measurements have a high reproducibility (repeated measurements agree within standard deviations of 4% to 10%) with high spatial resolution, and the method for calculating SRR from these measurements has the clear advantage that it requires no knowledge or model of the pavement structure or viscoelastic properties. Numerical simulations of pavement response show that the proposed interpolation method tends to underestimate the actual SRR, and better estimates can be obtained by other interpolation schemes.
Design and evaluation of vibration reducing seat suspension based on negative stiffness structure
Authors: Davoodi Ehsan , Safarpour Pedram , Pourgholi Mahdi , Khazaee Mostafa
Published: April 2020

The vibration transmitted to helicopter aircrew is the main health risk, specifically at low excitation frequencies. In this paper, to improve the vibration environment for aircrew, a seat suspension using a negative stiffness structure has been proposed. The main feature of the proposed system is the negative stiffness structure along with a traditional positive stiffness structure. Here, the dynamic model of the proposed system is derived and the design procedure for the seat suspension parameters is presented in order to mitigate the vibration transmitted to occupant and at the same time preserving payload capacity of the system. Then, the vibration transmitted to seat as well as the transmissibility of the proposed system at the steady state are evaluated using ISO-2631 and conventional criteria. To verify the validity of the simulation results, the reproduced signal of the cabin floor of the Bell-412 helicopter is applied. Results reveal that the isolation performance of the proposed system based on the negative stiffness structure is well-suited so that the values of root mean square and vibration dose value for seat’s vertical vibration in this structure are 0.0789 and 0.1254, respectively. It showed an almost 90% reduction of amplitude with respect to the cabin floor’s vibration. Also, according to the ISO-2631 standard, the level of comfort is improved from uncomfortable to not uncomfortable that represents the promotion of riding quality and improvement of vibration environment for aircrew. As well as results display that the frequency spectrum of the cabin floor and the seat are similar to each other and actually frequency modulation does not happen in the vibration transfer path between the cabin floor and over the seat.
Public attitudes towards a European minimum income benefit: How (perceived) welfare state performance and expectations shape popular support
Authors: Baute Sharon , Meuleman Bart
Published: April 2020

The economic crisis and the unequal degree to which it has affected European Union (EU) member states have fuelled the debate on whether the EU should take responsibility for the living standards of European citizens. The current article contributes to this debate by investigating for the first time public support for an EU-wide minimum income benefit scheme. Through an analysis of data from the European Social Survey 2016, our results reveal that diverging national experiences and expectations are crucial in understanding why Europeans are widely divided on the implementation of such a benefit scheme. The analysis shows that (1) welfare state generosity and perceived welfare state performance dampen support, (2) those expecting that ‘more Europe’ will increase social protection levels are much more supportive, (3) the stronger support for a European minimum income benefit in less generous welfare states is explained by more optimistic expectations about the EU’s domestic impact and (4) lower socioeconomic status groups are more supportive of this policy proposal. These findings can be interpreted in terms of sociotropic and egocentric self-interests, and illustrate how (perceived) performance of the national welfare state and expectations about the EU’s impact on social protection levels shape support for supranational social policymaking.
A multinomial quadrivariate D-vine copula mixed model for meta-analysis of diagnostic studies in the presence of non-evaluable subjects
Authors: Nikoloulopoulos Aristidis K
Published: April 2020

Diagnostic test accuracy studies observe the result of a gold standard procedure that defines the presence or absence of a disease and the result of a diagnostic test. They typically report the number of true positives, false positives, true negatives and false negatives. However, diagnostic test outcomes can also be either non-evaluable positives or non-evaluable negatives. We propose a novel model for the meta-analysis of diagnostic studies in the presence of non-evaluable outcomes, which assumes independent multinomial distributions for the true and non-evaluable positives, and, the true and non-evaluable negatives, conditional on the latent sensitivity, specificity, probability of non-evaluable positives and probability of non-evaluable negatives in each study. For the random effects distribution of the latent proportions, we employ a drawable vine copula that can successively model the dependence in the joint tails. Our methodology is demonstrated with an extensive simulation study and applied to data from diagnostic accuracy studies of coronary computed tomography angiography for the detection of coronary artery disease. The comparison of our method with the existing approaches yields findings in the real data application that change the current conclusions.
Perplexing management in neck exsanguination: From resource‐limited setting to definitive care
Authors: Lo Wai Ling , Lau James Siu Ki , Yeung Siu Hong , Kan Pui Gay
Published: April 2020

Exsanguinating neck injury is a rare presentation to the emergency department. However, when such a scenario occurs, emergency physicians should be able to readily employ the various methods available to control the exsanguination. Furthermore, the application of inotrope or vasopressor in a hypotensive traumatic patient despite aggressive fluid/blood product resuscitation is explored.
Top Management Team Quality and Innovation in Venture-Backed Private Firms and IPO Market Rewards to Innovative Activity
Authors: Chemmanur Thomas J. , Gupta Manish , Simonyan Karen
Published: April 2020

Using hand-collected data on top management team human capital (“top management quality”) of a large venture-backed private firm sample, we analyze the relation between top management team quality and pre-initial public offering (IPO) innovation productivity and the relation between pre-IPO innovation productivity and IPO market valuations. We hypothesize that firms with higher quality top management teams invest more in innovative projects and select better projects, yielding higher innovation productivity; pursue explorative rather than exploitative innovation strategies; and hire more high quality inventors. Finally, we hypothesize that IPO market rewards more innovative private firms with higher IPO firm valuations. The evidence supports these hypotheses.
Social Determinants of Health and Health Care Delivery: African American Women’s T2DM Self-Management
Authors: Ochieng Judith M. , Crist Janice D.
Published: April 2020

African American (AA) women have high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and complications. No studies have been conducted about how social determinants of health and health care delivery affect their T2DM self-management. The purpose was to describe how social determinants of health and healthcare delivery may influence AA women’s T2DM self-management using qualitative descriptive methodology ( N = 10). Ten participants were interviewed. Participants’ geographical location, education, level of income, health literacy, and systemic racism, that is, healthcare delivery services, for example, inadequate healthcare services, providers’ assumptions about the patient’s knowledge of diabetes, providers’ attitudes toward patients, and stigma related to diabetes as a disease were identified. Understanding the role of social determinants of health and the health care delivery system in influencing T2DM self-management is a powerful tool for providers and practitioners for improving practice and health care policies to decrease health disparities and improve health outcomes among AA women with T2DM.
Are Minority and Women Candidates Penalized by Party Politics? Race, Gender, and Access to Party Support
Authors: Fraga Bernard L. , Hassell Hans J. G.
Published: April 2020

Racial/ethnic minorities and women continue to be underrepresented in public office in the United States. Here, we evaluate the role of general election political party support for women and minorities in structuring these inequalities, as a key part of general election success is support from party networks. With detailed data on party support and the demographics of congressional candidates, we use two difference-in-differences strategies to leverage within-district and candidate-constant change over time. Thus, we are able to separate the effect of race/ethnicity and gender from other factors we demonstrate to be associated with party support. We find that, all else equal, Democratic and Republican minority nominees do not receive less support than their white counterparts. We also find that white women receive more party support from Democrats than Democratic men or minority women in the general election and that this support is more responsive to changes in electoral competitiveness. These findings suggest that party elites may provide additional support to candidates from underrepresented groups in the general election to broaden their appeal to voters.
The Quality Assurance and Quality Control Protocol for Neuropsychological Data Collection and Curation in the Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative (ONDRI) Study
Authors: McLaughlin Paula M. , Sunderland Kelly M. , Beaton Derek , Binns Malcolm A. , Kwan Donna , Levine Brian , Orange Joseph B. , Peltsch Alicia J. , Roberts Angela C. , Strother Stephen C. , Troyer Angela K.
Published: April 2020

As large research initiatives designed to generate big data on clinical cohorts become more common, there is an increasing need to establish standard quality assurance (QA; preventing errors) and quality control (QC; identifying and correcting errors) procedures for critical outcome measures. The present article describes the QA and QC approach developed and implemented for the neuropsychology data collected as part of the Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative study. We report on the efficacy of our approach and provide data quality metrics. Our findings demonstrate that even with a comprehensive QA protocol, the proportion of data errors still can be high. Additionally, we show that several widely used neuropsychological measures are particularly susceptible to error. These findings highlight the need for large research programs to put into place active, comprehensive, and separate QA and QC procedures before, during, and after protocol deployment. Detailed recommendations and considerations for future studies are provided.
PKM2 Activator TEPP-46 Attenuates Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated IL-1β Secretion
Authors: Le Sheng , Zhang Hao , Huang Xiaofan , Chen Shu , Wu Jia , Chen Shanshan , Ding XiangChao , Chen Shanshan , Zhao Jing , Xu Heng , Cui Jikai , Zou Yanqiang , Yu Jizhang , Jiang Lang , Wu Jie , Ye Ping , Xia Jiahong
Published: April 2020

Background:

The development of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is mediated by inflammasome activation, which exacerbates the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) has shown a protective role against various disorders with an inflammatory basis, such as sepsis, tumorigenesis, and diabetic nephropathy. However, its potential role in TAAD has not been investigated so far.

Approach and Results:

We analyzed aortic tissues from TAAD patients and the β-aminopropionitrile fumarate (BAPN)–induced mouse model of TAAD and observed elevated levels of PKM2 in the aortic lesions of both. Treatment with the PKM2 activator TEPP-46 markedly attenuated the progression of TAAD in the mouse model as demonstrated by decreased morbidity and luminal diameter of the aorta. In addition, the thoracic aortas of the BAPN-induced mice showed reduced monocytes and macrophages infiltration and lower levels of IL-1β, MMPs, and ROS when treated with TEPP-46. Furthermore, TEPP-46 treatment also suppressed the activation of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family and pyrin domain–containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome by downregulating p-STAT3 and HIF1-α.

Conclusion:

Pyruvate kinase M2 plays a protective role in TAAD development, and its activation is a promising therapeutic strategy against the progression of TAAD.
Victims, Vignettes, and Videos: Meta-Analytic and Experimental Evidence That Emotional Impact Enhances the Derogation of Innocent Victims
Authors: Dawtry Rael J. , Callan Mitchell J. , Harvey Annelie J. , Gheorghiu Ana I.
Published: April 2020

Research during the 1960s found that observers could be moved enough by an innocent victim’s suffering to derogate their character. However, recent research has produced inconsistent evidence for this effect. We conducted the first meta-analysis ( k = 55) of the experimental literature on the victim derogation effect to test the hypothesis that it varies as a function of the emotional impactfulness of the context for observers. We found that studies which employed more impactful contexts (e.g., that were real and vivid) reported larger derogation effects. Emotional impact was, however, confounded by year of appearance, such that older studies reported larger effects and were more impactful. To disentangle the role of emotional impact, in two primary experiments we found that more impactful contexts increased the derogation of an innocent victim. Overall, the findings advance our theoretical understanding of the contexts in which observers are more likely to derogate an innocent victim.
Aseptic orbital cellulitis: A master masquerade of intraocular malignancy
Authors: Mehta Aditi , Singh Manpreet , Banerjee Nirmalya , Jain Chirag , Kakkar Nandita , Gupta Pankaj
Published: April 2020

Sudden and extensive growth of intraocular tumors like retinoblastoma and choroidal melanoma may result in the clinical presentation of sterile or aseptic orbital cellulitis. In such masquerading situations, ocular and orbital imaging plays a significant role. The treatment with steroids may provide a rapid recovery from the aggressive orbital inflammation. However, a high index of suspicion is vital for apt diagnosis and timely management.
Re-framing accountability and learning through evaluation: Insights from the Italian higher education evaluation system
Authors: Lumino Rosaria , Gambardella Dora
Published: April 2020

Although the relation between accountability and learning is a key issue in the field of evaluation, the existing conceptualizations include significant gaps and shortcoming. This article seeks to bridge some of the identified gaps, overcoming the dichotomy between learning and accountability and the overemphasis on accountability, and offering a more nuanced account of various forms of positive and negative learning. We propose a theory-informed reconceptualization of both accountability and learning in order to develop an interpretative framework that recognizes their plurality and brings them together through evaluation. To make visible the analytical potential of our reconceptualization, we present the Italian higher education evaluation system as a source of illustrative examples.

Our analysis confirms that accountability and learning are inextricably interconnected and that multiple forms of learning can be envisaged by taking into account the mutual relationship among organizational arrangements, evaluative practices and cultural codes. We argue that such kind of analysis allows to remove the taken-for-granted aspects of evaluation practices, challenging the often-implicit assumptions about their virtues as well as their weaknesses in order to see what evaluation actually does in a particular situation.
Evaluators in the Anthropocene
Authors: Brousselle Astrid , McDavid Jim
Published: April 2020

In the last century, human-led activities have drastically altered natural systems. The environmental impacts of human activity are so deleterious to living species and our biosphere that geologists have named this new geological era the Anthropocene, from anthropos, human being. Responses to the Anthropocene era call for drastic changes in all domains of activity. As evaluators, we claim to work for social betterment. We have a responsibility to adapt our approaches and practices to respond to this environmental challenge. The aim of this article is to raise awareness on the need to develop new approaches for evaluators in the Anthropocene. We first describe what this state of urgency represents for humans, the international commitments to take action, the solutions that exist, and what responding to this environmental challenge means for our profession.
Using contribution analysis to evaluate large-scale, transformation change processes
Authors: Junge Kerstin , Cullen Joe , Iacopini Giorgia
Published: April 2020

This article explores the usefulness of Contribution Analysis to understand and assess the outcomes and impacts of emergent, large-scale and transformational change processes. As these take place over long periods of time and at national if not supra-national scale, they amplify some of the key challenges complex interventions pose to evaluators, most notably that of the emergence of activities and outcomes. While Contribution Analysis is discussed in the literature as useful for the evaluation of complex change processes, it is not usually recommended for experimental and emergent interventions. This article draws on the authors’ experience of using Contribution Analysis in one such case and explores the relative merits of the method for large-scale/transformational change interventions generally.
Effects of air temperature on cognitive work performance of acclimatized people in severely cold region in China
Authors: Sun Cheng , Han Yunsong , Luo Lin , Sun Huixuan
Published: April 2020

The study aimed to assess the effect of indoor air temperature on cognitive work performance of acclimatized people during the middle of heating season in severely cold region in China. How does temperature affect work performance was also investigated through subjective surveys. Eighteen acclimatized and healthy participants (10 males and 8 females) carried out tasks in a climate chamber under six temperatures (18°C, 20°C, 22°C, 24°C, 26°C and 28°C). They completed 11 neuro-behavioural tests, including perception, learning and memory, thinking, expression and executive function tests, and subjective surveys on thermal sensation, emotion, health, workload and enthusiasm. Results showed that temperature has an effect on the variation on the neuro-behavioural performance depending on task types and difficulties. Temperature could influence the response time significantly more than accuracy when tasks were performed without feedback. Under adverse environment, people would feel (slightly) cool or warm, feel less enthusiastic to work, and would have more negative emotions, perceived sick building syndrome to be more serious and would have evaluated performance as worse. They would also perform badly on neuro-behavioural tests. Subjective surveys were important supplements to objective evaluation on the effect of indoor environment factors on work performance.
The ecology of incidental exposure to news in digital media environments
Authors: Weeks Brian E , Lane Daniel S
Published: April 2020

The profusion of information about current events in digital media makes it likely that individuals are exposed to news through the course of everyday life, even when they are not motivated to do so. Yet, such incidental news exposure and its consequences depend on a multitude of characteristics that are unique to individuals and the social and information environments they inhabit. This complexity makes it difficult to evaluate the broader democratic implications of incidental exposure. To address this challenge, we propose an ecological model that offers a more comprehensive framework for theorizing and studying incidental news exposure in digital media environments. The model organizes factors influencing incidental exposure into six ecological levels that span individual and environmental domains. It further distinguishes state-like factors (i.e. malleable, context-dependent) and trait-like factors (i.e. stable, context-independent). We demonstrate how the model can (1) better define types of incidental exposure, (2) theorize how factors can interact across levels to shape exposure and its consequences, and (3) identify promising areas for future research.
Questionnaire measuring patient participation in health care: Scale development and psychometric evaluation
Authors: Berg Selina Kikkenborg , Færch Jane , Cromhout Pernille Fevejle , Tewes Marianne , Pedersen Preben Ulrich , Rasmussen Trine Bernholdt , Missel Malene , Christensen Jan , Juel Knud , Christensen Anne Vinggaard
Published: April 2020

Background:

Patient participation in treatment and care is often encouraged and is desirable because of its proven positive impact on treatment, quality of care and patient safety.

Aims:

To develop an instrument to measure patient participation in health care and to investigate the measurement properties of the Patient Participation Questionnaire (PPQ).

Methods:

A literature review was conducted to develop a model of patient participation. The PPQ was constructed consisting of 17 items organized into four subscales. Psychometric evaluation of factor structure, convergent construct validity by hypothesis testing and analyses of internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha were performed on data from a hospitalised mixed group of patients with cardiac disease, pulmonary disease and cancer ( N=378 patients).

Results:

Confirmatory factor analysis did not show a clear model fit, which is why an exploratory factor analysis was performed, suggesting a different four subscale structure consisting of a total of 16 items. The four subscales were labelled Shared decision power, Adapted and individualized knowledge, Collaboration and Human approach. There were strong ceiling effects on all items. Analysis of convergent construct validity showed a moderate correlation (0.59) between the PPQ and another instrument measuring patient participation. Internal consistency for the total PPQ score was high: 0.89.

Conclusion:

In a mixed group of patients with cardiac disease, pulmonary disease and cancer, the PPQ showed promising psychometric properties in terms of factor structure, convergent construct validity and internal consistency. The PPQ may be used to shed light on the experience of patient participation and guide quality improvements.