bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validating Service Convenience Scale and Profiling Customers: A Study in the Indian Retail Context
Authors: Aagja Jayesh P , Mammen Toby , Saraswat Amit
Published: June 2019

Customer retention has become very important in the heightened competitive environment unleashed in India, post liberalization. Recently, some researchers have made attempts to evolve and link the service convenience construct to customer satisfaction and repeat purchase from a service organization. Service convenience — a multidimensional construct with five dimensions, involves aspects beyond locational nearness or convenient operating hours. The present study aims at validating the service convenience (ServCon) scale originally developed in the West, in the Indian organized food and grocery retail context, and develop linkage between service convenience on one side, and satisfaction/behavioural intentions on the other.

Convenience samples, comprising of respondents from SEC A and SEC B with experience of shopping from organized retail food and grocery outlets, were drawn from various parts of Ahmedabad city. Through the scale validation process, five dimensions emerged, as in the original 17 items ServCon scale, though with 15 items (Seiders et al, 2007). Scale validity was evaluated using correlation and confirmatory factor analysis while neural networks were used for nomological model testing. Subsequently, using cluster analysis, an attempt was made to segment respondents based on their service convenience scores which resulted in four customer segments being identified: Aspirers Fatalists Balance-oriented Pre-purchase convenience seekers.

Statistically insignificant differences were observed amongst these clusters based on demographics.

In the Indian context, it is found that access, benefit, and decision convenience dimensions have more importance whereas dimensions like transaction and post-benefit convenience are less relevant. Hence, retail mall managers should focus on providing better access, benefit, and decision convenience rather than transaction and post-benefit convenience. In the same vein, shopping enjoyment appears to be having a major effect on service convenience as compared to customer involvement in product category implying that shoppers experiencing higher levels of shopping enjoyment should be accorded more importance by mall managers.

On the other hand, it is found that higher the perceived service convenience level, the greater the impact on shopper�s behavioural intentions as compared to satisfaction. This implies that organized retail mall managers should focus on shoppers who perceive higher levels of service convenience from malls, as they are more likely to patronize such malls by way of either positive word of mouth or increasing their visit/purchase frequency.
On Classification of All-rounders of the Indian Premier League (IPL): A Bayesian Approach
Authors: Saikia Hemanta , Bhattacharjee Dibyojyoti
Published: June 2019

An all-rounder can take an imperative role in any version of the game of cricket, whether it is a test match or any other limited-over format of the game. The study classifies the performance of all-rounders who participated in IPL based on their strike rate and economy rate. Based on the factors mentioned, the all-rounders can be divided into four non-overlapping classes, viz., Performer, Batting All-rounder, Bowling All-rounder, and Under-performer. Several predictor variables that are supposed to influence the performance of all-rounders are considered. Step-wise multinomial logistic regression (SMLR) is used to identify the significant predictors. Samples of six incumbent all-rounders who had not participated in the first three seasons of IPL are considered. The significant predictors were then used to predict the expected class of an incumbent all-rounder using naive Bayesian classification model. The relevant data were collected from the websites, www.cricinfo.org and www.cricketnirvana.com.

The key points of this study are as follows: The training sample is populated with 35 all-rounders who had performed in the first three seasons of IPL. Two variables, viz., strike rate (number of runs scored per 100 balls faced) and economy rate (average number of runs scored per over against the bowler) are used to classify the all-rounders as follows: Performer: An all-rounder with strike rate above median and economy rate below median. Batting All-rounder: An all-rounder with strike rate above median and economy rate above median. Bowling All-rounder: An all-rounder with strike rate below median and economy rate below median. Under-performer: An all-rounder with strike rate below median and economy rate above median. The step-wise multinomial logistic regression (SMLR) was used to identify the significant variables that are actually responsible for classification of the all-rounders. The strike rate in ODI, strike rate in Twenty-20, economy rate in ODI, economy rate in Twenty-20 and bowling type (Spin or Fast) of the all-rounders are found to be significant in determining the class of an all-rounder. The naive Bayesian classification model is used for forecasting the expected class of allrounders based on the significant predictors for six incumbent all-rounders who had played only in fourth season of IPL. The prediction done before IPL IV was then compared with the actual situation at the end of the tournament. It is found that four predictions were performed correctly out of the six.

This model would be useful for the participating teams' management while deciding the bid of an all-rounder in the upcoming season of IPL as per their requirement.
The Credit Rating Agencies — Are They Reliable? A Study of Sovereign Ratings
Authors: Iyengar Shreekant
Published: June 2019

Sovereign credit ratings estimate the future ability and willingness of the sovereign governments to service their commercial and financial obligations in full and on time. The process of evaluating the nations and assigning ratings is a business involving various international rating agencies. Governments seek the credit ratings so as to improve their access to the international capital markets. The sovereign credit ratings are an important scale for determining the cost of borrowing to a country. The ratings provide a perception to the lenders about the level of credit risk of the national governments. However, the reliability of the ratings has been a matter of debate in the past due to the methodology followed by the rating agencies.

The present paper attempts to check the reliability of these ratings by considering the ratings assigned by two of the major international rating agencies — Moody's and Standard and Poor's. This is done through comparison of the ratings assigned by them and checking whether the difference is significant and responsive for the countries rated by both. A regression analysis of the ratings and some of the commonly used indicators by the two agencies to determine the ratings is also done.

The results indicate an increase in the average rating difference of the two agencies over time and that the difference in the ratings assigned by the two agencies is statistically significant. Moreover, these agencies are also found to be non-responsive to each other's ratings. This raises reasonable doubts on the consistency of these ratings as the methodology followed by these agencies involves several common determinants. The regression of the ratings over the determinants indicate that the ratings of these two agencies have more or less the common determinants except the ‘external balances’ indicator exclusively determining the S&P ratings. Considering the fact that the ratings provided by these two agencies are significantly different from each other, the differences in the ratings could be explained by the differences in the weights attached to the determinants by the two agencies. However, a test of significance for the differences in weights of the given set of indicators attached by the two agencies reveals that there is no significant difference in the weights. Thus, the differences can also be attributed to the weights attached to the subjective criteria used by these agencies in order to decide the ratings. Such criteria imply the qualitative biases built by the agencies against nations on the basis of social and political conditions and their reactions to news regarding the changes in the capital markets of a nation.
Worlding austerity: The spatial violence of poverty
Authors: Shaw Ian GR
Published: June 2019

The enforced poverty of austere capitalism continues to wreck the worlds we inhabit. These worlds are built with a variety of social infrastructures: houses, pipes, schools, parks, libraries, and other sites of coexistence. Austerity, in turn, is spatialized and experienced across this built environment – slashing the potential of everyday worlds to provide a dignified life. By ‘worlding’ austerity, I thus argue that violence against the built environment – or what I term ‘slow urbicide’ – is simultaneously a violence against people. My focus is on the UK, and housing in particular, where government austerity continues to inflict an insidious spatial trauma. As spatial beings, our physical and mental wellbeing is bound to the landscapes we inhabit. If these landscapes are ruined by government cutbacks – compounding the already violent production of neoliberal space – a deep world alienation and insecurity can set in. I thus reflect on the ruined social and psychological geographies of austerity. But I also offer a positive political vision: an imperative to work for the world and repair the blasted landscapes of our coexistence. The paper finishes by outlining a new right to the world: a rallying cry to flourish in more dignified spaces.
The legal and regulatory framework supporting the implementation of the Access to Information Act in Kenya
Authors: Kabata Victor , Garaba Francis
Published: June 2019

This study sought to assess the current legislative framework for access to information in Kenya. Specifically, it sought to establish; firstly, whether supplementary laws have been formulated to support implementation of the Access to Information Act (ATI) 2016. Secondly, whether existing laws that hinder ATI have been amended. Data was obtained, firstly, through literature review that provided background information, and secondly, semi structured interviews were used to collect views from key informants. The study revealed that Kenya’s ATI legal and regulatory landscape is multifaceted. While on the one hand, several sectoral laws have been amended to facilitate implementation of the access law, there are still provisions in Kenyan statute books that impede access to information. Further, the study revealed that plans are underway to formulate an ATI policy and ATI regulations to operationalize the ATI Act 2016. The study concluded that effective implementation of the ATI Act 2016 hinged on the existence of a supportive legislative framework. As such, the study recommended fast tracking of the efforts towards creating a conducive ATI legislative environment.
Non-invasively triggered spreading depolarizations induce a rapid pro-inflammatory response in cerebral cortex
Authors: Takizawa Tsubasa , Qin Tao , Lopes de Morais Andreia , Sugimoto Kazutaka , Chung Joon Yong , Morsett Liza , Mulder Inge , Fischer Paul , Suzuki Tomoaki , Anzabi Maryam , Böhm Maximilian , Qu Wen-sheng , Yanagisawa Takeshi , Hickman Suzanne , Khoury Joseph El , Whalen Michael J , Harriott Andrea M , Chung David Y , Ayata Cenk
Published: June 2019

Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) induces pro-inflammatory gene expression in brain tissue. However, previous studies assessing the relationship between CSD and inflammation have used invasive methods that directly trigger inflammation. To eliminate the injury confounder, we induced CSDs non-invasively through intact skull using optogenetics in Thy1-channelrhodopsin-2 transgenic mice. We corroborated our findings by minimally invasive KCl-induced CSDs through thinned skull. Six CSDs induced over 1 h dramatically increased cortical interleukin-1β (IL-1β), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA expression peaking around 1, 2 and 4 h, respectively. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were only modestly elevated. A single CSD also increased IL-1β, CCL2, and TNF-α, and revealed an ultra-early IL-1β response within 10 min. The response was blunted in IL-1 receptor-1 knockout mice, implicating IL-1β as an upstream mediator, and suppressed by dexamethasone, but not ibuprofen. CSD did not alter systemic inflammatory indices. In summary, this is the first report of pro-inflammatory gene expression after non-invasively induced CSDs. Altogether, our data provide novel insights into the role of CSD-induced neuroinflammation in migraine headache pathogenesis and have implications for the inflammatory processes in acute brain injury where numerous CSDs occur for days.
Fluorescence-activated cell sorting to reveal the cell origin of radioligand binding
Authors: Tournier Benjamin B , Tsartsalis Stergios , Ceyzériat Kelly , Medina Zadith , Fraser Ben H , Grégoire Marie-Claude , Kövari Enikö , Millet Philippe
Published: June 2019

Many studies have explored the role of TSPO (18 kDa translocator protein) as a marker of neuroinflammation using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET). In vivo imaging does not allow to determine the cells in which TSPO is altered. We propose a methodology based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting to sort different cell types of radioligand-treated tissues. We compared left/right hippocampus of rats in response to a unilateral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) or saline. We finally applied this methodology in human samples (Alzheimer's disease patients and controls). Our data show that the pattern of TSPO overexpression differs across animal models of acute neuroinflammation. LPS induces a microglial expansion and an increase in microglial TSPO binding. CNTF is associated with an increase in TSPO binding in microglia and astrocytes in association with an increase in the number of microglial binding sites per cell. In humans, we show that the increase in CLINDE binding in Alzheimer's disease concerns microglia and astrocytes in the presence of a microglial expansion. Thus, the cellular basis of TSPO overexpression is condition dependent, and alterations in TSPO binding found in PET/SPECT imaging studies cannot be attributed to particular cell types indiscriminately.
Examining the Effects of Family and Community Violence on African American Adolescents: The Roles of Violence Type and Relationship Proximity to Violence
Authors: Sargent Elizabeth , Zahniser Evan , Gaylord-Harden Noni , Morency Mirinda , Jenkins Esther
Published: June 2019

The current study examined the unique and interactive effects of family and community violence across types of violence (weapon, physical, and death) and relationship proximity (self, family/friend, and strangers) in African American adolescents (mean age = 12.63, SD = 0.99, 54% female). Items from the community violence and family violence measures were categorized into a three-factor model of cross-contextual violence exposure that characterized violence by type and relationship proximity. Results of structural equation modeling showed that the proposed model fit the current data, and all three factors of violence significantly predicted symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Exposure to violence directed at a friend or family member significantly predicted anxiety beyond the other domains. The interaction between being victimized and the victimization of acquaintances or strangers predicted depressive symptoms. Finally, latent profile analysis revealed a two-class model: low-exposure and high-exposure groups, with the high-exposure group reporting more mental health symptoms.
Assessing Physical Activity Behavior of Cancer Survivors by Race and Social Determinants of Health
Authors: Asare Matthew , McIntosh Scott , Culakova Eva , Alio Amina , Umstattd Meyer M. Renee , Kleckner Amber S. , Adunlin Georges , Kleckner Ian R. , Ylitalo Kelly R. , Kamen Charles S.
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Black cancer survivors remain at a higher risk for secondary cancers, cancer recurrence, and comorbid conditions than non-Hispanic White survivors. Physical activity may help improve health outcomes and overall quality of life. We assessed cancer survivors’ physical activity by race/ethnicity and the effect of social determinants of health (SDH) constructs (i.e., economic stability, education, and access to health care) on physical activity.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The outcome variable was physical activity after cancer diagnosis and the predictor variables were SDH and race. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine associations between race and physical activity and the effect of SDH on physical activity.

Results

Among 3,787 cancer survivors, 91.6% self-identified as White and 8.4% as Black. Blacks were more likely than Whites to report low economic stability, low access to health care, and low health literacy (all ps < .01). Blacks were less likely than Whites to engage in physical activity after controlling for demographic and clinical factors (adjusted odds ratio [ORAdj] = 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.56–0.91; p = .01) and after additional adjustment of SDH (ORAdj = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.60–0.99; p = .04).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that though Black cancer survivors are less than White to engage in physical activity, and SDH partially explained the racial difference in physical activity behaviors. These findings highlight the need to address barriers to health-care access, economic stability, and educational attainment.
Learning robust, real-time, reactive robotic grasping
Authors: Morrison Douglas , Corke Peter , Leitner Jürgen
Published: June 2019

We present a novel approach to perform object-independent grasp synthesis from depth images via deep neural networks. Our generative grasping convolutional neural network (GG-CNN) predicts a pixel-wise grasp quality that can be deployed in closed-loop grasping scenarios. GG-CNN overcomes shortcomings in existing techniques, namely discrete sampling of grasp candidates and long computation times. The network is orders of magnitude smaller than other state-of-the-art approaches while achieving better performance, particularly in clutter. We run a suite of real-world tests, during which we achieve an 84% grasp success rate on a set of previously unseen objects with adversarial geometry and 94% on household items. The lightweight nature enables closed-loop control of up to 50 Hz, with which we observed 88% grasp success on a set of household objects that are moved during the grasp attempt. We further propose a method combining our GG-CNN with a multi-view approach, which improves overall grasp success rate in clutter by 10%. Code is provided at https://github.com/dougsm/ggcnn
The terror management effects of a disaster song
Authors: Higgins Laura , MacIntyre Peter D. , Ross Jessica , Sparling Heather
Published: June 2019

Following terror management theory (TMT), we hypothesized that listening to a disaster song could increase cultural worldview defenses in a manner similar to the mortality-stimulating essay typically used in TMT research. Participants were divided into four groups. Two of the groups received death-related themes: one wrote an essay about dying and the other group heard a song about men who died in a shipwreck. The other two groups received pain-related stimuli: one wrote an essay about dental pain and the other heard a song about a migrant worker’s painful separation from family. Dependent variables examined pro-social behavior, ranking one’s country, children, and emotions. Results showed similar effects for the mortality-stimulating essay and the disaster song on two variables: ranking one’s country in the world and the importance of having children. In addition, compared to the pain-of-separation song, the disaster song produced significantly more negative and less positive emotion ratings; the emotion ratings of the essay groups did not differ significantly. Results show that a disaster song can produce effects similar to those that have been observed for a mortality-stimulating essay. Further, the effects of disaster songs may extend to strengthening cultural worldview defenses.
Accepting the ‘D’ word: discrimination in 1960s’ UK academic discourse
Authors: Vaughan Matthew
Published: June 2019

Following the 1958 ‘race riots’ in Notting Hill, the field of ‘race relations’ in the UK changed from an anthropology of ‘coloured quarters’ in dock areas into ‘the sociological study of the migrant’. The author plots, through literature, the changing perception of the nature of race relations and extent of discrimination during the 1960s. The literature at the beginning of the decade was characterised by a questioning of ideas about discrimination, whether it existed at all, and/or focusing on the tolerance (or not) of the public. But following the Smethwick election in 1964 and the influence of Powell, the research and writing on ‘race’ began to shift at the end of the decade so that the concept of discrimination would be defined in social science, with racism becoming its primary focus.
Treatment Outcomes of a Shortened Secure Residential Stay Combined With Multisystemic Therapy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rovers Anne , Blankestein Annemarieke , van der Rijken Rachel , Scholte Ron , Lange Aurelie
Published: June 2019

ThuisBest is a newly developed family focused treatment that combines secure residential youth care with multisystemic therapy (MST), allowing adolescents to return home after secure residential youth care more quickly. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine treatment outcomes for adolescents in ThuisBest ( n = 86, Mage = 15.2 years, 63% boys) and to what degree those treatment outcomes could be predicted by client characteristics. The results showed that externalizing behavior problems and parenting stress had decreased at the end of treatment. After ThuisBest, 83% of the adolescents did not have new police contact, 72% lived at home, and 89% attended school or work. Almost none of the treatment outcomes could be predicted by any of the client characteristics. ThuisBest seems a promising trajectory, as it reduces the length of the stay in secure residential youth care, and may, therefore, be more cost-effective than standard secure residential youth care. However, given the lack of a control-group and follow-up data, findings must be interpreted as preliminary.
Mindfulness and Acceptance–Based Group Therapy: An Uncontrolled Pragmatic Pre–Post Pilot Study in a Heterogeneous Population of Female Prisoners
Authors: Riley Ben J. , Smith David , Baigent Michael F.
Published: June 2019

The rate of females imprisoned worldwide has increased by more than 50% during the last two decades, with recent figures suggesting that, worldwide, the female prison population may still be increasing at a faster rate than males. Despite prevalence rates for psychiatric conditions among female prisoners being significantly higher than males, there is a particular lack of programs specifically designed for women. This preliminary study evaluates the initial effectiveness of a mindfulness and acceptance–based group program in an uncontrolled pragmatic pilot study of a heterogeneous group of incarcerated women with a range of mental health issues. Participants were 59 incarcerated women who engaged in a 10-session group program. Outcome measures comprised the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, and three screening tools derived from the full version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), to measure depression, binge eating (Patient Health Questionnaire–Binge Eating Disorder [PHQ-ED]), and somatoform disorders (PHQ-15). Results of linear mixed modelling showed improvements in mindfulness and acceptance, and reductions in depression, anxiety, and somatoform symptoms. Furthermore, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) was shown to be an acceptable and feasible intervention for female Indigenous Australian prisoners. A mindfulness and acceptance–based group approach appears to be feasible and acceptable in a prison environment for a female prisoners with a range of mental health symptomatology.
Shape optimization of the fillet under a bolt’s head
Authors: Sorrentino Andrea , Castagnetti Davide , Spaggiari Andrea , Dragoni Eugenio
Published: June 2019

The stress concentration in the fillet under a bolt’s head is a critical issue for the fatigue life of this component. Remembering the variable notch radius solution observed in many biological structures to lower stress concentrations due to normal loads, this work proposes, examines and optimizes a double circular arc fillet, not re-entering the head. The work implements an ad hoc shape optimization procedure that combines a genetic algorithm (the particle swarm optimization) and a parametric, axisymmetric finite-element model of the bolt: by focusing on an M12 bolt, the analysis focuses on two issues: first, the optimization of the radius of each arc in the fillet; second, the optimization of the bolt’s head height and head’s diameter in combination with the fillet radiuses. By comparing the proposed solution with the fillet geometries for the bolt’s heads from the literature, it appears a noticeable stress reduction, about 14% lower than the standard circular fillet, combined with an easy manufacturing.
Blood clot formation in reinfusion bag with CATSmart: Two case reports
Authors: Kim Jun Hyun , Bae Ja Young , Lee Sang Il , Heo Min Hee , Kim Kyung Tae , Park Jang Su , Kim Ji Yeon
Published: June 2019

Autologous blood cell salvage reduces the need for postoperative allogeneic blood transfusion and alleviates immunologic reactions, so the technique is commonly used in cardiac surgery. The continuous autotransfusion system is a type of blood cell salvage device. Although the processing program of continuous autotransfusion system includes filtering of several materials from suctioned blood, such as clots, leukocytes, cytokines, and complement, we identified some unexpected blood clots in the reinfusion bag. Pathologic examination revealed that the clots were composed of fibrin, red blood cell aggregates, and histiocytes. We report two cases of these abnormal findings during the use of CATSmart in cardiac surgery.
Cytokine adsorption is a promising tool in the therapy of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Frimmel Silvius , Hinz Michael , Schipper Jan , Bogdanow Simon , Mitzner Steffen , Koball Sebastian
Published: June 2019

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a life-threatening clinical syndrome caused by severe hypercytokinemia brought on by a highly stimulated but ineffective immune response. Animal studies and case series have demonstrated that a reduction in blood cytokine levels achieved with an extracorporeal adsorption cartridge that contains blood-compatible porous polymer beads (CytoSorb®) can effectively attenuate the inflammatory response during sepsis and possibly improve outcomes. We report a case series of two patients in which three episodes of severe hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis triggered by infections with herpesviridae were treated successfully with cytokine adsorption. A marked decrease in interleukin-6 plasma levels and a stable or decreasing need of vasopressor therapy were the most significant results of this treatment. Importantly, treatment was safe and well-tolerated, without any adverse events.
Assessing the Role of Governance in West African Fiscal Performance
Authors: Fagbemi Fisayo
Published: June 2019

The article analyzes the short-run and long-run dynamic relationship between the quality of institutions and fiscal performance in 12 West African countries over the period of 1984 to 2016 using Pooled Mean Group and Mean Group estimator. The results show that, in the long run as well as in the short run, improved governance appears to lead to decreasing deficits. In comparison with other measures, in the long run, democratic accountability dimension seems to have the most significant effect on West African fiscal performance. However, the empirical evidence further reveals that, in the short run, the institutional dimensions are found to be insignificant in explaining West African fiscal performance. Hence, given that increased public debt could harm the quality of sustainable fiscal measures, the study suggests that creating incentives for the building of sound institutions and securing enabling governance would enhance fiscal prudence and sustainability in West Africa.

JEL Classifications: G, H
Toward a Hermeneutic Model of Cultural Globalization: Four Lessons from Translation Studies
Authors: Jijon Isabel
Published: June 2019

Many scholars study the global diffusion of culture, looking at how institutions spread culture around the world or at how intermediaries (or “cultural brokers”) adapt foreign culture in the local context. This research can tell us much about brokers’ “cultural-matching” or “congruence-building” strategies. To date, however, few scholars have examined brokers’ interpretive work. In this article, the author argues that globalization research needs to pay more attention to interpretation. Building on translation studies, the author shows that brokers’ work is shaped by (1) how they imagine their dual roles, (2) how they imagine different parts of the world, (3) how they interpret a text’s intertextuality, and (4) how their audience imagines the foreign Other. In this way, the author lays the groundwork for a hermeneutic model of cultural globalization.
Overflowing Channels: How Democracy Didn’t Work as Planned (and Perhaps a Good Thing It Didn’t)
Authors: Markoff John
Published: June 2019

When eighteenth-century revolutionary elites set about designing new political orders, they drew on commonplace theoretical understandings of “democracy” as highly undesirable. They therefore designed government institutions in which popular participation was to be extremely limited. The new political constructions, in both France and the United States, never worked as planned. The mobilizations of the revolutionary era did not vanish as the constitutional designers hoped. More profoundly, challenging social movements were unintentionally woven into the fabric of modern democracy due to the confluence of three processes: The legitimacy claims of democratic powerholders also legitimate protest; the institutional architecture of modern democracy, especially the allocation of office through elections, provides structural support for social movements as well; and the practices of democracy recurrently trigger politically powerful emotions that energize protest. Understanding democracy therefore demands a theory of the interplay of social movements and governing institutions from the foundational moment.
Cabdrivers and Their Fares: Temporal Structures of a Linking Ecology
Authors: Serafin Marcin
Published: June 2019

The author argues that behind the apparent randomness of interactions between cabdrivers and their fares in Warsaw is a temporal structure. To capture this temporal structure, the author introduces the notion of a linking ecology. He argues that the Warsaw taxi market is a linking ecology, which is structured by religious time, state time, and family time. The author then focuses on waiting time, arguing that it too structures the interactions between cabdrivers and their fares. The author makes a processual argument that waiting time has been restructured by the postsocialist transformation, but only because this transformation has been continually encoded through the defensive and adaptive strategies of cabdrivers responding to the repetitive and unique events located across the social space. The author concludes with the claim that linking ecologies are a recurring structure of the social process and that they form the backbone of globalization, financialization, and mediatization.
Efficacy assessment of co-treated alpha-ketoglutarate and N-acetyl cysteine against the subchronic toxicity of cyanide in rats
Authors: Satpute RM , Bhutia YD , Lomash V , Bhattacharya R
Published: June 2019

Cyanide is an important industrial pollutant, major occupational hazard, and a potential chemical warfare agent. Its intentional or accidental exposure to humans is a big clinical problem because of its rapid mode of action. Certain plant origin foods also contain substantial amount of cyanide and cause chronic toxicity. This study explores the protective efficacy of co-treatment of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) and an antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against toxicity of subchronically exposed cyanide in rats. We explore the effect of AKG + NAC co-treatment on oxidative stress, inflammation, and histological changes induced due to long-term sublethal cyanide exposure. Cyanide induces oxidative stress by inhibiting metalloenzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) causing increase in lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH). It also increases the activity of cyclo-oxygenase enzymes causing oxidative stress-mediated inflammation in the brain. Cyanide exposure also causes degenerative changes in the brain as shown in histology. It also causes pathology in liver and kidney. AKG is known to form cyanohydrins with cyanide reducing the free cyanide levels, and its combination with NAC showed overall improvement in by reducing the oxidative stress and subsequent neuroinflammation. Their combination was also found to improve the histological outcome of vital tissues. AKG, an over-the-counter sport medicine, and the antioxidant NAC per se did not show any detrimental effects in any tested parameter. Hence, oral treatment with AKG and NAC can be beneficial for the treatment of chronic cyanide poisoning.
Creating a Just Culture: The Ottawa Hospital’s experience
Authors: Forster Alan J. , Hamilton Samantha , Hayes Thomas , Légaré Renée
Published: June 2019

We describe The Ottawa Hospital’s (TOH) journey to create a Just Culture. We will describe the concept of a Just Culture, why TOH initiated this transformation, how TOH went about creating the Just Culture, and some of its early impacts. Following two events that called into question our hospital's safety culture, the hospital leadership adopted a deliberate and methodical organization-wide approach to change. These efforts included generating leadership commitment, incorporating the efforts within its corporate strategy, obtaining stakeholder engagement, developing and delivering an education program, and last but not least, efforts to improve safety systems. TOH has attempted to develop an increased focus on safety—for staff, visitors, and patients. The Ottawa Hospital has had demonstrable success throughout this journey as a result of a disciplined effort to create a Just Culture. This work will require ongoing efforts to ensure the culture shift is sustained.
Is TANF Truly Accessible and Helpful? Victims’ Experiences With Domestic Violence Screening Under the Family Violence Option
Authors: An Soonok , Choi Ga-Young
Published: June 2019

This study explores the experiences of domestic violence victims with their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applications and the subsequent assessment processes in the state of Georgia, focusing on the conditions related to their disclosure of abuse and their postdisclosure experiences. This study interviewed five victims of domestic violence, four local victim advocates, and three nationally recognized experts regarding domestic violence screening in TANF programs using semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using grounded theory techniques. The findings showed that the participants perceived TANF application and assessment processes as (i) inaccessible and (ii) unhelpful, lacking special considerations for domestic violence victims. Conditions related to victims’ disclosure of abuse included (i) safety concerns, (ii) working relationships between local victim support agencies and TANF offices, (iii) a safe environment to disclose abuse, and (iv) advocacy. After disclosing their domestic violence history to their TANF caseworkers, the victims reported experiencing (i) a lack of continued assessment and support related to domestic violence and (ii) a compulsion to make final decisions regarding continuing or discontinuing their TANF applications. The current study contributes to the field of social work by providing a better understanding of how and to what extent victims of domestic violence are actually supported within the TANF system and by yielding practice and policy implications for effectively assisting the victims of domestic violence within the TANF system.
Psychological Effects of Abuse, Partner Pressure, and Alcohol: The Roles of in-the-Moment Condom Negotiation Efficacy and Condom-Decision Abdication on Women’s Intentions to Engage in Condomless Sex
Authors: Neilson Elizabeth C. , Gilmore Amanda K. , Stappenbeck Cynthia A. , Gulati Natasha K. , Neilon Erin , George William H. , Davis Kelly C.
Published: June 2019

Women’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) from their male partners can include psychological, physical, and sexual control and abuse. The psychological effects of abuse (PEA) include terror, shame, and loss of power and control in relationships. While women’s experiences of IPV are associated with decreased condom use, limited research has examined the impact of PEA on women’s condom use. Intoxicated (breath alcohol content [BrAC] = .10%) versus sober women were evaluated to test the hypothesis that PEA would interact with intoxication and scenario-context partner pressure to forgo condom use and be associated with intentions to engage in condomless sex. After beverage administration, community women ( N = 405) projected themselves into a computerized scenario depicting a male partner exerting high or low pressure for condomless sex. In-the-moment condom negotiation self-efficacy and condom-decision abdication—letting the man decide on condom use—were assessed. Path analysis examined the direct and indirect effects of PEA, alcohol, and partner pressure conditions on condomless sex intentions. PEA increased condomless sex intentions indirectly through decreased condom negotiation self-efficacy. Intoxication increased condomless sex intentions indirectly through decreased condom negotiation self-efficacy and increased condom-decision abdication. Intoxicated women in the low pressure condition were more likely to abdicate the condom decision than women in the high pressure condition. Women who have experienced greater PEA may benefit from interventions focusing on how condom negotiation self-efficacy, condom-decision abdication, and intoxication influence sexual decision-making.
Investigation of Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants and the Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Weighing ≥120 kg Compared to Patients Weighing <120 kg
Authors: Aloi Kristin G. , Fierro Joseph J. , Stein Bradley J. , Lynch Sullivan M. , Shapiro Robert J.
Published: June 2019

Background:

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) present a favorable alternative to warfarin based on the decreased burden of monitoring and fewer drug and food interactions. Although studied in the general population, limited clinical data justifying efficacy in patients weighing ≥120 kg present concern for using DOACs in this specific population.

Objective:

The purpose was to identify if a difference exists in incidence of recurrent thromboembolic events in patients receiving a DOAC for the indication of venous thromboembolism (VTE) weighing ≥120 kg compared to patients weighing <120 kg.

Methods:

A retrospective database analysis was conducted with patients on apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban for treatment of VTE from the Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 between January 2012 and June 2017. The primary outcome was incidence of recurrent VTEs while on anticoagulation. Fisher’s exact tests were used to evaluate difference in VTEs between the groups.

Results:

There were 133 patients weighing ≥120 kg and 1063 patients weighing <120 kg identified within the 5-year time frame that met inclusion criteria. Although no statistically significant difference was found in incidence of recurrent VTEs between study groups (0.8% vs 1.1%; odds ratio: 0.66; 95% confidence interval: 0.09-5.14; P = .69) few events occurred limiting the power to be able to detect a difference.

Conclusion:

This study found no difference in VTE recurrence in patients weighing ≥120 kg compared to patients <120 kg with few events in either group. Although promising, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The future state of patient engagement? Personal health information use, attitudes towards health, and health behavior
Authors: Hearld Kristine R , Hearld Larry R , Budhwani Henna , McCaughey Deirdre , Celaya Leandra Y , Hall Allyson G
Published: June 2019

The past decade has given rise to interest in the effects of health care information on personal well-being. However, investigations to-date typically centered on mass communication programs in health rather than on individuals’ psychosocial characteristics, agency, and behaviors associated with their engagement with this information. Considering this gap, we examined whether the availability of personal health information is associated with health prevention behaviors in the United States. Using multivariable path analysis and data from the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey, we investigate whether the use of personal health information is associated with positive, preventative health behaviors (healthy eating, tobacco smoking, and exercise), and if this relationship is mediated by patient confidence in their ability to care for themselves and by their self-perceived health status. Findings indicate that the use of health information, at low levels, is important for improving patient attitudes regarding their health status and confidence in caring for themselves. Perceived health-status and patient confidence, in turn, are associated with preventative health behaviors. Notably, too much information does not necessarily result in positive health behaviors among patients. Organizations may wish to critically assess how much information they make readily available to the populations they serve.
Encountering Finitude, Confronting Infinitude: Leo Tolstoy, Emmanuel Levinas, and the Ethics of Non-Resistance
Authors: Fishley Daniel
Published: June 2019

This article follows a strand of ethical thought that weaves itself throughout Leo Tolstoy’s religious writings: the injunction of non-resistance. This ethical position has been described by some critics as a form of religious idolatry in Tolstoy’s work. I challenge that claim in this article by deploying the work of Emmanuel Levinas to provide much needed nuance to Tolstoy’s call for non-resistance. Via the ethical framework provided by Levinas, I contend that Tolstoy’s positions are built upon a conception of the finite world that sees a proper comportment to finitude as the mode by which one engages the infinite. This ethical call is one that escapes satiation by demanding a ceaseless act of non-resistance—which is, for him, the essential kernel of the Christian message. Tolstoy’s God, I argue, is this infinite demand; something akin to an ethical claim that marks the subject—a mandate that is met when one enacts the ethical obligation of non-resistance.
Study on the visual tracking control technology of six-crawler machine
Authors: Wang Shuai , Ge Haoran , Ma Ruoding , Cui Da , Liu Xinhui , Zhang Shubing
Published: June 2019

In this paper, the autonomous navigation of six-crawler machine is studied, and a visual tracking control method based on machine vision for fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative control of six-crawler machine is proposed. The steering principle of the six-crawler machine and the matching relationship between the steering angle and the speed of each crawler are introduced, and the control system is described in detail. Besides, the mathematical model for the unsteady steering is introduced to analyze the influence of deflection angle on the steering trajectory of the six-crawler machine. The image processing algorithm is programmed by LabVIEW software. After the image is fitted by graying, binary, filtering, edge detection, and least square method, the navigation line-fitting curve is obtained. The fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative control algorithm is programmed in the control system to control the six-crawler machine to drive along the navigation line. In order to obtain reasonable control parameters, a virtual prototype model of a six-crawler machine is established. In the CoLink module, the control algorithm of a six-crawler machine is established, and the co-simulation is carried out. By analyzing the simulation results, the control parameters of the fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative controller of the six-crawler machine are established. In order to verify the control effect of the visual tracking control system of the six-crawler machine, a physical prototype of the six-crawler machine is constructed and tested. The results show that the visual tracking control system of the six-crawler machine can complete the preset functions.
Investigation of curved and scarf lap joints subjected to tensile loads using the cohesive zone model
Authors: Çitil Şerif
Published: June 2019

In this study, curved lap joints were designed, particularly for the cases in which configuration or aerodynamic design was essential. Furthermore, the effect of the surface area on their strength was investigated. Hence, curved joint types were prepared on aluminum plates (A2024-T3) that are commonly used for aviation, and an angled joint type was created by increasing the radius of curvature. The created joint types were then joined by a two-component acrylic structural adhesive (DP410). The joint models were designed in three dimensions, and a finite element analysis was performed. Cohesive zone models (bilinear, exponential, and separation-distance) based on energy principles were used in the finite element analysis to estimate the strength of the adhesively bonded joint. The mechanical properties of the materials used in the joint models were experimentally determined to obtain the numerical solutions, which were validated by further experiments. The obtained results demonstrated that there was an increase in the surface area on which the adhesive was applied as the radius of curvature of the scarf lap joints decreased; however, this had an adverse effect on the failure load that was carried.
Neurasthenia, psy sciences and the ‘great leap forward’ in Maoist China
Authors: Wang Wen-Ji
Published: June 2019

The present study looks into the much-neglected history of neurasthenia in Maoist China in relation to the development of psy sciences. It begins with an examination of the various factors that transformed neurasthenia into a major health issue from the late 1950s to mid-1960s. It then investigates a distinctive culture of therapeutic experiment of neurasthenia during this period, with emphasis on the ways in which psy scientists and medical practitioners manoeuvred in a highly politicized environment. The study concludes with a discussion of the legacy of these neurasthenia studies – in particular, the experiment with the famous ‘speedy and synthetic therapy’ – and of the implications the present study may have for future historical study of psychiatry and science.