bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
South Africa-BRIC-SADC Trade Alliances and the South African Economy
Authors: Mazenda Adrino , Masiya Tyanai , Nhede Norman
Published: August 2018

The article discusses the implications of South Africa-Brazil Russia India China-Southern African Development Community (BRIC-SADC) trade alliances on South Africa’s economic growth. The analysis follows the periods in which South Africa is mired by fluctuating exchange rate and rising cost of living, as denoted by the rising consumer price index (CPI). In order to understand the implications, an autoregressive redistributive modelling (ARDL) was utilized on quarterly data from 2005 quarter 1 to 2017 quarter 3, regressing South Africa’s growth against South Africa-BRIC and South Africa-SADC trade balances, the main variables of interest. The empirical results identify a significant long-run relationship of the selected variables. However, the results review a negative contribution of South Africa-BRIC trade on South Africa’s economy, while the South Africa-SADC trade produced positive results. Trade composition remains a major challenge for South Africa-BRIC trade. Continued innovation and research and development will shift reliance on primary commodities for exports to mechanized products, hence increasing gains from the lucrative BRICS trade and the non-utilized SADC trade.
India’s Policy towards Iran
Authors: Baidya Sima
Published: August 2018

The article examines the ambiguities and complexities in India’s Iran policy. This is an attempt to understand India’s relations with West Asia through the prism of India’s Iran policy. This article hypothesizes that India’s Iran policy is the prisoner of India’s ambitions and its relations with major powers vis-à-vis other West Asian actors. In a multi-layered approach, the article captures tensions between policy and politics. Prior to the signing of Iranian Nuclear Deal, Iran–India relations suffered due to US pressure and India could not forge independent policy towards Iran. At this point of time, situation is not much different. The article is an attempt to understand why India has failed to maintain the fine balance between different actors in West Asia’s political scape.
Promotion of Vietnam–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Authors: Binh Ngo Xuan , Anh Nguyen Tuan
Published: August 2018

The long-standing traditional friendship between Vietnam and India was founded in the early decades of the twentieth century by Ho Chi Minh and Jawaharlal Nehru. Although diplomatic relations were established in 1972, the relationship has been termed now as ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’. For India, Vietnam is an important pillar of its Look East Policy and Vietnam considers India a strategic partner in its foreign policy with big powers. The article outlines some of recommendations which can promote this partnership.
India and the Global Order
Authors: Bava Ummu Salma
Published: August 2018

The international regimes which create a global order regulate a multitude of actions and relations between states with respect to global public goods. In this context, the rise of the emerging powers like India draws attention to how such countries will navigate the global order in the coming years. Will emerging powers support a liberal order or seek to reinvent the order as they become economically and politically more powerful? This article seeks to examine such issues by looking at the regimes and global order from the prism of a rising India. A robust growing economy has added to India’s economic and political power as it seeks to expand its role within the global order. Socialization and a buy into the current liberal order imply that India will strive to sustain the existing global order since it has benefited from it. Simultaneously, India challenges the rules of the global order by seeking change to the existing status quo in various institutions such as the nuclear non-proliferation regime, which has been examined more specifically in this article. As globalization and interdependence reshape alignments, India’s role and position reflect how it negotiates global regimes and the global order.
Using System of Least Prompts to Teach Play to Young Children With Disabilities
Authors: Qiu Jia , Barton Erin E. , Choi Gounah
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the system of least prompts (SLP) for increasing the levels of play behaviors in four young children with disabilities. A multiple probe across participants’ single case research design was used to examine the relation between SLP and child-targeted behaviors. The results demonstrated that the instructional package was functionally related to increased levels of independent play and diversity of targeted play actions. Furthermore, play levels were maintained when intervention was withdrawn.
Eye-Tracking Analysis of Attention to an Electronic Storybook for Minimally Verbal Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Thompson Julie L. , Plavnick Joshua B. , Skibbe Lori E.
Published: August 2018

E-books may be particularly useful for differentiating instruction across a wide range of learners including those with autism spectrum disorder who are minimally verbal (MV-ASD). But the extent to which children with MV-ASD benefit from e-book instruction is unknown. Using eye-tracking equipment and software, we measured the duration of attention to print and pictures when presented with an e-book of 10 elementary-aged prereading children with MV-ASD and five prereading children with typical development. Furthermore, we analyzed eye-gaze duration, left-to-right gaze, and point-to-point correspondence from word to picture across different e-book stimuli (e.g., highlighting text, read-aloud). Results indicated different duration of attending to pictures and print between typically developing children and children with ASD. Although there were some indications that differing stimuli may influence attention to salient e-book components, most notable was that children with MV-ASD attended very little to literacy concepts within the e-book.
Religious and Role Contributions to the Marital Satisfaction of Evangelical Women
Authors: Davis Jaclyn M. , Horrell Kerry E. , Anderson Tamara L. , Lewis Hall M. Elizabeth
Published: August 2018

The present study examined how Evangelical Christian women’s marital satisfaction is related to religiosity (i.e., religious commitment and sanctification of marriage), role ideology, and role congruence. Societal messages surrounding roles in marriage tend to conflict with conservative Christian messages, and therefore Evangelical women likely experience unique tension while attempting to negotiate roles in their marriages. Two-hundred forty-nine Evangelical Christian women from across the United States were administered a survey containing a measure of religious commitment, two sanctification of marriage scales, a role ideology attitudinal scale, and a role congruence scale. The results indicated that greater levels of religious commitment and sanctification predicted marital satisfaction. Furthermore, sanctification predicted satisfaction above and beyond religious commitment. Women who demonstrated role congruence were found to be more satisfied with their marriages. More egalitarian women were found to experience greater role congruence, though role ideology was not significantly related to marital satisfaction. The Manifestation of God facet of sanctification moderated the relationships between both role ideology and religious commitment, and marital satisfaction. The findings from this study suggest that religion has important implications for the marital satisfaction of Evangelical women, both in itself and through its interaction with role-related variables.
Accounting Policy Choice During the Financial Crisis: Evidence From Adoption of the Fair Value Option
Authors: Chang Yao-Lin , Liu Chi-Chun , Ryan Stephen G.
Published: August 2018

We examine banks’ accounting policy choices during the financial crisis where they are strongly motivated to manage earnings or regulatory capital. We address the issue via the initial elections of the fair value option (FVO) under SFAS No. 159, which provides considerable latitude and in particular its transition guidance is amenable to exploitation. We investigate banks’ reasons to elect the FVO and provide evidence regarding whether and how these reasons differed for banks adopting the standard in the first quarter of 2007 (early adopters) versus first quarter of 2008 (regular adopters). We predict and find that early adopters with histories of managing accounting numbers were more likely to make opportunistic FVO elections, and we show that early adopters with low capital tended to exploit the FVO in the opposite direction as those with high capital. With intense regulatory scrutiny since April 2007, we predict and find that regular adopters’ FVO elections complied with SFAS No. 159’s intent. We further analyze the particular reasons why early and regular adopters most commonly elected the FVO for specific types of financial instruments. We find that early adopters’ elections for available-for-sale (AFS) securities and debt reflected opportunism, and regular adopters’ elections for loans held for sale reflected compliance with the standard’s intent to remedy accounting mismatches for economic hedges.
When the “Best Available Evidence” Doesn’t Win: How Doubts About Science and Scientists Threaten the Future of Evidence-Based Management
Authors: Rynes Sara L. , Colbert Amy E. , O’Boyle Ernest H.
Published: August 2018

The well documented academic-practice gap has frequently been viewed as a problem to be solved via evidence-based management. Evidence-based management focuses heavily on aggregating and evaluating research evidence to address practical questions via meta-analysis and other forms of systematic review, as well as educating managers and management students on how to differentiate strong from weak research methods. The assumption has been that if researchers produce stronger research findings and disseminate them in manager- and student-accessible venues, the results will be believed and implemented if appropriate to the context. However, these strategies alone are woefully insufficient, as a growing body of evidence suggests that even when individuals are aware of research findings supported by a vast majority of studies, they often choose not to believe them. Sources of this disbelief include growing public distrust of academics, scientific research, and professional expertise in general, as well as negative emotional reactions to specific research findings that threaten people’s cherished beliefs, self-image, self-interest, or social identity. This editorial takes an interdisciplinary approach to explain why people might not believe management research findings and offers strategies for increasing public trust of academics and reducing resistance to self-threatening research findings.
Limits of fiscal federalism: How narratives of local government inefficiency facilitate scalar dumping in New York State
Authors: Kim Yunji
Published: August 2018

US local governments are responsible for a variety of services, based on the assumptions of fiscal federalism that local governments can deliver residents the services they want at the lowest cost. However, an austerity narrative that calls for shrinking public budgets emerged after the 2008 global financial crisis and higher levels of government are dumping fiscal stress down to the local level in a process of “scalar dumping.” How do local governments respond to these austerity pressures and why do we see weak pushback from local governments? Focus groups with local government officials across New York State show local responses are constrained by the combination of a state-level limit on local property taxes and a narrative of local government inefficiency. Although local governments have the legal authority to raise revenues, they are reluctant to use this authority due to political pressure from the state and voters. These pressures encourage local governments to maintain services without adequate revenues. Pushback is weak as local governments lack institutional power in a state-based federal system and the heterogeneity among local governments makes collective action difficult. Fiscal federalism promises efficiency and effectiveness in a decentralized governance system, but has limited ability to counter “scalar dumping” that erodes fiscal sustainability. More balance of power in state–local relationships and a narrative that better connects local taxes and services are necessary.
Global environmental change I: Climate resilient peace?
Authors: Barnett Jon
Published: August 2018

This report uses a critique of the ontology of research on climate change and armed conflict to advance a positive and performative account of the ways in which peace could be sustained and expanded through a changing climate. Focussing on research into the relationships between climate change and armed conflict and peace, it argues that recent debates about the effect of climate change on conflagrations stem from deeper assumptions about the way the world is and can be known. The report then builds an alternative framing of peace as a phenomenon that is resilient to climate change by layering knowledge about the conditions under which peace prevails through environmental change with that on environmental peace-building and on the intersections between resilience and security.
Shared Equity Homeownership in the United States: A Literature Review
Authors: Ehlenz Meagan M. , Taylor Constance
Published: August 2018

This article reviews the concept of shared equity homeownership (SEH) in the United States. The review examines the origins of the SEH model and its historic precedents. It considers the impetus for SEH, setting the discourse within the context of US housing policy and, specifically, low-income homeownership research. Subsequently, the review assesses the current state of SEH research, including the evidence associated with SEH as an affordable housing strategy, its application and challenges in the field, and gaps in the scholarly discourse.
Coercive Control Between Intimate Partners: An Application to Nonfatal Strangulation
Authors: Stansfield Richard , Williams Kirk R.
Published: August 2018

Nonfatal strangulation between intimate partners represents an extreme controlling form of violent behavior, increasing the risk that intimate partner violence (IPV) becomes lethal. Guided by Dutton and Goodman’s conceptualization of coercive control, the present research explored the relation between death threats and subsequent nonfatal strangulation to amplify the credibility of those threats, using a large sample of IPV perpetrators ( n = 6,488). Logistic regression analyses determined the relation between overt threats to a partner’s life during an initial incident arrest and subsequent nonfatal strangulation postincident arrest, accounting for perpetrator characteristics and assessed risk. Results showed the highly gendered nature of this violent behavior, noting that men were significantly more likely than women to persist in nonfatal strangulation. Given the potential lethality of this violent behavior, the analysis also explored whether treatment service recommendations (family violence education, counseling, and mental health evaluation) mitigate these patterns. These preliminary findings support the further exploration of treatment and intervention efforts for reducing nonfatal strangulation.
Potential of integrating power generation with solar thermal cooling to improve the energy efficiency in a university campus in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bayoumi Mohannad
Published: August 2018

Along with the rapid ongoing developments and expansions of the King Abdulaziz University campus, it is sensible to rethink the way electrical and cooling energy is generated and to explore methods to increase energy efficiency in the academic facilities. A conceptual energy master plan for the entire campus has been developed to achieve feasible results which require a substantial reduction in energy demand in the first place. It combines strategies at the master plan level and the micro level (case study: a single building). Establishing a correlating link between the macro and the micro level is imperative to improve the efficiency of the total system. Therefore, possibilities for centralized and decentralized (building related) energy generation have also been investigated to improve the efficiency of the total system. After outlining the general strategies for renewable energy generation on the master plan level in the university campus of King Abdulaziz University, this study explores the potential of increasing the energy efficiency of an individual building. Key energy saving actions have been simulated using IDA-ICE to assess the possibility to release the load on the shared existing and future energy infrastructure. Besides roof-integrated solar panels, the capacity of carport incorporated energy generation has also been analyzed. The results of the study indicate possible substantial savings on the current consumption of non-renewable energy resources and a combined generation of electrical energy and solar thermal cooling can lead to high coverage fraction.
Relationship between serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and endothelin-1 levels with organ involvement and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Hajialilo M , Tayari P , Ghorbanihaghjo A , Khabbazi A , Malek Mahdavi A , Rashtchizadeh N
Published: August 2018

Background

Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Considering the importance of serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 as the most abundant of the circulating adhesion molecules increased as a result of endothelial dysfunction and the role of endothelin-1 in pathophysiology of SLE, this study aimed to evaluate serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and endothelin-1 levels in SLE patients compared to healthy subjects.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 60 SLE patients according to the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classification criteria for SLE and 40 age and sex-matched healthy controls were included. In patients, clinical examination was performed and SLE disease activity index was assessed. Serum endothelin-1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels were measured using ELISA kits.

Results

The mean ± standard deviation age of patients and controls was 31.91 ± 7.66 and 33.20 ± 10.08 years, respectively. Compared to healthy controls, serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (1023.8 ± 352.96 vs. 866.06 ± 109.91) and endothelin-1 (77.83 ± 16.27 vs. 54.45 ± 12.01) was significantly higher in SLE patients ( P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). The most common organs involved in patients were skin, joint and kidney. There were no significant differences in serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and endothelin-1 levels according to organ involvement, activity of disease and the conventional serum markers of disease activity ( P > 0.05). There was no significant correlation between disease activity, organ involvement and negative or positivity of autoantibodies as well as serum complement with endothelin-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels ( P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Although our study revealed higher serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and endothelin-1 levels in SLE patients compared to healthy controls, there were no significant correlations between their serum levels with organ involvement and disease activity.
Impact of Subliminal Advertising on Consumer Buying Behaviour: An Empirical Study on Young Indian Consumers
Authors: Sofi Shakeel Ahmad , Nika Fayaz Ahmad , Shah Mohd Shoib , Zarger Ather Sidiq
Published: August 2018

The main aim of this study is to examine the impact of subliminal messages in TV advertisements on consumer behaviour. Though there are number of ways through which impact of subliminal advertisements can be unearthed, in the current study, behavioural approach was adopted, which included discussion on case study (group discussion on subliminal ads) followed by response on a questionnaire. A sample of 390 respondents was chosen from Kashmir division through multi-stage random sampling framework, which, by and large, consisted of young students being a part of higher education in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Data was collected through structured questionnaire which was reliability tested and validated as well. Apart from exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor, discriminant analysis was also utilized for reliability, validity and data analysis, respectively. On the whole, the observations have been found considerable and it has been observed that mostly subliminal exposure inveigles young consumers and seduces them into illicit relationships through the subconscious mechanism. Besides it, subliminal advertising has paramount significance in determining purchase intentions and compulsive buying tendencies of a young consumer. Consumers under study have shown significant differences in their compulsive buying propensity after having being exposed to subliminal advertising. The present study has greater importance for welfare advocates who can utilize present work and suggestions, in particular, to safeguard youth from the tactics of subliminal exposure.
The ‘Remarkable Tasmanian Devil’: The aesthetics of persecution and protection
Authors: Richardson Benjamin J , Hogan Jan
Published: August 2018

This article evaluates the role of aesthetic values in environmental governance. It uses the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery's recent current exhibition of the ‘Remarkable Tasmanian Devil’ to explore the positive and negative implications of aesthetic values in the cultural and legal status of wildlife and other natural phenomena. The article has wider implications for the role of aesthetics in shaping public values and promoting law reform.
Peyakohewamak—Needs of Involved Nehiyaw (Cree) Fathers Supporting Their Partners During Pregnancy: Findings From the ENRICH Study
Authors: Oster Richard T. , Bruno Grant , Mayan Maria J. , Toth Ellen L. , Bell Rhonda C. ,   and the ENRICH First Nations Community Advisory Committee
Published: August 2018

We sought to understand the needs of involved Nehiyaw (Cree) fathers who supported their partners during pregnancy. We used qualitative description and a community-based participatory research approach. We carried out in-depth semi-structured interviews with six Nehiyaw fathers. Four also participated in photovoice and follow-up interviews. All data were content analyzed qualitatively. Fathers felt they had to support their partners and overcome challenges resulting from intergenerational colonial impacts (residential schools particularly) by reclaiming their roles and acknowledging the pregnancy as a positive change. Providing support was possible through their own strong support system stemming from family, faith, culture, and a stable upbringing with positive male role models and intact Nehiyaw kinships. Perinatal programming did little to include fathers. Attempts to improve perinatal care and outcomes should allow more inclusion of and support for Indigenous fathers through genuinely incorporating into care traditional culture and Elders, families, flexibility, cultural understanding, and reconciliation.
“You Only Teach PE and It Doesn’t Really Matter”: Middle School PE Teachers’ Perspectives on Intervention Efforts to Increase Physical Activity
Authors: Gill Monique , Roth Sarah E. , Rice Lindsay N. , Prelip Michael L. , Koniak-Griffin Deborah
Published: August 2018

Physical education (PE) is a frequent site of public health intervention to promote physical activity (PA); however, intervention research frequently overlooks the perspective of PE teachers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore teachers’ experiences with and perceptions of a PA curriculum intervention. Six findings within three categories were identified and described in detail. In-depth one-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with nine PE teachers from eight middle schools in Los Angeles. Feeling underappreciated and having a “muddled mission” within PE were driving factors in teacher morale and practice. Teachers had positive experiences with the curriculum, but significant barriers remained and limited the potential for PA during PE classes. PE teachers are pulled in multiple directions and perceive a lack of necessary support systems to achieve student health goals. Interventions aimed at leveraging PE as a site of PA promotion must incorporate the perspectives of PE teachers.
Families With Children Diagnosed With Autism
Authors: Kurz Isanely Guerrero
Published: August 2018

This article explores struggles faced by parents with children diagnosed with autism (ASD). Experiences of parents are examined through identification of stressors, maladaptive coping, and negative emotions. Current counselor education research is presented on how counselors may work to help this population, including topics in supervision, multicultural and ethical competency, and need for integrative health care. Behavioral and supportive interventions used in working with children with ASD and their families are discussed.
Operative Treatment of the Malunited Fibula Fracture
Authors: Egger Anthony C. , Berkowitz Mark J.
Published: August 2018

Failure to anatomically reduce and stabilize the fractured distal fibula can result in malunion of the fibula and malreduction of the ankle mortise. Fibular malunion results in altered ankle joint biomechanics which often leads to the development of pain, stiffness, and premature joint degeneration. Fortunately, many fibular malunions can be successfully salvaged using osteotomy techniques to restore anatomic fibular length and rotation. Different osteotomy techniques are indicated depending on the location and characteristics of the malunion. In this review, the oblique fibular osteotomy is described for the reconstruction of SER-type fibular fractures. For more proximal fibular malunion, the transverse osteotomy technique with lengthening and structural bone graft is reviewed.

Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.
On the vibration analysis of power lines with moving dampers
Authors: Bukhari MA , Barry O , Tanbour E
Published: August 2018

This work investigates the performance of a moving damper for overhead transmission lines. The damper or absorber consists of mass-spring-damper-mass system. The absorber is connected to a single conductor subjected to pretension and wind force. The governing equations of motion are obtained using Hamilton’s principle, and numerical analysis is carried out using MATLAB®. The model is validated by comparing the present results to those in the literature. Parametric studies are conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed absorber. The results indicate that a moving absorber can be more effective than a fixed absorber. It is also demonstrated that the vibration displacement decreases with increasing forcing frequency and decreasing absorber speed.
Forms of Youth Political Participation and Educational System: The Role of the School for 8th Grade Students in Chile
Authors: Treviño Ernesto , Villalobos Cristóbal , Béjares Consuelo , Naranjo Eloísa
Published: August 2018

This article analyses the role of school in different forms of expected political participation of 8th grade students in Chile. The massive students’ public demonstrations in Chile in the last ten years and the low rate of young voters’ turnout in elections have raised the question about young people’s preparation to participate as citizens in society. The results show that students’ civic and political background has the greatest influence in political participation, while the influence of school is mainly related to school governance and teacher practices. This discussion focused on the challenges that these results could mean for schools in Chile.
Valuing Urban Heritage Through Participatory Heritage Websites: Citizen Perceptions of Historic Urban Landscapes
Authors: van der Hoeven Arno
Published: August 2018

This study examines how people value their historic urban landscapes through participatory heritage websites. These websites are online places where citizens actively contribute to the conservation of urban heritage. Taking UNESCO’s 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape as its theoretical starting point, this study understands urban landscapes as (1) dynamic, because they change over time; (2) multilayered, as different generations and communities contribute in diverse ways to the development of urban landscapes; and (3) mediated through digital technologies such as participatory heritage websites. Furthermore, this UNESCO recommendation is used to make a distinction between the kinds of heritage discussed on the websites (attributes) and the significance attached to it (values). Through a qualitative content analysis of 20 participatory heritage websites from various Dutch and English cities, the study examines what is valued by those who contribute in their urban environments. In so doing, the study demonstrates how online media can support a people-oriented form of urban heritage conservation. This analysis reveals that the following five categories of heritage attribute are remembered by citizens: (1) the built environment and public space, (2) the social fabric and identity, (3) culture and leisure, (4) business and industry, and (5) politics and public order. Moreover, it is found that these attributes are valued because of their social relevance (social value), their connection to the biographies of citizens (experiential value), and their contribution to our understanding of the urban past (historical value).
Raw, roast or half-baked? Hogarth’s beef in Calais Gate
Authors: Beirne Piers
Published: August 2018

Scholars of human–animal studies, literary criticism and art history have paid considerable attention of late to how the visual representation of nonhuman animals has often and sometimes to great effect been used in the imagining of national identity. It is from the scrutinies of these several disciplines that the broad backcloth of this article is woven. Its focus is the neglected coupling of patriotism and carnism, instantiated here by its deployment in William Hogarth’s painting Calais Gate (1749). A pro-animal reading is offered of the English artist’s exhortation that it is in the nature of ‘true-born Britons’ to consume a daily dish of roast beef served with lashings of francophobia and anti-popery. The article suggests that alert contemporary viewers of Calais Gate would nevertheless have noticed that Hogarth’s painterly triumphalism ironically rekindles the repressed memory of English military defeat and territorial loss. Because the political and religious borders between England and France were so easily defaced and refaced, the accompanying air of uncertainty over national identity would also have infiltrated the perceived authenticity of English roast beef. The article draws on animal rights theory, on nonspeciesist green criminology and on green visual criminology in order to oppose the historical dominance of human interests over those of other animal species in discourses of abuse, cruelty and harm.
Animal abuse, biotechnology and species justice
Authors: Goyes David Rodríguez , Sollund Ragnhild
Published: August 2018

Generally, in the modern, western world, conceptualizations of the natural environment are associated with what nature can offer us—an anthropocentric perspective whereby humans treat nature and all its biotic components as ‘natural resources’. When nature and the beings within it are regarded purely in utilitarian terms, humans lose sight of the fact that ecosystems and nonhuman animals have intrinsic value. Most biotechnological use of nonhuman animals is informed by an instrumental view of nature. In this article, we endeavour to broaden the field of animal abuse studies by including in it the exploration of biotechnological abuse of animals. We analyse the issue by discussing it in relation to differing philosophical starting points and, in particular, the rights and justice theory developed within green criminology.
The Effect of Photothermal Therapy on Osteosarcoma With Polyacrylic Acid–Coated Gold Nanorods
Authors: Pan Su , Xing Hongcun , Fu Xuqi , Yu Hongmei , Yang Zhaogang , Yang Yudan , Sun Wei
Published: August 2018

Background:

Polyacrylic acid (PAA)–coated gold nanorods (GNRs) were prepared in this research, and then the structure, stability, temperature increment efficiency, and biocompatibility of GNRs@PAA were detected.

Methods:

It was demonstrated that GNRs@PAA coupled with an 808 nm laser had superior efficiency of hyperthermia therapy for MG63 human osteosarcoma cell.

Results:

The mechanism of photothermal therapy of GNRs@PAA was explored, and it was proved that damaged cell membrane and DNA integration caused cell apoptosis and death, and the cell apoptosis rate had been obviously promoted by in vitro photothermal therapy which exhibited time–dose dependence.

Conclusion:

The results demonstrated that the GNRs@PAA could be a promising candidate for phototherapeutic applications in human osteosarcoma.
The Central Role of Theory in Qualitative Research
Authors: Collins Christopher S. , Stockton Carrie M.
Published: August 2018

The use of theory in science is an ongoing debate in the production of knowledge. Related to qualitative research methods, a variety of approaches have been set forth in the literature using the terms conceptual framework, theoretical framework, paradigm, and epistemology. While these approaches are helpful in their own context, we summarize and distill them in order to build upon the case that a balanced and centered use of the theoretical framework can bolster the qualitative approach. Our project builds on the arguments that epistemology and methodological rigor are essential by adding the notion that the influence of theory permeates almost every aspect of the study—even if the author does not recognize this influence. Compilers of methodological approaches have referred to the use of theory as analogous to a coat closet in which different items can be housed or a lens through which the literature and data in the study are viewed. In this article, we offer an evaluative quadrant for determining the appropriate use of theory in qualitative research and a diagram of the qualitative project that points to the central role of a theoretical framework. We also caution against the overreliance on theory in the event that it begins to limit the ability to see emergent findings in the data.
An Internet for Some threatens health for All: What effects could the repeal of net neutrality in the USA have on individual and population health?
Authors: Early Jody , Bustillos Dan
Published: August 2018

In the United States of America, the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of the popular Open Internet Order (a.k.a ‘net neutrality’) has yielded pointed criticism from many different sectors, but it has yet to be examined for its potential effect on the public’s health. In this commentary, we focus on the health implications of this policy change, considering expert opinion on the subject, past history, and global perspectives. We argue that the repeal of net neutrality has the potential to compromise health education and promotion efforts by widening the ‘digital divide’, thereby impairing health literacy and exacerbating health inequities. By negatively affecting people’s ability to access, understand, and use unbiased, evidence-based health information to improve and maintain their health, the repeal of net neutrality may hinder the World Health Organization’s vision of ‘ Health for All’ by dismantling public protections in the name of corporate profit.
18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging in cardiac tumors: illustrative clinical cases and review of the literature
Authors: Saponara Maristella , Ambrosini Valentina , Nannini Margherita , Gatto Lidia , Astolfi Annalisa , Urbini Milena , Indio Valentina , Fanti Stefano , Pantaleo Maria Abbondanza
Published: August 2018

Cardiac tumors are a very rare condition. Mostly, they are benign tumors (75%), with myxomas being the most frequent. The remaining 25% are malignant; either primary malignant sarcoma or secondary metastases. Given the small number of cases reported and the lack of prospective and randomized clinical trials, the level of evidence for the optimal multimodal treatment of primary cardiac sarcomas is very low and the optimal imaging diagnostic workup is not well established. In particular, 18F-FDG-PET/CT is not yet included in routine diagnosis of cardiac masses. Here, we report four illustrative clinical cases and a review of the literature on the current available data on the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT imaging in cardiac tumors.
A review of the complexity adjustment in the Korean Diagnosis-Related Group (KDRG)
Authors: Kim Sujeong , Jung Chaiyoung , Yon Junheum , Park Hyeonseon , Yang Hunsik , Kang Hyeon , Oh Dongjin , Kwon Kukhwan , Kim Sukil
Published: August 2018

Background:

The Korean Diagnosis-Related Groups (KDRG) was revised in 2003, modifying the complexity adjustment mechanism of the Australian Refined Diagnosis-Related Groups (AR-DRGs). In 2014, the Complication and Comorbidity Level (CCL) of the existing AR-DRG system was found to have very little correlation with cost.

Objective:

Based on the Australian experience, the CCL for KDRG version 3.4 was reviewed.

Method:

Inpatient claim data for 2011 were used in this study. About 5,731,551 episodes, which had one or no complication and comorbidity (CC) and met the inclusion criteria, were selected. The differences of average hospital charges by the CCL were analysed in each Adjacent Diagnosis-Related Group (ADRG) using analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s test. The patterns of differences were presented with R 2 in three patterns: The CCL reflected the complexity well (VALID); the average charge of CCL 2, 3, 4 was greater than CCL 0 (PARTIALLY VALID); the CCL did not reflect the complexity (NOT VALID).

Results:

A total of 114 (19.03%), 190 (31.72%) and 295 (49.25%) ADRGs were included in VALID, PARTIALLY VALID and NOT VALID, respectively. The average R 2 for hospital charge of CCL was 4.94%. The average R 2 in VALID, PARTIALLY VALID and NOT VALID was 4.54%, 5.21%, and 4.93%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The CCL, the first step of complexity adjustment using secondary diagnoses, exhibited low performance. If highly accurate coding data and cost data become available, the performance of secondary diagnosis as a variable to reflect the case complexity should be re-evaluated.

Implications:

Lack of reviewing the complexity adjustment mechanism of the KDRG since 2003 has resulted in outdated CC lists and levels that no longer reflect the current Korean healthcare system. Reliable cost data (vs. charge) and accurate coding are essential for accuracy of reimbursement.
Amodal Completion of a Target Template Enhances Attentional Guidance in Visual Search
Authors: Chen Siyi , Schnabl Lucas , Müller Hermann J. , Conci Markus
Published: August 2018

When searching for a target object in cluttered environments, our visual system appears to complete missing parts of occluded objects—a mechanism known as “amodal completion.” This study investigated how different variants of completion influence visual search for an occluded target object. In two experiments, participants searched for a target among distractors in displays that either presented composite objects (notched shapes abutting an occluding square) or corresponding simple objects. The results showed enhanced search performance when composite objects were interpreted in terms of a globally completed whole. This search benefit for global completions was found to be dependent on the availability of a coherent, informative simple-object context. Overall, these findings suggest that attentional guidance in visual search may be based on a target “template” that represents a globally completed image of the occluded (target) object in accordance with prior experience.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation alters susceptibility to pulmonary hypertension in Bmpr2‐deficient mice
Authors: Crosby Alexi , Toshner Mark R. , Southwood Mark R. , Soon Elaine , Dunmore Benjamin J. , Groves Emily , Moore Stephen , Wright Penny , Ottersbach Katrin , Bennett Cavan , Guerrero Jose , Ghevaert Cedric , Morrell Nicholas W.
Published: August 2018

Increasing evidence suggests that patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) demonstrate abnormalities in the bone marrow (BM) and hematopoietic progenitor cells. In addition, PAH is associated with myeloproliferative diseases. We have previously demonstrated that low‐dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent stimulus for the development of PAH in the context of a genetic PAH mouse model of BMPR2 dysfunction. We hypothesized that the hematopoietic progenitor cells might be driving disease in this model. To test this hypothesis, we performed adoptive transfer of BM between wild‐type (Ctrl) and heterozygous Bmpr2 null (Mut) mice. Sixteen weeks after BM reconstitution, mice were exposed to low‐dose chronic LPS (0.5 mg/kg three times a week for six weeks). Mice underwent right heart catheterization and tissues were removed for histology. After chronic LPS dosing, Ctrl mice in receipt of Mut BM developed PAH, whereas Mut mice receiving Ctrl BM were protected from PAH. BM histology demonstrated an increase in megakaryocytes and there was an increase in circulating platelets in Ctrl mice receiving Mut BM. These findings demonstrate that the hematopoietic stem cell compartment is involved in the susceptibility to PAH in the Mut mouse. The results raise the possibility that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation might be a potential treatment strategy in genetic forms of PAH.
Evaluation of analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine as adjuvant with ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided adductor canal block in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgeries
Authors: Thapa Deepak , Ahuja Vanita , Pandey Khushboo , Gombar Satinder , Gupta Ravi
Published: August 2018

Introduction:

Local anaesthetic (LA) with highly selective alpha-2 agonist dexmedetomidine has not been evaluated in adductor canal block (ACB) for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgeries. The study evaluates postoperative analgesic effect of ropivacaine with adjuvant dexmedetomidine following postoperative ultrasound-guided ACB.

Methods:

105 randomized subjects received ultrasound-guided ACB using 15 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine, with 0.5 µg kg−1 of dexmedetomidine administered perineurally (Group II), intravenously (Group III) or none (Group I). Primary outcome included 24 hours’ total morphine consumption postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included haemodynamics and adverse effects.

Results:

The postoperative total morphine consumption was significantly reduced till 4 hours in II 0.57 mg (0.98 (0–3)) (p = 0.011) and up to 6 hours in Group III 0.77 mg (1.00 (0–4)) (p = 0.004) compared to Group I. The postoperative total morphine consumption was comparable at 24 hours in Group III 3.57 mg (1.73 (0–8)) and Group II 3.34 mg (1.92 (07)) (p = 1.000). The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were comparable in all the three groups at all the time intervals studied (p > 0.05). There were no adverse effects observed during the study.

Conclusion:

Use of perineural dexmedetomidine with LA for ACB in the postoperative period resulted in significant reduction in total morphine consumption in initial 4 hours as compared to 6 hours with intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine.
Cryopreserved Saphenous Vein Compared With PTFE Graft for Use as Modified Blalock-Taussig or Central Shunt in Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Kaur Resham , Bhurtel Dilli , Bielefeld Mark R. , Morales J. Mark , Durham Lucian A.
Published: August 2018

Many infants with congenital heart disease undergo palliative shunt procedures. In our center, cryopreserved saphenous vein and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are used as grafts to construct these shunts. In this retrospective review, we compare morbidity, mortality, and freedom from reoperation associated with the use of these graft materials. We conducted a retrospective study of 136 consecutive patients who were palliated with shunts between 2006 and 2015. A total of 136 patients were identified, 9 had incomplete data; thus, 127 patients were included: 69 saphenous and 58 PTFE. The cohorts were matched with respect to birth weight, gestational age, age and weight at time of surgery, and underlying cardiac condition. There were 15 (12%) deaths in the study cohort with no intraoperative mortality. Thrombosis was seen in 5.2% (2/38) of the saphenous modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBTS) group and 20.6% (14/68) of those with PTFE mBTS. There was no thrombosis in the central shunt group. Freedom from reoperation was 83% in the saphenous vein group and 81% in the PTFE group. There was no difference in overall morbidity or mortality, although thrombosis was significantly less in the saphenous vein group. Cryopreserved saphenous vein is a safe alternative, either as a mBTS or as a central shunt.
Trisomy 18 and Congenital Heart Disease: Single-Center Review of Outcomes and Parental Perspectives
Authors: Davisson Neena A. , Clark Joseph B. , Chin Thomas K. , Tunks Robert D.
Published: August 2018

Background:

In patients with trisomy 18, congenital heart surgery is controversial due to anticipated poor patient outcome. Data are lacking regarding clinical outcomes and family opinions about care received.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of patients with trisomy 18 and congenital heart disease from 2005 to 2017 was performed. Patients were grouped into those receiving cardiac intervention (surgery or cardiac catheterization) versus medical management. A telephone survey was used to assess completeness of family counseling provided prior to treatment selection and parental opinions on the care received.

Results:

Seventeen infants were assessed. In the medical management group (n = 7), there were five deaths at a median age of 1.5 months (range: 1.2-4.1 months) and two survivors aged 29 and 44 months at latest follow-up. In the intervention group (n = 10), cardiac surgery was performed in nine patients at a median age of 4.3 months (0.2-23.4 months) and weight of 3.2 kg (1.5-12.2 kg); catheter intervention was performed in one patient at one week of age. At latest follow-up, seven intervention patients are alive at a median age of 50 months (5-91 months). Survey respondents (n = 12) unanimously stated that their child’s quality of life was improved by their specific treatment strategy, that the experience of the parents was enhanced, and that they would choose the same treatment course again.

Conclusions:

Surgical repair may be associated with favorable early outcomes and may be judiciously offered in selected circumstances. In this limited experience, parental perceptions were positive regarding the quality of care and overall experience independent of the chosen treatment strategy or eventual outcome.