bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Interventions for Pediatric Food Refusal Maintain Effectiveness Despite Integrity Degradation: A Preliminary Demonstration
Authors: Ulloa Gabriella , Borrero Carrie S. W. , Borrero John C.
Published: May 2019

Food refusal is commonly treated using behavioral treatment packages consisting of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) and escape extinction. However, the effectiveness of such behavioral interventions is inextricably linked to the integrity with which the procedures are conducted. Although previous research has evaluated the effects of treatment integrity failures for behavioral interventions related to severe problem behavior and academic skill acquisition, the effects of these failures in the area of pediatric food refusal remain unknown. We conducted a parametric analysis to assess the effects of varying levels of errors on the treatment efficacy of contingent tangibles and attention, and escape extinction. Once stable responding was observed during an initial evaluation of treatment, participants were exposed to sessions of reduced-integrity treatment in descending order (i.e., 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%) and subsequently exposed to full-integrity treatment (100% integrity). For one participant, integrity errors became detrimental to treatment when the level of integrity was decreased to 40%. For the other two participants, contingent tangibles and attention, and escape extinction remained effective despite being implemented with low integrity. Our preliminary demonstration suggests that behavioral interventions for pediatric food refusal remain effective despite considerable treatment integrity degradation.
The human core of the public realm: women prisoners’ performed ‘radio’ at the Majdanek concentration camp
Authors: Ripatti-Torniainen Leena , Stachyra Grazyna
Published: May 2019

The article elaborates Hannah Arendt’s thought on the public realm to analyse the performed ‘radio’ that women prisoners ‘produced’ with their voice at the Majdanek concentration camp, Poland, in Spring 1943. The authors reconstruct the rationale that clarifies why an image of a radio was meaningful at a death camp. The documented memories reveal that the ‘radio’ created a resistant, harm-preventing and despair-relieving space. Mobilizing the meanings Arendt gives to the public realm as the shared reference and shared belonging, the authors show that the memories point towards the prisoners’ efforts to break their exclusion by decisively continuing their belonging to the public world through their own performance. In Arendt’s concepts, ‘broadcasting’ and listening to ‘programmes’ actualized prisoners’ being and subjectivity, both of which were under constant assaults. Conceptualized through Arendt’s thought, the performed ‘radio’ reveals amid the extreme exclusion, isolation and cruelty of the death camp how profoundly meaningful the public realm is to humans.
Indoor navigation by blind people: Behaviors and challenges in unfamiliar spaces and buildings
Authors: Jeamwatthanachai Watthanasak , Wald Mike , Wills Gary
Published: May 2019

A number of visually impaired people suffer from navigation-related activities due to mishaps that discourage them from going out for social activities and interactions. In contrast to outdoors, traveling inside public spaces is a different story, as many environmental cues cannot be used and have their own set of difficulties. Some technologies have come into play in helping these people to have freedom in navigation (e.g., accessible map, indoor navigation systems, and wearable computing devices). However, technologies like accessible maps or indoor navigation systems are insufficient to fulfill the independent navigation gap as additional information is required (obstacles, barriers, and accessibility). To promote indoor navigation and create better use of technologies for visually impaired people, it is essential to understand the facts and actual problems that they experience, and what behaviors and strategies they use to overcome any problems; these are the concerns that led to this study. In all, 30 visually impaired people and 15 experts were recruited to give an interview about the behavior and strategies used to navigate indoor spaces, especially public spaces, for example, universities, hospitals, malls, museums, and airports. The findings from this study reveal that navigating inside buildings and public spaces full of unfamiliar features is too difficult to attempt the first time for a number of reasons, reducing their confidence in independent navigation.
Classifying intracranial stenosis disease severity from functional MRI data using machine learning
Authors: Waddle Spencer L , Juttukonda Meher R , Lants Sarah K , Davis Larry T , Chitale Rohan , Fusco Matthew R , Jordan Lori C , Donahue Manus J
Published: May 2019

Translation of many non-invasive hemodynamic MRI methods to cerebrovascular disease patients has been hampered by well-known artifacts associated with delayed blood arrival times and reduced microvascular compliance. Using machine learning and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms, we investigated whether arrival time-related artifacts in these methods could be exploited as novel contrast sources to discriminate angiographically confirmed stenotic flow territories. Intracranial steno-occlusive moyamoya patients ( n = 53; age = 45 ± 14.2 years; sex = 43 F) underwent (i) catheter angiography, (ii) anatomical MRI, (iii) cerebral blood flow (CBF)-weighted arterial spin labeling, and (iv) cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR)-weighted hypercapnic blood-oxygenation-level-dependent MRI. Mean, standard deviation (std), and 99th percentile of CBF, CVR, CVRDelay, and CVRMax were calculated in major anterior and posterior flow territories perfused by vessels with vs. without stenosis (≥70%) confirmed by catheter angiography. These and demographic variables were input into SVMs to evaluate discriminatory capacity for stenotic flow territories using k-fold cross-validation and receiver-operating-characteristic-area-under-the-curve to quantify variable combination relevance. Anterior circulation CBF-std, attributable to heterogeneous endovascular signal and prolonged arterial transit times, was the best performing single variable and CVRDelay-mean and CBF-std, both reflective of delayed vascular compliance, were a high-performing two-variable combination (specificity = 0.67; sensitivity = 0.75). Findings highlight the relevance of hemodynamic imaging and machine learning for identifying cerebrovascular impairment.
Virus-induced pathogenesis, vaccine development, and diagnosis of novel H7N9 avian influenza A virus in humans: a systemic literature review
Authors: Wang Wen-Hung , Erazo Esmeralda Merari , Ishcol Max R. Chang , Lin Chih-Yen , Assavalapsakul Wanchai , Thitithanyanont Arunee , Wang Sheng-Fan
Published: May 2019

H7N9 avian influenza virus (AIV) caused human infections in 2013 in China. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that H7N9 AIV is a novel reassortant strain with pandemic potential. We conducted a systemic review regarding virus-induced pathogenesis, vaccine development, and diagnosis of H7N9 AIV infection in humans. We followed PRISMA guidelines and searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify relevant articles published between January 2013 and December 2018. Pathogenesis data indicated that H7N9 AIV belongs to low pathogenic avian influenza, which is mostly asymptomatic in avian species; however, H7N9 induces high mortality in humans. Sporadic human infections have recently been reported, caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses detected in poultry. H7N9 AIVs resistant to adamantine and oseltamivir cause severe human infection by rapidly inducing progressive acute community-acquired pneumonia, multiorgan dysfunction, and cytokine dysregulation; however, mechanisms via which the virus induces severe syndromes remain unclear. An H7N9 AIV vaccine is lacking; designs under evaluation include synthesized peptide, baculovirus-insect system, and virus-like particle vaccines. Molecular diagnosis of H7N9 AIVs is suggested over conventional assays, for biosafety reasons. Several advanced or modified diagnostic assays are under investigation and development. We summarized virus-induced pathogenesis, vaccine development, and current diagnostic assays in H7N9 AIVs.
Aging With Mental Disorders in the Criminal Justice System: A Content Analysis of the Empirical Literature
Authors: Maschi Tina , Dasarathy Dhweeja
Published: May 2019

To fill a current gap in the literature on aging, mental health, and the criminal justice system, a content analysis of international peer-reviewed research studies was conducted. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify English language research studies published in 2018-19. Forty-four articles were located using keyword search terms, such as aging, mental health, and criminal justice. The methods and major findings were analyzed using deductive and inductive approaches. It was found that the majority of the research studies were conducted in the United States and England. The results of the inductive analyses revealed major themes related to mental health detection and access to services, comorbid conditions, and the relationship of age, mental health, criminal behavior, and the social determinants of mental health. Findings from this review have significant implications for advancing epidemiological research, practice, and policy, especially as it relates to the influence of the social determinants of health of aging on life course mental health and criminal justice involvement. Research findings about the correlates and consequences of the social determinants of health, especially as it relates to aging, mental health, and criminal justice involvement, can be used to inform prevention and intervention efforts that target the social determinants of life course health and criminal justice involvement. It also provides a comprehensive assessment of the m methods used in prior studies to help improve future studies in this important area of investigation.
Can the blood gas analyser results be believed? A prospective multicentre study comparing haemoglobin, sodium and potassium measurements by blood gas analysers and laboratory auto-analysers
Authors: Triplett Katherine E , Wibrow Bradley A , Norman Richard , Hince Dana A , Hardy Liesel E , Tan Samantha , Ho Kwok M , Anstey Matthew H
Published: May 2019

Blood gas analysers are point-of-care testing devices used in the management of critically ill patients. Controversy remains over the agreement between the results obtained from blood gas analysers and laboratory auto-analysers for haematological and biochemistry parameters. We conducted a prospective analytical observational study in five intensive care units in Western Australia, in patients who had a full blood count (FBC), urea, electrolytes and creatinine (UEC), and a blood gas performed within 1 h of each other during the first 24 h of their intensive care unit admission. The main outcome measure was to determine the agreement in haemoglobin, sodium, and potassium results between laboratory haematology and biochemistry auto-analysers and blood gas analysers. A total of 219 paired tests were available for haemoglobin and sodium, and 215 for potassium. There was no statistically significant difference between the results of the blood gas and laboratory auto-analysers for haemoglobin (mean difference –0.35 g/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) –1.20 to 0.51, P = 0.425). Although the mean differences between the two methods were statistically significant for sodium (mean difference 1.49 mmol/L, 95% CI 1.23–1.76, P < 0.0001) and potassium (mean difference 0.19 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.15–0.24, P < 0.0001), the mean biases on the Bland–Altman plots were small and independent of the magnitude of the measurements. The two methods of measurement for haemoglobin, sodium and potassium agreed with each other under most clinical situations when their values were within or close to normal range suggesting that routine concurrent blood gas and formal laboratory testing for haemoglobin, sodium and potassium concentrations in the intensive care unit is unwarranted.
Influencing Factors That Determine the Usage of the Crowd-Shipping Services
Authors: Le Tho V. , Ukkusuri Satish V.
Published: May 2019

The objective of this study is to understand how senders choose shipping services for different products, given the availability of both emerging crowd-shipping ( CS) and traditional carriers in a logistics market. Using data collected from a United States (U.S.) survey, Random Utility Maximization (RUM) and Random Regret Minimization (RRM) models have been employed to reveal factors that influence the diversity of decisions made by senders. Shipping costs, along with additional real-time services such as courier reputations, tracking info, e-notifications, and customized delivery time and location, have been found to have remarkable impacts on senders’ choices. Interestingly, potential senders were willing to pay more to ship grocery items such as food, beverages, and medicines by CS services. Moreover, the real-time services have low elasticities, meaning that only a slight change in those services will lead to a change in sender behavior. Finally, data-science techniques were used to assess the performance of the RUM and RRM models and found to have similar accuracies. The findings from this research will help logistics firms address potential market segments, prepare service configurations to fulfill senders’ expectations, and develop effective business operations strategies.
Barriers and Opportunities for Improved Exclusive Breast-Feeding Practices in Tanzania: Household Trials With Mothers and Fathers
Authors: Matare Cynthia R. , Craig Hope C. , Martin Stephanie L. , Kayanda Rosemary A. , Chapleau Gina M. , Kerr Rachel Bezner , Dearden Kirk A. , Nnally Luitfrid P. , Dickin Katherine L.
Published: May 2019

Background:

Effective promotion of exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) is needed to improve child nutrition and survival.

Objective:

We explored barriers and facilitators to EBF in rural Tanzania and assessed parents’ willingness and ability to try specific recommended EBF practices plus strategies for men to support breast-feeding.

Methods:

We conducted Trials of Improved Practices in 36 households with infants <6 months. Fathers participated in focus group discussions on ways to support breast-feeding. Fathers and mothers were individually interviewed 2 and 3 times, respectively, about their willingness to try and experience with selected new practices. We analyzed data thematically.

Results:

Common barriers to EBF were (1) use of gripe water and traditional medicines for perceived symptoms of infantile distress; (2) mothers’ workloads and time away from infants, limiting availability for EBF; and (3) water given for perceived thirst. Although several mothers expressed concerns about breast-milk insufficiency, few were giving other foods. After counseling, most mothers reported breast-feeding more optimally. Some reported improved breast-milk supply. Fathers saw their roles as providing food to mothers to ensure sufficient breast-milk and encouraging new practices. Dominant gender roles and work away from home were barriers even if fathers were willing to help with household chores. Fathers mostly provided emotional support or encouraged others to help with chores.

Conclusion:

Exclusive breast-feeding promotion needs to address concerns about infantile distress and help parents develop effective soothing techniques while avoiding nonprescribed medicines. Engaging men in EBF interventions could help change social norms and facilitate men’s involvement in improving breast-feeding practices.
When reactivity fails: The limited effects of hospital rankings
Authors: Dorn Christopher
Published: May 2019

Recent research has advanced the idea that modern society is replete with numerous measuring activities that evaluate the performance of individuals and organisations. Both the research and the application of such measures suggest that the scrutinised actors will internalise the expectations associated with these measures and adjust their behaviour accordingly (‘reactivity’). Usually these expectations involve both technical and moral demands aimed at improving the evaluated activities so as to make them more beneficial, efficient, and transparent for the consumer and society in general. However, both research and practice instantaneously equate their widespread presence with their efficacy, i.e. that their implied behaviour-altering capacity is inevitably achieved. This overlooks that the coupling of measurement and behavioural change is mitigated by the sensemaking processes of the examined actors. Using examples from the US hospital sector, this article shows that patients, medical professionals, and hospitals do not simply conform to the expectations created by hospitals rankings but rather show different forms of resistance, such as ignorance or rejection. Thereby, the paper highlights that the conditions under which measures prove inescapable and substantially influence social fields need to be examined more closely.
Workplace Antistigma Programs at the Mental Health Commission of Canada: Part 2. Lessons Learned
Authors: Szeto Andrew , Dobson Keith S. , Luong Dorothy , Krupa Terry , Kirsh Bonnie
Published: May 2019

The Opening Minds Initiative of the Mental Health Commission of Canada has worked with many workplaces to implement and evaluate mental illness stigma reduction programs. This article describes the lessons learned from Opening Minds’ research and programming initiatives in the workplace target group and details some of the most valuable learnings from collaborating with workplace partners. These insights range from issues such as the recruitment of potential partners to the implementation of evaluation in the workplace. The lessons learned described here are not intended as the optimal ways of developing partnerships or conducting research in a workplace setting but are intended to highlight some of our experiences in implementing antistigma programming. These experiences are provided so that those who are in the same situation can draw from our learnings to make their efforts more efficient. To conclude, we discuss some of our thoughts in which the implementation of workplace mental illness stigma reduction programming should work towards in the future.
Older Adult Patients Are at Lower Risk of ARDS Compared to Younger Patients at Risk: Secondary Analysis of a Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Reynolds Daniel , Kashyap Rahul , Wallace Lindsey , Gajic Ognjen , Yadav Hemang
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

Older adult individuals often have acute illnesses predisposing them to developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We aimed to identify the relationship between age and the development of ARDS in a cohort of hospitalized patients.

Methods:

This was a secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter observational cohort study of hospitalized patients at risk of developing ARDS admitted to 22 hospitals from March 2009 to August 2009. Patients were classified as older adults if their age was 80 or greater. A multivariable logistic regression was performed, adjusting for severity of illness via Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) and risk of ARDS via Lung Injury Prediction Score.

Results:

Of 5584 patients, 377 (6.8%) developed ARDS. Twenty-four (3.5%) of 694 patients aged 80 or older developed ARDS, compared to 353 (7.2%) of 4890 patients aged less than 80 ( P < .001). After adjusting for severity of illness and the risk of ARDS development, older adult patients had a lower incidence of ARDS compared to younger individuals (odds ratio: 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.18-0.42).

Conclusion:

Older adult patients aged 80 years or older have a reduced incidence of ARDS compared to younger patients, after adjusting for severity of illness and risk of ARDS development.
Factors Associated With Breastfeeding Among Women With Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Reinheimer Shaline Modena , Schmidt Maria Inês , Duncan Bruce Bartholow , Drehmer Michele
Published: May 2019

Background:

Breastfeeding offers benefits to mother and child but is frequently not practiced among women whose pregnancy is complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus. Factors associated with not initiating or not maintaining breastfeeding among these women have been little investigated.

Research aims:

(1) To evaluate the frequency of breastfeeding for 30 days among women with a recent pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes and (2) to determine factors associated with not initiating or not maintaining breastfeeding.

Methods:

Between January 2014 and July 2017 we enrolled women with gestational diabetes at high-risk prenatal services in three Brazilian cities. We collected baseline sociodemographic and health data and followed up with participants by telephone. Using Kaplan–Meier curves, we calculated the proportions of participants not initiating breastfeeding or not maintaining it for at least 30 days. We used Poisson regression with robust variance to identify factors related to this outcome.

Results:

Of the 2328 participants with complete information, 2236 (96.1%) initiated breastfeeding, and 2166 (93.1%) maintained breastfeeding for 30 days. Not having breastfed the previous infant (relative risk [RR] = 5.02, 95% CI [3.39, 7.45]), smoking during pregnancy (RR = 2.37, 95% CI [1.48, 3.80]), infant with health problems (RR = 2.25, 95% CI [1.27, 3.99]), early preterm birth (RR = 2.49, 95% CI [1.07, 5.77]), and not intending to breastfeed (RR = 3.73, 95% CI [1.89, 7.33]) were related to not maintaining breastfeeding for at least 30 days.

Conclusions:

Breastfeeding initiation was nearly universal among participants, and most maintained breastfeeding for 30 days. Factors relating to not breastfeeding at 30 days were easily identifiable.
Impact of water saturation on the tensile and thermal properties of heat-treated mangrove/high-density polyethylene composites
Authors: Adebayo Ganiyat Olusola , Hassan Aziz , Yahya Rosiyah , Sarih Norazilawati Muhamad , Odesanya Kazeem Olabisi
Published: May 2019

The main barrier in the use of natural fiber (NF) as a reinforcing material in thermoplastic composites meant for outdoor applications is NF’s hydrophilicity. Thus, heat treatment of vacuum-dried mangrove was conducted at 120°C in order to reduce the hydrophilic nature of mangrove. The untreated and heat-treated mangrove particles were compounded with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) at 10, 20, and 30 wt% in a twin-screw extruder and injection molded into dog-bone-shaped test pieces for tensile tests and thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)). Test pieces were immersed in distilled water for 1440 h at ambient temperature (approximately 27°C) and a relative humidity of 60–65%. The results revealed that the earliest and latest water saturation were observed at 480 and 792 h for 10 wt% treated and 30 wt% untreated composites, respectively. The dry composites maintained higher tensile strength and modulus but lower tensile strain than the water-saturated composites irrespective of treatment. Scanning electron microscopy of tensile fractured surfaces confirmed an improved mangrove-HDPE interfacial interaction of treated composites in both dry and water-saturated conditions. The TGA and DSC data showed that the maximum degradation temperature of dry composites is higher than the wet composites. Overall, the treated composites at dry and water-saturated conditions indicated better tensile and thermal stability than the untreated mangrove-filled HDPE composites; these are possible indications of better performance during outdoor applications.
The metaphysical standing of the human: A future for the history of the human sciences
Authors: Fuller Steve
Published: May 2019

I reconstruct my own journey into the history of the human sciences, which I show to have been a process of discovering the metaphysical standing of the human. I begin with Alexandre Koyré’s encounter with Edmund Husserl in the 1930s, which I use to throw light on the legacy of Kant’s ‘anthropological’ understanding of the human, which dominated and limited 19th-century science. As I show, those who broke from Kant’s strictures and set the stage for the 20th-century revolutions in science - from Hegel, to John McTaggart, to Max Weber - typically were pursuing crypto-theological questions about how a finite being can comprehend an infinite universe. This journey is about the ‘common measure’ of being human, which is what links Plato to Kuhn, but has been most consistently taken up by law. I suggest that in seeking this ‘measure of man’, we may discover that to be human is not necessarily to be Homo sapiens, which would suggest a radical reorientation of the history of the human sciences.
The future of the history of the human sciences
Authors: Renwick Chris
Published: May 2019

This special issue is the product of a conference, The Future of the History of the Human Sciences, which was held at the University of York in April 2016. The meeting brought together scholars from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds and at various stages of their careers to reflect on what were identified as major challenges and opportunities for the research that History of the Human Sciences publishes. The articles included here are a sample of the responses that were generated and contain reflections on not only the boundaries of history of the human sciences research but also the methods used within the discipline. As this introduction explains, the overall aim of the conference was to explore these questions in order to think about both future directions for research and ways in which we can ensure the field remains dynamic and vital.
Mechanism of chip formation in ultrasonic vibration drilling and experimental research
Authors: Chen Shuo , Zou Ping , Wu Hao , Kang Di , Wang Wenjie
Published: May 2019

When difficult-to-machine materials are drilled, chips are produced, and these chips are difficult to control during the drilling process. Due to the limitations of conventional drilling, materials are drilled by ultrasonic-vibration-assisted technology. In this paper, the kinematics of ultrasonic-vibration-assisted drilling are first analyzed and the relevant equations are established. The characteristic thicknesses of chips are then studied, and the drilling paths for different phases and thicknesses of the chips are analyzed. The condition of complete geometric chipbreaking in the ultrasonic-vibration-assisted drilling process is examined, and a regional map of chipbreaking is presented, which in theory allows chips to be controlled. Chips produced in ultrasonic-vibration-assisted drilling with different parameters are compared in a series of experiments. The chipbreaking condition is studied in more detail, and the chips produced by drilling difficult-to-machine materials are effectively controlled. Furthermore, the results of this study show that a reasonable selection of parametric variables in ultrasonic-vibration-assisted drilling results in thin and smooth chips, less tool wear, and superior surface roughness.
Surface roughness of real operationally used compressor blade and blisk
Authors: Gilge Philipp , Kellersmann Andreas , Friedrichs Jens , Seume Jörg R
Published: May 2019

Deterioration of axial compressors is in general a major concern in aircraft engine maintenance. Among other effects, roughness in high-pressure compressor reduces the pressure rise and thus efficiency, thereby increasing the specific fuel consumption of an engine. Therefore, it is important to improve the understanding of roughness on compressor blading and their impact on compressor performance. To investigate the surface roughness of rotor blades of a compressors, different stages of an axial high-pressure compressor and a first-stage blisk (BLade–Integrated–dISK) of a regional aircraft engine is measured by a three-dimensional laser scanning microscope. Fundamental types of roughness structures can be identified: impacts in different sizes, depositions as isotropically distributed single elements with steep flanks and anisotropic roughness structures direct approximately normal to the flow direction. To characterise and quantify the roughness structures in more detail, roughness parameters were determined from the measured surfaces. The quantification showed that the roughness height varies through the compressor depending on the stage, position and the blade side. Overall complex roughness structures of different shape, height and size are detected regardless of the type of the blades.
Wintertime extreme events recorded by lake sediments in Arctic Norway
Authors: Røthe Torgeir O , Bakke Jostein , Støren Eivind WN , Dahl Svein O
Published: May 2019

New time series of long-term hydroclimate variability in the Arctic are urgently needed in order to better understand the response patterns to external forcing and changes in boundary conditions for global climate models. Here, we present a high-resolution record of mass-wasting events based on analyses of sediments deposited in Lake Svartvatnet. Based on novel methods such as x-ray computed tomography (CT), the volume of inorganic layers in Svartvatnet is calculated and allows us to investigate the frequency of mass-wasting events during the last 9000 years in Arctic Norway. The results show an increasing activity over the late Holocene with three main phases of an increased number of mass-wasting events at 6700–5200, 4500–2800 and 1700–500 cal. yr BP. We infer that the frequency of mass-wasting events is driven by wintertime precipitation with possible links to variations in North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index and changes in the zonal flow regime affecting the transport of moist air masses by the westerlies over Arctic Norway. Thus, we suggest that positive NAO conditions dominated in periods with high mass-wasting activity in the mid-Holocene and late Holocene and were separated by quiescent periods at 5200–4200 and 2700–1800 cal. yr BP that represent less dominant westerlies over Arctic Norway.
Relationship Between Environmental Sustainability and Human Development Index: A Case of Selected South Asian Nations
Authors: Jain Megha , Nagpal Aishwarya
Published: May 2019

All the economists today have established that externalities (free-rider issues) and public goods are the leading causes of market failure, holding the utmost level of relevance of environmental economics. Pollution types can be segregated physically based on the channels (water, air and land) or the sectors responsible for causing it (e.g., industry, electricity generation, transport, agricultural waste disposal, etc.). Thus, sustainability emerges as a key challenge of the twenty-first century for public think tanks and business communities in the form of carbon emissions and global warming. So, in order to understand the role of sustainability in the era of development, the overall broader purpose of the current study is to study the quantitative linkages between human development index (HDI) (a sustainability measure of standard of living, i.e., per capita GDP) and environmental performance index (EPI, measure of environmental health and ecosystem vitality) for the selected South Asian nations (SANs) and comparative analysis of India with the selected developing nations from 2002 to 2016. To test whether the degree of economic expansion and standard of living have a systematic relationship with the level of environmental deterioration (existence of Kuznet curve hypotheses) in a country which poses a future threat to the global warming potential (GWP), the study employs dynamic panel modelling on selected SANs, followed by descriptive graphical synthesis to visualize the association for India in particular. Several other macroeconomic and capital flow variables, such as energy consumption, direct foreign investment and so on, are considered in the extended empirical model development in order to supplement the holistic review of the situation. The findings of the panel analysis discover HDI to be positively associated with EPI, depicting higher human capital accumulation leading to lower environmental damage and better environmental performance. Additionally, the results confirm the deviation from environmental Kuznet curve (EKC) hypotheses to link economic growth positively with climatic worsening (due to recent reversals). The study finds its niche to separate it from various other studies as it includes human capital accumulation in order to find its effect in the long run on sustainability indicator. The overall results suggest crucial policy implications. The combined efforts of government at local and national levels could help in infusing green technology-based infrastructure. Additionally, environment trading system (ETS) could further be promoted in developing nations, particularly in many Western developed nations, in order to have a greener sustainable future.
Stranger in the garden: Ricinus communis, 17 cases of intoxication
Authors: Boğan Mustafa , Oktay M Murat , Sabak Mustafa , Gümüşboğa Hasan , Eren Şevki Hakan
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

Ricinus communis is used as a decoration in landscape gardening in Turkey. In industrialized countries, however, it is used in many sectors, including the chemical, pharmaceutical, and fertilizer sectors; it is also used in cosmetics and biodiesel fuel production. In this presentation, 17 patients who ingested R. communis seeds are examined.

Cases:

Seventeen patients who ate the seeds of an unknown plant that grows in their gardens came to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, and stomach ache complaints 4 h after ingesting the seeds. All patients were admitted to the critical care unit, monitored, and started on supportive treatment. After the treatment, patients’ vital signs and laboratory parameters were stable. Seven patients were discharged the next day upon the regression of symptoms. The remaining 10 patients were successfully discharged 2 days after the treatment. There are cases in medical literature where consumption of one-half of a R. communis seed resulted in death. In our presentation, each patient consumed one to four (2.18 on average) R. communis seeds, and the symptoms were over within 2 days. The clinical course ended without any cases of death, and all patients were discharged in good condition.

Conclusion:

Emergency physicians have to know the clinical course and medical methods regarding intoxication due to oral consumption of toxic plants. Severe toxicity and even mortality can be observed with the ingestion of the seeds of the plant. Similar symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) were observed in all our cases, but no mortality was observed.
“I Can Relate”: Survivor Leadership Supporting Women Transitioning Out of the Sex Trade
Authors: Deer Shannon , Baumgartner Lisa
Published: May 2019

In this article, the authors examine the value of survivor leaders in organizations helping women transition out of the sex trade and how organizations can best utilize survivor leaders. They interviewed 10 women who have been out of the sex trade from between 3 and 20 years. They found survivor leaders (a) created relatability for participants exiting out of the sex trade, (b) modeled a hopeful future, and (c) mitigated power issues. The authors uncovered three ways organizations can engage survivor leaders: (a) on boards, (b) in paid staff positions, and (c) as volunteers. They discuss the ethical and financial issues associated with organizations using unpaid and paid survivor leaders. Furthermore, the authors recommend practical ways organizations can improve by engaging survivor leaders in peer education, policy setting, and management. They also encourage organizations to view survivors as experts. The authors’ findings move adult education beyond a focus on peer education to considering peer leadership.
Aging With Intellectual Disabilities in Families: Navigating Ever-Changing Seas—A Theoretical Model
Authors: Trip Henrietta , Whitehead Lisa , Crowe Marie , Mirfin-Veitch Brigit , Daffue Chris
Published: May 2019

Life expectancy is increasing for people with intellectual disability, many of whom live with family. While there has been research about aging and future planning, there is limited evidence about the characteristics of the caregiving relationship. The aim of this study was to examine perspectives of caregiving for older people with intellectual disability and their family. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used, and 19 people with intellectual disability and 28 family members were interviewed. Caregiving was informed by transitions across the life course. Three interrelated concepts, Riding the Waves, Shifting Sands—Changing Tides, and Uncovering Horizons comprise the core components of the theoretical model— Navigating Ever-Changing Seas. This model informs complex, trans-generational relationships that impact decision-making for people with a long-term condition. Applications within health care indicate a need for systems to include individuals and their networks of care in policy, practice, research, and service delivery across the lifespan.
The Meta-Analysis Review: A Valuable Resource for Special Educators
Authors: Oh-Young Conrad , Filler John , Buchter Jennifer
Published: May 2019

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) both require that educators utilize instructional practices based on evidence in the literature when providing special education and related services to students with disabilities. This article provides a description of a special type of literature review, the meta-analysis, that may be of substantial assistance to educators. The essential characteristics of a meta-analysis are described as well as how they are performed, where to find them, and how to interpret their findings. A concluding comment on the relevance of meta-analysis to the implementation of evidence-based practices is presented.
Impact of parents’ technology use on 18- to 24-month-old infants’ adaptive behaviors
Authors: Atlı Sibel , Gunuc Selim , Kuss Daria , Baran Gülen
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between adaptive behaviors of 18- to 24-month-old infants and their parents’ use of technology. For this purpose, a survey research method was used. The sample consisted of 116 people who are 58 volunteering married couples with 18- to 24-month-old infants and were registered in family health centers in Turkey’s Eastern Anatolia Region. Comparison analyses were conducted between parents’ demographic variables (i.e., education background) and their use of technology (i.e., Internet, smartphone) and adaptive behaviors of their 18- to 24-month-old infants. Adaptive behaviors of infants were measured with ABAS-3 (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition) and the profiles of parents using technology were measured with a survey developed by the researchers. The results showed that parents’ use of technology had an impact on adaptive behaviors of 18- to 24-month-old infants. Infants of mothers who did not engage in any Internet activity have higher adaptive behavior scores. The infants of mothers who engaged in activities such as games, videos, and music on the Internet together with their 18- to 24-month-old infants had low scores on adaptive behaviors in terms of concept, self-management, leisure, and communication. According to the findings, various suggestions are presented for parents, researchers, and practitioners.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor – A review of clinical studies
Authors: Khoshnood Ardavan
Published: May 2019

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. With the advent of Imatinib, the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor has been revolutionized as both the progression-free and overall survival rates have increased dramatically. Unfortunately, gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients on Imatinib do eventually fail due to resistance. Even though sunitinib and regorafenib have been shown to be highly effective as second- and third-line treatments, both have limited effects. New treatments are highly warranted for this reason. In this present review, 25 registered pharmacological clinical trials at ClinicalTrials.gov have been reviewed and show promising and encouraging results.
Ultraviolet inactivation of bacteria and model viruses in coconut water using a collimated beam system
Authors: Bhullar Manreet S , Patras Ankit , Kilonzo-Nthenge Agnes , Pokharel Bharat , Sasges Michael
Published: May 2019

This study investigated the effect of ultraviolet-C irradiation on the inactivation of microorganisms in coconut water, a highly opaque liquid food (1.01 ± 0.018 absorption coefficient). Ultraviolet-C inactivation kinetics of two bacteriophages (MS2, T1UV) and three surrogate bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes) in 0.1% (w/v) peptone and coconut water were investigated. Ultraviolet-C irradiation at 254 nm was applied to stirred samples, using a collimated beam device. A series of known ultraviolet-C doses (0–40 mJ cm−2) were applied for ultraviolet-C treatment except for MS2 where higher doses were delivered (100 mJ cm−2). Inactivation levels of all organisms were proportional to ultraviolet-C dose. At the highest dose of 40 mJ cm−2, three surrogates of pathogenic bacteria were inactivated by more than 5-log10 (p < 0.05) in 0.1% (w/v) peptone and coconut water. Results showed that ultraviolet-C irradiation effectively inactivated bacteriophage and surrogate bacteria in highly opaque coconut water. The log reduction kinetics of microorganisms followed log-linear and exponential models with higher R2 (>0.95) and low root mean square error values. The D10 values of 3, 5.48, and 4.58 mJ cm−2 were obtained from the inactivation of E. coli, S. Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes, respectively. Models for predicting log reduction as a function of ultraviolet-C irradiation dose were found to be significant (p < 0.05). Fluid optics were the key controlling parameters for efficient microbial inactivation. Therefore, the ultraviolet-C dose must be calculated not only from the incident ultraviolet-C intensity but must also consider the attenuation in the samples. The results from this study imply that adequate log reduction of vegetative cells and model viruses is achievable in coconut water and suggested significant potential for ultraviolet-C treatment of other liquid foods.
Deregulation of a Network of mRNA and miRNA Genes Reveals That CK2 and MEK Inhibitors May Synergize to Induce Apoptosis KRAS-Active NSCLC
Authors: Gober Madeline Krentz , Flight Robert M , Lambert Joshua , Moseley Hunter , Stromberg Arnold , Black Esther P
Published: May 2019

KRAS-activation mutations occur in 25% to 40% of lung adenocarcinomas and are a known mechanism of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI) resistance. There are currently no targeted therapies approved specifically for the treatment of KRAS-active non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Attempts to target mutant KRAS have failed in clinical studies leaving no targeted therapy option for these patients. To circumvent targeting KRAS directly, we hypothesized that targeting proteins connected to KRAS function rather than targeting KRAS directly could induce cell death in KRAS-active NSCLC cells. To identify potential targets, we leveraged 2 gene expression data sets derived from NSCLC cell lines either resistant and sensitive to EGFRI treatment. Using a Feasible Solutions Algorithm, we identified genes with deregulated expression in KRAS-active cell lines and used STRING as a source for known protein-protein interactions. This process generated a network of 385 deregulated proteins including KRAS and other known mechanisms of EGFRI resistance. To identify candidate drug targets from the network for further study, we selected proteins with the greatest number of connections within the network and possessed an enzymatic activity that could be inhibited with an existing pharmacological agent. Of the potential candidates, the pharmacological impact of targeting casein kinase 2 (CK2) as a single target was tested, and we found a modest reduction in viability in KRAS-active NSCLC cells. MEK was chosen as a second target from outside the network because it lies downstream of KRAS and MEK inhibition can overcome resistance to CK2 inhibitors. We found that CK2 and MEK inhibition demonstrates moderate synergy in inducing apoptosis in KRAS-active NSCLC cells. These results suggest promise for a combination inhibitor strategy for treating KRAS-active NSCLC.
Remote neuropsychological assessment of elderly Japanese population using the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale: A validation study
Authors: Yoshida Kazunari , Yamaoka Yoshitaka , Eguchi Yoko , Sato Daisuke , Iiboshi Kiyoko , Kishimoto Megumi , Mimura Masaru , Kishimoto Taishiro
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Studies have demonstrated the high agreement of several remote neuropsychological tests using video teleconferencing (VTC) with face-to-face (FTF) tests. However, the reliability of the remotely administered Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), one of the most commonly used neuropsychological tests to detect cognitive decline, has not been substantially elucidated, particularly in Japanese populations. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the remotely administered ADAS-cog compared with FTF-administered ADAS-cog among elderly Japanese participants.

Methods

Participants aged ≥60 years with and without cognitive impairment, i.e. those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), those with dementia and healthy controls (HCs), were assessed with the ADAS-cog using VTC and FTF testing at an interval of >2 weeks and <3 months. The assessment order (VTC or FTF) was randomized by participants. Participants’ scores were compared among the entire sample, as well as subgroups, using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) in a mixed-effects model.

Results

A total of 73 participants were included in the study (36 men; age, 76.3 ± 7.6 years). The ICC for the ADAS-cog total score was high in the entire sample (0.86), whereas ICCs were moderate to high for the subgroups (MCI: 0.63, dementia: 0.80 and HC: 0.74).

Discussion

The results indicate that a VTC-administered ADAS-cog could be an alternative for an FTF-administered ADAS-cog, although further replication studies with larger sample sizes and a wider range of cognitive functionalities are warranted.
Psychopathology in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence
Authors: Schnabel Alexandra , Youssef George J , Hallford David J , Hartley Eliza J , McGillivray Jane A , Stewart Michelle , Forbes David , Austin David W
Published: May 2019

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder appear to experience high levels of psychological distress, yet little is known about the prevalence of psychological disorders in this population. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the proportion of these parents who experience clinically significant psychopathology. Articles reporting proportions of psychological disorders in a sample of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder were located. The initial search returned 25,988 articles. Thirty-one studies with a total sample of 9208 parents were included in the final review. The median meta-analytic proportions were 31% (95% confidence interval = [24%, 38%]) for depressive disorders, 33% (95% confidence interval = [20%, 48%]) for anxiety disorders, 10% (95% confidence interval = [1%, 41%]) for obsessive-compulsive disorder, 4% (95% confidence interval = [0%, 22%]) for personality disorders, 2% (95% confidence interval = [1%, 4%]) for alcohol and substance use disorders and 1% (95% confidence interval = [0%, 5%]) for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Significant heterogeneity was detected in these categories. Further research is needed to gain more insight into variables that may moderate parental psychopathology. This review and meta-analysis is the first to provide prevalence estimates of psychological disorders in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.