bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Examination of Treatment Change Among Mentally Disordered Offenders: A Risk–Needs Analysis
Authors: Kingston Drew A. , Olver Mark E.
Published: December 2017

The present study examined the association of psychiatric symptomatology, criminal attitudes, and treatment changes within these domains to violent and general recidivism in a sample of 614 mentally disordered offenders. Significant pre–post changes were found on multiple measures of criminal attitudes, symptomatology, and readiness for change. Antisocial Intentions and Attitudes Toward Associates (from the Measure of Criminal Attitudes and Associates [MCAA]) predicted general recidivism and covaried with the Big Four criminogenic need domains on the Level of Service Inventory–Ontario Revision; none of the remaining psychometric measures significantly predicted violent or general recidivism. Although pre–post changes were seldom linked to changes in recidivism, positive changes in Antisocial Intentions (MCAA) significantly predicted reductions in general recidivism via Cox regression survival analysis, controlling for baseline risk and pretreatment attitudes score. Risk and need implications of psychometric assessments of treatment change in mentally disordered offender populations are discussed.
No Longer Pliant Tools: Urban Politics and Conflicts over African American Partisanship in 1880s Boston, Massachusetts
Authors: Bergeson-Lockwood Millington
Published: December 2017

During the 1880s, black Bostonians engaged deeply in urban electoral politics, and debates over partisanship became discussions over the place of African Americans in the United States body politic. They agreed that having a political party respond to one’s needs and interests was part of being a full and equal citizen, but divided over how best to achieve this vision. Loyal black Republicans hoped to motivate the party from within. So-called African American independents, however, broke away from Republicans and expected both major parties to earn their votes. They rejected the idea that they owed any party loyalty or unanimity based on past deeds. Focusing on the Massachusetts gubernatorial reelection campaign of Democrat Benjamin Butler in 1883, this article shows how, in their struggle for equality, black voters of either position saw urban electoral politics as an invaluable tool to achieve full citizenship protections and exercise black political power.
New Technologies: Real-time Telepathology Systems—Novel Cost-effective Tools for Real-time Consultation and Data Sharing
Authors: Siegel Gabriel , Regelman Dan , Maronpot Robert , Rosenstock Moti , Nyska Abraham
Published: December 2017

Real-time telepathology for use in investigative and regulated preclinical toxicology studies is now feasible. Newly developed microscope-integrated telepathology systems enable geographically remote stakeholders to view the live histopathology slide as seen by the study pathologist within the microscope. Simultaneous online viewing and dialog between study pathologist and remote colleagues is an efficient and cost-effective means for consultation, pathology working groups, and peer review, facilitating good science and economic benefits by enabling more timely and informed clinical decisions.
Analysis of Reported Balloon Malfunctions and Proposed Rescue Strategy for Malfunction during Airway Dilation
Authors: Strong E. Brandon , Randall Derrick R. , Cates Daniel J. , Belafsky Peter C.
Published: December 2017

Objective

The rate of balloon dilator failure is unknown, and a rescue strategy for device malfunction has not been established. The purposes of this investigation were to determine the approximate number of balloon failures in the gastrointestinal tract and airway, evaluate the parameters required to rupture balloon dilators, and develop a rescue strategy to efficiently reestablish airway patency.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort and basic medical research.

Setting

Academic tertiary care medical center.

Subjects and Methods

The Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database was queried for adverse events associated with tracheal and esophageal dilators between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2017. A bench‐top model of airway stenosis was developed, and optimal conditions for the safe removal of a malfunctioning dilator were assessed (2, 4, 6 atm).

Results

There were 420 reported balloon malfunctions, including 104 cases with deflation/removal issues. The bench‐top model determined that device rupture allowing for immediate removal occurs with needle puncture at balloon pressures ≥8 atm. Balloons inflated to 6 atm required a median of 17.5 seconds (range, 0‐55.3) for removal, in comparison with 30.2 seconds (range, 7.1‐87.5) at 2 atm (P >. 05).

Conclusion

Balloon dilator malfunction is a significant problem that practitioners must be prepared for. Pressure ≥8 atm (~33% overinflation) is required to consistently cause complete balloon dilator rupture via needle puncture. While counterintuitive, increasing the inflation pressure of a malfunctioning balloon (8‐10 atm) may expedite rupture and safe removal. A rescue strategy for balloon malfunction is proposed.
Minority stress and emotional intimacy among individuals in lesbian and gay couples: Implications for relationship satisfaction and health
Authors: Guschlbauer Andrea , Smith Nathan Grant , DeStefano Jack , Soltis Daniel E.
Published: December 2017

Lesbian and gay (LG) couples face a particular stress that is unique from their heterosexual counterparts: minority stress, the increased stress experienced as a result of living in an environment that is stigmatizing of their sexual orientation and identity. Research demonstrates that minority stress has far-reaching health implications for LG individuals. However, the literature examining the effects of minority stress on health at the couple level is limited. This study examined the impact of minority stress on emotional intimacy, relationship satisfaction, and psychological and physical health outcomes, as well as the moderating role of gender and marital status. A total of 181 LG-identified adults in same-sex relationships completed an online self-report survey. Results indicated that internalized homonegativity and sexual orientation concealment were negatively related to emotional intimacy and that emotional intimacy was positively related to relationship satisfaction. Emotional intimacy mediated the link between internalized homonegativity and relationship satisfaction for married—but not unmarried—individuals. Sexual orientation concealment mediated the link between sexual orientation concealment and relationship satisfaction for married men but not for any other group. Findings from the current study highlight the importance of emotional intimacy among individuals in LG couples. Areas for future research are explored, and implications for research, clinical practice, and policy are explicated.
Postcardiotomy refractory ventricular fibrillation: rescue using veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Soynov Ilya , Kornilov Igor , Zubritskiy Alexey , Ponomarev Dmitriy , Nichay Nataliya , Gorbatykh Artem , Voitov Alexey , Karaskov Alexander
Published: December 2017

We present a case of 7-hour ventricular fibrillation with successful use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to recovery in a 30-year-old patient with grown-up congenital heart disease who underwent pulmonary valve replacement.
Commuter couples’ life satisfaction in Korea
Authors: Lee Yun-Suk
Published: December 2017

The prevalence of ‘commuter couples’ (a type of dual-earner couple in which the spouses live separately) is on the rise. The literature on this form of marital arrangement is, however, limited in that most studies are based on in-depth interviews of individuals with high-level employment in developed countries. Using cross-sectional data from the Social Survey (2012 and 2014) in Korea, this study examined (1) the relation of this newly emerging form of living arrangement with life satisfaction and (2) differences between wives and husbands in commuter couples in life satisfaction in Korea. Commuter couples in this study reported lower life satisfaction compared to typical dual-earner couples. In addition, in commuter couples, the husbands reported lower levels of life satisfaction compared to their wives. It appears that without immediate spousal support, both wives and husbands in commuter couples suffer from the burden of multiple social roles. Additionally, gender should be considered when examining the implications of this living arrangement for subjective well-being.
Dying persons’ perspectives on, or experiences of, participating in research: An integrative review
Authors: Bloomer Melissa J , Hutchinson Alison M , Brooks Laura , Botti Mari
Published: December 2017

Background:

Conducting research with dying persons can be controversial and challenging due to concerns for the vulnerability of the dying and the potential burden on those who participate with the possibility of little benefit.

Aim:

To conduct an integrative review to answer the question ‘What are dying persons’ perspectives or experiences of participating in research?

Design:

A structured integrative review of the empirical literature was undertaken.

Data sources:

Cumulative Index Nursing and Allied Health Complete, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Informit and Embase databases were searched for the empirical literature published since inception of the databases until February 2017.

Results:

From 2369 references, 10 papers were included in the review. Six were qualitative studies, and the remaining four were quantitative. Analysis revealed four themes: value of research, desire to help, expression of self and participation preferences. Dying persons value research participation, regarding their contribution as important, particularly if it provides an opportunity to help others. Participants perceived that the potential benefits of research can and should be measured in ways other than life prolongation or cure. Willingness to participate is influenced by study type or feature and degree of inconvenience.

Conclusion:

Understanding dying persons’ perspectives of research participation will enhance future care of dying persons. It is essential that researchers do not exclude dying persons from clinically relevant research due to their prognosis, fear or burden or perceived vulnerability. The dying should be afforded the opportunity to participate in research with the knowledge it may contribute to science and understanding and improve the care and treatment of others.
Automotive Remanufacturing in the Circular Economy in Europe
Authors: Kalverkamp Matthias , Raabe Thorsten
Published: December 2017

Circular systems of reuse and recycling may stimulate resource conservation and thereby more sustainable outcomes for marketing systems. Automotive remanufacturing serves as a specific circular marketing system of reuse. However, supply shortages challenge the European remanufacturing marketing system, and current research focuses on micromarketing perspectives in this context. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the system from a macromarketing perspective to better understand reverse channel issues and their relation to the sustainability outcomes of the system. The analysis reveals imperfections in the market that lead to a waste of resources and other environmental impacts. A macro-perspective of the European marketing system for supply and procurement in automotive remanufacturing offers relevant insights, which better explain the observed inefficiencies. The study contributes to a more complete understanding of remanufacturing marketing systems and provides implications for policymakers and for marketers concerned with the design of such systems.
Differences in Image Rotation Between Undergraduates From Different University Degrees
Authors: Campos-Juanatey Diego , Pérez-Fabello María José , Campos Alfredo
Published: December 2017

The results of research on gender differences in image rotation appear to be fairly consistent, but little is known of the differences in image rotation between individuals from different professions. The aim of this study was to examine differences in gender and differences in the type of undergraduate studies in relation to the number of correct choices in image rotation, the number of incorrect choices in rotation, and the test score (correct choices minus errors). A total of 555 Architecture, Fine Arts, Psychology, and Business study undergraduates (318 women and 237 men) participated in the study. Participants were administered the Mental Rotation Test. The number of correct choices, errors, and correct choices minus errors was calculated. Men obtained more correct choices and better test scores (correct choices minus errors) than women in image rotation, and women made more rotation errors than men. Architecture undergraduates obtained more correct choices in image rotation and a higher test score (correct choices minus errors) than the other undergraduates groups.
Sexual Homicides in China: Exploring the Offender, Victim, and Offense Characteristics
Authors: Chan Heng Choon (Oliver) , Li Feng , Liu Sihai , Lu Xuesong , Jia Haipeng
Published: December 2017

Nearly all information available on sexual homicides are limited to studies conducted in the West. Little is known about sexual homicides that occurred in China. The current study is arguably the first to explore the offender, victim, and offense characteristics of Chinese sexual homicides. Over a period of 23 years (1994 to 2016), the data of 59 cases collected from two data sources (i.e., published Chinese case reports and police data) are examined. Findings indicate that heterosexual assaults are far more prevalent in Chinese sexual homicides. Sexual murderers who averagely aged 32.44 years are mostly males (97%), single (67%), secondary school educated (68%), and with no prior overall (80%) and sexual (88%) convictions. The victims are mostly females (83%) with mean age of 35.35 years. The frequently observed offending patterns include strangers as victim choice (63%), con tactics as victim approach method (57%), sexual pleasure as primary motivation (49%), and personal weapons as murder weapon of choice (41%). Vaginal penetration is a commonly observed sexual assault (88%) and victim body mutilation is also not uncommon (47%). Three case examples are also presented to illustrate the diverse nature and offending patterns of Chinese sexual homicide offenders.
Tell El-Amarna, 2016
Authors: Kemp Barry
Published: December 2017

The security situation in Minia Province after January 2016 prevented fieldwork. The reports presented here cover work done at the expedition house in the latter part of 2015 and cover primarily the first report on an assemblage of bird bones, which are probably the remnants of offerings at the Great Aten Temple, and the first report on human bones from the North Tombs Cemetery.
Theban Harbours and Waterscapes Survey, Spring 2016
Authors: Graham Angus , Strutt Kristian D. , Peeters Jan , Toonen Willem H. J. , Pennington Benjamin T. , Emery Virginia L. , Barker Dominic S. , Johansson Carolin
Published: December 2017

Report on the 2016 spring season of the Theban Harbours and Waterscapes Survey (THaWS). The article discusses the geoarchaeological and geophysical survey along a 3.2 km-long transect starting close to the front of the Temple of Millions of Years of Ay and Horemheb and stretching to the village of Geziret el-Bairat on the West Bank of the Nile.
The 2015 Survey of the Base of the Great Pyramid
Authors: Dash Glen , Paulson Joel
Published: December 2017

In 2015, we completed a comprehensive survey of the base of the Great Pyramid. In this paper, we report on the survey's findings. We began our survey by remapping four control monuments around the base. Here we provide new coordinates for these control monuments. Next, we identified 84 points around the periphery of the Great Pyramid where we found evidence of its original baseline. Using this data set, we then derive new estimates for the size and orientation of the Great Pyramid and compute associated error bounds.
Oil spill modeling
Authors: Nelson Jake R , Grubesic Tony H
Published: December 2017

Oil spill modeling is fundamental for planning and preparing for, as well as responding to and mitigating, actual spill events. As a result, significant research effort has been directed toward developing analytical approaches for deepening our understanding of spill risk, community vulnerability, oil behavior, spill outcomes, and impacts. The purpose of this paper is to provide a synthesis of the oil spill risk assessment and impact modeling literature, with a focus on the vulnerability of local environmental, ecological, and community systems, as well as the geographic processes associated with modeling spills and transforming these data into a robust and meaningful impact assessments. The results of this progress report reveal a number of methodological and substantive commonalities across the scientific literature. Moreover, the synthesis of this literature should provide researchers with a strong foundation for pursuing future work in this domain.
Bulgarian Ritual Kinship (Kumstvo)
Authors: Hristov Petko
Published: December 2017

Among the Orthodox Christians on the Balkans, the rituals of Christian baptism and marriage traditionally give rise to ritual kinship relationships, not only among individuals but also among family groups that were until then unrelated. Only among Bulgarians, Serbians, and Macedonians, these relationships are carried on hereditarily and are constructed according to the patrilineal kinship model. The godfather’s role ( kumstvo) is inherited as symbolic capital by the family-kin groups of both the godparents and the godchildren. These are relations of symbolic inequality and have a ritual character: both the calendar feast cycle and the lifecycle rituals are marked by symbolic rights and obligations, which are still observed until the present day in most Bulgarian families, for example, mandatory gift exchange. The belief in the power of the godparent’s curse is still alive today in a number of regions in Bulgaria. On the other hand, the godparent tradition among Bulgarians acquired new meaning and new dimensions during the decades of socialism and postsocialist transition. During the last two or three decades, the godparent relationship has become a way of building new social networks, often of a clientelist nature. More and more often, ritual kinship relations are used for benefits and hierarchical ascent, similarly to nepotism. This process leads to the reformation of social networks—it still functions as social capital, but to each new generation. Every new family chooses different godparents, thus creating new social networks. Research about godparent relations among Bulgarians and, more generally, on the Balkans, is based on both existing studies on the subject and on the author’s personal fieldwork research in Bulgaria.
Past Methylphenidate Exposure and Stress Fractures in Combat Soldiers: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Schermann Haggai , Ben-Ami Ilan Shalom , Tudor Adrian , Amar Eyal , Rath Ehud , Yanovich Ran
Published: December 2017

Background:

Previous research has revealed decreased bone mineral density (BMD) among children and adolescents who receive methylphenidate (MP) treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These findings have major clinical implications given that the prevalence of medication-treated ADHD is on the rise worldwide. We decided to investigate the clinical effect of MP exposure on the incidence of stress fractures, for which a low BMD is a risk factor.

Hypothesis:

Exposure to MP is a risk factor for stress fractures.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This is a case-control study of combat soldiers who served in the military for 3 years between 2005 and 2015. The case group included 2400 soldiers with at least 1 stress fracture diagnosed by a bone scan. The control group comprised 6187 combat soldiers without a diagnosis of a stress fracture. The use of MP was determined by an automated text search of medical records and manual sorting of the results. Other study variables included age; sex; weight; height; body mass index (BMI); place of birth; and characterization of fractures by location, side, and grade. Odds ratios of stress fractures, the attributable proportion among the exposed, and the population attributable fraction were calculated using standard contingency tables. Logistic regression was fitted after adjusting for covariates.

Results:

The previous use of MP was associated with a higher risk of stress fractures (odds ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.07-1.24]). The attributable proportion was 13.2%, and the population attributable fraction was 0.3%. Logistic regression demonstrated an increased risk of stress fractures associated with past MP use, preserved after adjusting for BMI, sex, and place of birth ( P = .005). Female sex, BMI ≤20 kg/m2, and 20 < BMI ≤25 kg/m2 were independent positive predictors of a stress fracture, while African origin was a negative predictor. Most participants who used MP had only 1 fracture (77.8%), while the majority of participants who did not use MP in the past had ≥2 coincident fractures (53.5%) ( P = .003).

Conclusion:

This study supports the hypothesis that an MP-associated reduction in BMD has a clinical effect in the form of an increased incidence of stress fractures. The high percentage of fractures attributed to MP use may serve as a basis for risk stratification, that is, the referral of patients with a history of MP use to BMD measurements.
Evidence-Based Advocacy for Municipal Climate Change Action
Authors: Mitchell Carrie L. , Graham Alexandra
Published: December 2017

In this article, we argue that evidence-based advocacy for climate change action should be a core competency of professional planners. However, data from our case study in Metro Vancouver, Canada, suggests that municipal-level climate change practitioners have conflicting views regarding their professional responsibility to advocate for action on climate change. We contend these tensions stem from twentieth-century planning debates, which oscillate between rational-comprehensive planning versus calls to advocate, in one form or another, for various public interests. Overall, we find that transforming barriers into enablers of action on climate change must include critical engagement with planning theory and education.
Exploring Inconsistent Counts of Racial/Ethnic Minorities in a 2010 Census Ethnographic Evaluation
Authors: Terry Rodney L. , Schwede Laurie , King Ryan , Martinez Mandi , Childs Jennifer Hunter
Published: December 2017

Previous research has shown differential counts by race and ethnicity across several recent United States decennial censuses. This article presents findings from a 2010 Census ethnographic evaluation with a record check, conducted to identify factors affecting enumeration among racial/ethnic groups. In eight sites targeted to major racial/ethnic groups, ethnographers observed live census interviews and assessed where persons should have been counted. In the record check, housing unit rosters were matched with four data sources to identify inconsistencies in where to count persons. Ethnographic themes that contributed to record check inconsistencies include respondent access difficulty, language issues, and cultural issues. Ways to improve enumeration include improving access to hard-to-reach respondents and increasing the cultural awareness of enumerators.
Quantitative Evaluation Based on Participants’ Qualitative Feedback -NSF’s I/UCRC Program, 1993-2009
Authors: Liu Hexuan , Roberts Carl W.
Published: December 2017

Tucked away towards the end of survey instruments, open-ended questions are often only examined post hoc as researchers search for strategically-placed quotations in support of their otherwise quantitatively-derived conclusions. Yet program evaluations can benefit from participants’ spontaneous insights on how their program might be improved, because these insights commonly reveal previously unforeseen aspects needing support or discouragement. This paper introduces a semantic text analysis technique for the analysis of survey data generated from open-ended questions of the form, “How can our program improve?” The technique is illustrated using data from faculty-participants in a National Science Foundation (NSF) program for the development of greater cooperation between industrial and academic researchers.
Testing the Goodness of the EVS Gender Role Attitudes Scale
Authors: Lomazzi Vera
Published: December 2017

This study provides a critical evaluation of the gender role attitude scale included in the fourth wave of the European Values Study. The goodness of this scale is tested considering first of all its reliability and the stability of the factorial structure. The results suggest caution in the use of this instrument: the scale presents a deep variation in reliability across countries and its configuration is not stable, displaying several different factor structures from one country to another. In considering the source of this instability, this study addresses a priming effect due to questions introduced in 2008 immediately prior to the use of the gender role attitudes scale that modified the context of response.
Grooming and Seduction
Authors: Dietz Park
Published: December 2017

Ken Lanning’s recollections of the origins of the use of the term “grooming” to refer to techniques used by acquaintances to gain sexual access to and control over children is an important contribution to the history of the significant recognition that many cases of child sexual abuse occur at the hands of offenders who are acquaintances of the child and who do not need to use force, threats, or violence to gain the compliance of their victims. That this recognition was slow in coming is obvious in retrospect, as is true of any social problem that remains hidden for centuries only to burst into public consciousness over the course of a few years. In this article, I report the results of searches using Google Scholar to look at the introduction of this use of the term “grooming” to the peer-reviewed literature in 1984 and its increasing use through 2016. Since 2008, the usage has been adopted in hundreds of articles in the professional literature each year, suggesting that this usage of the term “grooming” will remain common in the decades ahead. I also examine the history of the term “seduction” in the context of child sexual abuse, particularly two archaic uses of the term: as a euphemism for any sexual or sexually stimulating encounter between child and adult and in the context of suggestions that it was the child who seduced the adult. To avoid resurrecting any confusion over these issues, it would be a mistake to abandon “grooming” in favor of “seduction.” I conclude that the best strategy may be that adopted by Lanning of using the terms grooming and seduction in tandem, explaining the parallels between the seduction of one adult by another and the grooming or seduction of a child by an adult.
Nebulized Heparin With N-Acetylcysteine and Albuterol Reduces Duration of Mechanical Ventilation in Patients With Inhalation Injury
Authors: McGinn Kaitlin A. , Weigartz Katie , Lintner Alicia , Scalese Michael J. , Kahn Steven A.
Published: December 2017

Objective:

Nebulized heparin has been proposed to improve pulmonary function in patients with inhalation injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of nebulized heparin with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and albuterol on the duration of mechanical ventilation in burn patients.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study evaluating mechanically ventilated adult patients admitted to a regional burn center with inhalation injury. Outcomes were compared between patients who were prescribed a combination of nebulized heparin with NAC and albuterol versus similar patients who did not.

Results:

A total of 48 patients met inclusion criteria (heparin n = 22; nonheparin n = 26). Patients in the nonheparin group had higher percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burned (29.00 [5.75-51.88] vs 5.25 [0.50-13.25] %TBSA; P = .009), longer duration of mechanical ventilation (6.50 [2.75-17.00] vs 3.00 [1.00-8.25] days; P = .022), and longer intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) (3.00 [3.00-28.75] vs 5.50 days [2.00-11.25]; P = .033). Upon regression, use of heparin was the only variable associated with reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation ( P = .039).

Conclusion:

Nebulized heparin in combination with NAC and albuterol was associated with a significant reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation.
Inventing the ‘normal’ child
Authors: Wright Katie
Published: December 2017

Constructions of normality and abnormality in discussions of young people changed considerably in the early to mid-twentieth century in many parts of the world, including Australia. The perennial trope of youth as a threat assumed a distinctly new form in this era, as the troubled and troublesome child, the incipient and confirmed delinquent, was reconfigured through emerging knowledges of the human sciences. Exploring the effects of new concerns with the ‘normal’, this article begins by examining the construct of normalcy and its interdependency with notions of the ‘abnormal’, particularly juvenile delinquency, as the antithesis of personal and social adjustment. Yet the discursive strategies that saw delinquency, at one level, recognized as a complex and multi-causal problem also construed it as amenable to clinical solutions, notably psychological intervention. The article explores how emergent ideas of the importance of early intervention created divisions between three groups of youthful populations: the ‘normal child’ deemed well adjusted, the ‘problem child’ thought to be responsive to adjustive measures, and the ‘confirmed delinquent’, whose behaviour was considered intractable and was thus unlikely to attain the socially desired status of normalcy.
Wet or dry? The challenges of NIR to analyse soil samples
Authors: Roberts JJ , Cozzolino D
Published: December 2017

The increasing use of hand-held or portable infrared instruments (near infrared and mid infrared (MIR)), the development of new algorithms and the increasing use of chemometrics have changed the way that infrared spectroscopy is used to measure different properties in soils, allowing the measurement of samples in the field (on-the go). However, key important aspects on the use of near infrared spectroscopy to analyse soil samples containing high moisture levels still not well understood. A brief summary of the main issues related with applications of NIR spectroscopy to measure soil samples in the field are discussed in this article.
Monitoring water absorption of medically used PMMA using NIR
Authors: Wiedemair Verena , Wolfgang Huck Christian
Published: December 2017

Poly(methyl-methacrylate)-based full dentures for the upper jaw, which were produced using computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing, were analyzed toward water absorption using NIR spectroscopy. Spectra were recorded in the range between 10,000 and 4000 cm−1, however only the selected ranges from 5288–5100 and 5424–5352 cm−1 were used to successfully build a calibration model, as these regions showed the most variation. Furthermore, the calibration model was tested using validation samples. Those are unknown to the model and their respective value for absorbed water was predicted.
Analysis of the factors affecting volunteering, satisfaction, continuation will, and loyalty for public library volunteers: An integrated structural equation model
Authors: Oh Dong-Geun
Published: December 2017

This study aims to develop an integrated model to analyze the behaviors of public library volunteers in order to help the libraries utilize them as helpful and important human resources. An integrated structural equation model which consists of factors affecting volunteering, volunteer satisfaction, continuation will of volunteering, and loyalty/contributing intention to the library has been developed and tested using survey data from 401 public library volunteers in Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea. Understanding/enhancement and value functions, as well as those significantly directly influencing volunteer satisfaction, are higher motivating factors than other functions of the Voluntary Function Inventory. Direct effects of factors affecting volunteering, and indirect effects mediated by volunteer satisfaction, both on the continuation will of volunteering and loyalty/contributing intention to the library of the volunteers, are investigated: volunteer satisfaction has strong direct positive effects on both factors. Considering the total effects, support and recognition, perceptions of experience, and understanding/enhancement function have positive effects on the continuation will of volunteering, whereas the career function has negative effects; and support and recognition, perceptions of volunteer experience, values function, protective function, understanding/enhancement function, and social function have positive effects on the loyalty/contributing intention to the library, whereas the career function has a negative weak effect on it. Mean differences among groups are also analyzed. Because this study is a kind of extensive exploratory research for library volunteers with some limitations, recommendations for further research are offered, as well as research and managerial implications based on the discussion.
An oncology clinical trial design with randomization adaptive to both short- and long-term responses
Authors: Liu Hao , Lin Xiao , Huang Xuelin
Published: December 2017

In oncology clinical trials, both short-term response and long-term survival are important. We propose an urn-based adaptive randomization design to incorporate both of these two outcomes. While short-term response can update the randomization probability quickly to benefit the trial participants, long-term survival outcome can also change the randomization to favor the treatment arm with definitive therapeutic benefit. Using generalized Friedman’s urn, we derive an explicit formula for the limiting distribution of the number of subjects assigned to each arm. With prior or hypothetical knowledge on treatment effects, this formula can be used to guide the selection of parameters for the proposed design to achieve desirable patient number ratios between different treatment arms, and thus optimize the operating characteristics of the trial design. Simulation studies show that the proposed design successfully assign more patients to the treatment arms with either better short-term tumor response or long-term survival outcome or both.
Determining the likely place of HIV acquisition for migrants in Europe combining subject-specific information and biomarkers data
Authors: Pantazis Nikos , Thomadakis Christos , del Amo Julia , Alvarez-del Arco Debora , Burns Fiona M , Fakoya Ibidun , Touloumi Giota
Published: December 2017

In most HIV-positive individuals, infection time is only known to lie between the time an individual started being at risk for HIV and diagnosis time. However, a more accurate estimate of infection time is very important in certain cases. For example, one of the objectives of the Advancing Migrant Access to Health Services in Europe (aMASE) study was to determine if HIV-positive migrants, diagnosed in Europe, were infected pre- or post-migration. We propose a method to derive subject-specific estimates of unknown infection times using information from HIV biomarkers’ measurements, demographic, clinical, and behavioral data. We assume that CD4 cell count (CD4) and HIV-RNA viral load trends after HIV infection follow a bivariate linear mixed model. Using post-diagnosis CD4 and viral load measurements and applying the Bayes’ rule, we derived the posterior distribution of the HIV infection time, whereas the prior distribution was informed by AIDS status at diagnosis and behavioral data. Parameters of the CD4–viral load and time-to-AIDS models were estimated using data from a large study of individuals with known HIV infection times (CASCADE). Simulations showed substantial predictive ability (e.g. 84% of the infections were correctly classified as pre- or post-migration). Application to the aMASE study ( n = 2009) showed that 47% of African migrants and 67% to 72% of migrants from other regions were most likely infected post-migration. Applying a Bayesian method based on bivariate modeling of CD4 and viral load, and subject-specific information, we found that the majority of HIV-positive migrants in aMASE were most likely infected after their migration to Europe.
Introducing the Corpus of the Canon of Western Literature: A corpus for culturomics and stylistics
Authors: Green Clarence
Published: December 2017

This paper introduces the Corpus of the Canon of Western Literature (Version 1.0), accompanied by a demonstration of its potential uses. The canon of western literature has been an important construct in the study of literature, long standing and long contested. It has been argued to represent many of the greatest works produced in the history of western literature. This corpus operationalizes the western canon based on Harold Bloom’s The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages (1994). The paper describes the development of the corpus, its organization and source material. Corpus procedures are applied to the corpus, such as word frequency analysis, lemmatization and keyness, to demonstrate its potential uses in culturomics and corpus stylistics, two interdisciplinary fields between the traditional and digital humanities, and the linguistic and literary approaches to literature. Culturomics is the study of culture and social psychology via the investigation of corpora of literature as cultural artefacts, while corpus stylistics is the application of corpus linguistics to traditional literary scholarship. The corpus introduced in this paper is open source and freely available.
Solidarity at work? The prevalence of emergency-driven solidarity in the administrative governance of the Common European Asylum System
Authors: Tsourdi Evangelia (Lilian)
Published: December 2017

Policymakers conceptualize the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) as a ‘common area of protection and solidarity’. And yet, the absence of solidarity and fair-sharing in the administrative governance of the policy is glaringly salient. Against this backdrop, this article explores Article 80 TFEU, establishing the principle of ‘solidarity and fair-sharing of responsibility’. This analysis reveals it to be a principle that is structural to the EU asylum policy, dictates a certain ‘quality’ in the co-operation of the different actors, and affects the goal of the policy. To do this, after outlining the initial implementation design of the asylum policy, I examine ‘shifts’ in its administration modes, focusing on developments in responsibility-assignation, practical cooperation and EU funding. The analysis covers developments prompted by the 2015 ‘refugee crisis’, such as the emergency intra-EU relocation schemes, the emergence of new funding lines and the enhancement in the operational role of EU agencies. This article argues that, despite the rhetoric surrounding the solidarity principle, rather than being structurally embedded in the system’s administration modes, it remains emergency-driven. In this sense, the implementation design fails both to attain ‘fair sharing’, as well as to respond to what are essentially structural, rather than exceptional needs.
Researcher Self-Care in Emotionally Demanding Research: A Proposed Conceptual Framework
Authors: Kumar Smita , Cavallaro Liz
Published: December 2017

Researchers are emotionally and psychologically affected by emotionally demanding research that demands a tremendous amount of mental, emotional, or physical energy and potentially affects or depletes the researcher’s well-being. Little attention has been given to preparing doctoral students and novice researchers engaged in such studies. Four possible types of emotionally demanding research experiences are presented: sensitive issues, personal trauma previously experienced, experience of traumatic life events during research, and unexpected events that arise during research in what was previously not identified as a sensitive issue. The need for self-care is highly relevant to each type, despite their different impacts on researcher well-being. This conceptual article furthers conversation in the field about how researchers and educators can address the need for self-care to prepare novice researchers and proposes a conceptual framework for researcher self-care in emotionally demanding research, with an aim for future empirical study.
Family Perceptions of Family Nursing in a Magnet Institution During Acute Hospitalizations of Older Adult Patients
Authors: Misto Kara
Published: December 2017

Family involvement during hospitalizations of older adults with chronic illnesses may benefit both patients and family. However, there is a limited amount of research focused on families of older adults managing chronic illness. This study describes family member perceptions of the relationship between family and nurses when an older adult with diabetes is hospitalized in a Magnet institution. The Calgary Family Intervention Model guided the study. A family member of 60 older adult patients completed the Family Function, Family Health, and Social Support Instrument. The results revealed positive perceptions from family members regarding their perceptions of family nursing practice. Family health, however, was found to decrease slightly as loved ones are hospitalized more frequently, and is an area where nurses may provide improved social support. Future research might target the implementation of a targeted family-level intervention designed to improve family outcomes as well as family nursing practice.
Midostaurin in Combination With Standard Chemotherapy for Treatment of Newly Diagnosed FMS-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 (FLT3) Mutation–Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Kim Miryoung , Williams Sherry
Published: December 2017

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of midostaurin in combination with standard cytarabine and daunorubicin induction and cytarabine consolidation in newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Data Source: A literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE (September 2017) was performed using the terms midostaurin, PKC412, FLT3 gene, and acute myeloid leukemia. Study Selection/Data Extraction: Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of midostaurin in combination with standard cytarabine and daunorubicin induction and cytarabine consolidation were reviewed for the treatment of newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated AML. All peer-reviewed articles with clinically relevant information were evaluated for inclusion. Data Synthesis: Midostaurin is a multikinase inhibitor also targeting FLT3 indicated for the treatment of newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated AML. A phase III trial illustrated that midostaurin in combination with standard chemotherapy improved event-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed FLT3-mutation–positive AML compared with standard chemotherapy alone. However, midostaurin did not show a difference in the rate of patients who proceeded to receive an allogeneic stem cell transplant compared with placebo. There was no significant difference in toxicity between the midostaurin and placebo groups, except that more patients experienced grade 3 to 5 anemia and rash with midostaurin. Conclusions: Midostaurin in combination with standard induction and consolidation is safe and efficacious in newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated AML.
Modelling and implementation of product development strategy
Authors: Duda Jan Andrzej
Published: December 2017

The evolution of computer-aided systems and systems for the product data management towards the product development management systems, modules of application for the product life cycle management, necessitates the changes in the functioning of production enterprises. Due to the global competition, the enterprises not only re-organize their strategies but also look for the new system solutions based on the knowledge. Such actions are necessary for the enterprises to reach the success. The article presents the knowledge about the product development processes realized in the production system, presented in the form of hierarchical decision nets. Production system was considered as the set of elements interacting with the relationships occurring in the environment. The process is described as the set of logical events occurring in the system. The model of product development was developed using the business process modelling notation. The implementation of selected knowledge area in BizagiExpress system and testing in product lifecycle management environment were presented.
Political Dynasties and Particularistic Campaigns
Authors: Muraoka Taishi
Published: December 2017

Although many studies agree that electoral systems shape campaign strategies that candidates employ, there is important variation in their focuses and rhetoric even among those who face the same institutional constrains. To solve this puzzle, I argue that the dynastic status of candidates, defined as coming from a family with a history of involvement in politics, is an important individual-level predictor of campaign strategies. Dynastic candidates inherit personal support bases from their family members who have previously served in congress, and the special ties with these support bases provide them strategic incentives to adopt particularistic appeals in their campaigns. Analyzing the electoral manifestos of legislative candidates in Japan, I show that dynastic candidates are more likely to emphasize the distribution of particularistic goods than nondynastic candidates. I also find that the link between dynastic status and a particularistic campaign is especially strong among candidates with relatively short political careers. This study contributes to literature on the determinants of campaign strategies by offering a micro-level explanation for why some candidates rely more heavily on targeted and particularistic appeals than others.
Implementation of Rocking Chair Therapy for Veterans in Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Authors: Cross Rene’ L. , White Justin , Engelsher Jaclyn , O’Connor Stephen S.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND: Substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health diagnosis negatively affect Veteran homelessness. OBJECTIVE: Assess the acceptance and feasibility of rocking chair therapy as a self-implemented intervention for mood and substance cravings. PICOT: For homeless Veterans in SUD treatment, how does adding vestibular stimulation by use of a rocking chair compared with treatment as usual affect levels of anxiety and substance cravings? RESULTS: Two significant findings were observed. First, a greater number of minutes spent rocking was associated with significantly greater scores on the Expectancy scale of the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire (ACQ; p = .05), suggesting participants experiencing higher urges and desires to drink rocked to self-soothe. Second, a significant association was observed between a greater number of minutes spent rocking and lower scores on the ACQ Purposefulness subscale ( p = .03), indicating greater time rocking was associated with fewer urges and desires that are connected with the intent and plan to drink. CONCLUSION: Vestibular stimulation by rocking in a rocking chair may increase the ability to self-regulate mood and substance cravings, thereby potentially reducing risk of relapse and recurrent chronic homelessness.