bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Teachers’ Characteristics on Placement Recommendations for Students with Visual Impairments
Authors: Kim Young-il , Corn Anne L.
Published: June 2019

This article reports on a study of 116 certified teachers of students with visual impairments who responded to a questionnaire containing a teacher-efficacy scale, a hypothetical case report, and questions about the teachers. The study found that a teacher's current job placement was the most distinctive teacher variable affecting the teacher's placement recommendations for students. Other teacher variables that influenced these recommenations were type of community, teaching efficacy, and years of teaching experience in a specific setting.
Route Descriptions by Visually Impaired and Sighted Children from Memory and from Maps
Authors: Edwards Rachel , Ungar Simon , Blades Mark
Published: June 2019

The study reported here investigated the quality and content of visually impaired and sighted children's descriptions of two routes around their schools from memory and by using a map (print or tactile). It found that the descriptions from maps were generally poorer than those from memory, the descriptions of the visually impaired children contained more information than and were qualitatively different from those of the sighted children, and the descriptions of the younger visually impaired children were less well specified than those of the older visually impaired children and the sighted children.
Statewide Employment Specialists: An Innovative Approach to Developing Relationships with Employers of People who are Visually Impaired
Authors: Johnson Gil , Laird Mark , Maxson John
Published: June 2019

Editor's Note: With the addition of a statewide employment specialist to mentor vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors and forge relationships with businesses, the Rehabilitation Services for the Blind doubled the number of its visually impaired consumers who found jobs each year. The following interview—between Mark Laird (ML), statewide employment specialist, Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, and Gil Johnson (GJ), director, American Foundation for the Blind West, on May 26, 1998— describes this innovative model for service delivery. John Maxson, training director, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University, edited the transcript of the interview.
Knowledge of Concept Prototypes of Students who are Blind or Have Low Vision
Authors: Zeppuhar Mary Ellen , Walls Richard T.
Published: June 2019

In this study, 37 students who were blind or had low vision listed as many members (examples) of 10 categories (concepts) as they could. The prototype order of the examples they listed was scored according to norms developed by Rosch. The students who were blind or had low vision did not differ in their scores, but the older students (aged 13–21) produced more members and more members in correct prototype order than did the younger students (aged 6–12). Categories with which the students had a greater degree of direct sensory experience produced more members and higher prototype-order scores.
Older Adults’ Perspectives on Their Successful Adjustment to Vision Loss
Authors: Kleinschmidt Julia J.
Published: June 2019

This article describes a qualitative study that explored 12 older adults’ successful adjustment to vision loss. These older adults identified factors related to their successful adjustment and offered advice to others who are facing the challenges of visual impairment.
The Development of Rocking among Children who are Blind
Authors: McHugh Elaine , Pyfer Jean
Published: June 2019

This qualitative study of rocking in four children who are blind, aged 10–13, used in-depth interviews, observations, psychomotor assessments, and reviews of school and other records. The findings revealed similarities in the children's early medical histories, delays in motor development, constraints on vigorous movement, and limited peer relationships.
Visually Impaired Students’ Perceptions of Their Social Integration in College
Authors: Hodges Jan S. , Keller M. Jean
Published: June 2019

This study identified the perceptions of six college students with visual impairments on what influenced their social activity on campus. It found that the influences were different for these students than for traditional students as identified in the literature. The findings suggest that it is necessary to intervene in the social development of young people with visual impairments before they attend college and to help them overcome such barriers as peers’ discomfort with them in social situations and difficulties with transportation.
Changes in Educational Team Membership for Students who are Deaf-Blind in General Education Classes
Authors: Giangreco Michael F. , Edelman Susan W. , Nelson Catherine , Young Mary Rose , Kiefer-O'Donnell Richard
Published: June 2019

This study examined the changes in team membership for 18 students with deaf-blindness from 1994-95 to 1997–98. The findings highlight the many people who are involved in each student's education and the high level of turnover among professional staff from year to year. Implications for managing changes in team membership are discussed, and recommendations for future research are offered.
Trends in the Use of Alternative Mobility Devices
Authors: Skellenger Annette C.
Published: June 2019

This survey of 120 orientation and mobility instructors found that 75% have taught their students to use alternative mobility devices. The type of device taught most often was a two-shafted device (such as the Connecticut precane). Other devices included riding toys, upright push toys, and probing devices.
Indigenous knowledge codification of African traditional medicine: Inhibited by status quo based on secrecy?
Authors: Masango Charles Akwe
Published: June 2019

This paper is located within global debates about the codification of indigenous knowledge (IK) practices vis-à-vis traditional medicine in Africa. Following a theoretical research based on an extensive literature review, the paper questions whether it is possible to codify all elements embedded in Africa’s indigenous knowledge practices in traditional medicine following that the medicine encompasses esoteric and non-esoteric elements. There is a persistent plea for the elements of Africa’s indigenous knowledge practices in traditional medicine to be codified and to desist from its status-quo phenomena of secrecy for posterity. Within Africa’s indigenous knowledge (IK) practices in traditional medicine are certain aspects that it may not be possible to codify. The non-esoteric aspect of African traditional medicine can be codified as it encompasses no secret, while the esoteric aspect may not be codified as it is considered to be secret for a select few traditional healers who exploit it for livelihood. The raison d’être for the examination stems from the notion that Africa’s indigenous knowledge practices in traditional medicine has a high livelihood potential, hence needs to be protected. Traditional healers have over generations fostered relationships with other groups, creating a complex web of high levels of cooperation, exchange and support that are essential for livelihood. Their fast erosion due to internal and external factors poses a serious threat to livelihood development in the subregion. The lack of codification of Africa’s indigenous knowledge practices in traditional medicine gives an urge to western pharmaceutical companies, who make huge profits from indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. With further theoretical research, the paper exposes the esoteric and non-esoteric elements that encompass African traditional medicinal plants and the possible reasons why the status-quo based on secrecy persists within the esoteric aspects of the medicinal plant practices and how the status-quo may be uplifted within intellectual property rights (IPR) in the form of patent and other approaches for posterity.
Determining whether someone has mental capacity to make a decision: clinical guidance based on a review of the evidence
Authors: Wade Derick T
Published: June 2019

Valid consent to healthcare treatments depends upon a person having the capacity to give it. The Mental Health Act not only requires a presumption of capacity but also expects clinicians to take reasonable steps to establish whether the patient lacks capacity. The facts are that (1) lack of capacity is common among hospital inpatients and people in the community needing care, but is often not recognized. (2) Capacity must not be judged on the basis of the decision made: an unwise decision is not evidence of a lack of capacity, and a decision expected by the clinician is not evidence of capacity. Capacity is decision-specific and must be considered critically without preconceptions. There is no valid other test. (3) Clinically people will fall into four groups: (a) obviously lack capacity and will not recover it, (b) obviously lack capacity but will recover soon, (c) obviously have capacity, (d) capacity is in doubt and major healthcare decision needed. Only the last group need more detailed attention. (4) Capacity is (a) relative to the complexity of the information; (b) on a spectrum, not categorical; (c) decided using clinical judgement; and (d) subject to disagreement among assessors. The recommendations are as follows: (1) capacity should always be considered within the decision-making process, and the outcome should be documented, with sufficient information to understand the opinion given. (2) Detailed assessment should be reserved for situations when (a) a major decision is needed and (b) there is time to assess and discuss the assessment.
Design of physical user–robot interactions for model identification of soft actuators on exoskeleton robots
Authors: Hamaya Masashi , Matsubara Takamitsu , Teramae Tatsuya , Noda Tomoyuki , Morimoto Jun
Published: June 2019

Recent breakthroughs in wearable robots, such as exoskeleton robots with soft actuators and soft exosuits, have enabled the use of safe and comfortable movement assistance. However, modeling and identification methods for soft actuators used in wearable robots have yet to be sufficiently explored. In this study, we propose a novel approach for obtaining accurate soft actuator models through the design of physical user–robot interactions for wearable robots, in which the user applies external forces to the robot. To obtain an accurate soft actuator model from the limited amount of data acquired through an interaction, we leverage an active learning framework based on Gaussian process regression. We conducted experiments using a two-degree-of-freedom upper-limb exoskeleton robot with four pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs). Experimental results showed that physical interactions between the exoskeleton robot and the user were successfully designed to allow PAM models to be identified. Furthermore, we found that data acquired through an interaction could result in more accurate soft actuator models for the exoskeleton robots than data acquired without a physical interaction between the exoskeleton robot and the user.
Economic resilience of Japanese nuclear host communities: A quasi-experimental modeling approach
Authors: Plummer Paul , Yamamoto Daisaku
Published: June 2019

The recent Fukushima disaster has raised policy concerns regarding the resilience of Japan’s nuclear host communities. Drawing on concepts from evolutionary economic geography and using a quasi-experimental research design we evaluate how these communities “bounce back,” absorb, and adapt to both unanticipated “shocks” and public-private policy interventions. The experience of two nuclear host communities, Kashiwazaki and Kariwa, relative to their “twin” non-host communities of Sanjo and Izumozaki suggests that long-run developmental trajectories were only temporarily shifted during the nuclear power plant construction phase. This raises questions about the economic justification of nuclear power plants made on the ground of long-term structural transformation of host communities.
Examining the Effect of Adolescent Sport Participation on Civic Engagement and Orientation in Early Adulthood
Authors: Rotolo Thomas , Kirkpatrick Johnson Monica , McCall James Richard
Published: June 2019

In the United States, athletics is a major part of adolescents’ lives during high school. Using longitudinal data on 703 respondents from the Youth Development Study, we examine whether sports participation in adolescence predicts a diverse array of civic behaviors and orientations as young adults. Our study centers on a test of two theories. Socialization theory suggests that sports participation, like other youth activities, will increase the likelihood of prosocial outcomes. In contrast, selection theory predicts that once background factors are considered, the significant effects of youth athletics on civic outcomes will be eliminated. Bivariate models indicate small, statistically significant effects of participation on most outcomes. Multivariate analyses incorporating a range of factors prior to athletic participation tend to support selection theory. The results suggest that most of the bivariate associations are attributable to other factors that influence who participates in athletics during adolescence.
Who wants to be a citizen scientist? Identifying the potential of citizen science and target segments in Switzerland
Authors: Füchslin Tobias , Schäfer Mike S. , Metag Julia
Published: June 2019

Driven by the proliferation of digital media, citizen science – the involvement of non-scientists in scientific research – represents one of the most important recent developments in science communication as it brings science and the public closer together. So far, however, citizen science projects have mostly attracted people that are highly educated, mostly male and already have very positive attitudes towards science. Based on nationally representative survey data ( N = 1051), our study explores the potential of citizen science in Switzerland. Using regression analysis, we show that attitudes towards science are significant antecedents of respondents’ interest in participating in citizen science – but that gender and education are not. In addition, latent class analysis identifies five segments, representing over one-third of the Swiss population, who are interested in citizen science and could potentially be engaged: ‘Free-Timers’, ‘Senior Sciencephiles’, ‘Young Sciencephiles’, ‘Intrigued Adolescents’ and ‘Fully Employed Parents’. Additional description suggests that previously overlooked segments are best addressed online via YouTube or offline in zoos or botanical gardens. Overall, our analysis suggests that citizen science’s potential is far higher than previous projects were able to realize.
Use of the STOPP and START criteria to address polypharmacy for elderly patients in University Hospital Lewisham Clinical Decisions Unit
Authors: O’Connor Johanna , Adabavazeh Babak , Choi Hyun , Khan Akthar , Shah Sahil , Shah Shahnal
Published: June 2019

Background:

Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing are risk factors for adverse drug reactions, which commonly cause complications in older people. The STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions)/START (Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment) criteria are screening tools, which aim to improve prescribing in the elderly.

Objectives:

The aim was to improve prescribing, using the STOPP/START criteria, for patients aged 65 and above, who were admitted to the Clinical Decisions Unit at University Hospital Lewisham. We focused on the most common prescribing errors in clinical decision unit, an emergency medicine department.

Methods:

We reviewed all patients aged 65 and above admitted to the Clinical Decisions Unit in September. Data was collected from clinical documentation and archived drug charts. This pilot study of 114 patients revealed the most common prescribing errors, of which 8 were STOPP and 11 were START criteria. A plan–do–study–act methodology was implemented over 1 month, involving presentations, emails and posters. Prescribing patterns were then reviewed over 4 weeks in December in 111 patients.

Results:

Focusing on the 8 STOPP and 11 START criteria, there was a significant reduction in the proportion of patients with at least one STOPP error (17.5% to 9%, p = 0.04). However, the decrease in the percentage of patients with at least one START error was insignificant (24.6% to 20.7%, p = 0.24).

Conclusion:

By identifying problematic areas of prescribing and using targeted interventions, the proportion of STOPP errors made in clinical decision unit reduced significantly. This study highlights the prevalence of prescription errors in the clinical decision unit and the impact of using screening tools to reduce incorrect prescribing.
A Systemic Review of Couple Therapy Research in Greater China
Authors: Chan Tak Mau Simon , Lau Victor , Chin Fung Forward , Ho Chi Ming Mathew
Published: June 2019

Objective:

This article aims to explore the development of scholarly articles relating to couple therapy in Greater China in academic journals in the past four decades between 1976 and 2016.

Method:

This review analyzes 278 couple therapy articles with a focus on the question of “who are the authors?” and “what kinds of articles published?”

Results:

The volume of Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau articles are 90, 88, 64, and 0, respectively; 190 of them are group authorship, and the first research was published in 1984. Women are 3 times more likely than men to be the key target group, and almost two third of the works are identified as academic-led research.

Conclusions:

Indigenization of couple therapy research in Greater China with reference to its social and political context is addressed. The motto is, “think global but act local and promote the local to inform the global.”
The Use of Acellular Dermal Matrix in Combination With Pedicled Buccal Fat Pad in Wide Cleft Palate Repair: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Goh Benjamin K. L. , Chia Hui-Ling
Published: June 2019

We describe a case of the combined use of acellular dermal matrix and pedicled buccal fat pad (BFP) in a wide U-shaped cleft palate repair. Acellular dermal matrix was used as a “patch” repair for the nasal mucosa defect as opposed to the conventional inlay graft. The advantages include reduced cost and a smaller avascular graft load. Lateral relaxing incisions were made to ensure tension-free closure of oromucosa at midline. Lateral oromucosa defect closure with well-vascularized pedicled BFP ensures enhanced healing, less palatal contracture and shortening, and reduced infection. The palate healed with mucosalization at 2 weeks, and no complications were noted at 6 months follow-up.
Enhancing Consumer Attitude Toward Culturally Mixed Symbolic Products from Foreign Global Brands in an Emerging-Market Setting: The Role of Cultural Respect
Authors: Guo Xiaoling , Heinberg Martin , Zou Shaoming
Published: June 2019

The extant literature has not examined the conditions that govern integrative and exclusionary reactions to cultural hybrid products with sufficient detail. Within an emerging-market setting, this study explores how culturally mixed symbolic products (CMSPs) from foreign global brands can avoid antagonistic consumer attitudes. Building on social categorization theory, the authors argue that foreign global brands are viewed as belonging to an out-group and may thus encounter difficulties in tapping local cultural capital, resulting in a negative relationship between brand globalness and consumer attitude toward CMSPs. However, they contend that product category moderates this relationship such that there is a stronger negative effect for nonfood products than for food products. Moreover, the authors theorize that (1) cultural respect by foreign global companies directly enhances consumer attitudes toward CMSPs and (2) cultural respect attenuates the negative brand globalness–CMSP attitude link. These hypotheses are tested using a representative consumer sample from eight provinces/municipalities in China (n = 646). Results provide important implications for global companies on how to benefit from local cultural resources in their localization processes.
Comprehensive Analysis Reveals a 4-Gene Signature in Predicting Response to Temozolomide in Low-Grade Glioma Patients
Authors: Wang Qi , He Zongze , Chen Yong
Published: June 2019

Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) are a highly heterogeneous group of slow-growing, lethal, diffusive brain tumors. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a frequently used primary chemotherapeutic agent for LGGs. Currently there is no consensus as to the optimal biomarkers to predict the efficacy of TMZ, which calls for decision-making for each patient while considering molecular profiles. Low-grade glioma data sets were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cox regression and survival analyses were applied to identify clinical features significantly associated with survival. Subsequently, Ordinal logistic regression, co-expression, and Cox regression analyses were applied to identify genes that correlate significantly with response rate, disease-free survival, and overall survival of patients receiving TMZ as primary therapy. Finally, gene expression and methylation analyses were exploited to explain the mechanism between these gene expression and TMZ efficacy in LGG patients. Overall survival was significantly correlated with age, Karnofsky Performance Status score, and histological grade, but not with IDH1 mutation status. Using 3 distinct efficacy end points, regression and co-expression analyses further identified a novel 4-gene signature of ASPM, CCNB1, EXO1, and KIF23 which negatively correlated with response to TMZ therapy. In addition, expression of the 4-gene signature was associated with those of genes involved in homologous recombination. Finally, expression and methylation profiling identified a largely unknown olfactory receptor OR51F2 as potential mediator of the roles of the 4-gene signature in reducing TMZ efficacy. Taken together, these findings propose the 4-gene signature as a novel panel of efficacy predictors of TMZ therapy, as well as potential downstream mechanisms, including homologous recombination, OR51F2, and DNA methylation independent of MGMT.
Fourteen-Year Trends in the Criminal Justice Response to Child Sexual Abuse Reports in New South Wales
Authors: Cashmore Judith , Taylor Alan , Parkinson Patrick
Published: June 2019

This study of attrition compares the prosecution of child sexual offenses reported while the complainant was still a child with those in which the report was delayed into adulthood; it also compares matters involving adult and young (under 18 years) suspects/defendants. It is based on an analysis of police and court administrative data in New South Wales, Australia over a 14-year period (2003–2016). Only one in five (21.6%) proceeded beyond the investigation stage. Criminal proceedings were more likely to commence when the alleged victim was 7–12 years old at the time of the incident, when the suspect was an adult and at least 10 years older than the victim, and also when the report to police was made when the victim was an adult. Just over half (55.5%) of the matters finalized in court resulted in a conviction. Cases in the higher courts were less likely to be dismissed and more likely to feature guilty pleas and convictions at trial than cases in the lower courts. The overall estimate is that only 12% of offenses reported to police resulted in a conviction, at a relatively stable rate over 14 years. These findings are consistent with those of comparable studies.
Utilization patterns and clinical outcomes of rasburicase administration according to tumor risk stratification
Authors: Khalighi Parisa R , Martens Kylee L , White Andrew A , Li Shan , Silgard Emily , Frieze Deborah , Garcia David A , Li Ang
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Current guidelines for tumor lysis syndrome management recommend rasburicase for high-risk patients. Adherence to guidelines has not been well studied, and the correlation between uric acid reduction and clinically relevant outcomes, such as acute kidney injury, remains unclear. Our study aims to describe rasburicase utilization patterns and outcomes in cancer patients with varying risks for tumor lysis syndrome.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we included cancer inpatients who received rasburicase for tumor lysis syndrome management at two affiliated academic hospitals from 2009 to 2015. Patients were classified by tumor lysis syndrome risk categories prior to drug administration. Primary outcomes included acute kidney injury incidence and renal recovery. Secondary outcomes included uric acid nadir, mortality, and hospital length-of-stay.

Results

Among 164 patients, 42 (26%) had high-, 63 (38%) had intermediate-, and 59 (36%) had low-risk for tumor lysis syndrome. A total of 94 patients (57%) had existing renal dysfunction prior to rasburicase use. This occurred more frequently in low- (68%) compared to intermediate- (57%) and high- (43%) risk patients ( p = 0.044). A greater proportion of patients in the high-risk group (78%) had renal recovery when compared to the intermediate- (61%) or low- (45%) risk groups ( p = 0.056). Despite a similar length of stay, the high-risk group had a significantly lower 30-day mortality (10%) when compared to intermediate- (25%) or low- (32%) risk groups ( p = 0.029).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that rasburicase may be frequently prescribed to treat hyperuricemia unrelated to tumor lysis syndrome in cancer patients. Improved education and adherence to guidelines may improve clinical and economic outcomes associated with rasburicase administration.
Prevalence and Consequences of the Nonmedical Use of Amphetamine Among Persons Calling Poison Control Centers
Authors: Faraone Stephen V. , Hess Jonathan , Wilens Timothy
Published: June 2019

Objective: To describe consequences of the nonmedical use (NMU) of prescription amphetamines (AMPs). Method: Data from the U.S. National Poison Data System yielded four groups: intravenous NMU ( IV NMU) intentionally injected AMP, Nasal NMU intentionally inhaled AMP but did not inject, Oral NMU intentionally ingested AMP, and controls reported unintentional oral exposure to AMP. Results: The Nasal NMU group was at greater risk of admission to a health care facility. All NMU groups were at greater risk for adverse clinical effects. IV NMU had the greatest number of adverse effects, followed by Nasal and Oral NMU. Nasal NMU had a greater risk for major medical outcomes versus Oral NMU. The IV NMU group was 21.9 times more likely to die from AMP NMU than controls. Oral NMU conferred a significantly greater risk of suicide attempts. Conclusion: Oral and nonoral NMU of AMP are associated with significant risks of morbidity and mortality.
Tricuspid Valve Incompetency Due to the Grenade Chip Embolization to the Heart
Authors: Sarmast Hossein , Takriti Ahmad
Published: June 2019

Migration of foreign bodies into the heart, although unusual, has been reported since 1834 when Davis published the first bullet embolus. Our case was a 29-year-old woman who suffered from a grenade explosion wound with a residual burst fragment inside her arm soft tissue. Two months later, she was admitted with progressive fatigue, palpitation, shortness of breath, and swelling in legs and neck. She was taking hormonal therapy for infertility as medical history. Ascultation detected holosystolic respiratory variable murmur maximal over the left lower sternal border. Severe tricuspid regurgitation and an obliterating mass on tricuspid valve (TV) with characteristic of central linear echogenicity were detected by transthoracic echocardiography. The diagnosis of “the embolized missile into heart with superimposed thrombosis” was determined. The patient underwent open heart surgery and the thrombotic rod shape chip that was embedded in anterior tricuspid leaflet was removed and then TV was repaired.
Availability of orthodontic smartphone apps
Authors: Siddiqui Nausheen Rashida , Hodges Samantha , Sharif Mohammad Owaise
Published: June 2019

Objective:

To identify and profile the available orthodontic smartphone apps published on the UK Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Design:

A review of available smartphone apps.

Setting:

London, UK

Methods:

The Apple App Store and Google Play Store were accessed in October 2018; all orthodontic apps with a title and description available in English were included. Each app was classified according to the following criteria: name; target audience (patient or clinician); focus; platform (Apple App Store and/or Google Play Store); cost; rating and number of ratings; size; creation date; country of development and developer.

Results:

A total of 305 orthodontic related apps were identified for inclusion. The majority of apps were aimed at patients (n = 241) and the most of these were focussed on gaming (n = 136), many apps were also found to be developed by specialist practices (n = 63) and to provide knowledge for patients (n = 56). Two hundred and ninety-five apps were free, with some of these including the option of paying for in-app purchases. Most apps were developed in the USA (n = 84).

Conclusions:

There has been an increase in the availability of orthodontic apps in recent years. The majority of available apps are patient-focused, most commonly games. A number of apps aim to elicit a behaviour change in our patients; therefore, there is a need to assess the quality and educational content of these.
Market response to divestiture announcements: A screening theory perspective
Authors: Bergh Donald D , Peruffo Enzo , Chiu Wan-Ting , Connelly Brian , Hitt Michael A
Published: June 2019

Capital market investors have limited information about the motives, exchange terms, and expected outcomes of corporate divestitures. Thus, when a firm announces a divestiture, capital markets may have difficulty distinguishing divestitures that are likely to be beneficial and investment worthy from those that signify hidden problems. Drawing on screening theory, we argue that one way investors might overcome their information disadvantages is to use screens to identify investment-worthy divesting firms. We test this logic using one such screen: change in blockholding equity stakes prior to a divestiture announcement. Data from 858 European Union divestitures occurring in 13 Western European Countries show that investors’ reaction to a divestiture announcement is positively associated with pre-divestiture changes in blockholdings in the divesting firm. Furthermore, investors’ valuations were more positive in higher performing divesting firms that had increases in blockholding equity stakes before the divestiture than those that had reductions in these owners’ equity stakes. The findings extend our understanding of how outsiders, such as investors, navigate incomplete information about divestitures. We describe how our study offers a range of implications for divestiture research.
Consultant Lobbyists and Public Officials: Selling Policy Expertise or Personal Connections in Canada?
Authors: Boucher Maxime , Cooper Christopher A
Published: June 2019

Recent research suggests that there are two different types of lobbyists: those specializing in providing access to their personal connections with public office holders, and those specializing in a particular policy sector. This article advances this research by examining the actual behaviour of consultant lobbyists with data gathered from the Canadian Lobbyist Registry. Specifically, we probe two questions. First, using four indicators found within the literature, we investigate whether the behaviour of consultant lobbyists reflects the well-connected generalist or the issue specialist lobbyist. Second, we examine moving public office holders to see whether administrative officials – who make greater use of technical information – or politicians and partisan advisors – who are more interested in partisan/political information – are more likely to continue to be contacted by consultant lobbyists who contacted them in their previous position. Our results suggest that a more nuanced understanding of lobbying is required. While the majority of activities by consultant lobbyists are consistent with providing expertise to policymakers, a sizable minority of lobbyist activity is consistent with selling access to public office holders. Yet even here, our second analysis suggests that personal relationships may also involve the provision of expertise.
Hair Matters: Toward Understanding Natural Black Hair Bias in the Workplace
Authors: Dawson Gail A. , Karl Katherine A. , Peluchette Joy V.
Published: June 2019

Using an inductive qualitative approach, this study examined natural Black hair bias in the workplace. An analysis of 274 comments posted to online discussion boards revealed that some Black women are embracing natural hairstyles, but many feel pressured to conform to Eurocentric hairstyles and some have experienced negative consequences stemming from their natural hairstyle choices. Within the comments, three major themes, namely,(1) hair bias, (2) identity (including self-concept and identity transition), and (3) conformity, as well as five minor themes, were identified. Based on the qualitative analysis, we identified labeling theory, identity theories (self-concept and identity transition), and the facades of conformity theory as relevant and useful in guiding future research. The key themes were integrated into a model to provide a more comprehensive story of hair bias experiences that may be useful in guiding future research.
Unequal loss protection scheme using a quality prediction model in a Wi-Fi broadcasting system
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Kim Jong Deok
Published: June 2019

Wireless local area network–based broadcasting techniques are a type of mobile Internet Protocol television technology that simultaneously transmits multimedia content to local users. Contrary to the existing wireless local area network–based multimedia transmission systems, which transmit multimedia data to users using unicast packets, a wireless local area network–based broadcasting system is able to transmit multimedia data to many users in a single broadcast packet. Consequently, network resources do not increase with the increase in the number of users. However, IEEE 802.11 does not provide a packet loss recovery algorithm for broadcast packet loss, which is unavoidable. Therefore, the forward error correction technique is required to address the issue of broadcast packet loss. The broadcast packet loss rate of a wireless local area network–based broadcasting system that transmits compressed multimedia data is not proportional to the quality deterioration of the received video signals; therefore, it is difficult to predict the quality of the received video while also considering the effect of broadcast packet loss. In this scenario, allocating equal forward error correction packets to compressed frames is not an effective method for recovering broadcast packet loss. Thus, several studies on unequal loss protection have been conducted. This study proposes an effective, prediction-based unequal loss protection algorithm that can be applied to wireless local area network–based broadcasting systems. The proposed unequal loss protection algorithm adopts a novel approach by adding forward error correction packets to every transmission frame while considering frame loss. This algorithm was used as a new metric to predict video quality deterioration, and an unequal loss protection structure was designed, implemented, and verified. The effectiveness of the quality deterioration model and the validity of the unequal loss protection algorithm were demonstrated through experiments.
“Targeted Percutaneous Vertebroplasty” Versus Traditional Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture
Authors: Xu JunChuan , Lin JiSheng , Li Jian , Yang Yong , Fei Qi
Published: June 2019

Objective. In this randomized, nonblinded, controlled study, the feasibility and precision of “targeted percutaneous vertebroplasty” (“targeted PVP”) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) was evaluated. Methods. A total of 42 patients, aged 50 to 87 years, with OVCF were randomly divided into 2 groups: A and B. Group A underwent “targeted PVP,” and group B underwent traditional PVP with the guidance of C-arm fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy times for skin puncture points (FTSPP), total radiation doses (TRD), total fluoroscopy times (TFT), and operation time were set as the main evaluation indicators. Results. FTSPP (1.52 ± 0.51 in group A vs 6.62 ± 2.58 in group B, U < .001), TRD (6.26 ± 1.51 in group A vs 11.32 ± 4.21 in group B, P < .001), TFT (16.57 ± 2.79 in group A vs 26.05 ± 6.18 in group B, P < .001), and operation time (20.05 ± 3.38 in group A vs 25.43 ±5.11 in group B, U < .001) were statistically different in the 2 groups. The incidence of cement leakage that occurred in group A (1/21, 4.76%) was significantly less than that in group B (9/21, 42.9%, P < 0.05). Conclusions. “Targeted PVP” may achieve (1) less skin positioning fluoroscopy times, less total fluoroscopy times and dose, shorter operation time, which is more precise than traditional PVP; (2) less incidence of cement leakage; and (3) visualization of the fractured vertebra, which is probably more valuable for the treatment of complicated OVCF patients.
Lobaplatin Inhibits Prostate Cancer Proliferation and Migration Through Regulation of BCL2 and BAX
Authors: Cao Hongwen , Feng Yigeng , Chen Lei , Yu Chao
Published: June 2019

Lobaplatin is a diastereometric mixture of platinum (II) complexes, which contain a 1,2-bis (aminomethyl) cyclobutane stable ligand and lactic acid. Previous studies have showed that lobaplatin plays inhibiting roles in various types of tumors. However, the role of lobaplatin in prostate cancer remains unknown. Cell viability was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Cell proliferation was detected by cell colony formation assay. Cell migration and invasion were determined by transwell migration and invasion assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The messenger RNA and protein expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Lobaplatin treatment inhibits cell viability, cell proliferation, cell migration, and invasion, while promotes cell apoptosis of prostate cancer cell lines DU145 and PC3. Meanwhile, lobaplatin treatment regulates apoptosis by downregulation of BCL2 expression and upregulation of BAX expression levels. Our study suggests lobaplatin inhibits prostate cancer proliferation and migration through regulation of BCL2 and BAX expression.
Interests, Bias, and Consensus in Science and Regulation
Authors: Socol Yehoshua , Shaki Yair Y. , Yanovskiy Moshe
Published: June 2019

Scientists are human. As such, they are prone to bias based on political and economic interests. While conflicts of interest are usually associated with private funding, research funded by public sources is also subject to special interests and therefore prone to bias. Such bias may lead to consensus not based on evidence. While appealing to scientific consensus is a legitimate tool in public debate and regulatory decisions, such an appeal is illegitimate in scientific discussion itself. We provide examples of decades-long scientific consensus on erroneous hypotheses. For policy advice purposes, a scientific statement or model should be considered as the subject of proper scientific consensus only if shared by those who would directly benefit from proving it wrong. Otherwise, specialists from adjacent fields of science and technology should be consulted.
Endovascular treatment of traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm with Tubridge flow diverter: A case report
Authors: Yan Yazhou , Wu Yina , Zhao Kaijun , Pan Yuan , Huang Qinghai
Published: June 2019

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm is a rare lesion with a high risk of rupture, and represents one of the most difficult lesions to treat, either surgically or endovascularly. Herein, we describe the case of a 32-year-old man with a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery, which was treated by overlapped flow diverters (Tubridge). The patient recovered well, and the follow-up angiography at four months showed complete occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm and patency of the internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery.
Methodological Awareness in Feminist Research: Reclaiming Experiences of Hostility in Workplace Studies
Authors: Perrott Tamika Alana
Published: June 2019

This article extends contemporary debates on gender, sexuality, and power by exploring how power relations play out through the researcher–researched relationship in male-dominated workplaces. Drawing on short-term ethnography, this article discusses the utility of analyzing the researcher’s embodied field in feminist research and advances our knowledge of body politics through the exploration of workplace performances. Specifically, it draws upon the author’s research encounters with 33 men working in an Australian metropolitan fire service. The analysis demonstrates the strengths of using reflexive bodily accounts as forms of data and makes suggestions toward greater methodological awareness around the intersection of masculine authority, heterosexuality, and embodied feminist research.
Classic cases revisited – Tony Nicklinson and the question of dignity
Authors: Szawarski Piotr
Published: June 2019

Dignity is a concept we often evoke in healthcare when caring for patients and attending to their basic needs. It is a very human concept, unique perhaps. Yet, though instinctively we think we know what it means, we rarely pause to reflect on it. What does it mean? It is a concept that is hard to define and not easy to apply and yet a concept important for humanity. This article explores the roots and the uses of the term with particular reference to human rights, patient choices at the end of life and to vulnerability.
Simultaneous assessment of thermal comfort and aerodynamic drag of cycling helmets as a function of ventilation hole configuration
Authors: Underwood L , Kiffer T , Sran H , Jay K , Villien A , Kabaliuk N , Jermy M
Published: June 2019

Although the main aim of cycling helmets is to protect cyclists from injury, the ideal cycling helmet minimizes aerodynamic drag and also allows rapid heat loss from the head to prevent overheating. This study takes the methods developed by Underwood et al., in which an aero helmet with reconfigurable ventilation holes was mounted on a heated mannequin head in a wind tunnel at 16.7 m/s (60 km/h) at a single angle and applies them to a range of angles representative of realistic riding positions. Thermal measurements were area weighted to provide a heat map of temperature variations over the head at different angles. Four helmet hole configurations were chosen for this study: no holes open, all holes open, front holes open and middle holes open. The results showed that the head angle had a stronger effect on drag than hole configuration. As expected, having all holes open had the greatest heat loss at any angle, but the lowest drag was found when the middle holes were open at head angles of 0° and 20° (at 0° the neck is vertical) and all holes closed at head angles of 40° and 60°. The results indicate that a good venting geometry, combined with an efficient aerodynamic shape could provide an optimized helmet.
Functional Characterization of the Levopimaradiene Synthase in Escherichia coli and Differences in Functional Expression Patterns in Distinct Cell Lines
Authors: Zhang Wenjin , Guo Zhongyi , Liang Jincai , Lu Xiaofeng , Chen Shan , Zhu Jianhua , Yu Rongmin
Published: June 2019

Levopimaradiene and dehydroabietane are two direct precursors of ginkgolides and exist only in the root tissue of Ginkgo biloba. To study the biosynthesis of ginkgolide, we chose undifferentiated G. biloba root tissue stem cells, which contain all the information needed for plant growth and development. Only dehydroabietane and abietadiene were determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry in G. biloba root stem cell cultures. The results are consistent with the fermentation products of levopimaradiene synthase present in Escherichia coli under ultrasonic and bright light conditions. In addition, the products were also changed with changes in light and ultrasonic conditions and with just changes in light, indicating that levopimaradiene is converted to either dehydroabietane or abietadiene in the original plant in response to changes in external regulation and the plant’s own needs.
Pheophorbide Derivatives Isolated From Açaí Berries (Euterpea oleracea) Activate an Antioxidant Response Element In Vitro
Authors: Kandagatla Suneel K. , Uhl Robin Tate , Graf Tyler N. , Oberlies Nicholas H. , Raner Gregory M.
Published: June 2019

Activity-guided fractionation was used to isolate and identify 2 components of the Brazilian açaí berry ( Euterpe oleracea Mart.) with the ability to induce antioxidant response element (ARE)-dependent gene transcription in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Using an ARE-luciferase reporter construct in cultured HepG2 cells, a suite of fractions from dried and powdered açaí berries were evaluated for transcriptional upregulation of the luciferase gene. Active fractions were further refined until several pure compounds were isolated and identified. These compounds belong to the pheophorbide class of molecules, and are composed of the methyl and ethyl esters of the parent pheophorbide A, all of which are classified as photosensitizers. Using standard pheophorbides, dose-response studies were carried out, and ARE activation could be observed at concentrations as low as 8.2 and 16.9 µM for pheophorbide A methyl ester and pheophorbide A, respectively. These studies not only suggest a possible source of antioxidant properties for the açaí berry, but may also explain the recently identified photosensitizing abilities of açaí products as well.
Volatiles of Thymus serpyllum Obtained by Three Different Methods
Authors: Nikolić Biljana , Matović Milić , Mladenović Katarina , Todosijević Marina , Stanković Jovana , Đorđević Iris , Marin Petar D. , Tešević Vele
Published: June 2019

Volatiles of Thymus serpyllum L. were obtained by hydrodistillation (HD), simultaneous hydrodistillation, and extraction (SDE) and static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (head space [HS]), respectively. Monoterpenes were the most dominant in all 3 techniques (84.8%-94.2%). Essential oil profiles obtained by HD and SDE were similar, with oxygenated monoterpenes being the most abundant (up to 75.4%). In HS volatiles of T. serpyllum monoterpene hydrocarbons strongly dominated (94.2%). The main compounds were α-terpinyl acetate (HD and SDE) and myrcene (HS).
Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies on Four Indonesian Epiphytic Medicinal Plants: Drynaria rigidula, Hydnophytum formicarum, Usnea misaminensis, and Calymperes schmidtii
Authors: Nugraha Ari S. , Wangchuk Tashi , Willis Anthony C. , Haritakun Rachada , Sujadmiko Heri , Keller Paul A.
Published: June 2019

Phytochemical studies performed on 4 Indonesian epiphytic medicinal plants, Drynaria rigidula L., Hydnophytum formicarum Jack, Usnea misaminensis (Vain) Motyka, and Calymperes schmidtii Broth., revealed 11 known secondary metabolites (1-11), reported from these species for the first time. The methanol extracts and their fractions were screened against infective agents and cancer cells. The dichloromethane fractions of H. formicarum, U. misaminensis, and C. schmidtii showed activity against lung cancer cells with IC50 values of 35, 11, and 20 µg/mL, respectively.