bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Landscape Soil Water Losses from Satellite Observations of Soil Moisture
Authors: Akbar Ruzbeh , Short Gianotti Daniel J. , McColl Kaighin A. , Haghighi Erfan , Salvucci Guido D. , Entekhabi Dara
Published: May 2018

This study presents an observation-driven technique to delineate the dominant boundaries and temporal shifts between different hydrologic regimes over the contiguous United States (CONUS). The energy- and water-limited evapotranspiration regimes as well as percolation to the subsurface are hydrologic processes that dominate the loss of stored water in the soil following precipitation events. Surface soil moisture estimates from the NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission, over three consecutive summer seasons, are used to estimate the soil water loss function. Based on analysis of the rates of soil moisture dry-downs, the loss function is the conditional expectation of negative increments in the soil moisture series conditioned on soil moisture itself. An unsupervised classification scheme (with cross validation) is then implemented to categorize regions according to their dominant hydrological regimes based on their estimated loss functions. An east–west divide in hydrologic regimes over CONUS is observed with large parts of the western United States exhibiting a strong water-limited evapotranspiration regime during most of the times. The U.S. Midwest and Great Plains show transitional behavior with both water- and energy-limited regimes present. Year-to-year shifts in hydrologic regimes are also observed along with regional anomalies due to moderate drought conditions or above-average precipitation. The approach is based on remotely sensed surface soil moisture (approximately top 5 cm) at a resolution of tens of kilometers in the presence of soil texture and land cover heterogeneity. The classification therefore only applies to landscape-scale effective conditions and does not directly account for deeper soil water storage.
Two Methodological Approaches to the Integration of Mixed Methods and Case Study Designs: A Systematic Review
Authors: Guetterman Timothy C. , Fetters Michael D.
Published: May 2018

Case study has a tradition of collecting multiple forms of data—qualitative and quantitative—to gain a more complete understanding of the case. Case study integrates well with mixed methods, which seeks a more complete understanding through the integration of qualitative and quantitative research. We identify and characterize “mixed methods–case study designs” as mixed methods studies with a nested case study and “case study–mixed methods designs” as case studies with nested mixed methods. Based on a review of published research integrating mixed methods and case study designs, we describe key methodological features and discuss four exemplar interdisciplinary studies.
Design and Fabrication of Far-Ultraviolet Reflective Broadband Filter Based on Dielectric Materials
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Chen Bo , Yao Ling
Published: May 2018

In the far-ultraviolet (UV) region, optical materials are dispersive and absorbing. The previous successful design method utilized in the visible band should be re-examined. We report on the design and fabrication of a far-UV reflective broadband filter based on dielectric materials lanthanum fluoride (LaF3) and magnesium fluoride (MgF2). Extended bandwidth technology is utilized in designing this filter. The obtained filter has a high reflectance in the working wavelength range of 140–180 nm, meanwhile, with good suppression in shorter and longer wavelength regions. In 2016, this filter was employed in a wide-angle aurora imager (WAAI) installed in the Feng Yun III satellite that will be launched in China.
Near-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Measurement Method Based on Temperature-Insensitive Radial Distance
Authors: Wu Minglei , Liu Rong , Xu Kexin
Published: May 2018

The variation of temperature is one of the main interference factors that affect the detection accuracy of near-infrared (NIR) diffuse reflectance. In this paper, a measurement method based on temperature-insensitive radial distance was proposed, and its feasibility and effectiveness were verified in Intralipid solutions. First, the possibility of temperature-insensitive radial distance was deduced based on the analytic solution of the steady-state diffusion equation in an infinite media, and the temperature-insensitive radial distances of 3% Intralipid solution in the wavelength range of 1000–1600 nm was calculated. Second, a detection system was designed to measure the diffuse reflectance of 3% Intralipid solutions at multiple radial distances with different glucose concentration (0–100 mM) and different temperatures (35–40 ℃). Both theoretical calculations and experimental results demonstrated the existence of temperature-insensitive radial distances in the range of 1000–1340 nm and 1440–1600 nm, and the distances were hardly affected by glucose variations. Finally, the glucose information extracted from the diffuse reflectance of Intralipid solutions at different radial distances under random temperature variations and constant temperature were compared. The result showed that the correlation between the glucose concentration and the diffuse reflectance obtained at the temperature-insensitive radial distance was significantly better than that of other radial distances, which was almost close to the situation of constant temperature. Therefore, the measurement method based on temperature-insensitive radial distance can effectively reduce the influence of temperature variations on NIR diffuse reflectance, and it is expected to improve the accuracy of diffuse reflectance in human body components detection and industrial field analysis.
Validation of Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Detect Adulteration of Edible Oil in Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) by Applying Chemometrics
Authors: Ali Hina , Saleem Muhammad , Anser Muhammad Ramzan , Khan Saranjam , Ullah Rahat , Bilal Muhammad
Published: May 2018

Due to high price and nutritional values of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), it is vulnerable to adulteration internationally. Refined oil or other vegetable oils are commonly blended with EVOO and to unmask such fraud, quick, and reliable technique needs to be standardized and developed. Therefore, in this study, adulteration of edible oil (sunflower oil) is made with pure EVOO and analyzed using fluorescence spectroscopy (excitation wavelength at 350 nm) in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression. Fluorescent spectra contain fingerprints of chlorophyll and carotenoids that are characteristics of EVOO and differentiated it from sunflower oil. A broad intense hump corresponding to conjugated hydroperoxides is seen in sunflower oil in the range of 441–489 nm with the maximum at 469 nm whereas pure EVOO has low intensity doublet peaks in this region at 441 nm and 469 nm. Visible changes in spectra are observed in adulterated EVOO by increasing the concentration of sunflower oil, with an increase in doublet peak and correspondingly decrease in chlorophyll peak intensity. Principal component analysis showed a distinct clustering of adulterated samples of different concentrations. Subsequently, the PLS regression model was best fitted over the complete data set on the basis of coefficient of determination (R2), standard error of calibration (SEC), and standard error of prediction (SEP) of values 0.99, 0.617, and 0.623 respectively. In addition to adulterant, test samples and imported commercial brands of EVOO were also used for prediction and validation of the models. Fluorescence spectroscopy combined with chemometrics showed its robustness to identify and quantify the specified adulterant in pure EVOO.
Hydrothermal Transformation of Inorganic and Biogenic Silica as Studied Using in Situ Hydrothermal Infrared Microspectroscopy
Authors: Morifuji Naoto , Nakashima Satoru
Published: May 2018

Infrared (IR) spectral changes with time of biogenic and inorganic silica have been examined using in situ IR micro-spectroscopy by using an original hydrothermal diamond cell. Centric diatoms (diameters = 100–350 µm) and silica gels (C-300, Wako Chemicals) were heated at 125–185 ℃ range with a pressure of 3 MPa. Decreases of 950 cm−1 (Si–OH) peak heights could be fitted by a combination of exponential and linear decreases (y = A1 exp (−k1t) − k0 t + A0). The first-order rate constants k1 [s−1] for Si–OH decreases of diatoms and silica gels are similar but the activation energy was lower for diatoms (61 kJċmol−1 < 106 kJċmol−1). The first-order rate constants k1 [s−1] for Si–OH decreases of diatoms and silica gels are much faster than reported hydrothermal transformation rates of silica (Opal A to Opal CT and Opal CT to quartz). These results indicate that the exponential Si–OH decreases observed in biogenic and inorganic silica during hydrothermal reactions are considered to correspond to dehydration–condensation reactions in the amorphous states (Si–OH + HO–Si → Si–O–Si). In fact, band area ratios 1220 cm−1/1120 cm−1 increased exponentially indicating more bridging of Si–O–Si. On the other hand, the linear decreases of Si–OH of silica gels (k0 [s−1]) were considered to be due to dissolution of silica. By using the grain size and density of silica gels, the zero-order dissolution rate constants k0* [molċm−2ċs−1] were calculated from k0 [s−1]. The obtained dissolution rates k0* are larger than reported values for silica glass and quartz. The zero-order dissolution rates k0 [s−1] for diatoms are similar to those for silica gels but with a lower activation energy (32 kJċmol−1 < 60 kJċmol−1). The smaller activation energy values for diatoms than silica gels both for the first and zero-order decrease rates of Si–OH might indicate catalytic effects of organic components bound to biogenic silica for the dehydration–condensation reaction and dissolution. The present in situ hydrothermal IR micro-spectroscopy is useful for characterizing transformation of amorphous materials including inorganic–organic composites.
Study of Higher Diffraction Order Contribution in a Flat Field Grating Spectrograph Using a High-Order Harmonic Source
Authors: Kumar Mukund , Singhal Himanshu , Chakera Juzer A. , Naik Prasad A.
Published: May 2018

An experimental study has been carried out to characterize and investigate the performance of a flat-field grating spectrograph (FFGS) for higher diffraction order in the wavelength range of 80–170 Å. An aberration-corrected, mechanically ruled spherical grating with variable line spacing was used as a dispersive element in the spectrograph. The study was carried out using high-order harmonic radiation generated by an interaction of Ti:sapphire laser pulses with inert gas-filled cells. It was observed that the fraction of photons diffracted in the second diffraction order to that of the first order is as high as ∼ 65% at ∼ 80 Å wavelength, which reduces to ∼ 15% at ∼ 150 Å, whereas for the third diffraction order, the fraction was substantially lower, ∼ 15% at ∼ 100 Å. The observed results match well with reflectivity calculated using REFLEC software and also with the measurement carried out using INDUS-1 reflectivity beamline at RRCAT, Indore. The use of a high-order harmonic source for the study is advantageous, as the higher diffraction order contribution can be estimated from a single spectral image, which can be recorded in a single laser shot. The study will be useful for estimation of conversion efficiency–photon flux of a source using a variable line spaced (VLS) grating based spectrograph/monochromator.
Kynos Through Time: Decorated Pottery Sherds from Eleven Strata of a Homeric Greek Site
Authors: Tsiachri Agoritsa , Mastrotheodoros Georgios P. , Zoubos Harrisis , Anagnostopoulos Dimitrios F. , Beltsios Konstantinos G.
Published: May 2018

Excavations at the Kynos settlement, a Homeric site and the home of an early school of key Greek pictorial pottery painting, revealed extensive remains of several chronological horizons which continuously span the period from Middle Helladic (∼2100 BC) to Byzantine times (330 AD onwards), along with thousands of decorated sherds. The scope of the present study is the exploration of the technological traits of this pottery, which would contribute substantially to the archaeological understanding of the site. Samples from a sizeable assembly of decorated sherds were studied by means of analytical techniques, i.e., scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analyzer, micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF), and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Results indicate that the dark decorations have been achieved by versions of the iron reduction (IRe) technique using mostly materials identical to those of the red decorations, while for the white decorations contrast-enhancing Ca–Mg-enriched clays were used. All coexisting red and dark hues reflect similar compositions while the color difference is due to the thicker application of the darker decorations, which are thus not affected by the last oxidative firing stage of the IRe technique. X-ray fluorescence analysis focusing on several clay-origin markers shows that only a minority of samples is of non-local character and continuity in Kynos pottery tradition, at least as far as raw materials is suggested. Some of the local body-clays exhibit a puzzling enhanced level of Ni, Cu, and Zn at a nearly fixed ratio. Finally, we find that XRF may provide valuable nondestructive analysis in the case of fine pottery decorative layers of cultural significance.
Determining the Humidity-Dependent Ortho-to-Para Ratio of Water Vapor at Room Temperature Using Terahertz Spectroscopy
Authors: Miao Xinyang , Zhu Jing , Zhao Kun , Zhan Honglei , Yue Wenzheng
Published: May 2018

The origin of the water spin isomers observed under various physico-chemical conditions is of great interest, including that of H2O molecules in the gas phase. Here, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) was used to study the humidity-dependent ortho-to- para (O/P) ratio of water vapor at room temperature. The relative contents of para and ortho molecules were obtained by fitting the absorption lines of water vapor showing the relationship between the spin isomer contents and humidity. Larger O/P ratios with values of ∼3.2 were observed at lower humidity (<20%) due to the stronger attractive forces of para molecules. The concentration of the ortho isomers then began to decrease at higher humidity (>20%) due to the preferential formation of dimers and clusters at increasing concentrations. Thus, the ratio gradually decreased with increasing humidity.
A Direct Quantitative Raman Method for the Measurement of Dissolved Bisulfate in Acid-Sulfate Fluids
Authors: Xi Shichuan , Zhang Xin , Luan Zhendong , Du Zengfeng , Li Lianfu , Wang Bing , Cao Lei , Lian Chao , Yan Jun
Published: May 2018

Raman spectroscopy has been applied to the quantitative analysis of the concentration of bisulfate in acid-sulfate fluids at different temperatures. The quantitative analysis method is based on the peak area ratios of [Formula: see text](ν1) and H2O (ν2), where PA([Formula: see text]/H2O) = [[Formula: see text]] × (0.0066 × T + 1.3070) at a temperature range of 0–100 ℃. We found that the molal scattering coefficient of bisulfate increases slightly at the elevated temperature may be due to the changes of fraction of water molecules that are hydrogen-bonded. The method can also be applied to analyze physicochemical parameters of other acid fluids, such as hydrogen phosphate, bicarbonate, etc., and especially to the in situ detection of deep sea acid-sulfate hydrothermal fluids in the future.
Gender gaps in long-term earnings and retirement wealth: The effects of education and parenthood
Authors: Austen Siobhan , Mavisakalyan Astghik
Published: May 2018

We measure gender gaps in long-term earnings and retirement wealth over the 15-year period from 2001 to 2015. Our analysis of data from the Housing, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey generates new estimates of the effects of education on men’s and women’s long-term earnings. These show that whilst university qualifications improve women’s long-term earnings, university education does not, on average, lift women’s earnings above those attained by men with a high school qualification. The increment in long-term earnings associated with parenthood also shows a large gender gap favouring men. Parenthood is associated with higher long-term earnings for men but on average this factor has a strong negative association with women’s earnings. The article also maps the consequences of the gender gap in long-term earnings for retirement wealth in the form of superannuation. The results show how the large gender gaps in retirement wealth reflect in large part the economic costs arising from the gendered division of roles associated with parenthood in many Australian households.
Playing catch up? An exploration of supplementary work at home among Australian public servants
Authors: Cortis Natasha , Powell Abigail
Published: May 2018

Working at home has conventionally been understood as a formal, employer-sanctioned flexibility or ‘telework’ arrangement adopted primarily to promote work–life balance. However, work at home is now most commonly performed outside of normal working hours on an informal, ad hoc basis, to prepare for or catch up on tasks workers usually perform in the workplace. Scholarly assessment of this type of work has been sparse. To fill this gap, we undertook secondary analysis of a large data set, the Australian Public Service Employee Census, to explore the personal and organisational factors associated with middle-level managers regularly taking work home to perform outside of and in addition to their usual working hours. We conceptualise this as ‘supplementary work’. The analysis shows how supplementary work is a flexibility practice associated with high workloads and poor organisational supports for work–life balance, distinguishing it from other forms of home-based work. Whereas previous studies have not found gendered effects, we found women with caring responsibilities had higher odds of performing supplementary work. These findings expand understandings of contemporary flexibility practices and the factors that affect them, and underline the need for more nuanced theories of working at home.
The distinctiveness of employment relations within multinationals: Political games and social compromises within multinationals’ subsidiaries in Germany and Belgium
Authors: Pulignano Valeria , Tregaskis Olga , Doerflinger Nadja , Bélanger Jacques
Published: May 2018

This work makes a theoretical contribution to our understanding of the strategic mechanisms that enable subsidiary management and union agency to exploit ambiguities in the subnational competitive context impacting labour flexibility–security concerns. In so doing, the article contributes to the distinctiveness of employment relations through scrutiny of the internal regime competition that fosters political games in multinational corporations (MNCs). Studying the dynamics, we identify the set of structuring conditions governing political games and explain why some workplace regimes generate social compromises whilst others do not. We reveal a set of strategic conditions (i.e. technology, embeddedness and MNC control) upon which compromise is built in six German and Belgian subsidiaries of four MNCs. Our analysis suggests that subsidiary control modes through expatriates and local embeddedness act as key mechanisms via which the effects of wider strategic drivers influence the form of social compromise.
The mandate and work of ICRP Committee 3 on radiological protection in medicine
Authors: Miller D.L. , Martin C.J. , Rehani M.M.
Published: May 2018

The mandate of Committee 3 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is concerned with the protection of persons and unborn children when ionising radiation is used in medical diagnosis, therapy, and biomedical research. Protection in veterinary medicine has been newly added to the mandate. Committee 3 develops recommendations and guidance in these areas. The most recent documents published by ICRP that relate to radiological protection in medicine are ‘Radiological protection in cone beam computed tomography’ (ICRP Publication 129) and ‘Radiological protection in ion beam radiotherapy’ (ICRP Publication 127). A report in cooperation with ICRP Committee 2 entitled ‘Radiation dose to patients from radiopharmaceuticals: a compendium of current information related to frequently used substances’ (ICRP Publication 128) has also been published. ‘Diagnostic reference levels in medical imaging’ (ICRP Publication 135), published in 2017, provides specific advice on the setting and use of diagnostic reference levels for diagnostic and interventional radiology, digital imaging, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, paediatrics, and multi-modality procedures. ‘Occupational radiological protection in interventional procedures’ was published in March 2018 as ICRP Publication 139. A document on radiological protection in therapy with radiopharmaceuticals is likely to be published in 2018. Work is in progress on several other topics, including appropriate use of effective dose in collaboration with the other ICRP committees, guidance for occupational radiological protection in brachytherapy, justification in medical imaging, and radiation doses to patients from radiopharmaceuticals (an update to ICRP Publication 128). Committee 3 is also considering the development of guidance on radiological protection in medicine related to individual radiosusceptibility, in collaboration with ICRP Committee 1.
Media coverage of shifting emotional regimes: Donald Trump’s angry populism
Authors: Wahl-Jorgensen Karin
Published: May 2018

Against the backdrop of the new populism, this article takes a closer look at the role of anger in media coverage of Trump’s inauguration. The article suggests that Trump’s rise heralds a shift in prevailing ‘emotional regime’ towards what I will refer to as ‘angry populism’. Angry populism – embodied by Trump – is based on a rhetoric which seeks broad appeal through the deliberate expression of anger. Adopted as an interpretive framework in media coverage, it suggests that the anger of Trump, his supporters and his opponents is both salient and relevant to political life.
Azerbaijani Engineers in the Global Economy: Transnational Professionals Versus “Button-Pushers”
Authors: Sayfutdinova Leyla , Ergun Ayça
Published: May 2018

This article examines the changes in the engineering profession in Azerbaijan after the inflow of foreign investment into Azerbaijan’s oil industry since 1990s. The integration of Azerbaijan’s oil industry into global economy has led to a significant reshaping of the engineering profession, both within and outside of the oil industry. Multinational companies, which have been the main agents of this integration, have introduced advanced technologies and helped many Azerbaijani engineers to gain access to the international labor market, often serving as credentializing institutions. At the same time, the presence of these multinational companies have also opened the way for new inequalities. They have indirectly created an important division within the engineering profession—a division between internationally mobile engineers from the oil industry and engineers in other industries. Outside of the oil industry, engineering work has in many cases been reduced to routine tasks of assembly and operations, while research, design, and manufacturing were made redundant in the context of the oil-driven development promoted by Azerbaijan’s government.
Preliminary Assessment of Dynamic Voice CT in Post–Airway Reconstruction Patients
Authors: Bergeron Mathieu , Fleck Robert J. , Middlebrook Caleb , Zacharias Stephanie , Tolson Shea , Oren Liran , Smith David , de Alarcon Alessandro
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To compare the ability of the dynamic voice computed tomography (CT) scan to characterize laryngeal function in airway reconstruction patients vs bedside endoscopic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy and videolaryngostroboscopy.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Settings

Pediatric tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

Retrospective case series of children and young adults with a history of complex airway surgeries with subsequent dysphonia. We analyzed clinical data for all patients who underwent an airway reconstruction procedure between January 1, 2010, and April 30, 2016, and also had a dynamic voice CT and bedside endoscopic exam during the same period.

Results

Twenty‐four patients were analyzed (4 male, 20 female) with a mean age of 15.1 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.9‐17.22). Patients had a mean of 2.2 airway surgeries (95% CI, 1.8‐2.6), with 62.5% of them being open procedures. Laryngotracheoplasty with a cartilage graft was the most common procedure (40.0%). The pattern of laryngeal closure could be detected in all cases with the dynamic CT scan (n = 24/24, 100%) compared to 87.5% (21/24) with the standard endoscopic examination (P =. 04). The location of gap closure could be detected in all cases (24/24) with the dynamic voice CT while 20.8% (5/24 patients) could not be rated with standard endoscopy/stroboscopy (P =. 02). Dynamic voice CT was able to assess the vertical closure pattern of the glottis 100% (24/24) while it could be detected in 83.3% (20/24) cases with endoscopic study (P =. 04).

Conclusion

Dynamic voice CT shows promise as an additional tool for evaluation of patients with a history of complex airway procedures by providing complementary information.
Incidence of Vestibular Schwannoma over the Past Half‐Century: A Population‐Based Study of Olmsted County, Minnesota
Authors: Marinelli John P. , Lohse Christine M. , Carlson Matthew L.
Published: May 2018

Objective

The absence of a centralized health system has limited epidemiologic research surrounding vestibular schwannoma (VS) in the United States. The Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) comprises a unique medical consortium that covers a complete population of all ages in a well‐defined geographic region over the past half‐century. The objective of this study was to characterize the incidence of sporadic VS over this extended period.

Study Design

Population‐based study.

Setting

Olmsted County, Minnesota.

Subjects and Methods

Review of all VSs diagnosed between January 1, 1966, and December 31, 2016, was conducted with the REP medical records linkage system.

Results

A total of 153 incident cases of VS were identified. The incidence of VS significantly increased over the past half‐century from 1.5 per 100,000 person‐years during the first decade to 4.2 in the last decade (P <. 001). Incidence increased with age (P <. 001): those aged ≥70 years exhibited the highest incidence rate at 18.3 per 100,000 person‐years in the last decade. Age at diagnosis significantly increased from a median of 52 years in the first decade to 62 years in the last (P <. 001). Despite presenting with fewer symptoms and smaller tumors, the time delay between symptom onset and diagnosis significantly decreased over the past 5 decades (all P <. 05). Almost 1 in 4 patients was diagnosed incidentally in the last decade.

Conclusion

The incidence of VS increased significantly over the past half‐century to a rate greater than previously reported. Patients’ ease of access to medical care in Olmsted County and the comprehensive REP system likely contributed to this elevated detection rate of VS.
Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of SNOT‐22 Outcomes after Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis
Authors: Le Phong T. , Soler Zachary M. , Jones Rabun , Mattos Jose L. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Schlosser Rodney J.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Wide variation exists regarding reported outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study seeks to combine data across studies to generate a summary measure and explore factors that might lead to variation.

Data Sources

OVID Medline, Scopus, EbscoHost, Database of Abstracts and Reviews of Effects, Health Technology Assessment, and National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database.

Review Methods

A search was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. Two independent researchers conducted a search using the mentioned data sources. Studies published before August 29, 2016, that involved ESS to treat CRSwNP were included. Mean changes in Sinonasal Outcome Test–22 (SNOT‐22) scores were determined through metaregression of the following independent variables: publication year, sex, age, allergy status, asthma, tobacco use, prior surgery, follow‐up length, and preoperative SNOT‐22.

Results

Fifteen articles with 3048 patients treated with ESS met inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses of SNOT‐22 scores revealed a mean change of 23.0 points (95% CI, 20.2‐25.8; P <. 001). A metaregression of patient factor effects on the mean change of SNOT‐22 scores demonstrated that age (r = 0.71, P =. 01), asthma (r = 0.21, P =. 01), prior ESS (r = 0.29, P =. 01), and preoperative SNOT‐22 score (r = 0.4, P <. 01) correlated with greater improvement in SNOT‐22 scores. Tobacco use (r = −0.91, P =. 01) and longer lengths of follow‐up (r = −0.45, P <. 01) were associated with less improvement in SNOT‐22 scores.

Conclusions

Quality‐of‐life outcomes are significantly improved after ESS among patients with CRSwNP. Patient‐specific factors may affect the degree of SNOT‐22 change after surgery.
Disparities in Screening for Head and Neck Cancer: Evidence from the NHANES, 2011‐2014
Authors: Kravietz Adam , Angara Prashant , Le Mina , Sargi Zoukaa
Published: May 2018

Objective

To measure the association between race and head and neck cancer screening and education.

Study Design

Nationally representative survey.

Setting

US National Center for Health Statistics.

Subjects and Methods

Pooled data from the 2011‐2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to examine disparities in head and neck cancer education and screening among US citizens aged ≥18 years. We measured the association between race and head and neck cancer education and screening, adjusting for age, sex, education, income, and health insurance. Subtype analyses were performed on ever smokers, a lifetime consumption of ≥100 cigarettes, and nonsmokers, a lifetime consumption of <100 cigarettes.

Results

Among smokers, only 20.2% were educated about the benefits of giving up cigarette smoking; 27.7% had ever received an oral cancer screening examination in which a doctor or dentist pulls on the tongue; and 24.8% had ever had a screening examination in which a doctor or dentist feels the neck. As compared with white smokers, nonwhite smokers were significantly less likely to receive an oral cancer screening examination in which the tongue was pulled (black smokers: odds ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.31‐0.63). Although 72.2% of screenings of white participants were performed by dentists, black participants were more often screened by a physician (36.4%) as compared with any other race.

Conclusion

This study highlights socioeconomic disparities in head and neck cancer screening and education. We advocate increased patient screening and education by primary care physicians, especially for nonwhite patients and patients with relevant risk factors.
The Matching Hierarchies Model: Evidence from a Survey Experiment on Employers’ Hiring Intent Regarding Immigrant Applicants
Authors: Auer Daniel , Bonoli Giuliano , Fossati Flavia , Liechti Fabienne
Published: May 2018

We seek to understand why immigrants encounter labor market integration difficulties and thus propose a model that combines ethnic and occupational rankings to predict which candidates employers will favor for particular occupations (a matching hierarchies model). In a Swiss survey experiment, we found that employers’ evaluations of non-natives follow sociocultural distance perceptions and that a non-native background is a disadvantage mainly in high-skilled occupations. In low-skilled occupations, having an immigrant background is less detrimental. In elucidating disadvantage patterns, we conclude that it is important to consider contextual factors (occupational hierarchies) that may change the nature of nationality-based discrimination.
Effect of ankle-foot orthoses on gait, balance and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lintanf Mael , Bourseul Jean-Sébastien , Houx Laetitia , Lempereur Mathieu , Brochard Sylvain , Pons Christelle
Published: May 2018

Objective:

To determine the effects of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on gait, balance, gross motor function and activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy.

Data sources:

Five databases were searched (Pubmed, Psycinfo, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier and Cochrane Library) before January 2018.

Review methods:

Studies of the effect of AFOs on gait, balance, gross motor function and activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy were included. Articles with a modified PEDRO score ≥ 5/9 were selected. Data regarding population, AFO, interventions and outcomes were extracted. When possible, standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated from the outcomes.

Results:

Thirty-two articles, corresponding to 56 studies (884 children) were included. Fifty-one studies included children with spastic cerebral palsy. AFOs increased stride length (SMD = 0.88, P < 0.001) and gait speed (SMD = 0.28, P < 0.001), and decreased cadence (SMD = –0.72, P < 0.001). Gross motor function scores improved (Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) D (SMD = 0.30, P = 0.004), E (SMD = 0.28, P = 0.02), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) (SMD = 0.57, P < 0.001)). Data relating to balance and activities of daily living were insufficient to conclude. Posterior AFOs (solid, hinged, supra-malleolar, dynamic) increased ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact (SMD = 1.65, P < 0.001) and during swing (SMD = 1.34, P < 0.001), and decreased ankle power generation in stance (SMD = –0.72, P < 0.001) in children with equinus gait.

Conclusion:

In children with spastic cerebral palsy, there is strong evidence that AFOs induce small improvements in gait speed and moderate evidence that AFOs have a small to moderate effect on gross motor function. In children with equinus gait, there is strong evidence that posterior AFOs induce large changes in distal kinematics.
Impact of Obesity on Fosphenytoin Volume of Distribution in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Prusakov Ashley B. , Patel Anup D. , Cole Justin W.
Published: May 2018

The impact of body habitus on fosphenytoin pharmacokinetics is poorly understood in pediatric patients. This retrospective, single-center review examined differences in fosphenytoin volume of distribution (VD) between children with normal and obese body habitus. From 2013 to 2015, patients 2 to 18 years of age who received a loading dose of fosphenytoin were identified. Thirty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Mean total serum phenytoin concentration was 25.3 ± 6.5 μg/mL in the nonobese group and 29.5 ± 7.6 μg/mL in the obese group ( P = .09). VD was not significantly different between obese and nonobese groups, 0.92 ± 0.26 L/kg and 0.97 ± 0.48 L/kg ( P = .76), respectively. In contrast to adult studies, these data suggest that fosphenytoin dose adjustments for obese children may be unnecessary.
Ethnic/Racial Identity—A Double-Edged Sword? Associations With Discrimination and Psychological Outcomes
Authors: Yip Tiffany
Published: May 2018

Given the prominence of ethnicity/race in the United States, many youths construct an ethnic/racial identity (ERI). However, ERI development occurs against a backdrop of prejudice, oppression, and discrimination. This synthetic review explores (a) how identity and discrimination are related and (b) their association with psychological health. There is a reciprocal developmental association between ERI and discrimination, in which each informs the other. Although discrimination is detrimental for mental health, its impact depends on identity. In some cases, ERI confers protection from discrimination, and in others, it poses additional vulnerabilities. A strong sense of commitment to one’s identity confers protection against the negative effects of discrimination, while high levels of identity exploration are associated with increased vulnerability. However, the importance of ethnicity/race to one’s identity both protects from and increases vulnerabilities to discrimination. Suggestions for future research to help to disambiguate these associations are offered.
Attention and Perceptual Learning Interact in the Development of the Other-Race Effect
Authors: Markant Julie , Scott Lisa S.
Published: May 2018

Face-processing abilities are biased such that some faces are differentiated, recognized, and identified more readily than others. Across the first year of life, experience with faces shapes the development of face-processing biases. However, the developmental trajectory of face processing and important contributing factors are not well understood. In order to better characterize the development of face processing during infancy, we propose a model involving repeated interactions between attention and perceptual learning. This interactive framework predicts that bottom-up attention orienting to faces leads to rapid perceptual learning about frequently experienced faces, top-down selective-attention biases for familiar faces, and increasingly refined neural representations across the first year of life.
What Punishment Expresses
Authors: Reeves Craig
Published: May 2018

In this article, I consider the question of what punishment expresses and propose a way of approaching the question that overcomes problems in both psychosocial and philosophical expressivist traditions. The problem in both traditions is, I suggest, the need for an adequate moral – neither moralizing nor reductive – psychology, and I argue that Melanie Klein’s work offers such a moral psychology. I offer a reconstruction of Klein’s central claims and begin to sketch some of its potential implications for an expressive account of punishment. I outline a Kleinian interpretation of modern punishment’s expression as of an essentially persecutory nature but also include depressive realizations that have generally proved too difficult for liberal modernity to work through successfully, and the recent ‘persecutory turn’ is a defence against such realizations. I conclude by considering the wider philosophical significance of a Kleinian account for the expressivist theory of punishment.
Troubling Law’s Indefinite Detention: Disability, the Carceral Body and Institutional Injustice
Authors: Steele Linda Roslyn
Published: May 2018

Through a case study of the official state representation of the institutional life course of one Indigenous Australian woman who is disabled, I demonstrate that across multiple jurisdictions, legal orders, service systems, material spaces and modes of intervention, law provides for the heightened carceral control of bodies on the basis of their designation as disabled. In being designated as disabled, bodies are positioned as necessarily and legitimately subjected to ongoing, persistent and multifarious control in a way paradigmatic of Foucault’s argument of the policed subject such that the disabled body itself is a carceral site. Moreover, the indefinite detention of disabled Indigenous persons on the basis of their disability builds upon and masks as ‘noncolonial’ settler colonial violence against Indigenous Australians. An analysis of how law orders, constructs and legitimates disabled carceral control troubles current understandings of indefinite detention, illuminates the limited notions of (in)justice that these understandings allow and provides new openings to acknowledging a fuller and more complex range of institutional injustices done to disabled offenders.
Book review: James S. Ormrod and Peter Dickens (Eds) (2016), The Palgrave Handbook of Society, Culture and Outer Space
Authors: Saperstein J. D.
Published: May 2018

James S. Ormrod and Peter Dickens (Eds) (2016), The Palgrave Handbook of Society, Culture and Outer Space. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. 480pp., $216 (Hardcover), ISBN: 978-1-137-36351-0.
Therapies Out of Reach: Anticancer Drugs and Global Trade Regimes
Authors: Banerjee Dwaipayan , Sargent James
Published: May 2018

Medical policy analysts and oncologists have cautioned against the high price of anticancer drugs. They argue that the current drug development model that relies on patents and short-term shareholder value is proving unsustainable, since the cost of the new generation of drugs puts many of them out of reach for the average consumer. The high price of cancer drugs is especially troubling in the context of middle- and low-income countries, where the burden of cancer carries disproportionate impact. To analyse the pricing of anticancer drugs, we examined legal controversies, regulatory treaties and documents, as well as the history of pricing data in India. We also conducted interviews with policy consultants and surveyed financial data filings of major global and Indian pharmaceutical corporations. Our research revealed that global trade agreements have become key barriers to lowering anticancer drug prices. This article argues that in the shadow of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and with Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) imminent, serious policy changes are necessary to ensure the survival of generic production in the market for anticancer drugs.
Indian Judiciary Imprisoned: An Integrated AHP–TOPSIS Approach to Judicial Productivity
Authors: Sen Samudra
Published: May 2018

Many countries around the world have a large number of cases pending in their courts for long years. Research has been conducted on the productivity of courts and judicial systems around the world. Different methodologies have been employed in evaluating the productivity of judicial systems. Indian courts are also in a sorry state due to huge backlog of cases pending in courts. However, for India, though there are many papers on the state of judicial system suggesting ways to clear this backlog, there is hardly any research on courts’ productivity. This article addresses this research gap using an integrated analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and technique of order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach in evaluating court productivity in India. Data pertaining to the Supreme Court and the High Courts in India have been evaluated to rank the courts in order of their productivity. Performance of the courts has also been evaluated on the basis of a few established judicial indices. It is revealed that judges’ productivity is directly proportional to the caseload per judge but the same may not be true for court productivity. Further, poor judicial administration also contributes to piling of cases as backlogs.
Evaluating Consumers’ Adoption of Mobile Technology for Grocery Shopping: An Application of Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Shukla Anuja , Sharma Shiv Kumar
Published: May 2018

The main purpose of the study was to examine the role of mobile technology in shopping of grocery items among consumers. The objectives of the study were accomplished by using the technology acceptance model (TAM) which was used as the base of the study to test how Indian consumers perceive the use of technology in shopping of grocery using mobile applications (mobile apps). The research design is descriptive in nature. The respondents were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Primary data were collected through self-administered questionnaire, and 346 usable responses were recorded. The data were analysed using the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. All the hypotheses of TAM were supported. Additionally, perceived usefulness and attitude were found to partially mediate the relationships. The study concluded that consumers are well adapted to use of mobile apps for general shopping but influence of mobile app as a tool was found limited in grocery sector in consistence to previous studies. This shows that there may be other reasons that reduce the use of mobile apps for grocery shopping other than technology. The study theoretically extends the knowledge of consumer behaviour in emerging field of m-commerce, and practically, it will help the m-commerce practitioners to understand need of the consumer.
Employer Branding in the Indian Armed Forces Context: A Comparative Study of Potential Defence Applicants and Defence Employees
Authors: Kaur Rajwinder , Pingle Sameer S.
Published: May 2018

Indian Armed Forces are one of the largest organizations around the globe. Joining the forces is based on the voluntary service. Hence, it is important and critical for the armed forces to attract skilled talent and also to retain the current employees. This research is based on the study of instrumental and symbolic attributes related to Indian Armed Forces as an employer brand. The attractiveness of the Indian Armed Forces as an employer for potential candidates and the current employees of the armed forces is also studied. A sample of 200 people was used (150 potential candidates and 50 current employees) for studying the perceptions of potential and current employees. Results showed that there is significant difference between the perceptions of potential candidates and current employees for the instrumental functions related to Indian Armed Forces. Potential candidates were more favourable towards the instrumental function. The perceptions regarding ‘symbolic functions’ and ‘the Indian Armed Forces attractiveness as an employer’ were explained in similar proportion between the potential candidates and the current employees.
Guidelines for the Ethical Publication of Facial Photographs and Review of the Literature
Authors: Bennett Katelyn G. , Bonawitz Steven C. , Vercler Christian J.
Published: May 2018

Facial photography presents a unique ethical dilemma, as faces are difficult to deidentify for publication. We performed a review of the literature to examine current guidelines for the publication of facial photographs. We also reviewed societies’ websites, journal requirements, and ethical and legal aspects of confidentiality. Most articles emphasized the importance of consent for photography and publication. Masking is not appropriate, but some journals continue to allow masking. Most legislation allows patients to restrict the uses of photographs. In the end, it is imperative to protect patient privacy by obtaining consent for photograph publication after full disclosure of risks, and specific recommendations are provided regarding a comprehensive consent process.
Tau: A Common Denominator and Therapeutic Target for Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Maxan Alexander , Cicchetti Francesca
Published: May 2018

There is compelling evidence that a number of neurodegenerative diseases share common pathogenic mechanisms. Better understanding these mechanisms will allow us to develop new therapeutic strategies. This commentary follows up on our recent findings that tau pathology can be found in healthy fetal tissue transplanted into the brain of patients with either Huntington or Parkinson disease. We will examine how tau appears to be shared in a number of different conditions and how its expression relates to cognitive decline and disease progression. We will further review pathogenic mechanisms and especially the relevance of the possible prion-like behavior of tau. We will conclude by discussing how all this work opens up novel therapeutic approaches to treating the cognitive impairments related to neurodegenerative diseases using a common strategy.
Data Journalism Teaching, Fast and Slow
Authors: Bradshaw Paul
Published: May 2018

This commentary draws on a decade’s experience of teaching data journalism within a variety of contexts to describe the lessons learned regarding different pedagogical techniques and choices about the aspects of data journalism to teach. What emerges is a difference between classes aimed at a general audience, who might be sceptical and/or ignorant of the diversity of data journalism practice and those aimed at a more specialist audience aiming to go into the increasing numbers of roles dedicated to data-driven techniques.