bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Near infrared spectroscopic analysis of total alkaloids as nicotine, total nitrogen and total ash in Cuban cigar tobacco
Authors: Borges Miranda Amaury , Pérez Martínez Carlos , Jiménez Chacón Juan , Álvarez Prieto Manuel
Published: January 2019

Three models using partial least squares regression of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy were developed for the first time to evaluate the concentration of total alkaloids as nicotine, total nitrogen and total ash in powdered samples of Cuban cigar tobacco. They had lower standard error of cross-validation (SECV) and standard error of prediction (SEP) than those using: (1) principal components regression; (2) multiple linear regression and (3) other partial least squares models previously published for this and other tobacco types. SECV values in mass fraction units were: 0.0010, 0.0011 and 0.0048, respectively. The coefficients of determination (R2) in calibration were: 0.99, 0.94 and 0.96, respectively. Standard error of prediction values were: 0.0011, 0.0012 and 0.0049, respectively. The r2 obtained when comparing the predicted values using the validation set with the reference data was nearly the same as in calibration. The equation for total alkaloids as nicotine was good for quantification, and for process control, development and applied research according to the quotients range/standard error of prediction and standard deviation/standard error of prediction, respectively. Equations for the other analytes were as good as the one for alkaloids, but suitable only for screening purposes. Joint F-tests on the regression coefficients from ordinary least squares and iterative reweighted least squares fittings among predicted and reference data indicated slopes and intercepts enclosing 1 and 0, respectively. The relative systematic errors between the near infrared spectroscopy predicted values and the reference methods are close to the same figures reported previously for traditional analytical procedures under intermediate precision and reproducibility conditions; hence, the models are suitable for this industrial context.
Behind the Green Door: Unpacking the Item Number and Its Ecology
Authors: Mukherjee Silpa
Published: January 2019

The term ‘item numbers’ emerged in film journalism sometime in the late 1990s as an industry slang. It later evolved into a heterogeneous cinematic language with its investment in production design, choreography, special effects and specialised editing. Using interviews with industry professionals, this article will unpack the production ecology of the hypersexualised and hybrid song and dance spectacle.
Young women’s constructions of valued bodies: Healthy, athletic, beautiful and dieting bodies
Authors: Walseth Kristin , Tidslevold Thea
Published: January 2019

This study examines how young female athletes understand and give meaning to pictures in the media based on their perceptions of what constitutes a valued body. A qualitative approach using visual methods (collecting photographs) and interviews is used. The participants are upper secondary school student athletes in Norway. The data are analysed with a focus on the discourse of ‘valued bodies’ and their representations. The results reveal that the young women’s constructions of valued bodies are primarily made with reference to health, beauty and dieting. The ‘beautiful body’ representation, portrayed in photographs as a fit but objectified female body, is revealed as the main representation of a valued body. The representation of ‘a body that can perform’ appears as a counter-representation and includes photographs of elite female athletes who possess powerful, sporty femininities that transgress discourses of traditionally feminine, docile bodies.
Clinical features of patients with acute epiglottitis in the emergency department
Authors: Wu I-Ying , Lin Pei-Chen , Hsu Chien-Chin , Chen Kuo-Tai
Published: January 2019

Background:

Acute epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition, but its clinical manifestations are usually nonspecific.

Objectives:

We investigated the clinical differences between patients with and those without acute epiglottitis and identified the risk factors of patients with acute epiglottitis who may develop airway compromise.

Methods:

We studied patients suspected of having acute epiglottitis in the emergency department. All patients received fibre-optic laryngoscopy performed by an otorhinolaryngologist and were subsequently divided into two groups: patients with acute epiglottitis and those without.

Results:

Of the 311 adult patients, 108 were diagnosed with acute epiglottitis. In the nonepiglottitis group, more complaints of fever (p < 0.001), cough (p < 0.001), and rhinorrhoea (p = 0.048) and more systemic comorbidities were reported. People with acute epiglottitis generally had a higher prevalence of head and neck tumours (p = 0.015), odynophagia (p = 0.037) and an elevated white blood cell level (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with cardiovascular disease (p = 0.014) or diabetes mellitus (p = 0.019), drooling (p = 0.026) or sore throat (p = 0.042), a high respiratory rate (p = 0.009), an elevated white blood cell level (p = 0.002) and a higher C-reactive protein level (p = 0.005) was higher among those who required airway intervention.

Conclusion:

Clinical manifestations alone were insufficiently reliable for diagnosing acute epiglottitis but could predict disease severity. Laryngoscopy should be performed as soon as possible once a patient is suspected of having acute epiglottitis.
Pracademic collaboration: Hacking into the future of legal education
Authors: Kessel Rachel
Published: January 2019

Law schools globally are modifying precedent by changing the way they deliver legal education. The latest pedagogical offerings include ‘hackathons’ and digital work-integrated learning programs. Instead of readings, lectures and specified unit outcomes, students are presented with authentic, open-ended challenges. Gamified hackathons engage students, lecturers, lawyers, IT professionals, designers and the broader community. Group ‘hackers’ form collaborative, transdisciplinary networks to craft holistic solutions to current legal problems. This Brief addresses whether ‘pracademic’ pedagogy focused on applying theory to real problems will help equip law graduates with the skillset necessary for the future of legal practice.
A Systematic Review of Social Service Programs Serving Refugees
Authors: Shaw Stacey A. , Funk Mallory
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

The global forced migration crisis calls for responsive, research-supported social services. This systematic review examines available research on social service programs implemented with refugees worldwide.

Methods:

Through accessing academic databases, reviewing article reference lists and websites, and contacting experts, we identified 1,402 sources, 68 of which met review inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis.

Results:

Studies were conducted primarily in high-income countries ( n = 57). Programs examined were related to general adaptation ( n = 13), relationships ( n = 20), financial and employment support ( n = 15), or a specific area such as sport or gardening ( n = 20). Few studies used pre–post ( n = 6) or experimental designs ( n = 1), and in a majority of studies, the theory underlying the intervention was not specified ( n = 41).

Discussion:

Additional research is needed to better understand social service programming with refugees, particularly in understudied contexts.
Characterization of Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Not Attending Self-Management Education Courses: The Barriers to Uptake of Type 1 Diabetes Education (BUD1E) Study
Authors: Harris Sophie , Miller Ari , Amiel Stephanie , Mulnier Henrietta
Published: January 2019

People with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are offered attendance at diabetes self-management education courses to provide them with skills for self-management of flexible insulin dose adjustment. Attendance is poor, even when courses are evidence-based and nationally available. To understand barriers to attendance, we sought common characteristics of nonattenders from adults with T1DM living in south London. Twenty-five in person semistructured interviews were carried out until thematic saturation occurred. Thematic framework analysis identified six themes: psychological capability, numerical capability, internal/external judgment, confidence in self, thirst for knowledge, and barriers to attendance. Characterization of response profiles according to the themes identified four different typologies. These identified typologies and themes for barriers to attending diabetes self-management courses suggest strategies to improve attendance and extend the benefit of such courses more widely.
Inpatient Goals-of-Care Conversations Reduce Intensive Care Unit Transfers in High-Risk Patients
Authors: Deptola Amber Zimmer , Riggs Jessica
Published: January 2019

Despite an aging population and an increase in the prevalence of chronic severe illness, many patients will not have end-of-life care discussions with their outpatient physicians. This very likely contributes to considerable hospital utilization toward the end of life, without any clear benefit. At our medical center, we noticed a very high rate of floor-to-intensive care unit (ICU) transfers for patients with life-limiting illness and poor prognosis. We initiated a quality assessment and improvement project aimed at increasing goals-of-care conversations for high-risk patients early in their hospital stays. Patients were identified using a risk assessment score combined with presence of life-limiting illness and alerting the inpatient attending physician to the patient’s severity of illness. Inpatient attending physicians were encouraged to expeditiously initiate and document goals-of-care discussions with their patients and families or to consult palliative care. Patient data were extracted retrospectively from high-risk patients prior to and during the intervention period. Analysis showed a significant increase in overall goals-of-care discussions and a significant reduction in floor-to-ICU transfers during initial admission. There was no change in mortality at 1 year, but there was a trend toward more in-home deaths for those patients who died within the year. Early inpatient goals-of-care conversations may reduce ICU utilization at index hospitalization and may reduce overall health-care utilization near the end of life.
Sepsis Screening: Combining Early Warning Scores and SIRS Criteria
Authors: Kangas Corrie , Iverson Lindsay , Pierce Dustin
Published: January 2019

Providing effective screening tools to nurses is necessary to improve patient outcomes and health care quality. This research examines if the modification of two electronic health record sepsis screening tools using a combined systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), modified early warning score (MEWS), and national early warning score (NEWS) criteria improves the recognition of sepsis by nurses. Medical-surgical/telemetry units at a medical center in the Midwest were examined using a quasiexperimental design. Modifications of tool 1 captured 18% more correct classifications of sepsis (odds ratio [OR] = .82, 95% CI = [0.68, 0.98]), triggering for 10% fewer patients, t(1033) = 9.31, p < .001. 95% CI = [0.078, 0.119]. Modifications of tool 2 captured 3 times more correct alerts (OR = .29, 95% CI = [0.24, 0.35]), triggering for 46% fewer patients, t(1033) = 24.38, p < .001. 95% CI = [0.420, 0.493]. The updated criteria showed significant improvement toward correctly identifying sepsis and presents the opportunity to develop an effective tool that balances sensitivity with specificity.
Escobar Syndrome—An Multidisciplinary Approach for an Excellent Outcome With 3 Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Marques Fernanda Blaudt C. , de Morais Liliane Siqueira , Squeff Luciana Rougemont , de Souza Margareth Maria Gomes , Bolognese Ana Maria
Published: January 2019

This case report intends to provide the facial characteristics of Escobar syndrome and to describe the orthodontic treatment of a 12-year-old female patient diagnosed with it. Escobar syndrome, a variant of the multiple pterygium syndrome, is a rare disorder with many systemic, facial, and oral manifestations.The patient presented with mixed dentition, severe dolichofacial pattern, increased lower facial height, convex profile, severe anterior open bite, maxillary hypoplasia, and mandibular retrognatism. The multidisciplinary approach included soft cleft palate repair, orthodontic treatment, orthognathic surgery, restorative cosmetic dentistry, speech therapy, and physiotherapy. Despite the limitations imposed by the syndrome, this report illustrates how the multidisciplinary treatment approach aided in the correction of occlusal function and facial esthetics and improvement in the quality of life of the patient with Escobar syndrome.
Surgical Treatment for Palatoglossal Arch Cicatrix and Velopharyngeal Insufficiency After Adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Gargano Francesco , Groblewski Jan C. , Taylor Helena O. , Austin Paul , Sullivan Stephen R.
Published: January 2019

Postadenotonsillectomy velopharyngeal incompetence/insufficiency/dysfunction (VPI) is an uncommon but potentially surgically challenging problem. We report a child without cleft palate who developed severe palatoglossal arch cicatrix and VPI after adenotonsillectomy, and describe bilateral palatoglossal arch z-plasty to restore palatal function and speech.
Associations Between Hypernasality, Intelligibility, and Language and Reading Skills in 10-Year-Old Children With a Palatal Cleft
Authors: Særvold Tone Kristin , Hide Øydis , Feragen Kristin Billaud , Aukner Ragnhild
Published: January 2019

Background:

This study investigated the associations between hypernasality and intelligibility, and language and reading skills in 10-year old children with a cleft palate ± lip.

Design:

Cross-sectional data collected during routine assessments of speech and language in a centralized treatment setting.

Participants:

Children aged 10, born with cleft palate ± lip from 4 birth cohorts (N = 123).

Outcome Measures:

Hypernasality and intelligibility: Swedish Articulation and Nasality Test-N; language: Language 6-16 (Sentence recall, Serial recall, Vocabulary); reading: word chain test and reading comprehension test.

Results:

A total of 71.3% of the children had no occurrence of hypernasality and 82.8% had intelligibility scores within the normal range. For all children with hypernasality and intelligibility within the normal range, reading and language scores were also within normal ranges. Children with presence of hypernasality had significantly lower language skills, with mean scores within the lower normal range. Children with reduced intelligibility had lower scores on reading comprehension.

Conclusions:

The findings highlight a possible association between hypernasality and language skills, and intelligibility and reading skills. Cleft teams should consider routine assessments of language and reading skills in children with speech impairment, in order to identify potential needs for intervention as early as possible.
A gradient-enhanced damage model motivated by engineering approaches to ductile failure of steels
Authors: Seupel Andreas , Kuna Meinhard
Published: January 2019

Material models for ductile damage, crack initiation, and crack growth are of high interest, e.g. for metal forming simulations. Empirical engineering approaches are often applied, but the numerical results are sensitive to the discretization if no method is utilized to prevent ill-posedness of the underlying boundary value problem due to strain softening. In order to face this issue, an empirical damage model is equipped with a gradient-enhancement which introduces an additional length scale parameter. Until the initiation of damage, the material is modeled with standard von Mises plasticity. Damage initiation is taken into account by an uncoupled failure indicator. After damage initiation, material degradation is assumed to be driven by a non-local quantity, which depends on plastic deformation and stress triaxiality. During damage evolution, the macroscopic material behavior becomes dependent on hydrostatic stress, which is motivated by well known void growth and coalescence mechanisms. A calibration strategy is developed to determine the parameters of strain hardening, damage initiation, and damage evolution as well as the internal length step-by-step. The proposed model is calibrated to experimental data of a pressure vessel steel. Reasonable predictions of smooth and notched tensile tests as well as a small punch test show the validity of the model for loadings from moderate to high stress triaxialities.
Impact of Substance Use Disorder on the Rate of Sustained Virological Response in Veterans With Chronic Hepatitis C Treated With Direct-Acting Antivirals
Authors: Ottman Andreina A. , Townsend Mary L. , Hashem Mohamed G. , Britt Rachel B.
Published: January 2019

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are commonly encountered in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It is important to consider the impact of SUDs on HCV treatment. Objective: To compare the rate of clinical cure (sustained virological response at least 12 weeks after end of therapy [SVR12]) in veterans with chronic HCV infection treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with and without ongoing or recent substance use. Methods: This single-center, retrospective cohort study evaluated 220 HCV patients treated with DAAs based on 2 groups: SUD (ongoing or recent substance use) or non-SUD (without ongoing or recent substance use). The primary end point was SVR12 achievement. Secondary end points included safety, adherence, early discontinuation, SVR12 achievement among SUD subgroups, and enrollment in a SUD treatment program. Results: Most patients were African American men with an average age of 60 years and infected with HCV genotype 1. Almost half of the patients had advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. There was no difference in SVR12 between groups (SUD: 96.2%; non-SUD: 94.3%; P = 0.54). Overall, 35.5% of patients missed at least 1 dose of DAA therapy, with a significant difference noted between groups (SUD: 44.5%; non-SUD: 26.4%; P = 0.005). Early discontinuation of DAA therapy was similar between groups. SVR12 among SUD subgroups ranged from 92.9% to 100%. In the SUD group, 27.3% of patients were enrolled in a SUD treatment program. Conclusion and Relevance: This study suggests that recent/ongoing substance use does not affect achievement of clinical cure of chronic HCV and reinforces treatment in this patient population.
Medication Histories in Critically Ill Patients Completed by Pharmacy Personnel
Authors: Kram Bridgette L. , Trammel Morgan A. , Kram Shawn J. , Wheeley Sandy E. , Mancheril Ben G. , Burgess Lindsey D. , Schultheis Jennifer M.
Published: January 2019

Background: Although critically ill adults often have extended hospital lengths of stay and are at high risk of having medication-related adverse events, the value of medication histories in these patients remains underreported. Objective: To assess the feasibility of performing medication histories in critically ill adults and to establish the frequency of and characterize identified discrepancies. Methods: This prospective study included patients admitted to 4 intensive care units (ICUs) in a large academic medical center and was conducted in 2 phases. In phase 1, medication histories were conducted over a 5-week period by clinical pharmacists to assess feasibility. In phase 2, medication histories were conducted over a 3-week period by a pharmacy technician. Medication discrepancies, defined as any difference between the documented and pharmacy personnel–identified home medication list, were aggregated in both phases and adjudicated for severity. Results: In phase 1, 127 medication histories were completed (42.3% of admitted patients). Impaired cognition was the most common barrier encountered; however, 76% of patients were able to have a history completed if an attempt was made. In phase 2, a medication history was completed for 176 patients (58.9% of admitted patients). In aggregate, 1155 discrepancies were identified, with 78.2% of patients having a discrepancy. The median number of discrepancies per patient was 3 (interquartile range = 1-5); 11 life-threatening, 101 serious, and 326 significant discrepancies were identified. Conclusion and Relevance: A pharmacy personnel–based medication history program in the ICU is feasible and assists in the discovery of medication discrepancies with the potential for patient harm.
International Marketing Strategy in Emerging-Market Exporting Firms
Authors: Samiee Saeed , Chirapanda Suthawan
Published: January 2019

Unlike their counterparts in developed markets, emerging-market firms are characterized by limited resources, including international experience and access to relevant information, which are essential for developing suitable international marketing strategy (IMS). Under such circumstances, strategies are expected to produce suboptimal results, especially when targeting competitive markets in advanced economies. Prior IMS research has largely focused on developed markets. In contrast, the authors examine IMS of exporters in Thailand, an emerging market. Despite major differences in environments and processes in emerging markets, they establish that Thai exporters that match their IMS to local market conditions realize superior performance, as predicated by strategy coalignment. The authors validate these results and discuss emerging-market firms’ capacity to adapt their strategies and succeed in highly competitive advanced economies, despite relative inexperience, volatility, and information asymmetry at home. Exporting remains of critical importance to the economies of emerging markets, and the findings provide greater optimism for their firms’ ability to address host-market conditions in their marketing strategies, as well as pointing to the competitive threat posed by these emerging-market neophytes.
Consumer Responses to High Service Attentiveness: A Cross-Cultural Examination
Authors: Liu Maggie Wenjing , Zhang Lijun , Keh Hean Tat
Published: January 2019

Although the literature generally indicates that service attentiveness can increase consumer satisfaction, providing extra care and attention in service encounters may backfire and lead to negative consumer outcomes. In addition, because of cross-cultural differences, the effects of high service attentiveness may vary across international markets. The authors conduct a qualitative study, a field experiment, and two laboratory experiments in three countries (Canada, the United States, and China) across various service contexts (hairdressing, telecommunications, and computer repair) to examine cross-cultural consumer responses toward high service attentiveness. Consumers’ negative responses toward high service attentiveness are mediated by their suspicion of ulterior motive, which varies according to their self-construal. Specifically, consumers with an interdependent self-construal (either chronic or primed) tend to have greater suspicion of and negative responses toward high service attentiveness. Furthermore, the effect of interdependent self-construal fostering greater suspicion is attributed to a sharper in-group (vs. out-group) distinction, which is mitigated when the service employee is perceived to be an in-group member. The authors conclude by discussing the theoretical and managerial implications and suggesting future research directions.
Effect of Syndesmotic Implant Removal on Dorsiflexion
Authors: Briceno Jorge , Wusu Timilien , Kaiser Philip , Cronin Patrick , Leblanc Alyssa , Miller Christopher , Kwon John Y.
Published: January 2019

Background:

There is limited evidence that syndesmotic implant removal (SIR) is beneficial. However, many surgeons advocate removal based on studies suggesting improved motion. Methodologic difficulties make the validity and applicability of previous works questionable. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ankle dorsiflexion after SIR using radiographically measured motion before and after screw removal utilizing a standardized load.

Methods:

All patients undergoing isolated SIR were candidates for inclusion. Dorsiflexion was measured radiographically: (1) immediately before implant removal intraoperatively, (2) immediately after removal intraoperatively, and (3) 3 months after removal. A standardized torque force was applied to the ankle and a perfect lateral radiograph of the ankle was obtained. Four reviewers independently measured dorsiflexion on randomized, deidentified images. A total of 29 patients met inclusion criteria. All syndesmotic injuries were associated with rotational ankle fractures. There were 11 men (38%) and 18 women (62%). The mean, and standard deviation, age was 50.3 ± 16.9 years (range 19-80).

Results:

The mean ankle dorsiflexion pre-operatively, post-operatively, and at a 3-month follow-up was 13.7 ± 6.6 degrees, 13.3 ± 7.3 degrees and 11.8 ± 11.3 degrees, respectively ( P = .466). For subsequent analysis, 5 patients were excluded because of the potential confounding effect of retained suture button devices. Analysis of the remaining 24 patients (and final analysis of 21 patients who had complete 3-month follow-up) demonstrated similar results with no statistically significant difference in ankle dorsiflexion at all 3 time points.

Conclusion:

Removal of syndesmotic screws may not improve ankle dorsiflexion motion and should not be used as the sole indication for screw removal.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, prospective cohort study.
Muscular Morphomechanical Characteristics After an Achilles Repair
Authors: Peng Wei-Chen , Chao Yuan-Hung , Fu Amy S. N. , Fong Shirley S. M. , Rolf Christer , Chiang Hongsen , Chen Shiyi , Wang Hsing-Kuo
Published: January 2019

Background:

The purpose of the study was to compare the morphomechanical and functional characteristics during maximal isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions in the legs of patients that underwent unilateral Achilles tendon repair with those in their noninjured control legs.

Methods:

Twenty participants (median age = 38.2 years; range, 21.1-57.3 years) who underwent Achilles repair between 3 and 12 months ago were recruited with the following measures: (1) mechanical stiffness of the aponeurosis and (2) electromyography and medial gastrocnemius fascicle angle and length, standing muscle and tendon length, and height of heel rise with isometric contraction.

Results:

Compared to the noninjured legs, the repaired legs showed less resting fascicle length, standing muscle length, isometric plantarflexion torque, and heel raise distance ( Ps ranged between .044 and <.001). During the concentric and eccentric phases of the raising and lowering test, the repaired legs demonstrated less fascicle length ( P ≤ .028) but greater tendinous tissue length ( Ps ranged between .084 and <.001) and fascicle angle ( Ps ranged between .247 and .008) and fewer change magnitudes of the fascicle length and tendinous tissue length ( P ≤ .003). The change magnitudes of the morphological characteristics showed correlations with the torque or distance.

Conclusion:

Selecting the appropriate surgical repair and rehabilitation for Achilles tendon ruptures is recommended for restoring the length and mechanical strength of the muscle-tendon unit of plantar-flexion muscles.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative study.
The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire: Statistical Considerations for Improved Clinical Application
Authors: Mitchell Sean M. , Brown Sarah L. , Roush Jared F. , Tucker Raymond P. , Cukrowicz Kelly C. , Joiner Thomas E.
Published: January 2019

The interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) has accumulated empirical support; however, less research has investigated the clinical utility of ITS constructs in suicide risk assessment. The current study sought to increase the clinical utility of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), an assessment of thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB), among 318 adult psychiatric outpatients while considering statistical methodology (i.e., multicollinearity and partialling). Results emphasized PB in the prediction of concurrent desire for death/suicide when TB was simultaneously considered. The interaction between TB and PB did not enhance prediction of concurrent desire for death/suicide. Independently, PB was a stronger predictor than TB of concurrent desire for death/suicide in the total sample and gender subsamples. Estimated probabilities of concurrent desire for death/suicide across INQ scores and preliminary INQ clinical cutoff scores are provided to enhance clinical application. These findings suggest the INQ could provide valuable information for suicide risk assessment and conceptualization.
Stability analysis and stabilization of a class of discrete-time nonlinear switched systems with time-delay and affine parametric uncertainty
Authors: Baleghi N.A. , Shafiei M.H.
Published: January 2019

This paper presents stability analysis and stabilization of a nonlinear switched system with subsystems which involve time-varying delay, nonlinear terms, and affine parametric uncertainties. The main goal of this paper is to construct a state-feedback controller to stabilize the closed-loop switched system, and as a special case to derive sufficient conditions to guarantee the stability of the uncontrolled switched system. In this regard, based on switched Lyapunov functions, an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional is constructed to establish the sufficient conditions; these conditions depend only on the upper bounds of the time-delay, uncertain parameters, and the maximal bound of the nonlinear term. Finally, numerical examples are provided to verify the theoretical results and to compare the obtained results with previous researches.
To Be Central or Peripheral? What Matters for Political Representation in Amalgamated Municipalities?
Authors: Voda Petr , Svačinová Petra
Published: January 2019

Municipal size and institutional design are important factors influencing representation at a local level. However, this has not been studied with regard to the long-term perspective. The article focuses on the effect of the center/periphery on the representation of units within an amalgamated municipality in local elections. The analysis is based on data from 2,298 amalgamated municipalities over three sets of elections (2006, 2010, 2014) in the Czech Republic. The article uses multilevel binomial logistic regression to estimate the effect of different types of intra-municipal (settlement) units in terms of central/periphery relations on their representation. Thanks to these unique data, the article presents information about the representation of differently disadvantaged units from the long-term perspective. The results show that political and cultural-economic centers of amalgamated municipalities, as well as settlement units of a bigger relative size, have a greater chance of being represented in the municipal council compared with political and cultural-economic peripheries and smaller units.
Optimization strategies for geophysics models on manycore systems
Authors: Serpa Matheus S , Cruz Eduardo HM , Diener Matthias , Krause Arthur M , Navaux Philippe OA , Panetta Jairo , Farrés Albert , Rosas Claudia , Hanzich Mauricio
Published: January 2019

Many software mechanisms for geophysics exploration in oil and gas industries are based on wave propagation simulation. To perform such simulations, state-of-the-art high-performance computing architectures are employed, generating results faster with more accuracy at each generation. The software must evolve to support the new features of each design to keep performance scaling. Furthermore, it is important to understand the impact of each change applied to the software to improve the performance as most as possible. In this article, we propose several optimization strategies for a wave propagation model for six architectures: Intel Broadwell, Intel Haswell, Intel Knights Landing, Intel Knights Corner, NVIDIA Pascal, and NVIDIA Kepler. We focus on improving the cache memory usage, vectorization, load balancing, portability, and locality in the memory hierarchy. We analyze the hardware impact of the optimizations, providing insights of how each strategy can improve the performance. The results show that NVIDIA Pascal outperforms the other considered architectures by up to 8.5[Formula: see text].
SAliBASE: A Database of Simulated Protein Alignments
Authors: Pervez Muhammad Tariq , Shah Hayat Ali , Babar Masroor Ellahi , Naveed Nasir , Shoaib Muhammad
Published: January 2019

Simulated alignments are alternatives to manually constructed multiple sequence alignments for evaluating performance of multiple sequence alignment tools. The importance of simulated sequences is recognized because their true evolutionary history is known, which is very helpful for reconstructing accurate phylogenetic trees and alignments. However, generating simulated alignments require expertise to use bioinformatics tools and consume several hours for reconstructing even a few hundreds of simulated sequences. It becomes a tedious job for an end user who needs a few datasets of variety of simulated sequences. Currently, there is no databank available which may help researchers to download simulated sequences/alignments for their study. Major focus of our study was to develop a database of simulated protein sequences (SAliBASE) based on different varying parameters such as insertion rate, deletion rate, sequence length, number of sequences, and indel size. Each dataset has corresponding alignment as well. This repository is very useful for evaluating multiple alignment methods.
Electrophysiology of Syncytial Smooth Muscle
Authors: Manchanda Rohit , Appukuttan Shailesh , Padmakumar Mithun
Published: January 2019

As in other excitable tissues, two classes of electrical signals are of fundamental importance to the functioning of smooth muscles: junction potentials, which arise from neurotransmission and represent the initiation of excitation (or in some instances inhibition) of the tissue, and spikes or action potentials, which represent the accomplishment of excitation and lead on to contractile activity. Unlike the case in skeletal muscle and in neurons, junction potentials and spikes in smooth muscle have been poorly understood in relation to the electrical properties of the tissue and in terms of their spatiotemporal spread within it. This owes principally to the experimental difficulties involved in making precise electrical recordings from smooth muscles and also to two inherent features of this class of muscle, ie, the syncytial organization of its cells and the distributed innervation they receive, which renders their biophysical analysis problematic. In this review, we outline the development of hypotheses and knowledge on junction potentials and spikes in syncytial smooth muscle, showing how our concepts have frequently undergone radical changes and how recent developments hold promise in unraveling some of the many puzzles that remain. We focus especially on computational models and signal analysis approaches. We take as illustrative examples the smooth muscles of two organs with distinct functional characteristics, the vas deferens and urinary bladder, while also touching on features of electrical functioning in the smooth muscles of other organs.
Collective ethics of resistance: The organization of survival in the Warsaw Ghetto
Authors: Courpasson David , Marti Ignasi
Published: January 2019

This article aims to shed light on how ‘powerless’ people can organize to survive in situations of mass oppression. Research on powerlessness often explains compliance and political inaction by a culture of silence, generated from the sedimentation of numerous experiences of defeat. We question this assertion by drawing from an illustration of certain inhabitants of the Warsaw Ghetto, who managed to create a micro-society and reclaim the social relations the Nazis sought to destroy. Building on the work of Schaffer, we explain these collective ethics of resistance as the view that people should actively participate in the creation and maintenance of their own social relations. Through this lens, we argue that ethics and resistance are intertwined.
Severe meningo-/encephalitis after daclizumab therapy for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Stork Lidia , Brück Wolfgang , von Gottberg Phillip , Pulkowski Ulrich , Kirsten Florian , Glatzel Markus , Rauer Sebastian , Scheibe Franziska , Radbruch Helena , Hammer Eckhard , Stürner Klarissa H , Kaulen Barbara , Heesen Christoph , Hoffmann Frank , Brock Sebastian , Pawlitzki Marc , Bopp Tobias , Metz Imke
Published: January 2019

Background:

Daclizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds the high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor and was approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Due to severe inflammatory brain disorders, the approval was suspended in March 2018.

Objective and Methods:

This retrospective cohort study summarizes clinical, laboratory, radiological, and histological findings of seven patients who developed meningo-/encephalitis after daclizumab therapy.

Results:

Patients presented with encephalitis and/or meningitis and suffered from systemic symptoms such as fever (5/7), exanthema (5/7), or gastrointestinal symptoms (4/7). Secondary autoimmune diseases developed. Blood analysis revealed an increase in eosinophils (5/7). Six patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple contrast-enhancing lesions, and enhancement of the ependyma (6/7), meninges (5/7), cranial or spinal nerves (2/7), and a vasculitic pattern (3/7). Histology revealed a pronounced inflammatory infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils, and densely infiltrated vessels. Most patients showed an insufficient therapeutic response and a high disability at last follow-up (median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 8). Two patients died.

Conclusion:

Meningoencephalitis and DRESS may occur with daclizumab therapy. This potential lethal side effect is characterized by a dysregulated immune response. Our findings underline the importance of postmarketing drug surveillance.
The spectrum of acute cardiopulmonary events associated with multiple sclerosis exacerbations
Authors: Valencia-Sanchez Cristina , Goodman Brent P , Carter Jonathan L , Wingerchuk Dean M
Published: January 2019

Diverse acute neurological injuries may cause acute cardiopulmonary events including neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) and neurogenic stunned myocardium (NSM). The mechanism is probably mediated by sympathetic nervous system activation. Focal central nervous system (CNS) lesions, such as demyelinating lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS), may also cause cardiopulmonary disturbances. We aim to review the acute cardiopulmonary events associated with MS relapses. We performed a literature search using PubMed, and selected case reports of acute cardiac and/or pulmonary events related to MS exacerbations. We grouped these events into three categories: 1) NPE with normal cardiac function; 2) NSM and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC); 3) coexisting myocardial dysfunction and pulmonary edema. In some cases, cardiac and pulmonary symptoms preceded the onset of neurological symptoms. The majority of cases were associated with acute demyelinating lesions located in the medulla. Acute brainstem MS relapses, with demyelinating lesions affecting the medulla, may cause acute cardiac and pulmonary events presumably secondary to sympathetic hyperstimulation. Specific regions in the medulla that regulate cardiac function, systemic blood pressure and pulmonary hydrostatic pressure seem to be responsible for these events.
Willingness to try and lifetime use of complementary and alternative medicine in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in Germany: A survey of parents
Authors: Höfer Juliana , Bachmann Christian , Kamp-Becker Inge , Poustka Luise , Roessner Veit , Stroth Sanna , Wolff Nicole , Hoffmann Falk
Published: January 2019

Regardless of their limited evidence and potential adverse effects, use of complementary and alternative medicine is common in children with autism spectrum disorder. Nevertheless, data on complementary and alternative medicine use in children with autism spectrum disorder in Germany are lacking. Therefore, a questionnaire survey on the use of complementary and alternative medicine was distributed to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder from three academic autism spectrum disorder outpatient clinics in Germany. Of 211 respondents, 46% stated that their child currently used or had ever used some form of complementary and alternative medicine in their life. The complementary and alternative medicine modalities most frequently used were manipulative and body-based methods (e.g. craniosacral therapy). And 18% of caregivers expressed willingness to try complementary and alternative medicine treatments for their child with autism spectrum disorder in the future, with mind–body interventions predominating. Health professionals should be aware of the considerable complementary and alternative medicine use prevalence among children with autism spectrum disorder and offer parents information about its effectiveness and potential side effects.
Disability, functioning, and quality of life among treatment-seeking young autistic adults and its relation to depression, anxiety, and stress
Authors: Park Shin Ho , Song Yun Ju C , Demetriou Eleni A , Pepper Karen L , Norton Alice , Thomas Emma E , Hickie Ian B , Hermens Daniel F , Glozier Nick , Guastella Adam J
Published: January 2019

In this study, we consecutively recruited treatment-seeking young autistic adults without intellectual impairment aged 16–30 years who presented to a mental health service and evaluated general health (distress, quality of life, and disability), functioning (work loss days and social functioning), and mood symptoms (depression, anxiety, and stress) in those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ( n = 96). This group was compared to young adults presenting to the same service with primary mental health disorders (depression, n = 343; bipolar, n = 132; psychosis, n = 166; and anxiety, n = 303). This study also investigated the influence of mood symptoms on general health and functioning in the autism spectrum disorder group. Young autistic adults reported significant general health and functioning impairments that were of similar degree to those presenting with primary mental health disorders. Interestingly, the autistic group also reported similarly high levels of mood symptoms to those with primary depressive and anxiety disorders. In the autistic group, depressive symptoms were strongly associated with distress, quality of life, and work loss days, while stress symptoms were strongly associated with disability. This study highlights further research, and mental health services are required specifically targeting young autistic adults to address their significant unmet needs.
Pussy power not pity porn: Embodied protest in the #FacesOfProstitution Twitter network
Authors: Middleweek Belinda
Published: January 2019

The use of selfies as a political tool is critical to the form, shape and expression of online activist networks. In the trending Twitter #FacesOfProstitution, such self-presenting practices challenged the prevailing politics of anonymity around sex work and articulated new modes of political organizing, agency and information dissemination within a networked online community. Analysing the sex worker online campaign using feminist materialist approaches to the body this interdisciplinary article contributes to current discussions about selfies and embodied forms of activism in online spaces and addresses a gap in sex advocacy literature on digital protest cultures.
Relevance, probative value, and explanatory considerations
Authors: Ribeiro Gustavo
Published: January 2019

In my short contribution to this issue, I focus on Allen and Pardo proposal to redefine key evidentiary concepts in explanatory terms, with special attention to ‘relevancy’ and ‘probative value’. I also join forces with Allen and Pardo in replying to critics to explanatory approaches to evidence law.
Female Staff Sexual Misconduct
Authors: Moss Andie
Published: January 2019

This commentary looks at the recent findings of Allen Beck, PhD, on the subject of staff sexual misconduct in the field of corrections. This commentary aims to explore the importance of cultivating an in-depth understanding of the unique nature of female staff sexual misconduct and the cause and effect of policy and operational best practices implementation to ensure a sexually safe environment for both facility and agency leadership and inmates.
Examining National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) Data
Authors: Jarvis John P.
Published: January 2019

The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) has been a repository for crime data for almost 25 years. This work explores the uses and applications of these data to shed light on a variety of crime and policing issues since the data became available in the early to mid 1990s. Specific attention and discussion is devoted to some of the advances that NIBRS data affords as well as some of the limitations that have been discovered. Documenting both the challenges and opportunities that NIBRS data have provided was the aim of this work. Both the research and practice communities can profit from further data collection and analysis of this important source of information relative to crimes that become known to the police.
Economic Stress and Domestic Violence
Authors: Pattavina April , Socia Kelly M. , Zuber Malgorzata J.
Published: January 2019

The empirical research on the relationship between mortgage foreclosures and crime continues to evolve, and, with few exceptions, the results generally show that there is a relationship between community measures of mortgage foreclosure and crime levels. Lacking in this literature are studies that considered how foreclosures may impact domestic violence. For many families, home mortgages have significant meaning as an indicator of financial stability and represent a long-term commitment to a community through home ownership and the accompanying social and financial investments. Families who are threatened with the loss of their home to foreclosure experience a decrease in their financial status, and the stress triggered by the crisis may place them at greater risk for family violence. In this study, we examine the relationship between mortgage foreclosures and family violence. Using longitudinal panel data for Massachusetts cities and towns, our study focuses specifically on the years 2005–2009, the period that includes the Great Recession. We find that after controlling for other community indicators of economic health, higher levels of monthly mortgage foreclosures lead to higher levels of domestic violence.
State-Level Firearm Transfer Policy
Authors: Mueller David G. , Fu Qiang , Frandsen Ronald , Karberg Jennifer , Anderson Evan
Published: January 2019

The aim of the present study was to determine whether latent class analysis (LCA) could obtain a measure of the aggregate firearm transfer law environment. LCA, analysis of variance, and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyze state-level firearm transfer laws. Results indicated that a three-class solution fit the data better than a two- or four-class solution. These classes were associated with the two covariates in patterns consistent with hypotheses. Results suggest that LCA is a useful technique for classifying states based on the restrictiveness of firearm transfer laws. This classification may be useful in intervention and prevention planning.