bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of radiotherapy in elderly women with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast conserving surgery
Authors: Valli Mariacarla , Cima Simona , Fanti Paola , Muoio Barbara , Vanetti Alessandra , Azinwi Che N. , Yordanov Kaloyan , Martucci Francesco , Pesce Gianfranco A. , Canonica Claudia , Richetti Antonella
Published: August 2018

Objective:

To analyze the impact of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) on ipsilateral breast recurrence (IBR) and overall survival (OS) in patients older than 69 years with early-stage breast cancer.

Methods:

From January 2007 to June 2015, we analyzed retrospectively 137 women with estrogen receptor–positive T1–2 invasive breast cancer, with negative axillary lymph nodes, dividing them into 2 subgroups: 70 to 79 years and older than 79 years.

Results:

After a median follow-up of 43.2 months, the 3-year IBR-free survival in patients treated with surgery plus RT was 98.8% and 92.1% in patients treated with surgery alone, with a significant difference ( p = .01). Radiotherapy did not impact overall survival ( p = .10). A higher percentage of patients aged between 70 and 79 years received RT after conservative surgery if compared with the older subgroup ( p < .01).

Conclusions:

In elderly women, adjuvant RT reduced the IBR, but did not improve OS.
Signal Priority Request Delay Modeling and Mitigation for Emergency Vehicles in Connected Vehicle Environment
Authors: Li Jiangchen , Qiu Chen , Peng Liqun , Qiu Tony Z.
Published: August 2018

Connected vehicle-based signal priority control is widely regarded as an advanced method for improving travel efficiency of an emergency vehicle when passing through intersections. However, the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication delay is a critical factor affecting the performance of signal request and has rarely been considered in existing studies. This paper conducted a comprehensive delay analysis of the preemption signal request and its influence on practical preemption control for the emergency vehicle. First of all, a general end-to-end delay decomposition model is formulated to analyze significant delay uncertainties from different sources. Then, a compensated distance strategy is adopted for cooperative preemption control to ensure the reliability of preemption control and minimize impacts on performance caused by communication delay. Based on the analysis of field data and numerical results, the proposed model is able to reveal characteristics of communication delay for multimodal traffic signal control with priority. The proposed communication delay compensation strategy shows clear benefits in improving the performance of signal preemption control priority for an emergency vehicle at intersections and therefore has potential to enhance V2X applications in a connected vehicle environment.
Total Capacity of Roundabouts Analyzed by a Conflict Technique
Authors: Wu Ning , Brilon Werner
Published: August 2018

The conventional method of analysis for capacity of roundabouts is based on gap-acceptance methods or on empirical regression or a combination of both. The influence of pedestrians is modeled by reduction factors with a questionable empirical background. Thus, the current methods are based on an incoherent mix of approaches. Moreover, they do not account for the interaction between the different elements. The paper presents a new model which treats the whole intersection as one entity. Here all the conflict points where different streams (vehicles and non-motorized road users) intersect within the roundabout are identified. Each conflict point is treated as one queuing system with a simplified queuing mechanism. In addition, the interactions between the consecutive queuing systems are taken into account according to the theory of chains of queues where the distance (= storage area) between the conflict points becomes important. The paper explains the development of the model, presents the mathematical derivations of ready-to-use capacity equations plus parameter calibration by existing data, and demonstrates its real-world application. The advantage of the technique is that all conflicts—both between vehicle streams and with pedestrians at entries and exits—are treated by the same congruent methods. In addition, the interactions between consecutive arms of the roundabout are modeled. The method can also model limited priority (e.g., for pedestrians at crosswalks) for all conflict points. Finally, the conflicts that are decisive for the performance of the whole intersection are identified. The method can be easily implemented into computer software.
Modeling the Effectiveness of Infrastructure and Travel Demand Management Measures to Improve Traffic Congestion during Typhoons
Authors: Wisetjindawat Wisinee , Derrible Sybil , Kermanshah Amirhassan
Published: August 2018

Many commuters find themselves stranded during natural disasters like typhoons. In the Tokai region in Japan, many road sections become heavily congested during typhoons, with some commuters reporting homebound trips taking more than four times longer than usual because of road flooding at several locations. Although large typhoons are considered extreme events (in terms of magnitude), they occur frequently (i.e., several times per year), substantiating the need for better preparedness. Nonetheless, it is impossible to predict exactly which roads are going to be flooded during a typhoon. As a result, in this study, a stochastic modeling approach was used that assigns a failure probability to each road segment based on climate model outputs for the region. Using this stochastic model, the travel time reliability between any given origin–destination pair can be determined. By applying this model to the road network of the Tokai region, two major measures were identified that could be implemented to reduce severe congestion during a typhoon. First, targeted infrastructure management measures can be implemented to strengthen heavily used roads, thus reducing the failure probability of major roads. Second, travel demand management measures can be implemented, such as asking commuters to leave their workplace or school one or two hours after their normal departure time. Overall, it was found that strengthening heavily used roads has a bigger impact in relieving congestion than delaying departure time, but that combining both strategies achieves the best results.
Management of Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability With Bipolar Bone Loss: A Systematic Review to Assess Critical Bone Loss Amounts
Authors: Gowd Anirudh K. , Liu Joseph N. , Cabarcas Brandon C. , Garcia Grant H. , Cvetanovich Gregory L. , Provencher Matthew T. , Verma Nikhil N.
Published: August 2018

Background:

There is increasing evidence to suggest that the amount of glenoid bone loss to indicate bone block procedures may be lower than previously thought, particularly in the presence of a Hill-Sachs defect.

Purpose:

To better establish treatment recommendations for anterior shoulder instability among patients with bipolar bone lesions.

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature was performed with PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. Studies evaluating outcomes of operative management in anterior shoulder instability that also reported glenoid bone loss in the presence of Hill-Sachs defects were included. Recurrence rates, glenoid bone loss, and humeral bone loss were pooled and analyzed with forest plots stratified by surgical procedure. Methods of quantification were analyzed for each article qualitatively.

Results:

Thirteen articles were included in the final analysis, with a total of 778 patients. The mean ± SD age was 24.9 ± 8.6 years. The mean follow-up was 30.1 months (range, 11-240 months). Only 13 of 408 (3.2%) reviewed bipolar bone loss articles quantified humeral and/or glenoid bone loss. Latarjet procedures had the greatest glenoid bone loss (21.7%; 95% CI, 14.8%-28.6%), followed by Bankart repairs (13.1%; 95% CI, 9.0%-17.2%), and remplissage (11.7%; 95% CI, 5.5%-18.0%). Humeral bone loss was primarily reported as percentage bone loss (22.2%; 95% CI, 13.1%-31.3% in Bankart repairs and 31.7%; 95% CI, 21.6%-41.1% in Latarjet) or as volumetric defects (439.1 mm3; 95% CI, 336.3-541.9 mm3 in Bankart repairs and 366.0 mm3; 95% CI, 258.4-475.4 mm3 in remplissage). Recurrence rates were as follows: Bankart repairs, 19.5% (95% CI, 14.5%-25.8%); remplissage, 4.4% (95% CI, 1.3%-14.0%); and Latarjet, 8.7% (95% CI, 5.0%-14.7%). Bankart repairs were associated with significantly greater recurrence of instability in included articles ( P = .013).

Conclusion:

There exists a need for universal and consistent preoperative measurement of humeral-sided bone loss. The presence of concomitant Hill-Sachs defects with glenoid pathology should warrant more aggressive operative management through use of bone block procedures. Previously established values of critical glenoid bone loss are not equally relevant in the presence of bipolar bone loss.
Violence Against Female Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence From 36 National Household Surveys
Authors: Wilson Nicholas L.
Published: August 2018

The goal of this article is to provide evidence on the past-year prevalence of violence against female adolescent children age 15 to 17 and test the hypothesis that higher socioeconomic status is associated with lower likelihoods of past-year violence. We used national household surveys from 36 low- and-middle-income countries to provide evidence on the prevalence of violence against 34,901 adolescents age 15 to 17 and logistic regression analysis to measure the association between socioeconomic status and past-year violence against adolescents. Among the sample population, prevalence of physical violence by nonpartners was 10.4% and by partners was 2.8%. Prevalence of sexual violence by nonpartners was 1.8% and by partners was 1.2%. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for country of residence, and demographic characteristics indicated that completing primary school was associated with higher likelihood of physical violence by nonpartner (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13, confidence interval [CI] [1.03, 1.24]) and lower likelihoods of sexual violence by nonpartner (OR = 0.66, CI [0.53, 0.83]), physical violence by partner (OR = 0.59, CI [0.49, 0.70]), and sexual violence by partner (OR = 0.48, CI [0.36, 0.63]). Total consumer durables owned was associated with reduced likelihoods of physical violence by nonpartner (OR = 0.96, CI [0.94, 0.98]), by partner (OR = 0.88, CI [0.84, 0.93]), and sexual violence by partner (OR = 0.91, CI [0.85, 0.99]). Overall, violence against adolescents as reported in the past-year experience of females age 15 to 17 is common. Primary school completion and household wealth may convey protective benefits against violence.
Talking About Feelings: Mother–Child Emotion Dialogues Among Sexually Abused Children
Authors: van Delft Ivanka , Finkenauer Catrin , De Schipper J. Clasien , Lamers-Winkelman Francien
Published: August 2018

Mother–child dialogues about children’s emotional experiences are associated with children’s adaptive coping with stressful situations and mental health. Despite these findings, dialogues have not been examined yet in the context of child sexual abuse. This gap is surprising given that mother–child dialogues may particularly promote children’s recovery from traumatic events. The current exploratory study examined the quality of mother–child emotion dialogues, as well as the quality of child and maternal contributions to dialogues, among dyads with sexually abused children ( n = 30; 60% female; M age = 8.03), as compared with dyads with nonabused children ( n = 30; 60% female; M age = 8.20). Quality of dialogues was assessed using the Autobiographical Emotional Events Dialogue. Mothers reported on their own childhood maltreatment history and psychopathological symptoms. Results showed that dyads with abused children were more likely to engage in overwhelming/excessive dialogues and dialogues lacking content, as compared with dyads with nonabused children. After controlling for differences in background characteristics, mothers of abused children showed lower sensitive guidance. Although mothers of abused children had more experiences of childhood maltreatment and higher levels of psychopathology, they did not add to explain group differences in maternal sensitive guidance. Our findings suggest that the ability to discuss emotional experiences may be impaired among mother–child dyads with sexually abused children. This may be an important target in the treatment of sexually abused children and their families.
Facts Over Stories for Involved Publics: Framing Effects in CSR Messaging and the Roles of Issue Involvement, Message Elaboration, Affect, and Skepticism
Authors: Dhanesh Ganga S. , Nekmat Elmie
Published: August 2018

This project investigated how issue involvement and positive affect are related to attitude and behavioral intention in the context of episodically and thematically framed corporate social responsibility (CSR) messages. We examined mediation effects of message elaboration on issue involvement and affect as well as moderation effects of dispositional skepticism on the relationships between affect, and attitude and behavioral intention. Results from two message-embedded surveys show that for the two types of messages used, issue involvement was positively correlated with positive affect and, consequently, with attitude and behavioral intention. However, for episodically framed messages, route-of-information processing mediated the relationship between issue involvement and affect. Dispositional skepticism moderated the relationship between positive affect and attitude toward the organization for these messages but did not affect behavioral intention. Overall, the findings suggest that prioritizing fact-based messaging over story-based messaging for involved publics could improve communication of the impact of CSR programs.
Hazardous Drinking Prevalence and Correlates in Older New Zealanders: A Comparison of the AUDIT-C and the CARET
Authors: Towers Andy , Szabó Ágnes , Newcombe David A. L. , Sheridan Janie , Moore Allison A. , Hyde Martin , Britton Annie , Martinez Priscilla , Minicuci Nadia , Kowal Paul , Clausen Thomas , Savage Christine L.
Published: August 2018

Objectives: The study compared the proportion of older adults identified as drinking hazardously based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT-C) with the older adult-specific Comorbidity Alcohol Risk Evaluation Tool (CARET) and investigated whether sociodemographics, comorbidities, health, medication use, and alcohol-related risk behaviors explained discrepancies between the screens in classification of hazardousness. Method: The AUDIT-C and the CARET were administered to 3,673 adults aged 55 to 89 years. Classification agreement between the screens was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa. Hazardous drinking groups were compared using logistic regression. Results: Analysis indicated moderate agreement between the screens. Drinkers classified as “hazardous on the CARET only” consumed less alcohol, but were more likely to drink-drive. Introducing a drink-driving criterion into the calculation of hazardousness on the AUDIT-C substantially decreased the classification discrepancy between the measures. Discussion: Standard screening can be improved by investigating comorbidities, medication use, and alcohol-related risk behaviors in those initially identified as nonhazardous drinkers.
Wikipedia and libraries
Authors: Lubbock John
Published: August 2018

As the quality, scope and usefulness of Wikipedia (and its sister projects) increases, the Wikimedia community are increasingly reaching out to academic, library and other information professionals. Through institutional partnerships and training, we show how using Wikimedia projects can bring extra value to the library as a place of digital study and media literacy. Libraries and Wikipedia both aim to bring knowledge to a wider audience, to create spaces where people can safely learn and find the resources they need, and we believe it is possible for us to reach those goals together. This article will describe the complex and wide scope of our work with libraries and explain how our work complements the work of libraries and other cultural institutions. It will provide paths and ideas for librarians to understand how to effectively use the resources provided by Wikimedia to imagine how libraries can serve the public in our digital age.
Robust identification of target genes and outliers in triple-negative breast cancer data
Authors: Segaert Pieter , Lopes Marta B , Casimiro Sandra , Vinga Susana , Rousseeuw Peter J
Published: August 2018

Correct classification of breast cancer subtypes is of high importance as it directly affects the therapeutic options. We focus on triple-negative breast cancer which has the worst prognosis among breast cancer types. Using cutting edge methods from the field of robust statistics, we analyze Breast Invasive Carcinoma transcriptomic data publicly available from The Cancer Genome Atlas data portal. Our analysis identifies statistical outliers that may correspond to misdiagnosed patients. Furthermore, it is illustrated that classical statistical methods may fail to identify outliers due to their heavy influence, prompting the need for robust statistics. Using robust sparse logistic regression we obtain 36 relevant genes, of which ca. 60% have been previously reported as biologically relevant to triple-negative breast cancer, reinforcing the validity of the method. The remaining 14 genes identified are new potential biomarkers for triple-negative breast cancer. Out of these, JAM3, SFT2D2, and PAPSS1 were previously associated to breast tumors or other types of cancer. The relevance of these genes is confirmed by the new DetectDeviatingCells outlier detection technique. A comparison of gene networks on the selected genes showed significant differences between triple-negative breast cancer and non-triple-negative breast cancer data. The individual role of FOXA1 in triple-negative breast cancer and non-triple-negative breast cancer, and the strong FOXA1-AGR2 connection in triple-negative breast cancer stand out. The goal of our paper is to contribute to the breast cancer/triple-negative breast cancer understanding and management. At the same time it demonstrates that robust regression and outlier detection constitute key strategies to cope with high-dimensional clinical data such as omics data.
Inequality of Opportunity in India: Concepts, Measurement and Empirics
Authors: Motiram Sripad
Published: August 2018

In recent times, inequality of opportunity has seen increasing interest among economists and public policy advocates. In this article, I present a critical survey of the idea of inequality of opportunity, including the philosophical ideas that underpin it and the issues and problems that arise in its conceptualization and implementation. I then discuss the operationalization of this idea in the Indian context using two publicly available, nationally representative, secondary statistical databases, namely, National Sample Survey (NSS) and India Human Development Survey (IHDS). Evidence based upon these sources of data suggests considerable inequality of opportunity in India. However, due to limitations of data, there are gaps in our knowledge. I make some suggestions to address these concerns.
A Brain-Based Instruction Simulation Approach to Improve Code Team Response in an Internal Medicine Unit
Authors: Clapper Timothy C. , Rajwani Kapil , Mauer Elizabeth , Gerber Linda M. , Lee Joanna , Ching Kevin , Miller Stephanie , Gudi Kirana
Published: August 2018

Background and Objectives. The code team course is a 3-hour, interactive course that follows a 4-phase brain-based lesson plan for simulation. Interprofessional teams receive instruction and practice in evidence-based teamwork, communication, and individual skills.

Methods. This quantitative research included a pre-test and post-test design in an urban Department of Medicine. Sixteen groups (n=109) participated in the course over a period of eight weeks. Classroom metrics included pre- and post-course High-Quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and code team didactic knowledge assessed by Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. In addition, four in-situ mock code simulations were conducted to provide the researchers with baseline and post-intervention data. Code team performance assessment scores were tallied and compared between baseline and post-intervention by Fisher’s Exact Test.

Results. The classroom metrics produced significant results. High-Quality CPR scores were higher post-training than pre-training (median score 4 vs. 3, respectively; p=0.006). Didactic knowledge test scores were also significantly higher (median score 90 vs. 70, respectively; p <0.001). In-situ team performance improved in several areas. There was a significant improvement in the area of cardiac code management in the day shift group. The percent “done well” improved from 25% (5/20) to 100% (20/20) (p= <0.001).

Conclusion. The results of this pilot study suggest that code team training using the 4-phase BBL plan for simulation is associated with improvements in interprofessional team knowledge and performance during cardiac emergencies. It is equally important that the training is conducted over a short period in order to ensure that all team members are properly prepared.
Mindfulness as a Moderator of Clinician History of Trauma on Compassion Satisfaction
Authors: Martin-Cuellar Ashley , Atencio David J. , Kelly Ryan J. , Lardier David T.
Published: August 2018

Compassion satisfaction is an understudied phenomenon in the counseling literature. The impact of a clinician’s history of trauma on compassion satisfaction and potential protective factors that may enhance feelings of compassion satisfaction is equally understudied. This study aimed to address models of mindfulness as a protective factor for the associations between a clinician’s history of trauma and their experience with compassion satisfaction. The sample consisted of licensed clinicians ( N = 113) reporting on their past history of trauma, dispositional mindfulness, and compassion satisfaction. Results indicated that mindfulness moderated the association between a clinician’s history of trauma and compassion satisfaction. Findings also show mindfulness to be significant in supporting a clinician’s experience with compassion satisfaction, overall. Therefore, mindfulness should be further considered as an important safeguard for clinicians to consider in order to continue to enjoy their work. Implications are considered for clinicians, counseling training programs, and agency employers.
Using the Precursors Model of Change to Facilitate Engagement Practices in Family Counseling
Authors: Wilkinson Brett D. , Hanna Fred J.
Published: August 2018

Many evidence-based family counseling approaches include an engagement phase of treatment. Such motivation-focused treatment practices may benefit from a conceptual model that highlights common client change mechanisms and relevant interventions. Addressing seven empirically validated change factors, the precursors model provides counselors with a relevant taxonomy for further understanding, addressing, and enhancing family engagement in counseling. It is suggested that exposing practitioners to the precursors model of change may serve to improve treatment outcomes, thereby benefiting both clients and the evidence-based practice movement in family counseling. The precursors model taxonomy is explained, and corresponding interventions are explored in the context of a case vignette.
Considerations of Conjoint Couples Therapy in Cases of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Hurless Nicole , Cottone R. Rocco
Published: August 2018

This article reviews the current literature on the implementation of conjoint couples counseling in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV). As maintained by feminist theorists, due to the possibility of perpetuating or increasing violent behaviors within a couple, a conjoint treatment for IPV is generally contraindicated. However, multiple studies have shown that conjoint approaches do not increase the risk of harm to the victim. Following a thorough assessment of the dynamics of violence within a relationship, individual personality patterns, and adequate counselor training in IPV, a conjoint approach may be beneficial to reduce violent behaviors while increasing communication, problem-solving skills, and overall relationship satisfaction.
Vibration of an axially moving beam supported by a slightly curved elastic foundation
Authors: Mustafa Aalim M , Hawwa Muhammad A , Hardt David E
Published: August 2018

The vibration of an axially moving beam following a slightly curved path was studied. The simply supported beam was travelling axially on a curved frictionless foundation with nonlinear elastic characteristics. The main objective of this work was to investigate the effect of the moving beam path curvature on its vibration, and the effect of different parameters on the system’s dynamic response. These parameters include axial speed, applied tension, and stiffness of the supporting foundation. A Galerkin decomposition approach with four-term truncation accuracy was used to realize a mathematical model that describes the dynamic behavior of the axially moving beam on a slightly curved foundation. Numerical solutions showed that the natural frequency of the axially moving beam travelling on the curved elastic support was higher than that of an axially moving straight beam for all cases considered of different path curvatures and different degrees of support stiffness. Forced vibrations of an axially moving beam on a curved elastic support were also considered under harmonic excitation. Bifurcation diagrams were obtained for the primary resonance excitation using the excitation amplitude as a controlling parameter, while keeping the excitation frequency fixed. It was found that the amplitude–frequency diagram for the axially moving beam on the curved path exhibited many types of bifurcations, including period doubling bifurcation, period four bifurcation and many jumps, compared to that of an axially moving beam resting on a straight elastic support.
Modeling method of element Rayleigh damping for the seismic analysis of a 3D FEM model with multiple damping properties
Authors: Onitsuka Shohei , Ushio Yuichi , Ojima Naoki , Iijima Tadashi
Published: August 2018

Damping modeling is important for the accurate evaluation of the seismic response of structures. Our group previously reported a damping modeling method using element Rayleigh damping and evaluated the effectiveness using a simple lumped-mass model with multiple damping properties; however, the effectiveness of the method was not evaluated for three-dimensional (3D) finite element method (FEM) models with multiple damping properties. Moreover, further studies showed that the method needed to be improved to be applied to 3D FEM models. Therefore, the method has been improved to enable application to the seismic analysis of 3D FEM models, and the effectiveness of the method has been evaluated. The proposed method uses a weighted least-squares method to automatically determine the coefficients of element Rayleigh damping. The weighted least-squares method minimizes the differences between the modal damping ratios to be modeled and those given by element Rayleigh damping. Although all modal damping ratios in a simple lumped-mass model were used for damping modeling in our previous study, obtaining them for 3D FEM models is impractical because these models have more natural modes than simple lumped-mass models. Therefore, we used modal damping ratios below a cut-off frequency. The effectiveness of the proposed method was evaluated by comparing it with conventional methods in terms of the modeling errors related to the modal damping ratios and the maximum absolute acceleration. The proposed method tended to have lower errors than the conventional methods and is concluded to be more effective for the seismic analysis of 3D FEM models with multiple damping properties. The proposed method can automatically determine the coefficients of element Rayleigh damping and can more accurately model the damping properties of analysis models, indicating that the proposed method is a powerful tool for the seismic analysis of 3D FEM models with multiple damping properties.
Sandbagged: Exploring the Political Challenges of Coastal Infrastructure
Authors: Fisk Jonathan M.
Published: August 2018

The political, technical, social, and economic challenges related to climate change are well documented. As policy makers are increasingly experiencing the reality of rising sea levels, they are also confronting a fragmented and sometimes fractured intergovernmental system. State and local governments face a delicate balancing act, especially, when it comes to infrastructure and climate change. They must respond to citizens, avoid losing their autonomy, maintain fiscal stability and health, provide a high quality of life, and ensure public safety. The reality of anthropogenic climate change has compounded many of these difficulties, perhaps, most acutely in America’s coastal states and communities. Recognizing these challenges, this article examines the challenges facing coastal communities as they seek to adapt to and build more resilient infrastructure that can mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels.
Body Recovery After the “First 48”: Implications for Sexual Homicide Investigations
Authors: Reale Kylie , Beauregard Eric
Published: August 2018

There is a lack of research examining the relationship between body recovery times and the “first 48,” despite the risk of forensic evidence deteriorating and the difficulty in forming leads without a body. The study explores factors influencing body recovery—both during and after the critical 48-hr investigative window—in sexual homicide cases. Offender characteristics, victimology, contact scene and body recovery locations, and forensic awareness strategies are used to predict body recovery after the “first 48.” Findings suggest that certain offenders can delay body recovery past the first 48 because they utilized detection avoidance strategies during the crime-commission process.
Natural Language Processing of Social Media as Screening for Suicide Risk
Authors: Coppersmith Glen , Leary Ryan , Crutchley Patrick , Fine Alex
Published: August 2018

Suicide is among the 10 most common causes of death, as assessed by the World Health Organization. For every death by suicide, an estimated 138 people’s lives are meaningfully affected, and almost any other statistic around suicide deaths is equally alarming. The pervasiveness of social media—and the near-ubiquity of mobile devices used to access social media networks—offers new types of data for understanding the behavior of those who (attempt to) take their own lives and suggests new possibilities for preventive intervention. We demonstrate the feasibility of using social media data to detect those at risk for suicide. Specifically, we use natural language processing and machine learning (specifically deep learning) techniques to detect quantifiable signals around suicide attempts, and describe designs for an automated system for estimating suicide risk, usable by those without specialized mental health training (eg, a primary care doctor). We also discuss the ethical use of such technology and examine privacy implications. Currently, this technology is only used for intervention for individuals who have “opted in” for the analysis and intervention, but the technology enables scalable screening for suicide risk, potentially identifying many people who are at risk preventively and prior to any engagement with a health care system. This raises a significant cultural question about the trade-off between privacy and prevention—we have potentially life-saving technology that is currently reaching only a fraction of the possible people at risk because of respect for their privacy. Is the current trade-off between privacy and prevention the right one?
Humanizing Digital Mental Health through Social Media: Centering Experiences of Gang-Involved Youth Exposed to High Rates of Violence
Authors: Frey William R
Published: August 2018

As the lives of young people expand further into digital spaces, our understandings of their expressions and language on social media become more consequential for providing individualized and applicable mental health resources. This holds true for young people exposed to high rates of community violence who may also lack access to health resources offline. Social media may provide insights into the impacts of community violence exposure on mental health. However, much of what is shared on social media contains localized language and context, which poses challenges regarding interpretation. In this perspective, I offer insights gained from the Beyond the Bullets: The Complexities and Ethical Challenges of Interpreting Social Media Posts workshop during the Digital Interventions in Mental Health conference in London, England: (1) social media as an underutilized environmental context in mental health services; (2) interpreting the meaning of social media posts is challenging, and there are additional challenges when users are exposed to offline violence and (3) the importance of having various perspectives when interpreting social media posts to build contextually nuanced and theoretically based understandings of digital social behavior.
Realist studies of oppression, emancipation and resistance
Authors: O’Mahoney Joe , Vincent Steve , Harley Bill
Published: August 2018

This article introduces two papers in a special section of this journal. It explains why realist studies of oppression, emancipation and resistance are needed. We trace the development of studies in this area, noting their Marxist roots, divergence with post-structural theorising and more recent critical realist advancements. We conclude by highlighting the weaknesses in studies of this area and by arguing that progress is important for understanding how emancipation from oppression might be possible.
Constructing women’s heart health and risk: A critical discourse analysis of cardiovascular disease portrayals on Facebook by a US non-profit organization
Authors: Gonsalves Christine A , McGannon Kerry R
Published: August 2018

Women’s cardiovascular disease portrayals were explored on Facebook by the US non-profit organization Women’s Heart Alliance and public users in February 2017. Portrayals were explored using critical discourse analysis which also identified subject positions. Women’s cardiovascular disease was constructed within two central discourses: achieving health equity and healthism, with the following subject positions: altruistic fighters, health activists, and compliant patients and consumers. These findings affirmed and resisted problematic forms of cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Recommendations are made using discursive resources and subject positions within social media forms as concrete entry points of resistance and change to raise women’s cardiovascular disease awareness.
Social support, social undermining, and acute clinical pain in women: Mediational pathways of negative cognitive appraisal and emotion
Authors: Gaffey Allison E , Burns John W , Aranda Frances , Purim-Shem-Tov Yanina A , Burgess Helen J , Beckham Jean C , Bruehl Stephen , Hobfoll Stevan E
Published: August 2018

Women may be disproportionately vulnerable to acute pain, potentially due to their social landscape. We examined whether positive and negative social processes (social support and social undermining) are associated with acute pain and if the processes are linked to pain via negative cognitive appraisal and emotion (pain catastrophizing, hyperarousal, anger). Psychosocial variables were assessed in inner-city women ( N = 375) presenting to an Emergency Department with acute pain. The latent cognitive-emotion variable fully mediated social undermining and support effects on pain, with undermining showing greater impact. Pain may be alleviated by limiting negative social interactions, mitigating risks of alternative pharmacological interventions.
Defusing the male working class: Populist politics and reality television
Authors: Stiernstedt Fredrik , Jakobsson Peter
Published: August 2018

This article presents an analysis of the makeover reality show Real Men, which was broadcast on Swedish television in 2016. The analysis shows that Real Men – like other shows of its genre – functions as a form of ‘governmentality’ through which forms of neoliberal subjectivity are propagated and pedagogically enforced on ‘bad subjects’. However, the show surpasses the genre conventions by questioning the authority of the norms and values (i.e. middle-class, cosmopolitan and urban values) that are being propagated and in letting the values held by the working-class men on the show eventually be victorious and accepted within the narrative. The purpose of this article is to try to make sense of a popular cultural artefact such as Real Men against the background of the crisis of legitimacy for the neoliberal ideology and the rise of (right-wing) populism, and to try to understand how the forms and genres of popular culture transform and respond to this changing political context.
Localizing YouTube: Language, cultural regions, and digital platforms
Authors: Mohan Sriram , Punathambekar Aswin
Published: August 2018

This article analyzes the significance of linguistic and cultural regions for the global expansion and localization of digital platforms. Bringing issues of globalization and cultural difference to bear on the study of platforms, we explore the industrial and cultural logics at work when digital platforms like YouTube navigate new markets. We first map YouTube’s trajectory in India and outline how the company came to recognize and value southern India’s linguistic and cultural diversity as crucial for its national and global expansion. Through close readings of videos produced by a leading channel (Put Chutney), we then outline how ‘region’ emerges as the dominant scale for localization and examine different conceptions of the region that are mobilized to secure an online audience. More broadly, we argue that platform localization is the contingent outcome of the interaction of algorithmic and representational logics that structure the operations of digital platforms.
Prognostic Role of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Ovarian Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Gaowen , Zhu Lin , Yang Yulu , Long Yusheng , Li Xiangyuan , Wang Yifeng
Published: August 2018

Objective:

The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in ovarian cancer. Growing number of articles reported the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and prognosis in ovarian cancer, but the results remains inconclusive. The meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the association of pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with overall survival and progression-free survival.

Methods:

We performed a systematic literature research of PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane library for relevant studies up to October 8, 2017. The quality of included studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The hazard ratio and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated. We checked the heterogeneity by the Q test and Higgins I-squared statistic. Begg funnel plot and Egger linear regression test were also applied for ascertain publication bias. All of the statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 12.0.

Results:

A total of 12 studies with 4046 patients were included in our study. The results indicated that depressed neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was significantly correlated with higher overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.409, 95% confidence intervals = 1.112-1.786, P = .005) and progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 1.523, 95% confidence intervals = 1.187-1.955, P = .001) in ovarian cancer. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity of overall survival and progression-free survival showed that the prognostic effect of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was found both in Asians and Caucasians.

Conclusion:

Patients with depressed neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio had a higher overall survival and progression-free survival in ovarian cancer. This meta-analysis provided neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as an available predictor of overall survival and progression-free survival for patients with ovarian cancer.
Reasons for Delay of Accreditation for Vascular Testing Laboratories Applying for Accreditation by Intersocietal Accreditation Commission
Authors: Farrell Mary Beth , Hutchisson Marge , Lilly Michael , Vickery Melissa A. , Gornik Heather L.
Published: August 2018

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) vascular testing accreditation process is designed to be educational through a process of self-examination and feedback from peer review. Accreditation is awarded based on compliance with published Standards. The objective of this study was to identify the most common reasons for accreditation delay and noncompliance with the published Standards among vascular laboratories applying for IAC accreditation. The IAC database was used to extract laboratory data and findings of application review for vascular laboratories applying for accreditation in 2016. Most laboratories applying for accreditation (88.7%, 535/603) had 1 or more accreditation delay issues that had to be rectified before accreditation was granted. The most common not compliant findings included reporting issues, discordant findings between the test documentation and final impression, poor image quality, diagnostic criteria issues, and missed diagnostic findings. Most laboratories corrected identified issues (82.2%, 440/535) within 90 days. IAC accreditation recognizes a laboratory as having met minimum quality Standards. For vascular laboratories reviewed by IAC, most accreditation issues were due to deficiencies in reporting, documentation, and image quality.
The Impact of Leader Trustworthiness on Employee Voice and Performance in China
Authors: Holley Erica C. , Wu Keke , Avey James B.
Published: August 2018

Using a sample of 488 employees from a large information technology firm in mainland China, this article examines the relationships between leader trustworthiness, employee voice, and supervisor-rated employee performance, as well as individual employee perceptions of organizational attitudes toward uncertainty. Drawing from social cognitive theory, as well as from the literatures on leader trustworthiness and employee voice, this article explores the mediating mechanism of employee voice within the leader trustworthiness–employee performance relationship. Within this Chinese context, employee voice was found to partially mediate the positive relationship between leader trustworthiness and employee performance ratings. Employee perceptions of organizational attitudes toward uncertainty were also found to strengthen the mediated relationship. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Using Solicited Written Qualitative Diaries to Develop Conceptual Understandings of Sleep
Authors: Gawley Tim
Published: August 2018

This article presents the use of the solicited written qualitative sleep diary as a method for understanding sleep experience. The article reviews selected quantitative and qualitative research to contextualize contemporary sleep circumstances and concerns. It continues with a summary of previous diary applications in social scientific sleep research. The article then outlines the diary template, data collection procedures, and sampling. Diaries were received from a sample of 48 university students at a Canadian university campus who enrolled in a fourth-year course on sleep and society. The method’s analytical potential is highlighted by student accounts that construct meanings of sleep around academic accomplishments which are conceptualized as “rituals of obligation.” Students interpret sleep as a shutting off from ritual obligation. “Shut off” is observed in four ways: personalized management techniques, calendar rhythmicity, introspective bargaining, and the sleep fritter. The methodological discussion of the sleep diary echoes previously articulated observations about the method while offering additional strengths, precautions, and possibilities relating to the diary’s trustworthiness as a prioritized data collection method. The solicited written qualitative sleep diary benefits from its access and flexibility of participation, the encouragement of creative expression, the adoption of incentives and support mechanisms, and research reflexivity.
Individual unit and guard-zone airtightness tests of apartment buildings
Authors: Kaschuba-Holtgrave Andreas , Rohr Angela , Rolfsmeier Stefanie , Solcher Oliver
Published: August 2018

The airtightness of eight apartment buildings containing six to 11 units each on three or four floors was tested with and without guard-zone pressure, that is, with and without consideration of internal leakages. The layouts of these buildings varied: two of them had no central stairwell; in two other buildings, only some of the apartments were connected to the central stairwell; and the third type had all apartments connected to a central stairwell. Airtightness tests were performed with and without guard-zone pressure conditions. During these tests, two to eight BlowerDoor systems were used simultaneously to create guard-zone pressure conditions. In this report, the authors evaluate the test results of three buildings of different layout types. Furthermore, a reference model for the natural air permeability of all construction materials used in the interior and exterior envelopes of each apartment was created for two buildings in accordance with the German Industrial Standards (DIN). We present the results of this assessment and put them in context with the airtightness tests with and without guard-zone pressure. The results indicate that the air leakage contribution of internal partitions is significant, namely 32% and 27%. As this affects sound transmission, fire protection, odor transfer, and the quality of ventilation, it is essential to assess the airtightness of not only the exterior but also the interior envelope of each apartment.