bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The young stellar population in NGC 247
Authors: Rodríguez M. J. , Baume G. , Feinstein C.
Published: April 2019

Aims. We seek to investigate the characteristics of the young stellar population in the spiral galaxy NGC 247. In particular, we focused our attention in its hierarchical clustering distributions and the properties of the smallest groups.

Methods. We used multiband Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data from three fields covering more than half of NGC 247 to select the young population. Then, through the path linkage criterion (PLC), we found compact young star groups and estimated their fundamental parameters, such as their stellar densities, sizes, number of members, and luminosity function (LF) slopes. We also performed a fractal analysis to determinate the clustering properties of this population. We built a stellar density map and dendrograms corresponding to the galactic young population to detect large structures and depict their main characteristics.

Results. We detect 339 young star groups, for which we compute a mean radius of ∼60 pc and a maximum size distribution between 30 and 70 pc. We also obtain LF slopes with a bimodal distribution showing peaks at ∼0.1 and ∼0.2. We identify several candidates for HII regions that follow an excellent spatial correlation with the young groups found by the PLC. We observe that the young populations are hierarchically organized, wherein the smaller and denser structures are within larger and less dense structures. We notice that all these groups present a fractal subclustering, following the hierarchical distribution observed in the corresponding stellar density map. For the large young structures observed in this map, we obtain a fractal dimension of ∼1.6–1.8 using the perimeter-area relation and cumulative size distribution. These values are consistent with a scenario of hierarchical star formation.
A splitting method adapted to the simulation of mixed flows in pipes with a compressible two-layer model
Authors: Demay Charles , Bourdarias Christian , de Laage de Meux Benoît , Gerbi Stéphane , Hérard Jean-Marc
Published: April 2019

The numerical resolution of the Compressible Two-Layer model proposed in [27] is addressed in this work with the aim of simulating mixed flows and entrapped air pockets in pipes. This five-equation model provides a unified two-phase description of such flows which involve transitions between stratified regimes (air–water herein) and pressurized or dry regimes (pipe full of water or air). In particular, strong interactions between both phases and entrapped air pockets are accounted for. At the discrete level, the coexistence of slow gravity waves in the stratified regime with fast acoustic waves in the pressurized regime is difficult to approximate. Furthermore, the two-phase description requires to deal with vanishing phases in pressurized and dry regimes. In that context, a robust splitting method combined with an implicit-explicit time discretization is derived. The overall strategy relies on the fast pressure relaxation in addition to a mimetic approach with the shallow water equations for the slow dynamics of the water phase. It results in a three-step scheme which ensures the positivity of heights and densities under a CFL condition based on the celerity of material and gravity waves. In that framework, an implicit relaxation-like approach provides stabilization terms which are activated according to the flow regime. Numerical experiments are performed beginning with a Riemann problem for the convective part. The overall approach is then assessed considering relevant mixed flow configurations involving regime transitions, vanishing phases and entrapped air pockets.
Reducing Surgeon's Physical Stress in Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery
Authors: Nakayashiki Atsushi , Kawaguchi Tomohiro , Nakagawa Atsuhiro , Mochizuki Fusako , Furukawa Hiroaki , Nagai Arata , Suematsu Takuya , Tominaga Teiji
Published: April 2019

Background and Study Aims Various minimally invasive approaches are used in neurosurgery. Surgeons must perform nondynamic fine movements in a narrow corridor, so specially designed surgical devices are essential. Unsophisticated instruments may pose potential hazards. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with muscle fatigue during minimally invasive neurosurgery and to investigate whether physical stress can be reduced by refining the devices used.

Material and Methods Four physical aspects of a handpiece were investigated: torque of conduits (0.20, 0.28, and 0.37 kgf*cm), shape of hand grip (five types), angle of the nozzle (0, 20, and 40 degrees), and weight balance (neutral, proximal, and distal). To evaluate muscle fatigue, surface electromyography was recorded from the extensor carpi radialis muscle and flexor carpi radialis muscle during a geometric tracing task. The maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of each muscle and %MVC (muscle contraction during a task/MVC × 100) were used as the indexes of muscle fatigue.

Results The shape of the hand grip significantly reduced %MVC, which is associated with muscle fatigue. The torque of conduits and angle of the nozzle tended to reduce muscle fatigue but not significantly. Weight balance did not affect muscle fatigue. Based on these results, we made two refined models: model α (torque of conduits 0.2 kgf*cm, angle of nozzle 20 degrees, neutral balance, hand grip with a 2.9 × 2.0-cm oval section with angled finger rest), and model β (torque of conduits 0.2 kgf*cm, angle of nozzle 20 degrees, neutral balance, hand grip with a 2.9-cm round section with a curved finger rest). The %MVC was significantly decreased with both types (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), indicating reduction of muscle fatigue.

Conclusions The geometrically refined surgical device can improve muscle load during surgery and reduce the surgeon's physical stress, thus minimizing the risk of complications.
Composer—Visual Cohort Analysis of Patient Outcomes
Authors: Rogers Jen , Spina Nicholas , Neese Ashley , Hess Rachel , Brodke Darrel , Lex Alexander
Published: April 2019

Objective Visual cohort analysis utilizing electronic health record data has become an important tool in clinical assessment of patient outcomes. In this article, we introduce Composer, a visual analysis tool for orthopedic surgeons to compare changes in physical functions of a patient cohort following various spinal procedures. The goal of our project is to help researchers analyze outcomes of procedures and facilitate informed decision-making about treatment options between patient and clinician.

Methods In collaboration with orthopedic surgeons and researchers, we defined domain-specific user requirements to inform the design. We developed the tool in an iterative process with our collaborators to develop and refine functionality. With Composer, analysts can dynamically define a patient cohort using demographic information, clinical parameters, and events in patient medical histories and then analyze patient-reported outcome scores for the cohort over time, as well as compare it to other cohorts. Using Composer's current iteration, we provide a usage scenario for use of the tool in a clinical setting.

Conclusion We have developed a prototype cohort analysis tool to help clinicians assess patient treatment options by analyzing prior cases with similar characteristics. Although Composer was designed using patient data specific to orthopedic research, we believe the tool is generalizable to other healthcare domains. A long-term goal for Composer is to develop the application into a shared decision-making tool that allows translation of comparison and analysis from a clinician-facing interface into visual representations to communicate treatment options to patients.
Cryptography in coherent optical information networks using dissipative metamaterial gates
Authors: Xomalis Angelos , Demirtzioglou Iosif , Jung Yongmin , Plum Eric , Lacava Cosimo , Petropoulos Periklis , Richardson David J. , Zheludev Nikolay I.
Published: April 2019

All-optical encryption of information in fibre telecommunication networks offers lower complexity and far higher data rates than electronic encryption can deliver. However, existing optical layer encryption methods, which are compatible with keys of unlimited length, are based on nonlinear processes that require intense optical fields. Here, we introduce an optical layer secure communication protocol that does not rely on nonlinear optical processes but instead uses energy redistribution of coherent optical waves interacting on a plasmonic metamaterial absorber. We implement the protocol in a telecommunication optical fibre information network, where signal and key distribution lines use a common coherent information carrier. We investigate and demonstrate different encryption modes, including a scheme providing perfect secrecy. All-optical cryptography, as demonstrated here, exploits signal processing mechanisms that can satisfy optical telecom data rate requirements in any current or next-generation frequency band with bandwidth exceeding 100 THz and a switching energy of a few photons per bit. This is the first demonstration of an optical telecommunications application of metamaterial technology.
Structural mechanism for Bruton’s tyrosine kinase activation at the cell membrane
Authors: Wang Qi , Pechersky Yakov , Sagawa Shiori , Pan Albert C. , Shaw David E.
Published: April 2019

Significance

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) activation on the cell membrane is critical for B cell proliferation and development, and Btk inhibition is a promising treatment for several hematologic cancers and autoimmune diseases. Here, we examine Btk activation using the results of long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations. In our simulations, Btk lipid-binding modules dimerized on the membrane in a single predominant conformation. We observed that the phospholipid PIP
3
—in addition to its expected role of recruiting Btk to the membrane—allosterically mediated dimer formation and stability by binding at two novel sites. Our results provide strong evidence that PIP
3
-mediated dimerization of Btk at the cell membrane is a critical step in Btk activation and suggest a potential approach to allosteric Btk inhibitor development.
Helical nanofiber yarn enabling highly stretchable engineered microtissue
Authors: Li Yiwei , Guo Fengyun , Hao Yukun , Gupta Satish Kumar , Hu Jiliang , Wang Yaqiong , Wang Nü , Zhao Yong , Guo Ming
Published: April 2019

Significance

The challenge in manufacturing stretchable and tough reconstituted tissues lies in the limitation of current approaches to recapitulate the exceptional mechanical properties of native tissues while maintaining cellular functions. Here, we simulate native mechanical complexity by integrating electrospinning and tissue engineering to develop a highly stretchable living tissue consisting of bioinspired hierarchical helical scaffold and seeded cells. The well-organized tissue construct has a toughness of 57 GJ m
−3
and can be stretched up to 15 times its length while sheltering cells from severe cyclic strains (600%), owing to nonaffine fiber deformation. With the additional ability to promote myogenesis, this hierarchical microtissue designed by leveraging mechanical concepts may be used for applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and artificial living systems.
Irregular perspective shifts and perspective persistence, discourse-oriented and theoretical approaches
Authors: Gentens Caroline , Sansiñena María Sol , Spronck Stef , Van linden An
Published: April 2019

In this introduction, we set out the central themes of the special issue. It concentrates on imperfect function-form mappings, and discusses several cases in which specific perspectival meanings are not fully predictable on the basis of a perspectivizing grammatical construction alone. We distinguish two kinds of form-function mismatches: (1) perspective-persistent phenomena, i.e. grammatically signaled deictic and/or cognitive perspective shifts which are not realized in interpretation, and (2) irregular perspective shifts, which involve either grammatically un(der)specified shifts or grammatically signaled shifts that are interpreted as mixing multiple sources of deictic and/or cognitive perspective (‘multiple-perspective constructions’). We briefly discuss and contextualize each of the contributions, and highlight their central findings.
Translation for communicative purposes
Authors: Lo Siowai
Published: April 2019

An underexplored aspect of the use of translation in the L2 classroom is its potential to foster in-class communication. This article explores the efficacy of translation tasks as compared to monolingual writing tasks in engendering language-related discussions in class. The study is longitudinal and includes two experiments carried out in an EFL college setting. Data were collected over two semesters and a comparatively stronger presence of language-related episodes (LREs) was found among those who worked on translation tasks. This higher level of engagement in L2 class discussions suggests that translation tasks are advantageous in engendering student-initiated LREs, drawing learners’ attention to lexis and grammar, and fostering communication in the classroom.
A remark on the Tate Conjecture
Authors: Moonen Ben
Published: April 2019

The strong version of the Tate conjecture has two parts: an assertion (S) about semisimplicity of Galois representations and an assertion (T) which says that every Tate class is algebraic. We show that in characteristic 

0
0

, (T) implies (S). In characteristic 

p
p

an analogous result is true under stronger assumptions.
On the Bohr inequality with a fixed zero coefficient
Authors: Alkhaleefah Seraj , Kayumov Ilgiz , Ponnusamy Saminathan
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we introduce the study of the Bohr phenomenon for a quasisubordination family of functions, and establish the classical Bohr’s inequality for the class of quasisubordinate functions. As a consequence, we improve and obtain the exact version of the classical Bohr’s inequality for bounded analytic functions and also for

K
K

-quasiconformal harmonic mappings by replacing the constant term by the absolute value of the analytic part of the given function. We also obtain the Bohr radius for the subordination family of odd analytic functions.
Dual Smale’s mean value conjecture
Authors: Hinkkanen Aimo , Kayumov Ilgiz , Khammatova Diana
Published: April 2019

We prove the dual Smale’s mean value conjecture for polynomials of degree six: if

f
f

is a polynomial of degree six with

f
(
0
)
=
0

f(0)=0

and

f
′

(
0
)
=
1

f’(0)=1

, then there is a point

ζ
\zeta

such that

f
′

(
ζ
)
=
0

f’(\zeta )=0

and

|

f
(
ζ
)

/

ζ

|

≥
1

/

6

| f(\zeta )/\zeta | \geq 1/6

.
A product expansion for Toeplitz operators on the Fock space
Authors: Hagger Raffael
Published: April 2019

We study the asymptotic expansion of the product of two Toeplitz operators on the Fock space. In comparison to earlier results we require significantly fewer derivatives and get the expansion to arbitrary order. This, in particular, improves a result of Borthwick related to Toeplitz quantization. In addition, we derive an intertwining identity between the Berezin star product and the sharp product.
Approximation property on entropies for surface diffeomorphisms
Authors: Wu Wanlou , Liu Jiansong
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we prove that for any

C
1

C^1

surface diffeomorphism

f
f

with positive topological entropy, there exists a diffeomorphism

g
g

arbitrarily close (in the

C
1

C^1

topology) to

f
f

exhibiting a horseshoe

Λ
\Lambda

, such that the topological entropy of

g
g

restricted on

Λ
\Lambda

can arbitrarily approximate the topological entropy of

f
f

. This extends a classical result of Katok for

C

1
+
α

(
α
>
0
)

C^{1+\alpha }(\alpha >0)

surface diffeomorphisms.
Multicenter study to evaluate the benefits of technology-assisted workflow on i.v. room efficiency, costs, and safety in small community hospitals
Authors: Higgins Jordyn P , Hardt Sarah , Cowan Debby , Beasley Eula , Eckel Stephen F
Published: April 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the benefits of technology-assisted workflow (TAWF) compared to manual workflow (non-TAWF) on i.v. room efficiency, costs, and safety at community hospitals with less than 200 beds.

Methods

Four hospitals in the United States (2 with and 2 without TAWF) were evaluated, and characteristics of medication errors and frequency of each error type were measured across the institutions. The average turnaround time per workflow step and cost to prepare each compounded sterile product (CSP) were also calculated. The results were evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The TAWF hospital sites detected errors at a significantly higher rate (3.78%) compared to the non-TAWF hospital sites (0.13%) (p < 0.05). The top error-reporting category for the TAWF sites was incorrect medication (71.66%), whereas the top error-reporting category for the non-TAWF sites could not be determined because of the small number of errors detected. Use of TAWF may be associated with a decrease in turnaround time and a decrease in overall cost to prepare a CSP.

Conclusion

Significantly more errors were detected in small community hospitals that use TAWF in the i.v. room compared to those not using it. There were differences in error types observed between technology and nontechnology groups. The use of TAWF was associated with faster preparation times and lower costs of preparation per CSP.
Targeting oxidative stress improves disease outcomes in a rat model of acquired epilepsy
Authors: Pauletti Alberto , Terrone Gaetano , Shekh-Ahmad Tawfeeq , Salamone Alessia , Ravizza Teresa , Rizzi Massimo , Pastore Anna , Pascente Rosaria , Liang Li-Ping , Villa Bianca R , Balosso Silvia , Abramov Andrey Y , van Vliet Erwin A , Del Giudice Ennio , Aronica Eleonora , Patel Manisha , Walker Matthew C , Vezzani Annamaria
Published: April 2019

Epilepsy therapy is based on antiseizure drugs that treat the symptom, seizures, rather than the disease and are ineffective in up to 30% of patients. There are no treatments for modifying the disease—preventing seizure onset, reducing severity or improving prognosis. Among the potential molecular targets for attaining these unmet therapeutic needs, we focused on oxidative stress since it is a pathophysiological process commonly occurring in experimental epileptogenesis and observed in human epilepsy. Using a rat model of acquired epilepsy induced by electrical status epilepticus, we show that oxidative stress occurs in both neurons and astrocytes during epileptogenesis, as assessed by measuring biochemical and histological markers. This evidence was validated in the hippocampus of humans who died following status epilepticus. Oxidative stress was reduced in animals undergoing epileptogenesis by a transient treatment with N-acetylcysteine and sulforaphane, which act to increase glutathione levels through complementary mechanisms. These antioxidant drugs are already used in humans for other therapeutic indications. This drug combination transiently administered for 2 weeks during epileptogenesis inhibited oxidative stress more efficiently than either drug alone. The drug combination significantly delayed the onset of epilepsy, blocked disease progression between 2 and 5 months post-status epilepticus and drastically reduced the frequency of spontaneous seizures measured at 5 months without modifying the average seizure duration or the incidence of epilepsy in animals. Treatment also decreased hippocampal neuron loss and rescued cognitive deficits. Oxidative stress during epileptogenesis was associated with de novo brain and blood generation of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a neuroinflammatory molecule implicated in seizure mechanisms. Drug-induced reduction of oxidative stress prevented HMGB1 generation, thus highlighting a potential novel mechanism contributing to therapeutic effects. Our data show that targeting oxidative stress with clinically used drugs for a limited time window starting early after injury significantly improves long-term disease outcomes. This intervention may be considered for patients exposed to potential epileptogenic insults.
BarrettNET—a prospective registry for risk estimation of patients with Barrett's esophagus to progress to adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wiethaler Maria , Slotta-Huspenina Julia , Brandtner Anna , Horstmann Julia , Wein Frederik , Baumeister Theresa , Radani Nikole , Gerland Sophie , Anand Akanksha , Lange Sebastian , Schmidt Melissa , Janssen Klaus-Peter , Conrad Anja , Johannes Widya , Strauch Konstantin , Quante Anne S , Linkohr Birgit , Kuhn Klaus A , Blaser Rainer , Lehmann Andreas , Kohlmayer Florian , Weichert Wilko , Schmid Roland M , Becker Karl-Friedrich , Quante Michael
Published: April 2019

Risk stratification in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) to prevent the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is an unsolved task. The incidence of EAC and BE is increasing and patients are still at unknown risk. BarrettNET is an ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study initiated to identify and validate molecular and clinical biomarkers that allow a more personalized surveillance strategy for patients with BE. For BarrettNET participants are recruited in 20 study centers throughout Germany, to be followed for progression to dysplasia (low-grade dysplasia or high-grade dysplasia) or EAC for >10 years. The study instruments comprise self-administered epidemiological information (containing data on demographics, lifestyle factors, and health), as well as biological specimens, i.e., blood-based samples, esophageal tissue biopsies, and feces and saliva samples. In follow-up visits according to the individual surveillance plan of the participants, sample collection is repeated. The standardized collection and processing of the specimen guarantee the highest sample quality. Via a mobile accessible database, the documentation of inclusion, epidemiological data, and pathological disease status are recorded subsequently. Currently the BarrettNET registry includes 560 participants (23.1% women and 76.9% men, aged 22–92 years) with a median follow-up of 951 days. Both the design and the size of BarrettNET offer the advantage of answering research questions regarding potential causes of disease progression from BE to EAC. Here all the integrated methods and materials of BarrettNET are presented and reviewed to introduce this valuable German registry.
Physiotherapeutic intervention to promote self-care: exploratory study on Spanish caregivers of patients with dementia
Authors: Alonso-Cortés Beatriz , Seco-Calvo Jesús , González-Cabanach Ramón
Published: April 2019

The caregivers of dependent persons should benefit from social–health interventions that empower them. Physiotherapists can play an important role as facilitators of self-care learning by boosting the mind–body interaction. The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of a physiotherapeutic intervention centered on the promotion of self-care within a sample of caregivers, members of four Spanish Associations of Relative of Alzheimer's and other dementias. To fulfill the study goal, a pre-experimental study was developed with two different groups. Group 1 participated in four training sessions based exclusively on the communication of information and which addressed, among other aspects, the most frequent health problems in caregivers and the powerful role of self-care to face such problems. Group 2 received the same theoretical information as group 1, followed by 10 sessions of practical training in several concrete strategies of body–mind self-care. The results obtained support the usefulness of combining theoretical and practical training in mind–body strategies (relaxation, self-massage and stretching), as such combination managed to favor their implication to self-care and certain dimensions of psychological well-being, while attenuating the burden. Conversely, training based solely on theoretical approaches was not beneficial. Besides evidencing the usefulness of combining passive and active methodologies to favor self-care, the data provided calls for greater consideration of aspects close to philosophical perspectives like personal growth.
Outcomes of the Adelante community social marketing campaign for Latino youth
Authors: Evans W Douglas , Andrade Elizabeth L , Barrett Nicole , Snider Jeremy , Cleary Sean , Edberg Mark
Published: April 2019

The authors designed and evaluated an innovative, branded campaign called ‘Adelante’ to promote positive youth development (PYD) and reduce risk behaviors among Latino youth near Washington, DC. Repeated cross-sectional surveys were conducted in the intervention and a comparison community to evaluate campaign exposure and changes in PYD outcomes. The sample consisted of 1549 Latino and immigrant adolescents surveyed at three time points in intervention and comparison communities. A social marketing campaign was implemented using outdoor advertising, Web, video and social media channels to promote PYD and health outcomes over a 1-year period from 2015 to 2016. Measures included media use; self-reported exposure to campaign promotions; Adelante message receptivity; validated PYD scales; substance use, sexual risk taking, violence-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, intentions and risk behavior. Outcomes were regressed first on campaign exposure to examine dose–response effects of the Adelante campaign over time. Second, we compared outcomes between the Adelante and comparison communities. We observed a positive effect of self-reported exposure on multiple outcomes, including improvements in pro-violence and sexual risk outcomes and lower pro-violence attitudes and lower risky attitudes toward sex. Adelante was effective in improving youth risk outcomes and offers a promising model for future health promotion with Latino and immigrant populations.
Adaptive finite element methods for sparse PDE-constrained optimization
Authors: Allendes A , Fuica F , Otárola E
Published: April 2019

We propose and analyse reliable and efficient a posteriori error estimators for an optimal control problem that involves a nondifferentiable cost functional, the Poisson problem as state equation and control constraints. To approximate the solution to the state and adjoint equations we consider a piecewise linear finite element method, whereas three different strategies are used to approximate the control variable: piecewise constant discretization, piecewise linear discretization and the so-called variational discretization approach. For the first two aforementioned solution techniques we devise an error estimator that can be decomposed as the sum of four contributions: two contributions that account for the discretization of the control variable and the associated subgradient and two contributions related to the discretization of the state and adjoint equations. The error estimator for the variational discretization approach is decomposed only in two contributions that are related to the discretization of the state and adjoint equations. On the basis of the devised a posteriori error estimators, we design simple adaptive strategies that yield optimal rates of convergence for the numerical examples that we perform.
The visual side of digital humanities: a survey on topics, researchers, and epistemic cultures
Authors: Münster Sander , Terras Melissa
Published: April 2019

Although the digital humanities have traditionally been conceived as a text-based discipline, both digital visualization techniques as well as visual analysis are increasingly used for research in various humanities disciplines. Since there are several overlaps in epistemic cultures of visually oriented and digitally supported research in art and architectural history studies, museology, and archaeology, as well as cultural heritage, we introduce ‘visual digital humanities’ as novel ‘umbrella’ term to cover research approaches in the digital humanities that are dependent on both consuming and producing pictorial, rather than textual, information to answer their humanities research questions. This article aims to determine this particular field of research in terms of (1) research topics, (2) disciplinary standards, and (3) a scholarly culture as well as (4) researchers’ habits and backgrounds. This study is intended to highlight a scope of phenomena and aspects of relevance. Information is gathered by interviews with researchers at London universities and workshops held in Germany and Sweden.
Transgender Affirmative Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy
Authors: Austin Ashley , Craig Shelley L.
Published: April 2019

Although there is growing cultural awareness of transgender identities, transgender people continue to be marginalized and subject to identity-based discrimination and victimization resulting in disproportionate rates of psychological distress and particularly high rates of suicidality. Mental health clinicians can effectively support the mental health needs of transgender clients through the use of empirically supported, trans-affirmative interventions. This chapter focuses on transgender affirmative cognitive–behavioral therapy (TA-CBT), an evidence-informed intervention rooted in the unique needs and experiences of transgender individuals. TA-CBT is a version of CBT that has been adapted to ensure (1) an affirming stance toward gender diversity, (2) recognition of transgender-specific sources of stress and resilience, and (3) the delivery of CBT content within an affirming and trauma-informed framework. Clinical examples are utilized to elucidate affirmative delivery of several important components of TA-CBT: transgender affirmative case conceptualization, psychoeducation, and the development of coping skills to promote identity-affirming changes.
Affirmative Mental Health Practice with Bisexual Clients
Authors: Choi Andrew Young , Israel Tania
Published: April 2019

Bisexuals represent the largest sexual minority group, and they experience disproportionate mental and behavioral health risks compared to monosexuals. There is a dearth of psychotherapy and intervention research focused specifically on bisexuals, although evidence-based practice for this population can draw on professional expertise, qualitative and analog research, quantitative descriptive studies, and randomized controlled trials that include bisexual participants. This chapter reviews these literatures and offers guidance for practice and future directions for research. Informed and reflective practice is recommended to develop a strong working alliance, enhance case conceptualization and collaboration, and adapt manualized treatments. Validation, social support, and attention to bisexual-specific mental health stressors may be especially important, given the pervasiveness of binegativity, bisexual stereotypes, and invisibility of bisexuality. Evidence-based practice with this population will be strengthened by future research that specifically investigates bisexuality in mental health practice.
Sexual Health Interventions for HIV-Negative Sexual Minority Men
Authors: Hart Trevor A. , Vernon Julia R. G. , Smith Nathan Grant
Published: April 2019

This chapter reviews sexual health HIV-prevention interventions for HIV-negative sexual minority men, focusing on interventions with empirical support with an emphasis on interventions with support from randomized controlled trials. Most interventions focus on condomless anal sex, with the goal of reducing HIV acquisition, although interventions vary in terms of format (individual, group, or online), target age and ethnicity, and outcomes. A much smaller literature exists for sexual health beyond preventing HIV. Research is needed to further test the efficacy and external validity of sexual health interventions, including with older men who have sex with men. Many of the interventions discussed in this chapter use techniques that are familiar to therapists who employ cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT). There is also a need for further work that uses the therapeutic modalities employed by most mental health professionals who practice within an empirically supported therapy orientation, such as CBT, interpersonal therapy, or behavioral therapies.
Relationship-Focused Therapy for Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals and Their Parents
Authors: Diamond Gary M. , Boruchovitz-Zamir Rotem , Gat Inbal , Nir-Gottlieb Ofir
Published: April 2019

This chapter describes the negative impact that ongoing parental rejection can have on sexual and gender minority individuals and the importance of promoting parental acceptance. It then introduces and describes the structure and intervention strategies of relationship-focused therapy—a time-limited, experiential, family-based treatment specifically designed to increase parental acceptance, reduce parental rejection, and help sexual and gender minority individuals and their parents re-establish or develop loving, supportive, mutually respectful, meaningful relationships. Then, research findings supporting the model are summarized, a clinical vignette illustrating the treatment is presented, and some of the constraints and limitations of the model are noted.
Attuned Sexuality
Authors: Satinsky Sonya , Winter Virginia Ramseyer
Published: April 2019

Attuned sexuality is an ideal state where an individual’s sexual self-concept and experiences encompass desired levels of sexual connection, desire, self-concept, functioning, and expression. Attuned sexuality includes not only positive body image but also positively constructed notions of sexual agency and function, access to one’s sexual desires, use of protective strategies to protect and nurture one’s body, and the ability to tune mindfully into bodily pleasures in sexual contexts. Comparable to other aspects of positive embodiment, attuned sexuality as a construct is highly influenced by cultural context, power dynamics, and sociodemographics such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and body size. Attuned sexuality has not yet been comprehensively conceptualized or assessed in existing literature. This chapter assesses the state of the literature on components of attuned sexuality, offering views across multiple disciplines and concluding with potential future directions for theorization of this construct and its utilization in applied settings.
Personal Safety as Bedrock and Safeguard for Positive Embodiment
Authors: Calogero Rachel M. , Tylka Tracy L. , Siegel Jaclyn A.
Published: April 2019

Personal safety is a pillar of positive embodiment. Yet, women’s personal safety is continuously threatened within environments that promote or excuse the sexual objectification of women via prompting vigilant policing of women’s safety, which fragments their consciousness, restricts their movement, and limits their freedom. This chapter begins by discussing the safety threats of sexual objectification, whereby the omnipresent threat and perpetration of violence against women by men keep them in a state of fear and alert to their more vulnerable status. Next, the chapter considers how the disruptive, and terrorizing, nature of sexual objectification limits women’s positive embodiment (e.g., restricts voluntary movement, adds to psychological distress, creates a hyperawareness and anxiety about safety), and presents research that uphold these links. The chapter ends with considering ways of claiming space in the world and the imperative for cultivating women’s safety through social activism and embodied social change.
Promoting a Resistant Stance Toward Weight Stigma
Authors: Bennett Brooke L. , Stefano Emily C. , Latner Janet D.
Published: April 2019

This chapter aims to provide guidance on resisting weight stigma from societal and individual perspectives. It begins with an overview of weight stigma and internalized weight stigma. As an important next step, it proposes societal-level solutions for lowering weight stigma, particularly within the health and educational fields. It details the ways in which public health and media-based campaigns could reduce weight stigma and how changes to the legal system could protect individuals who experience weight-based discrimination. It then provides an overview of resistance organizations like the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance and Health at Every Size. Next, it emphasizes the cultivation of protective factors, such as body image flexibility and self-compassion, and coping strategies for resisting the adverse impacts of weight stigma, such as protective filtering and social activism. Last, this chapter examines implications for resisting weight stigma within treatment and prevention efforts while providing directions for future work.
Black Women’s Positive Embodiment in the Face of Race × Gender Oppression
Authors: Buchanan NiCole T. , Settles Isis H. , Woods Krystle C.
Published: April 2019

For many Black women, their relationship with their physique is complicated and nuanced by narratives of race, gender, and their intersection. Given this reality, positive embodiment is a hard-won battle for those Black women who achieve it, and their efforts are repeatedly challenged by mainstream cultural narratives that view their bodies as deviant and lacking value. The chapter examines Black women’s experience of embodiment through the lens of intersectionality theory. Given the nature of experiences such as racialized sexual harassment, examining intersecting identities such as Black women’s identities as simultaneously Black and female and their positive perception of this intersecting identity may specifically buffer against negative embodiment.
Relationships that Cultivate Positive Body Image Through Body Acceptance
Authors: Tiggemann Marika
Published: April 2019

This chapter sets out to review the research and theory on body acceptance by significant others as an interpersonal factor promoting positive body image. Overall, the review finds that supportive and accepting relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners are critical to women’s positive body image throughout the life span and across many different contexts. This has significant implications not only for interventions aimed at promoting positive body image but also for those aimed at preventing or treating negative body image. Nevertheless, more sophisticated longitudinal and experimental research strategies are required to detail the processes underlying the link from the perception of body acceptance by others to one’s own positive body image.
Cultivating Positive Embodiment Through The Family Environments
Authors: Tylka Tracy L.
Published: April 2019

This chapter explicates how families can cultivate girls’ positive embodiment. First, families can cultivate girls’ body connection and comfort by creating an environment that accepts children’s bodies (type, size, and weight); practicing mind–body connection activities such as yoga; and fostering positive body expression (e.g., positive body talk, supporting style preferences). Second, families can promote girls’ acting in and on the world with agency by preserving, cultivating, and restoring their voice and by promoting their body functionality. Third, families can encourage girls’ experience and expression of desire by enhancing the pleasures of eating (e.g., intuitive eating) and nurturing attuned sexuality (e.g., body respect, asserting sexual agency). Fourth, families can teach and reinforce actionable practices that promote attuned self-care. Last, families can build inner characteristics in girls (e.g., personality, intellect) while also helping girls protest, resist, and defy normative pressures to self-objectify via engaging in media literacy and social activism.
Positive Body Image in People Living with Visible Differences
Authors: Harcourt Diana , Williamson Heidi
Published: April 2019

Despite a growing body of literature exploring the challenges of having an appearance that is unusual or different from the norm, there has been a relative dearth of research into positive body image among people living with visible differences or disfigurements of any sort. This chapter considers a range of qualitative studies that have repeatedly identified people with visible differences appreciating and respecting body functionality and other personal attributes over outward appearance. These findings, together with the only quantitative study in this field to date, suggest a need to explore the potential benefits of positive body image interventions as a supplement or alternative to current interventions and support for those who are negatively affected by visible difference. Areas warranting further research are also highlighted.
Public Health Interventions to Facilitate Positive Embodiment
Authors: Rodgers Rachel F. , Franko Debra L. , Lowy Alice S.
Published: April 2019

Public health approaches constitute a potentially powerful avenue for universal prevention and efforts to promote positive embodiment and body image. A small number of public health interventions have aimed, directly or indirectly, to increase these positive ways of inhabiting the body. The present chapter reviews public health interventions at the national and local levels, as well as industry-led efforts, that have the potential to positively impact embodiment, by first considering initiatives that have specifically targeted body image factors and second considering those that have targeted protective factors for positive embodiment. While few evaluative data are available, the strengths and limitations of existing programs are considered.
Graphing Data and Visual Analysis
Authors: Radley Keith C. , Dart Evan H.
Published: April 2019

As previously described, single-case design has several advantages in the evaluation of evidence-based practices and for the evaluation of the effects of interventions in applied settings. Following collection of data, data are typically graphed in order to determine the effects of an intervention on student behavior. However, recent research has determined that the manner in which graphs are constructed is likely to impact the decisions that visual analysts make regarding the effect of an intervention. As such, it is important that graphs be constructed in a manner that minimizes potential for error. This chapter describes quality indicators for graphs, and discusses analysis- and aesthetic-altering elements of graphs. In particular, the chapter describes two analysis-altering elements that must be considered when constructing graphs: scaling of the y-axis and the data points per x- to y-ratio (DPPXYR). Finally, the chapter describes how to conduct visual analysis. Six elements are discussed: changes in level, trend, and variability, consistency across similar conditions, overlap across adjacent phases, and immediacy of intervention effects.
Functional Behavior Assessment
Authors: Dufrene Brad A. , Lundy M. P.
Published: April 2019

Function-based interventions may be more effective than interventions based on topography of behavior for improving students’ classroom behavior. A functional behavior assessment (FBA) identifies contextual variables that are associated with or have a functional relation with challenging behaviors. This chapter discusses the essential elements of an FBA, including types of FBA procedures, procedural guidelines form implementing a school-based FBA, and conducting FBAs in the context of school-based consultation. Finally, case examples of FBAs are provided to demonstrate the process of implementation in academic settings.
Group Contingencies
Authors: Collins Tai A. , Hawkins Renee O. , Heidelburg Kamonta , Hill Keisha
Published: April 2019

Group contingencies describe interventions in which a reward is delivered to a group of individuals based on meeting a predetermined target level of performance. Group contingencies have repeatedly been found to be effective in modifying student behavior. Not only are group contingences effective, but they also have several logistical advantages over individual contingencies. Namely, the delivery of a common consequence to a group of individuals increases efficiency, the use of peers as change agents increases positive peer pressure for appropriate behavior, group contingencies are flexible, and they allow access to a variety of reinforcers. Three different types of group contingencies are described. Finally, specific examples of group contingencies are provided. This includes the Good Behavior Game, Positive Peer Reporting, and Mystery Motivator.
Seclusion and Restraint as an Emergency Crisis Response
Authors: Fischer Aaron J. , Silberman Magenta , Perez Lauren , Omlie Christina
Published: April 2019

Although they are considered controversial, procedures to enforce seclusion and restraint of students are often implemented in school settings during emergency situations. Various ethical and legal issues arise when school personnel implement these strategies. This chapter describes these issues, as well as the Government Accountability Office report on the abuse of seclusion and restraint. Various de-escalation packages are described, along with considerations of these packages, particularly to guide individuals on how to select a package that is appropriate for their staff members. Finally, this chapter includes a description of the limitations of de-escalation packages and a practical summary and conclusion for practitioners to consider when evaluating the use of seclusion and restraint in their work environment.
Early Childhood Irritability
Authors: Camacho M. Catalina , Wakschlag Lauren S. , Perlman Susan B.
Published: April 2019

The preschool age (3–6 years) is a unique period for development as both emotion regulation and foundational brain development are rapidly maturing. Emotions such as frustration are common during this age; however, there is extensive variability along the spectrum from typical to atypical. This juxtaposition of normative misbehaviors with stable irritable temperament presents unique challenges to the differentiation of normative variation from the onset of clinical problems. As such, recent research has focused efforts on improving methods for differentiating normative and clinically concerning behavior. Improved neuroimaging tools, in combination with behavioral and clinical assessment, have provided an additional tool for assessing pediatric irritability. The authors believe that joint consideration of brain–behavior atypicalities will enhance early identification of clinically concerning irritability. To this end, this chapter aims to summarize the rapid development occurring during the preschool years, describe advancements in developmentally appropriate irritability assessments, and integrate these measurements within a neurodevelopmental framework.
On Being Mad, Sad, and Very Young
Authors: Potegal Michael
Published: April 2019

Up to 85% of young children in industrialized societies have tantrums. Anger peaks early in these outbursts, then declines. Distress/sadness behaviors remain relatively constant across the tantrum, but comfort-seeking accelerates toward the end, perhaps disinhibited by the anger decline. Distress always outlasts anger and can elicit parental comfort-giving, thus repairing social bonds broken by the child’s anger. Developmentally, tantrums become common around 18 months, perhaps reflecting the emergence of a neurodevelopmental program that anticipates struggles around weaning and independent mobility, as in contemporary forager/village cultures. Such a program might involve left hemisphere anger generation and right hemisphere distress. Mean tantrum frequencies range from 1–9/week, decreasing with age. Tantrum prevalence drops below 50% around 5–6 years. Tantrums may lengthen with age, perhaps morphing into adult anger episodes with a variable residue of distress. Tantrum severity increases in many medical and psychopathological conditions; roughly half of child psychiatry admissions involve severe tantrums.