bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration and Comparison of Contextual Characteristics and Mistreatment Prevalence Among Older American Indian and Alaska Native Respondents: Secondary Analysis of the National Elder Mistreatment Study
Authors: Crowder Jolie , Burnett Camille , Byon Ha Do , Laughon Kathryn , Acierno Ronald , Yan Guofen , Hinton Ivora , Teaster Pamela B.
Published: June 2020

Limited research on elder abuse among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) suggests a higher prevalence of abuse. Using data from the National Elder Mistreatment Study (NEMS), we compared contextual characteristics and elder mistreatment prevalence rates from a community-based sample of AIAN ( n = 195) and Black ( n = 437) and White ( n = 5,013) respondents. There were differences in the prevalence of 16 abuse types and the 23 contextual variables. AIAN respondents had more similarities compared with Black respondents than White respondents, though differences existed. The cumulative prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual mistreatment in the past year, neglect, and financial abuse by a family member for the AIAN group was 33%, almost double the 17.1% reported in the NEMS study. Over their lifetime, 29.7% of AIAN respondents reported experiencing two or more types of neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment. Almost one fourth of AIAN respondents reported emotional abuse since 60 years of age (the most commonly occurring abuse type)—nearly double that of White respondents. This is the first study to offer comparative prevalence of elder abuse for both AIAN older males and females that draws from a nationally representative sample. The study also provides descriptive analysis of important contextual information within the AIAN population, an underrepresented racial group in elder abuse research. Disaggregating nonmajority racial groups to examine contextual variables and the prevalence of elder mistreatment in the NEMS data set specific to AIAN respondents fills a knowledge gap. Known prevalence of various abuse typologies among AIAN elders can be useful in setting priorities for community planning and response, and in prioritization of funding for future research on causative mechanisms by abuse type, screening, and interventions at various levels. Findings may facilitate development of culturally specific evidence-based prevention and intervention practices aimed at needs specific to AIAN older adults.
Examining the Impact of Wellness Champions on the Effectiveness of a Workplace Health and Well-Being Program
Authors: Ellis Rebecca , Saringer Colleen , Davis Ashlee , Biber Duke , Ferrer David A.
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the impact of Desire2Move (D2M) implementation fidelity by Wellness Champions on program effectiveness.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Years 1, 3, and 5 of D2M; an annual peer support health and well-being initiative for university employees.

Participants:

D2M participants included 422 employees from 28 teams; however, only 144 provided survey data (34.1% response rate).

Intervention:

During the 8-week program, departments competed as teams to accumulate the greatest average physical activity (PA) minutes. Each team selected a Wellness Champion who delivered program information. Each team member recorded PA minutes with MapMyFitnes s.

Measures:

An electronic survey assessed program implementation fidelity and program satisfaction.

Analysis:

Median split (median [Mdn] = 21.2) categorized teams into “high” (n = 14; Mdn = 24.0, range = 21.4-25.0) and “low” (n = 14; Mdn = 19.4, range = 14.3-21.0) implementation groups. Independent samples t tests evaluated differences between groups on program satisfaction and team program average PA minutes.

Results:

Groups were significantly different for program satisfaction, t(26) = −2.76, P = .011, and team program average PA minutes, t(26) = −2.40, P = .024. The “high” implementation group reported greater program satisfaction (mean [M] = 12.6, standard deviation [SD] = 1.8) and team program average PA minutes (M = 2104.4, SD = 807.4) than the “low” implementation group (program satisfaction M = 11.1, SD = 1.1; team program average minutes M = 1340.8, SD = 875.8).

Conclusion:

Wellness Champions positively impacted employee PA participation and program satisfaction.
The role of regional health systems on the waiting time inequalities in health care services: Evidences from Italy
Authors: Landi Stefano , Ivaldi Enrico , Testi Angela
Published: June 2020

Inequalities in effective access to healthcare are present among countries and within the same country. Despite in Italy exist the principle of equity in access to health system, there are evidence of different access rates in the form of unequal waiting time within the country. Waiting times are an instruments to ration healthcare services dealing with resource scarsity. Theoretically, it is a fair tool because waiting times should depend only on health needs and not on the ability to pay. However, a growing literature has pointed out that belonging to a particular socioeconomic status leads to waiting times inequalities for healthcare services. Many countries have socioeconomic disparities among regions, and healthcare organizations need to take into account these differences. The increasing power of Regional Health Authorities in decentralized health systems, as in the case of Italy, has generated different organizational ways to provide health care, possibly leading to different access rates in the form of unequal waiting time within the country. This paper aims to understand if the administrative area (Regional Health Authorities) in charge of health services affects waiting times lowering or strengthening health care access inequalities. Using a series of logistic regression models, this work suggests the presence of two vectors: socioeconomic inequalities and regional inequalities. Health organizations need to implement different kinds of answers for each vectors of inequalities.
Stability of cable-supported spherical reticulated shell with tension members
Authors: Lu Zhen , Li Hui-jun , Wang Chao
Published: June 2020

The suspendome has been widely employed in large-span space structures in recent years, and it has stronger structural stiffness and higher load-carrying capacity than single-layer spherical reticulated shell. In general, it is negligible for enhancement of load-carrying capacity to integrate cables and struts into the inner ring of reticulated shell. Based on the suspendome structure, a new hybrid space structure system, namely, cable-supported reticulated shell with tension member, is proposed in this study. To elucidate and verify its feasibility, the buckling mode and buckling form are obtained by the eigenvalue buckling analysis and nonlinear buckling analysis using ANSYS package, respectively. Furthermore, to determine the optimal structural form, this article investigates the effect of the main ribbed strut length, the initial geometric imperfection, asymmetric load, pretension in cables, and the material nonlinearity on its stability. The result shows that the proposed new structural system is of high load-carrying capacity. Tension member integrated to cable-supported reticulated shell can effectively improve the overall stiffness and greatly reduce the deformation of spherical reticulated shell. The plastic failure shape occurs with the similar pattern. The instable region mainly occurs on the main ribs with tension members, and each main rib only has one local failure dimple. The load-carrying capacity is remarkably affected by the asymmetric load, the initial geometric imperfection, and material nonlinearity. Based on the parametric analyses, Type C is the optimal choice, that is, appending cables and struts to the outermost ring of single-layer spherical reticulated shell, and arranging out-of-plane tension members under the four main ribs.
Complacency Leading to Reduced Competitive Intensity in the Indian Information Technology Services Sector Resulting in Diminished Market Opportunity
Authors: Jois Achutha , Chakrabarti Somnath
Published: June 2020

Indian Information Technology (IT) services sector today commands a huge share of worldwide IT sourcing spend. India stays to be a driving force for worldwide sourcing growth despite rising de-globalization moves across Western economies, challenges posed by East European nations, Russia, China and East Asia. A pertinent question that comes up is how will India take on the rivalry, while the Indian IT services sector seems to be content and complacent. One can see that the hunger for growth which we saw in the late 1990s and the decade of 2000s is fast eroding. India’s incentive to the world market was its economies of scale and cost advantage; however, the disruption created by the extant outsourcing or offshoring business model is fast receding. The Indian IT Services players turned complacent while competing as disruption and differentiation gave them a unique advantage and value proposition. This article builds on various articles in this domain while analysing how complacency affects competitive intensity, in turn resulting in a reduced intensity in market growth opportunity. This article endeavours to evaluate whether Indian IT services sector is trapped in its self-projected image leading to Narcissus effect.
Voicelikeness as discursive strategy: An instrumental masterclass case study
Authors: Healy Kristine Anne , Gibbs Graham R.
Published: June 2020

To play a musical instrument in the way that one would sing is a goal that has been shared and documented by performers of Western classical music for several centuries. It is still common to hear performers in the 21st century encouraging each other to aspire to performance ideals that are linked to aspects of vocality. Taking voicelikeness not as an identifiable property of sound but rather as a social construction, this study investigates what an instrumental musician can do when they invoke the notion of voicelikeness, using discourse analysis to probe data from a single case study of a flute masterclass. We contend that, while the “truth” about any one instrumentalist’s claim to vocality may be impossible to verify, observing the ways in which such a claim is built up, shared, and defended can reveal the musical values that are being shaped and disseminated by musicians in a given set of circumstances. Applying a discourse approach to the analysis of an actual social encounter exposes how an instrumental musician can draw upon existing ideas about the voice to construct ideal musical practice. We conclude that stories of voicelikeness in discourse amongst instrumental musicians are not only about making a sound that is in some way vocal, they can also be used to transmit the norms of classical music performance from expert performer to developing performer.
Disturbance observer–based terminal sliding mode control for effective performance of a nonlinear vibration energy harvester
Authors: Yousefpour Amin , Haji Hosseinloo Ashkan , Reza Hairi Yazdi Mohammad , Bahrami Arash
Published: June 2020

We propose a new scheme to control the coexisting attractors in a bistable piezomagnetoelastic power generator. Coexisting periodic or chaotic attractors frequently occur in nonlinear energy harvesters. For effective performance of the energy harvester, the system is desired to operate on the high-energy periodic orbit. Therefore, a controller may be used to force the system to operate on the high-energy orbit. In the present research, a disturbance observer–based terminal sliding mode control with input saturation is proposed to push the system from low-energy periodic and chaotic attractors to high-energy periodic attractors. Furthermore, to minimize the energy required for the controller, a genetic algorithm optimization is employed to determine the bound of the input saturation and parameters of the controller. A major advantage of the proposed control technique is tracking control while control input limitations, significant concerns for energy harvesting purpose, are present. The Lyapunov stability theorem of the closed-loop system is proven in the presence of control input saturation and external disturbance. In addition to the primary resonance, superharmonic resonance is considered. The numerical results show that the proposed method can successfully control and shift the vibration energy harvesting system between different attractors in the presence of uncertainty and with minimal control energy budget.
A nonlocal strain gradient theory for rotating thermo-mechanical characteristics on magnetically actuated viscoelastic functionally graded nanoshell
Authors: Mahinzare Mohammad , Akhavan Hossein , Ghadiri Majid
Published: June 2020

In this article, a first-order shear deformable model is expanded based on the nonlocal strain gradient theory to vibration analysis of smart nanostructures under different boundary conditions. The governing equations of motion of rotating magneto-viscoelastic functionally graded cylindrical nanoshell in the magnetic field and corresponding boundary conditions are obtained using Hamilton’s principle. To discretize the equations of motion, the generalized differential quadrature method is applied. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of the temperature changes, nonlocal parameter, material length scale, viscoelastic coefficient, various boundary conditions, and the rotational speed of this smart structure on natural frequencies of rotating cylindrical nanoshell made of magneto-viscoelastic functionally graded material.
Parental Rejecting Behaviors: Validating a Behaviorally Based Youth-Report Measure of Parental Emotional Abuse
Authors: Kosson David S. , Schraft Cody V. , Brieman Chelsea L. , McBride Cami K. , Knight Raymond A.
Published: June 2020

Positive and warm parental attitudes are associated with better social and emotional child functioning, whereas negative or rejecting parental attitudes are associated with poor outcomes, such as aggression, impaired self-esteem, and emotional instability. The current study investigated the reliability and validity of scores on an interview adaptation of a measure of parental rejecting behavior (PRB) in a sample of detained adolescents. Participants ( N = 198) completed a measure assessing their memories of the frequency of specific parental behaviors associated with rejection and self-report measures of exposure to abuse/neglect and community violence, and internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. PRB scores were internally consistent and associated with several kinds of child maltreatment. PRB scores correlated uniquely with indices of internalizing and externalizing symptomatology, even after controlling for indices of overall child maltreatment or a specific index of emotional abuse. The pattern of correlations suggests that the measure provides a valid index of parental emotional abuse, which may help identify youth at risk for both internalizing and externalizing disorders.
A clinical approach to non-neutropenic fever in children with cancer
Authors: AlAzmi Aeshah , Jastaniah Wasil , AlDabbagh Mona , Elimam Naglla
Published: June 2020

Background

There are a limited number of studies that address non-neutropenic fever episodes in children with cancer, and no standard approach exists.

Method

We opt to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of the current clinical approach for management of non-neutropenic fever episodes and the associated risk factors among children with cancer at the Princess Noorah Oncology Center from May 2016 through December 2017.

Results

A total of 480 non-neutropenic fever episodes were identified in 131 children, of which 62 episodes were triaged as high-risk non-neutropenic fever and 418 as low-risk non-neutropenic fever. Of those 480 non-neutropenic fever, 361 episodes (75.2%) were associated with the presence of central venous catheters. The overall failure rate of ceftriaxone mono-therapy was observed in 75.6% (11.7% in high-risk non-neutropenic fever with a mean C-reactive protein level of 21.1 (±23.2) mmol/L and 63.9% in low-risk non-neutropenic fever with a mean C-reactive protein level of 17.6 (±53.9) mmol/L). The overall bacteremia rate was 14.4%. The type of organisms isolated was mainly high-risk organisms in 59 non-neutropenic fever episodes (85.5%), OR 1.78 (95% CI: 0.45–7.04) p = 0.41. Of note, all bacteremia were associated with the presence of central venous catheter (100%). Of all the examined risk factors of outpatient treatment failure in low-risk non-neutropenic fever, only prolonged fever of more than three days were significantly associated with bacteremia OR 8.107 [95% CI: 1.744–37.691], p = 0.008. Noteworthy is that almost 43% of non-neutropenic fever episodes were associated with respiratory symptoms. This study provides a baseline for future prospective research assessing the pattern of non-neutropenic fever by focusing on associated risk factors.
From Murder to Imprisonment: Mapping the Flow of Homicide Cases—A Systematic Review
Authors: Liem Marieke , Krüsselmann Katharina , Eisner Manuel
Published: June 2020

This systematic review examined the evidence on factors influencing the flow of homicide, from suspicious death to imprisonment. Bibliographic databases and thesis portals were searched. The total number of hits was 15,986, of which 15,830 were irrelevant, 35 did not include a quantitative sample, 26 did not focus on homicide, 18 did not present flow data, and for seven there was no full text available. The remaining 70 papers were analyzed. With the exception of one, no study presented a complete longitudinal flow. Results indicated that both legal and extralegal characteristics influence the likelihood of cases to drop out. Aside from a first mapping of homicide case flows, future research should explore false positives and false negatives, to come to a first understanding of funnel selectivity in homicide cases.
Influence of Event and Place Image on Residents’ Attitudes Toward and Support for Events
Authors: Schnitzer Martin , Kössler Christopher , Schlemmer Philipp , Peters Mike
Published: June 2020

Analyzing residents’ support for events has become popular in sports tourism research. Based on the social exchange theory and the theory of reasoned action, this study tests a model of support for the 2018 UCI Road World Championships (N = 2,265). The findings show that the perceived image fit between an event and a place significantly influences residents’ overall attitude and event support. Furthermore, overall attitude mediates the relationship between the perceived fit and event support. This study supplements the literature (a) by testing the fit between event image and place image and its influence on residents’ attitude and support, (b) by analyzing the image fit of a summer sports event held in a well-known designated winter sports region, and (c) by providing recommendations for policy makers to achieve higher support from residents when bidding for and hosting sports events.
Love in Tourist Motivation and Satisfaction
Authors: Filep Sebastian , Matteucci Xavier
Published: June 2020

Despite limited recent contributions, explorations of the human emotion of love are underexplored in tourism studies. Love can be defined as both companionship (such as friendship) and as passion (romance and sexual connection). The aim of this article was to explore how the concept of love can be integrated into tourist motivation and satisfaction research. With this aim in mind, a literature review of tourist motivation, satisfaction, and types of love was conducted. The findings, as summarized in a table, show that love is a motivator for tourist experiences, because love resembles established tourist motives, such as the motives for social interaction, kinship and relationship enhancement. As a powerful human emotion, the concept of love helps in better interpreting fulfilling, on-site tourist experiences, and in better understanding post hoc tourist satisfaction. The article proposes research directions for future examinations of love in tourist motivation and satisfaction research.
Impact of preheparinization and sample volume on routine hematology findings in healthy cats
Authors: Norsworthy Gary D , Cook Audrey K , Lanier Christopher J
Published: June 2020

Objectives

It can be challenging to collect sufficient blood from feline patients for both a biochemical profile and a complete blood count (CBC). The ability to generate accurate hematologic and biochemical data from a single, small (<2 ml) sample could reduce patient stress and improve clinical efficiency. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of preheparinization and/or sample size on routine hematology findings in cats.

Methods

Blood was collected from 20 healthy cats; measured aliquots were placed directly into tubes containing either EDTA or lithium–heparin (Hep). Within 2 mins, specific volumes were removed from the Hep tubes and placed in additional EDTA tubes. Four distinct sample sizes/types were created from each cat: (1) 1.3 ml EDTA (criterion standard); (2) 0.5 ml EDTA; (3) 1.3 ml Hep + EDTA; and (4) 0.5 ml Hep + EDTA. Three CBCs were performed on each sample using an automated bench-top hematology analyzer. Drops of blood were contemporaneously used to create three air-dried stained slides from each tube. Triplicate results were averaged for statistical analysis; results were compared across all sample types and against the criterion standard. Significance was set at P <0.05.

Results

Preheparinization did not significantly impact determinations of erythrocyte number, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume and neutrophil count. Platelet counts for the non-traditional samples correlated poorly with the criterion standard, although numbers could be effectively estimated using stained slides. Cell morphology was well preserved across all sample types.

Conclusions and relevance

These results indicate that a 0.5 ml preheparinized EDTA blood sample can generate clinically useful hematologic data (excluding platelet count) in cats, using a bench-top analyzer. Our findings support the collection of a single small (<2 ml) sample that can be used for both biochemical and hematologic analyses. Further studies are needed to verify these findings using other hematology machines and in diseased cats.
Wide-field individual retinal layer thickness in healthy eyes
Authors: Singh Sumit Randhir , Invernizzi Alessandro , Rasheed Mohammed Abdul , Cagini Carlo , Goud Abhilash , Gujar Ramkailash , Pandey Priti , Vupparaboina Kiran Kumar , Cozzi Mariano , Lupidi Marco , Chhablani Jay
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To report the individual retinal layer thickness in healthy subjects using wide-field optical coherence tomography.

Methods

This was a prospective, cross-sectional study involving healthy subjects. A custom-designed semiautomated segmentation algorithm was used to split the retinal layers in seven bands, and individual retinal layer thicknesses were measured in horizontal (nasal, macular, and temporal segments) and vertical meridians (superior, macular, and inferior segments). The variation in retinal thickness was analyzed in different segments at an interval of 1 mm from reference points. Regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting retinal thickness.

Results

Twenty eyes of 20 healthy subjects with mean age of 28.9 ± 6.3 years were analyzed. Overall, nasal and superior segments (mean ± standard deviation: 279.6 ± 17.0 and 234.4 ± 19.2 µm) had maximum and minimum retinal thicknesses, respectively. A total of seven bands were delineated in each optical coherence tomography b scan in each segment. Retinal nerve fiber layer was thickest immediately nasal to optic disk margin in horizontal scan (72.4 ± 32.4 µm) and near the vascular arcades in vertical meridian. Outer plexiform layer, external limiting membrane–ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone–retinal pigment epithelium–Bruch’s complex showed significant variation in both horizontal and vertical meridians (all p values <0.05). Macular segment in both meridians showed the highest coefficient of variation. Age was the only significant factor affecting retinal thickness in multiple regression analysis (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Wide-field optical coherence tomography shows significant regional variation in overall and individual retinal layer thicknesses in macular and peripheral areas in healthy eyes with the highest variation in macular segment.
Leukostasis retinopathy with leukemic infiltrates as onset manifestation of chronic myeloid leukemia: a case report
Authors: Vicini Giulio , Nicolosi Cristina , Malandrino Danilo , Tozzetti Camilla , Rizzo Stanislao , Sodi Andrea
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To describe a case of retinopathy as onset manifestation of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), successfully treated with leukapheresis and medical therapy.

Methods:

A 28-year-old male patient presented complaining painless acute visual impairment in his right eye (RE). He reported moderate asthenia and episodes of night sweats during the previous month. His past medical history was unremarkable. BCVA at presentation was 20/80 in RE and 20/32 in left eye (LE). Fundus examination revealed venous congestion, diffuse Roth spots, and whitish macular infiltrates in both eyes. OCT showed hyperreflective foveal infiltrates, in both eyes. Blood test showed markedly elevated white blood cells (WBCs) count (430 × 103/mm3). Clinical-instrumental examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly. These features were consistent with CML. The patient was treated with leukapheresis and nilotinib.

Results:

After 2 weeks of treatment, the WBCs count dropped (71 × 103/mm3), and the patient reported subjective improvement of symptoms. At 1-month follow-up, BCVA and retinopathy signs were improved in both eyes. OCT showed the almost complete resolution of foveal infiltrates with ellipsoid zone focal defects. At 4-months follow-up, we observed complete resolution of retinopathy. BCVA was 20/32 in RE and 20/25 in LE. OCT showed the persistence of ellipsoid zone focal defects in RE and complete anatomical restoration in LE. At 6-months follow-up, the patient was clinically well and his WBCs count was normal.

Conclusion:

In our case, the CML-related retinopathy represented the onset sign of the underlying systemic pathology, leading to proper management and treatment, with hematological normalization and resolution of the retinopathy.
Low-frequency impact sound of timber floors: A finite element–based study of conceptual designs
Authors: Olsson Jörgen , Linderholt Andreas
Published: June 2020

Traditionally, product development concerning acoustics in the building industry is measurement oriented. For lightweight floors, frequencies that are lower than the frequency range for heavy concrete floors are an issue. The frequency range of from 50 Hz down to 20 Hz influences the human perception of impact sound in multi-story apartment buildings with lightweight floor constructions, such as timber floors, for example. It is well known that a lower frequency range of interest makes finite element simulations more feasible. Strategies for reducing impact sound tend to be less straightforward for timber floors because they have a larger variation of designs when compared to concrete floors. This implies that reliable finite element simulations of impact sound can save time and money for the building industry. This study researches the impact sound transmission of lightweight timber floors. Frequency response functions, from forces on excitation points to sound pressure in the receiving cavity below, are calculated. By using fluid elements connected to reflection-free boundary elements under the floors in the models, the transmission and insulation can be studied without involving reverberation. A floor model with a hard screed surface will have a larger impact force than a softer floor, although this issue seems less pronounced at the lowest frequencies. To characterize floor surfaces, the point mobilities of the impact points are also calculated and presented. The vibration and sound transmission levels are dependent on the selection of the excitation points.
Five-year longitudinal changes in quantitative spinal cord MRI in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Oh Jiwon , Chen Min , Cybulsky Kateryna , Suthiphosuwan Suradech , Seyman Estelle , Dewey Blake , Diener-West Marie , van Zijl Peter , Prince Jerry , Reich Daniel S , Calabresi Peter A
Published: June 2020

Background:

The spinal cord (SC) is highly relevant to disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), but few studies have evaluated longitudinal changes in quantitative spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (SC-MRI).

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to characterize the relationships between 5-year changes in SC-MRI with disability in MS.

Methods:

In total, 75 MS patients underwent 3 T SC-MRI and clinical assessment (expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and MS functional composite (MSFC)) at baseline, 2 and 5 years. SC-cross-sectional area (CSA) and diffusion-tensor indices (fractional anisotropy (FA), mean, perpendicular, parallel diffusivity (MD, λ⊥, λ||) and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR)) were extracted at C3–C4. Mixed-effects regression incorporating subject-specific slopes assessed longitudinal change in SC-MRI measures.

Results:

SC-CSA and MTR decreased ( p = 0.009, p = 0.03) over 5.1 years. There were moderate correlations between 2- and 5-year subject-specific slopes of SC-MRI indices and follow-up EDSS scores (Pearson’s r with FA = −0.23 ( p < 0.001); MD = 0.31 ( p < 0.001); λ⊥ = 0.34 ( p < 0.001); λ|| = −0.12 ( p = 0.05), MTR = −0.37 ( p < 0.001); SC-CSA = −0.47 ( p < 0.001) at 5 years); MSFC showed similar trends. The 2- and 5-year subject-specific slopes were robustly correlated ( r = 0.93–0.97 for FA, λ⊥, SC-CSA and MTR, all ps < 0.001).

Conclusion:

In MS, certain quantitative SC-MRI indices change over 5 years, reflecting ongoing tissue changes. Subject-specific trajectories of SC-MRI index change at 2 and 5 years are strongly correlated and highly relevant to follow-up disability. These findings suggest that individual dynamics of change should be accounted for when interpreting longitudinal SC-MRI measures and that measuring short-term change is predictive of long-term clinical disability.
‘Every day is hard, being outside, but you have to do it for your child’: Mixed-methods formative evaluation of a peer-led parenting intervention for homeless families
Authors: Bradley Caroline , Day Crispin , Penney Caroline , Michelson Daniel
Published: June 2020

We conducted a mixed-methods, formative evaluation of a peer-led parenting intervention for homeless families. Participants were parents living in temporary accommodation with self-identified difficulties related to parenting an index child aged 2–11 years. An evidence-based programme (‘Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities’) was adapted for delivery with the target population in London, UK. We assessed feasibility in terms of session attendance rate, intervention completion rate and potential for impact on a range of parent-reported outcomes measures. Acceptability and appropriateness were examined by a user satisfaction measure and qualitative interviews. The intervention was delivered across three group cohorts ( N = 15). Thirteen parents completed the programme (including one parent who required two attempts). We found improvements in child behavioural difficulties, parenting knowledge and practices, while parental well-being and social support were unchanged. Participants were highly satisfied overall, with indications that the peer-led model mitigated negative expectancies of services and normalized experiences of parenting in challenging conditions. Parental self-care and ‘the good enough parent’ were strongly endorsed topics, although some content (e.g. timeout) was deemed impractical. These promising findings warrant further testing under controlled conditions.
Dropping out and moving on: A qualitative study of autistic people’s experiences of university
Authors: Cage Eilidh , Howes Jack
Published: June 2020

Autistic people are at high risk of dropping out of university, but little research has examined this issue. Fourteen autistic people participated in semi-structured interviews examining their experiences at university and the reasons they had dropped out. Thematic analysis identified patterns in participants’ responses. Themes were categorised as systemic issues, challenges within university or life after dropping out. Systemic issues centred around accessing diagnosis, autism understanding, mental health and outsider status. Challenges at university included culture shock, becoming disengaged, lack of proactive support and perceived inevitability of dropping out. Finally, life after dropping out was characterised by processing of trauma and shame, and realisation of doing ‘what’s right for you’. Together, these themes suggest that many improvements could be made at universities, such as more proactive support and creating more accessible environments. Societal-level change is also needed to improve educational opportunities for autistic people.

Lay abstract

Many autistic people now go to university, but many of them also drop out of their studies. In fact, it is believed that autistic people are at higher risk of dropping out, but little research has been done to understand why this is happening. This research used interviews to take an in-depth look at 14 autistic people’s experiences of dropping out of university. All the things the participants talked about were examined closely by the researchers who identified common themes in what the participants discussed. The first set of themes captured some overarching issues faced by autistic people, such as difficulties with getting diagnosed, a lack of autism understanding, mental health challenges and feeling like an outsider. The next themes were organised within challenges faced at university, including a feeling of culture shock, becoming disengaged from one’s studies, a lack of proactive support from their university and a feeling that dropping out became inevitable. Finally, there were themes about life after dropping out, which involved a sense that the experience at university had been traumatic and shameful, but they believed people had to do what is right for them. All of these themes suggest that universities need to be better at supporting autistic people when they first come to university, and that they should actively offer clear support throughout and try and make the university environment more accessible for everyone, to ensure more autistic people have a positive university experience.
Head circumference trends in autism between 0 and 100 months
Authors: Crucitti Joel , Hyde Christian , Enticott Peter G , Stokes Mark A
Published: June 2020

Meta-analyses of head circumference in autistic individuals exist; however, simple meta-analytic approaches are limited. Consequently, we gathered head circumference raw data of autistic ( N = 2381) and typically developing participants ( N = 994) by re-analysing the data from previously published studies together. The present study found no mean difference between head circumference of autistic and typically developing individuals, although simple effect analyses revealed smaller mean head circumference in autistic than typically developing females aged 12–17 months. However, compared to controls, the frequency of extreme head circumference in autistic males was greater at birth and between 60 and 100 months. In addition, the frequency of extremely small head circumference between 6 and 11 months, and extremely large head circumference between 12 and 17 months, was greater in autistic than typically developing males. For autistic females, compared to controls, extreme head circumference was more frequent between 36 and 59 months and less frequent at birth. We conclude that it is imperative to consider the effects of age and sex when investigating the relationship between autism diagnosis and head circumference. This variance was more effectively described via the approach of the present study than previous meta-analytic approaches.

Lay abstract

Summaries of studies that have measured head size in those with autism, known as meta-analyses, currently exist. However, this approach does not adequately explain extreme cases (such as those with extremely small, or extremely large, head size). Because of this, we obtained all available published data measuring head size (12 studies). The data from each study were then combined to make a larger dataset. We found that females with autism aged 12–17 months had, on average, smaller head sizes. Otherwise, average head size was not atypical in autism. However, we found that males with autism were more likely to have extreme head sizes at birth and between 60 and 100 months, a small head between 6 and 11 months, and a large head between 12 and 17 months. Females with autism were more likely to have extreme head sizes between 36 and 59 months and were less likely at birth. Our approach was able to measure the influence of age and biological sex on head size in autism, as well as the frequency of extreme cases of head size in autism. These results add to what we already know about head size in autism.
The everyday skills that get us by: Non-representational theories for a linealogy of quotidian cultures
Authors: Moores Shaun
Published: June 2020

In this article, I have three key aims. Firstly, I want to offer a particular definition and a bold defence of ‘non-representational theories’, indicating the importance of their anti-rationalist and anti-structuralist tendencies, and also pointing to their positive assertion of the primacy of practices or movement. Although a non-representational theoretical approach is closely associated today with contemporary geographic thought, I make a case here for an understanding of non-representational theories as a far broader cross-disciplinary project. Secondly, in the light of non-representational theories, I will be revisiting an old debate between culturalists and structuralists on matters of experience and representation. I consider, in a spirit of re-evaluation, Stuart Hall’s now classic essay on two paradigms in the development of cultural studies, as well as a selection of related interventions made by Hall. Thirdly, I will look to potential future directions for empirical research that is informed by a non-representational theoretical approach, in an area which I call ‘quotidian cultural studies’. My recommendations are for work that might explore, for example, acquired habits or ways of the hand in the uses of new media technologies (among other skills of tool use), and paths that are trodden along the ground on foot and through narrative or other media settings. A critical appropriation of Tim Ingold’s writings in anthropology leads me to describe such work as ‘linealogical’ investigations of everyday life.
Fighting death with health inequality: The role of mortality cognition and shifting racial demographics in policy attitudes
Authors: Jimenez Tyler , Helm Peter J. , Arndt Jamie
Published: June 2020

White Americans are predicted to soon comprise less than half of the U.S. population. Such demographic changes can affect political attitudes by threatening group status. The present studies built from this literature to examine a process in which information about such demographic shifts can also affect health policy attitudes, in part by increasing death-related thoughts, and that health inequalities may in turn buffer such cognitions. Three experiments ( N = 1,651) adopted a causal chain approach to test these ideas. In Study 1, exposure to demographic changes decreased support for equitable health policies. In Study 2, the demographic manipulation increased death-thought accessibility, unless paired with information about worsening health inequalities. In Study 3, contemplation of mortality lessened both support for equitable health policies and resources allocated to health equity. Health inequalities may mitigate existential concerns raised by shifting racial demographics.
Interaction rituals and ‘social distancing’: New haptic trajectories and touching from a distance in the time of COVID-19
Authors: Katila Julia , Gan Yumei , Goodwin Marjorie H
Published: June 2020

Previous research in the social sciences has shown that haptic interaction rituals are critical for maintaining social relationships. However, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, ‘social distancing’ was encouraged in order to avoid the spread of disease. Drawing on data from self-ethnography as well as publicly available resources, in this study we explore some new, locally negotiated haptic trajectories to accomplish interaction rituals in the time of coronavirus. First, we present self-ethnographic observations of distancing in face-to-face encounters from our everyday lives. Second, utilizing methods of microanalysis of naturally occurring interaction, we investigate video recordings of the embodied negotiation of space and touch among politicians. We analyze three different ways in which politicians negotiate transitional moves in this haptic ritual when one party initiates a handshake: repairing, declining and apologizing. Our analysis shows that politicians adapt their entire bodies in conjunction with talk, gestures and laughter not only to accomplish the greeting but also to remedy the potentially face-threatening situation of not getting the greeting right. This research has implications for better understanding the spontaneous ability of human beings to invent new ways of engaging with each other. Moreover, it adds to our knowledge of how the materiality of human bodies can impact forms of sociality.
Homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion stability improvement using a rapid ignition system
Authors: Gordon David , Wouters Christian , Kinoshita Shota , Wick Maximilian , Lehrheuer Bastian , Andert Jakob , Pischinger Stefan , Koch Charles R
Published: June 2020

When compared to traditional engines, homogeneous charge compression ignition has the potential to significantly reduce NO x raw emissions, while maintaining a high fuel efficiency. Homogeneous charge compression ignition is characterized by compression-induced autoignition of a lean homogeneous air–fuel mixture. Since homogeneous charge compression ignition does not utilize direct ignition control, it is strongly dependent on the state of the cylinder charge and can suffer from high cyclic variability. With spark-assisted compression ignition, it has been demonstrated that misfires can be reduced, while preserving the high thermal efficiency of homogeneous charge compression ignition as a result of the more favorable physical mixture properties due to dilution. However, spark-assisted compression ignition reduces the NO x benefits of homogeneous charge compression ignition, as it increases the local combustion temperatures. To merge the advantages of the homogeneous charge compression ignition and the spark-assisted compression ignition combustion processes, a field-programmable gate array for detailed simulation of the physical gas exchange is combined with a rapid spark system. The low latency and computational speed of the field-programmable gate array allows the simulation process to be implemented in real time. When combined with the rapid reaction time of the high-frequency current-based rapid ignition system, a feedforward controller based on the cylinder pressure or heat release is realized. The developed model-based controller determines if a spark is required to assist the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion process. The use of the field-programmable gate array and rapid ignition system allows for the calculation of combustion properties and controller output within 0.1 °CA. This article presents the development and experimental validation of the developed controller on a single-cylinder research engine. The combustion stability has been significantly improved as reflected in an improved standard deviation of the indicated mean effective pressure and a reduction of the combustion phasing variations. Furthermore, compared to a traditional homogeneous charge compression ignition system, the hydrocarbon emissions can be reduced, while maintaining low NO x emissions.
Documenting topographic ecologies in Hong Kong: visual methods for hyper-dense and hyper-topographic urban spaces in landscape architecture
Authors: Toland Andrew , Cate Christ Melissa
Published: June 2020

This article draws on experiments with techniques of visual documentation and representation in circumstances of topographic intensity in Hong Kong. Centrally, the authors ask: how can approaches to visual representation reveal or reframe assemblages of material and immaterial processes in hyper-dense and hyper-topographic urban landscapes? The shaping and reshaping of the ground are essential parts of the formation of recombinant ecosystems, especially in intensively built-up environments – the constant reconfiguration of materials and spaces continually brings into being new ecological conditions. However, the visualization and representation of these transformations are often absent from the repertoire of techniques used to map and understand urban processes. This article addresses how landscape architecture can continue to develop methods to record, represent, visualize and design recombinant ecosystems in our urban environments. It considers which tools and techniques might provide ‘thickened’ understandings of hyper-dense, small-scale and intensely topographic urban environments like Hong Kong, with the objective of assisting designers and planners develop new ways to understand and see public space that can address the human and more-than-human nuances of complex urban spaces over time.
Revisiting the ethical framework governing water fluoridation and food fortification
Authors: Shakeri Ahmad , Adanty Christopher , Kugathsan Howsikan
Published: June 2020

Food fortification and water fluoridation are two public health initiatives that involve the passive consumption of nutrients through food and water supplies. While ethical analyses of food fortification and water fluoridation have been done separately, none have been done together. In this paper, we will consider whether the similarities between food fortification and water fluoridation override their differences and thus what ethical conclusions can be cross-pollinated between the two interventions. This study does three things: first, we review the origin, reasoning and mechanisms behind food fortification and water fluoridation. From there, we deduce the primary ethical dilemma that overshadows food fortification and water fluoridation – they both require a form of deception and are consumed passively without the need for informed consent. Finally, we look at various approaches ethicists have taken to understand the ethical issues surrounding the programs. Two key ethical models appear in this discussion: the justificatory approach and the stewardship model. Beyond these two frameworks, one ethical analysis deduces from the Nuremberg Code that water fluoridation is unethical based on the definition of consent. As recent scientific papers and the general public have started discussing and debating the passive consumption of various drugs via public water supplies, it is prudent that we revisit the ethics behind food fortification and water fluoridation programs; this will ultimately allow us to better navigate complex problems in nutritional ethics and passive delivery.