bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associational Balance of Power and the Possibilities for International Law in the South China Sea
Authors: McGee Jeffrey , Gogarty Brendan , Smith Danielle
Published: June 2017

Recent territorial disputes in the South China Sea (scs) have been viewed as a proxy for wider geopolitical tension between the United States and China. Realist commentators therefore argue that power will be the key driver of outcomes and the likely role of international law is peripheral. Mainstream international law scholarship is ill-equipped to respond to such criticism as it largely marginalises the relationship between law and power. However, some leading historical figures in International Law and International Relations have long argued that an ‘associational balance of power’ between States is an essential pre-condition for the effective operation of international law. We argue that re-enlivening this focus on ‘associational balance of power’ offers new insights into the possibilities for international law in the scs. We therefore recommend an interdisciplinary research program across the fields of International Law and Strategic Studies aimed at facilitating rule-based resolution of disputes in the scs.
Revised morphology of Pycnonemosaurus nevesi Kellner & Campos, 2002 (Theropoda: Abelisauridae) and its phylogenetic relationships
Authors: DELCOURT RAFAEL
Published: June 2017

Abelisaurid theropods were most abundant in the Gondwana during the Cretaceous Period. Pycnonemosaurus nevesi Kellner & Campos, 2002 was the first abelisaurid dinosaur described from the Bauru Group (Brazil, Upper Cretaceous). Nevertheless, its initial description was based on the comparison of a restricted number of remains with other abelisaurids. In this paper, I present a new description of the morphology of Pycnonemosaurus nevesi, including three new caudal transverse processes and a discussion of several new characteristics based on perspectives derived from recently described abelisauroids. Pycnonemosaurus nevesi differs from other abelisaurids based on the following features: a pubis with a small rounded foot and a ventrally-bowed anterior distal end; posterior caudal vertebrae with a hook-shaped transverse process that has an anterodistal expansion that is short and bowed; a strong and massive tibia with a well-developed lateral malleolus that is ventrally expanded. The unfused sutures represent signs of skeletal immaturity, but the specific ontogenetic stage is still uncertain. The current phylogenetic analysis suggests strongly relationship within Pycnonemosaurus and the most-derived abelisaurids (e.g Carnotaurus and Aucasaurus).
Redescription of Zoica puellula (Simon, 1898) (Araneae: Lycosidae: Zoicinae) and transfer of Zoica harduarae (Biswas & Roy, 2008) to Agelenidae C.L. Koch, 1837
Authors: SANKARAN1 PRADEEP M. , SEBASTIAN POTHALIL A.
Published: June 2017

The genus Zoica Simon, 1898 comprises the smallest members of the family Lycosidae (Lehtinen & Hippa 1979; Framenau et al. 2009) and all the members are vagrant (Lehtinen & Hippa 1979). The genus was revised by Lehtinen & Hippa (1979) and currently has 12 described species (World Spider Catalog 2017). The species Zoica puellula (Simon, 1898) was based on an unspecified number of female specimens from Sri Lanka, and its original description (Simon 1898) is inadequate and lacks illustrations. The male and female genitalia of this species were subsequently illustrated several times (Roewer 1960; Lehtinen & Hippa 1979; Tikader & Malhotra 1980); however these illustrations are insufficient for proper identification and the internal female genitalia of this species have not been illustrated. Additionally, Tikader and Malhotra (1980) inferred the presence of Z. puellula in India from records of this species in Sri Lanka, but it has not yet been found in India. Here we redescribe Z. puellula based on the type material and newly collected specimens and extend its known geographic distribution to India. We also remove Zoica harduarae (Biswas & Roy, 2008), which was described from India, from the genus.
Three new species of squat lobsters of the genus Fennerogalathea Baba, 1988 (Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the Pacific Ocean
Authors: RODRIGUEZ-FLORES PAULA C. , MACHORDOM ANNIE , MACPHERSON ENRIQUE
Published: June 2017

The genus Fennerogalathea Baba, 1988 was known to contain two species: F. chacei Baba, 1988, the type species, from the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia and F. chirostyloides Tirmizi & Javed, 1993 from the Bay of Bengal. In the present study, three new species of the genus are described and illustrated: F. chani n. sp. from Papua New Guinea, F. cultrata n. sp. from New Caledonia and Vanuatu and F. ensifera n. sp. from Fiji. The new species are morphologically distinguishable on the basis of the shape and spination of the rostrum and the presence/absence of a small spine on the frontal margin of the carapace. The species also show clear genetic differences (COI and 16S rDNA) among them.
Two new brackish-water species of Macrostomum (Platyhelminthes, Macrostomida) from mangrove wetland in southern China
Authors: WANG LEI , XIN FAN , FANG CHU-YU , ZHANG YU , WANG AN-TAI
Published: June 2017

In this paper, two new brackish-water species of Macrostomum (M. shenzhenensis n. sp. and M qiaochengensis n. sp.) collected from the artificial lake in Overseas Chinese Town mangrove wetland, are described based on the morphology of the penis stylet and on a molecular phylogenetic analysis. M. shenzhenensis n. sp. has an elongate, narrow stylet with torus-shaped distal wall thickening, while M. qiaochengensis n. sp. has a hook-like stylet with a pointed end. Both the 18S and 28S rDNA phylogenetic analyses of M shenzhenensis n. sp. and M qiaochengensis n. sp. support the establishments of these two new species. Finally, categorization of these two new species based on the morphology of sperm and penis stylet, as well as other morphological features of the reproductive system is briefly discussed.
Talk Without Borders: Why Political Discussion Makes Latin Americans With Relatives Abroad More Critical of Their Democracies
Authors: Crow David , Pérez-Armendáriz Clarisa
Published: June 2017

Mulling over politics with others can change citizens’ political beliefs and choices. Is the effect of interpersonal political discussion different when one of the interlocutors has a family member living abroad—that is, is a “transnational household member” (THM)? Using data from 20 Latin American countries in the 2006-2008 AmericasBarometer, we show that talking about politics makes THMs less satisfied with their democracies and less proud of their political systems than non-THMs. When THMs engage in cross-border political discussions with relatives abroad, they gain new information and perspectives that cast their own democracy in a different light. Even absent cross-border communication, though, political discussion with peers at home can make THMs more critical by emphasizing their government’s transnational governance obligations—and highlighting failures to live up to these heightened expectations. Our study thus adds to a growing body of research on emigration’s impact on sending country politics.
The Perfect Storm: Graduating during a Recession in a Segmented Labor Market
Authors: Fernández-Kranz Daniel , Rodríguez-Planas Núria
Published: June 2017

Using Spanish Social Security data merged with Labor Force Survey data, this article analyzes the effects of entry labor market conditions on workers’ careers two to three decades after graduating in Spain, a country well known for its highly segmented labor market and rigid labor market institutions. In contrast to more flexible labor markets such as in the United States or Canada, the authors find that following a recession the annual earnings losses of individuals without a university degree are greater and more persistent than those of college graduates. For workers without a college degree, the effect is driven by a lower likelihood of employment. For college graduates, the negative impact on earnings is driven by both a higher probability of non-employment and employment in jobs with fixed-term contracts. Although a negative shock increases mobility of college graduates across firms and industries, no earnings recovery occurs for the individual, just secondary labor market job churning. Results are consistent with the tight regulations of the Spanish labor market, such as binding minimum wages and downward wage rigidity caused by collective bargaining agreements.
Evaluating for learning and accountability in system innovation: Incorporating reflexivity in a logical framework
Authors: Botha Neels , Coutts Jeff , Turner James A , White Toni , Williams Tracy
Published: June 2017

Approaches to accelerate innovation have become more integrated and systemic over time, such as Agricultural Innovation Systems and co-innovation. Primary Innovation is a New Zealand co-innovation programme in which innovation is conceived as being ‘co-produced’ by stakeholders who contribute their unique knowledge to solving a problem or realizing an opportunity. In co-innovation, cyclical processes of planning, doing, observing and reflecting enable innovation to emerge from interactive learning among stakeholders. In this article, we argue that when flexibly applied and adapted to capture dynamics typical in systems innovation projects, the log frame approach and logical frameworks have considerable utility to support evaluation for both learning and accountability and for identifying and addressing institutional logics, which lead to system innovation. We demonstrate this for the case of Primary Innovation and compare our experiences with the limitations and solutions suggested by other recent researchers when applying logic models, logical frameworks, programme theories or theories of change as part of an ‘adapted accountability framework’.
Integrated agricultural landscape management: Case study on inclusive innovation processes, monitoring and evaluation in the Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Authors: Malley Zacharia J , Hart Abigail , Buck Louise , Mwambene Pius L , Katambara Zacharia , Mng’ong’o Marco , Chambi Consolatha
Published: June 2017

Integrated landscape management is a process for achieving multiple objectives related to agricultural production, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable natural resource management. These multiple livelihood functions are important features of an agricultural landscape in Mbeya, Tanzania. Due to environmental damage caused by agricultural expansion and charcoal burning, a process called integrated agricultural landscape management (IALM) was implemented to address this problem. This encompassed the identification and involvement of a range of key landscape actors and processes like awareness creation and joint problem analysis, solution framing, learning, planning and implementation of actions, and monitoring and evaluation. A multistakeholder innovation platform was formed for creating a coordination mechanism, common understanding, vision and goals, and networking. Fifty IALM ideas were identified and six selected by the stakeholders. Outcomes of using the IALM process included policy recommendations, joint learning, and innovative actions and were codeveloped, implemented, monitored, and evaluated with the local communities.
The Impact of Bibliodidactics on Success in Learning to Read Among Nonnative Criminal Inmates
Authors: Einat Tomer , Einat Amela , Gura Maya , Segev Adi
Published: June 2017

The main purpose of this study, based on research conducted in two randomly selected maximum-security prisons in Israel, is to explore the effectiveness of Bibliodidactics, a unique teaching reading method. The research found Bibliodidactics significantly improves the levels of technical reading among nonnative illiterate and poor-reading prisoners of Hebrew. The method is also significantly more efficient for nonnative illiterate prisoners, both in reading comprehension and in technical reading. The authors conclude that literacy instruction for struggling readers benefits from a focus on emotional processing of text, providing meaningful contexts to learning materials that motivate and sustain the readers’ interest.
Missiological implications for Taylor Seminary arising from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations
Authors: Effa Allan
Published: June 2017

In 2015 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada concluded a six-year process of listening to the stories of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. More than 6000 witnesses came forth to share their personal experiences in listening sessions set up all across the country. These stories primarily revolved around their experience of abuse and cultural genocide through more than 100 years of Residential Schools, which were operated in a cooperative effort between churches and the government of Canada. The Commission’s Final Report includes 94 calls to action with paragraph #60 directed specifically to seminaries. This paper is a case study of how Taylor Seminary, in Edmonton, is seeking to engage with this directive. It explores the changes made in the curriculum, particularly in the teaching of missiology, and highlights some of the ways the seminary community is learning about aboriginal spirituality and the history and legacy of the missionary methods that have created conflict and pain in Canadian society.
Identifying elementary school student opinion leaders for engagement in evidence-based program adaptation and implementation
Authors: Reiger Christopher J. , Gibson Jennifer E. , Passarelli Rebecca E. , Flaspohler Paul D.
Published: June 2017

Evidence-based programs, such as bullying prevention, often demonstrate disappointing outcomes when widely disseminated. Engaging opinion leaders – those individuals whom others emulate and go to for advice – in the process of adaptation and implementation may improve outcomes. However, opinion leaders have the most influence on individuals who are similar to them, making social groups an important consideration in opinion leader recruitment. In a series of studies we examined the social groups of childhood and whether teacher nominations can be used to identify opinion leaders within these groups. In Study 1, students ( N = 35) and school staff members ( N = 23) reported on social groups at their school. Results suggest four predominant social groups (Elites, Athletes, Academic, and Deviants), and that students and adults are equally likely to identify these groups. In Study 2, students ( N = 29) and school staff members ( N = 10) identified opinion leaders from each of the four predominant social groups. Student and school staff members agreed on the primary opinion leader within the Elites, Athletes, and Academics groups, but identified different opinion leaders from the Deviants group. We conclude with relevance of these findings to schools and suggestions for further research.
Shaping State Fracking Policies in the United States
Authors: Davis Charles E.
Published: June 2017

This article presents an overview of research focusing on how state and local governments have regulated oil and gas over the past decade following the expanded industry use of new technologies like hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling. A consequence of fracking was a substantial increase in energy production accompanied by the emergence of policy concerns about how resource development and jobs could be balanced with efforts to maintain environmental quality. Researchers have dealt with three key concerns in the following sections: (1) determining whether state and local officials can each play an important role in developing policies affecting oil and gas drilling activities, (2) examining how state regulators deal with environmental and health impacts associated with fracking, and (3) looking at how state policy decisions have been shaped taking into account both state-level political and economic characteristics and agency resources and political will.
Family and cultural contexts of parental discipline and children’s adjustment
Authors: Lansford Jennifer E.
Published: June 2017

A special section of the International Journal of Behavioral Development (IJBD) devoted to the topic ‘Family and Cultural Contexts of Parental Discipline and Children’s Adjustment.’
Efficient and robust deep networks for semantic segmentation
Authors: Oliveira Gabriel L , Bollen Claas , Burgard Wolfram , Brox Thomas
Published: June 2017

This paper explores and investigates deep convolutional neural network architectures to increase the efficiency and robustness of semantic segmentation tasks. The proposed solutions are based on up-convolutional networks. We introduce three different architectures in this work. The first architecture, called Part-Net, is designed to tackle the specific problem of human body part segmentation and to provide robustness to overfitting and body part occlusion. The second network, called Fast-Net, is a network specifically designed to provide the smallest computation load without losing representation power. Such an architecture is capable of being run on mobile GPUs. The last architecture, called M-Net, aims to maximize the robustness characteristics of deep semantic segmentation approaches through multiresolution fusion. The networks achieve state-of-the-art performance on the PASCAL Parts dataset and competitive results on the KITTI dataset for road and lane segmentation. Moreover, we introduce a new part segmentation dataset, the Freiburg City dataset, which is designed to bring semantic segmentation to highly realistic robotics scenarios. Additionally, we present results obtained with a ground robot and an unmanned aerial vehicle and a full system to explore the capabilities of human body part segmentation in the context of human–robot interaction.
Can MRI detect pulmonary hypertension in a population pre-selected by echocardiography?
Authors: Venner Clement , Odille Freddy , Voilliot Damien , Chaouat Ari , Chabot François , Felblinger Jacques , Bonnemains Laurent
Published: June 2017

Background

The place of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains controversial. Several studies proposed to use MRI to assess pulmonary pressure but the level of proof is low.

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic power of cardiac MRI within a non-selected population of patients suspected of PH after an echocardiography.

Material and Methods

Fifty-six consecutive patients, suspected of PH after an echocardiography, were assessed with right heart catheterization and cardiac MRI (including a high temporal resolution pulmonary flow curve). We extracted from the MRI data the main parameters proposed by all precedent studies available in the literature. We looked for multivariate linear relations between those parameters and the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), and eventually assessed with a logit regression the ability of those parameters to diagnose PH in our population.

Results

The multivariate model retained only two parameters: the right ventricle ejection fraction and the pulmonary trunk minimum area. The prediction of mPAP (r2 = 0.5) yielded limits of agreement of 15 mmHg. However, the prediction of PH within the population was feasible and the method yielded a specificity of 80% for a sensitivity of 100%.

Conclusion

The performance of MRI to assess mPAP is too low to be used as a replacement for right heart catheterization but MRI could be used as second line examination after echocardiography to avoid right heart catheterization for normal patients.
Dispositions: An Integrational Analysis
Authors: Chung Daihyun
Published: June 2017

Whereas the Humean accounts of causality in terms of contiguity, temporal priority, constant conjunction, and contingency face difficulties of one sort, the dispositional explanations of causality in terms of reciprocity, simultaneity, ubiquity, and holism seem to meet difficulties of another sort. But the difficulties which dispositionalism faces may be dissipated if one can appeal consistently to the logic of naturalism, rather than to the grammar of an implicit dualism, for example, as it is illustrated when G. Molnar tried to advance the analogy between the mental intentionality and the physical intentionality.

The notion of integration is taken to allow a conceptual space for naturalism of one kind. It may be expressed in the thesis that there is integrationality in any entity like dispositions, such that the integrationality is a power to realize the embedded objective of it in the context where it interacts with all others. The thesis would help to see how dispositions can be intentional, how the notion of information may be read integrationally from any object, and how the notion of fitting plays a role in the metaphysics of integrationality.
In vitro evaluation of cobalt oxide nanoparticle-induced toxicity
Authors: Abudayyak Mahmoud , Gurkaynak Tuba Altincekic , Özhan Gül
Published: June 2017

Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles have applications in nanomedicine and nanotechnology; therefore, any possible adverse effects require thorough investigation. The present study investigated the effects of Co3O4 nanoparticles on four different cell lines: liver, HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells; lung, A549 lung carcinoma cells; gastrointestinal, Caco-2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells; and nervous system, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. A difference was observed in cell sensitivity toward Co3O4 nanoparticles. Co3O4 nanoparticles were taken up by all the cell types. However, no cell death was observed in HepG2, Caco-2, or SH-SY5Y cells; only A549 cells showed cytotoxicity at relatively high exposure concentrations. Co3O4 nanoparticles did not induce DNA damage or apoptosis in the cell lines tested except in A549. Interestingly, Co3O4 nanoparticles induced cellular oxidative damage in all cell types except Caco-2, resulting in increased malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels and decreased glutathione levels. According to our results, it could be indicated that high concentrations of Co3O4 nanoparticles affected the pulmonary system but were unlikely to affect the liver, nervous system, or gastrointestinal system. Co3O4 nanoparticles might be safely used for industrial, commercial, and nanomedical applications if dose rates are adjusted depending on the route of exposure. However, further in vivo and in vitro studies are required to confirm the safety of Co3O4 nanoparticles.
Environmental Dysfunctions, Childhood Maltreatment and Women’s Intimate Partner Violence Victimization
Authors: Cascio Maria Lo , Guarnaccia Cinzia , Infurna Maria Rita , Mancuso Laura , Parroco Anna Maria , Giannone Francesca
Published: June 2017

Childhood maltreatment is considered a crucial explanatory variable for intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood. However, a developmental multifactorial model for the etiology of IPV is not shared by researchers yet. This study has investigated the role of a wide range of childhood maltreatments and family and social dysfunctions in predicting IPV; furthermore, it tests a model where childhood maltreatment mediates the relationship between environmental dysfunctions and IPV. The sample included 78 women: IPV (38) and non-IPV (40). The Italian version of the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA) Interview was used to assess the presence of adverse childhood experiences. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2) and the IPV History Interview were used to assess IPV in the last year and lifetime, respectively. The results of a multivariate logistic regression model have indicated that only sexual (odds ratio [OR] = 4.24) and psychological (OR = 3.45) abuse significantly predicted IPV; with regard to association between IPV and environmental dysfunctions, only poor social support (OR = 8.91) significantly predicted IPV. The results of a mediation model have shown that childhood psychological and sexual abuse, in association with each other, partially mediate the relationship between poor social support and IPV. The findings from this study pinpoint poor social support as an important predictor of IPV so far neglected in the literature on the developmental antecedents of IPV. They also support the theoretical assumption according to which dysfunctional environmental variables and types of childhood maltreatment interacting with each other may influence development outcomes.
Distress Tolerance as a Mediator of the Association Between Borderline Personality Symptoms and Obsessive Relational Intrusion: An Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Reilly Meghan E. , Hines Denise A.
Published: June 2017

Obsessive relational intrusion (ORI) is the process by which a pursuer makes multiple attempts at establishing an unwanted, intimate relationship with an individual. It encompasses the more widely known behavior, stalking, which is a widespread problem, particularly among college-aged young adults. However, research on the underlying psychological processes involved in ORI and stalking perpetration is still in its infancy. Using relational goal pursuit theory and the emotional cascade model as guides to explore these processes, we investigated whether distress tolerance mediated the association between borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms and ORI, among a college student sample. Participants ( N = 224; 62.5% female; Mage = 19.6 years) were recruited from an online survey panel and through the psychology research pool at a small, Northeastern university. Consistent with our hypotheses, path modeling showed that distress tolerance was a significant partial mediator between BPD symptoms and frequency of ORI perpetration. These results seem to provide new insight into the established link between BPD symptoms and ORI, and thus may contribute to our understanding of the underlying psychology of people who engage in unwanted pursuit. Future research should look toward replicating the current findings, testing potential gender differences in the model, and exploring other predictors of both the frequency and initiation of ORI behaviors.
Young adults HIV-1 infected by vertical transmission in southern Brazil – Clinical, demographic, and virological features
Authors: Martin Beatris M , Santos Jucélia S , Scapinello Fernanda V , Ribeiro Clea EL , Gomes-da-Silva Monica M , Raboni Sonia M
Published: June 2017

Combination antiretroviral therapy promotes longer life expectancy, making it possible for perinatally HIV-infected patients to achieve adulthood. Past therapy was not always optimized, suggesting that virological and host features may also play a role in survival. The aim of this study is to describe characteristics of HIV disease progression associated with virological features in adolescents perinatally that were HIV infected. A case series was conducted including 81 patients that were in follow-up at Hospital de Clínicas/Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. Venous blood was collected to conduct tropism and viral subtype assays. The median age was 19 years old (interquartile range 18–21), and a majority of patients were female (54.3%). Viral subtype was obtained for 66 (82%) patients, and subtypes B and C were found in 34% and 59%, respectively. Tropism assay was conducted in 55 (67%) patients: 71% were R5 and 29% X4. Distribution of viral tropism and subtype shows a significant association of subtype C with R5 tropism. Subtype C is more prevalent in southern Brazil and also in the population infected with HIV by vertical transmission. Both R5 tropism and subtype C are associated with slower progression to AIDS. The survival of these patients may be related to virological features present in a benign pattern of disease progression.
A witness in the landscape: The bombing of the Forêt domaniale des Andaines and the Normandy Campaign, NW France, 1944
Authors: Capps Tunwell David , Passmore David G. , Harrison Stephan
Published: June 2017

An archaeological survey of well-preserved Second World War German supply depots and bomb craters from Allied air raids in the Forêt domaniale des Andaines, Normandy, has prompted an evaluation of the effectiveness of Allied intelligence gathering and tactical bombing of the German logistics network in advance of, and during the Normandy Campaign of June–August 1944. In conjunction with analysis of primary German and Allied archive sources, published historical accounts and aerial photographs, we demonstrate that Allied intelligence knew of the importance of the forest as a major fuel depot and attacked it with at least 46 missions over the period 13 June–4 August. However, landscape evidence demonstrates that only one of three fuel depot sites in the forest was successfully identified and partially destroyed by bombing. Allied intelligence efforts also failed to gather sufficient evidence to target one of the largest Seventh Army munitions depots in Normandy. Supply depots in the forest thus remained operational until late in the campaign and will have supported the German Mortain counter-offensive of 7–14 August. The limited success of Allied bombing in the Forêt domaniale des Andaines testifies to the difficulties in striking well-dispersed and camouflaged woodland facilities and supports the argument that the success of air power against German logistics efforts lay primarily in the degradation of the regional communications infrastructure and the Wehrmacht’s vehicle fleet rather than the destruction of supply dumps.
Further Thoughts on Kerr’s “Folly” and Repeat Offenses: Where We Are, Have Been, and Are Going
Authors: Wright Thomas A. , Stackman Richard W. , Hollwitz John , DeGroat Arthur S.
Published: June 2017

Steve Kerr’s seminal “Folly” article astutely noted that all too many organizations—and the individuals who populate them—invariably violate a fundamental law of social nature by rewarding the very behaviors that they are supposedly trying to discourage, while failing to reward the behaviors they desire to reinforce. But as Kerr notes in his interview, it is simply more than a faulty reward system that has allowed these malfunctions to continue. Building upon Kerr’s insights, we offer two proposed “Folly” updates regarding how we can create better functioning organizations. First, we discuss the provocative option that there are only two, not four, causes to the “Folly.” Second, we offer the context of character as one explanation (and possible solution) for the fact that even after more than 40 years too many organizations remain frequent repeat “Folly” offenders.
Circulating Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Basic Fibroblastic Growth Factor in Infantile Hemangioma Versus Vascular Malformations
Authors: El-Raggal Nehal M. , El-Farrash Rania A. , Saad Abeer A. , Attia Enas A. S. , Saafan Hatem A. , Shaaban Ibrahim S.
Published: June 2017

Few preliminary reports studied the utility of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for differentiation between infantile hemangiomas (IHs) and vascular malformations. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of serum VEGF and bFGF levels in differentiating IHs from vascular malformations and identifying the stage and clinical course of IHs. Serum levels of VEGF and bFGF were assessed in 60 infants and children with various cutaneous vascular anomalies defined in 3 groups: proliferating IHs (n = 25), involuting IHs (n = 23), and vascular malformations (n = 12), in comparison with their levels in 40 healthy matched control. Serum levels of VEGF and bFGF were significantly elevated in all groups as compared to control ( P < .001, respectively). Both proliferating and involuting IHs had comparable levels of both markers ( P > .05, respectively) that were significantly higher in comparison with vascular malformations ( P < .05, respectively). Significantly lower VEGF levels were found in IHs that had regressed spontaneously (n = 11) compared to those regressed by treatment (n = 37), ( P < .05); meanwhile, bFGF showed no significant difference between both groups ( P > .05). Using receiver operating characteristic curves, a combined use of VGEF and bFGF yielded a sensitivity of 85.42% and a specificity of 100% for differentiating IHs from vascular malformations. Serum VEGF and/or bFGF levels are increased in cutaneous vascular anomalies and can differentiate IHs from vascular malformations. None of these markers could help in identifying the stage of IHs. Low VEGF is associated with spontaneous regression of IHs.
Animals and Organisations: An Ethic of Care Framework
Authors: Connolly Lucy , Cullen John G.
Published: June 2017

Despite recent developments in the field of human–animal studies and a surge of growth in scholarship in this area, organisational theory has been accused of facilitating the “virtual exclusion” of the non-human animal. This article attempts to address this through its investigation of the non-human in the business and management literature within an ethic of care framework. It accomplishes this through a bibliometric review of the articles available in the Social Sciences Citation Index. The focus of investigation is the nature of the human–animal relationship within the articles. It is hoped that this framework will assist scholars in attempts to increase the visibility of animals within our organisations and enhance their moral consideration, as well as facilitate the review of other literatures relating to the marginalised within our organisations.
Binge eating and binge drinking among adolescents: The role of drinking and eating motives
Authors: Pompili Sara , Laghi Fiorenzo
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to investigate the motivations underlying binge eating and binge drinking in a sample of 302 adolescents. Our findings showed that binge eating was significantly correlated with gender, environmental, emotional, and social eating. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that emotional and environmental eating were significant positive predictors of binge eating, whereas binge drinking was significantly correlated with enhancement, social, and coping motives. Only enhancement motives were significant predictors of binge drinking. Our results support the argument that the reasons underlying binge eating and binge drinking in adolescents may be similar and may perform the same function.
#GirlsLikeUs: Trans advocacy and community building online
Authors: Jackson Sarah J , Bailey Moya , Foucault Welles Brooke
Published: June 2017

In this research, we examine the advocacy and community building of transgender women on Twitter through methods of network and discourse analysis and the theory of networked counterpublics. By highlighting the network structure and discursive meaning making of the #GirlsLikeUs network, we argue that the digital labor of trans women, especially trans women of color, represents the vanguard of struggles over self-definition. We find that trans women on Twitter, led by Janet Mock and Laverne Cox, and in response to histories of misrepresentation and ongoing marginalization and violence, deliberately curate an intersectional networked counterpublic that works to legitimize and support trans identities and advocate for trans autonomy in larger publics and counterpublics.
Experimental investigation on tribological properties of carbon fabric composites: effects of carbon nanotubes and nano-silica
Authors: Ayatollahi Majid R , Moghimi Monfared R , Barbaz Isfahani R
Published: June 2017

In this study, the effects of nano-[Formula: see text] and carbon nanotubes on the friction and wear properties of carbon-epoxy woven composites have been explored. The unfilled carbon fabric composites and carbon fabric composites filled with carbon nanotubes and nano-[Formula: see text] were fabricated by vacuum infusion process. The worn surfaces were examined and possible wear mechanisms of unfilled and filled carbon fabric composites were discussed. In addition, the friction coefficient curves of unfilled and filled carbon fabric composites were analyzed and compared. The experimental results showed that either of the two nano-particles improved the friction coefficient and wear rate of carbon fabric composites; however, better improvement was observed for nano-SiO2. By adding these nano-particles to unfilled carbon fabric composites, a primary steady-state period with a low friction coefficient appeared in the friction coefficient curve of the composites, which indicates enhancement in bonding strength between carbon fiber and epoxy matrix due to the interfacial reinforcing action of the nano-particles.
Retrograde Popliteal Access to Percutaneous Peripheral Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion of Superficial Femoral Arteries
Authors: Dumantepe Mert
Published: June 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study is to present our initial experience with the use of the retrograde popliteal artery access in patients with chronic total occlusions of superficial femoral artery (SFA).

Method:

From July 2012 to May 2014, a total of 28 patients (20 men, mean age 61.2 ± 11.5 years) with total occlusion of the SFA and good distal runoff were treated with percutaneous atherectomy, balloon angioplasty, and stenting (mean length 165.3 ± 57.5 mm, range 72-336 mm). All patients had severe claudication or critical limb ischemia, and most of the lesions were TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus classification type D (n = 21).

Results:

Technical success was achieved in all cases. In majority (26, 92.8%) of the patients, endoluminal recanalization was possible from the popliteal access; SFA recanalization in the other 2 cases was obtained through the subintimal space. During a mean follow-up of 12.9 ± 2.5 months, claudication, severity, rest pain, and toe ulcers improved significantly. Ankle–brachial index changed from 0.54 ± 0.11 to 0.91 ± 0.2 at 1 year after intervention ( P < .001), and patency rates at 1, 6, and 12 months after interventions were 100%, 92.8%, and 85.7%, respectively. One pseudoaneurysm and 1 arteriovenous fistula were found in the popliteal region on duplex examinations. There were 2 in-stent restenosis and 3 occlusions during the 12-month follow-up. These occlusions were treated with reendovascular procedures. Our secondary patency rate was 96.4%. No stent fracture was observed.

Conclusion:

The retrograde popliteal artery approach under duplex guidance can be considered as safe, efficient, and the primary SFA recanalization strategy in carefully selected patients, with competitive immediate and mid-term results.
Dynamics of Economic Growth, Investment and Trade Openness: Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Dutta Champa Bati , Haider Mohammed Ziaul , Das Debasish Kumar
Published: June 2017

This article investigates the causal relationship among foreign direct investment, domestic investment, trade openness and economic growth in Bangladesh over the period 1976–2014. Unit root tests, cointegration methods and Granger causality tests in Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) framework are used to investigate the relationships. The results of Granger causality test based on a stable VECM support a unidirectional causality running from foreign direct investment to growth, domestic investment to trade openness, growth to trade openness and bidirectional causality between domestic investment and growth and foreign direct investment and domestic investment. The results support the investment complementarities in Bangladesh.

JEL Classification: E22, F1, O40
Export Upgrading and the Extent of Structural Change in Tax Revenue in Developing Countries
Authors: Gnangnon Sèna Kimm
Published: June 2017

This article examines the relevance of export-upgrading strategy (export quality improvement and export diversification) in developing countries for the structural change in tax revenue (trade tax revenue versus domestic tax revenue). The empirical analysis suggests that the lower the degree of export upgrading (higher export concentration or low quality of export products) the higher the extent of structural change in tax revenue, that is, a tax transition reform. In the meantime, the effect of export upgrading on the extent of structural change in tax revenue appears to be conditioned on the degree of countries’ openness to international trade.

JEL Classification: H1, F14, O1
The Recent Inflation Crisis and Long-run Economic Growth in India: An Empirical Survey of Threshold Level of Inflation
Authors: Behera Jaganath , Mishra Alok Kumar
Published: June 2017

This article investigates the existence of a threshold level of inflation and how any such level affects the growth of Indian economy. The article also seeks to examine the dynamic short-run and long-run relationship between inflation and economic growth in India. By employing spline regression method to estimate the threshold level of inflation and the long-run and short-run relationships, the results show a statistically significant structural break in the relationship between inflation and economic growth at 4 per cent. The study suggests that if inflation exceeds the threshold point, that is, 4 per cent, it will negatively affect economic growth. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model bound testing cointegration suggests that there are two cointegration vectors when gross domestic product and rate of interest are considered as the dependent variables. This result confirms the existence of the long-run equilibrium relationship between economic growth, inflation, exchange rate and rate of interest. From the long-run analysis, the study found that inflation is positively related to economic growth, whereas the other variables are not significant.

JEL Classification: E4, E6
Chronic Pain and Chronic Stress: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Authors: Abdallah Chadi G , Geha Paul
Published: June 2017

Pain and stress share significant conceptual and physiological overlaps. Both phenomena challenge the body’s homeostasis and necessitate decision-making to help animals adapt to their environment. In addition, chronic stress and chronic pain share a common behavioral model of failure to extinguish negative memories. Yet, they also have discrepancies such that the final brain endophenotype of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and chronic pain appears to be different among the three conditions, and the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis remains unclear in the physiology of pain. Persistence of either stress or pain is maladaptive and could lead to compromised well-being. In this brief review, we highlight the commonalities and differences between chronic stress and chronic pain, while focusing particularly on the central role of the limbic brain. We assess the current attempts in the field to conceptualize and understand chronic pain, within the context of knowledge gained from the stress literature. The limbic brain—including hippocampus, amygdala, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex—plays a critical role in learning. These brain areas integrate incoming nociceptive or stress signals with internal state, and generate learning signals necessary for decision-making. Therefore, the physiological and structural remodeling of this learning circuitry is observed in conditions such as chronic pain, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, and is also linked to the risk of onset of these conditions.
Readmissions to Different Hospitals After Common Surgical Procedures and Consequences for Implementation of Perioperative Surgical Home Programs
Authors: Dexter Franklin , Epstein Richard H. , Sun Eric C. , Lubarsky David A. , Dexter Elisabeth U.
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND:

We consider whether there should be greater priority of information sharing about postacute surgical resources used: (1) at skilled nursing facilities or inpatient rehabilitation hospitals to which patients are transferred upon discharge (when applicable) versus (2) at different hospitals where readmissions occur. Obtaining and storing data electronically from these 2 sources for Perioperative Surgical Home initiatives are dissimilar; both can be challenging depending on the country and health system.

METHODS:

Using the 2013 US Nationwide Readmissions Database, we studied discharges of surgical diagnosis-related group (DRG) with US national median length of stay (LOS) ≥ 3 days and ≥ 10 hospitals each with ≥ 100 discharges for the Medicare Severity DRG.

RESULTS:

Nationwide, 16.15% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.14%–17.22%) of discharges were with a disposition of “not to home” (ie, transfer to a skilled nursing facility or an inpatient rehabilitation hospital). Within 30 days, 0.88% of discharges (0.82%–0.95%) were followed by readmission and to a different hospital than the original hospital where the surgery was performed. Among all discharges, disposition “not to home” versus “to home” was associated with greater odds that the patient would have readmission within 30 days and to a different hospital than where the surgery was performed (2.11, 95% CI, 1.96–2.27; P < .0001). In part, this was because disposition “not to home” was associated with greater odds of readmission to any hospital (1.90, 95% CI, 1.82–1.98; P < .0001). In addition, among the subset of discharges with readmission within 30 days, disposition “not to home” versus “to home” was associated with greater odds that the readmission was to a different hospital than where the surgery was performed (1.20, 95% CI, 1.11–1.31; P < .0001). There was no association between the hospitals’ median LOS for the DRG and the odds that readmission was to a different hospital (P = .82). The odds ratio per each 1 day decrease in the hospital median LOS was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.91–1.12).

CONCLUSIONS:

Departments and hospitals wishing to demonstrate the value of their Perioperative Surgical Home initiatives, or to calculate risk assumption contracts, should ensure that their informatics priorities include obtaining accurate data on resource use at postacute care facilities such as skilled nursing facilities. Although approximately a quarter of readmissions are to different hospitals than where surgery was performed, provided that is recognized, obtaining those missing data is of less importance.
Falls From the O.R. or Procedure Table
Authors: Prielipp Richard C. , Weinkauf Julia L. , Esser Thomas M. , Thomas Brian J. , Warner Mark A.
Published: June 2017

Patient safety secured by constant vigilance remains a primary responsibility of every anesthesia professional. Although significant attention has been focused on patient falls occurring before and after surgery, a potentially catastrophic complication is when patients fall off an operating room or procedure table during anesthesia care. Because such events are (fortunately) uncommon, and because very little information is published in our literature, we queried 2 independent closed claims databases (the American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims Project and the secure records of a private, anesthesia specialty-specific liability insurer) for information. We acquired documentation of patient events where a fall occurred during anesthesia care, noting the surrounding conditions of the provider, the patient, and the environment at the time of the event. We identified 21 claims (1.2% of cases) from the American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims Project, while information from a private liability insurer identified falls in only 0.07% of cases. The percentage of these patients under general, regional, or monitored anesthesia care anesthesia was 71.5%, 19.5%, and 9.5%, respectively. To educate personnel about these uncommon events, we summarized this cohort with illustrative examples in a series of mini-case reports, noting that both inpatients and outpatients undergoing a broad array of procedures with various anesthetic techniques within and outside operating rooms may be vulnerable to patient falls. Based on detailed reports, we created 2 supplementary videos to further illuminate some of the unique mechanisms by which these events and their resulting injuries occur. When such information was available, we also noted the associated liability costs of defending and settling malpractice claims associated with these events. Our goal is to inform anesthesia and perioperative personnel about the common patient, provider, and environmental risk factors that appear to contribute to these mishaps, and suggest key strategies to mitigate the risks.