bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivities of the NCEP Global Forecast System
Authors: Wang Jih-Wang A. , Sardeshmukh Prashant D. , Compo Gilbert P. , Whitaker Jeffrey S. , Slivinski Laura C. , McColl Chesley M. , Pegion Philip J.
Published: February 2019

An important issue in developing a forecast system is its sensitivity to additional observations for improving initial conditions, to the data assimilation (DA) method used, and to improvements in the forecast model. These sensitivities are investigated here for the Global Forecast System (GFS) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Four parallel sets of 7-day ensemble forecasts were generated for 100 forecast cases in mid-January to mid-March 2016. The sets differed in their 1) inclusion or exclusion of additional observations collected over the eastern Pacific during the El Niño Rapid Response (ENRR) field campaign, 2) use of a hybrid 4D–EnVar versus a pure EnKF DA method to prepare the initial conditions, and 3) inclusion or exclusion of stochastic parameterizations in the forecast model. The Control forecast set used the ENRR observations, hybrid DA, and stochastic parameterizations. Errors of the ensemble-mean forecasts in this Control set were compared with those in the other sets, with emphasis on the upper-tropospheric geopotential heights and vorticity, midtropospheric vertical velocity, column-integrated precipitable water, near-surface air temperature, and surface precipitation. In general, the forecast errors were found to be only slightly sensitive to the additional ENRR observations, more sensitive to the DA methods, and most sensitive to the inclusion of stochastic parameterizations in the model, which reduced errors globally in all the variables considered except geopotential heights in the tropical upper troposphere. The reduction in precipitation errors, determined with respect to two independent observational datasets, was particularly striking.
Aggressive Policing and the Educational Performance of Minority Youth
Authors: Legewie Joscha , Fagan Jeffrey
Published: February 2019

An increasing number of minority youth experience contact with the criminal justice system. But how does the expansion of police presence in poor urban communities affect educational outcomes? Previous research points at multiple mechanisms with opposing effects. This article presents the first causal evidence of the impact of aggressive policing on minority youths’ educational performance. Under Operation Impact, the New York Police Department (NYPD) saturated high-crime areas with additional police officers with the mission to engage in aggressive, order-maintenance policing. To estimate the effect of this policing program, we use administrative data from more than 250,000 adolescents age 9 to 15 and a difference-in-differences approach based on variation in the timing of police surges across neighborhoods. We find that exposure to police surges significantly reduced test scores for African American boys, consistent with their greater exposure to policing. The size of the effect increases with age, but there is no discernible effect for African American girls and Hispanic students. Aggressive policing can thus lower educational performance for some minority groups. These findings provide evidence that the consequences of policing extend into key domains of social life, with implications for the educational trajectories of minority youth and social inequality more broadly.
Buprenorphine Overdose in Young Children: An Underappreciated Risk
Authors: Lo Re Meike , Chaplin Margaret , Aronow Benjamin , Modesto-Lowe Vania
Published: February 2019

The escalation of the opioid crisis has led to an increase in the treatment of opioid use disorder. In particular, recent legislation has allowed for office-based treatment with buprenorphine, a partial µ-opioid agonist that is believed to be safer than methadone due to a ceiling effect on respiratory depression in adults. An increasing number of children are being exposed to buprenorphine as more adults in US households receive take-home prescriptions. The ceiling effect seen in adults does not seem to apply to young children, and intoxication with severe symptoms including fatalities can occur. This article outlines the pharmacology of buprenorphine and reviews the current literature on overdose in children. We conclude with practical recommendations for limiting potential exposure and damage to children from accidental buprenorphine overdose.
Application of Unit-Level Cost Transparency, Education, Enhanced Audit, and Feedback of Anonymized Peer Ranking to Promote Judicious Use of 25% Albumin in Critical Care Units
Authors: Udeh Chiedozie I. , Wanek Matthew , Udeh Belinda L. , Hata J. Steven
Published: February 2019

Objective: Hyperoncotic 25% albumin is widely used for fluid resuscitation in intensive care units. However, this practice remains controversial. By 2012 in our intensive care unit, annual 25% albumin expenditures had steadily increased to exceed $1 million. This prompted efforts to promote more judicious use. Design: Prospective time series cohort analysis using statistical process control charts. Setting: Seventy-six-bed quaternary level cardiovascular surgical intensive care unit (CVICU), organized into 6 adjacent units. Patients: Adult cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery patients admitted postoperatively to the CVICU during the study period. Interventions: Over 12 months starting March 2013, we sequentially implemented unit-level 25% albumin cost transparency, provider education, and individualized audit and feedback of anonymized peer ranking of albumin prescriptions. Measurements and Main Results: C control charts were used for analysis of monthly unit-level direct albumin costs for 20 months. Balance measures including red cell transfusions, number of diagnoses of pleural effusions, and length of stay were also tracked. Monthly average albumin expenditures had decreased 61% by December 2014, and there was no evidence of adverse changes in any of the balance measures. These reductions have been sustained. Conclusion: Sequential implementation of multimodal strategies can alter clinician practices to achieve substantial unit-level reduction in 25% albumin utilization without harm to patients.
Gandhi and Hinduism
Authors: Mishra Ravi K.
Published: February 2019

Gandhi’s relationship with Hinduism and other religio-cultural traditions has generally been understood as part of a narrative of uniformity in which there is little scope for internal variations and ambiguities. One of the most important consequences of this uniformity is that the complexities and subtleties of Gandhi’s approaches to the questions of religious and cultural spheres as well as identities are often not given the attention they deserve. Whereas Gandhi carried on a lifelong campaign for the reform of the Hindu society, his self-description as an orthodox or sanatani Hindu also holds important meanings for our understanding of him, especially in view of the fact that he was among the few leaders and thinkers of modern India who accepted and defended what may be described as popular Hinduism. The idea of the equality of all religions implying that all religions are equally true provided the template for his interface with Islam, Christianity and other traditions, without, however, denying the existence and relevance of difference in forms between various religions. Approaching politics as a deeply religious man, he had a lifelong engagement with Hindu leaders and organisations wherein the complexities of his perspective are clearly expressed.
Peacekeeping Effectiveness and Blue Helmets’ Distance from Locals
Authors: Bove Vincenzo , Ruggeri Andrea
Published: February 2019

United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions are complex social organizations, with soldiers coming from several countries. In this environment, effective communication and interactions with local populations are often difficult, and establishing essential local support can be jeopardized when soldiers are culturally distant from local communities. At the same time, however, when local populations perceive peacekeepers as sufficiently distant or unbiased, the promotion of cooperation is enhanced. We explore whether cultural distance—in terms of geography, language, and religion—and social distance—in terms of economy and institutions—between the peacekeepers and the local population improve the operational capabilities of a mission. We use monthly information on UN peacekeeping missions’ composition from 1990 to 2015. We find that higher geographic and cultural distances correspond to higher levels of violence against civilians and higher battle deaths, whereas institutional and economic differences have the opposite effects, although these are less robust.
Understanding the relations between farmers’ seed demand and research methods: The challenge to do better
Authors: Almekinders Conny JM , Beumer Koen , Hauser Michael , Misiko Michael , Gatto Marcel , Nkurumwa Agnes O , Erenstein Olaf
Published: February 2019

Although the development of improved seeds has witnessed significant advances over the last decades, the adoption of improved seeds and varieties by smallholder farmers is variable. This suggests that research methods for studying farmers’ seed demand are not yielding information that reflects the real-life decisions and behaviours of farmers in the choice and acquisition of their seeds. We suggest that research methods for analysing farmers’ seed demand shape seed availability. This is supported by the theory of social life of methods. We argue that access to and attractiveness of seed are highly context-specific for a farmer, for example, influenced by his/her social position, the role of the crop or variety in the farming system, the linkage to the market, agro-ecological conditions, and that context is highly variable. We also argue that many of our research methods are weak on capturing real-life context and provide fragmented snapshot-nature understanding and biases of farmers preferences and needs for seeds. We call for more integrated understanding of seed systems as a whole and a more holistic methodological research approach that better captures the variable real-life context of farmers while providing the metrics that are needed by seed actors and policymakers to enable informed decisions.
Signs of cognitive dysfunction in adult players of club level rugby
Authors: Zoccola Diana , Shuttleworth-Edwards Ann B , Radloff Sarah E
Published: February 2019

The objective of this study was to investigate players of club level Rugby Union (hereafter rugby) over one rugby season, for signs of residual cognitive dysfunction due to repeated concussive events incurred during long-term participation in the sport. Adult male players of club level rugby, without a diagnosis of a concussion during the season ( n = 20), were compared with non-contact club level sports participants ( n = 22) of equivalent sex, age, education, and estimated IQ at pre-, mid-, and post-season intervals. Measures included the ImPACT Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites, and the Purdue Pegboard test. Statistical group comparisons revealed consistently poorer performance for rugby players compared with controls for ImPACT Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites at all test intervals, and for the Purdue Pegboard tasks at the first two test intervals. Repeat measures comparisons across the three test intervals demonstrated differential learning patterns between groups on ImPACT Visual Memory, ImPACT Reaction Time, and Purdue Both tasks, suggestive of cognitive vulnerability in the rugby group. Overall, the results reveal deleterious cognitive performance in adult club level rugby players relative to equivalent non-contact sports controls. The finding serves to endorse indications from other studies that demonstrate persistent brain injury effects in association with long-term participation in a contact sport. Recommendations for further research and management of concussion in rugby players are discussed.
Static and Dynamic Predictors of General and Violent Criminal Offense Recidivism in the Forensic Outpatient Population: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Eisenberg Mara J. , van Horn Joan E. , Dekker Judith M. , Assink Mark , van der Put Claudia E. , Hendriks Jan , Stams Geert Jan J. M.
Published: February 2019

Several meta-analyses have examined the Central Eight risk factors for reoffending in the general forensic population. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to focus exclusively on the predictive validity of risk factors for recidivism in forensic outpatients. A multilevel meta-analysis was conducted of studies in which static and dynamic risk factors were investigated as predictors of violent and/or general recidivism in forensic outpatients. Twenty-seven studies were included, with 543 effect sizes in a unique population of 116,982 adult offenders. The Central Eight risk domains were found to be predictive of violent and general recidivism; however, these factors predicted recidivism with small-to-moderate effects. Overall, in the same domain, the dynamic risk factors were more strongly related to recidivism than the static risk factors. This knowledge may be used to guide future outpatient treatment.
The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Internalizing Versus Externalizing Outcomes
Authors: Muniz Caitlyn N. , Fox Bryanna , Miley Lauren N. , Delisi Matt , Cigarran Gerald P. , Birnbaum Aliya
Published: February 2019

This study examines the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the risk of internalizing or externalizing outcomes among juveniles. While myriad research has investigated the impacts of ACEs on internalizing and externalizing outcomes, it is unclear whether ACEs have a stronger link to one outcome over the other when controlling for other factors. Using a sample of 30,909 youth who exclusively exhibited internalizing ( n = 1,030) or externalizing problems ( n = 29,879), regression techniques and propensity score matching were utilized to evaluate the impact of each ACE on the risk of internalizing versus externalizing outcomes. Results indicate that the most pertinent factor for predicting externalized problems is emotional abuse. Household member incarceration, physical abuse, emotional neglect, and household violence or substance abuse also predicted externalizing outcomes. Sexual abuse was the only ACE predictive of internalizing, while physical neglect and parental mental illness did not have a correlation with either outcome.
Nonlinear system predictive control using a multi-dimensional Taylor network
Authors: Li Chen-Long , Ma Xiao-Shuang , Zhang Jiao-Jun
Published: February 2019

A predictive control scheme on the basis of multi-dimensional Taylor network (MTN), named as MTN predictive compensation control, is proposed for single-input single-output nonlinear systems in this paper. We consider the MTN model as a one-step-ahead predictive model and train it by back-propagation (BP) algorithm with a momentum term, and then control the system by the predictive control law. Furthermore, to improve the anti-disturbance performance of the system, another MTN model is considered as the compensator and trained by a recursive least-squares algorithm to counteract the disturbance. An example is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, in which the noise disturbance is considered. For comparison, the scheme that combines a radial basis function (RBF) neural network with a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller (RBF-PID), the predictive control scheme that combines a predictive neural network with a control neural network based on a BP neural network, and MTN predictive control are introduced. In addition, the difference in computational complexity between the MTN predictive compensation control scheme and the RBF-PID scheme is also considered. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme is effective, has good anti-disturbance performance in predictive control for the nonlinear system and is superior to the other comparison schemes.
Finite-time guaranteed cost controller design for uncertain linear continuous-time singular systems
Authors: Li Bo , Wo Songlin , Zhao Junjie , Ren Xuejing
Published: February 2019

This article concerns the finite-time robust guaranteed cost control problem for a class of linear continuous-time singular systems with norm-bounded uncertainties. In this study, the problem is to design a state feedback controller such that the closed-loop system is finite-time stable, and the closed-loop cost function value is not more than a specified upper bound for all admissible uncertainties. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov function, a sufficient condition for the finite-time robust stability of the system based on linear matrix inequality (LMI) is established. Furthermore, the sufficient condition for the existence of the guaranteed cost controller is formulated in terms of LMIs, which can make the closed-loop uncertain singular system finite-time robust stable. Finally, two numerical examples are given for illustration of the proposed theoretical results.
Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors, Health Care Access, and Health Perception in Mexico-US Border States
Authors: McEwen Marylyn M. , Pasvogel Alice , Elizondo-Pereo Rogelio , Meester Irene , Vargas-Villarreal Javier , González-Salazar Francisco
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe diabetes self-management behaviors, diabetes health care access, and health perception for Mexican adults and Hispanics residing in the Mexico-US border region.

Methods

This study used data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey diabetes items (n = 26) to assess characteristics of Hispanics in 4 Arizona border counties (n = 216) and cross-sectional data from a modified BRFSS in a convenience sample of adults residing in Monterrey, Mexico (n = 351). Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics with SPSS.

Results

The Mexico cohort was younger than the Arizona cohort (59.36 [11.5] vs 65.54 [11.1], respectively) and the mean length of time with type 2 diabetes was similar. Less than 10% (9.7%) of the Arizona cohort reported never monitoring blood glucose compared to 22.5% of the Mexico cohort. The mean (SD) number of times in the past 12 months the Mexico cohort saw their health care provider was 9.09 (6.8) vs 4.49 (8.3) for the Arizona cohort. Despite provider access, there were differences in self-management behaviors between the cohorts.

Conclusions

Due to environmental and policy factors in the Mexico-US border region, there continues to be a gap in evidence-based practice and uptake of self-management behaviors for adults with diabetes. Resources such as the BRFSS and shared practice guidelines would bridge this gap.
Histological Changes of the Testicular Interstitium during Postnatal Development in Microminipigs
Authors: Kangawa Akihisa , Otake Masayoshi , Enya Satoko , Yoshida Toshinori , Shibata Masatoshi
Published: February 2019

Microminipigs have become an attractive animal model for the toxicology- and pharmacology-related studies because of their manageable size. In this study, the development of the testicular interstitium and steroidogenesis in microminipigs, from 0 to 12 months of age, were investigated. Testicular interstitium was mostly composed of two types of Leydig cells (large and small Leydig cells) and a few macrophages and mast cells. Large Leydig cells were observed in the peritubular area throughout all the ages. Small Leydig cells were present in the interlobular and subcapsular areas at an early age and then gradually converted into large Leydig cells. Testicular composition of the Leydig cells began to increase after 3 months of age, when spermatogenesis was completed, and reached approximately 35% at 12 months. Steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig cells were detected by immunohistochemistry from 0 month of age. Serum testosterone levels increased substantially from 1.5 to 4.5 months of age, which coincided well with the age of sexual development previously reported in microminipigs. Because the interstitial space of the testis has dramatic variations between species, the basic information obtained in the present study will be a useful reference for all the future toxicity evaluations in microminipigs.
Comparison of two cardiopulmonary bypass strategies with a miniaturized tubing system: a propensity score–based analysis
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Meng Baoying , Wu Keye , Ding Yiqun
Published: February 2019

Introduction:

The existing cardiopulmonary bypass tubing system has already been significantly improved in our hospital by reducing the priming volume; thus, we further employed a new cardiopulmonary bypass strategy in children based on a miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of new and conventional strategies by analyzing the outcomes after congenital heart surgery.

Methods:

We performed a database analysis of all patients undergoing congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital from 1 May 2015 to 30 June 2017. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for significant covariates, and multivariable regression models and stratified analysis were used to assess the association of cardiopulmonary bypass strategy with outcomes.

Results:

Of 925 total patients, 55.35% were in the conventional strategy group and 44.65% were in the new strategy group. After propensity score matching, there were 610 patients in total, with 305 patients in each group. In the multivariable regression models, the cardiopulmonary bypass strategy was not significantly associated with successful early extubation (p > 0.05), reintubation (p > 0.05), or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (p > 0.05) rates. The new strategy group had fewer hospital stays (p = 0.04) and intensive care unit stays (p < 0.05) compared with patients who underwent conventional strategy. The difference remained statistically significant (p < 0.05) when The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery category was <3.

Conclusion:

The implementation of a new cardiopulmonary bypass strategy, with selective ultrafiltration based on a miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass circuit system, was safe and effective for children who underwent congenital heart surgery in a Chinese hospital. The new cardiopulmonary bypass strategy was associated with fewer hospital and intensive care unit stays.
Tamoxifen for bipolar disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Palacios Jorge , Yildiz Ayşegül , Young Allan H , Taylor Matthew J
Published: February 2019

Background:

Tamoxifen is an oral medication that has been proposed as a potential treatment for bipolar disorder. Tamoxifen acts to inhibit the intracellular action of protein kinase C, which is also an action of well-established treatments such as lithium and valproate. Here we aimed to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of tamoxifen in the treatment of bipolar disorder and synthesise their results using meta-analysis.

Methods:

RCTs were identified by searching of electronic databases and from discussion with experts in the field. Data were extracted, and meta-analyses performed in R.

Results:

Five placebo-controlled RCTs of tamoxifen in the treatment of acute mania were identified. There were no trials in the treatment of episodes of bipolar depression, or for relapse prevention. The studies of mania treatment were of between three and six weeks duration. Tamoxifen was studied either as monotherapy (two trials) or as augmentation of lithium or valproate (three trials). Change in mania scale scores favoured tamoxifen over placebo: SMD −2.14 (95% CI −3.39 to −0.89; 4 trials), as did endpoint mania scale scores SMD 1.23 (95% CI 0.60–1.87; 5 trials). Response rates were also higher: RR 4.35 (1.99–9.50; 4 trials). Acceptability was similar to placebo: RR 1.03 (0.94–1.13; 5 trials).

Conclusions:

Tamoxifen appears to be a promising potential treatment for episodes of mania. Future studies could investigate its effects as an adjunct to dopamine antagonists for improved anti-manic efficacy, and establish its longer term effects on mood, particularly depression and relapse.
The Relationship Between Adolescents’ Personality and Neurasthenia: A Comparison of Australian and Chinese
Authors: Ye Lin , Zhu Gu , Martin Nick , Liu Yangyang
Published: February 2019

The aim of the present study was to examine the cross-cultural differences in the relationship between personality traits and neurasthenia across early adolescence. The participants were from Australia and China. Adolescents’ personality was measured by the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and neurasthenia was measured by the Somatic and Psychological Health Report. Structural equation modeling showed that neuroticism significantly predicted neurasthenia for both Chinese and Australian adolescents. Multigroup comparisons indicated that the strength of the relationship between neuroticism and neurasthenia was consistent across Australian and Chinese adolescents. Our findings imply that the relationship between personality traits and neurasthenia is consistent across different cultures.
Shashotep-Shutb: An Ancient City Rediscovered
Authors: Regulski Ilona , Bunbury Judith , Marchand Sylvie , Gabel Ann-Cathrin , Chauvet Barbara
Published: February 2019

The British Museum Asyut Region Project aims at reconstructing and preserving the deep history of the Asyut region through survey and documentation of its pharaonic and post-pharaonic heritage, including the varied responses of local communities who live atop the layers of history below. Two initial field seasons have concentrated on the modern village of Shutb, 5 km south of Asyut, which is believed to perch on top of the remains of ancient Shashotep. Documentation of (part of) the tell and an augering survey in its immediate surroundings confirm the presence of ancient remains underneath the modern village. Engagement with the most recent layers of history includes the documentation of Shutb’s outstanding vernacular architecture and capacity building and awareness sessions with local stakeholders.
Simplified Method for Laterally Loaded Short Piles in Cohesionless Soil
Authors: Aguilar Victor , Stallings J. Michael , Anderson J. Brian , Nowak Andrzej
Published: February 2019

Rigorous estimation of the lateral load resistance of piles requires advanced modeling techniques with consideration of the three-dimensionality of the problem. However, the scope of the project, the timeframe, the available geotechnical information, or the budget, often do not justify an advanced approach. There is a need for simplified, user-friendly, yet accurate procedure when advanced calculations are not justified. Simplified methods are also useful for predesign and checking the order of magnitude of results from more complex analysis techniques. Several simplified methods are available for estimating the lateral load capacity of short piles in cohesionless soil. However, these methods frequently produce significantly different results. This study responds to this problem by reviewing methods commonly used in practice and offering a new alternative. Laboratory and field test data from the published literature are used to assess the accuracy of a selected group of methods for predicting the lateral load capacity statistically. In this paper, a new simplified method for calculating the lateral load resistance and displacement is proposed. It was derived using the principle of minimum potential energy.
Getting the Attention of Drivers Back on Passive Railway Level Crossings: Evaluation of Advanced Flashing Lights
Authors: Larue Grégoire S. , Watling Christopher N. , Black Alexander A. , Wood Joanne M.
Published: February 2019

Improving safety at railway level crossings remains a priority for the rail industry internationally, as they remain a significant hazard. A high proportion of collisions occur at passive level crossings, because of their high prevalence and their lower effectiveness at mitigating the risks that road users encounter at such crossings. The unreasonable cost required to upgrade them to incorporate active warnings implies that such crossings will remain on the road, and that alternative approaches are required. Drivers tend to make errors at such crossings, and this can be related to approaching such level crossings at speeds that are too high, exhibiting reduced scanning behaviors to look for trains, and not complying with stop signs at the crossing. An alternative approach is to upgrade the advanced signage with active flashing lights activated by road vehicles, aimed at reducing looked-but-failed-to-see errors and reinforcing the behavior expected from road users at such crossings. A field trial was conducted in New Zealand that evaluated how approach speeds and the visual scanning behavior of 27 drivers, recorded with an eye tracker, changed with such treatments. It was found that the presence of road vehicle-activated advanced signage provided a range of benefits for drivers unaware of the presence of a passive crossings, such as increasing drivers’ attention to road signs through drivers fixating on signage for longer durations and reduced (slower) approach speeds. Further research is needed to evaluate whether these benefits are sustained over time, and whether this can minimize complacency resulting from familiarity.
Predicting Third-Grade Mathematics Achievement: A Longitudinal Investigation of the Role of Early Numeracy Skills
Authors: Kiss Allyson J. , Nelson Gena , Christ Theodore J.
Published: February 2019

Despite the vast research on the early predictors of mathematics achievement, little research has investigated the predictors of various domains of mathematics (e.g., geometry, statistics). The purpose of the present study was to examine the predictive relation between first-grade early numeracy and computation skills and third-grade mathematics achievement as measured by a state test. Furthermore, we explored the relations between these measures for students who were Below Proficient and Proficient. Findings suggest that proficiency level matters when examining the relation between mathematics skills. Also, there are different patterns of significant predictors depending on the domain of later mathematics achievement and whether or not reading achievement was considered. Findings are discussed in the context of mathematics learning for students with mathematics difficulty.
Development and Initial Validation of Perceived Research Environment Scale for Higher Education Academics
Authors: Sawitri Dian R. , Creed Peter A. , Nurtjahjanti Harlina , Prasetyo Anggun R.
Published: February 2019

There is a growing interest in the perceived research environment for higher education academics. As there is no existing, psychometrically sound scale that directly measures perceived research environment for higher education academics, we designed and validated the Perceived Research Environment Scale for use with this population. In Phase 1, items were developed based on a review of literature, six focus groups, and expert judgment. In Phase 2, the items were then administered to a sample of Indonesian academics ( N = 306, M age = 42.29 years). Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to reduce the number of items and determine the factor structure. In Phase 3, confirmatory factor analyses were used on a hold-out sample ( N = 292, M age = 43.39) to confirm this structure. In Phase 4, we provided evidence for construct validity. The practical uses of this newly developed scale are discussed.
Replacing Truth with Social Hope and Progress with Redescription: Can the Pragmatist Philosophy of Richard Rorty Help Reinvigorate Planning?
Authors: Lester T. William
Published: February 2019

Through a review of Richard Rorty’s philosophical work and critiques of original planning documents from the Urban Renewal era, this paper makes three points. First, a pragmatist epistemological approach offers a better foundation for planning than the current communicative paradigm. Second, updating planning’s Enlightenment roots with Rorty’s view of moral progress as a process of “redescription” can help reduce the anxiety planners feel in putting forward bold visions. Last, Rorty’s concept of the liberal ironist provides an interesting model for planners that sees equal value in the contributions made by both the Jane Jacobs’s and Robert Moses’s of the field.
Measuring food poverty in Ireland: The importance of including exclusion
Authors: Healy Amy Erbe
Published: February 2019

Food poverty is multi-faceted. While it is certainly about having enough, nutritious food, it is also about the cultural acceptability of diet and the ability to participate in customary activities associated with food. Within the Irish Survey of Income and Living Conditions (SILC), there are deprivation indicators that make it possible to monitor many aspects of food poverty – nutritional adequacy, absolute deprivation, cultural acceptability and social inclusion. However, within the composite official food poverty indicator, only nutritional deficiency, absolute and cultural deprivation are included. Those households experiencing only social exclusion vis-a-vis food are classified as non-food poor households. This paper analyses this group of households using Irish Survey of Income and Living Conditions data for 2015. These households – households who are not officially classified as food poor, but who cannot afford to entertain family or friends with food and/or drink once a month – are much more likely than non-food poor households to be experiencing multiple deprivations, to be unable to afford many household amenities, and, if employed, to be employed in jobs often associated with the working poor.
“It Doesn’t Freak Us Out the Way It Used to”: An Evaluation of the Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation Program to Inform Practice and Policy Screening for IPV
Authors: Burnett Camille , Crowder Jolie , Bacchus Loraine J. , Schminkey Donna , Bullock Linda , Sharps Phyllis , Campbell Jacquelyn
Published: February 2019

The Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation (DOVE) intervention used in the Perinatal Nurse Home Visiting Intervention Enhanced With mHealth Technology (RCT: R01HD071771) is a nurse-lead evidenced-based intervention that has been shown to decrease violence overtime. This summative mixed-methods impact evaluation is intended to provide insight to enhance the DOVE IPV protocol for screening and intervention by (a) identifying which core aspects of DOVE facilitated or inhibited its success and what was most critical to optimal IPV (intimate partner violence) screening and intervention practices, (b) informing how DOVE IPV screening and intervention were influenced by the experiences of home visitor (HV), and (c) identifying policy considerations and best practice recommendations for the DOVE protocol. Participants were HVs and managers ( N = 13) in rural/urban home visiting programs delivering DOVE across three states. The sample had a mean age of 48.76. Three fourths were baccalaureate-prepared nurses with an average of 10.5 years of home visiting experience. The method used in this study was one-to-one qualitative in-depth interviews with HVs. Data were interpretively analyzed using Nvivo 10 to generate three themes. Participants endorsed screening women for IPV with DOVE being the approach of choice to facilitate IPV screening and intervening with women. HVs found DOVE helped enhance their IPV knowledge, screening, and intervening capabilities while filling an existing void in this type of preparation of HV nurses. Establishing a relationship with the women before initiating screening was an important aspect in delivering DOVE as was the training, support, and increased comfort level in addressing IPV. The evidence offers an understanding of which core aspects of DOVE contributed to its success and what was most critical to optimal IPV screening and intervention practices. Furthermore, this evaluation provided multilevel insights into how best to advance home visiting practices and policies when screening and intervening with perinatal women exposed to IPV.
The Impact of Stalking-Related Fear and Gender on Personal Safety Outcomes
Authors: Logan TK , Walker Robert
Published: February 2019

Research has consistently found that more women worry about their personal safety and feel vulnerable to most every crime compared with men suggesting there is a gender fear gap. Environmental risk and prior victimization history impact concerns about personal safety. However, few studies include stalking as part of the victimization history. Two reasons studies may not include stalking are that adding more questions to a research assessment increases participant burden and measurement of stalking has not always been clear. The current study used a community sample of 2,719 men and women and a five-item stalking assessment to examine the prevalence and impact of stalking and stalking-related fear on concern about personal safety, perceived vulnerability to an attack, perceptions that risk of victimization is higher due to personal characteristics, discomfort when thinking about safety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms controlling for victimization history, age, and environment risk by gender. Overall, 30% of women and 12% of men experienced stalking using the extreme fear standard which is double the national rates. Stalking-related fear, for both women and men, was associated with all of the outcome measures. Furthermore, there were significant main effects of gender after controlling for stalking-related fear on three of the outcomes consistent with the gender fear gap. Based on these results, research studies should consider including stalking as part of the victimization history as it is likely to impact health and mental health outcomes as well as personal safety concerns and responses for both men and women.
Incentives, Mandates, and Taxes: When Doing More Equates to Learning More
Authors: Terry Paul E.
Published: February 2019

A recent District Court decision held that the Affordable Care Act (ACA), absent a tax penalty relating to the individual mandate, was unconstitutional. This follows on a Circuit Court decision that the ACA wellness provisions should be nullified. This editorial reviews the similarities and differences between the rulings and asks if a reasonable person would believe that offering financial incentives aimed at supporting a modicum of effort at self-care is rational. One survey of employers and health care consumers indicates 91 percent of those surveyed agree that wellness programs are a perk that helps employees improve health and, interestingly, the same percent agree these programs are sponsored by employers to cut costs. Where some may view the cost containment objectives of employee wellness as dubious, it's a minority view. Still, some minorities should and do carry inordinate sway in public health such as the small percent of those living with chronic conditions who are unwilling to participate in a healthy living program that is associated with their receiving full benefits. Are incentives a worthwhile strategy if they fail to motivate those who would benefit most from health improvement?
Fast pyrolysis bio-oil from lignocellulosic biomass for the development of bio-based cyanate esters and cross-linked networks
Authors: Barde Mehul , Edmunds Charles Warren , Labbé Nicole , Auad Maria Lujan
Published: February 2019

Fast pyrolysis of pine wood was carried out to yield a liquid bio-oil mixture that was separated into organic and aqueous phases. The organic phase (ORG-bio-oil) was characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy, 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was further used as a raw material for producing a mixture of biphenolic compounds (ORG-biphenol). ORG-bio-oil, ORG-biphenol, and bisphenol-A were reacted with cyanogen bromide to yield cyanate ester monomers. Cyanate esters were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and were thermally cross-linked to develop thermoset materials. Thermomechanical properties of cross-linked cyanate esters were assessed using dynamic mechanical analysis and compared with those of cross-linked bisphenol-A-based cyanate ester. ORG-biphenol cyanate ester was observed to have a superior glass transition temperature (350–380°C) as compared to bisphenol-A cyanate ester (190–220°C). Cyanate esters derived from bio-oil have the potential to be a sustainable alternative to the bisphenol-A-derived analog.
Fault diagnosis based on grey relational analysis and synergetic pattern recognition for aero-engine gas-path systems
Authors: Zhang Bangcheng , Chen Jing , Yin Xiaojing , Gao Zhi
Published: February 2019

The gas-path system is an important sub-system in aero-engines. There are various indistinguishable faults in aero-engine gas-path systems. These faults are easily misjudged because the characteristic parameters are similar. Due to the many kinds of faults, current studies have poor accuracy in distinguishing similar faults. To improve fault diagnosis accuracy for gas-path systems, a fault diagnosis method based on grey relational analysis and synergetic pattern recognition is proposed. In the proposed method, grey relational analysis is used to initially distinguish the faults into different types and obtain similar fault types. Synergetic pattern recognition contributes to accurately diagnose faults which are difficult to recognize. A case study is used to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed model. The results show that faults in common types of gas-path systems can be diagnosed accurately by the proposed method.
Sensor placement and moving horizon state/parameter estimation for flexible hypersonic vehicles
Authors: Chen Erkang , Jing Wuxing , Gao Changsheng
Published: February 2019

Considering the nonlinearity, uncertainty, and rigid/elastic coupling, a state/parameter joint estimation method is essential for control system design or fault diagnosis of flexible hypersonic vehicles. With the goal of improving state/parameter estimation accuracy, this paper proposes a sensor placement strategy and a moving horizon estimation algorithm with a QR-decomposition-based arrival cost update strategy (MHE-QR). To enhance observability, a novel double sensor placement strategy, in which the sensor positions are obtained via solving a constrained nonlinear optimization problem, is developed. The MHE-QR algorithm transforms the arrival cost update problem into a least square problem and solves it utilizing QR decomposition. With this QR-decomposition-based arrival update strategy, the state/parameter estimation problem is solved as a nonlinear programming problem in the framework of moving horizon estimation. Finally, the performance of sensor placement strategy and MHE-QR is evaluated by Monte Carlo simulations in 10 different scenarios. Simulation results demonstrate that the sensor placement strategy and MHE-QR algorithm can effectively improve the estimation accuracy, convergence speed and computation rate. Additionally, the CPU time of MHE-QR validates its real-time applicability.
Incidence and predictors of aorta calcification in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hu L , Chen Z , Jin Y , Jiang B , Wang X , Yu H , Yang X
Published: February 2019

Objective

Artery calcification, as subclinical atherosclerosis, is attracting attention. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of artery calcification in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods

641 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were enrolled in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were collected. Calcification score was quantified from the multi-detector computed tomography scan image using the Agatston Score method.

Results

The total incidence of artery calcification was 25.9% (166/641), of which the percentages of aorta calcium and coronary artery calcification were 23.1% (148/641) and 8.4% (54/641), respectively. In multivariate models, systemic lupus erythematosus patients with artery calcification had longer disease duration than patients without artery calcification ( p < 0.05). Presence of serositis (OR 2.559, 95%CI 1.414–4.632), pneumonia (OR 2.022, 95%CI 1.102–3.711) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score (OR 1.049, 95%CI 1.004–1.095) were independently associated with increased risk of aorta calcium, while the duration of corticosteroids use (OR 1.039, 95%CI 1.002–1.078) and cyclophosphamide therapy (OR 8.251, 95%CI 2.496–27.279) were independently associated with increased risk of coronary artery calcification in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. In systemic lupus erythematosus patients, aorta calcium was prone to occur at a younger age compared to coronary artery calcification, and aorta calcium score was positively correlated with age.

Conclusions

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients had a much earlier onset and higher incidences of aorta calcium than coronary artery calcification. Presence of serositis, pneumonia, and higher SLEDAI score may predict increased risk of aorta calcium.
Peripheral nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective study on prevalence, associated factors and outcome
Authors: Bortoluzzi A , Piga M , Silvagni E , Chessa E , Mathieu A , Govoni M
Published: February 2019

Background

Despite its potentially significant impact on disease outcome, peripheral nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus has received little attention.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical features of peripheral nervous system involvement in a large cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Methods

The records of systemic lupus erythematosus patients examined at two tertiary referral centres over a period of 14 years (from 2000 to 2014) were analyzed. Peripheral nervous system events were ascertained according to the 1999 American College of Rheumatology case definitions and by using an attribution algorithm for neuropsychiatric events. Prevalence of peripheral nervous system in systemic lupus erythematosus and demographic, clinical and laboratory features were assessed. Patients with peripheral nervous system events were compared with a control group of systemic lupus erythematosus patients without peripheral nervous system involvement.

Results

In a retrospective cohort of 1224 patients, the overall prevalence of peripheral nervous system involvement was 6.9% (85 patients, 95% confidence interval 0.06–0.08), with 68% of peripheral nervous system events attributable to systemic lupus erythematosus. Polyneuropathy was the most common manifestation observed (38 events, 39.2%), followed by cranial neuropathy in 30 cases (30.9%) and 12 cases of single (12.4%) or multiple (eight events, 8.2%) mononeuritis. The average age of systemic lupus erythematosus onset was significantly higher in patients with peripheral nervous system events than in controls (mean ± standard deviation: 45.9 ± 14.8 vs. 37.1 ± 14.0) and they were more likely to have higher SLEDAI-2K and SLICC/ACR Damage Index scores, as well as hypertension and livedo reticularis. A subgroup analysis of events deemed to be systemic lupus erythematosus-related provided similar results.

Conclusion

Peripheral nervous system manifestations are a potential complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Careful neurological assessment should therefore be included in the diagnostic workup of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, especially in those with later onset and greater damage and disease activity.