bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elder Abuse in the Iberian Peninsula and Bolivia: A Multicountry Comparative Study
Authors: Carmona-Torres Juan Manuel , Carvalhal Rosa , Gálvez-Rioja Ruth Mary , Ruiz-Gandara África , Goergen Thomas , Rodríguez-Borrego Mª Aurora
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of abuse of vulnerable older persons in the family and community environment in the following regions—Spain (Andalusia-Córdoba), Portugal (Azores), and Bolivia (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)—and to identify risk factors and delineate a profile of abused older persons. For this, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of people in the age group 65 years plus living in the catchment areas of health centers. The following were used as instruments to collect data: the medical record of the patients of relevant health centers, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), daily activities autonomy test, adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve (APGAR) familiar test, The Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI) and the Social Work Evaluation Form. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with abuse. Suspected abuse was identified in 6.9% of the elderly who participated in the study in Spain, 39% in Bolivia, and 24.5% in Azores. In all areas, studied psychological abuse was the most common type of abuse. In conclusion, although the prevalence of abuse to older people in the family and community environment differs in the areas studied, it is present in all countries and the data are comparable with other developing and European countries. The profile of the abused older persons appears to be similar in all countries.
Mental Health and Spouse Support Among Older Couples Living With Sensory Loss
Authors: Lehane Christine M. , Hofsöe Sofia Maria , Wittich Walter , Dammeyer Jesper
Published: June 2017

Objectives: The current study examined the mental health of couples living with and without sensory loss; compared the mental health of couples living with hearing, vision, or dual-sensory loss; and investigated the association between spouse support and the mental health of couples living with sensory loss. Method: The study included 513 couples with sensory loss and 1,079 couples without sensory loss. Actor–Partner Interdependence Models were used to examine associations between spouse support and mental health. Results: Controlling for potential covariates, individuals with sensory loss and their spouses were at a greater risk of mental health problems. Sensory loss modality (hearing and/or vision) did not explain any differences. Both actor and partner effects of spouse support on anxiety and depression were found. Discussion: The findings highlight the need to support the mental health of couples living with sensory loss and indicate the importance of considering the intimate relationship in future studies.
Effect of wind gusts on the dynamics of railway vehicles running on a curved track
Authors: You Wonhee , Kwon Hyukbin , Park Joonhyuk , Shin Yujeong
Published: June 2017

Due to global warming, there is an increasing number of wind gusts that affect the stability of railway vehicles. A railway vehicle running on a curved track during a wind gust is subjected to multiple forces simultaneously, which include the centrifugal force and forces exerted by the wind gust and cant, and they significantly affect the vehicle’s dynamic characteristics as well as its safety. The forces increase the vibration of carbodies and the risk of derailment and overturning of cars; the effect is worse on irregular tracks. In order to review the phenomenon in detail, a 1/20 scale model of a railway vehicle was built to measure the aerodynamic coefficients in five directions—side force, lift force, roll moment, pitch moment, and yaw moment—through a wind tunnel test. The data collected were applied as external forces to a full-scale railway vehicle model traveling on a curved track. Using a multibody simulation software program, SIMPACK, a railway vehicle was modeled, which was then used in the simulation of the dynamic characteristics and safety of vehicles while traveling on a curved track during a wind gust. Using the actual measured track data from the curved zone, a comparison was made on the dynamic characteristics of the car traveling, with and without a wind gust, on a curved track with a railway curve radius of 599 m; also, the difference was analyzed with the direction of the wind gust blowing from inside and toward the center of curvature. The results showed that in the presence of a wind gust blowing from outside the curvature with an average speed of 25 m/s it is advisable to stop train services on grounds of safety.
Robust high-degree cubature information filter and its application to trajectory estimation for ballistic missile
Authors: Wang Xiaogang , Qin Wutao , Cui Naigang , Wang Yu
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a new recursive filter algorithm, the robust high-degree cubature information filter, which can provide reliable state estimation in the presence of non-Gaussian measurement noise. The novel algorithm is developed in the framework of the conventional information filter. The fifth-degree Cubature rule is utilized to improve the estimation accuracy and numerical stability during the time update, while the Huber technique is adopted in the measurements update stage. As the Huber technique is a combined minimum l1 and l2 norm estimation algorithm, the proposed algorithm could exhibit robustness to the non-Gaussian measurement noise, especially the glint noise. In addition, Monte Carlo simulation and the trajectory estimation for ballistic missile experiments demonstrate that the robust high-degree cubature information filter can provide improved state estimation performance over extended information filter and high-degree cubature information filter.
Influence of key geometric parameters on the aerodynamic performance of a supersonic compressor cascade
Authors: Cui Cui , Zhou Zhenggui , Zhang Jinhuan , Tao Sheng
Published: June 2017

The shocks in a supersonic/transonic axial compressor can increase the pressure ratio and cause flow losses. Therefore, it is essential to organize the shock wave pattern in the flow passage to reduce these losses. This study uses a numerical simulation method to study the influences of the leading-edge radius, cascade solidity, and pre-compression on the aerodynamic performance of a supersonic cascade. The cascade is designed using the pre-compression method to reduce shock losses; the inlet Mach number is 2.0 and the total pressure ratio is approximately 3.4. The results indicate that the cascade efficiency and stall margin decrease with an increase in the leading-edge radius; however, when the leading-edge radius is less than 0.1 mm, the influences of its change decrease. As cascade solidity increases, the stall margin first increases and then decreases. The larger the degree of pre-compression, the smaller the Mach number in front of the first oblique passage shock and the higher the efficiency; however, a large pre-compression effect can cause the ending normal shock to move upstream, decreasing the stall margin.
Active control of a non-linear landing gear system having oleo pneumatic shock absorber using robust linear quadratic regulator approach
Authors: Yazici Hakan , Sever Mert
Published: June 2017

This paper deals with the active control of a non-linear active landing gear system equipped with oleo pneumatic shock absorber. Runway induced vibration can cause reduction of pilot’s capability of control the aircraft and results the safety problem before take-off and after landing. Moreover, passenger–crew comfort is adversely affected by vertical vibrations of the fuselage. The active landing gears equipped with oleo pneumatic shock absorber are highly non-linear systems. In this study, uncertain polytopic state space representation is developed by modelling the pneumatic shock absorber dynamics as a mechanical system with non-linear stiffness and damping properties. Then, linear matrix inequalities-based robust linear quadratic regulator controller having pole location constraints is designed, since the classical linear quadratic regulator control design is dealing with linearized state space models without considering the non-linearities and uncertainties. Thereafter, numerical simulation studies are carried out to analyse aircraft response during taxiing. Bump- and random-type runway irregularities are used with various runway class and wide range of longitudinal speed. Simulation results revealed that neglecting the non-linear dynamics associated with oleo pneumatic shock absorber results significant performance degradation. Consequently, it is demonstrated that proposed robust linear quadratic regulator controller has a superior performance in terms of passenger–crew comfort and operational safety when compared to classical linear quadratic regulator.
EP_DE II: A significant algorithm to search the optimal solution for global optimization of multi-gravity assist trajectory
Authors: Zuo Mingcheng , Dai Guangming , Peng Lei
Published: June 2017

The paper deals with the design of the optimal multiple gravity assist trajectories. An improved search algorithm named EP_DE II with search space exploration, principal component analysis, guarantee mechanisms, and processing methods of search space is proposed based on EP_DE. First, a parameter is employed to start retaining the boundary information of the whole population. When the number of generations in evolutionary process reaches to this parameter, distribution range of population will be retained for the later computation. The best solutions in each generation are also recorded until the end of EP_DE II. Then the principal component analysis was conducted to find a cutting dimension for local search space, and selection process of cutting points are directed by the stored information before. Finally, search process is performed in all partitions of the search space. Global search experiments concerned about Benchmark Cassini1 and fly-by sequence EVVEEJS are presented to prove the efficiency of EP_DE II algorithm, comparing with basic differential evolution algorithm and EP_DE algorithm.
A strategy for the photovoltaic-powered pumped storage hydroelectricity
Authors: Jurasz Jakub , Mikulik Jerzy
Published: June 2017

Pumped storage hydroelectricity is the most natural and almost the only bulk energy storage technology available today. Due to the variability of energy demand, and recently also of the supply side of the energy market, there is a need to compensate these differences. In market reality this is usually done on the so-called balancing market where energy prices are significantly higher than on the power exchange market. In this paper we introduce a mathematical model for simulating the operation of photovoltaic-powered pumped storage hydroelectricity along with an optimization model and a procedure for operation on the balancing market. A simulation was performed based on data covering the year 2015 with an hourly time step. The results from the proposed approach were juxtaposed with an optimal solution generated from the optimization model.
Too Drunk to Consent? Exploring the Contestations and Disruptions in Male-Focused Sexual Violence Prevention Interventions
Authors: Carline Anna , Gunby Clare , Taylor Stuart
Published: June 2017

Primary prevention interventions, often in the form of media campaigns, are frequently utilized in order to tackle sexual violence. However, many in the United Kingdom have been criticized for perpetuating victim-blaming, due to their focus on the behaviour of women. One notable exception is a Liverpool City Council Campaign, which targeted young men (aged 18–24) in a bid to reduce rates of alcohol-related rape. Drawing upon an assessment involving 41 male university students, this article generates original insights into the development and utilization of male-focused rape prevention interventions. As this analysis shows, the young men’s responses to the campaign involved negotiating discourses of sex, consent, rape, sexuality and gender – especially masculinity. While participants frequently drew upon stereotypes and misconceptions, moments of contestation and disruption emerged. We argue that interventions should concentrate upon masculinity and moments of disruption and contestation (possibly through the use of peer group discussions), in order to encourage critical reflections on gender and sexual violence and to potentially engender more ethical practices.
Invitation coverage and participation in Italian cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening programmes
Authors: Giorgi Rossi Paolo , Carrozzi Giuliano , Federici Antonio , Mancuso Pamela , Sampaolo Letizia , Zappa Marco
Published: June 2017

Objectives

In Italy, regional governments organize cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening programmes, but there are difficulties in regularly inviting all the target populations and participation remains low. We analysed the determinants associated with invitation coverage of and participation in these programmes.

Methods

We used data on screening programmes from annual Ministry of Health surveys, 1999–2012 for cervical, 1999–2011 for breast and 2005–2011 for colorectal cancer. For recent years, we linked these data to the results of the national routine survey on preventive behaviours to evaluate the effect of spontaneous screening at Province level. Invitation and participation relative risk were calculated using Generalized Linear Models.

Results

There is a strong decreasing trend in invitation coverage and participation in screening programmes from North to South Italy. In metropolitan areas, both invitation coverage (rate ratio 0.35–0.96) and participation (rate ratio 0.63–0.88) are lower. An inverse association exists between spontaneous screening and both screening invitation coverage (1–3% decrease in invitation coverage per 1% spontaneous coverage increase) and participation (2% decrease in participation per 1% spontaneous coverage increase) for the three programmes. High recall rate has a negative effect on invitation coverage in the next round for breast cancer (1% decrease in invitation per 1% recall increase).

Conclusions

Organizational and cultural changes are needed to better implement cancer screening in southern Italy.
Pediatric nurses’ ethical difficulties in the bedside care of children
Authors: Choe Kwisoon , Kim Yoonjung , Yang Yoonseo
Published: June 2017

Background:

Pediatric nurses experience ethically difficult situations in their everyday work. Several studies have been conducted to reveal ethical issues among pediatric nurses; we do not think their ethical difficulties have been explored sufficiently from their own perspective.

Objectives:

This study aimed to explore the ethical difficulties faced by pediatric nurses during bedside care for hospitalized children.

Methods:

A phenomenological approach was used to collect and analyze interview data from 14 female pediatric nurses in South Korea.

Ethical considerations:

Ethical review was obtained from an ethics committee. The participants were informed about the aim of the study, and voluntary participation, anonymous response, and confidentiality were explained to them.

Findings:

Three themes emerged from the analysis: ethical numbness in a task-oriented context, negative feelings toward family caregivers, and difficulty in expressing oneself in an authoritative climate. Conclusion and implications: We need to develop strategies to manage ethical difficulties at an institutional level. Furthermore, it is important that pediatric nurses have the opportunity to communicate with fellow nurses and other medical staff regarding ethical difficulties. In addition, cultivation of pediatric nurses’ moral, ethical, and philosophical thinking patterns requires the immediate provision of continuous education in nursing ethics at the site of clinical nursing, time to discuss ethical difficulties, and other supportive measures. Findings indicated that, to provide high-quality patient-centered care, we should enhance nurses’ ethical sensitivity and autonomy and improve the ethical climate in hospitals.
Pilot Study of Therapy Dog Visits for Inpatient Youth With Cancer
Authors: Chubak Jessica , Hawkes Rene , Dudzik Christi , Foose-Foster Jessica M. , Eaton Lauren , Johnson Rebecca H. , Macpherson Catherine Fiona
Published: June 2017

This study assessed the feasibility of studying animal-assisted activities (AAA) in inpatient pediatric oncology and collected preliminary data on potential benefits of AAA for this population. Patients at a large pediatric hospital were identified using electronic medical records and approached with physician approval. Patients completed surveys before and after a therapy dog visit in their private hospital room. Data on infections were ascertained by electronic medical record review. Provider surveys were placed in provider common areas and distributed through a link in an e-mail. We summarized resultsusing descriptive statistics and estimated mean changes in pre- and postintervention distress and conducted hypothesis tests using the paired t test. The study population (mean age = 12.9 years) consisted of 9 females and 10 males. Following the therapy dog visit, patients had lower distress and significant decreases in worry, tiredness, fear, sadness, and pain. Providers were generally supportive of the intervention. Eight patients developed infections during the 14 days after the dog visit but none could be clearly attributed to the therapy dog visit. The study’s primary limitation was that there was no control group. However, results support the feasibility of and need for future studies on AAA in pediatric oncology.
Test Anxiety and the Americans With Disabilities Act
Authors: Lovett Benjamin J. , Nelson Jason M.
Published: June 2017

Test anxiety leads to requests for accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), but many testing entities have expressed skepticism about whether test anxiety qualifies as a disability. This article addresses three legal issues raised by the inclusion of test anxiety under ADA: whether test anxiety is a mental impairment, whether test-taking is a major life activity, and whether test anxiety substantially limits test-taking. The article then turns to questions of policy: How should ADA claims for test anxiety be handled by educational institutions, independent testing agencies, and employers? A review of scientific research and legal authorities are used to answer these questions. Most individuals with high test anxiety levels will not qualify as disabled under ADA, although there will be exceptions to that general rule, and testing entities should always conduct an individualized inquiry into each claim.
Spinal Cord Injury in Portugal: Institutional and Personal Challenges
Authors: Sena Martins Bruno , Fontes Fernando , Hespanha Pedro
Published: June 2017

This article is dedicated to an analysis of the life trajectories of individuals with spinal cord injuries in Portugal. From a perspective that aims to understand the challenges faced in the different stages following the initial injury, it aims to relate corporeal, personal, and social impacts to medical, institutional, and political responses. Based on a total of 93 interviews, the analysis focuses on the period that starts with the event that caused the injury and extends to the present day, following the entire rehabilitation and integration process and identifying key structures, services, and institutions. In offering a critical reading of processes and structures that are capable of ensuring quality of life and social inclusion for persons with spinal cord injuries, it broadens the discussion to reveal the social exclusion widely experienced by persons with disabilities in Portugal.
Punishing the Vulnerable: Exploring Suspension Rates for Students With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Brobbey Gordon
Published: June 2017

Students with learning disabilities are suspended at disproportionate rates in schools. Although research has shown the ineffectiveness of suspension as a disciplinary tool, school administrators continue to use it to combat behavior infractions. This column presents a review of the literature on suspension for students with learning disabilities, its impact on their academic achievement, and sociodemographic factors that put students with learning disabilities at risk for suspension. Implications are discussed and further areas of research are suggested.
Primary Central Nervous System T-Cell Lymphoma With Aberrant Expression of CD20 and CD79a: A Diagnostic Pitfall
Authors: Gupta Neha , Nasim Mansoor , Spitzer Silvia G. , Zhang Xinmin
Published: June 2017

Primary central nervous system T-cell lymphoma (PCNSTCL) is rare, accounting for 2% of CNS lymphomas. We report the first case of PCNSTCL with aberrant expression of CD20 and CD79a in an 81-year-old man with a left periventricular brain mass. A biopsy revealed dense lymphoid infiltrate consisting of medium-sized cells in a background of gliosis and many histiocytes. The lymphoid cells were positive for CD2, CD3, CD7, CD8, T-cell intracellular antigen-1, granzyme B, CD20, and CD79a and negative for CD4, CD5, PAX-5, OCT-2, BOB-1, human herpes virus-8, and Epstein-Barr virus–encoded small RNAs. Molecular studies revealed clonal TCR-β and TCR-γ gene rearrangements and negative immunoglobulin gene rearrangements. The patient was treated with chemotherapy (vincristine and methotrexate) and rituximab, but he died 1 month after the diagnosis. This is a unique case that emphasizes the use of a multimodal approach, including a broad immunohistochemical panel and molecular studies in lineage determination for lymphomas with ambiguous phenotype.
An Unusual Normal Finding in Coccygectomy Specimens
Authors: John Ivy , Rao Uma N. M.
Published: June 2017

Glomus coccygeum is a prominent or hyperplastic glomus structure that is located at the ventral tip of the coccyx, which frequently causes concern to pathologists that are unfamiliar with this entity.
Relationships Among Supports and Barriers and Career and Educational Outcomes
Authors: Brown Steven D. , Roche Meghan , Abrams Matthew , Lamp Kristen , Telander Kyle , Daskalova Plamena , Tatum Alexander , Massingale Michael
Published: June 2017

Interest in the roles of environmental supports and barriers in career and educational development has increased steadily over the past few decades, enough to warrant a meta-analysis of this vast and still growing literature. The current study presents the results of a meta-analytic investigation, employing 276 samples drawn from 249 published articles ( N = 104,440), on the relationships of supports and barriers to nine different career and educational outcomes. Employing a random effects meta-analytic model and sampling and measurement error-corrected effect size estimates, the study found that supports tended to account for more variance ( M = 10%) across all outcomes than did barriers ( M = 3%). Several moderators were also found, suggesting that (a) men’s self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations are more strongly related to supports than women’s, (b) Latino(a) students’ levels of school engagement and performance are more weakly related to supports than White students, and (c) supports (and perhaps barriers) seem to be more highly related to elementary school students’ levels school engagement than high school students. The implications of the results are discussed as well as potential avenues for future investigation suggested by some gaps in the literature uncovered in this meta-analysis.
The Impact of a College Career Intervention Program on Career Decision Self-Efficacy, Career Indecision, and Decision-Making Difficulties
Authors: Lam Michele , Santos Angeli
Published: June 2017

A quasi-experimental longitudinal intervention study utilizing intervention and comparison groups was carried out with first-year Malaysian college students in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a careers course designed to help students in their career decision-making. Participants in both groups were given questionnaires assessing career decision self-efficacy (CDSE), career indecision, and career decision-making difficulties at various time points. Career indecision and decision-making difficulties (CDDs) are different constructs in that research on career indecision encompasses a wider area wherein the identification of sources of career indecision, often referred to as decision-making difficulties, is one line of research. Gender differences at the outset and over the duration of the course were also examined. Results indicated that upon completion of the course participants in the intervention group experienced increased CDSE and reduced career indecision compared to the comparison group. An overall decrease in career decision-making difficulties was also observed, but further investigation revealed that the decrease was not significant in 1 of 10 subcategories of difficulties. Although gender differences in career indecision and career decision-making difficulties were observed at the outset, these disappeared over the course of the intervention. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Radiographic Detection of Marginal Impaction in Supination-Adduction Ankle Fractures
Authors: Alluri Ram K. , Hill J. Ryan , Donohoe Steven , Fleming Mark , Tan Eric , Marecek Geoffrey
Published: June 2017

Background:

The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of plafond impaction in supination-adduction type II (SAD-II) ankle fractures and assess the accuracy of plain radiographs in detecting plafond impaction and predicting planned operative management compared to computed tomography (CT).

Methods:

Patients with SAD-II ankle fractures were retrospectively identified. All SAD-II plain radiographs were reviewed (120 fractures) and compared to CT images (55 fractures). For each plain radiograph or CT scan, 3 orthopedic surgeons were asked the following questions: (1) Is there impaction of the tibial plafond? (2) Does the impaction require direct visualization and articular reduction? The incidence of plafond impaction and the preoperative plan were calculated separately for plain radiographs and CT scans. The accuracy of plain radiographs was calculated using responses from corresponding CT imaging as the gold standard. Change in preoperative management decisions after reviewing CT images was also calculated.

Results:

In 120 SAD-II ankle fracture plain radiographs, marginal impaction of the plafond was visualized in 61% of fractures. The diagnosis of impaction using plain radiographs was correct in 84% of fractures when compared to CT imaging, resulting in a 91% positive predictive value (PPV) and a 55% negative predictive value (NPV). Plain radiographs were able to predict planned operative management after review of CT imaging with an 87% PPV and 75% NPV.

Conclusion:

The majority of SAD-II ankle fractures involved marginal impaction of the tibial plafond. Plain radiographs were accurate in diagnosing impaction when it was present, but were not accurate in ruling out impaction. In the presence of impaction, CT likely will not change planned operative management.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative series.
Meta-analysis and indirect treatment comparison of lipegfilgrastim with pegfilgrastim and filgrastim for the reduction of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia-related events
Authors: Bond T Christopher , Szabo Erika , Gabriel Susan , Klastersky Jean , Tomey Omar , Mueller Udo , Schwartzberg Lee , Tang Boxiong
Published: June 2017

Background

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors are effective at reducing the risk and duration of neutropenia. The current meta-analysis compared the neutropenia-related efficacy and safety of lipegfilgrastim to those of pegfilgrastim and filgrastim.

Methods

Embase was searched for trials examining the efficacy/safety of lipegfilgrastim, pegfilgrastim, or filgrastim. Outcomes included febrile neutropenia, severe neutropenia, duration of severe neutropenia, time to recovery of absolute neutrophil count, and incidence of bone pain. Direct comparisons were made using random-effects models. No trials directly compared lipegfilgrastim and filgrastim. Indirect comparisons were made between lipegfilgrastim and filgrastim with pegfilgrastim as the common comparator.

Results

This meta-analysis included a total of 5769 patients from 24 studies. Over all cycles, lipegfilgrastim showed a lower, nonsignificant risk of febrile neutropenia compared with pegfilgrastim. Lipegfilgrastim has a lower risk of febrile neutropenia versus filgrastim but was also not statistically significant. The risk ratio for severe neutropenia in cycle 1 was 0.80, a 20% reduction in favor of lipegfilgrastim. For cycles 2–4, the risk ratio was 0.53 (0.35, 0.79) for lipegfilgrastim versus pegfilgrastim. The risk of severe neutropenia in cycles 2–4 was also significantly lower for lipegfilgrastim (risk ratio 0.45, 0.27, 0.75, respectively). No significant differences were found for febrile neutropenia and severe neutropenia in cycle 1. However, in cycles 2–4, lipegfilgrastim was associated with significant and clinically meaningful reductions in risk of severe neutropenia versus either pegfilgrastim or filgrastim.

Conclusions

Compared with pegfilgrastim or filgrastim, lipegfilgrastim has a statistically significantly lower absolute neutrophil count recovery time; however, differences in duration of severe neutropenia and bone pain were nonsignificant.
Using Tax Increment Financing to Fund Public Transportation: Enabling Environment and Equity Impacts
Authors: Mathur Shishir
Published: June 2017

Through a review of three public transport projects developed across the United States using tax increment financing (TIF) revenues, this article examines the robustness of state- and local-level enabling statutes and the strategies used to minimize TIF’s horizontal and vertical inequities. The article finds that although TIF is widely used to fund transit-related facilities, such as rail lines and train stations, it is not used to purchase or maintain the rolling stock (e.g., train cars and buses). Furthermore, the use of TIF revenues for public transport enhances vertical equity to the extent that public transit users are likely to have lower incomes than auto users. However, in all case study projects, TIF primarily helped develop rail projects, not bus systems, with the latter more likely to be used by lower income people. Finally, setting aside TIF funds for affordable housing, job training, and relocation and rehabilitation can help reduce vertical inequities.
Aspects of Tryptophan and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Immunity: A New Twist in an Old Tale
Authors: Rodriguez Cetina Biefer Hector , Vasudevan Anju , Elkhal Abdallah
Published: June 2017

Increasing evidence underscores the interesting ability of tryptophan to regulate immune responses. However, the exact mechanisms of tryptophan’s immune regulation remain to be determined. Tryptophan catabolism via the kynurenine pathway is known to play an important role in tryptophan’s involvement in immune responses. Interestingly, quinolinic acid, which is a neurotoxic catabolite of the kynurenine pathway, is the major pathway for the de novo synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Recent studies have shown that NAD+, a natural coenzyme found in all living cells, regulates immune responses and creates homeostasis via a novel signaling pathway. More importantly, the immunoregulatory properties of NAD+ are strongly related to the overexpression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1). This review provides recent knowledge of tryptophan and NAD+ and their specific and intriguing roles in the immune system. Furthermore, it focuses on the mechanisms by which tryptophan regulates NAD+ synthesis as well as innate and adaptive immune responses.
Representations and experiences of well-being among diabetic adolescents: Relational, normative, and identity tensions in diabetes self-management
Authors: Fonte David , Colson Sébastien , Côté José , Reynaud Rachel , Lagouanelle-Simeoni Marie-Claude , Apostolidis Thémis
Published: June 2017

We explore representations of well-being in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes in order to better understand their expectations and needs in therapeutic patient education. In total, 28 interviews were performed and then submitted to thematic content analysis and lexicometric analysis. Results show the intervention of psychosocial processes in the relationship that adolescents maintain with well-being and self-management. More specifically, we observed that well-being is impacted by areas of tension between the expectations of adolescents and the therapeutic objectives expressed by health professionals. These tensions should be taken into account in the conception, implementation, and evaluation of therapeutic education programs.
Further commentary on the PACE trial: Biased methods and unreliable outcomes
Authors: Geraghty Keith J
Published: June 2017

Geraghty in the year 2016, outlines a range of controversies surrounding publication of results from the PACE trial and discusses a freedom of information case brought by a patient refused access to data from the trial. The PACE authors offer a response, writing ‘Dr Geraghty’s views are based on misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the PACE trial’. This article draws on expert commentaries to further detail the critical methodological failures and biases identified in the PACE trial, which undermine the reliability and credibility of the major findings to emerge from this trial.
Intersecting race and gender stereotypes: Implications for group-level attitudes
Authors: Phills Curtis E. , Williams Amanda , Wolff Jennifer M. , Smith Ashley , Arnold Rachel , Felegy Katelyn , Kuenzig M. Ellen
Published: June 2017

Two studies examined the relationship between explicit stereotyping and prejudice by investigating how stereotyping of minority men and women may be differentially related to prejudice. Based on research and theory related to the intersectional invisibility hypothesis (Purdie-Vaughns & Eibach, 2008), we hypothesized that stereotyping of minority men would be more strongly related to prejudice than stereotyping of minority women. Supporting our hypothesis, in both the United Kingdom (Study 1) and the United States (Study 2), when stereotyping of Black men and women were entered into the same regression model, only stereotyping of Black men predicted prejudice. Results were inconsistent in regard to South Asians and East Asians. Results are discussed in terms of the intersectional invisibility hypothesis (Purdie-Vaughns & Eibach, 2008) and the gendered nature of the relationship between stereotyping and attitudes.
‘Two clicks and I’m in!’ Patients as co-actors in managing health data through a personal health record infrastructure
Authors: Zanutto Alberto
Published: June 2017

One of the most significant changes in the healthcare field in the past 10 years has been the large-scale digitalization of patients’ healthcare data, and an increasing emphasis on the importance of patients’ roles in cooperating with healthcare professionals through digital infrastructures. A project carried out in the North of Italy with the aim of creating a personal health record has been evaluated over the course of 5 years by means of mixed method fieldwork. Two years after the infrastructure was put into regular service, the way in which patients are represented in the system and patient practices have been studied using surveys and qualitative interviews. The data show that, first, patients have become co-actors in describing their clinical histories; second, that they have become co-actors in the diagnosis process; and finally, they have become co-actors in the management of time and space as regards their specific state of health.
The Janus-face of European heritage: Revisiting the rhetoric of Europe-making in EU cultural politics
Authors: Niklasson Elisabeth
Published: June 2017

Heritage sites and their stewards have been part of the project of European integration since the 1970s. Countless actions involving conservation, research and public outreach has been granted EU funding based on the ‘European significance’ of monuments and sites or the ‘European added value’ of project activities. This article argues that out of the long relationship between EU cultural politics and the domain of tangible heritage, there has grown a parallel approach to European belonging. By tracing acts of Europe-making in political statements used to justify financial support, and discussing their effect on co-funded archaeological projects, a Janus-face is identified. One side places authority in the past, articulating a European commonality through site characteristics or time periods. The other places authority in the present, promoting a more flexible understanding of heritage. Since the EU has increasingly (and unwillingly) come to share the rhetorical figure of ‘European heritage’ with anti-immigration groups calling for solidarity among ‘native Europeans’, the question of which side takes precedence is of great consequence.
Statistical contributions to bioinformatics: Design, modelling, structure learning and integration
Authors: Morris Jeffrey S. , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran
Published: June 2017

The advent of high-throughput multi-platform genomics technologies providing whole- genome molecular summaries of biological samples has revolutionalized biomedical research. These technologiees yield highly structured big data, whose analysis poses significant quantitative challenges. The field of bioinformatics has emerged to deal with these challenges, and is comprised of many quantitative and biological scientists working together to effectively process these data and extract the treasure trove of information they contain. Statisticians, with their deep understanding of variability and uncertainty quantification, play a key role in these efforts. In this article, we attempt to summarize some of the key contributions of statisticians to bioinformatics, focusing on four areas: (1) experimental design and reproducibility, (2) preprocessing and feature extraction, (3) unified modelling and (4) structure learning and integration. In each of these areas, we highlight some key contributions and try to elucidate the key statistical principles underlying these methods and approaches. Our goals are to demonstrate major ways in which statisticians have contributed to bioinformatics, encourage statisticians to get involved early in methods development as new technologies emerge, and to stimulate future methodological work based on the statistical principles elucidated in this article and utilizing all available information to uncover new biological insights.
Masking the self: Understanding the link between eating disorders and child sexual abuse
Authors: Hodge Lisa , Bryant Lia
Published: June 2017

The discourses of child sexual abuse and eating disorders are inextricably shaped by gender politics. Medical discourses conceptualise abuse as resulting in permanent damage to the personality and continue to draw on the notion of hysteria when explaining anorexia. Yet the circulation of such pathologising discourses masks aspects of female subjectivity and leave other explanations unexplored. We argue that women make decisions and experience eating disorders beyond these privileged understandings. Indepth interviews, artwork and poetry are obtained from seven women and a feminist application of Bakhtin’s sociological linguistics is used to gain deeper insights into meanings and emotions. Our argument will unfold in three sections: Masking Emotions; The Mask Representing Powerlessness; and Revising the Self. Collectively the data reveals how gendered discourses dominate the women’s narratives when making claims about the self. Although these women’s voices are largely marginalised in society they nevertheless disrupt authoritative discourses on child sexual abuse and eating disorders.
Head Start administrator and teacher perceptions of parental influence on preschool children’s nutrition education
Authors: Stage Virginia C , Wilkerson Kristi , Hegde Archana , Lisson Sarah , Babatunde Oyinlola Toyin , Goodell L Suzanne
Published: June 2017

Parents play a significant role in molding their children’s nutrition knowledge and behavior. The purpose of the present study was to explore parental influence on preschooler’s nutrition education from the perspectives of North Carolina–based Head Start coordinators and teachers. Investigators conducted 63 in-depth, structured interviews with Head Start Health/Nutrition Coordinators (n = 31) and teachers (n = 32). Interviews were recorded in digital audio format and transcribed verbatim. Following a grounded theory approach, researchers identified primary, emergent themes related to parental influence and a substantive-level model was developed. Head Start staff described parental background (i.e. nutrition knowledge, culture), socioeconomic status, food preferences and parental engagement/support of teacher provided nutrition education as the primary factors that affect preschooler’s nutrition education. The proposed theoretical model provides an initial understanding of the influence Head Start parents may have on their children’s nutrition education. The findings suggest more training and education opportunities for parents and teachers may be needed. Despite barriers, teachers and local community partners should continue to support parents in their efforts to reinforce positive nutrition messages among preschool children.
Parent-Implemented Versus Clinician-Directed Interventions for Late-Talking Toddlers: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: DeVeney Shari L. , Hagaman Jessica L. , Bjornsen Abby L.
Published: June 2017

When providing clinical services for late talkers, determining an appropriate interventionist is a key early decision. Although researchers have noted the effectiveness of parent-implemented interventions for some populations, few have specifically addressed late talkers. Late talkers are of considerable interest to early service providers and parents due to limited evidence-based intervention components with this population and the notion that early language deficits are significant risk factors for many disorders. The present study purpose is to describe general features of current research and ascertain intervention providers’ effectiveness. A systematic literature review resulted in eight studies reporting on seven data sets ( N = 175 participants). Findings indicate treatment provided by either parents or clinicians can improve late talkers’ communication skills. Parent-implemented intervention emerged as potentially more effective than clinician-directed service provision based on outcome measures of targeted skills following treatment dosage. Factors limiting generalization of these findings should be addressed in future investigations.
Influencing factors and measuring method of the heat conducting performance of UHMWPE single fiber
Authors: Guoliang Dai , Li Li , Hong Xiao , Maolin Zhai , Meiwu Shi
Published: June 2017

The fiber with higher thermal conductivity is rare and it is difficult to measure the thermal conductivity of a single fiber. In this paper, the composite samples of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber and epoxy resin were prepared in order to study the heat conducting properties of the UHMWPE fiber. The specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the samples were tested by the transient plane source method. Based on the serial–parallel equivalence theory model, the axial and radial thermal conductivities of the UHMWPE filament were calculated. Effects of the volume fraction of fiber, fineness and drawing ratio on thermal conductivity were explored. Also, the relationship between the structure and thermal conductive capacity was revealed. The results showed that the volume fraction of fibers should be large to obtain a relative accurate value. Moreover, the difference in fineness led to different thermal conductivity of the UHMWPE fiber, the cruder the fiber, the higher the thermal conductivity. Besides, as the drawing ratio increased, the crystallinity and orientation of the fibers also increased. Thus, the results were that the axial equivalent thermal conductivity of the filament was dramatically increased, while the radial equivalent thermal conductivity grew a little. The paper showed that UHMWPE fibers had much higher thermal conductivity than other fibers, and also provided a new method to get the thermal conductivity of UHMWPE single fiber.
Frontal Tasks and Behavior in Rigid or Tremor-Dominant Parkinson Disease
Authors: Moretti Rita , Milner Vera , Caruso Paola , Gazzin Silvia , Rumiati Raffaella
Published: June 2017

Parkinson disease (PD) is not an unambiguous entity, and there is a general consensus for the statement that an akinetic-rigid dominant type of presentation has a worse prognosis, in the follow-up. The aim of our study was to examine the differences in frontal tasks and behavior, in 2 PD naive groups: the rigid and the tremor-dominant types of presentation, according to motor scores. Our study has showed some important differences in frontal tasks and in behavior, performing more apathy, aggressiveness, and irritability in the rigid type, and more depression and anxiety in the tremor-dominant type. The former group causes the caregiver more distress and has a very rapid disease progression. It can be argued that rigid type PD presentation needs specific dedicated cares and more strong clinical attention.
Journalism and mnemonic practices in Chinese social media: Remembering catastrophic events on Weibo
Authors: Han Eileen Le
Published: June 2017

This study examines how collective memories of a public event, along with various journalistic practices, take shape in social media as the event develops. By analyzing messages posted during the first 8 days after a 23 July 2011 high-speed train collision accident in China on Weibo, a leading Chinese micro-blogging platform, this study finds three types of mnemonic practices on this platform: online commemoration, memory accumulation, and the first draft of history. The extensive media coverage, nonstop updates, and blurred lines between reporting and archiving produce firsthand accounts and fragmented narratives for collective memory. Weibo allows the use of language from which journalists and media-affiliated groups reap greatest benefit. Journalism draws on mnemonic practices to organize collective pondering over crises and current power structures in a shrinking space of online expression. Within the rapidly changing landscape of Chinese social media, this memory pattern developed earlier gradually loses its political meaning, although it persists in subsequent events. Theoretical implications of this study for the impact of digital media on collective memory are also discussed.
Methodological quality and reporting of systematic reviews in hand and wrist pathology
Authors: Wasiak J. , Shen A. Y. , Ware R. , O’Donohoe T. J. , Faggion C. M.
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study was to assess methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews in hand and wrist pathology. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to November 2016 for relevant studies. Reporting quality was evaluated using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and methodological quality using a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews, the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to identify features associated with improved methodological quality. A total of 91 studies were included in the analysis. Most reviews inadequately reported PRISMA items regarding study protocol, search strategy and bias and AMSTAR items regarding protocol, publication bias and funding. Systematic reviews published in a plastics journal, or which included more authors, were associated with higher AMSTAR scores. A large proportion of systematic reviews within hand and wrist pathology literature score poorly with validated methodological assessment tools, which may affect the reliability of their conclusions.

Level of evidence: I