bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Generalized Deep Learning-Based Diagnostic System for Early Diagnosis of Various Types of Pulmonary Nodules
Authors: Shaffie Ahmed , Soliman Ahmed , Fraiwan Luay , Ghazal Mohammed , Taher Fatma , Dunlap Neal , Wang Brian , van Berkel Victor , Keynton Robert , Elmaghraby Adel , El-Baz Ayman
Published: September 2018

A novel framework for the classification of lung nodules using computed tomography scans is proposed in this article. To get an accurate diagnosis of the detected lung nodules, the proposed framework integrates the following 2 groups of features: (1) appearance features modeled using the higher order Markov Gibbs random field model that has the ability to describe the spatial inhomogeneities inside the lung nodule and (2) geometric features that describe the shape geometry of the lung nodules. The novelty of this article is to accurately model the appearance of the detected lung nodules using a new developed seventh-order Markov Gibbs random field model that has the ability to model the existing spatial inhomogeneities for both small and large detected lung nodules, in addition to the integration with the extracted geometric features. Finally, a deep autoencoder classifier is fed by the above 2 feature groups to distinguish between the malignant and benign nodules. To evaluate the proposed framework, we used the publicly available data from the Lung Image Database Consortium. We used a total of 727 nodules that were collected from 467 patients. The proposed system demonstrates the promise to be a valuable tool for the detection of lung cancer evidenced by achieving a nodule classification accuracy of 91.20%.
To Build a Metaphor: L’Enfant’s Design for the City of Washington
Authors: Yglesias Caren
Published: September 2018

Recent scholarship provides evidence for reconsidering the original urban plan for Washington, DC, one of the world’s few planned cities. Commissioned by President George Washington in 1791, Pierre L’Enfant did not, as some scholarship claims, simply follow baroque urban design concepts with associated geometric patterns for his design. Rather, the character of the land guided the location of public squares, each for a state with a “reciprocity of sight” along communicating avenues. L’Enfant conceived of these individual but visually linked state districts as a metaphor that demonstrated a new nation’s ideals of independence and unity in built form.
Surgical Fixation of Metacarpal Shaft Fractures Using Absorbable Implants: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Hazan Jessica , Azzi Alain Joe , Thibaudeau Stephanie
Published: September 2018

Background: Despite the proven efficacy and advantages of absorbable implants, their use for metacarpal shaft fixation has been limited. This is likely due to the high reported complication rates in early studies with polyglycolic acid (PGA) implants, notably high rates of noninfectious inflammatory reaction (5%-25%), occurring up to 30 weeks after fixation. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of newer absorbable plates and screws in the treatment of metacarpal shaft fractures. Methods: The authors performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases dating from 1946 to 2017. Primary outcome measures were the development of noninfectious inflammatory reaction and implant failure. Results: A total of 42 metacarpal shaft fractures in 35 patients were included. The average follow-up time was 20.4 months (n = 24; range: 3.6-61 months). Only 1 case (2.4%) of noninfectious inflammatory reaction was reported with polylactic acid (PLA) plates and PLA/PGA compounds. Noninfectious inflammatory reaction was observed in 4 out of the 9 patients (44.4%) with a trimethylene carbonate/PLA compound. Symptoms appeared after an average time of 15.8 months (range: 12-19 months) post-fixation. Painless prolonged inflammation that resolved spontaneously within 6 months was reported in 7.1% of cases (n = 3). Implant failure with loss of fracture reduction was reported in 9.5% of cases (n = 4). Conclusions: Newer absorbable materials appear to have significantly lower rates of noninfectious inflammatory reaction than previously reported. When compared with metallic fixation of the metacarpal shaft, absorbable fixation appears to have comparable complication rates and biomechanical properties.
Modeling and control of hypersonic vehicle dynamic under centroid shift
Authors: Meng Yizhen , Jiang Bin , Qi Ruiyun
Published: September 2018

Due to the huge flight scale and the fast speed of hypersonic vehicle, the system must be of strong nonlinearity, coupling, and fast time variability, which give rise to the huge challenge for the design of controller. The good control performance must be based on the elaborately designed controller, which is established in the carefully designed center of mass. Once the center of mass moves unexpectedly, it is bound to affect the ability of existing flight controller to maintain the stability of hypersonic vehicle, resulting in serious consequences, even loss of control. Based on Newton’s laws and Varignon’s theory, a mathematical model for hypersonic vehicle with centroid shift is built up to research the influence of centroid on the motion of hypersonic vehicle. The zero-input response tests are conducted from the different aircraft body axes of the coordinate. Simulation results show that such influence is coupling, abrupt, irregular, and time-variant. In order to inhibit the bad influence of unexpected centroid shift, terminal sliding mode controller combined with radial basis function neural networks and just terminal sliding mode controller alone are adopted to handle such problems in view of robust control itself and auxiliary compensation. Simulation results show that such influence can be inhibited and compensated in a certain region, and the further research is still needed.
Frailty as an instrument for evaluation of elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A follow-up after more than 5 years
Authors: Ekerstad Niklas , Pettersson Staffan , Alexander Karen , Andersson David , Eriksson Sofia , Janzon Magnus , Lindenberger Marcus , Swahn Eva , Alfredsson Joakim
Published: September 2018

Background

There is a growing body of evidence on the relevance of using frailty measures also in a cardiovascular context. The estimated time to death is crucial in clinical decision-making in cardiology. However, data on the importance of frailty in long-term mortality are very scarce. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of frailty on mortality at long-term follow-up of more than 5 years in patients 75 years or older hospitalised for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We hypothesised that frailty is independently associated with long-term mortality.

Design

This was a prospective, observational study conducted at three centres.

Methods and results

Frailty was assessed according to the Canadian Study of Health and Aging clinical frailty scale (CFS). Of 307 patients, 149 (48.5%) were considered frail according to the study instrument (degree 5–7 on the scale). The long-term all-cause mortality of more than 5 years (median 6.7 years) was significantly higher among frail patients (128, 85.9%) than non-frail patients (85, 53.8%), ( P < 0.001). In Cox regression analysis, frailty was independently associated with mortality from the index hospital admission to the end of follow-up (hazard ratio 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.51–2.81; P < 0.001) together with age ( P < 0.001), ejection fraction ( P = 0.012) and Charlson comorbidity index ( P = 0.018).

Conclusions

In elderly non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients, frailty was independently associated with all-cause mortality at long-term follow-up of more than 6 years. The combined use of frailty and comorbidity may be the ultimate risk prediction concept in the context of cardiovascular patients with complex needs.
Christian anti-Judaism and early object relations theory
Authors: Hewitt Marsha Aileen
Published: September 2018

The central ideas of early object relations theory are heavily inflected with Christian anti-Judaism, particularly as found in the work of Ian Dishart Suttie, now credited as the founder of this tradition. The critique of Freud launched by Suttie repudiates Freudian theory as a “disease” inextricably connected to Freud being a Jew. Suttie’s portrayal of Judaism both conforms to and replicates those theological commitments that privilege a triumphalist, supersessionist Christianity that breaks with Judaism, understood as devoid of love, ethics, and social justice interests. The paper argues that the elements organizing the central concepts that structure Suttie’s Christian prejudice constitute distorting ideological interests that circulate and shape important strands of contemporary object relations theory. Central to the authors discussed is a repudiation of Freud’s theory of unconscious drives on the basis of privileging love and intersubjectivity as the motivators of human psychological development made possible by Jesus and Christianity. The paper demonstrates that contemporary object relations theory remains heavily indebted to Suttie while remaining oblivious to his explicit anti-Judaism.
Functional evaluation of early tendon transfer for foot drop
Authors: Lingaiah Purushotham , Jaykumar Kameshwaran , Sural Sumit , Dhal Anil
Published: September 2018

Aim:

Early tendon transfer has shown good outcomes in peripheral nerve injuries of upper limb. However, there is lack of knowledge on early tendon transfer for peripheral nerve palsy in lower limb. This study has been designed to study the functional outcomes of early tendon transfer in the lower limb, particularly for foot drop.

Patients and Methods:

We enrolled 30 cases of foot drop due to traumatic sciatic/common peroneal nerve (CPN) palsy between September 2012 and March 2016. We performed nerve exploration with repair and early tendon transfer in all patients. All patients were followed up for a minimum period of 24 months. Functional evaluation was carried out using Stanmore assessment questionnaire.

Results:

At the end of 24 months postoperatively, the Stanmore assessment questionnaire score showed a significant improvement from a mean preoperative score of 17.5 to mean postoperative score of 86.2. All patients were free of ankle–foot orthosis (AFO). All patients were subjectively satisfied. Time to return to original job was 5.2 months on an average. Ankle dorsiflexion of the operated limb was comparable to the normal limb in cases where there was nerve recovery. Planovalgus foot, a known complication of this procedure, was noted in 24 patients. However, it was not disabling to any patient.

Conclusion:

Early tendon transfer in CPN palsy/sciatic nerve palsy has a definite place in the management of the injured patient. The transfer, if appropriately carried out, acts as a helper, an internal splint, a substitute, or perhaps all of the three at varying times in the rehabilitative phase of the patient. Dorsiflexor clearance in swing phase of locomotion was quickly restored in all patients, obviating the need for AFO.
Concentric Clientelism: A Case Study of Rural Saharanpur
Authors: Singh Rajkamal , Hemrajani Rahul
Published: September 2018

In this article, we examine the role of intermediaries in sustaining political clientelism in rural Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Drawing from fieldwork and electoral data, we show that clientelism in Saharanpur is based around providing three specific guarantees to the voter—security from or by the police, facilitation in the tehsil and mediation in cases that would otherwise go to court—which we collectively refer to as guardianship. We explain how guardianship, more than most other forms of clientelistic exchange, requires intermediaries. In the case of Saharanpur, these intermediaries are usually individuals occupying formal positions of power within various circles of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Finally, we argue that it is the concentric nature of constituencies provided by the decentralized political structure which is ultimately responsible for the sustenance of intermediary networks as well as the perpetuation of clientelism in rural Saharanpur.
A Case With 4 de Novo Copy Number Variations With Clinical Features That Overlap 1q43q44 Microdeletion and 3q29 Microduplication Syndromes
Authors: Kessi Miriam , Peng Jing , Yang Lifen , Duan Haolin , Tang Yulin , Yin Fei
Published: September 2018

1q43q44 microdeletion syndrome is characterized by intellectual disability/global developmental delay, epilepsy, dysmorphic facies, stereotypic movement, language delay, recurrent infections, dental anomalies, and hand and foot anomalies. Microcephaly and corpus callosum dysplasia are present in some cases depending on gene content. 3q29 microduplication syndrome is characterized by intellectual disability, language delay, microcephaly, and dental anomalies. We report the first case with 4 de novo copy number variations with clinical features which overlap 1q43q44 microdeletion and 3q29 microduplication syndromes. Our case presented with global developmental delay, epilepsy, recurrent infections, stereotypic movements, speech delay, microcephaly, facial dysmorphism, bilateral clinodactyly, and small puffy feet with metatarsus varus; however, she had no corpus callosum dysplasia. Our case highlights the role of multiple copy number variations in the occurrence of a certain phenotype. Moreover, it supports the theory that the loss of HNRNPU gene function cannot explain the occurrence of microcephaly and abnormalities of the corpus callosum in 1q43q44 microdeletion syndrome.
Why, how, and when to use color Doppler ultrasound for improving precision in the diagnosis, assessment of severity and activity in morphea
Authors: Wortsman Ximena
Published: September 2018

Morphea also called localized scleroderma is a complex entity that requires objective methods for supporting the diagnosis, severity, and activity. To date, clinical scorings may show a very good inter-rater agreement but cannot provide anatomical information on subclinical involvement. Biological markers can be used for detecting inflammation but may not be useful for grading tissue damage. Color Doppler ultrasound can support diagnosis and the assessment of severity and activity in morphea which has been validated using histology as the gold standard. Ultrasound is the first-choice imaging technique for studying cutaneous diseases and can show subclinical involvement, including the affection of deeper layers non-invasively and safely. It requires proper ultrasound devices, imaging-trained physicians for performing the examinations, the performance of a standardized protocol during the examinations, and an organized schedule that allows enough time for evaluating the patients. Under the latter conditions, ultrasonography can be a powerful and reliable tool for supporting the management of morphea.
Hyper-N-glycosylated SAMD14 and neurabin-I as driver autoantigens of primary central nervous system lymphoma
Authors: Thurner Lorenz , Preuss Klaus-Dieter , Bewarder Moritz , Kemele Maria , Fadle Natalie , Regitz Evi , Altmeyer Sarah , Schormann Claudia , Poeschel Viola , Ziepert Marita , Walter Silke , Roth Patrick , Weller Michael , Szczepanowski Monika , Klapper Wolfram , Monoranu Camelia , Rosenwald Andreas , Möller Peter , Hartmann Sylvia , Hansmann Martin-Leo , Mackensen Andreas , Schäfer Henning , Schorb Elisabeth , Illerhaus Gerald , Buslei Rolf , Bohle Rainer Maria , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Kim Yoo-Jin , Pfreundschuh Michael
Published: September 2018

To address the role of chronic antigenic stimulation in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), we searched for autoantigens and identified sterile α-motif domain containing protein 14 (SAMD14) and neural tissue-specific F-actin binding protein I (neurabin-I) as autoantigenic targets of the B-cell receptors (BCRs) from 8/12 PCNSLs. In the respective cases, SAMD14 and neurabin-I were atypically hyper-N-glycosylated (SAMD14 at ASN339 and neurabin-I at ASN1277), explaining their autoimmunogenicity. SAMD14 and neurabin-I induced BCR pathway activation and proliferation of aggressive lymphoma cell lines transfected with SAMD14- and neurabin-I-reactive BCRs. Moreover, the BCR binding epitope of neurabin-I conjugated to truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin-killed lymphoma cells expressing the respective BCRs. These results support the role of chronic antigenic stimulation by posttranslationally modified central nervous system (CNS) driver autoantigens in the pathogenesis of PCNSL, serve as an explanation for their CNS tropism, and provide the basis for a novel specific treatment approach.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Knockdown long non-coding RNA ANRIL inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells by down-regulation of miR-191
Authors: Huang Deyu , Bi Chunhua , Zhao Qingxi , Ding Xueli , Bian Cheng , Wang Hui , Wang Ting , Liu Hua
Published: September 2018

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high fatality rate. Recent studies reported that up-regulation of long non-coding RNA antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (lncRNA ANRIL) was found in HCC tissues, and which could affect HCC cells biological processes. However, the potential molecular mechanism of ANRIL in HCC is still unclear. The study aimed to uncover the effect of ANRIL on HepG2 cells growth, migration and invasion.

Methods

The knockdown expression vectors of ANRIL were transfected into HepG2 cells, and qRT-PCR, CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell and western blot assays were performed to analyze the effect of ANRIL on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. The relative expression of miR-191 was then examined in ANRIL knockdown vector transfected cells. These experiments were repeated again for exploring the effect of miR-191 on HepG2 cells. NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways were examined by using western blot assay.

Results

Knockdown of ANRIL inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, meanwhile suppressed migration and invasion of HepG2 cells. Additionally, the results showed that the expression level of miR-191 was down-regulated by ANRIL knockdown in HepG2 cells. Importantly, overexpression of miR-191 reversed the anti-tumor effect of ANRIL on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in HepG2 cells. Besides, we found that ANRIL knockdown inactivated NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways by regulating miR-191.

Conclusions

These data demonstrated that ANRIL knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells by down-regulating miR-191 and inactivating NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.
Timing of onset of lithium relapse prevention in bipolar disorder: evidence from randomised trials
Authors: Taylor Matthew J.
Published: September 2018

Lithium is widely prescribed, but the timing of key effects remains uncertain. The timing of onset of its relapse prevention effects is clarified by placebo-controlled randomised trials (3 studies, n = 1120). Lithium reduced relapse into any mood episode over the first 2 weeks of treatment (hazard ratio 0.40, 95% CI 0.16–0.97). Fewer manic relapses were evident within the first 4 weeks, however, early effects on depressive relapse were not demonstrated. There is an early onset of lithium relapse prevention effects in bipolar disorder, particularly against manic relapse. Full effects against depressive relapse may develop over a longer period.

Declaration of interest

M.J.T. reports personal fees from Sunovion, Otsuka, Lundbeck, outside the submitted work.
Repeated oral ketamine for out-patient treatment of resistant depression: randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study
Authors: Domany Yoav , Bleich-Cohen Maya , Tarrasch Ricardo , Meidan Roi , Litvak-Lazar Olga , Stoppleman Nadav , Schreiber Shaul , Bloch Miki , Hendler Talma , Sharon Haggai
Published: September 2018

Background

Ketamine has been demonstrated to improve depressive symptoms.

Aims

Evaluation of efficacy, safety and feasibility of repeated oral ketamine for out-patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Method

In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept trial, 41 participants received either 1 mg/kg oral ketamine or placebo thrice weekly for 21 days (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02037503). Evaluation was performed at baseline, 40 and 240 min post administration and on days 3, 7, 14 and 21. The main outcome measure was change in Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

Results

Twenty-two participants were randomised to the ketamine group, and 19 to the control, with 82.5% (n = 33) completing the study. In the ketamine group, a decrease in depressive symptoms was evident at all time points, whereas in the control group a decrease was evident only 40 min post administration. The reduction in MADRS score on day 21 was 12.75 in the ketamine group versus 2.49 points with placebo (P < 0.001). Six participants in the ketamine group (27.3%) achieved remission compared with none of the controls (P < 0.05). The number needed to treat for remission was 3.7. Side-effects were mild and transient.

Conclusions

Repeated oral ketamine produced rapid and persistent amelioration of depressive symptoms in out-patients with TRD, and was well tolerated. These results suggest that add-on oral ketamine may hold significant promise in the care of patients suffering from TRD in the community.

Declaration of interest

None.
Effect of Hypoglycemia on Inflammatory Responses and the Response to Low-Dose Endotoxemia in Humans
Authors: Iqbal Ahmed , Prince Lynne R , Novodvorsky Peter , Bernjak Alan , Thomas Mark R , Birch Lewis , Lambert Danielle , Kay Linda J , Wright Fiona J , Macdonald Ian A , Jacques Richard M , Storey Robert F , McCrimmon Rory J , Francis Sheila , Heller Simon R , Sabroe Ian
Published: September 2018

Context

Hypoglycemia is emerging as a risk for cardiovascular events in diabetes. We hypothesized that hypoglycemia activates the innate immune system, which is known to increase cardiovascular risk.

Objective

To determine whether hypoglycemia modifies subsequent innate immune system responses.

Design and Setting

Single-blinded, prospective study of three independent parallel groups.

Participants and Interventions

Twenty-four healthy participants underwent either a hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic (2.5 mmol/L), euglycemic (6.0 mmol/L), or sham-saline clamp (n = 8 for each group). After 48 hours, all participants received low-dose (0.3 ng/kg) intravenous endotoxin.

Main Outcome Measures

We studied in-vivo monocyte mobilization and monocyte-platelet interactions.

Results

Hypoglycemia increased total leukocytes (9.98 ± 1.14 × 109/L vs euglycemia 4.38 ± 0.53 × 109/L, P < 0.001; vs sham-saline 4.76 ± 0.36 × 109/L, P < 0.001) (mean ± SEM), mobilized proinflammatory intermediate monocytes (42.20 ± 7.52/μL vs euglycemia 20.66 ± 3.43/μL, P < 0.01; vs sham-saline 26.20 ± 3.86/μL, P < 0.05), and nonclassic monocytes (36.16 ± 4.66/μL vs euglycemia 12.72 ± 2.42/μL, P < 0.001; vs sham-saline 19.05 ± 3.81/μL, P < 0.001). Following hypoglycemia vs euglycemia, platelet aggregation to agonist (area under the curve) increased (73.87 ± 7.30 vs 52.50 ± 4.04, P < 0.05) and formation of monocyte-platelet aggregates increased (96.05 ± 14.51/μL vs 49.32 ± 6.41/μL, P < 0.05). Within monocyte subsets, hypoglycemia increased aggregation of intermediate monocytes (10.51 ± 1.42/μL vs euglycemia 4.19 ± 1.08/μL, P < 0.05; vs sham-saline 3.81± 1.42/μL, P < 0.05) and nonclassic monocytes (9.53 ± 1.08/μL vs euglycemia 2.86 ± 0.72/μL, P < 0.01; vs sham-saline 3.08 ± 1.01/μL, P < 0.05), with platelets compared with controls. Hypoglycemia led to greater leukocyte mobilization in response to subsequent low-dose endotoxin challenge (10.96 ± 0.97 vs euglycemia 8.21 ± 0.85 × 109/L, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Hypoglycemia mobilizes monocytes, increases platelet reactivity, promotes interaction between platelets and proinflammatory monocytes, and potentiates the subsequent immune response to endotoxin. These changes may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk observed in people with diabetes.
Associations of vomiting and antiemetic use in pregnancy with levels of circulating GDF15 early in the second trimester: A nested case-control study
Authors: Petry Clive J. , Ong Ken K. , Burling Keith A. , Barker Peter , Goodburn Sandra F. , Perry John R.B. , Acerini Carlo L. , Hughes Ieuan A. , Painter Rebecca C. , Afink Gijs B. , Dunger David B. , O'Rahilly Stephen
Published: September 2018

Background: Although nausea and vomiting are very common in pregnancy, their pathogenesis is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that circulating growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) concentrations in early pregnancy, whose gene is implicated in hyperemesis gravidarum, are associated with nausea and vomiting.

Methods: Blood samples for the measurement of GDF15 and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) concentrations were obtained early in the second trimester (median 15.1 (interquartile range 14.4-15.7) weeks) of pregnancy from 791 women from the Cambridge Baby Growth Study, a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort. During each trimester participants completed a questionnaire which included questions about nausea, vomiting and antiemetic use. Associations with pre-pregnancy body mass indexes (BMI) were validated in 231 pregnant NIPTeR Study participants.

Results: Circulating GDF15 concentrations were higher in women reporting vomiting in the second trimester than in women reporting no pregnancy nausea or vomiting: 11,581 (10,977-12,219) (n=175) vs. 10,593 (10,066-11,147) (n=193) pg/mL, p=0.02). In women who took antiemetic drugs during pregnancy (n=11) the GDF15 levels were also raised 13,157 (10,558-16,394) pg/mL (p =0.04). Serum GFD15 concentrations were strongly positively correlated with hCG levels but were inversely correlated with maternal BMIs, a finding replicated in the NIPTeR Study.

Conclusions: Week 15 serum GDF15 concentrations are positively associated with second trimester vomiting and maternal antiemetic use in pregnancy. Given GDF15’s site of action in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the brainstem and its genetic associations with hyperemesis gravidarum, these data support the concept that GDF15 may be playing a pathogenic role in pregnancy-associated vomiting.
THEORY OF DECISION-MAKING: THE LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL ASPECTS
Authors: Emelyanov Andrey Sergeevich
Published: September 2018

Данная статья посвящена достаточно обширной и современной научной области – теории принятия решений. Автор обращается к логико-математическим основам теории принятия решений для экспликации экзистенциальных особенностей выбора, основанных на четырех основных мартингалах: тренд, время, люди и страх. В соответствии с предшествующими результатами, исследование подтвердило предположение о том, что последние четыре составляющие «управляют» человеческим существом и влияют на его принятие решений.Целью исследования является рассмотрение логико-математических аспектов теории принятия решений.Автор обращается к математическим моделям социальных изменений, математической статистике, теории игр, теории вероятности, теории социальных условий, социальной физике и нейролингвистике. В статье использовались методы интерпретации и герменевтики, нарративный и концептуальный анализ, а также конфигурирование.Анализ факторов, влияющих на принятие решений, позволяет минимизировать риски, предсказывать результаты событий, а также конструировать оптимальные и эффективные стратегии поведения.Новизна этого исследования состоит в том, что, во-первых, была представлена модель общего описания принятия решений, которая обобщает аппарат логико-математического и экзистенциального анализа. Во-вторых, при анализе психологических аспектов принятия решений человека предлагается использовать инструменты временной и модальной логики.Полученные результаты могут быть использованы в экзистенциальных системах принятия решения. Область использования данных программ экзистенциальных систем принятия решений широка: от решения повседневных вопросов человеческой жизнедеятельности, анализа фондового рынка, финансового консалтинга и переговоров, до маркетинговых стратегий, различных PR-кампаний и даже ИИ (Искусственного интеллекта).
Didactics of practice-oriented education
Authors: Беликов Владимир , Belikov V. , Романов Петр , Romanov Petr , Валеев Азат , Valeev Azat
Published: September 2018

The monograph presents the author's material corresponding to the idea. that the implementation of the requirements of activity-oriented education contributes significantly to the provision of practice-oriented education. competence and acmeological approaches. The paper reveals the potential of educational, cognitive, educational and professional activities in the formation of personal competencies of students in modern higher education.
The paper presents the didactic concept of practice-oriented education of the individual as a system of activity of students, the integrity of which is ensured by the personal significance of the purpose of education, its value orientation, subordination to reflective processes, personal aspirations to achieve the "top" of education.
It is recommended to researchers and teachers of higher education, undergraduates, graduate students, doctoral students and applicants, teachers of universities and institutions of SPO.
An Inverse Optimal Stopping Problem for Diffusion Processes
Authors: Kruse Thomas , Strack Philipp
Published: September 2018

Let X be a one-dimensional diffusion and let g be a real-valued function depending on time and the value of X. This article analyzes the inverse optimal stopping problem of finding a time-dependent real-valued function π depending only on time such that a given stopping time τ⋆ is a solution of the stopping problem [Formula: see text].

Under regularity and monotonicity conditions, there exists such a transfer π if and only if τ⋆ is the first time when X exceeds a time-dependent barrier b. We prove uniqueness of the solution π and derive a closed form representation. The representation is based on an auxiliary process that is a version of the original diffusion X reflected at b towards the continuation region. The results lead to a new integral equation characterizing the stopping boundary b of the stopping problem [Formula: see text].
‘Special needs may be just trying to get carers to clean teeth’
Authors: Day Linda
Published: September 2018

Dental nurse Linda Day works at the Aldershot Dental Clinic, a Solent NHS Trust clinic for people with disabilities. Here, she considers the challenges and the rewards of her role
Three wise memos
Authors: Wells Sheila
Published: September 2018

Sheila Wells gift-wraps some important festive advice – and it has your name on it!
How to ‘conquer the world’ – and other plans for 2018
Authors: Bridges Glenys
Published: September 2018

Glenys Bridges reveals how to ensure a prosperous and successful New Year and beyond
Bracing the nation
Authors: Sharma Priya
Published: September 2018

Priya Sharma talks selfies, celebrities, straight teeth and the boom in popularity of clear aligners – and what all this means for you
The explosive rise of electronic cigarettes
Authors: Sharma Priya
Published: September 2018

Priya Sharma considers the idiom ‘where there's smoke, there's fire’ in relation to patients' oral health
Oral cancer awareness – and patient power
Authors: Curtis Chris
Published: September 2018

Chris Curtis is chairman of The Swallows, a charity that supports head and neck cancer patients and seeks to raise awareness of the disease. He talks to Simon Tucker
Look Back. Move forward
Authors: Bissett Julie
Published: September 2018

Julie Bissett considers reflective learning and personal development plans and the upcoming ECPD
Diagnosis and management of gonorrhoea in primary care
Authors: Browes Simon
Published: September 2018

With cases of gonorrhoea on the rise, Simon Browes shares best practice for prevention and diagnosis
Conclusion
Authors: Kselman Thomas
Published: September 2018

The Conclusion reiterates the central argument of the book, that stories told by and about converts in the period after the French revolution were a crucial element in French culture. These narratives fascinated a broad audience drawn by a heightened consciousness of religious liberty and a deep anxiety about the exercise of this newly acquired right. The Conclusion ends with a comparison of two recent works which suggest the continuing resonance of stories about converts and conversions, Michel Houllebecq’s Submission, and Emmanuel Carrère’s memoir, The Kingdom.
Anti-Pluralism
Authors: Galston William A.
Published: September 2018

The Great Recession, institutional dysfunction, a growing divide between urban and rural prospects, and failed efforts to effectively address immigration have paved the way for a populist backlash that disrupts the postwar bargain between political elites and citizens. Whether today's populism represents a corrective to unfair and obsolete policies or a threat to liberal democracy itself remains up for debate. Yet this much is clear: these challenges indict the triumphalism that accompanied liberal democratic consolidation after the collapse of the Soviet Union. To respond to today's crisis, good leaders must strive for inclusive economic growth while addressing fraught social and cultural issues, including demographic anxiety, with frank attention. Although reforms may stem the populist tide, liberal democratic life will always leave some citizens unsatisfied. This is a permanent source of vulnerability, but liberal democracy will endure so long as citizens believe it is worth fighting for.
Belonging on an Island
Authors: Lewis Daniel
Published: September 2018

A lively, rich natural history of Hawaiian birds that challenges existing ideas about what constitutes biocultural nativeness and belonging, this natural history takes readers on a thousand-year journey as it explores the Hawaiian Islands' beautiful birds and a variety of topics including extinction, evolution, survival, conservationists and their work, and, most significantly, the concept of belonging. The text is built around the stories of four species: the Stumbling Moa-Nalo, the Kauaʻi ʻŌʻō, the Palila, and the Japanese White-Eye. The book offers innovative ways to think about what it means to be native and proposes new definitions that apply to people as well as to birds. Being native, the book argues, is a relative state influenced by factors including the passage of time, charisma, scarcity, utility to others, short-term evolutionary processes, and changing relationships with other organisms. This book also describes how bird conservation started in Hawaiʻi, and the naturalists and environmentalists who did extraordinary work.
Rights Talk and the Enabling of Wrongs
Authors: Ferguson Robert A.
Published: September 2018

This chapter illustrates how the typical court opinion on prisoners' rights proclaims constitutional guarantees in principle while taking them away in practice. Judges say a right is available but not in the decision before them. One of the ironies in prison abuse comes here. The abstractions in rights talk allow many particulars to be ignored even as the stress on individual rights ignores the collective nature of prison problems. The rubrics that protect civil rights depend on balancing tests between particular redress and communal interests, and these tests invariably work against prisoner complaints through security claims. Prejudgment easily dismisses the person complaining through the crime committed, sometimes long ago.
Coda: Being in Prison
Authors: Ferguson Robert A.
Published: September 2018

This concluding chapter looks at a speech conducted at the January graduation ceremony of prisoners who would receive their college degrees at the Fishkill Correctional Institution, in conjunction with programs run by Nyack College in upstate New York. It explains how graduation oratory is all about telling people to apply what they have learned in the world. The graduation speech consists of six key takeaways: the more you know, the more you realize you do not know; recognizing what you do not know is a social tool; education is self- knowledge; education is also about learning to write well; education is self- improvement; and finally, education is a place of its own.
Healthy ageing across the life course
Authors: Kuh Diana , Hardy Rebecca , Gale Catharine , Elliott Jane , Ben-Shlomo Yoav , Cooper Rachel
Published: September 2018

This chapter describes the Healthy Ageing across the Life Course (HALCyon) NDA collaborative research project, the aim of which was to investigate biological and social factors from early life that influence healthy ageing in later life. Healthy ageing was studied as optimal functioning at the individual level, in terms of physical and cognitive capability and wellbeing. The roles of lifetime socioeconomic circumstances, cognitive development and education, body size and diet were investigated, as well as underlying biology (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, telomeres and genes). The project undertook: systematic reviews and meta-analyses of all available studies; comparative analysis using harmomised data across nine British cohort studies; in depth analysis of single cohorts with unique data; and qualitative interviews with sub-samples of participants from three of these cohorts.
Fit for purpose
Authors: Damodaran Leela , Olphert Wendy , Sandhu Jatinder
Published: September 2018

Globally, older people have tended to be relatively slow adopters of ICTs. As services and facilities are increasingly delivered online, concerns about the implications for social inclusion and participation have spawned many initiatives aimed at encouraging older peoples' digital engagement. However little attention has been paid to whether and how their usage can be sustained over time. This chapter describes the research undertaken in the Sus-IT project, which sought to address this gap. The aims were to examine older people’s use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), to identify the factors which can prevent or promote sustained use, and to explore solutions to support sustained use. A participatory, mixed methods approach was adopted, and around 1000 older ICT users were involved in the research. The findings show that while many older people are enthusiastic, competent and confident users of ICTs, they also report a range of challenges in reaching and maintaining this position. These include technological complexity and change, age-related capability changes and a lack of appropriate learning and support mechanisms. Intrinsic motivation and social support are important in enabling older people to overcome these challenges. The important implications of the findings for policy and practice are discussed.
Ageing, poverty and neoliberalism in urban south India
Authors: Veeraraghavan Suresh , Hussain Marlia , Henry Joe , George Arul , Harriss-White Barbara
Published: September 2018

This chapter sets out a four-year, multi-disciplinary and mixed methods study of older people’s paid and unpaid work, their contributions to their households, family networks and the economy. It situates older people’s work and poverty in the cleft between widespread low-paid and insecure work, inadequate public services and India’s ambitions in the global economy, which leaves older people bolstering household and family incomes, releasing women into the labour force and providing low cost services to workers and low cost inputs to businesses. The chapter describes the team’s innovative impact strategy to generate a public discussion of older people’s rights as workers and to a pension and to secure raised social pensions.
Racism, Policy and Politics
Authors: Murji Karim
Published: September 2018

This book analyses and bridges the gap between critical social research on race and politics by reviewing the academic field of race theorising and scholarship, covering changes in race and racism debates in recent decades, and assessing the extent, scope, and limits of academic engagements with, and impact on, policy and politics. This approach will take the reader through and beyond impact debates, public sociology and scholarship, racism, diversity, and post-race. The landscape around the politics of race and policing has changed dramatically. There is a greater extent and depth of research on race, policing, and policy than 30–40 years ago; the same also applies to public and media discussions of racism. Yet, the same matters recur: complaints of unfair and discriminatory over-policing of black people, of racism and inequality in public policy, and the unresolved legacy of cases from the 1990s. This book argues that the ongoing and unresolved challenges around race and racism are troubling in academic discourse as well as in public policy and debate and, moreover, that the discussion of these is linked together.
Legal capacity for people with dementia: a human rights approach
Authors: Flynn Eilionóir
Published: September 2018

This chapter explores the right to legal capacity for people with dementia. The analysis focuses on General Comment 1 of the UN Committee on the rights of persons with disabilities. The chapter also provides some examples of law reform around the world on the issue of legal capacity and considers how these reforms may impact on people with dementia. Finally the chapter considers how the right to legal capacity may be framed in any new UN Convention on the rights of older persons. The chapter argues that legal capacity is a critical human rights issue in the context of dementia and that Article 12 (CRPD) and the general comment 1 provide a strong base for respecting the autonomy and self determination of people with dementia
Conclusions: grounds for hope
Authors: Cahill Suzanne
Published: September 2018

This chapter will be used to highlight the key contribution this book makes to the field of dementia care policy and practice, as well as identifying some of its limitations. Returning to the core themes consolidated in the UN Convention and introduced in chapter three namely equality autonomy participation and solidarity and based on the topics reviewed in earlier chapters, the chapter points to the gaps that exist between the rhetoric of policy initiatives and the reality of peoples’ everyday lives and the further gap that can exist between policy objectives and research evidence. The chapter argues for a need for much more budgetary and political attention to be focused on dementia and for future iterations of dementia strategies to take cognizance of human rights issues. Human rights legislation rather than being seen as punitive and burdensome should be viewed as a critical framework for guiding all levels of action with people with dementia and their family members.
Engaging fathers with family support services: using conversation analysis
Authors: Symonds Jon
Published: September 2018

This chapter considers how conversation analysis can be used to understand professional practice as it happens and the circumstances in which fathers are made more or less visible in the interaction. On the one hand, social work is predicated on the basis that parents, including fathers, have the capacity for growth and to improve their own and their children's lives. On the other hand, social workers are required to identify when a parent presents a risk to the child and should no longer be caring for them. Given that most social work continues to be with mothers, the chapter shows that fathers represent a practical dilemma for social workers in terms of their presence or absence in a child's life, the quality of that involvement, and the potential for them to be positively engaged with change.
The search for impact in British probation: from programmes to skills and implementation
Authors: Raynor Peter
Published: September 2018

Social scientists have often had difficulty evaluating the impact of probation services, partly because expectations and political circumstances change and partly because appropriate methodologies have been slow to develop. This chapter outlines the history of evaluative research on probation. It describes the limitations of early probation research which led to erroneous conclusions that ‘nothing works’, and goes on to show how more recent research has been based on a fuller understanding of practitioner inputs through research on programmes, skills and implementation. This is starting to lead to a better understanding of which practices are effective (‘What Works’). The chapter advocates a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology for evaluative research which combines understanding, measurement and comparison. Finally, it points to some risks to evidence-based policy which arise from current populism and post-truth politics.
The Risk-Need-Responsivity model: evidence diversity and integrative theory
Authors: Herzog-Evans Martine
Published: September 2018

This chapter provides a theoretical account of several models of evidence-based supervision skills and practices, including the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR), desistance and Good Lives models. The chapter explores the models’ principles by engaging extensively with the key conflicts, debates, attacks and counter-attacks that have characterised exchanges between key proponents of the models. The objective of the chapter is to explore how the unifying themes that underpin the models (and other legal models) can be integrated into an overarching theoretical model of effective practice.
Professional practices and skills in first interviews: a comparative perspective on probation practice in Spain and Belgium
Authors: Blay Ester , Boxstaens Johan
Published: September 2018

This chapter focuses on the professional practices and skills employed by probation officers (PO) during first interviews with individuals serving probation orders. Its focus is comparative and it draws on the results of research conducted by the authors in two different jurisdictions, Belgium and Spain (Catalonia). The study employed an observation schedule to observe first interviews. The schedule was collaboratively developed by researchers from various European jurisdictions in the context of the COST Action Offender Supervision in Europe (Boxstaens et al., 2015). This chapter includes some methodological reflections on the strengths and limitations of using structured observation as a method for collecting comparable data and focuses on the actual results of employing the observation schedule and interviewing POs in the two jurisdictions. Data will be analysed comparatively to assess the skills the practitioners employed, and attention will also be paid to variations within jurisdictions and between individual practitioners. Results and implications are discussed in terms of the different cultural, legal, and institutional aims and settings existing in the two jurisdictions involved, and interpreted in terms of POs' dual role (support and control), and the working alliance between the professional and the sentenced individual.
From evidence-informed to evidence-based: the Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision
Authors: Bonta James , Bourgon Guy , Rugge Tanya
Published: September 2018

The Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model of offender assessment and rehabilitation is one of the mostly widely used paradigms for the design and delivery of offender treatment programs. However, there has been relatively little research on providing RNR-informed services by front-line correctional staff. The Strategic Training Initiative in Community Corrections (STICS) is the first RNR-based intervention that trains probation officers to use the RNR principles in the everyday supervision of offenders. This chapter describes the development, evaluation, and application of STICS in community supervision. Special attention is given to issues faced during large-scale implementation of the STICS model and the generalizability of the model. The chapter ends with a description of the influence of STICS on international developments in providing evidence-based community supervision.