bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Product Quality and Performance in the Internet Age: Evidence from Creationist-Friendly Curriculum
Authors: Sen Ananya , Tucker Catherine
Published: October 2020

Curriculum is at the core of school quality. Curriculum changes often attempt to cater to local preferences while adhering to national standards. This tension often drives a school’s decision to invest in curriculum changes even though little is known about how such changes affect student performance. To examine these interrelated issues of product quality and performance in the education sector, the authors analyze the effect of the 2008 Louisiana Science Education Act on students’ science test performance in nationally administered tests. The law allowed the teaching of creationism as an alternative “theory” to evolution in Louisiana schools. Using detailed data on Louisiana schools, the authors employ a difference-in-differences strategy to document that science test achievement declined after the law was passed, relative to schools in neighboring Texas. The effect of the law was driven by regions with high internet penetration and low parental education levels. After the change in policy, Louisiana students were more likely to seek out information on the internet using search terms that led them to web pages that reinforced a creationist message.
The Effect of Information Disclosure on Industry Payments to Physicians
Authors: Guo Tong , Sriram S. , Manchanda Puneet
Published: October 2020

In 2019, U.S. pharmaceutical companies paid $3.6 billion to physicians in the form of gifts to promote their drugs. To curb inappropriate financial relationships between health care providers and firms, several state laws require firms to publicly declare the payments they make to physicians. In 2013, this disclosure law was rolled out to all 50 states. The authors investigate the causal impact of this increased transparency on subsequent payments between firms and physicians. While firms and physicians were informed of the disclosure regulation at data collection, complete transparency did not occur until the data were published online. The authors estimate the heterogeneous treatment effects of the online data disclosure exploiting the phased rollout of the disclosure laws across states, facilitated by recent advances in machine learning methods. Using a 29-month national panel covering $100 million in payments between 16 antidiabetic brands and 50,000 physicians, the authors find that the monthly payments changed insignificantly, on average, due to disclosure. However, the average null effect masks some unintended consequences of disclosure, wherein payments may have increased for more expensive drugs and among physicians who prescribed more heavily. The authors further explore potential mechanisms that can parsimoniously describe the data pattern.
Drugs, pesticides and metabolites in forensic post-mortem blood samples
Authors: Ferrari Júnior Ettore , dos Santos João Batista Afonso , Caldas Eloisa Dutra
Published: October 2020

Forensic post-mortem toxicological data provide valuable information for the elucidation of cause of death. However, this is still not routine practice in Brazilian laboratories. This study investigated the presence of illicit and prescription drugs, pesticides and metabolites in 111 post-mortem blood samples from cases investigated by the Forensic Medical Institute of the Federal District, Brazil. Quantitative analysis was performed for 14 analytes using a validated programmed temperature vaporisation-large volume injection-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method, which was also used as screening (qualitative analysis) for an additional 19 substances of forensic interest. At least one analyte was found in 61.2% of the samples, of which 34 were related to homicide, 15 to accidental death and 10 to suicide cases. The victims were 14–72 years old. The benzodiazepines diazepam, midazolam and 7-aminoflunitrazepan were detected in 46% of the positive samples (0.02–1.12 µg/mL; midazolam only qualitative). Cocaine was found in 34% (0.02–4.07 µg/mL), associated with substances commonly used as cocaine adulterants (e.g. caffeine, lidocaine and phenacetin). Three suicide cases involved the illegal rodenticide chumbinho, residues of which were found in the gastric content, and blood samples showed the presence of terbufos (0.03 and 0.04 µg/mL) and carbofuran (27.3 µg/mL). These results are discussed, along with autopsy and crime-scene information.
Academic Differences Between an Urban Nativity School and an Urban Public School District
Authors: Haeberlein Kristen , Handal Paul J. , Evans Luke
Published: October 2020

Previous research suggests that both poverty and minority status significantly influence academic achievement. Nativity schools, which have been extensively researched, have been found effective for students coming from low socioeconomic statuses and diverse backgrounds. Differences were examined between an urban public school district and an urban parochial school that uses the Nativity model (henceforth referred to as Nativity School). The purpose of this study was to determine if students from Nativity School were able to achieve significantly above that which urban public school students achieved. Specifically, academic achievement in the areas of mathematics, language arts, and science were analyzed, as well as high school dropout rate, high school graduation rate, and entrance into postsecondary education. Nativity School used the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) to measure achievement longitudinally and reported stanines and local and national percentile ranks, while the public school system used the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and provided four descriptor categories (i.e., Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced). Below Basic and Basic referred to students who demonstrate the skills outlined by the Missouri Show-Me Standards inconsistently and/or incorrectly, while students who perform in the Proficient and Advanced categories demonstrate these skills consistently, at or above grade level. Results revealed Nativity School students significantly improved their academic achievement scores and were more likely than urban public school students to graduate high school and enroll in postsecondary school. Interpretation and implications of these results and limitations are explored.
‘We are, by nature, a tolerant people’: Securitisation and counter-securitisation in UK migration politics
Authors: Paterson Ian , Karyotis Georgios
Published: October 2020

The ‘securitisation’ of migration is argued to rest on a process of framing migrants as a threat to key values, principally identity. Yet, the socially constructed nature of ‘identity’ implies the potential for dual usage: support and contestation of the security frame. Using the UK as an illustrative case, this overlooked dynamic is explored through mixed-methods, incorporating elite political and religious discourse (2005–2015) and original public attitudinal survey evidence. The discourse analysis reveals that the preservation of an imperilled British identity (‘tolerance’) is a frame invoked, in different ways and by different actors, to either support or contest the securitisation of migration. Similarly, British citizens who deeply value the preservation of ‘Britishness’ have diverse, positive and negative views on migration, challenging the notion that identity as a referent object is deterministically linked to anti-immigration attitudes. The innovative concept of ‘counter-securitisation’ is utilised and developed, unpicking these nuances and their implications.
The Virtues of Everyday Talk: The Enduring Significance of John Milton’s Theory of Expressive Liberties
Authors: Bakalar Chloé
Published: October 2020

The system of free expression John Milton defends in Areopagitica, a pamphlet against prior restraint in publishing, is often characterized as merely a proto-liberal, truth-based marketplace of ideas theory. But this represents a misunderstanding of Milton’s views on the freedoms of conscience, speech, and the press. The tendency in political theory, philosophy, and law to reduce the “free speech Milton” to Areopagitica, and the reduction of that essay to several soundbites, has meant sidelining both the significant exceptions to expressive liberties that Milton calls for and also the role of the social in his theory. This incomplete characterization has enabled Milton’s misuse in First Amendment discourse and jurisprudence, where he is made to support hierarchical approaches to free speech that privilege public political speech and are therefore ill-equipped to address the full range of communicative experiences. More comprehensive readings of Milton, however, reveal both certain limits to free expression, and also deep consideration for a wide range of speech acts. By reading Milton’s theory of expressive liberties in light of the justifications he provides for those freedoms—i.e., virtue-building and Truth-seeking—this essay provides a fuller account of his views. What emerges is a distinctly Miltonian, virtue-driven “political theory of everyday talk” that locates value in even the most ordinary communicative acts. This theory—embracing both verbal and nonverbal expression—not only complements existing political theories of the everyday but can also help illuminate contemporary free speech concerns, many of which stem from the libertarian approach to expressive liberties that Milton (inadvertently) helped inspire.
Using a Token Economy to Treat Escape-Maintained Problem Behavior Without Extinction
Authors: Andzik Natalie , Smith Elle , Neef Nancy
Published: October 2020

The use of extinction procedures when treating escape-maintained problem behavior can be undesirable and impractical for practitioners to use. To mitigate the risks associated with escape extinction, we explored the effectiveness of a delayed reinforcement token system without the use of extinction in school and home settings to treat escape-maintained problem behavior of students with autism spectrum disorder. In lieu of escape extinction (e.g., blocking), the researchers implemented a 30 s break contingent on problem behaviors and a token (to be exchanged at the end of the session) contingent on compliance. The results of a multiple probe design indicated substantial increases in compliance and reductions in problem behavior for all four participants. These findings suggest that extinction is not necessary to eliminate escape-maintained problem behavior in children with autism.
A Scholarly Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Intranasal Corticosteroids Preparations in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Macias-Valle Luis , Psaltis Alkis J.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

The purpose of this scholarly review is to present an update of the efficacy, safety, and distribution of intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) in the context of treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Materials and Methods:

A literature review from 1999 to 2020 of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE databases was performed, using a comprehensive search strategy. Studies reporting on efficacy, safety, and distribution of all INCS formulations, both Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and non-FDA approved, were reviewed.

Results and Conclusions:

High-level evidence publications and position papers support the role of INCS in medical treatment for CRS. Significant improvement in disease-specific and general quality of life measures is observed with all formulations of INCS. Overall, the use of both FDA and published non-FDA INCS appears to be safe. Several novel distribution devices might improve penetration to specific areas within the sinuses.
Asymptotic Standard Errors of Parameter Scale Transformation Coefficients in Test Equating Under the Nominal Response Model
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua
Published: October 2020

Researchers have developed a characteristic curve procedure to estimate the parameter scale transformation coefficients in test equating under the nominal response model. In the study, the delta method was applied to derive the standard error expressions for computing the standard errors for the estimates of the parameter scale transformation coefficients. This brief report presents the results of a simulation study that examined the accuracy of the derived formulas and compared the performance of this analytical method with that of the multiple imputation method. The results indicated that the standard errors produced by the delta method were very close to the criterion standard errors as well as those yielded by the multiple imputation method under all the simulation conditions.
Thresholds Derived From Common Measures in Rat Studies Are Predictive of Liver Tumorigenic Chemicals
Authors: Corton J. Christopher , Korunes Katharine L. , Abedini Jaleh , El-Masri Hisham , Brown Jason , Paul-Friedman Katie , Liu Ying , Martini Cari , He Shihan , Rooney John
Published: October 2020

We hypothesized that typical tissue and clinical chemistry (ClinChem) end points measured in rat toxicity studies exhibit chemical-independent biological thresholds beyond which cancer occurs. Using the rat in vivo TG-GATES study, 75 chemicals were examined across chemical-dose-time comparisons that could be linked to liver tumor outcomes. Thresholds for liver weight to body weight (LW/BW) and 21 serum ClinChem end points were defined as the maximum and minimum values for those exposures that did not lead to liver tumors in rats. Upper thresholds were identified for LW/BW (117%), aspartate aminotransferase (195%), alanine aminotransferase (141%), alkaline phosphatase (152%), and total bilirubin (115%), and lower thresholds were identified for phospholipids (82%), relative albumin (93%), total cholesterol (82%), and total protein (94%). Thresholds derived from the TG-GATES data set were consistent across other acute and subchronic rat studies. A training set of ClinChem and LW/BW thresholds derived from a 38 chemical training set from TG-GATES was predictive of liver tumor outcomes for a test set of 37 independent TG-GATES chemicals (91%). The thresholds were most predictive when applied to 7d treatments (98%). These findings provide support that biological thresholds for common end points in rodent studies can be used to predict chemical tumorigenic potential.
Internet as a context: Exploring its impacts on scientific optimism in China
Authors: Luo Chen , Shang Jia , Zhu Yuchun
Published: October 2020

The Internet brings new opportunities and challenges to scientific development and science communication. Previous studies overwhelmingly focused on individual-level Internet factors but overlooked the potential explanatory strength of Internet context. This study addresses the existing gap by examining how the Internet influences Chinese people’s scientific optimism from a comprehensive perspective (Internet as a medium and Internet as a context). Multilevel models were built based on individual-provincial merged data. The results indicate that (1) the Internet context impairs scientific optimism while Internet exposure has no significant effect. (2) The relationship between individual Internet exposure and scientific optimism varies by province. As a quantitative indicator of Internet context, Internet penetration mitigates the weakening effect of individual Internet exposure on scientific optimism. This research provides empirical evidence on scientific attitude formation in the non-Western environment and expands the analytic approach of public attitudes toward science.
So far we have travelled – are we there yet? An exploration of national archival expedition in Eswatini
Authors: Ngoepe Mpho , Maseko Andile , Tsabedze Vusi
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to assess the preservation of and access to archives at the eSwatini National Archives (ENA). The study was based on the interpretive research paradigm, which encompasses a systematic literature review. Data were collected through different documents, such as journal articles, web pages, monographs, strategic plans, annual reports and archival legislation, with the latter providing the ENA with a statutory role to manage and preserve public records in the country. The key findings suggest that the ENA is making a remarkable effort in preserving public records. However, there was also evidence of different records preservation challenges for the ENA, including the absence of legislation and policies relating to the management and preservation of records, an inadequate budgetary allocation to support the archival activities, as well as inadequate archives and records preservation training. The researchers recommend the updating of the legislative and policy framework; regular training for archives staff; and soliciting government support for the ENA.
The palliative care needs and experiences of people with advanced head and neck cancer: A scoping review
Authors: Mayland Catriona R , Ho Qiaoling Marilyn , Doughty Hannah C , Rogers Simon N , Peddinti Prithvi , Chada Praytush , Mason Stephen , Cooper Matthew , Dey Paola
Published: October 2020

Background:

The palliative care needs of people with advanced head and neck cancer pose unique complexities due to the impact the illness has on eating, speaking, appearance and breathing. Examining these needs would help provide guidance about developing relevant models of care and identify gaps in research knowledge.

Aim:

To identify and map out the palliative care needs and experiences for people with advanced head and neck cancer.

Design:

A scoping literature review following the methods described by the Joanna Briggs Institute.

Data sources:

An electronic search of the literature was undertaken in MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE and CINAHL covering the years January 1996 to January 2019.

Results:

People with advanced head and neck cancer often had palliative care needs but there was variability in the timing and access to relevant services. A high prevalence of interventions, for example hospital admissions were needed even during the last month of life. This was not necessarily negated with early engagement of palliative care. Dissonance between patients and family carers about information needs and decision-making was an additional complexity. Studies tended to be descriptive in nature, and often involved a single centre.

Conclusion:

This scoping review demonstrates the complexity of care for people with advanced head and neck cancer and the issues related to the current healthcare systems. Focus on appropriate referral criteria, increased integration and coordination of care and robust evaluation of specific care components seems key. Linkage between research and service design delivery across teams, disciplines and care settings seems pertinent.
Sign tracking predicts cue-induced but not drug-primed reinstatement to methamphetamine seeking in rats: Effects of oxytocin treatment
Authors: Everett Nicholas A , Carey Harry A , Cornish Jennifer L , Baracz Sarah J
Published: October 2020

Background:

The incentive sensitisation theory of addiction posits that drug-associated stimuli become imbued with incentive motivational properties, driving pathological drug seeking. However, pre-existing variability in the incentive salience to non-drug reward cues (‘sign trackers’ (STs); ‘goal trackers’ (GTs)) is also predictive of the desire for and relapse to cocaine and opioids. Here, we asked whether variation in propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue is predictive of reinstatement to the highly addictive psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH), and whether treatment with the promising anti-addiction therapy oxytocin differentially reduces METH behaviour between STs and GTs.

Methods:

Rats were trained to associate a Pavlovian cue with delivery of a sucrose pellet over 8 days. They then received jugular vein catheters for intravenous METH self-administration, followed by behavioural extinction, and cue-induced and METH-primed reinstatement to METH-seeking behaviours. Oxytocin was administered prior to self-administration and reinstatement tests.

Results:

Despite the self-administration of similar amounts of METH, STs reinstated more to METH cues than did GTs, yet METH-priming reinstated STs and GTs similarly. Furthermore, oxytocin attenuated cue-induced reinstatement more so in STs than in GTs, and reduced METH-primed reinstatement to a greater extent in the top quartile of reinstaters, indicating that oxytocin treatment may be most effective for those at highest risk of addiction.

Conclusions:

This pre-existing bias towards reward cues presents a possible tool to screen for METH addiction susceptibility and may be useful for understanding the neurobiology of addiction and for pharmacotherapeutic discovery.
Arterial elasticity, endothelial function and intracranial vascular health: A multimodal MRI study
Authors: Liu Wenjin , Chen Zhensen , Ortega Dakota , Liu Xuebing , Huang Xiaoqin , Wang Lulu , Chen Li , Sun Jie , Hatsukami Thomas S , Yuan Chun , Li Haige , Yang Junwei
Published: October 2020

Vascular dysfunctions, including arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction, are prevalent in hypertensive subjects. We aimed to study their relations to subclinical intracranial vascular health in this study. A total of 200 older hypertensive males without overt cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases were recruited. Arterial elasticity was measured as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and endothelial function was measured as digital reactive hyperemia index (RHI). Cerebrovascular health was evaluated using MRI in four aspects: intracranial atherosclerosis, brain perfusion as cerebral blood flow (CBF), vascular rarefaction analyzed as visible arterial branches on angiography using a custom-developed analysis technique and small vessel disease measured as white matter hyperintensity (WMH). There was a significant negative association between cfPWV and CBF, suggesting a link between arterial stiffness and CBF decline. Higher cfPWV was also associated with presence of intracranial stenotic plaque and greater WMH volume. RHI was positively related to CBF, indicating that endothelial dysfunction was associated with reduced CBF. All the associations remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables. Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are associated with reduced brain perfusion in older hypertensive males. Arterial stiffness is also associated with global cerebral vascular injury, affecting both small and medium-to-large arteries.
Atypical magnetic resonance imaging features and differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Shuang-Yu , Yin Lei , Wang Chen , Ma Ming-Ping
Published: October 2020

Objective

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver. We aimed to summarize and analyze the atypical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of HCC to improve its diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed MRI data for 66 patients with HCC with atypical MRI features confirmed by operation and pathology.

Results

Twelve patients had high signals and 18 patients had significant decreases in opposed phase signals in T1WI plain scans. Nine patients had high signals and six patients had large cystic lesions in apparent diffusion coefficient images. Dynamic enhancement showed progressive enhancement in 15 patients, ring enhancement in three, irregular patchy enhancement in three, ‘nodule-in-nodule’ enhancement in six, delayed central patchy enhancement in six, delayed central ‘star-like aristate scars’ (T2WI revealed high signal intensity) in 21, and poor blood supply in three patients.

Conclusions

MRI can make a clear diagnosis of typical HCC, and atypical cases can also be distinguished from other tumors or tumor-like lesions by MRI. The analysis of atypical signs may improve the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for HCC.
Clinical and drug resistance characteristics of Providencia stuartii infections in 76 patients
Authors: Liu Jiachang , Wang Ruikai , Fang Ming
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To investigate the clinical and drug resistance characteristics of Providencia stuartii infections in the Huainan region of Anhui and provide a reference for the clinical selection of antimicrobial agents.

Methods

This single-center retrospective analysis included 76 patients with P. stuartii infection in Huainan during the period from October 2018 to March 2020. The hospital department in which the patients were treated and the drug susceptibility characteristics of the P. stuartii isolates were recorded.

Results

Among the 76 patients, the lung was the most common site of infection, and intensive care unit was the main hospital department. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase screening revealed expression by all 76 isolates of P. stuartii. Of the 76 isolates, 92.1% exhibited multiple drug resistance or extensive drug resistance. P. stuartii isolates were sensitive to cefepime and imipenem, but not to other beta-lactam antibiotics. Twenty isolates were resistant to all 21 types of antibiotics. Of the 20 patients infected with extensively drug-resistant isolates, nine (45%) died.

Conclusions

Drug resistance is increasing in P. stuartii. The antimicrobial agent imipenem may be effective for treatment of P. stuartii infections. Fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and fourth-generation cephalosporins are suitable options for antibiotic therapy.
Honokiol ameliorates radiation-induced brain injury via the activation of SIRT3
Authors: Liao Guixiang , Zhao Zhihong , Yang Hongli , Li Xiaming
Published: October 2020

Objective

Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) plays a vital role in regulating oxidative stress in tissue injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radioprotective effects of honokiol (HKL) in a zebrafish model of radiation-induced brain injury and in HT22 cells.

Methods

The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were evaluated in the zebrafish brain and HT22 cells. The expression levels of SIRT3 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured using western blot assays and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results

HKL treatment attenuated the levels of ROS, TNF-α, and IL-1β in both the in vivo and in vitro models of irradiation injury. Furthermore, HKL treatment increased the expression of SIRT3 and decreased the expression of COX-2. The radioprotective effects of HKL were achieved via SIRT3 activation.

Conclusions

HKL attenuated oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses in a SIRT3-dependent manner in radiation-induced brain injury.
Social Capital Among Black South African Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren
Authors: Muruthi James R. , Dolbin-MacNab Megan L. , Jarrott Shannon E.
Published: October 2020

While the significance of social capital to the well-being of black South African grandmothers raising grandchildren has been well documented, few studies have systemically investigated the sources, types, and patterns of use of social capital in this population. The aim of the current qualitative study is to use the social capital framework to explore how 75 grandmothers accessed and utilized available social capital (i.e., bridging, bonding, and linking) to enhance their own and their families’ well-being. Results from a thematic analysis revealed an inside-out pattern of social capital; bonding and bridging social capital were the most significant sources of immediate support for grandmothers, with relatives providing emotional and instrumental support and neighbors and friends mainly providing informational support. Linking capital (i.e., government and community leaders) helped grandmothers access public resources. Implications for policy and practice are addressed.
Quantifying the Influence of Achievement Emotions for Student Learning in MOOCs
Authors: Liu Bowen , Xing Wanli , Zeng Yifang , Wu Yonghe
Published: October 2020

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have become a popular tool for worldwide learners. However, a lack of emotional interaction and support is an important reason for learners to abandon their learning and eventually results in poor learning performance. This study applied an integrative framework of achievement emotions to uncover their holistic influence on students’ learning by analyzing more than 400,000 forum posts from 13 MOOCs. Six machine-learning models were first built to automatically identify achievement emotions, including K-Nearest Neighbor, Logistic Regression, Naïve Bayes, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machines. Results showed that Random Forest performed the best with a kappa of 0.83 and an ROC_AUC of 0.97. Then, multilevel modeling with the “Stepwise Build-up” strategy was used to quantify the effect of achievement emotions on students’ academic performance. Results showed that different achievement emotions influenced students’ learning differently. These findings allow MOOC platforms and instructors to provide relevant emotional feedback to students automatically or manually, thereby improving their learning in MOOCs.
Construction of long-circulation EpCAM targeted drug delivery system and its application in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer
Authors: Song Chao , Gao Chao , Zhao Jing , Wang Zhenxin
Published: October 2020

Docetaxel (DOX) is usually one of drugs used for breast cancer treatment. The key of targeted drug delivery therapy is to deliver effective drugs directly and safely to the tumor focus via an efficient targeting drug carrier with immunogenicity. In this study, Long-circulating targeted drug carrying microspheres (DOX-PEG-EpCAM-MNs) entrapping DOX were constructed. In addition, both cytotoxicity and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses were performed to establish a mouse model and further complete corresponding performance analysis.The results showed that the average particle size of DOX-PEG-EpCAM-MNs was 139.3 ± 1.6 nm. Morphological analysis proves that they are spherical and uniformly dispersed. The Corresponding entrapment rate and drug carrying capacity are 82.43% and 7.16% respectively. Additionally, MRI shows that they have the capability to track tumor cells within 5 days. This study established a safe and efficient breast cancer cells targeted long-circulating drug delivery system.
Are Shared Vehicles Shared by All? A Review of Equity and Vehicle Sharing
Authors: Dill Jennifer , McNeil Nathan
Published: October 2020

Vehicle sharing services (bikeshare, carshare, and e-scooters) offer the potential to improve mobility and accessibility for disadvantaged populations. This article reviews research related to equity and vehicle sharing, focusing on race/ethnicity, income, gender, age, and disability. We find evidence of disparities in use of shared vehicles, which is only partly explained by lack of physical proximity. Some studies reveal additional barriers to use, particularly for bikesharing. More research on barriers is necessary, particularly for carsharing. We identify several programs aimed at reducing barriers, though evidence of their impact is necessary to inform practice.
Patterns of Help-seeking Strategies in Response to Intimate Partner Violence: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Cheng Shih-Ying , Wachter Karin , Kappas Andrea , Brown Megan Lindsay , Messing Jill Theresa , Bagwell-Gray Meredith , Jiwatram-Negron Tina
Published: October 2020

Women engage in multiple strategies to cope with the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV). Prior research has focused predominantly on women’s service utilization and help seeking as individual acts, yet it is likely that women engage in distinct patterns of multiple help-seeking strategies to achieve safety. As such, the current article examines patterns of service-related help-seeking strategies survivors employ. This article also investigates demographic factors, relationship characteristics, and mental and physical health effects of IPV associated with patterns of help seeking. Using a web-based survey, data were collected from service-engaged adult female IPV survivors ( n = 369) in the Southwest region of the United States. Latent class analysis (LCA), a person-centered analytical approach, was used to identify survivors’ patterns of help seeking. A 3-class LCA model was determined to be the best fit for the data. Among the sample, 50% of women broadly engaged formal and informal networks, 15% primarily engaged informal networks, and 35% broadly engaged networks but avoided legal systems while seeking other formal services. Findings indicated varying and significant associations between class membership and race/ethnicity, foreign-born status, number of children, IPV severity, and mental health symptoms. The findings reinforce the need for practitioners to be aware of the varied ways women choose or avoid seeking help and explore women’s preferences. Comprehensive and collaborative service networks are necessary for early detection and holistic care. Addressing structural factors is imperative for expanding the range of viable support options available to IPV survivors, particularly women of color.
A Blue Step Forward: An Exploratory Study of Law Enforcement Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence in the Southern United States
Authors: El Sayed Sarah A. , DeShay Rashaan A. , Davis Jaya B. , Knox Krysta N. , Kerley Kent R.
Published: October 2020

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue that is underreported to law enforcement. One reason why individuals do not report their victimization stems from a perceived lack of support from law enforcement officials. However, law enforcement perceptions of IPV are largely unknown as the empirical literature on this topic is both limited and dated. To fill this gap in the literature, we conduct an exploratory analysis of how officers perceive IPV events. Utilizing original survey data from 498 law enforcement officers in a Southern state, officer perceptions of offenders, victims, and the credibility of IPV calls are explored. We also evaluate whether those perceptions vary by personal characteristics of officers by utilizing t-tests and correlations. Findings indicate that, overall, officer perceptions have evolved from the historical viewpoint that IPV events were a private family matter to contemporary perceptions that IPV is a serious crime that requires attention from law enforcement. Furthermore, results suggest differences in perceptions by officers’ personal characteristics (i.e., gender, rank, age, and years of law enforcement experience). With increasing age and years of law enforcement experience, victim-related factors are less salient in police perceptions of IPV calls. Regarding gender, female officers are less likely than male officers to believe victims may easily leave an abusive relationship and less likely to consider physical evidence of trauma to be very important in determining the credibility of an IPV call—suggesting that female officers are more in tune with the complexity of IPV cases. While officers appear to have a strong understanding of the contours of IPV incidents, overall, clear differences by personal characteristics were evident.
How is Trait Anger Related to Adolescents’ Cyberbullying Perpetration? A Moderated Mediation Analysis
Authors: Yang Jiping , Li Wenqing , Gao Ling , Wang Xingchao
Published: October 2020

Although trait anger has been shown to play an important role in cyberbullying perpetration, little is known about mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship. In the present study, we examined whether moral disengagement mediated the relationship between trait anger and cyberbullying perpetration, and whether this mediating process was moderated by empathy. Four hundred and fifty-five Chinese adolescents completed the measures of trait anger, moral disengagement, cyberbullying perpetration, and empathy. The results indicated that trait anger was significantly and positively associated with cyberbullying perpetration and this relationship was partially mediated by moral disengagement. Moderated mediation analysis further indicated that empathy moderated the relationship between moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration. This relationship became weaker for adolescents with higher levels of empathy. Results highlight the significance of identifying the mechanisms that moderate the mediated paths between trait anger and adolescents’ cyberbullying perpetration.
Teaching to Impact Sexual Violence? The Evaluation of a Curricular Intervention for First-Year College Students
Authors: Johnson Katherine M. , Lederer Alyssa M. , Liddell Jessica L. , Sheffield Sydney , McCraw Alicia
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate whether a semester-long course for first-year undergraduates influenced knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions about gender, sexuality, and sexual violence.

Design:

Quasi-experimental survey design.

Setting:

A private university in the Southeastern US.

Participants:

Undergraduates enrolled in an intervention (n = 49) or comparison (n = 60) course in Fall 2018.

Measures:

Sociosexual Orientation Inventory, Sexual Conservatism, Heteronormative Attitudes and Beliefs, Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, Bystander Efficacy Scale, Consent Myths, Sexual Misconduct Apathy, Campus Resource Awareness Index.

Analysis:

A 2-way mixed-factorial ANOVA.

Results:

Relative to the comparison group, students in the intervention course had significantly greater rates of change in reducing heteronormative views, decreasing sexual misconduct apathy, and increasing awareness of campus resources for sexual violence.

Conclusion:

A semester-long course targeting first-year undergraduates can potentially influence knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions regarding sexual violence and create a more positive campus climate.
Patients’ and caregivers’ expectations and experiences of remote monitoring for peritoneal dialysis: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Walker Rachael C , Tong Allison , Howard Kirsten , Darby Natasha , Palmer Suetonia C
Published: October 2020

Background:

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) can offer more flexibility and independence compared with hemodialysis, yet uptake of PD remains low. Barriers to PD include the fear of dialyzing without medical assistance and uncertainty about recognizing and managing complications. There is increasing use of remote monitoring in automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), but little is known about its acceptability by patients and caregivers. We aimed to describe patients’ and caregivers’ expectations and experiences of remote monitoring for APD.

Methods:

Qualitative study design, using semi-structured face-to-face interviews of patients who either receiving PD or were considered eligible for PD, and their caregivers. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Of the 34 participants, 27 were patients and the remainder caregivers. Four themes (with subthemes) were identified reducing patient burden (seeking reassurance and shared responsibility, convenience and accuracy); strengthening partnerships in care (empowering knowledge and understanding, increased accountability to dialysis team); improving access to treatment (saving time and money, providing timely care and avoiding hospital); and preserving quality patient–provider interactions (enhancing face-to-face contact, clarifying expectations of access and use of data).

Conclusions:

Remote monitoring may increase patient knowledge about their kidney disease and its treatment, encourage accountability to the clinical team, enhance partnerships with clinicians, and improve access to treatment and timely care. It is also important to ensure that remote monitoring does not replace face-to-face clinical contact with clinicians.
Streptococcus salivarius peritonitis in an infant receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Barajas-Colon Edgar , Warady Bradley A
Published: October 2020

Peritonitis is the most common infectious complication of chronic peritoneal dialysis in children and the most common reason for hospitalization. Although the most common organisms responsible for peritonitis are gram-positive bacteria, peritonitis has not previously been reported secondary to Streptococcus salivarius, one of the 26 species in the Streptococcus viridians group. We describe a 4-month-old male who developed S. salivarius peritonitis while receiving automated peritoneal dialysis and who was successfully treated with a 14-day course of intraperitoneal vancomycin. Subtyping episodes of S. viridans-related infection is essential for the identification of S. salivarius.
Overview of Riociguat and Its Role in the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Kenny Marianne , Clarke Megan M. , Pogue Kristen T.
Published: October 2020

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), which includes pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), is a progressive condition with significant morbidity and mortality due to right heart failure if left untreated. Riociguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator and is the only treatment approved for both PAH and CTEPH. The objectives of this review are to describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of PAH and CTEPH; synthesize the pharmacology, efficacy, safety, and utilization of riociguat; and discuss the role of the pharmacist in managing patients with these conditions. Data presented in this review is supported by peer reviewed literature, using PubMed and key words including pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and riociguat. The review draws on key studies and review articles that discuss the pathophysiology of PAH and CTEPH, as well as articles discussing the safety and efficacy of riociguat. The overall goal in the treatment of PAH and CTEPH is to improve long-term survival. Treatment planning depends on the type of PH, treatment goals, comorbidities, and risk profiles. Pharmacists serve a valuable role as part of the multidisciplinary team in the care of patients with PH, many of whom may have comorbidities that contribute to high costs and resource utilization. Riociguat is a first-in-class medication and the only approved treatment for both PAH and CTEPH. In clinical trials, riociguat has demonstrated favorable efficacy and tolerability. Riociguat is a valuable addition to the armamentarium of options for treating patients with PH.
Developing Core Competencies for Pharmacy Graduates: The Lebanese Experience
Authors: Sacre Hala , Hallit Souheil , Hajj Aline , Zeenny Rony M. , Akel Marwan , Raad Elie , Salameh Pascale
Published: October 2020

Background:

In the absence of a national qualification framework for health professionals, the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists (OPL) took the initiative of developing a pharmacy competency framework to standardize pharmacy education in all universities. The objective of this manuscript is to describe the steps that led to the Lebanese Pharmacy Core Competencies Framework.

Methods:

Based on a primer developed by a group of academic instructors, following international reference documents from different parts of the world, the Academic board appointed by the OPL, reviewed, streamlined, and validated the suggested primer using the Delphi technique over three rounds, to come up with the final framework.

Results:

The framework encompassed competencies distributed over 7 domains: fundamental knowledge, professional practice, personal skills, supply of medications, safe and rational use of medications, pharmaceutical public health competencies, and organization and management competencies. Its structure was similar to that of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), with cultural and legal adaptations and the addition of some behaviors related to OPL specific practice and research projects.

Conclusion:

This work describes the elaboration of the Lebanese Pharmacy Core Competencies Framework, a project considered to be an essential step forward for the profession and a first step toward providing information on human resource planning and professional development of the pharmacy workforce. Instead of adapting existing international educational standards from resource-rich contexts, which may not meet the actual needs of Lebanon, universities can draw our findings to develop relevant programs targeting the skills needed for health workers in Lebanon.
Civil Society and COVID in China: Responses in an Authoritarian Society
Authors: Hu Ming , Sidel Mark
Published: October 2020

Can civil society play a useful role in response to a pandemic like COVID-19 in a one-party state? We explore that issue based on the role of civil society and philanthropy in responding to COVID in China, where a large and innovative—and restricted—civil society and philanthropy sector has developed. Our preliminary findings are that while restrictive policies toward civil society significantly limit the role that civil society organizations and philanthropy can have in response to the pandemic, civil society still shows strength and vitality in emergency service, funding, volunteering, mutual aid, in-kind donations, and even policy advocacy. While the prospects for civil society in China are uncertain because of political restrictions before and during the COVID crisis, civil society continues to build capacity and show its capabilities to Chinese citizens and its governance institutions.
Group cooperation against a hegemon
Authors: Cheikbossian Guillaume
Published: October 2020

In this paper, I study the ability of a group of citizens to cooperate against a hegemon in a repeated contest game and where group members and the hegemon have different valuations of the prize. I first consider that group members use grim trigger strategies (GTSs) to support cooperative behavior and show that full cooperation within the group is more easily sustained as a stationary subgame perfect (Nash) equilibrium (SSPE) as either group size or the heterogeneity in the valuation of the prize increases. In turn, I show that full cooperation within the group can also be sustained as a weakly renegotiation-proof equilibrium (WRPE). However, an increase in group size makes it more difficult to sustain within-group cooperation, but an increase in the relative valuation of the prize by group members still facilitates group cooperation.
Mothering in the frame: Cinematic microanalysis and the pathogenic mother, 1945–67
Authors: Joice Katie
Published: October 2020

This article examines the use of cinematic microanalysis to capture, decompose, and interpret mother–infant interaction in the decades following the Second World War. Focusing on the films and writings of Margaret Mead, Ray Birdwhistell, René Spitz, and Sylvia Brody, it examines the intellectual culture, and visual methodologies, that transformed ‘pathogenic’ mothering into an observable process. In turn, it argues that the significance assigned to the ‘small behaviours’ of mothers provided an epistemological foundation for the nascent discipline of infant psychiatry. This research draws attention to two new areas of enquiry within the history of emotions and the history of psychiatry in the post-war period: preoccupation with emotional absence and affectlessness, and their personal and cultural meanings; and the empirical search for the origin point, and early chronology, of mental illness.