bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dyadic perspectives on marital quality and loneliness in later life
Authors: Moorman Sara M.
Published: May 2015

Previous research on married couples has indicated that loneliness, an unrealized desire for close relationships, can affect even partnered adults. In addition to individual perceptions of the marital relationship, partner perceptions of the relationship might also heighten married adults’ experiences of loneliness. I employed a dyadic approach derived from the emotion-in-relationships model to examine the extent to which individual and partner reports of four dimensions of relationship quality are risk factors for loneliness among married older adults. Using structural equation modeling with dyadic data from 779 opposite-sex couples in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (2010–2011), I found that spouses’ reports of positive and negative relationship quality were associated with loneliness beyond individuals’ reports. For positive relationship quality, a partner’s report had an effect equal to one’s own report. For negative relationship quality, one’s own and one’s partner’s perceptions operated in opposite ways. There were no differences between husbands and wives, and neither partner’s reports of shared marital activities or sexual relationship quality were associated with loneliness. Overall, results suggest that for married older persons, dyadic approaches to therapy might most effectively alleviate loneliness.
Promoting development through a geographic information system-based Lodging Property Query System (LPQS) for Antalya, Turkey
Authors: Sümer Selay Ilgaz , Sümer Emre , Atasever Hilal
Published: May 2015

Information technology currently plays an important role in many industries and has enabled the development of different sectors and economies. Geographic information system (GIS) is an information technology that triggers improvements in many countries, and this paper presents a method of using GIS in the retrieval of lodging properties. A Lodging Property Query System (LPQS) is a novel system proposed for use by travel agencies to perform spatial queries. The proposed system was tested on a sample dataset that contains lodging properties selected from five different regions located along the shoreline of Antalya, Turkey. The data layers were prepared with the MapInfo software package, and the spatial queries and graphical user interface were developed with the MapXtreme software development kit. This study aims to contribute to the development of the travel agencies by offering useful information that fits customer expectations and needs by means of spatial context.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study on the efficacy and safety of calcium dobesilate in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Rabe Eberhard , Ballarini Stefania , Lehr Lorenz
Published: May 2015

Objective

To show the superiority of 500 mg calcium dobesilate vs. placebo in reduction of edema of the lower limbs in patients with chronic venous insufficiency, Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical and Pathophysiological classes C3/C4.

Methods

A total of 351 patients were randomized (n = 174 calcium dobesilate, n = 177 placebo). Active treatment was 500 mg calcium dobesilate, three times daily for 12 weeks, with a 12-week follow-up.

Results

At the end of treatment, the relative volume change in the most pathological leg was −0.6 ± 4.8% with calcium dobesilate compared to −0.3 ± 3.3% with placebo (p = 0.09). At the end of follow-up, this was −1.01 ± 5.4% for calcium dobesilate vs. −0.08 ± 3.5% for placebo (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Calcium dobesilate treatment resulted in no significant volume change in the most pathological leg between baseline and end of treatment. However, the calcium dobesilate group showed a significantly greater volume decrease in the most pathological leg at the end of follow-up. Calcium dobesilate was well-tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with previously published data.
Comparison of Arthroscopic Microfracture for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus With and Without Subchondral Cyst
Authors: Lee Keun-bae , Park Hyeong-won , Cho Hyun-jong , Seon Jong-keun
Published: May 2015

Background:

Although various treatment modalities for an osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) with a subchondral cyst have been recommended previously, the primary treatment methods for such conditions have yet to be conclusively determined. Moreover, few comprehensive studies have compared the outcomes of cases where patients were treated with microfracture for OLT with and without subchondral cysts.

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical outcomes after arthroscopic microfractures performed as a primary treatment for OLT with a subchondral cyst.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

The study cohort consisted of 102 patients (102 ankles) who underwent arthroscopic microfracture for small to midsized OLT. The ankles were divided into a cyst group (45 ankles) and a noncyst group (57 ankles).The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale, visual analog scale (VAS), and Ankle Activity Score (AAS) were used to compare the clinical outcomes between the groups over a mean follow-up period of 48 months.

Results:

The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores were 64.8 in the cyst group and 66.2 in the noncyst group preoperatively. These improved to 91.8 and 91.3, respectively, at the final follow-up. The mean VAS scores were 7.5 in the cyst group and 7.3 in the noncyst group preoperatively; these improved to 2.3 and 2.2, respectively, at the final follow-up. The mean AAS in the cyst group and the noncyst group improved from 2.7 and 2.6 preoperatively to 6.7 and 6.5 at the final follow-up, respectively. In terms of radiographic stage improvements, the cyst group showed no change in 18 ankles (40%) and showed improvements of 1 grade in 13 ankles (28.9%), 2 grades in 9 ankles (20%), 3 grades in 3 ankles (6.7%), and 4 grades in 2 ankles (4.4%). The noncyst group showed no change in 17 ankles (29.8%) and showed improvements of 1 grade in 11 ankles (19.3%), 2 grades in 11 ankles (19.3%), 3 grades in 14 ankles (24.6%), and 4 grades in 4 ankles (7.0%). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of the AOFAS score, VAS score, AAS, or radiographic stage improvements.

Conclusion:

OLT with and without subchondral cysts treated with arthroscopic microfracture showed similarly good clinical results. The study results suggest that microfracture could be a primary treatment strategy for treating small to midsized OLT regardless of the existence of subchondral cysts.
Pilot study on the effects of high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis
Authors: Leone CA , Caruso A Armone , Allocca V , Barra E , Leone R
Published: May 2015

Although several therapeutic approaches are available at present for the treatment of chronic pharyngitis, new therapeutic strategies acting on pharyngeal mucous function should be investigated in order to improve symptoms and quality of life. High-molecular weight hyaluronate performs important functions on mucociliary clearance, tissues hydration, defense against micro-organisms, and on tissue repair as well, but at present there is no clinical evidence of its exogenous use in patients with chronic pharyngitis. Our open, randomized controlled study was carried out to investigate efficacy, and tolerability of exogenous high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate (SH) at the dosage of 9 mg three times a day for a period of 30 days, in patients with chronic pharyngitis. Results show significant improvements of symptoms and cytology in active group (A, n = 10) vs. control group (B, n = 10). Good compliance and no adverse events were reported in group A. In conclusion, SH was effective and safe in patients with chronic pharyngitis.
Development potential of e-waste recycling industry in China
Authors: Li Jinhui , Yang Jie , Liu Lili
Published: May 2015

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE or e-waste) recycling industries in China have been through several phases from spontaneous informal family workshops to qualified enterprises with treatment fund. This study attempts to analyse the development potential of the e-waste recycling industry in China from the perspective of both time and scale potential. An estimation and forecast of e-waste quantities in China shows that, the total e-waste amount reached approximately 5.5 million tonnes in 2013, with 83% of air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions sand computers. The total quantity is expected to reach ca. 11.7 million tonnes in 2020 and 20 million tonnes in 2040, which indicates a large increase potential. Moreover, the demand for recycling processing facilities, the optimal service radius of e-waste recycling enterprises and estimation of the profitability potential of the e-waste recycling industry were analysed. Results show that, based on the e-waste collection demand, e-waste recycling enterprises therefore have a huge development potential in terms of both quantity and processing capacity, with 144 and 167 e-waste recycling facilities needed, respectively, by 2020 and 2040. In the case that e-waste recycling enterprises set up their own collection points to reduce the collection cost, the optimal collection service radius is estimated to be in the range of 173 km to 239 km. With an e-waste treatment fund subsidy, the e-waste recycling industry has a small economic profit, for example ca. US$2.5/unit for television. The annual profit for the e-waste recycling industry overall was about 90 million dollars in 2013.
Equity Planning Outside City Hall
Authors: Doussard Marc
Published: May 2015

Focusing on progressive economic development policy and the institutional form of the community–labor coalition—an alliance between labor unions and urban advocacy organizations—this article assesses the potential to scale equity planning “up” to political scales at which redistributive policy is both more effective and more likely to be enacted. I investigate when and why scaling up works through a comparison of two differently scaled campaigns to raise wages in Chicago’s service industries. The results indicate that equity planners in City Hall can expand their ability to address structural economic problems by allying with nationally organized activist organizations.
Pushing and Pulling Emerging Adults Through College
Authors: Nichols Laura , Islas Ángel
Published: May 2015

Interview, survey, and academic transcript data with a diverse sample of first-generation college (FGC) and continuing generation college (CGC) premedical intended emerging adults are analyzed to study academic outcomes and any differences in the availability and use of social capital the first year of college. CGC students know many people with college degrees including those in careers they aspire to obtain, while FGC students do not. All students identify parents as very important forms of social capital who contribute to their success in college, but the types of support differs by educational background. Students whose parents have at least a bachelor’s degree (CGC) are “pulled” through their first year with specific advice from their parents about how to succeed in college, while FGC students are “pushed” by their parents with support. In addition, CGC students display evidence of enacting Lareau’s concept of concerted cultivation, being much more likely than FGC students to approach and gain assistance from professors, openly critiquing those professors and classes in which they are not doing well and showing a sense of entitlement to and confidence in their ability to stay on the premedical track, even when receiving low test scores.
Day-Night Variability of Hematoma Expansion in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Yao Xiaoying , Wu Bo , Xu Ye , Siwila-Sackman Erica , Selim Magdy
Published: May 2015

The levels of several coagulation factors, able to influence hemostatic balance, display circadian variations. We hypothesized that the onset and extent of hematoma expansion (HE) following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) also display diurnal patterns. We reviewed clinical, laboratory, and radiological data from 111 consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH who had baseline head computed tomography (CT) scans within 3 h of ICH onset and follow-up CT during the following 72 h. We defined any HE (AHE) as any increase in hematoma volume from baseline to follow-up CT and significant HE (SHE) as an absolute increase in hematoma volume >6 mL or relative increase >33%. We categorized the patients into 2 groups based on the timing of the initial CT scans—day group (from 0800 to 2000 h) and night group (from 2000 to 0800 h)—and performed logistic regression analyses. We also analyzed the differences in the rates of HE between the groups during six 4-h periods spanning 24 h, using χ2 tests. We found that the rates of AHE and SHE were higher in the day versus night group (75% vs. 48%; p = 0.009 for AHE and 47.6% vs. 25.9%; p = 0.047 for SHE). On multivariable logistic regression, day group assignment was independently associated with AHE (adjusted odds ratio = 3.53; p = 0.008) but not with SHE. Both AHE and SHE peaked in the early afternoon (1200-1600 h) and reached a nadir during the 2000 to 2400 h time period, and they were significantly different between the time periods (0000-0400, 0400-0800, 0800-1200, 1200-1600, 1600-2000, and 2000-2400 h); p = 0.002 and 0.029, respectively. These exploratory findings support the presence of a daily pattern in the occurrence of HE, with a higher risk during the day hours. Our results could have implications for future therapeutic efforts targeting HE in ICH and for the triage of ICH patients. They require further validation.
PER2 Differentially Regulates Clock Phosphorylation versus Transcription by Reciprocal Switching of CK1ε Activity
Authors: Qin Ximing , Mori Tetsuya , Zhang Yunfei , Johnson Carl Hirschie
Published: May 2015

Casein kinase 1ε (CK1ε) performs key phosphorylation reactions in the circadian clock mechanism that determine period. We show that the central clock protein PERIOD2 (PER2) not only acts as a transcriptional repressor but also inhibits the autoinactivation of CK1ε, thereby promoting CK1ε activity. Moreover, PER2 reciprocally regulates CK1ε’s ability to phosphorylate other substrates. On output pathway substrates (e.g., P53), PER2 inhibits the activity of CK1ε. However, in the case of central clock proteins (e.g., CRYPTOCHROME2), PER2 stimulates the CK1ε-mediated phosphorylation of CRY2. CK1ε activity is temperature compensated on the core clock substrate CRY2 but not on output substrates, for example, the physiological output protein substrate P53 and its nonphysiological correlate, bovine serum albumin (BSA). These results indicate heretofore unrecognized pivotal roles of PER2; it not only regulates the central transcription/translation feedback loop but also differentially controls kinase activity CK1ε in its phosphorylation of central clock (e.g., CRY2) versus output (e.g., P53) substrates.
Spinal Fusion for Scoliosis in Rett Syndrome With an Emphasis on Respiratory Failure and Opioid Usage
Authors: Rumbak Dania M. , Mowrey Wenzhu , W. Schwartz Skai , Sarwahi Vishal , Djukic Aleksandra , Killinger James S. , Katyal Chhavi
Published: May 2015

Our objective was to characterize our experience with 8 patients with Rett syndrome undergoing scoliosis surgery in regard to rates of respiratory failure and rates of ventilator-acquired pneumonia in comparison to patients with neurologic scoliosis and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This study was a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing scoliosis surgery at a tertiary children’s hospital. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, (2) neurologic scoliosis, and (3) Rett syndrome. There were 133 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 48 patients with neurologic scoliosis, and 8 patients with Rett syndrome. We found that patients with Rett syndrome undergoing scoliosis surgery have higher rates of respiratory failure and longer ventilation times in the postoperative period when compared with both adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and neurologic scoliosis patients. There is insufficient evidence to suggest a difference in the incidence of ventilator-acquired pneumonia between the Rett syndrome and the neurologic scoliosis group. We believe our findings are the first in the literature to show a statistically significant difference between these 3 groups in regard to incidence of respiratory failure.
Viral Respiratory Infections of Adults in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Nguyen Christopher , Kaku Shawn , Tutera Dominic , Kuschner Ware G. , Barr Juliana
Published: May 2015

Viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are an underappreciated cause of critical illness in adults. Recent advances in viral detection techniques over the past decade have demonstrated viral LRTIs are associated with rates of morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization comparable to those of seen with bacterial community acquired and nosocomial pneumonias. In this review, we describe the relationship between viral LRTIs and critical illness, as well as discuss relevant clinical features and management strategies for the more prevalent respiratory viral pathogens.
Ethical Issues in Surgical Critical Care
Authors: Sur Malini D. , Angelos Peter
Published: May 2015

A major challenge in the era of shared medical decision making is the navigation of complex relationships between the physicians, patients, and surrogates who guide treatment plans for critically ill patients. This review of ethical issues in adult surgical critical care explores factors influencing interactions among the characters most prominently involved in health care decisions in the surgical intensive care unit: the patient, the surrogate, the surgeon, and the intensivist. Ethical tensions in the surgeon–patient relationship in the elective setting may arise from the preoperative surgical covenant and the development of surgical complications. Unlike that of the surgeon, the intensivist’s relationship with the individual patient must be balanced with the need to serve other acutely ill patients. Due to their unique perspectives, surgeons and intensivists may disagree about decisions to pursue life-sustaining therapies for critically ill postoperative patients. Finally, although surrogates are asked to make decisions for patients on the basis of the substituted judgment or best interest standards, these models may underestimate the nuances of postoperative surrogate decision making. Strategies to minimize conflicts regarding treatment decisions are centered on early, honest, and consistent communication between all parties.
Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Police Officers Following Violent Assaults
Authors: Ellrich Karoline , Baier Dirk
Published: May 2015

Based on a study of 681 German police officers who were violently assaulted we analyze first general pre-, peri- and post-traumatic risk factors (e.g. trauma severity, psychological adjustment, social support) of post-traumatic stress symptoms, second police-specific factors (e.g. colleague support) and third differences in the impact of these factors comparing male and female officers. Using regression analysis we show that risk factors that were found to be important for the general population partly hold for the special group of victimized police officers. Regarding police-specific factors regular preparatory and follow-up sessions reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms, while facing legal action following the assault increases it. The findings also reveal that three factors are significantly more strongly correlated with post-traumatic stress symptoms for female compared to male officers.
The Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Legal Perceptions of Lesbian Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Wasarhaley Nesa E. , Lynch Kellie R. , Golding Jonathan M. , Renzetti Claire M.
Published: May 2015

The present study examined legal perceptions of lesbian intimate partner violence (IPV) in an experimental context. Undergraduate women and men from the Southeastern United States ( N = 217) read a trial summary in which the defendant was charged with physically assaulting her same-sex partner. The trial varied as to whether the victim and defendant were depicted via images as either feminine or masculine. Participants rendered verdicts and made judgments about the victim and defendant (e.g., credibility). Results indicated that the victim’s and defendant’s masculine or feminine appearance affected these judgments. Female participants viewed a masculine victim as more credible than a feminine victim when the defendant was masculine. When the victim was masculine, they viewed a masculine defendant as more responsible for the victim’s injuries than a feminine defendant. Male participants had higher sympathy for a masculine versus feminine victim overall, but had more anger toward a masculine defendant versus a feminine defendant accused of assaulting a feminine victim. Finally, fewer participants mentioned the defendant’s history of violence as a reason for a guilty of felony verdict for a feminine victim with a feminine defendant versus all other combinations of victim and defendant masculine/feminine appearance. Results are discussed in terms of gender stereotypes influencing legal decision-making in IPV cases among lesbian couples.
African American Career Aspirations
Authors: Brown Danice L. , Segrist Daniel
Published: May 2015

The present study examined the relative influence of aspects of internalized racism on the career aspirations of a sample of African American adults. Participants ( N = 315), ranging in age from 18 to 62 years, completed measures of internalized racism and career aspirations online. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the relative influence of internalized racism. Regression results indicated that participants who devalued and dismissed an African worldview and its themes had lower career aspirations.
Struggling between Routine and Emergency: The Legalization of Migrants and Human Rights Activism in Israel
Authors: Kfir Nelly , Kemp Adriana
Published: May 2015

This article introduces the distinction between ‘routine’ and ‘emergency’ times in human rights struggles. Based on ethnography of Israeli non-governmental organizations (NGOs) advocating on migrant workers’ rights, we show how this emergent distinction manifests in the social dynamics of human rights struggles. Thus, whereas in their daily work, human rights NGOs follow the logic of the bureaucratic system in a slow, Sisyphean manner, in times of perceived ‘emergency’, opportunities open up for a faster pace of action and for breaking routine repertoires. In bringing socio-temporal configurations to bear on human rights struggles, we show how activists’ experiencing of events as ‘emergency’ was a catalyst for the transformation of social mobilization, positing that both NGOs and social movements, however distinct from each other, are in fact related to different ‘times’ of human rights struggles.
Theoretical and experimental analysis of gear drive with tubular meshing surfaces
Authors: Li Chaoyang , Liang Dong , Chen Bingkui , Gao Yan'e , Peng Shuai
Published: May 2015

The theoretical and experimental investigations on gear drive with tubular meshing surfaces are studied in this paper. Based on the theory of conjugate curves, parametric design for tubular tooth profiles is provided, and solid models are established. The performance evaluation of tubular meshing surfaces is carried out according to geometric and meshing characteristics analysis. The meshing essence of tubular tooth surfaces is revealed. Mechanics property of tooth surfaces is analyzed by finite element model. The contact stress, meshing law and deformation of tooth surfaces are introduced, respectively. Transmission efficiency experiment is made based on the developed gear prototype, and a comparison with involute gear drive is also shown. The further study on the dynamics analysis and key manufacturing technology will be carried out, and it is expected to have excellent transmission performance.
Sufficient conditions for optimal energy management strategies of fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle
Authors: Kim Namwook , Ha Seungbum , Jeong Jongryeol , Cha Suk Won
Published: May 2015

Although an onboard fuel cell system is able to provide sufficient electricity to power a vehicle, a secondary energy storage system such as an electrical battery is desirable because the fuel cell system is generally not capable of braking energy recuperation, and the efficiency of the fuel cell system can be improved by using the secondary energy system. In this paper, sufficient conditions are obtained for an optimal control idea for fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles when the fuel cell system is combined with a rechargeable battery. The optimal control is based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle, and this study demonstrates that it results in total hydrogen consumptions if the properties of the fuel cell hybrid system satisfy two assumptions: first, the hydrogen consumption rate of the fuel cell system is convex and, second, the time derivative of the state of charge is concave. In order to validate optimality of the control concept, a vehicle simulation model is developed for a fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle, and control based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle is applied in a backward-looking simulator. In the simulation results, control based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle produces an optimal solution, which is very close to the global optimal solution obtained by dynamic programming. In addition, control based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle simplifies the control organization; the control concept should be considered as a promising solution for fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles because it really achieves results which are near the global optimal results.
Numerical investigation of lateral jet interaction effects on the hypersonic quasi-waverider vehicle
Authors: Chai Dong , Fang Yang-Wang , Peng Wei-Shi , Yang Peng-Fei
Published: May 2015

Numerical simulations are carried out to investigate lateral jet interaction effects for the hypersonic quasi-waverider vehicle. A reasonable jet nozzles layout is proposed. Based on three-dimensional viscous compressible Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes codes, comparisons of the jet interaction flow structures between quasi-waverider vehicle and general axisymmetric vehicle are conducted. Furthermore, the effects of lateral jet control are examined for different angles of attack and free-stream Mach numbers. From detailed flow structure and pressure distribution analysis, the quasi-waverider vehicle gets a better effect of lateral jet without “wrap-around” the body. With the increase in angle of attack or free-stream Mach number, the attitude control moment reduces and the effect of lateral jet decreases.
Modified federated Kalman filter for INS/GNSS/CNS integration
Authors: Hu Gaoge , Gao Shesheng , Zhong Yongmin , Gao Bingbing , Subic Aleksandar
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a modified version of federated Kalman filter (FKF) for INS/GNSS/CNS integration by improving the computational efficiency involved in the FKF's master filter. During the master filtering process, the modified federated Kalman filter (MFKF) firstly decomposes the global state vector into three sub-states according to the characteristics of INS/GNSS/CNS integration. Subsequently, it fuses the sub-state estimations from INS/GNSS and INS/CNS subsystems with the corresponding ones from the time-update solution of the master filter, respectively. Eventually, the fused sub-state estimations are recombined to yield the global state estimation. The proposed MFKF provides the capability of distributed and parallel data processing for the global state fusion to reduce the computational load involved in the master filtering process of the FKF. Experimental results and comparison analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MFKF.
Analyzing the cultural content of materials used for teaching English to high school speakers of Arabic in Israel
Authors: Awayed-Bishara Muzna
Published: May 2015

This article analyzes English textbooks used in Israel to examine whether their cultural content is appropriate for the Palestinian Arab learner. This topic is significant, as the English curriculum in Israel is uniform in all sectors. The article presents a critical discourse analysis of six English textbooks used in Israeli high schools to examine the recurrence of seven discursive devices that might possibly serve as a means for shaping or (re)producing ideological values: (1) culturally distinctive names, (2) pronouns, (3) the passive/active voice when relating to the Other, (4) explicit statements defining the target audience, (5) narratives involving faraway cultures that perpetuate Western stereotypes and exclude the Other, (6) a demand for culturally specific prior knowledge, and (7) discourse constructing identities and collective memories. These devices serve to foster English learners imbued with Western oriented Jewish-Zionist ideology, while reproducing and perpetuating hegemonic ideology. Thus, English textbooks in Israel marginalize the Palestinian Arab minority, its culture and common traditions, thereby engendering a learning environment that creates a negative learning experience for students of this sector.
What is causal about individual differences? : A comment on Weinberger
Authors: Borsboom Denny
Published: May 2015

Weinberger (2015) claims that if a latent variable is a cause, it must be a within-subject cause. In addition, Weinberger suggests that this fact refutes the conclusion of Borsboom, Mellenbergh, and Van Heerden (2003), who stated that standard psychometric models have a causal interpretation that is cast strictly in a between-subjects sense: individual differences in the latent variable may cause individual differences in test scores, while the latent variable has no causal relevance at the level of the individual. Weinberger’s argument elucidates the status of causal relations in latent variable models, and clearly spells out the strong assumptions that underlie the use of such models. However, contrary to Weinberger’s claims, a pure individual-differences reading of the causal model is possible. This interpretation relies on the fact that, for latent variable models, shifts of the person relative to the latent dimension can either be interpreted as a change of the individual, or as a shift of the population relative to the individual. The latter interpretation does not require us to place assumptions on what interventions would do intra-individually, but nevertheless is consistent with a causal interpretation along the lines suggested by Weinberger.
Nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward aged sexuality in Flemish nursing homes
Authors: Mahieu Lieslot , de Casterlé Bernadette Dierckx , Acke Jolien , Vandermarliere Hanne , Van Elssen Kim , Fieuws Steffen , Gastmans Chris
Published: May 2015

Background:

Admission to a nursing home does not necessarily diminish an older person’s desire for sexual expression and fulfillment. Given that nursing staff directly and indirectly influence the range of acceptable sexual expressions of nursing home residents, their knowledge and attitudes toward aged sexuality can have far-reaching effects on both the quality of care they provide to residents and the self-image and well-being of these residents.

Research objectives:

To investigate nursing staff’s knowledge and attitudes toward aged sexuality, to determine whether certain sociodemographic factors of the nursing staff relate to their knowledge and attitudes toward later-life sexuality, and to examine the relationship between knowledge and attitudes.

Research design:

Descriptive cross-sectional survey study.

Research participants and research context:

The administered questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and data from an adapted, Dutch version of the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale. Data were collected from November 2011 through April 2012. A total of 43 geographically dispersed nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium, participated. Out of a potential research sample of 2228 nursing staff respondents, 1166 participated.

Ethical considerations:

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the KU Leuven.

Findings:

Nursing staff appeared to be moderately knowledgeable about aged sexuality and displayed a rather positive attitude toward sexuality in older people. Significant relationships between various variables were found both at univariable and multivariable levels. Knowledge and attitudes proved to be positively related, indicating that a higher level of knowledge of aged sexuality is associated with a more positive attitude toward sexuality in later life.

Discussion:

Research findings are discussed within a broader international context.

Conclusion:

There is room for improvement for both nursing staff’s knowledge and attitudes toward aged sexuality. This might be aided by appropriate educational interventions. Our results identified different target groups of nursing home staff for these interventions.
Definition of Intercultural Competence According to Undergraduate Students at an International University in Germany
Authors: Odağ Özen , Wallin Hannah R. , Kedzior Karina K.
Published: May 2015

University graduates are required to possess intercultural competence in addition to strong academic skills in today’s globalized world. Although such competence has been defined in various theoretical models by intercultural scholars, it remains unknown how the recipients of higher education (the students) define this concept. A total of 130 undergraduate university students (from Western and non-Western cultures), living on a multicultural campus, provided short qualitative responses to a written question on how they define intercultural competence. According to a qualitative content analysis, the students defined intercultural competence in terms of interaction, communication, and cultural harmony. Unlike intercultural scholars, the students placed more emphasis on the understanding and awareness of other cultures rather than focusing on their own culture. It appears that young university students from multicultural backgrounds consider tolerance and collective harmony as the most important components of intercultural competence in their initial stages of intercultural development.
Impact of Spiritual Well-Being, Spiritual Perspective, and Religiosity on the Self-Rated Health of Jordanian Arab Christians
Authors: Musa Ahmad S. , Pevalin David J. , Shahin Francis I.
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore associations of spiritual well-being, spiritual perspective, and religiosity with self-rated health in a convenience sample of 340 adult Jordanian Arab Christians. Data were collected through church and community groups. Results indicated that spiritual well-being and religiosity were positively associated with self-rated health, but in the final regression model only spiritual well-being retained a significant association after controlling for the other spiritual and religious measures. In conclusion, spirituality and religiosity are important to Jordanian Arab Christians’ health and well-being, and the implications for nursing practice are explored.
Medication Needs Vary for Terminally Ill Vietnam Era Veterans With and Without a Diagnosis of PTSD
Authors: Kelley-Cook Esther , Nguyen George , Lee Shuko , Edwards Tressia M. , Sanchez-Reilly Sandra
Published: May 2015

This retrospective pilot study aims to evaluate the clinical impact of palliative care in the treatment of terminally ill Vietnam Veterans with a history of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) versus those without PTSD, as it pertains to medications for symptom control at the end of life (EOL). Active prescriptions for benzodiazepines, hypnotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications at the EOL were recorded. During EOL care, 28 (72%) participants with PTSD used these medications versus 55 (40%) of the non-PTSD participants ( P = .0005). There was significant correlation between a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD with antidepressant use ( P = .0002) and hypnotics ( P = .0085) during EOL care but not with benzodiazepines or antipsychotics. The higher utilization of certain medication classes among participants with PTSD may indicate that PTSD treatment should continue at the EOL to improve care.
Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Directed Vancomycin Dosing and Monitoring Pilot Program at a Tertiary Academic Medical Center
Authors: Marquis Kathleen A. , DeGrado Jeremy R. , Labonville Stephanie , Kubiak David W. , Szumita Paul M.
Published: May 2015

Background: Consensus guidelines recommend vancomycin doses of 15 to 20 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours in patients with normal renal function. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a pharmacist-directed vancomycin dosing and monitoring pilot program on the percentage of patients receiving targeted weight-based dosing recommendations. Methods: This was a pre-/postevaluation study, approved by the institutional review board at our institution, comparing retrospectively reviewed vancomycin dosing practices hospital-wide between September 1 and September 30, 2010 to patients prospectively managed by a pharmacist-directed vancomycin pilot program between February 1 and April 26, 2011. All adult inpatients receiving intravenous vancomycin were included, unless patients had a creatinine clearance less than or equal to 60 mL/min or indication for therapy was surgical prophylaxis or febrile neutropenia. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who received optimal vancomycin dosing defined as ≥30 mg/kg/d within 24 hours of initiation of therapy. Secondary outcomes included number of pharmacist interventions, length of therapy and incidence of nephrotoxicity while receiving vancomycin. Results: A total of 319 patients were analyzed, 161 preimplementation and 158 postimplementation. The percentage of patients who received optimal vancomycin dosing was significantly higher postimplementation of the pilot program, 96.8 versus 40.4% ( P < 0.001). Pharmacist-directed interventions postimplementation, resulted in 50% more patients being dosed optimally ( P < 0.001). Patients in the pilot program also had a shorter length of therapy (10.0 vs 8.4 days, P < 0.003) and a lower incidence of nephrotoxicity (8.7% vs 3.2%, P = 0.006). Conclusions: This pharmacist-directed vancomycin pilot program significantly increased the percentage of patients optimally dosed according to consensus guidelines within 24 hours of initiation of therapy.
Ovarian Small Cell Carcinoma of Pulmonary Type Arising in Mature Cystic Teratomas With Metastases to the Contralateral Ovary
Authors: Rubio Alejandro , Schuldt Maolly , Chamorro Clara , Crespo-Lora Vicente , Nogales Francisco F
Published: May 2015

A bilateral small cell ovarian carcinoma pulmonary-type (SCCOPT), arising in bilateral mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) presented as stage IIIB in a 37-year-old woman. Microscopically, tumor nests were related to the dermoid protuberance and expressed pancytokeratin, EMA, CD56, chromogranin A, NSE, synaptophysin, and SOX2. SALL4 was also focally positive. CDX2, TTF1, PAX8, CK7, CK20, and several neuroendocrine gut hormones were negative. Serum NSE was elevated. This case represents a SCCOPT arising in an MCT in the right ovary with metastasis to the left one also containing a synchronous MCT. Surface implants and lymphovascular invasion suggested metastasis from the right ovarian SCCOPT and excluded a metastatic origin from usual locations of small cell carcinoma (SCC). SCCOPT is morphologically identical to SCC elsewhere, even sharing NSE serum elevation. Although the tumor was closely related to teratomatous mature tissues, a complex immunohistochemical panel failed to provide a tissue of origin.
Exploring the Beliefs of Japanese Mothers Caring for a Child With Disabilities
Authors: Sato Naho , Araki Akiko , Ito Ryuko , Ishigaki Kazuko
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this study was to describe the beliefs of Japanese mothers caring for a child with disabilities to advance knowledge about beliefs of Japanese families experiencing illness. A semistructured interview was conducted with eight mothers who had a child with disabilities (physical, intellectual, and/or developmental). The interview invited their reflections about “mutual thoughts of family members” and family relationships in the context of daily life of caring for a child with disabilities. Data were qualitatively analyzed inductively and deductively and compared with the Common Tentative Framework of Japanese Family Beliefs developed from previous research. The analyses highlighted new understandings of the influence of Japanese cultural and societal beliefs on the family’s experience of having a child with disabilities. Clinical implications are discussed and directions for future research suggested.
Non standard finite difference method for solving variable order fractional optimal control problems
Authors: Zahra WK , Hikal MM
Published: May 2015

A modified numerical technique was developed to solve a wide class of variable order fractional optimal control problems in the sense of Riemann Liouville or Caputo derivatives. The modified algorithm is based on the non-standard finite difference method of solving fractional differential equations of variable order. Important property of a reflection operator is used to simplify the variable order right Riemann Liouville or Caputo derivatives to the variable order left Riemann Liouville or Caputo derivatives. Necessary and sufficient conditions that guarantee the existence and the uniqueness of the solution of the resulting systems are given. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and the effectiveness of the established approach.
The US traveler’s familiarity with and perceived credibility of lodging ecolabels
Authors: Park Sun-Young , Millar Michelle
Published: May 2015

Despite the proliferating numbers and types of ecolabels for lodging in the United States, little is known about consumer reactions toward them. Thus, this study examines the US adult travelers’ familiarity with and perceived credibility of six ecolabels used by lodging firms in the market today, which vary in terms of industry scope (lodging only vs. multi-industry) and issuer type (profit, nonprofit, or government): Audubon International, Green Key Eco, TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Energy Star, and Green Business Bureau. Results based on 392 responses collected from a national online survey in April 2014 show that Energy Star and GreenLeaders had the highest levels of familiarity and perceived credibility, while familiarity and credibility levels for the other four ecolabels were relatively low, indicating critical needs for better marketing about ecolabels, overall. These results also provide lodging managers with important insight into consumer reactions toward the ecolabels currently existent and utilized by lodging firms and identify which ecolabels, if any, to pursue.
The utility of Thin Slice ratings for predicting language growth in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Walton Katherine M , Ingersoll Brooke R
Published: May 2015

Literature on “Thin Slice” ratings indicates that a number of personality characteristics and behaviors can be accurately predicted by ratings of very short segments (<5 min) of behavior. This study examined the utility of Thin Slice ratings of young children with autism spectrum disorder for predicting developmental skills and language gains over time. A total of 22 preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder participated in a battery of developmental assessments and a video-taped therapist–child interaction at Time 1. They then participated in follow-up testing of language skills and a second therapist–child interaction 6 months later (Time 2). Groups of approximately 25 naïve undergraduate students provided impression ratings (“Thin Slice ratings”) about each child’s skills and behaviors during 2-min segments taken from the therapist–child interaction videos at each time point. Thin Slice ratings at Time 1 were highly correlated with child scores on several developmental assessments at Time 1. In addition, Thin Slice ratings at Time 1 predicted gain in parent-reported expressive vocabulary over the course of 6 months, over and above the predictive utility of Time 1 vocabulary size. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the concurrent and predictive validity of Thin Slice ratings in young children with autism spectrum disorder.
Screening for autism spectrum disorder in underserved communities: Early childcare providers as reporters
Authors: Janvier Yvette M , Harris Jill F , Coffield Caroline N , Louis Barbara , Xie Ming , Cidav Zuleyha , Mandell David S
Published: May 2015

Early diagnosis of autism typically is associated with earlier access to intervention and improved outcomes. Daycares and preschools largely have been ignored as possible venues for early identification. This may be especially important for minority children in the United States who are typically diagnosed with autism later than White children, limiting their access to early specialized interventions and possibly resulting in poorer outcomes. Early childcare providers within underserved communities completed autism screening tools for a sample of low-risk young children ( n = 967) in their programs. Early childcare providers returned screening tools for 90% of the children for whom parental consent had been received. A total of 14% of children screened positive for autism spectrum disorder and 3% of the sample met criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Among those who screened positive, 34% were lost to follow-up. Findings suggest that early childcare providers can effectively screen young children for autism spectrum disorder in preschool/daycare settings, thus improving access to early diagnosis and reducing potential healthcare disparities among underserved populations.
Climate change and the welfare state? Exploring Australian attitudes to climate and social policy
Authors: Spies-Butcher Ben , Stebbing Adam
Published: May 2015

Despite growing evidence of significant impacts from human-induced climate change, policy responses have been slow. Understanding this policy inertia has led to competing explanations, which either point to the need to build a consensual politics separated from economic partisanship, or which encourage solidarities between environmental and social movements and issues. This article analyses a recent successful mobilisation, leading to the passage of the Clean Energy Act in Australia, to explore the relationship between attitudes to environmental and social protection, particularly among the core constituency in favour of stronger climate action. Using social survey data from the Australian Election Study, the article finds evidence of independent associations between prioritising environmental concerns and support for welfare state expansion, and a realignment of materialist and post-materialist values. This we argue is consistent with Polanyian analysis that posits a link between social and environmental causes based on resistance to commodification.