bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waste to energy efficiency improvements: Integration with solar thermal energy
Authors: Mendecka B , Lombardi L , Gladysz Pawel
Published: March 2019

Hybridisation of waste to energy with solar facility can take competing energy technologies and make them complementary. However, realising the benefits of solar integration requires careful consideration of the technical feasibility as well as the economic and environmental benefits of a proposed system. In this work, a solar-integrated waste-to-energy plant scheme is proposed and analysed from an energy, environmental and economic point of view. The new system integrates a traditional waste-to-energy plant with a concentrated solar power plant, by superheating the steam produced by the waste-to-energy flue gas boiler in the solar facility. The original waste-to-energy plant – that is, the base case before introducing the integration with concentrated solar power – has a thermal power input of 50 MW and operates with superheated steam at 40 bar and 400 °C; net power output is 10.7 MW, and the net energy efficiency is equal to 21.65%. By combining waste-to-energy plant with the solar facility, the power plant could provide higher net efficiency (from 1.4 to 3.7 p.p. higher), lower specific CO2 emissions (from 69 to 180 kg MWh-1 lower) and lower levellised cost of electricity (from 13.4 to 42.3 EUR MWh-1 lower) comparing with the standalone waste to energy case. The study shows that: (i) in the integrated case and for the increasing steam parameters energy, economic and ecological performances are improved; (ii) increasing the solar contribution could be an efficient way to improve the process and system performances. In general, we can conclude that concentrated solar-power technology holds significant promise for extending and developing the waste to energy systems.
Evolution of the Korean Marketplace From 1896 to 1938: A Historical Investigation of Western Clothing Stores’ Retail and Competition Strategies
Authors: Kim Soon-Young , Ha-Brookshire Jung
Published: March 2019

The Korean economy has transformed from the domestic home-based to the global mass production-based one since the Korean–Japan Treaty of 1876. New technologies such as the sewing machine and mass production systems were introduced to Korea simultaneously, and the result was the two new clothing retail operation types: custom-made and ready-made clothing stores. After reviewing over 340 daily newspaper articles and advertisements published from 1896 to 1938, the findings show the key characteristics of two Western-style clothing store types, the key marketing strategies that these two store types used, and the survival strategies that custom-made stores employed to compete against ready-made stores. Within the context of the Korean clothing industry today, the results of this study present interesting insights into how the Korean clothing industry was born and grew during the early 20th century when the country was emerging from a home-based handmade economy to a factory-based machine-made one.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the age of global backlash
Authors: Seiderman Ian
Published: March 2019

Before leaving his post in 2018, the outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, made a series of critical remarks, both publicly and internally, regarding what he considered weakening of the integrity and effectiveness of the UN in its human rights mandate. Zeid’s comments highlighted retrogressive tendencies making the task of a strong and independent High Commissioner exceedingly difficult. The post of High Commissioner, established in 1994 following decades of advocacy, to give a high level voice to human rights promotion and protection as well as to manage a secretariat for most UN human rights functions, has enjoyed mostly robust and effective leadership by its post-holders. Any High Commissioner faces challenge inherent to the job in balancing the functions of diplomat, human rights advocate for “the voiceless”, and agency manager working with an insufficient and patently unfair budgetary allotment. The new High Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, will have her work cut out, as she faces an apparent retreat from prioritizing human rights, particularly by some States that previously championed them; ambivalence by a wider UN bureaucracy; and a wave of authoritarian populist leaders and movements around the globes that take a hostile view to the human rights paradigm. The new High Commissioner would do well to keep her energies squarely focused on independently tackling urgent substantive and possibly existential human rights challenges, rather than any project of administrative restructuring of the OHCHR, even as she may pursue a working methodology that is distinct from the approach of her predecessors.
Numerical study on the shock vector control in a rectangular supersonic nozzle
Authors: Wu Kexin , Dong Kim Heuy
Published: March 2019

In recent decades, the fluidic thrust vector control technique is one of the core strategies to redirect various aerospace vehicles, such as modern launch rockets, supersonic aircraft, and guided missiles. The fundamental theory of the shock vector control is that the gas is injected into the supersonic part of a conventional convergent–divergent nozzle from the transverse to cause interactions between the shock waves and boundary layers. Then, the deflection of the primary jet can be easily realized by the induced oblique shock waves. It was evident that the shock vector control is a very simple, low weight, low cost, and quick vectoring response technique to gain high thrust vectoring performance. In the present work, computational fluid dynamics studies were performed at different control parameters in a three-dimensional rectangular supersonic nozzle with the slot injector. For the validation of the numerical methodology, computational results were compared with experimental data referred to the NASA Langley Research Center. The static pressure distributions along the upper and lower nozzle surfaces in the symmetry plane were matched with the test data excellently. Numerical simulations were based on the well-assessed shear stress transport k–ω turbulence model. Second-order accuracy was selected to reveal more details of the flow-field as much as possible. Lots of factors were investigated, such as the momentum flux ratio, length-to-width ratio, injection location, and injection angle. The performance variations for different affecting factors were illustrated and some constructive conclusions were obtained to provide the reference for further investigations in fluidic thrust vector control field.
Pornography and women’s sexual pleasure: Accounts from young women in Australia
Authors: Ashton Sarah , McDonald Karalyn , Kirkman Maggie
Published: March 2019

Understanding how young women experience pornography is a modern imperative in promoting sexual health. There has been, until now, no Australian research exploring what pornography means to women in relation to sexual pleasure. We conducted in-depth interviews with 27 women from around Australia. A thematic analysis of their accounts, supported by narrative theory, revealed that pornography both enhanced and interfered with pleasure. Women described pornography’s contributions to the enhancement of pleasure through solo pleasure, shared viewing with partners, discovering new sexual preferences, and reassurance about body appearance. Pornography was constructed as interfering with pleasure through its misrepresentation (of bodies, sexual acts, and expression of pleasure), women’s concern for actors’ wellbeing, and its disruption of intimacy. Accounts were consistent with women’s place in a culture that subordinates female pleasure to male pleasure. It was evident in women’s accounts that pornography plays complex, dynamic roles in the production of pleasure, acting in the domains of physiology, psychology, relationships, ethics, society, and culture.
Golden Chariot Capital’s Foray into Option Trading
Authors: Jena Sangram K. , Mitra Amarnath
Published: March 2019

The case presents a real-life situation faced by a research analyst to improve the performance of the funds under management by exploring the opportunities in the options market. Golden Chariot Capital (GCC), an investment firm with ₹500 million worth of assets under management, was failing in its objective to provide long-term capital appreciation with a steady income to its investors. GCC had its funds invested in publicly traded common stocks and corporate bonds. In the last 8 months, GCC failed to match up with the benchmark index. Ms Indira, a research analyst at GCC, was given the task to identify and suggest alternate avenues of investment. Indira brought forward a proposal to explore the derivatives market in general and options market in particular to improve the fund performance. After going through Indira’s proposal, few fund managers at GCC were reluctant to expose their funds to the speculative market of options. Hence, Indira was asked to conduct a pilot study on the payoffs resulting from selected income strategies using options. As an illustration, Indira came up with five income strategies comprising covered call, covered put, short straddle, short strangle and long iron condor that involved either selling of options resulting in income or reduction of cost of the portfolio. The case will help the students to learn about options and their payoffs, as well as strategies involving various options. The case is equally useful for practitioners taking a balanced view of the market to develop appropriate options related to income strategies.
Implementing a Palliative Medicine Music Therapy Program: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Wood Christina , Cutshall Susanne M. , Wiste Rachel M. , Gentes Rachel C. , Rian Johanna S. , Tipton Amie M. , Ann-Marie Dose , Mahapatra Saswati , Carey Elise C. , Strand Jacob J.
Published: March 2019

Objectives:

Recent evidence suggests that music therapy, a holistic method of care, potentially is beneficial for symptom management. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the effect of music therapy on symptom management and coping skills of patients receiving palliative care and to measure patient satisfaction with the therapy. A secondary aim was to evaluate staff perception of patient outcomes of music therapy services.

Methods:

Palliative care clinicians attended a 30-minute education session on music therapy before the project was initiated. Study participants were patients and their families who were cared for by the inpatient palliative care consulting service at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) from June 1 through December 31, 2016. Patients were eligible if they required ongoing management of pain and anxiety or needed adaptive coping strategies. Patients and families were asked to complete a survey after each music therapy session. Staff were asked to complete a survey after completion of the project.

Results:

Music therapy was provided to 57 patients and 53 family members. Patient surveys indicated a decrease in anxiety and pain. All patients reported that music therapy facilitated stress relief, relaxation, pain relief, spiritual support, emotional support, and a general feeling of wellness. All participants recommended music therapy services for others. Palliative care clinicians reported that music therapy added value as a holistic service.

Conclusions:

In this quality improvement project, music therapy positively affected multiple domains of well-being for patients receiving palliative care.
Comfort in Treating Sexual Problems: Current Training and Counselor Self-Efficacy
Authors: Hipp Christopher J. , Carlson Ryan G.
Published: March 2019

Counselor discomfort with sex can impede couple growth during the therapeutic process. As couples address multifaceted problems during therapy, counselors should be prepared to professionally discuss a couple’s sexuality during the therapeutic process. As such, the continued taboo surrounding the discussion of sex may illicit embarrassment or nondisclosure of the sexual difficulties by the individual or couple, or worse, be ignored completely by the counselor. Therefore, counselor self-efficacy of sexual topics requires continued analysis within the literature and clinical practice. Thus, the focus of this article is to bridge the gap between counselor sexual discomfort and building self-efficacy of sexual topics through the use of practical strategies (i.e., assessments and interventions) to use in treatment by (a) presenting an overview of literature on sexual perspectives of counselors that inhibit therapeutic discussion of sexuality in the counseling environment, (b) highlighting therapeutic lenses of sexuality that assist in understanding how sexual problems positively and/or negatively impact clients while promoting healthy communication between the counselor and client, (c) providing evidence for the use of sexually based assessments to assist counselors in the development of sexual conversations in treatment, and (d) presenting a brief overview of treatment methods for sexual problems. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Clear Cell Variant of Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas: A Report of a Rare Variant and Review of the Literature
Authors: Costales Cristina , Mehta Arjun , Kulkarni Sujit , Larson Brent K.
Published: March 2019

The clear cell variant of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (ccSPN) of the pancreas was first described in 2006. In this article, we report a case of this rare variant and review the few published reports. Both the current and previous reports show that ccSPN has several morphologic differences from conventional SPN, including clear vacuoles, fewer pseudopapillary formations, more solid/diffuse architecture, less hemorrhage, and fewer cholesterol clefts. Some of these features peculiar to ccSPN, such as solid/diffuse architecture, have been proposed to suggest aggressive behavior, though reports of ccSPN are rare and often have limited clinical follow-up. ccSPN also appears to occur more frequently in males than conventional SPNs. These clinical and pathologic features lead to unique set of differential diagnostic considerations for ccSPN, including metastatic renal cell carcinoma, perivascular epithelial cell tumor, and clear cell variants of other carcinomas. These unique features, atypical differential, and uncertain prognostic ramifications all make ccSPN an important variant to be aware of and report.
Two irreducible functional bases of isotropic invariants of a fourth-order three-dimensional symmetric and traceless tensor
Authors: Chen Zhongming , Chen Yannan , Qi Liqun , Zou Wennan
Published: March 2019

The elasticity tensor is one of the most important fourth-order tensors in mechanics. Fourth-order three-dimensional symmetric and traceless tensors play a crucial role in the study of the elasticity tensor. In this paper, we present two isotropic irreducible functional bases for a fourth-order three-dimensional symmetric and traceless tensor. One of them is exactly the minimal integrity basis introduced by Smith and Bao in 1997. It has nine homogeneous polynomial invariants of degrees two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten, respectively. We prove that it is also an irreducible functional basis. The second irreducible functional basis also has nine homogeneous polynomial invariants. It has no quartic invariant but has two sextic invariants. The other seven invariants are the same as those of the Smith–Bao basis. Hence, the second irreducible functional basis is not contained in any minimal integrity basis.
Three-year follow-up of intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation in central keratoconus with regular astigmatism: ‘Bow-tie’ shape
Authors: Fernández-Vega-Cueto Luis , Lisa Carlos , Poo-López Aranzazu , Alfonso José F , Madrid-Costa David
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To assess the outcomes of implanting Ferrara-type intrastromal corneal ring segments in central ‘bow-tie’-shaped keratoconus over 3 years of follow-up.

Methods:

A total of 20 eyes with central ‘bow-tie’-shaped keratoconus were evaluated before and after implanting Ferrara-type intrastromal corneal ring segments (AJL Ophthalmic, Spain). LogMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity and best corrected distance visual acuity and residual refractive errors analysed using vector analysis were recorded preoperatively, at 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years postoperatively.

Results:

The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (LogMAR scale) rose from a preoperative 0.75 ± 0.28 to a 6-month postoperative 0.38 ± 0.28 (p < 0.0001). The corrected distance visual acuity, in turn, improved from 0.07 ± 0.06 to 0.05 ± 0.06 (p = 0.0008). Both the uncorrected distance visual acuity and corrected distance visual acuity were stable over the postoperative period in both groups (p > 0.05). None of the eyes lost uncorrected distance visual acuity and corrected distance visual acuity lines over the postoperative follow-up period. The spherical equivalent and the refractive cylinder declined steeply after intrastromal corneal ring segments implantation (p < 0.0001). Both the spherical equivalent and refractive cylinder were stable over the postoperative period. None of the eyes had an increase in maximum or minimum keratometry greater than 0.75D over the postoperative period.

Conclusion:

The planning for intrastromal corneal ring segments insertion proposed in this study reduces the spherical equivalent and refractive cylinder in this type of keratoconus, while improving post-surgery uncorrected distance visual acuity and corrected distance visual acuity. These results remain stable over 3 years of follow-up. Therefore, this procedure could be considered as an effective therapeutic alternative in patients affected by this type of keratoconus.
Oculofacial alterations in NBAS-SOPH like mutations: Case report
Authors: Nucci Francesca , Lembo Andrea , Farronato Marco , Farronato Giampietro , Nucci Paolo , Serafino Massimiliano
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To describe the clinical features of a rare case of NBAS-SOPH-like mutations; to emphasize special aspects of the ocular and oro-facial regions.

Methods:

Case report.

Case Description:

We present a 5-year-old girl initially examined for her dysmorphic features, mental delay, strabismus, and high myopia. During the funduscopic examination, we observed optic atrophy with narrow thinned arterioles with the light brown reflex of the central retina. A genetic assessment revealed NBAS-SOPH like mutation. An assessment by a team of orthodontists defined typical characteristics.

Conclusions:

NBAS mutations can also cause complex disease with a broad clinical spectrum ranging from isolated recurrent acute liver failure (RALF) to a multisystemic phenotype. Due to the heterogeneity of the expressions, a multispeciality approach to this situation is recommended.
Decentring the vernacular web: Meaning, affect and power in networked culture
Authors: Szarecki Artur
Published: March 2019

The article investigates non-linear dynamics of networked culture, emphasizing the entangled relations of power that transcend the dialectic of the vernacular and the institutional, along with its back and forth movement between subversion and co-optation. To that end, it focuses on a controversial digital marketing campaign for the Ministry of the Interior in Poland, analysing its initial reception, subsequent remakes and more enduring political effects. In particular, it demonstrates how the public outcry it generated interacted with other media events, proliferating connections in a non-dialectical manner. Consequently, the unfolding of the campaign involved a multiplicity of often incongruous potentials of expression that fluctuated around enduring cultural patterns, ultimately reinforcing attitudes and institutions that the backlash was supposed to challenge.
The Iron Cage of Enterprise or the Restoration of Class Power? Approaches to Understanding Neoliberalism
Authors: Choat Simon
Published: March 2019

Recent Foucauldian critiques of neoliberalism – especially those by Wendy Brown, Béatrice Hibou, and Pierre Dardot and Christian Laval – have argued that the Marxist interpretation of neoliberalism as a class project is reductive and economistic, and have instead conceptualised neoliberalism as a form of governmental rationality. This article compares these two influential approaches to understanding neoliberalism. It will outline the central features of the Foucauldian and Marxist approaches, assess the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches, and argue that a synthesis of the two approaches is both possible and desirable. While the Foucauldian approach enables a microphysics of everyday neoliberalism and its modes of subjectivity, it is argued that such an analysis must be placed within the broader, macrostructural approach of Marxism. The article thus defends Marxism against its Foucauldian critique, while nonetheless encouraging Marxists to engage with Foucauldian accounts of neoliberalism which they have so far tended to ignore.
Health in Action: Evaluation of a Participatory Grant-Making Project in East Harlem
Authors: Nieves Christina I. , Chan Judy , Dannefer Rachel , De La Rosa Cinthia , Diaz-Malvido Carmen , Realmuto Lindsey , Libman Kimberly , Brown-Dudley La’Shawn , Manyindo Noel
Published: March 2019

Decision-making processes that include resident input have been shown to be effective in addressing community needs. However, few examples discuss the role of a local health department in leading a participatory decision-making process. In 2016, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene implemented a participatory grant-making process to allocate grant funds to community organizations in East Harlem. Findings from the evaluation suggest that a participatory grant-making process can be an effective way to include community member as decision makers. It can also build capacity among organizations and foster meaningful community engagement with a local health department.
A Retrospective Cohort Study of Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection Following Liver Transplantation
Authors: Oliveira Ramon Antônio , Mancero Jorge Marcelo Padilla , Faria Dalila Fernanda , Poveda Vanessa de Brito
Published: March 2019

Background:

Surgical site infection is an important complication in the postoperative period among liver transplant recipients. However, little is known about the risk factors in this patient group. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the incidence and risk factors for surgical site infections among adult liver transplant recipients.

Methods:

Medical records of adult liver transplant recipients from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2015, were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study.

Results:

We enrolled 156 recipients’ medical records. Forty-two (26.9%) cases of surgical site infections were identified. The main isolated microorganisms were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species, extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella species, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis. We found that long operative times (≥487 minutes) and differences in body mass index between donor and recipient (≥1.3 kg/m2) increased the risk for surgical site infections by approximately 5 times (odds ratio [OR], 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5-11.8), and capillary glycemia ≥175 mg/dL in the first 96 postoperative hours increased the risk by approximately 3 times (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.43-6.17).

Conclusions:

There was a high incidence of surgical site infections among the studied population and that some risk factors identified differ from those reported in the scientific literature.
Data Epistemologies, The Coloniality of Power, and Resistance
Authors: Ricaurte Paola
Published: March 2019

Data assemblages amplify historical forms of colonization through a complex arrangement of practices, materialities, territories, bodies, and subjectivities. Data-centric epistemologies should be understood as an expression of the coloniality of power manifested as the violent imposition of ways of being, thinking, and feeling that leads to the expulsion of human beings from the social order, denies the existence of alternative worlds and epistemologies, and threatens life on Earth. This article develops a theoretical model to analyze the coloniality of power through data and explores the multiple dimensions of coloniality as a framework for identifying ways of resisting data colonization. Finally, this article suggests possible alternative data epistemologies that are respectful of populations, cultural diversity, and environments.
Written Exposure Therapy: The Case for Latinos
Authors: Benuto Lorraine T. , Bennett Natalie
Published: March 2019

Despite the substantial impact of trauma and subsequent posttraumatic stress in the Latino population, Latinos often underutilize services to address symptoms. Furthermore, research is still lacking regarding the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments, specifically for Latinos. We review the case of a 29-year-old Latina diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who presented with intrusive memories, nightmares, and negative affect. The client’s progress in treatment was hindered by extreme emotion dysregulation when asked to engage in imaginal exposure, leading her to contemplate premature termination of therapy. Thus, prolonged exposure therapy (PET) was modified based on written exposure therapy to successfully treat the client. Treatment success was reflected in both the client’s self-report and PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) (PCL-5) scores at pre- and posttreatment. From this case study, we can conclude that (a) PET can be effectively modified during treatment to include written exposures if the client cannot participate in imaginal exposure; (b) such treatment may be effective for Latinos experiencing posttraumatic stress; and (c) cultural and logistical factors affecting client participation and utilization of services should be addressed in treatment.
Automated Measures to Understand Communication Opportunities for Young Children With Autism in the Community: A Pilot Study
Authors: Little Lauren M. , Rojas Joanne P. , Bard Anna , Luo Ying , Irvin Dwight , Rous Beth
Published: March 2019

Community participation is vital to children’s development and provides opportunities to practice social communication skills. Although previous studies suggest that young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience decreased community participation, there is little empirical evidence on the precise patterns of participation that may influence social communication opportunities. Therefore, this pilot study investigated the communication among families of children with ASD ( n = 5) versus typical development (TD; n = 5) across various community locations. We used automated, objective measures: the Language ENvironmental Analysis (LENA) system™ to measure the amount of communication and integrated this with a Global Positioning System (GPS; that is, Qstarz™) to measure community location. Results showed that families of children with ASD and TD spent a similar amount of time in community locations; however, there were differences in the amount of adult talk directed toward children with ASD versus TD across community locations. Findings suggest that automated measures may be successfully integrated to quantify social communication during community participation.
A collaborative routing protocol for video streaming with fog computing in vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Bezerra Paulo , Melo Adalberto , Douglas Allan , Santos Hugo , Rosário Denis , Cerqueira Eduardo
Published: March 2019

Vehicular ad hoc networks play an important role in the efficiency of road traffic by improving safety and acting as a facilitator of services for passengers, drivers, and public safety officers. Recent improvements in the routing protocols and topologies used in vehicular networks have contributed to improvements in scalability, reliability, and the quality of the information-sharing experience. Vehicles can cooperate with each other to stream videos of accidents or disasters and provide visual information of the monitored area with great precision. This article proposes a collaborative routing protocol for video streaming vehicular ad hoc networks using the service of fog storage to minimize the sharing of content. The routing table is based on an indicator that is generated by combining the speed, location, and recording angle parameters of each vehicle involved in vehicular collaboration to reduce the unnecessary exchange of video data in vehicle-to-vehicle communications. The results of the simulations show that the proposed model performs favorably when compared with other routing protocols with respect to the availability of end-to-end communication.
Straight Paths Through Queer Walking Simulators: Wandering on Rails and Speedrunning in Gone Home
Authors: Ruberg Bonnie
Published: March 2019

This article identifies the limitations of queerness in Gone Home (The Fullbright Company, 2013) by exploring the ways in which players’ movements through space in video games can be considered queer or “straight.” Drawing from Sara Ahmed, I demonstrate how the potential for queer in-game movement in Gone Home has been straightened both by the game itself and by elements of its player reception. Gone Home is widely seen as exemplifying a current shift toward increased LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) representation in video games. The game is also associated with queerness through its status as a “walking simulator,” a genre with ties to the queer flaneur. Indeed, Gone Home’s gameplay seems to encourage queer wandering, moving not straight but instead meanderingly. Yet, a closer analysis of its interactive elements reveals that Gone Home is far less queer than it may initially appear. The player’s path is rigid and linear, much like in a “rail shooter.” The potential for queer movement in Gone Home has been furthered straightened by speedrunners who play the game along the straightest possible paths. This article argues for player movement as an important site of meaning in video games and calls for an increased engagement with the tensions that surround queerness and video games.
Fowler Central Slip Tenotomy or Spiral Oblique Retinacular Ligament Reconstruction? A Cadaveric Biomechanical Study in Swan-Neck Deformity
Authors: Deml Christian , Baradaran Aslan , Chen Neal , Nasr Michael , Kachooei Amir R.
Published: March 2019

Background: The goal of this study is to biomechanically compare Fowler central slip tenotomy with spiral oblique retinacular ligament (SORL) reconstruction in correcting a chronic mallet deformity as part of a swan-neck deformity. Methods: We used 24 human cadaver fingers from 6 hands. Mallet finger and swan-neck deformities were created; then, Fowler tenotomy was done on one group including 3 hands with 12 fingers, and SORL reconstruction was done on the others. Results: During simulated finger extension, there was no significant difference between the 2 techniques in correcting the distal interphalangeal joint droop; however, Fowler tenotomy resulted in hyperflexion of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, whereas it remained straight after SORL reconstruction. Conclusions: This study supports the SORL reconstruction in correcting a chronic mallet deformity, especially when there is a concomitant PIP hyperextension deformity, which lowers the risk of reversing the deformity after a Fowler procedure.
Advocating for Oral Health Through Fluoridation
Authors: Nowak Barbara , Sicilio Lisa , Kizior Char , Tedder Graecinda , Zimmerman Nicola , Bobo Nichole
Published: March 2019

Eight school nurses attended the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Campaign for Dental Health meeting in March 2018, which focused on community water fluoridation programs. Because of aging infrastructure and antifluoridation community activists, some communities are considering stopping fluoridation programs. The benefits of water fluoridation have been demonstrated since the 1950s. School nurses can play a vital role in advocating for evidence-based fluoridation programs within their community. This article informs the school nurse on the benefits of water fluoridation for promoting community health and methods to advocate for those measures—key practice components of the leadership and community/public health principles of “Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice™.”
The interactive museum: Video games as history lessons through lore and affective design
Authors: Anderson Sky LaRell
Published: March 2019

This article approaches games from the perspectives of design and analysis in order to describe how games might employ pedagogical strategies that capitalize on their strengths as interactive media while avoiding the pitfalls of traditional learning games. Specifically, it draws attention to how games employ world building through lore—such as through item text descriptions—as well as affective game design aesthetics to create a learning experience closer in similarity to touring a museum than reading a textbook. Describing this phenomenon as the interactive museum, the article discusses how the concept operates through an analysis of the game Valiant Hearts: The Great War. The article first addresses games as teaching tools, including their potential to teach about historical wars, while paying close attention to the ethical dilemma of producing an entertaining game that also aims to teach. The design analysis begins by examining item text descriptions, lore and historical world building before describing the affective aesthetic of the interactive museum. The article concludes with a discussion on games’ potential use of tangential learning as a method to teach through interactivity.
Implicit Theories, Working Memory, and Cognitive Load: Impacts on Creative Thinking
Authors: Redifer Jenni L. , Bae Christine L. , DeBusk-Lane Morgan
Published: March 2019

Creative thinking shares many characteristics with traditional complex tasks. We investigated whether implicit theories of creativity would affect creative thinking in a way similar to the impact of implicit theories of intelligence on academic tasks. We altered participants’ theories of creativity to be either more incremental or more entity-like. We also examined the impact of working memory (WM) and cognitive load on creative thinking. Cognitive load fully mediated the relationship between implicit theories and creative thinking, with more incremental beliefs linked to lower cognitive load. In addition, cognitive load partially mediated the relationship between WM and creative thinking. Our results support prior research showing that creative thinking draws on cognitive mechanisms similar to those utilized by other complex tasks, but the impact of implicit theories on creative thinking differs from their effect on traditional academic tasks.
Open Science in Data-Intensive Psychology and Cognitive Science
Authors: Paxton Alexandra , Tullett Alexa
Published: March 2019

Today, researchers can collect, analyze, and share more data than ever before. Not only does increasing technological capacity open the door to new data-intensive perspectives in cognitive science and psychology (i.e., research that takes advantage of complex or large-scale data to understand human cognition and behavior), but increasing connectedness has sparked exponential increases in the ease and practice of scientific transparency. The growing open science movement encourages researchers to share data, materials, methods, and publications with other scientists and the wider public. Open science benefits data-intensive psychological science, the public, and public policy, and we present recommendations to improve the adoption of open science practices by changing the academic incentive structure and by improving the education pipeline. Despite ongoing questions about implementing open science guidelines, policy makers have an unprecedented opportunity to shape the next frontier of scientific discovery.
Heightened Adolescent Risk-Taking? Insights From Lab Studies on Age Differences in Decision-Making
Authors: Defoe Ivy N. , Semon Dubas Judith , Romer Daniel
Published: March 2019

Surveys concur that adolescents disproportionately engage in many real-world risk behaviors, compared with children and adults. Recently researchers have employed laboratory risky decision-making tasks to replicate this apparent heightened adolescent risk-taking. This review builds on the main findings of the first meta-analysis of such age differences in risky decision-making in the laboratory. Overall, although adolescents engage in more risky decision-making than adults, adolescents engage in risky decision-making equal to children. However, adolescents take fewer risks than children on tasks that allow the option of opting out of taking a risk. To reconcile findings on age differences in risk-taking in the real-world versus the laboratory, an integrative framework merges theories on neuropsychological development with ecological models that emphasize the importance of risk exposure in explaining age differences in risk-taking. Policy insights and recent developments are discussed.
A Reasoned Approach to Dealing With Fake News
Authors: Britt M. Anne , Rouet Jean-François , Blaum Dylan , Millis Keith
Published: March 2019

We now have almost no filters on information that we can access, and this requires a much more vigilant, knowledgeable reader. Learning false information from the web can have dire consequences for personal, social, and personal decision making. Given how our memory works and our biases in selecting and interpreting information, now more than ever we must control our own cognitive and affective processing. As examples: Simply repeating information can increase confidence in its perceived truth; initial incorrect information remains available and can continue to have an effect despite learning the corrected information; and we are more likely to accept information that is consistent with our beliefs. Information evaluation requires readers (a) to set and monitor their goals of accuracy, coherence, and completeness; (b) to employ strategies to achieve these goals; and (c) to value this time- and effort-consuming systematic evaluation. Several recommendations support a reasoned approach to fake news and manipulation.
Management of Oral Anticoagulant-associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Epple Corina , Steiner Thorsten
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Oral anticoagulant-associated intracerebral hemorrhages (OAC-ICHs) account for nearly 20% of all ICH and are associated with high mortality. The number of patients with an indication for oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) is increasing with the aging population; therefore, despite the improved safety profile of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs), the number of patients with OAC-ICH will increase. OAT was simplified with the introduction of NOACs, which are easy to handle and show a favorable risk-benefit profile. The rate of ICH is lower than for vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and routine coagulation testing is not required. Nevertheless, OAC-ICH does occur and is still a devastating disease, thus representing the most feared complication in OAT, irrespective of treatment with VKA or NOAC.

Purpose: The aim of this article is to address the clinical problem of bleeding management in patients with ICH due to OAC and will consider anticoagulation with NOAC and VKA.

Recommendations: Restoring coagulation as soon as possible is the main goal and, therefore, knowledge of the actual coagulation status is essential. In VKA-associated ICH, the international normalized ratio (INR) should be lowered to below 1.3. However, laboratory measurement of anticoagulant activity in NOAC patients is more complex, rendering OAC-ICH treatment more complicated. The best assays are specialized and not widely available, whereas more accessible tests such as prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time have important limitations. For VKA-ICH, prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) should be administered to reverse the INR. For dabigatran-related ICH, 5 g idarucizumab should be administered. For factor Xa inhibitors, PCC is recommended in the absence of andexanet alfa as soon as an OAC-related ICH evolves. Resuming OAC after ICH should be considered, depending on risk factors and a risk-benefit evaluation.
Polyacrylonitrile-based nanocomposite fibers: A review of current developments
Authors: Kausar Ayesha
Published: March 2019

This is a state-of-the-art review on essential aspects, types, and applications of polyacrylonitrile-based nanocomposite fibers. Polyacrylonitrile is a commercially important acrylic polymer having superior chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Polyacrylonitrile fibers also possess significant scientific worth. Incorporating nanofillers (graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotube, metal nanoparticle) in polyacrylonitrile fibers has significantly improved the physical properties of nanocomposite fibers. The polyacrylonitrile/carbon nanotube, polyacrylonitrile/graphene, and polyacrylonitrile/inorganic nanoparticle nanocomposite fiber enhanced characteristics have been attributed to the nitrile groups interfacial bonding with the nanofiller employed. The chemical architecture, superhydrophobicity, superoleophobicity, porosity, absorption capacity, and wettability of nanofibers have led to several advantageous nanocomposite fiber applications. Energy production and storage devices, sensors, electromagnetic interference shielding materials, metal ion detoxification, and antimicrobial relevance are frequently explored areas with the polyacrylonitrile/nanoparticle nanocomposite fibers. Major challenges for nanocomposite fibers are to achieve scalable fabrication, low cost, high selectivity, excellent recyclability, and high absorption capacity. In the future, these nanocomposite fibers need extensive research effort to advance the technology and to bring them to commercialization.
Sonographic Features of the Liver Among Females With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Riestra-Candelaria Bárbara L. , González-Rodríguez Loida A. , Rodriguez-Mojica Wilma , Vázquez-Quiñones Luis E. , Jorge Juan Carlos
Published: March 2019

The craniocaudal (CC) length of the right lobe of the liver ( RLL), liver texture, size of the main portal vein, and hemodynamics of the hepatic artery were sonographically evaluated in female diabetic and nondiabetic patients. A one-way analysis of variance, a Tukey post hoc test, and a Kruskal-Wallis with post hoc Dunn’s test were employed. Nonsymptomatic differences in liver anatomy were detected among patients with noncontrolled type 2 diabetes. They exhibited the longest CC length of the RLL ( P = .04) as well as an enlarged main portal vein ( P = .04). The hepatic artery resistive index was higher among patients with controlled type 2 diabetes ( P = .04). These differences were not attributed to fatty infiltration. Patients with noncontrolled type 2 diabetes exhibited significantly higher alanine aminotransferase, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher triglyceride levels than non–type 2 diabetes patients. Longitudinal sonography may provide valuable diagnostic information in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Proposing value-based technology acceptance model: testing on paid mobile media service
Authors: Youn Song-yi , Lee Kyu-Hye
Published: March 2019

Rapid growth of online media markets among world populations led to attempts by companies to exploit mobile services as part of business planning practices. Relatedly, this study examines adoption of paid mobile media service (i.e., Amazon Prime Video) as a source of new information and communication technology with online-offline integrated mobile services. The study’s main objective is to identify a technology acceptance model from the perspective of consumer experiences of value perceptions. This study proposed a value-based technology acceptance model, deriving from classic variables related to technology acceptance with regard to relevant consumer value perception literature. The proposed model examined effects of positive and negative experiences of value perceptions on consumers’ beliefs about paid service which explained future use of the paid service. Results indicated that consumers’ positive experiences—social, emotional, and functional values—derived from using mobile media services positively explained consumers’ belief of the usefulness of the paid mobile media service. Consumers’ negative experiences with technological barriers negatively influenced consumers’ beliefs with regard to the ease of use for paid mobile service, while price risk negatively influenced perceived usefulness. Consequently, consumers’ perceptions of ease of use and usefulness related to using the paid service positively influenced behavioral intention for continuous use of the paid mobile media service.
Days at Home in the Last 6 Months of Life: A Patient-Determined Quality Indicator for Cancer Care
Authors: Andersen Sarah K. , Croxford Ruth , Earle Craig C. , Singh Simron , Cheung Matthew C.
Published: March 2019

PURPOSE:

Quality end-of-life care (EoLC) is a key aspect of oncology. Days at home in the last 6 months of life represents a novel, patient-driven quality indicator of EoLC. We measured days at home in a large population of patients with cancer in Ontario, Canada. Trends over time and predictors of more or less time at home were also determined.

METHODS:

We conducted a population-based retrospective study using health administrative data linked by unique, encoded identifiers and analyzed at the ICES. Quantile regression was used to determine significant predictors of more or less time at home.

RESULTS:

Of 72,987 patients who died of cancer in Ontario, Canada and met our inclusion criteria, the median number of days spent at home in the last 6 months of life was 164 (interquartile range [IQR], 144 to 175 days) of a possible 180 days. Patients with hematologic cancers spent significantly fewer days at home (156; IQR, 134 to 170 days). The strongest predictors of more time at home were male sex (+2.87 days relative to female sex; CI, 2.43 to 3.31 days) and receipt of palliative care before the last 6 months of life (+2.38 days; CI, 1.95 to 2.08 days). Additional predictors included income, age, cancer type, comorbidity burden, and health region. The majority of patients (69.7%) did not die at home.

CONCLUSION:

Days at home in the last 6 months of life, obtained from administrative data, can be used as a measure of quality EoLC. Predictors of days at home may prove valuable targets for future policy intervention.