bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Catalogue and Historical Study of the Odonata of Ecuador
Authors: MAUFFRAY WILLIAM F. , TENNESSEN KENNETH J.
Published: July 2019

We present a list of 425 valid Odonata species from Ecuador, providing a brief overview of each genus, a photograph of a representative species of each genus, and all records known to us for each species. Thirty-eight of the 425 species were previously unrecorded from Ecuador. Data were derived from published records, public and private collections, and field records accumulated since the 1960’s by the authors and others who have contributed specimen information to this study. A historical study and a comprehensive list of synonyms are presented, and questionable species records are discussed. The physiography of the country, including the general climate of each subregion and current pressures on the environment, is briefly discussed. At present, 44 species of Odonata are considered endemic to Ecuador, and eight species are considered endangered, vulnerable, or near threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Velocity-Based EDR Retrieval Techniques Applied to Doppler Radar Measurements from Rain: Two Case Studies
Authors: Nijhuis A. C. P. Oude , Unal C. M. H. , Krasnov O. A. , Russchenberg H. W. J. , Yarovoy A. G.
Published: July 2019

In this article, five velocity-based energy dissipation rate (EDR) retrieval techniques are assessed. The EDR retrieval techniques are applied to Doppler measurements from Transportable Atmospheric Radar (TARA)—a precipitation profiling radar—operating in the vertically fixed-pointing mode. A generalized formula for the Kolmogorov constant is derived, which gives potential for the application of the EDR retrieval techniques to any radar line of sight (LOS). Two case studies are discussed that contain rain events of about 2 and 18 h, respectively. The EDR values retrieved from the radar are compared to in situ EDR values from collocated sonic anemometers. For the two case studies, a correlation coefficient of 0.79 was found for the wind speed variance (WSV) EDR retrieval technique, which uses 3D wind vectors as input and has a total sampling time of 10 min. From this comparison it is concluded that the radar is able to measure EDR with a reasonable accuracy. Almost no correlation was found for the vertical wind velocity variance (VWVV) EDR retrieval technique, as it was not possible to sufficiently separate the turbulence dynamics contribution to the radar Doppler mean velocities from the velocity contribution of falling raindrops. An important cause of the discrepancies between radar and in situ EDR values is thus due to insufficient accurate estimation of vertical air velocities.
Physical activity during school recess: A missed opportunity to be active?
Authors: Tercedor Pablo , Segura-Jiménez Víctor , Ávila García Manuel , Huertas-Delgado Francisco Javier
Published: July 2019

Objective:

The goals of this study were to (1) describe physical activity levels during school recess in 8-year-old children, (2) analyse the percentage of children who achieved physical activity recommendation at recess, and (3) examine if recess physical activity levels varied by gender, weight status, and parental educational level.

Methods:

In all, 291 children (mean age ±  SD = 8.3 ± 0.3 years, 156 boys) from 7 schools of Granada (Spain) were recruited by convenience. To analyse sedentary time and physical activity levels during recess, children wore a tri-axial accelerometer attached to the wrist over five consecutive school days.

Results:

Sedentary time (29.6% vs 40%) and light physical activity (33.2% vs 35.5%) were lower in boys than in girls (all p < .001). Conversely, moderate physical activity (26.7% vs 20%), vigorous physical activity (10.5% vs 4.4%) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (37.2% vs 24.4%) were higher in boys than in girls (all p < .001). Only 12% of the children accomplished the moderate-vigorous physical activity recommendations during recess (21.2% boys vs 1.5% girls). Lower body mass index values were associated with higher vigorous physical activity intensity.

Conclusions:

Levels of moderate-vigorous physical activity during school recess are very low in children, being lower in girls than in boys, a very low percentage of children achieve moderate-vigorous physical activity recommendations during school recess, and girls and overweight/obese children show lower values in moderate-vigorous and vigorous physical activity.
Sexual health education for adolescents with developmental disabilities
Authors: Murray B Lee
Published: July 2019

Background:

While statistics related to the sexual abuse of people with developmental disabilities are alarming, there remains a gap in the services and supports available to promote sexual health and healthy relationships and prevent sexual abuse of this population.

Objective:

To develop and deliver a sexual health education programme for adolescents with developmental disabilities and to identify the reactions and perceptions of students, teachers and parents involved in the programme.

Methods:

Using an interprofessional collaborative community development model, we developed and delivered a sexual health programme to young people aged 16–21 years with developmental disabilities in five Saskatchewan, Canada high schools. The project adapted, modified and administered the Canadian Red Cross RespectED questionnaires to all participants following the programme to allow for the identification and implementation of best practices with regard to the project’s future operation.

Results:

Data collected from the feedback and comments were summarised, and major concepts were identified. The information gathered identified meaningful educational experiences for students, their parents and teachers.

Conclusion:

Project findings reinforce the importance of sexual health education for people with developmental disabilities to increase opportunities for healthy sexual relationships and intimacy, to promote positive sexual identities and to decrease the risk of sexual victimisation.
The Role and Development of the Ombudsman System in the Maghreb A ‘Measure’ of Democracy?
Authors: Tamburini Francesco
Published: July 2019

The institution of the Ombudsman is aimed at defending values such as human rights and the respect for the rule of law against any form of abuse or arbitrariness. Many academic studies have been devoted to the Ombudsman in its different developments around the world, but not to the Maghreb area. This article wants to shed light on the characteristics of the Ombudsman in Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. The comparative exam of the different North African Ombudsmen will point out how the institution was able to survive only in states where a transition to democracy was truly in place.
The Effects of Didactic Instruction and Performance Feedback on Paraeducator Implementation of Behavior Support Strategies in Inclusive Settings
Authors: Sobeck Emily E. , Robertson Rachel , Smith Jesse
Published: July 2019

Many paraeducators have no formal education beyond high school and are provided with minimal training once on the job. Furthermore, as more schools turn to inclusionary practices, the impetus for highly qualified paraeducators becomes more important. However, little research has examined efficient ways to train paraeducators who work in inclusive classrooms. Through an adapted alternating treatments design (AATD), the general and comparative effects of two prominent training approaches were assessed: didactic instruction and performance feedback. Analysis of these approaches on paraeducators’ use of positive behavior support strategies in inclusive settings revealed that with an equal amount of training time for each approach, performance feedback consistently produced stronger immediate and maintained effects than didactic instruction.
The Significant Role of the Australia Acts in Australian Public Law
Authors: Boyle Liam
Published: July 2019

The Australia Acts accomplished more than symbolic change. They brought about a super-structural change to Australian constitutional law, and shortly afterwards a fundamental change to the public law jurisprudence in Australia emerged. This article presents an argument that these changes are inextricably intertwined and that the Australia Acts provided a significant catalyst and a tipping point for fundamental change to the Australian legal system.
Temperature and concentration control of exothermic chemical processes in continuous stirred tank reactors
Authors: Vlahakis Eleftherios , Halikias George
Published: July 2019

Exothermic chemical reaction taking place in continuous stirred tank reactor is considered. Heat release from the chemical reaction, non-linear dynamic behavior of the process and uncertainty in parameters are the main factors motivating the use of robust control design. Viewing temperature and molar concentration as variables both accessible in real time, PI and optimal state-feedback controllers driven by temperature and concentration error signals are proposed to regulate the system over reactor’s steady-state working points by counteracting undesired disturbances. Since access to concentration value has proved beneficial for the reactor’s performance, estimation techniques are examined to compensate for the problematic nature of the concentration’s measurement. A linear reduced-order observer is first proposed to estimate the concentration value using temperature measurements. In addition, assuming concentration measurement is available with a relatively short delay via sample analysis, a linear and non-linear discrete-time predictor is constructed to estimate the concentration’s real-time value. A linear combination of the two estimation schemes (observer, predictor) is proposed resulting in a combined estimator, in which the emphasis between the two individual schemes can be controlled via a scalar parameter. The work presented in this paper was supported by the GLOW project – New weather-stable low gloss powder coatings based on bifunctional acrylic solid resins and nanoadditives – as part of the development of novel and efficient processing technologies regarding the production of new families of powder coatings, responding to industrial requirements for quality improvement at lower cost and shorter development cycles.
Stability analysis of the high-order nonlinear extended state observers for a class of nonlinear control systems
Authors: Gao Ke , Song Jia , Yang Erfu
Published: July 2019

The nonlinear extended state observer (ESO) is a novel observer for a class of nonlinear control system. However, the non-smooth structure of the nonlinear ESO makes it difficult to measure the stability. In this paper, the stability problem of the nonlinear ESO is considered. The describing function (DF) method is adopted to analyze the stability of high-order nonlinear ESOs. The main result of the paper shows the existence of the self-oscillation and a sufficient stability condition for high-order nonlinear ESOs. Based on the analysis results, we give a simple and fast parameter tuning method for the nonlinear ESO and the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC). Realistic application simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed parameter tuning method.
Sectoral networks of transnational trade union cooperation in Europe
Authors: Larsson Bengt , Törnberg Anton
Published: July 2019

This network analysis of trade union cooperation in Europe uses survey data and interviews to map and analyze transnational cooperation networks in the metal, construction, transportation, and healthcare sectors. The study examines the extent to which sectoral and regional clustering tendencies exist in these networks and whether there are differences between the sectors with regard to structure, density, and central actors. The results show that networks of regular bilateral cooperation tend to stay within the sectors, and that there are tendencies toward regional clustering in all sectors. Unions in the Nordic and southern regions of Europe have a strong intraregional focus in bilateral cooperation, whereas unions in CEE and CWE countries have a greater share of interregional partners. Unions in the CWE region cluster at the core of all the networks, and German unions are the main brokers between other regions, which tend to cluster in more peripheral offshoots.
Decoding algorithms
Authors: Lomborg Stine , Kapsch Patrick Heiberg
Published: July 2019

In this article, we propose to adapt the communication theory concept of ‘decoding’ as a sensitizing device to probe how people come to know and understand algorithms, what they imagine algorithms to do, and their valorization of and responses to algorithmic work in daily media use. We posit the concept of decoding as useful because it highlights a feature that is constitutional in communication: gaps that must be filled by mobilizing our semiotic and socio-cultural knowledge in processes of interpretation before any communication becomes meaningful. If we cannot open the black box itself, we can study the relationships that people experience with algorithms, and by extension how and to what extent these experienced relationships become meaningful and are interwoven with users’ reflections of power, transparency, and justice in digital media. We demonstrate the potential of approaching algorithmic experience as communicative practices of decoding through an exploratory empirical study of how people from different walks of life come to know, feel, evaluate, and do algorithms in daily life. We unpack three prototypical modes of decoding algorithms – along preferred, negotiated, and oppositional modes of engagement with algorithms in daily life.
Symptom Burden and Unmet Existential Needs in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Trandel Elizabeth T. , Pilewski Joseph M. , Dellon Elisabeth P. , Moreines Laura T. , Yabes Jonathan G. , Jeong Kwonho , Arnold Robert M. , Kavalieratos Dio
Published: July 2019

Although patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience many symptoms and impaired quality of life, little is known about existential distress. This multivariable logistic regression evaluated the relationship between symptom burden and five existential needs representing existential distress in 164 adults with CF. Eleven percent of participants reported no symptom burden, 61% mild burden, and 28% moderate/severe burden. The most prevalent existential needs were fears about CF worsening (50%) and uncertainty about the future (39%). Participants with moderate/severe symptom burden were likelier to report needing support with all five needs than participants with no or mild burden. For each six-point increase in burden, there was an increased odds of reporting need for support with learning to feel in control, feelings about death and dying, fears about CF worsening, uncertainty about the future, and concerns about worries of others. CF-specific palliative care support based on these prevalent unmet existential needs should be developed and provided.
Just in time: Political policy cycles of land reform
Authors: Philips Andrew Q
Published: July 2019

While the political budget cycle literature focuses on the manipulation of existing policies, an analysis of the impact of the passage of redistributive policies themselves remains absent. I contend that policy passage is a strategically timed signal to voters used before elections to benefit the incumbent. Using aggregate data on land reforms in India from 1957 to 1992, I find that reforms are indeed timed before elections. Second, using historical survey data, I show that land issues remain a strong signal to Indian voters over time, even in states that have already enacted reforms. These findings provide evidence for political policy cycles.
“Cannot see? Use your strengths!” A randomized controlled trial of strengths intervention for improving self-esteem among visually impaired individuals
Authors: Matsuguma Shinichiro , Kawashima Motoko , Sano Fumiya , Tsubota Kazuo
Published: July 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the association between strengths use and self-esteem among visually impaired individuals in Study 1 and reveal the causal effect of a strengths intervention in Study 2.

Design:

A prospective cross-sectional design in Study 1 and a randomized controlled, open-label, parallel-group comparative design in Study 2.

Setting:

Several welfare institutions for visually impaired individuals in the Kanto area of Japan.

Subjects:

In Study 1, 59 participants with visual impairments (mean age = 49.34 ± 4.89 years, range = 22–82 years) were recruited. In Study 2, participants (mean age = 41.36 ± 12.09 years, range = 22–61 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention ( n = 11) or wait-list control group ( n = 11).

Intervention:

A strengths intervention was performed in Study 2.

Main measures:

In Study 1, we examined the association between Strengths Use Scale and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores. In Study 2, the primary outcome was the difference in change in Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores from baseline to one-month follow-up between the groups.

Results:

In Study 1, simple and multiple regression analyses revealed that the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score was significantly associated with the Strengths Use Scale score (β = 0.60, P < 0.001; β = 0.55, P < 0.001, respectively). In Study 2, we found a significant between-groups difference in the improvement in Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores from baseline to one-month follow-up ( F(1, 19) = 18.61, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Utilizing psychological strengths might improve self-esteem among visually impaired individuals.
The role of music on Holocaust survivor offspring and how it influenced their relationship with their parents
Authors: Fisher Atarah
Published: July 2019

This study examines the influence of music on the intergenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma. The article discusses the psychological role of the music by analyzing personal accounts of Holocaust survivor offspring, considering ways music influenced their relationships and communication with their parents, and how they employed music during the different stages of their life. Eleven second-generation musicians, with no prior experience with music therapy, consisting of three men and eight women aged 55–67 were interviewed. The interview included three musical excerpts that the interviewee prepared, representing their father, mother, and themselves. These musical excerpts were played during the interview, creating a deeper insight into the intergenerational relationship from the interviewee’s perspective. Analysis of the transcribed interviews indicated two patterns: the first, labeled “commemorating conductor”, relates to those with a more contented upbringing, who went on to perpetuate their parent’s traditions, primarily via their music; the second, the “arranger”, relates to those who grew up in a harsh environment. Music became their therapeutic tool and the means to recount their parents’ story. Both groups found creative ways via their music, to express intricate feelings repressed over the years, helping them cope with their background, identity, and communicate with their parents.
Demonstrating Transit Schedule Benefits with a Dedicated Short-Range Communication-Based Connected Vehicle System
Authors: Leonard Blaine D. , Mackey Jamie , Sheffield Michael , Bassett David , Larson Shawn , Hooper Ivan
Published: July 2019

A vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) connected vehicle system was installed along Redwood Road in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, in November 2017 using dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) radios to connect transit buses to traffic signals. One of the goals of this system was to improve the schedule reliability of the bus by providing signal priority at traffic signals when the bus is behind its published schedule by a certain threshold. Data for the analysis were obtained from the DSRC communications, the Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM) system, and the transit operations system. The robust data available from these three systems allow for detailed analysis of priority requests made, requests served, and bus on-time performance in a way that is not possible without these data sets. By comparing actual schedules of the four DSRC-equipped buses over a 4-month period from April to July 2018 with buses which do not have the ability to request signal priority, it has been determined that the equipped buses meet their published schedule about 2% to 6% more frequently, depending on direction and time of day, with the most significant improvement of 6% in the southbound PM peak.
Epidemiology and Video Analysis of Achilles Tendon Ruptures in the National Basketball Association
Authors: Lemme Nicholas J. , Li Neill Y. , Kleiner Justin E. , Tan Sydney , DeFroda Steven F. , Owens Brett D.
Published: July 2019

Background:

There is a paucity of literature regarding risk factors and mechanisms of Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Purpose:

To identify the risk factors and outcomes of AT ruptures in NBA athletes. Furthermore, using video analysis, to characterize the mechanisms of rupture by identifying the most common playing situations and lower extremity positions at the time of injury.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

AT ruptures in the NBA that occurred between the seasons of 1969-1970 and 2017-2018 were identified. Player data collected included age, position, body mass index, total games started before and after injury, and Player Efficiency Rating. Injury-related variables collected included date of injury, laterality, minutes played before injury, operative versus nonoperative treatment, and time to return to play. Available video footage was analyzed for the mechanism and body position at the time of injury. Univariable and multivariable linear regression was used to compare changes in performance before and after AT rupture. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.

Results:

Forty-four ruptures were identified between 1970 and 2018. The mean age was 28.3 years, with players averaging 6.8 seasons before AT rupture. AT ruptures were most prevalent during early-season game play (27.3%), followed by preseason (18.2%) and late season (18.2%). More than a third (36.8%) of players either did not return to play or started in fewer than 10 games in the remainder of their career, with 21% of ruptures leading to retirement. The mean time to return to play was 10.5 months. The Player Efficiency Rating declined by an average of 2.9 points (range, –11.5 to +2.3) ( P < .001). Analysis of available injury footage (n = 12) demonstrated all ruptures to be noncontact in nature, most commonly occurring just before takeoff as the player began to push off from a stopped position, with the foot in dorsiflexion, the knee in early flexion, and the hip in extension.

Conclusion:

In the NBA, a majority of AT ruptures occur early in the season, in veteran players, with almost half not returning to play or starting fewer than 10 games in the remainder of their career. The most common mechanism of injury is taking off from a stopped position just before toe-off in a dorsiflexed foot.
Occupational health and safety-oriented medical waste management: A case study of Istanbul
Authors: Eren Emre , Tuzkaya Umut Rıfat
Published: July 2019

The outstanding pace of technological development around the world coupled with increasing population and rapid urbanization have brought along an ever-increasing demand for healthcare services. This trend results in an increasing amount and variety of medical wastes. Accordingly, the issue of effective collection, transportation and disposal of medical wastes, specifically in large cities, has become a critical concern from the viewpoint of urban logistics and holds great importance in terms of safety. This study aims to determine the safety of hospitals in their medical waste management function. The study involves the determination of medical waste management steps, establishment of a hierarchical structure, and weighting of the criteria within the established hierarchical structure by means of the analytic hierarchy process method. Afterwards, the extent to which these criteria are adopted in hospitals was evaluated by the medical waste management officers of those hospitals, and safety scores were obtained for each hospital by associating the results with the weighted values obtained by the analytic hierarchy process method. The model proposed for medical waste management problems encountered by healthcare institutions in Istanbul was implemented for a specific region of Istanbul province, and the obtained results were analyzed. Evaluation of the opinions of the healthcare officials for determination of the medical waste management safety scores showed that the “collection” criterion has significantly higher importance than the “temporary storage” and “transportation” criteria. “The effect on hospital personnel” sub-criterion of the “collection” criterion had the highest score. This revealed the importance of the collection process that takes place between storage and transportation, for evaluating the human waste-based risks.
Cost analysis of plastic solid waste recycling in an urban district in Turkey
Authors: Genc Ayten , Zeydan Ozgur , Sarac Selin
Published: July 2019

The usage of plastics has exponentially increased in our daily lives over the past 50 years because of its durability, low costs and potential for diverse applications, such as widespread use as disposable items. In this study, first, the recycling cost of plastic wastes has been estimated by using actual data taken from a recycling centre, where plastic solid wastes were collected separately. The total amount of plastic wastes recycled at the centre was approximately 695 tonnes. The operating cost of plastics separation at the recycling centre, the transport of plastic wastes, labouring, maintenance, electricity, insurance and chemical costs were taken into consideration in the cost evaluation. Accordingly, the unit cost of recycling was calculated as US$0.40 kg−1 of plastic waste. This cost was compared with the predicted plastic recycling cost in the same region using statistical values. The predicted recycling cost was estimated based on assuming segregated collection by the municipalities of all PSW in municipal solid waste. Then the resulting unit cost of recycling was found to be US$0.25 kg−1 of plastic waste. In addition, the recycling costs were also evaluated including the revenue from the sales of recycled plastic granular. According to the evaluated total cost of plastic recycling, it can be concluded that mechanical recycling of plastics can only be an economical option if the recovery of plastics is improved.
Publicly funded clinical research in Canada
Authors: Akpinar Ilke , Tran Dat T. , Jacobs Philip
Published: July 2019

Clinical research is funded by industry, governments, charities, and hospitals. It is important to know the economic commitment of the various funding bodies, but until now there has been no national source available which provides these data. We surveyed the major funders to provide such a measure. There is evidence that government and charity funding of medical research is a trigger for private sector research investment; therefore, tracking all sources of funding for clinical research will provide policy-makers with an overall picture of health research funding. These data support policy decision-making related to clinical research in Canada.
Continuity and Change in Gender Frames: The Case of Transgender Reproduction
Authors: Lampe Nik M. , Carter Shannon K. , Sumerau J. E.
Published: July 2019

In this article, we examine the ways gendered frames shift to make room for societal changes while maintaining existing pillars of systemic gender inequality. Utilizing the case of U.S. media representations of transgender people who reproduce, we analyze how media outlets make room for increasing societal recognition of transgender people and maintain cisnormative and repronormative traditions and beliefs in the process. Specifically, we outline how these media outlets accomplish both outcomes in two ways. First, they reinforce cisgender-based repronormativity via conceptualizations of transgender reproduction as new and occurring in contrast to normative, cisgender reproduction. Second, they create a transnormative reproductive subject, which establishes a new socially sanctioned script for what it means to be transgender and what types of transgender experience may be recognized or accepted in mainstream society. In conclusion, we draw out implications for understanding how social authorities may shift existing gender frames to make room for changes in society while at the same time maintaining normative beliefs. These normative beliefs continue to facilitate societal patterns of gender inequality within such new frames.
Organizational Identity Formation in Alternative Organizations: A Study of Three Benefit Corporations
Authors: Kopaneva Irina M. , Cheney George
Published: July 2019

The benefit corporation (BC) in the United States is a new type of corporation legally required to generate profit for its shareholders and to pursue public benefit. BCs explicitly work to balance profit maximization and social mission, which is an ongoing challenge for businesses with an expansive view of the bottom line. This multiple case study extends scholarship on identity formation (IF) in nontraditional organizations, such as BCs, by providing empirical evidence of how identities develop in relation to prevailing cultural sentiments. In particular, we demonstrate how BC struggles over organizational identity (OI) reference broader socioeconomic discourses, identify mechanisms through which perceived pressures suppress alternative interpretations of OI at a micro-level of member interaction, and expose tensions between dominant and alternative frames for business enterprise.
Higher Education Professionals Navigating Anti-Immigration Policy for Undocumented Students
Authors: Martinez Hoy Zelideh R. , Nguyen David H. K.
Published: July 2019

Higher education professionals are critical to undocumented students’ educational success as their access to higher education is heavily dependent on being able to interpret and navigate policies. This study presents an analysis of policies that impact higher education access for undocumented students coupled with a qualitative case study that examines how anti-immigration policy affects the experiences of higher education professionals who worked directly with undocumented students in the state of Indiana. The authors help readers understand the experiences and challenges facing these “pathfinders” as they attempt to navigate the mazes of federal, state, and institutional policy to help their undocumented students.
The Experience of Home Care Providers and Beneficiaries With Enhanced Training Requirements in Washington State
Authors: Ordway Anne , Johnson Kurt L. , Kneale Laura , Amtmann Dagmar , Demiris George
Published: July 2019

Objective: Our objective was to understand the perceived impact of Washington State’s upgraded training and certification requirements of long-term care workers providing personal care services from the perspectives of consumers and home care aides. Methods: We applied conventional qualitative content analysis to semi-structured interviews with 17 consumers and 10 certified home care aides. Results: We found that consumers in this study put a high premium on directing many aspects of their personal care services. We also found that while home care aides supported what consumers desired for their own care, some were unsure how to reconcile providing individualized services with the State’s standardized, competency-based training and certification program. Discussion: State-based efforts, such as the one in Washington State, serve as an important starting point for building a broader effort toward the identification of competencies and associated training standards for the home care workforce.
Present and future of portable/handheld near-infrared spectroscopy in chicken meat industry
Authors: Perez Irene Marivel Nolasco , Cruz-Tirado Luis Jam Pier , Badaró Amanda Teixeira , de Oliveira Marciano Marques , Barbin Douglas Fernandes
Published: July 2019

Near-infrared spectroscopy is widely applied for characterization of meat products. The improvement of handheld and portable equipment has allowed the development of on-line applications in the food processing industry. Recently, the poultry industry has benefited from the advancement of applications for identification of different characteristics, including chemical composition, identification of different parts and detection of anomalies. In this work, a review of recent applications of handheld and portable near-infrared equipment is presented, reporting the state of the art and providing insights about future applications.
Investigating the total antioxidant capacity of gluten-free grains with miniaturized near-infrared spectrometer
Authors: Wiedemair Verena , Huck Christian Wolfgang
Published: July 2019

The use of ever smaller near-infrared instruments is becoming more and more prevalent, since they are cheaper, more versatile and often advertised as high-performance spectrometer. The last claim is rarely verified by independent researchers, which is why the presented work evaluates the performance of three hand-held spectrometers in comparison to a benchtop instrument. Seventy-seven samples comprising buckwheat, millet and oat were investigated for their total antioxidant capacity using Folin–Ciocalteu and near-infrared spectroscopy. Partial least squares regression models were established using cross- and test set validation. Results showed that all instruments were able to predict total antioxidant capacity to some extent. The coefficients of determinations ranged from 0.823 to 0.951 for cross-validated and from 0.849 to 0.952 for test set validated models. Errors for cross-validated models ranged from 1.11 to 2.08 mgGAE/g and for test set validated models from 1.02 to 1.86 mgGAE/g.
Adding dose modifications into Phase II and Phase II/III seamless trials
Authors: Spivack John , Cheng Bin , Levin Bruce
Published: July 2019

We present a technique for adding dose modifications into seamless Phase II and Phase II/III trials featuring dose selection at an interim analysis. The method is convenient to apply and can be used either in a fully prespecified, structured way or as a response to new considerations that emerge at interim. Strong control of the familywise error rate regarding false declarations of efficacy versus control is maintained. Two examples are given. One illustrates how the method could potentially “save” a trial performed in a Phase II context. The other is a seamless Phase II/III trial that uses an adaptive exploration strategy for an assumed nonmonotonic dose-response curve. It can result in greatly improved efficiency over a standard “promote the winner” rule.
The Sound Symbolism of Names
Authors: Sidhu David M. , Pexman Penny M.
Published: July 2019

A wealth of research demonstrates that certain language sounds seem to go better with certain kinds of targets (i.e., sound-symbolic associations). The most well-known example is the maluma-takete effect, in which nonwords such as maluma are judged as good matches for round shapes, whereas nonwords such as takete are judged as good matches for sharp shapes. Most of this research involves nonwords, but recent work has shown that sound symbolism has implications for real first names. On the basis of a name’s sound, individuals tend to pair the name with particular shapes and indicate that they prefer people with congruent pairings of name sound and face shape. Individuals also associate different kinds of personalities with given names on the basis of the sounds the names contain. Thus, sound symbolism is not limited to nonwords and can emerge even with words that have existing associations. Sound-symbolic associations may also occur with more abstract properties (e.g., personality traits). Thus, this work provides insight about mechanisms underlying sound-symbolic association.
Should They Stay or Should They Go? How the 2017 U.S. Travel Ban Affects International Doctoral Students
Authors: Todoran Corina , Peterson Claudette
Published: July 2019

In the wake of the U.S. government’s executive orders restricting travel from six Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) in January 2017, we collected data from four focus groups consisting of international doctoral students aiming to provide insight on the following research question: How do international doctoral students make sense of the U.S. political climate on their lived experiences? This article contributes to the literature by discussing a timely issue concerning international students in the United States and points out that the 2017 travel ban has affected not only international doctoral students from those banned countries but has also alarmed students from other countries, who described the climate as stressful, confusing, and hostile. Several students changed their travel plans for conferences or family visits being worried that they might not be able to reenter the United States. Other students feared the immigration rules might suddenly change and affect their visa status. Students also expressed their concerns in regard to job prospects after graduation. This article derives from a larger qualitative study exploring the experiences of international doctoral students in the U.S. academic and cultural settings.
Gender effects and cooperation in collective action: A laboratory experiment
Authors: Peshkovskaya Anastasia , Babkina Tatiana , Myagkov Mikhail
Published: July 2019

Numerous researches have indicated that men’s and women’s cooperation varied from no differences to significant differences under the influence of different contextual characteristics. In this study, we investigated how social factors together with a gender composition of a group affected gender differences in cooperation. We found that mixed-sex groups were the most effective in cooperation. At the same time, cooperation level in same-sex groups varied significantly. Besides, in same-sex groups, men demonstrated a higher level of trust and gratitude than women. Among women, in same-sex groups, a tendency toward mutual distrust and competition was revealed more often than among men.
Responding to Racial Resentment: How Racial Resentment Influences Legislative Behavior
Authors: Garcia Jennifer R. , Stout Christopher T.
Published: July 2019

Despite the growing body of scholarship urging congressional scholars to consider the racialization of Congress, little attention has been given to understanding how racial resentment impacts legislative behavior. To fill this gap, we ask if and how racial resentment within a member’s home district influences the positions she takes on racially tinged issues in her press releases. Due to constituent influence, we expect legislators from districts with high levels of racial resentment to issue racially tinged press releases. Through an automated content analysis of more than fifty four thousand press releases from almost four hundred U.S. House members in the 114th Congress (2015–2017), we show that Republicans from districts with high levels of racial resentment are more likely to issue press releases that attack President Barack Obama. In contrast, we find no evidence of racial resentment being positively associated with another prominent Democratic white elected official, Hillary Clinton. Our results suggest that one reason Congress may remain racially conservative even as representatives’ cycle out of office may be attributed to the electoral process.
Sibling Child Protective Services Involvement Following a Child Maltreatment Fatality
Authors: Corlis McKenna , Damashek Amy , Meister Kate , Richardson Hilary , Bonner Barbara
Published: July 2019

Each year in the United States, approximately 1,720 children die from a child maltreatment fatality (CMF). Although many of these children are survived by siblings, few studies have examined the child protective service (CPS) involvement of these siblings.

Objective:

This study examined CPS involvement of children surviving the CMF of a sibling as well as predictors of subsequent CPS reports.

Method:

Department of Human Services and Child Death Review Board data about children who died from a CMF during 1993–2003 ( n = 416) and their siblings in the state of Oklahoma were used to examine CPS involvement and predictors of subsequent CPS reports for surviving siblings.

Results:

Surviving siblings of a victim of a CMF experienced substantial CPS involvement; 81% of the original victims had siblings who were subsequently reported to CPS ( n = 1,840). Original victim and family characteristics that predicted a greater rate of siblings’ subsequent reports to CPS included younger original victim age, greater number of children in the original victim’s home, and more previous reports of the original victim to CPS.

Discussion:

A large portion of families with a CMF struggle to adequately care for their surviving children. Such families may need additional support after a CMF.
One vs two negative fungal cultures to confirm mycological cure in shelter cats treated for Microsporum canis dermatophytosis: a retrospective study
Authors: Stuntebeck Rebecca L , Moriello Karen A
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine how often one negative fungal culture (FC) was indicative of mycological cure (MC) when compared with two negative consecutive FCs in cats treated for Microsporum canis dermatophytosis.

Methods

In this retrospective study, weekly FC data from shelter cats treated for M canis dermatophytosis were reviewed.

Results

Complete records from 371 cats were reviewed. The first negative FC was indicative of MC in 335 (90.3%) cats. In this group, all cats were otherwise healthy and either had obvious lesions (n = 237) or no lesions or evidence of resolving lesions (n = 98). In the 36 cats in which the first negative culture was not indicative of MC, there were two clinical subgroups. The first consisted of healthy but lesional cats (n = 19) that had one negative FC within the first 3 weeks of treatment followed by one or more positive FCs. The most likely explanation was sampling error. These cats went on to cure and the next negative FC was indicative of MC. In the second clinical group, cats were lesional but had concurrent medical problems (n = 17). These cats showed an initial good response to treatment (lesion resolution and an initial negative FC). However, this negative FC was followed by at least one strongly positive FC (>10 colony-forming units/plate) before proceeding to cure. These cats took the longest time to cure (mean 11 weeks; range 8–28 weeks). MC occurred after resolution of the concurrent health issues. There was very good agreement between using one negative FC vs two negative FCs for the determination of MC in healthy cats (kappa = 0.903)

Conclusions and relevance

In cats where there has been high compliance with environmental cleaning, as well as topical and systemic treatment recommendations, two consecutive negative FCs may not be necessary to determine MC. The first negative FC in an otherwise healthy cat is likely indicative of MC. Good sampling technique is needed to avoid false-negative FC results.
Vernakalant in Atrial Fibrillation: A Relatively New Weapon in the Armamentarium Against an Old Enemy
Authors: Kossaify Antoine
Published: July 2019

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, and its prevalence is increasing with age; also it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Rhythm control is advised in recent-onset atrial fibrillation, and in highly symptomatic patients, also in young and active individuals. Moreover, rhythm control is associated with lower incidence of progression to permanent atrial fibrillation. Vernakalant is a relatively new anti-arrhythmic drug that showed efficacy and safety in recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Vernakalant is indicated in atrial fibrillation (⩽7 days) in patients with no heart disease (class I, level A) or in patients with mild or moderate structural heart disease (class IIb, level B). Moreover, Vernakalant may be considered for recent-onset atrial fibrillation (⩽3 days) post cardiac surgery (class IIb, level B). Although it is mainly indicated in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation and with no structural heart disease, it can be given in moderate stable cardiac disease as alternative to Amiodarone. Similarly to electrical cardioversion, pharmacological cardioversion requires a minimal evaluation and cardioversion should be included in a comprehensive management strategy for better outcome.
Implementing Smoke-Free Housing Policies Among Multiunit Housing Owners in New York City Between 2012 and 2015
Authors: Debchoudhury Indira , Farley Shannon M
Published: July 2019

Smoke-free regulations are the norm in workplaces and public outdoor areas across New York City (NYC), and smoke-free apartment building regulations are less widespread. In 2017, more than one-third (37.6%) of NYC multiunit housing (MUH) residents reported breathing secondhand smoke (SHS) from neighboring units. In 2015, the NYC Health Department conducted a cross-sectional phone survey among a random sample of NYC low-income and market-rate MUH property owners/managers as a follow-up to a 2012 study. The study compared owners’ experiences and attitudes regarding smoke-free policies. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. Overall, the proportion of owners who have a policy prohibiting smoking in individual units (33% vs 37%) increased between 2012 and 2015. In both waves, owners without low-income units (wave 1: 36%, wave 2: 40%) were more likely to have smoke-free housing policies than those with low-income units (wave 1: 26%, wave 2: 30%). The models adjusted for factors such as current smoking, size and nature of housing units, and several beliefs. Owners in 2015 were more likely to have a smoke-free policy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.003, 1.564) and, among those without a current smoke-free policy, to have future interest in smoke-free unit policies (AOR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.17, 2.39) than in 2012. An increasing proportion of NYC MUH owners are reducing tenant exposure to SHS and providing them with a healthier environment. We expect to see further expansion of smoke-free housing in NYC as positive norms grow.