bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Future Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in the United States
Authors: Pearson-Stuttard Jonathan , Guzman-Castillo Maria , Penalvo Jose L. , Rehm Colin D. , Afshin Ashkan , Danaei Goodarz , Kypridemos Chris , Gaziano Tom , Mozaffarian Dariush , Capewell Simon , O’Flaherty Martin
Published: February 2016

Background—

Accurate forecasting of cardiovascular disease mortality is crucial to guide policy and programming efforts. Prior forecasts often have not incorporated past trends in rates of reduction in cardiovascular disease mortality. This creates uncertainties about future trends in cardiovascular disease mortality and disparities.

Methods and Results—

To forecast US cardiovascular disease mortality and disparities to 2030, we developed a hierarchical bayesian model to determine and incorporate prior age, period, and cohort effects from 1979 to 2012, stratified by age, sex, and race, which we combined with expected demographic shifts to 2030. Data sources included the National Vital Statistics System, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) single-year population estimates, and US Bureau of Statistics 2012 national population projections. We projected coronary disease and stroke deaths to 2030, first on the basis of constant age, period, and cohort effects at 2012 values, as is most commonly done (conventional), and then with the use of more rigorous projections incorporating expected trends in age, period, and cohort effects (trend based). We primarily evaluated absolute mortality. The conventional model projected total coronary and stroke deaths by 2030 to increase by ≈18% (67 000 additional coronary deaths per year) and 50% (64 000 additional stroke deaths per year). Conversely, the trend-based model projected that coronary mortality would decrease by 2030 by ≈27% (79 000 fewer deaths per year) and stroke mortality would remain unchanged (200 fewer deaths per year). Health disparities will be improved in stroke deaths but not coronary deaths.

Conclusions—

After prior mortality trends and expected demographic shifts are accounted for, total US coronary deaths are expected to decline, whereas stroke mortality will remain relatively constant. Health disparities in stroke but not coronary deaths will be improved but not eliminated. These age, period, and cohort approaches offer more plausible predictions than conventional estimates.
Predicting Intracerebral Hemorrhage Growth With the Spot Sign
Authors: Dowlatshahi Dar , Brouwers H. Bart , Demchuk Andrew M. , Hill Michael D. , Aviv Richard I. , Ufholz Lee-Anne , Reaume Michael , Wintermark Max , Hemphill J. Claude , Murai Yasuo , Wang Yongjun , Zhao Xingquan , Wang Yilong , Li Na , Sorimachi Takatoshi , Matsumae Mitsunori , Steiner Thorsten , Rizos Timolaos , Greenberg Steven M. , Romero Javier M. , Rosand Jonathan , Goldstein Joshua N. , Sharma Mukul
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

Hematoma expansion after acute intracerebral hemorrhage is common and is associated with early deterioration and poor clinical outcome. The computed tomographic angiography (CTA) spot sign is a promising predictor of expansion; however, frequency and predictive values are variable across studies, possibly because of differences in onset-to-CTA time. We performed a patient-level meta-analysis to define the relationship between onset-to-CTA time and frequency and predictive ability of the spot sign.

Methods—

We completed a systematic review for studies of CTA spot sign and hematoma expansion. We subsequently pooled patient-level data on the frequency and predictive values for significant hematoma expansion according to 5 predefined categorized onset-to-CTA times. We calculated spot-sign frequency both as raw and frequency-adjusted rates.

Results—

Among 2051 studies identified, 12 met our inclusion criteria. Baseline hematoma volume, spot-sign status, and time-to-CTA were available for 1176 patients, and 1039 patients had follow-up computed tomographies for hematoma expansion analysis. The overall spot sign frequency was 26%, decreasing from 39% within 2 hours of onset to 13% beyond 8 hours (
P
<0.001). There was a significant decrease in hematoma expansion in spot-positive patients as onset-to-CTA time increased (
P
=0.004), with positive predictive values decreasing from 53% to 33%.

Conclusions—

The frequency of the CTA spot sign is inversely related to intracerebral hemorrhage onset-to-CTA time. Furthermore, the positive predictive value of the spot sign for significant hematoma expansion decreases as time-to-CTA increases. Our results offer more precise risk stratification for patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage and will help refine clinical prediction rules for intracerebral hemorrhage expansion.
Significance of Cerebral Small-Vessel Disease in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Sato Shoichiro , Delcourt Candice , Heeley Emma , Arima Hisatomi , Zhang Shihong , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Stapf Christian , Woo Daniel , Flaherty Matthew L. , Vagal Achala , Levi Christopher , Davies Leo , Wang Jiguang , Robinson Thompson , Lavados Pablo M. , Lindley Richard I. , Chalmers John , Anderson Craig S. ,   on behalf of the INTERACT2 Investigators
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

The significance of structural changes associated with cerebral small-vessel disease (SVD), including white matter lesions (WML), lacunes, and brain atrophy, to outcome from acute intracerebral hemorrhage is uncertain. We determined associations of computed tomographic radiological manifestations of cerebral SVD and outcomes, and in terms of any differential effect of early intensive blood pressure–lowering treatment, in the large-scale Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial (INTERACT2).

Methods—

We graded WML (van Swieten scale), the presence of lacunes, and brain atrophy (2 linear measurements and visual rating) for 2069 of 2839 patients with available baseline brain computed tomography (<6 hours of intracerebral hemorrhage onset) by 3 independent neurologists blind to clinical data.

Results—

WML grade and 2 linear measurements of brain atrophy were associated with death or major disability at 90 days: multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for WML (grade 3 and 4 versus 0), frontal ratio, and third ventricle Sylvian fissure distance (most versus least severe atrophy quartile) were 1.42 (95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.98), 1.47 (1.08–1.99), and 1.64 (1.21–2.22), respectively (all
P
for trend <0.05). There was no association between lacunes and outcomes. There were no significant differences in the effects of intensive blood pressure–lowering across subgroups of cerebral SVD.

Conclusions—

Preexisting cerebral SVD manifestations of WML and brain atrophy predict poor outcome in acute intracerebral hemorrhage. There is no apparent hazard of early intensive lowering of blood pressure according to the INTERACT2 protocol, in patients with underlying cerebral SVD.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00716079.
Reassessing taxonomic relationships in the Berkheya clade (Asteraceae, Arctotideae–Gorteriinae): the utility of achene morphology

Authors: Phaliso Ntombifikile , McKenzie Robert James , Netnou-Nkoana Noluthando C , Karis Per Ola , Barker Nigel P
Published: February 2016

The genus Berkheya is paraphyletic with the related genera Cullumia, Cuspidia, Didelta and Heterorhachis embedded within a broader clade termed the ‘Berkheya clade’. As a contribution towards reassessment of species relationships and delimitation of species groupings within the clade, the utility of external achene morphology for supporting natural species groups within the clade was evaluated. Achenes from 67 species and 10 infraspecific taxa were examined, including representatives of each genus currently recognised in the Berkheya clade. Achene pubescence and pappus characteristics (e.g., scale shape and number of scales within a series) were indicated to be particularly variable and thus less reliable for assessment of species relationships. Of the currently recognised genera, only segregation of Cullumia was supported by achene and pappus characteristics. Species groupings implicit in Roessler’s infrageneric classification of eight series within Berkheya were to a large extent supported. However, in particular, series Speciosae was indicated to be a disparate species grouping and the distinction of series Angustae and Cruciatae is not supported by achene and pappus morphology. Achene and pappus characteristics suggest several novel species groupings (e.g. an affinity between Berkheya cuneata, B. ferox and B. spinosa). Although the taxonomic sampling in published molecular phylogenetic analyses is limited, achene and pappus morphology partially supports clades resolved in prevailing phylogenetic reconstructions for the clade. More complete sampling in future molecular phylogenetic analyses is required to test novel species affinities suggested in the present study and to explore the evolution of the achene and pappus in the Berkheya clade.
Advanced Problems in Mathematics
Authors: Siklos Stephen
Published: February 2016

This book is intended to help candidates prepare for entrance examinations in mathematics and scientific subjects, including STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper). STEP is an examination used by Cambridge colleges as the basis for conditional offers. They are also used by Warwick University, and many other mathematics departments recommend that their applicants practice on the past papers even if they do not take the examination.

Advanced Problems in Mathematics is recommended as preparation for any undergraduate mathematics course, even for students who do not plan to take the Sixth Term Examination Paper. The questions analysed in this book are all based on recent STEP questions selected to address the syllabus for Papers I and II, which is the A-level core (i.e. C1 to C4) with a few additions. Each question is followed by a comment and a full solution. The comments direct the reader’s attention to key points and put the question in its true mathematical context. The solutions point students to the methodology required to address advanced mathematical problems critically and independently.

This book is a must read for any student wishing to apply to scientific subjects at university level and for anybody interested in advanced mathematics.
Seismic Imaging of Rapid Onset of Stratified Turbulence in the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Falder Matthew , White N. J. , Caulfield C. P.
Published: February 2016

Broadband measurements of the internal wavefield will help to unlock an understanding of the energy cascade within the oceanic realm. However, there are challenges in acquiring observations with sufficient spatial resolution, especially in horizontal dimensions. Seismic reflection profiling can achieve a horizontal and vertical resolution of order meters. It is suitable for imaging thermohaline fine structure on scales that range from tens of meters to hundreds of kilometers. This range straddles the transition from internal wave to turbulent regimes. Here, the authors analyze an 80-km-long seismic image from the Falkland Plateau and calculate vertical displacement spectra of tracked reflections. First, they show that these spectra are consistent with the Garrett–Munk model at small horizontal wavenumbers (i.e., kx ≲ 3 × 10−3 cpm). There is a transition to stratified turbulence at larger wavenumbers (i.e., kx ≳ 2 × 10−1 cpm). This transition occurs at length scales that are significantly larger than the Ozmidov length scale above which stratification is expected to modify isotropic Kolmogorov turbulence. Second, the authors observe a rapid onset of this stratified turbulence over a narrow range of length scales. This onset is consistent with a characteristic energy injection scale of stratified turbulence with a forward cascade toward smaller scales through isotropic turbulence below the Ozmidov length scale culminating in microscale dissipation. Finally, they estimate the spatial pattern of diapycnal diffusivity and show that the existence of an injection scale can increase these estimates by a factor of 2.
Drought Risk and Adaptation in the Interior United States: Understanding the Importance of Local Context for Resource Management in Times of Drought*
Authors: McNeeley Shannon M. , Beeton Tyler A. , Ojima Dennis S.
Published: February 2016

Drought is a natural part of the historical climate variability in the northern Rocky Mountains and high plains region of the United States. However, recent drought impacts and climate change projections have increased the need for a systematized way to document and understand drought in a manner that is meaningful to public land and resource managers. The purpose of this exploratory study was to characterize the ways in which some federal and tribal natural resource managers experienced and dealt with drought on lands managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and tribes in two case site examples (northwest Colorado and southwest South Dakota) that have experienced high drought exposure in the last two decades. The authors employed a social–ecological system framework, whereby key informant interviews and local and regional drought indicator data were used characterize the social and ecological factors that contribute to drought vulnerability and the ways in which drought onset, persistence, severity, and recovery impact management. Results indicated that local differences in the timing, decisions, and specific management targets defined within the local social–ecological natural resource contexts are critical to understanding drought impacts, vulnerabilities, and responses. These findings suggest that manager-defined social–ecological contexts are critically important to understand how drought is experienced across the landscape and the indices that are needed to inform adaptation and response strategies.
Improved Gustatory Sensitivity in Morbidly Obese Patients After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Altun Huseyin , Hanci Deniz , Altun Hasan , Batman Burcin , Serin Rahmi Kursat , Karip Aziz Bora , Akyuz Umit
Published: February 2016

Introduction:

The reduction in the preferences for sweet and fat containing tastes in obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery was relatively well shown; however, there are only limited data on the changes in the sensitivity of other tastes like sour, salty, and bitter.

Methods:

We investigated the changes in gustatory sensitivity of 52 morbidly obese patients (M/F, 22/30; age range, 19-60 years; BMI range, 32.5-63.0 kg/m2) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The surgery was performed by the same surgeon using 5 ports technique. Gustatory sensitivity was tested preoperatively and 1 and 3 months after the surgery using standardized Taste Strips test.

Results:

There was a statistically significant improvement in the taste acuity to sweet, sour, salty, and bitter tastants in morbidly obese patients after the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy during the follow-up period of 3 months. Median whole test scores of the patients were increased from 11.5 preoperatively to 14 in the first and third months.

Conclusion:

In this study, we were able to show the significant improvement in gustatory sensitivity of morbidly obese patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for the first time in literature.
Digging deeper: Understanding the power of ‘student voice’
Authors: Quinn Sarah , Owen Susanne
Published: February 2016

Primary school approaches to student voice and leadership rarely change, despite concerns about manipulation and tokenism. This single case study investigated an approach to student voice and student leadership in an Australian primary school that was very different to a traditional student council. Thematic analysis of school documents and staff and student interviews found that informal pathways, such as daily teacher/student interactions, consultation with students and students collaborating with teachers in learning contributed to elevating the power of student voice in the school community. However, building leadership in a formal program was problematic for staff and students. The disruption of traditional school structures placed primary school students at the forefront of school leadership and teachers and students working together to build a democratic and inclusive learning environment was a greater challenge than anticipated.
Student–teacher relationships and student self-concept: Relations with teacher and student gender
Authors: McFarland Laura , Murray Elizabeth , Phillipson Sivanes
Published: February 2016

Research has established that qualities of student–teacher relationships impact children’s self-concept, however, the role of teacher and child gender in these relations is unclear. This study used data from 4169 children aged 10–11 years and 3343 teachers from Wave 4 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children to examine the relationship between child and teacher gender, qualities of the student–teacher relationship and students’ self-concept. A nested structural equation model was constructed to test the concurrent and predictive effects student gender had on student–teacher relationships and students’ self-concept. Moreover, analysis of the model examined the extent to which relationships were mediated by student enjoyment of school and student perceptions of their teacher. For boys, closeness with their teachers did not predict their self-concept although conflict in their relationships negatively affected self-concept. For girls, both closeness and conflict predicted self-concept, with conflict having a greater effect on self-concept than closeness.
Cyberbullying and the role of the law in Australian schools: Views of senior officials
Authors: Young Hannah , Campbell Marilyn , Spears Barbara , Butler Des , Cross Donna , Slee Phillip
Published: February 2016

This study examined the opinions of influential, authoritative employees from the education and legal systems, regarding their perceptions of the role of the law and cyberbullying in Australian schools. Participants were asked whether they thought a specific law for cyberbullying should be introduced, what particular behaviours, if any, should be criminalised and who should be involved. Participants were located across three Australian States. Thematic analysis was used to identify eight main themes within the data, namely (1) uses of the law in general, (2) introduction of a law for cyberbullying, (3) benefits and difficulties of criminalising cyberbullying for young people, (4) conditions for a cyberbullying law for young people, (5) who should be involved in a cyberbullying law, (6) legal sanctions thought to be appropriate, (7) educational and legal solutions and (8) educational interventions for student cyberbullying. Implications include increasing the awareness of how existing legislative responses can be used as deterrents, working towards more effective cooperation of education and legal systems.
A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Three Common Psychopathologies—ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression—and Indicators of Little-c Creativity
Authors: Paek Sue Hyeon , Abdulla Ahmed M. , Cramond Bonnie
Published: February 2016

There is a long-standing controversy over the relationship between psychopathology and creativity. Yet there is a lack of evidence regarding the relationship between common psychopathologies and indicators of little-c, or every day, creativity among laypeople. To make sense of this connection, we conducted a meta-analysis using 89 studies to reveal the overall relationships between the most common psychopathologies and little-c creativity and uncover the source of variance in the relationships. The 89 studies involved 35,271 participants and the common psychopathologies: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression. Results indicated that the overall mean effect size was not different from zero ( r = −.06, k = 261, 95% confidence interval [−.15, .02]) with substantial heterogeneity. Variability of effect sizes was examined by five moderators: assessment of psychopathology, assessment of creativity, age, gender, and intelligence of participants. Specifically, the moderator analyses showed that effect sizes varied by assessment of both psychopathology and creativity as well as level of intelligence.
A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Enrichment Programs on Gifted Students
Authors: Kim Mihyeon
Published: February 2016

Although descriptions of enrichment programs are valuable for practitioners, practices, and services for gifted students, they must be backed by evidence, derived through a synthesis of research. This study examined research on enrichment programs serving gifted students and synthesized the current studies between 1985 and 2014 on the effects of enrichment programs. A total of 26 studies were included in this meta-analysis, and the findings show that enrichment programs had a positive impact on both gifted students’ academic achievement ( g = 0.96, 95% CI [0.64, 1.30], under a random-effects model) and socioemotional development ( g = 0.55, 95% CI [0.32, 0.79], under a random-effects model). Regarding moderators of the effects, types of programs, and grade levels influenced both effect sizes of academic achievement and socioemotional development. The largest effect size was observed for summer residential programs in terms of academic achievement and for a combination of summer and academic year program in terms of socioemotional development.
Othering, ableism and disability: A discursive analysis of co-workers’ construction of colleagues with visible impairments
Authors: Mik-Meyer Nanna
Published: February 2016

The aim of this article is to explore how able-bodied co-workers engage in the ‘othering’ of colleagues with impairments. Taking a discursive analytical approach, the article examines interviews with 19 managers and 43 colleagues who all worked closely with an employee with cerebral palsy in 13 different work organizations. The primary finding of the article is that co-workers spontaneously refer to other ‘different’ people (e.g. transvestites, homosexuals, immigrants) when talking about a colleague with visible impairments. This finding suggests that disability is simultaneously a discursive category (i.e. the discourse of ableism prevents co-workers from talking about the impairments of a colleague) and a material phenomenon (i.e. employees with impairments are a distinct category of employees in the eyes of the co-workers). Othering of employees with disabilities thus demonstrates contradictory discourses of ableism (which automatically produce difference) and tolerance and inclusiveness (which automatically render it problematic to talk about difference).
Moving critical performativity forward
Authors: Learmonth Mark , Harding Nancy , Gond Jean-Pascal , Cabantous Laure
Published: February 2016

In this rejoinder, we draw attention to some of the possible performative effects of Spicer et al.’s (2016) commentary and reaffirm the importance, in our eyes, of the fundamentally political and material dimensions of performativity.
Visitors to Heritage Sites
Authors: Trinh Thu Thi , Ryan Chris
Published: February 2016

Any tourist evaluation of place is partly shaped by the tourist’s own culture, and this may be even more so when the site gazed upon is representative of a different culture and/or heritage. However, this article suggests that differences of evaluations may be overemphasized if the research concentrates solely on the variable of nationality. The physical characteristics of place, the interpretation offered, and possibly other features such as the level of crowding all have a role to play. The common experience of these factors by tourists of different nationalities may create a commonality of evaluation despite differences in tourists’ cultures. The study reported here of more than 200 respondents uses textual analysis to find similarities and differences between Australian, Chinese, German, and New Zealand visitors to a Maori cultural site in New Zealand.
Team Member’s Centrality, Cohesion, Conflict, and Performance in Multi-University Geographically Distributed Project Teams
Authors: Susskind Alex M. , Odom-Reed Peggy R.
Published: February 2016

This study examined team processes and outcomes among 12 multi-university distributed project teams from 11 universities during its early and late development stages over a 14-month project period. A longitudinal model of team interaction is presented and tested at the individual level to consider the extent to which both formal and informal network connections—measured as degree centrality—relate to changes in team members’ individual perceptions of cohesion and conflict in their teams, and their individual performance as a team member over time. The study showed a negative network centrality-cohesion relationship with significant temporal patterns, indicating that as team members perceive less degree centrality in distributed project teams, they report more team cohesion during the last four months of the project. We also found that changes in team cohesion from the first three months (i.e., early development stage) to the last four months (i.e., late development stage) of the project relate positively to changes in team member performance. Although degree centrality did not relate significantly to changes in team conflict over time, a strong inverse relationship was found between changes in team conflict and cohesion, suggesting that team conflict emphasizes a different but related aspect of how individuals view their experience with the team process. Changes in team conflict, however, did not relate to changes in team member performance. Ultimately, we showed that individuals, who are less central in the network and report higher levels of team cohesion, performed better in distributed teams over time.
Voice Pitch Variation and Status Differentiation in Mixed-Sex Dyads
Authors: Zhang Jinguang , Reid Scott A. , Gasiorek Jessica , Palomares Nicholas A.
Published: February 2016

Expectation states theory, role congruity theory, and the biosocial model, respectively, predict that perceptions of competence, agency and communality, and physical dominance explain the effects of nonverbal communication on social influence. This study contrasts these mechanisms by using voice pitch variation as a nonverbal signal in mixed-sex dyads. Thirty-seven pairs of male and female participants were recorded discussing a controversial topic under conditions where either their gender or a shared identity as college students was salient. Consistent with expectation states theory, men who varied their pitch more during discussion were perceived as more competent and influential by their female interlocutors, but only when gender was salient. In the same condition, male and female participants’ pitch variation negatively predicted their perceptions of their discussion partner’s influence, suggesting that nonverbal communication constitutes and reflects competition over status. Our findings favor expectation states theory over role congruity theory and the biosocial model.
Estimating the Weights of Media Tonalities in the Measurement of Media Coverage of Corporations
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqun
Published: February 2016

This study estimates the weights of media tonalities in the measurement of media coverage of corporations by using linear regression analysis. Two new measures—Three Factor Media Favorability (TFMF) index and Four Factor Media Favorability (FFMF) index—are developed based on these estimations. These two measures are compared with other linear function measures of media coverage of corporations. Two types of measures—the measure of media favorability, and the composite measure of media favorability and visibility—are differentiated based on the different roles of media visibility in the formulas. Empirical analyses find that TFMF index and FFMF index have a certain degree of relative advantage over other measures of media favorability in predicting corporate reputation, and a composite measure of media favorability and visibility has a certain degree of relative advantage over the measures of media favorability in predicting corporate reputation. The analyses are based on a content analysis of 2,817 news articles from both the elite newspapers and local newspapers.
Beauty or Business Queen: How Young Women Select Media to Reinforce Possible Future Selves
Authors: Knobloch-Westerwick Silvia , Robinson Melissa J. , Willis Laura E. , Luong Kate Tran
Published: February 2016

Dynamic management and maintenance of self-concepts shape everyday selective media use. The present work examines related processes per the Selective Exposure Self and Affect Management model with a focus on young women’s magazine use. In a prolonged selective exposure study with seven online sessions, women ( N = 181, 18-25 years, all Caucasian) completed a signup and a baseline session, four daily sessions with selective browsing of magazine pages (from beauty, parenting, business, and current affairs magazines), and 3 days later, a follow-up. Participants made 16 selections and viewed 80 pages in total. The online application logged magazine content selections and length of exposure. Participants’ possible future selves as romantic partner, parent, and professional at baseline affected the extent to which beauty, parenting, and business pages were viewed. In turn, possible future selves as romantic partner and professional were reinforced through selective exposure to beauty and business magazines.
Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research in Practice
Authors: Felt Ulrike , Igelsböck Judith , Schikowitz Andrea , Völker Thomas
Published: February 2016

Over the past decades, we have witnessed calls for greater transdisciplinary engagement between scientific and societal actors to develop more robust answers to complex societal challenges. Although there seems to be agreement that these approaches might nurture innovations of a new kind, we know little regarding the research practices, their potential, and the limitations. To fill this gap, this article investigates a funding scheme in the area of transdisciplinary sustainability research. It offers a detailed analysis of the imaginaries and expectations on which the funding scheme rests and how researchers actually practice transdisciplinarity within the respective projects. Identifying three ideal typical models of science–society relations at work, attention is paid to how, where, and when societal and scientific arenas get (dis-)entangled. This article discusses (1) the tensions between classical academic values and efforts to open research to society, (2) the prevailing power structures that make societal participation challenging, (3) the importance of place and technopolitical cultures, and (4) how temporal project structures impede more radical openings to new ways of knowledge production. We finally emphasize that transdisciplinary knowledge production can only become a serious option for addressing societal challenges if broader changes are made to the knowledge regimes in place.
A community-based approach to identify the most influential nodes in social networks
Authors: Hosseini-Pozveh Maryam , Zamanifar Kamran , Naghsh-Nilchi Ahmad Reza
Published: February 2016

One of the important issues concerning the spreading process in social networks is the influence maximization. This is the problem of identifying the set of the most influential nodes in order to begin the spreading process based on an information diffusion model in the social networks. In this study, two new methods considering the community structure of the social networks and influence-based closeness centrality measure of the nodes are presented to maximize the spread of influence on the multiplication threshold, minimum threshold and linear threshold information diffusion models. The main objective of this study is to improve the efficiency with respect to the run time while maintaining the accuracy of the final influence spread. Efficiency improvement is obtained by reducing the number of candidate nodes subject to evaluation in order to find the most influential. Experiments consist of two parts: first, the effectiveness of the proposed influence-based closeness centrality measure is established by comparing it with available centrality measures; second, the evaluations are conducted to compare the two proposed community-based methods with well-known benchmarks in the literature on the real datasets, leading to the results demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of these methods in maximizing the influence spread in social networks.
“Was it all smoke and mirrors?”
Authors: Mikucki-Enyart Sylvia L. , Wilder Sarah E. , Barber Hayden
Published: February 2016

The present study utilizes the relational turbulence model (RTM) to illuminate adult children’s experiences of relational uncertainty and interference from partners following late-life parental divorce (LLPD). In-depth, semi-structured interviews with 25 adult children who had experienced parental divorce later in life revealed that adult children grappled with four broad themes of relational uncertainty: (a) parent–adult child relationship uncertainty, (b) parent as individual uncertainty, (c) divorce-related uncertainty, and (d) being a family uncertainty. Interference from partners was couched within adult children’s experiences of feeling caught and manifested as (a) disruptions to normative developmental stressors and (b) disruptions to maintaining family ties. The discussion highlights the theoretical implications of our results for the RTM and the larger divorce literature, along with practical recommendations to assist those grappling with LLPD.
Uneven reassembly of tense, telicity and discourse features in L2 acquisition of the Chinese shì … de cleft construction by adult English speakers
Authors: Mai Ziyin , Yuan Boping
Published: February 2016

This article reports an empirical study investigating L2 acquisition of the Mandarin Chinese shì … de cleft construction by adult English-speaking learners within the framework of the Feature Reassembly Hypothesis (Lardiere, 2009). A Sentence Completion task, an interpretation task, two Acceptability Judgement tasks, and a felicity ranking task were administered to learners with intermediate and advanced Chinese proficiency ( n = 76). The results reveal an initial mapping between the target Chinese structure and the English it-cleft construction. The relevant tense, telicity and discourse features are added in an uneven feature-by-feature manner in the subsequent feature reassembly. It is proposed that feature reassembly tasks involving cross-domain operations (e.g. from prosody to syntax) are more complicated and more difficult to accomplish than those taking place within the same linguistic domain.
Improvements of deep vein reflux following radiofrequency ablation for saphenous vein incompetence
Authors: Kim Suh Min , Jung In Mok , Chung Jung Kee
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the changes of deep vein reflux after radiofrequency ablation for great saphenous vein incompetence.

Method

The data on 139 limbs which were treated with radiofrequency ablation for great saphenous vein incompetence were prospectively collected and reviewed.

Results

Deep vein reflux was present in 43 of 139 limbs (30.9%). There were no significant differences in the rate of successful closure, the incidence of procedure-related complications, and the improvements of symptoms and quality of life between the limbs with or without deep vein reflux. With a mean follow-up of 5.9 months, the peak reflux velocity and duration of reflux were improved in all limbs with deep vein reflux and it was completely corrected in 13 limbs (30.2%) after radiofrequency ablation.

Conclusions

The presence of deep vein reflux does not affect the treatment outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for great saphenous vein incompetence and is improved in all patients. Deep vein reflux is not a barrier to performing radiofrequency ablation.
Medical indication regarding life-sustaining treatment for children: Focus groups with clinicians
Authors: Lotz Julia Desiree , Jox Ralf J , Meurer Christine , Borasio Gian Domenico , Führer Monika
Published: February 2016

Background:

Decisions about medical indication are a relevant problem in pediatrics. Difficulties arise from the high prognostic uncertainty, the decisional incapacity of many children, the importance of the family, and conflicts with parents. The objectivity of judgments about medical indication has been questioned. Yet, little is known about the factors pediatricians actually include in their decisions.

Aim:

Our aims were to investigate which factors pediatricians apply in deciding about medical indication, and how they manage conflicts with parents.

Design:

We performed a qualitative focus group study with experienced pediatricians. The transcripts were subjected to qualitative content analysis.

Setting/participants:

We conducted three focus groups with pediatricians from different specialties caring for severely ill children/adolescents. They discussed life-sustaining treatment in two case scenarios that varied according to diagnosis, age, and gender.

Results:

The decisions about medical indication were based on considerations relating to the individual patient, to the family, and to other patients. Individual patient factors included clinical aspects and benefit–burden considerations. Physicians’ individual views and feelings influenced their decision-making. Different factors were applied or weighed differently in the two cases. In case of conflict with parents, physicians preferred solutions aimed at establishing consensus.

Conclusion:

The pediatricians defined medical indication on a case-by-case basis and were influenced by emotional reasoning. In contrast to prevailing ethico-legal principles, they included the interests of other persons in their decisions. Decision-making strategies should incorporate explicit discussions of social aspects and physicians’ feelings to improve the transparency of the decision-making process and reduce bias.
Controlled human malaria infection trials: How tandems of trust and control construct scientific knowledge
Authors: Bijker Else M , Sauerwein Robert W , Bijker Wiebe E
Published: February 2016

Controlled human malaria infections are clinical trials in which healthy volunteers are deliberately infected with malaria under controlled conditions. Controlled human malaria infections are complex clinical trials: many different groups and institutions are involved, and several complex technologies are required to function together. This functioning together of technologies, people, and institutions is under special pressure because of potential risks to the volunteers. In this article, the authors use controlled human malaria infections as a strategic research site to study the use of control, the role of trust, and the interactions between trust and control in the construction of scientific knowledge. The authors argue that tandems of trust and control play a central role in the successful execution of clinical trials and the construction of scientific knowledge. More specifically, two aspects of tandems of trust and control will be highlighted: tandems are sites where trust and control coproduce each other, and tandems link the personal, the technical, and the institutional domains. Understanding tandems of trust and control results in setting some agendas for both clinical trial research and science and technology studies.
Addicted to Pain: A Preliminary Model of Sexual Masochism as Addiction
Authors: Kurt Holly , Ronel Natti
Published: February 2016

An exploratory, qualitative, phenomenological study focused on the experience of pain while participating in sexual masochistic acts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine individuals (four female, five male) who regularly participate in sexually masochistic acts and point to pain as central to their experience. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed several key characteristics of the participant’s experience: the first time, intoxication, craving and withdrawal, tolerance, pain as control, and the pain inducing partner. The findings indicate that the way pain is experienced while mitigated through masochistic behavior creates an addictive process that coincides with a chronic behavioral spin contextualization. This article presents a preliminary model of addiction to physical pain in light of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) definition of substance-related and addictive disorders and the behavioral spin theory.
Triaging Psychiatric Care: Risk Assessment Construction and Validation for Washington’s Involuntary Treatment and Forensic Commitment Populations
Authors: Kigerl Alex , Hamilton Zachary
Published: February 2016

There is a growing need in Washington to triage patients being considered for inpatient treatment. There has previously been no risk assessment normed to persons with mental illness in the State of Washington. The Static Risk Assessment (SRA) is used in Washington to assess risk among offenders under State Department of Corrections supervision. The present study sought to create and validate a new risk assessment, the SRA for Mental Health Patients (SRA-MHP), for two mental health populations in Washington. A sample of 16,289 patients involuntarily committed due to being deemed dangerous or gravely disabled, as well as a sample of 8,713 forensic patients undergoing a competency evaluation to stand trial after being charged with a crime, was gathered to assess the utility in applying the SRA-MHP to persons with mental illness. Results indicate that the SRA-MHP has high predictive performance for these samples.
Twenty years of triptans in the United States Medicaid programs: Utilization and reimbursement trends from 1993 to 2013
Authors: Xia Ying , Kelton Christina ML , Wigle Patricia R , Heaton Pamela C , Guo Jeff J
Published: February 2016

Objective

After sumatriptan was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1992, triptans became first-line anti-migraine therapies. Rapidly rising triptan expenditures, however, led payers, including Medicaid, to implement cost-containment policies. We describe triptan utilization and reimbursement trends in Medicaid.

Methods

Using national summary files for outpatient drug utilization, utilization and expenditure data from 1993 to 2013 were extracted and summed for all triptan national drug codes reimbursed by Medicaid. Data were collected separately for tablets, injections and sprays.

Results

The number of triptan prescriptions increased from 87,348 in 1993 to 0.9 million in 2004; fell to 0.4 million in 2009; rose to 1 million in 2011; and rose 1.2 million in 2013. In 2013, Medicaid spent $96.8 million on triptans: 74.4%, 18.4% and 7.2% for tablets, injections and sprays, respectively. Average reimbursement per prescription was $54 for tablets, $351 for injections and $235 for sprays in 2013. From 1993 to 2013, sumatriptan was the most widely prescribed among the triptans.

Conclusions

The substantial increase in triptan prescriptions from 2009 to 2011, without being convincingly explained by either rising migraine prevalence or rising Medicaid enrollment, is suggestive of reduced access to these medications prior to 2009. Cost-containment policies may have inadvertently prevented Medicaid migraineurs from obtaining appropriate pharmacotherapy.

Prior presentations

An earlier version of this paper was presented as a poster at the Annual Meeting of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, Philadelphia, PA, May 2015, where it received a finalist award.
The Influence of Social Background on Participation in Adult Education
Authors: Cincinnato Sebastiano , De Wever Bram , Van Keer Hilde , Valcke Martin
Published: February 2016

In this article, we address the issue of participation in adult education building on the cultural capital framework. This theoretical framework suggests that (educational) practices are affected by one’s social background and, more precisely, by the cultural resources handed down in the family context. To examine the validity of this theoretical framework, we build on data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies from 23 countries ( n = 120,789). The Programme data allow using the variables parents’ educational level (a proxy for social background), educational attainment, and readiness to learn as precursors of participation in adult education (both a proxy for cultural capital). Our findings suggest that the cultural capital framework is not fully suited to explain participation in adult education: Although social background has an (indirect) influence on participation, its effect does not concur with theoretical predictions, that is, mediated by the readiness to learn.
The Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on the Psychosocial Development of Toddlers
Authors: Harper Bianca , Nwabuzor Ogbonnaya Ijeoma , McCullough Kelly C.
Published: February 2016

This study used data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II to examine the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on child-welfare-involved toddlers’ psychosocial development. The sample was limited to toddlers aged 12 to 18 months with mothers who did ( n = 102) and did not ( n = 163) report IPV physical victimization. Multiple linear regression analyses showed, when compared with mothers who did not report IPV physical victimization, mothers who reported IPV physical victimization were more likely to have toddlers with higher levels of socioemotional and behavioral problems ( B = 5.06, p < .001). Conversely, delayed social competence was not associated with IPV ( B = −1.33, p > .05). Further analyses examining only toddlers with mothers who reported IPV physical victimization revealed, when compared with IPV-exposed toddlers who had a child welfare report of physical abuse as the primary maltreatment type, those with IPV as the primary maltreatment type were at lower risk of having socioemotional and behavioral problems ( B = −12.90, p < .05) and delayed social competence ( B = 3.27, p < .05). These findings indicate a significant concern regarding toddler psychosocial development when a mother has experienced IPV. This concern is even greater among IPV-exposed toddlers who experience physical abuse. We recommend child welfare workers assess for IPV. Once identified, early prevention and intervention services should be offered and tailored to the specific needs of IPV-affected families.