bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Declining Incidence of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Vangen-Lønne Anne M. , Wilsgaard Tom , Johnsen Stein Harald , Løchen Maja-Lisa , Njølstad Inger , Mathiesen Ellisiv B.
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—

It is proposed that 20% to 40% of the decline in first-ever stroke incidence is attributed to the improvement of risk factor control. We estimated the impact of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors on the changing incidence of ischemic stroke (IS) between 1995 and 2012, using individual person data from repeated surveys in a general population.

Methods—

The proportion of the IS incidence decline explained by change in each risk factor over time was estimated from 1995 to 2012 by Poisson regression among 26 329 participants who attended the fourth Tromsø survey in 1994 to 1995. Hazard ratios for IS were estimated with Cox proportional hazards regression among 27 936 participants who attended at least 1 of the Tromsø surveys in 1994 to 1995, 2001, or 2007 to 2008. Age- and sex-adjusted means or prevalences of risk factors over time were estimated by generalized estimating equations.

Results—

There were 1226 first-ever IS during 367 636 person-years of follow-up. Changes in cardiovascular risk factors accounted for 57% of the decrease in IS incidence from 1995 to 2012. The most important contributors were decreasing mean systolic blood pressure and smoking prevalence, accounting for 26% and 17% of the observed decline, respectively. Conversely, increasing diabetes mellitus prevalence contributed negatively to the declining IS incidence.

Conclusions—

Changes in cardiovascular risk factors explained 57% of the decrease in IS incidence from 1995 to 2012. Reduction in systolic blood pressure and prevalence of smoking were the most important contributors.
Isabelle Garo and the Provincialism of French Marxism and Anti-Marxism
Authors: Ryder Andrew
Published: February 2017

Isabelle Garo’s study,Foucault, Deleuze, Althusser & Marx: La politique dans la philosophie, presents a historical approach to the French philosophy of the 1960s and 1970s and its relationship to Marx and the Marxist tradition. In her view, these authors were captured by a largely mistaken understanding of the resources present in Marxist thought, and were overly affected by the prejudices instilled by the French Communist Party. Speaking from a perspective of practical commitment, she traces a path from early French Marxism to an anti-totalitarian consensus. Her study renders Louis Althusser’s innovations the most pivotal in introducing a whole series of themes, with ambivalent effects on theoretical production today. Most significantly, she discerns a replacement of politics and political economy by philosophy and epistemology. She attends first to the mobilisation of psychoanalysis against humanism, which gave way to a vehement critique of the normative aspects of psychoanalysis itself. Re-reading Foucault and Deleuze as post-Althusserians, Garo suggests that this led to a championing of Friedrich Nietzsche’s viewpoints against Marx. Garo’s study is immensely valuable in contextualising the apparent innovations of poststructuralist thought. However, we can discern greater relevance for the insights of these thinkers for contemporary Marxist thought than Garo concedes, and her attempt to read them as a complete deviation from Marxist principles ultimately fails to convince.
A new species and a new record of the spider genus Nesticus (Araneae, Nesticidae) from southern Brazil
Authors: ESTOL NARELLE , RODRIGUES EVERTON NEI LOPES
Published: February 2017

The spider family Nesticidae includes 233 species in 13 genera and is distributed almost worldwide (World Spider Catalog, 2016). However, the family is still poorly known in the Neotropical Region. The genus Nesticus Thorell, 1869 comprises 132 species and seven subspecies and was described based on N. cellulanus (Clerck, 1757), from Europe (World Spider Catalog, 2016). Meridional South American species of Nesticus were revised by Ott & Lise (2002). More recently, Faleiro & Santos (2011) described a new species from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil and Torres et al. (2016) a new species from the province of Salta, Argentina. Nowadays, Nesticus is represented by six species in Brazil: Nesticus brasiliensis Brignoli, 1979; Nesticus brignolii Ott & Lise, 2002; Nesticus calilegua Ott & Lise, 2002; Nesticus ivone Faleiro & Santos, 2011; Nesticus potreiro Ott & Lise, 2002 and Nesticus taim Ott & Lise, 2002 (World Spider Catalog 2016).
Relationships and revised status of Nagathrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripinae)
Authors: VARATHARAJAN R. , JOHNSON TH. , TARUNKUMAR SINGH
Published: February 2017

The generic name Nagathrips was erected as a sub-genus of Mesothrips for the single species, crenulatus Varatharajan and Singh (2000). Subsequent studies revealed character states that were not included in the original description. These are: prosternal basantra absent; antennal segment III with one slender sense cone, segment IV with three similar sense cones; fore wings parallel-sided with no median constriction. These character states are not found in any species of Mesothrips, a genus of the Tribe Haplothripini (Mound & Minaei 2007), but are typical of members of the Liothrips-lineage (Dang et al. 2014). To confirm such a relationship partial sequence data of the mitochondrial gene (CO1) was obtained and compared with that of Gynaikothrips species.
A new species of Heterachthes Newman, 1840 from Colombia (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO , BOTERO JUAN PABLO
Published: February 2017

Heterachthes was originally created by Newman (1840) for a single species from the United States of America (Florida): H. ebenus Newman, 1840. Currently, Heterachthes encompasses 68 species distributed to southern USA to southern South America (Monné 2016; Tavakilian and Chevillotte 2016). Of these species, six occur in Colombia: H. concretus, Martins, 1970; H. ebenus; H. lateralis Martins, 1962; H. sablensis Blatchley, 1920; H. signaticollis (Thomson, 1865); and H. vauriae Martins, 1971.
Applying Fuzzy Clustering to a Multimodel Ensemble for U.S. East Coast Winter Storms: Scenario Identification and Forecast Verification
Authors: Zheng Minghua , Chang Edmund K. M. , Colle Brian A. , Luo Yan , Zhu YueJian
Published: February 2017

This article introduces a method for objectively separating and validating forecast scenarios within a large multimodel ensemble for the medium-range (3–7 day) forecasts of extratropical cyclones impacting the U.S. East Coast. The method applies fuzzy clustering to the principal components (PCs) of empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis on mean sea level pressure (MSLP) from a 90-member combination of the global ensembles from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, the Canadian Meteorological Center, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Two representative cases are presented to illustrate the applications of this method. Application to the 26–28 January 2015 event demonstrates that the forecast scenarios determined by the fuzzy clustering method are well separated and consistent in different state variables (i.e., MSLP, 500-hPa geopotential height, and total precipitation). The fuzzy clustering method and an existing ensemble sensitivity method are applied to the 26–28 December 2010 event to investigate forecast uncertainty, which demonstrates that these two methods are complementary to each other and can be used in the operations together to track the evolution of forecast uncertainty. For past cases one can define a cluster close to the analysis based on the projection of the analysis onto the PC base of clustering. This analysis group is validated using conventional validation metrics for both cases examined, and this analysis group has fewer errors than the other groups as well as the multimodel ensemble mean and individual model means.
The Association Between Vestibular Physical Examination, Vertigo Questionnaires, and the Electronystagmography in Patients With Vestibular Symptoms
Authors: Gofrit Shany G. , Mayler Yulia , Eliashar Ron , Bdolah-Abram Tali , Ilan Ophir , Gross Menachem
Published: February 2017

Objects:

Dizziness makes up a diagnostic and treatment challenge. The diagnostic accuracy of the medical history and vestibular physical examination in cases of vestibular symptoms is not clear. The aim of this study is to determine the association between vestibular physical examination, vestibular questionnaires, and electronystagmography (ENG) test in patients with vestibular symptoms.

Methods:

This is a prospective study of 135 adults with vestibular symptoms. The subjects underwent targeted physical examination and filled vestibular questionnaires, including the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), before ENG testing. The results of the physical examination and questionnaires were compared with the final ENG findings.

Results:

Of patients who had normal ENG results, 32.1% (17/52) showed abnormal physical examination, and 48.8% (40/82) of the patient who had normal physical examination showed abnormal ENG results ( P = .46). Among patients with severe disability by DHI, 46.4% (13/28) had an abnormal ENG, and 42.9% (12/28) had a normal ENG ( P = .39).

Conclusions:

This study did not demonstrate association between vestibular physical examination, vestibular questionnaires, and ENG results. Although history (augmented by questionnaires) and physical examination are the initial steps in the evaluation of vertigo, the current study suggests that they should be complemented by objective testing for evaluation of inner ear origin of vertigo.
Looking beyond the 1:10,000 Ratio of Psychiatrists to Population
Authors: Burvill P.W.
Published: February 2017

The frequently quoted ratio of 1:10,000 psychiatrists to population originated in Canada in 1962 and was later adopted as the minimum by the American Psychiatric Association. Since then both Canada and the United States have found this ratio to be inadequate. Canada has since advocated an optimal target ratio of 1:6,500, but recommended a more attainable pragmatic ratio of 1:8,000 for the foreseeable future. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' recently recommended range of 1:7,500 to 1:10,000 is applauded. Reasons are given why a reasonable upper limit to the ratio of psychiatrists to population is desirable.
General Public Acceptance of Forest Risk Management Strategies in Sweden: Comparing Three Approaches to Acceptability
Authors: Eriksson Louise , Björkman Christer , Klapwijk Maartje J.
Published: February 2017

Global change calls for more active approaches to forest risk management. To avoid unforeseen backlashes, it is necessary to examine the general public’s acceptance of the risk management strategies. By drawing on different theoretical approaches (threat and prevention, performance evaluations, and forest cognitions), the present study examines predictors of acceptability in the general public in three counties in Sweden ( N = 1,026). As expected, appraisals of threat mediated the effect of threat awareness on belief in risk prevention, and when examining performance evaluations, trust in responsible actors influenced acceptability via procedural satisfaction. However, the threat and prevention approach and the performance evaluation approach only explained low levels of the variance in acceptability of the examined strategies. Nevertheless, stronger ecological forest values, and favoring broadleaved forests, were found to be important to the acceptability of proactively implementing a more diverse forest to meet the expected challenges associated with global climate change.
Restructuring of Mainstream Sociometry with Learning Disabled and Nonhandicapped Students
Authors: Sabornie Edward J. , Marshall Kathleen J. , Ellis Edwin S.
Published: February 2017

Sociometric ratings assigned by and to 50 elementary school students with learning disabilities and 50 nonhandicapped elementary school students (in matched pairs) were compared in this study. In addition, traditional sociometric status applied to social impact and social preference was also examined. Results showed that the matched pairs did not differ significantly in assigned status to their peers, but differed significantly in acceptance and rejection received from their shared classmates. Students with learning disabilities and nonhandicapped students differed significantly in social preference, but not in social impact.
Contextually Based School Consultation: Influential Variables
Authors: Tindal Gerald , Shinn Mark R. , Rodden-Nord Kathleen
Published: February 2017

The triadic model of consultation, often used to represent the consultation process, is embellished to include a problem-solving approach within a realistic school-based perspective. Eleven variables are considered within three domains: (a) the people involved, (b) their interactional process, and (c) the implementation of specific procedures. Within each domain, the professional literature is reviewed to describe these variables and their potential impact on consultation. Consideration of the variables allows an analysis of facilitators and barriers to consultation practices in applied educational settings.
The Need for Dual Openness to Change: A Longitudinal Study Evaluating the Impact of Employees’ Openness to Organizational Change Content and Process on Intervention Outcomes
Authors: Augustsson Hanna , Richter Anne , Hasson Henna , von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica
Published: February 2017

This study investigates how individual- and group-level openness to organizational change, concerning change content and process, affects intervention outcomes. The intervention aimed to improve primary health care employees’ competence in and use of information and communication technologies (ICT). Employees’ ( n = 1,042) ratings of their openness to the change content and process as well as of their workgroup’s openness to the change content before the intervention were used to predict ICT competence and its use 18 months later. Openness to the change process predicted both ICT competence and use of competence, while openness to the change content and group openness predicted use of competence only. These results show that individual- and group-level openness to organizational change are important predictors of successful outcomes. Furthermore, employees should be open both to the content of the change and to the process by which the intervention is implemented in order to maximize outcomes.
“Halal fiction” and the limits of postsecularism: Criticism, critique, and the Muslim in Leila Aboulela’s Minaret
Authors: Morey Peter
Published: February 2017

This article examines Leila Aboulela’s 2005 novel Minaret, considering the extent to which it can be seen as an example of a postsecular text. The work has been praised by some as one of the most cogent attempts to communicate a life of Islamic faith in the English language novel form. Others have expressed concern about what they perceive as its apparent endorsement of submissiveness and a secondary status for women, along with its silence on some of the more thorny political issues facing Islam in the modern world. I argue that both these readings are shaped by the current “market” for Muslim novels, which places on such texts the onus of being “authentically representative”. Moreover, while apparently underwriting claims to authenticity, Aboulela’s technique of unvarnished realism requires of the reader the kind of suspension of disbelief in the metaphysical that appears to run contrary to the secular trajectory of the English literary novel in the last 300 years. I take issue with binarist versions of the postsecular thesis that equate the post-Enlightenment West with relentless desacralization and the “Islamic world” with a persistent collectivist and spiritual outlook, and suggest that we pay more attention to fundamental narrative elements which recur across the supposed West/East divide. Historically simplistic understandings of the secularization of culture — followed in the last few years by a postsecular turn — misrepresent the actual evolution of the novel. The “religious” persists, albeit transmuted into symbolic schema and themes of material or emotional redemption. I end by arguing for the renewed relevance of the kind of analysis of literary “archetypes” suggested by Northrop Frye, albeit disentangled from its specifically Christian resonances and infused by more attention to cultural cross-pollination. It is this type of approach that seems more accurately to account for the peculiarities of Aboulela’s fiction.
Serial murder: An unusual stereotype
Authors: Sane Mandar R , Mugadlimath Anand B , Farooqui Jamebaseer M , Janagond Anand B , Mishra Pradeep K
Published: February 2017

Serial murders attract attention from the media, mental health experts, academia, and the general public. We present a case of serial murders that took place in a limited area and which caused public anxiety and anguish in central India. All the victims were homeless beggars, who were bludgeoned to death (crush injury). Individual murders were initially investigated by different police stations; fortunately, since they sent all the bodies to a common autopsy centre, a forensic pathologist was able to link all the cases, the first person to do so. This emphasises the need for sharing information among police stations and autopsy centres.
Constructing Space and Self through Risk Taking: A Case of Asian Solo Female Travelers
Authors: Yang Elaine Chiao Ling , Khoo-Lattimore Catheryn , Arcodia Charles
Published: February 2017

In response to the increasingly risk-conscious environment in contemporary society, a growing body of literature has been dedicated to tourist risk perception. While risk is widely assumed to be a negative element in tourism, this perspective overlooks the fact that risk and tourist experience are intrinsically connected. This study takes a different approach by focusing on tourist risk-taking behavior, specifically, the risk perception and risk management of Asian solo female travelers, with an aim to contribute theoretical insights to the partial, conventional understanding of tourism risk. Located within a feminist framework, this study reveals how existing tourism space remains gendered and Western-dominated, how Asian women grapple with risks through various gendered spatial and bodily practices, and how negotiating risk is also a way to negotiate gender identities. A number of recommendations are provided for future research and for the tourism industry to foster a friendlier space for the Others.
Manufacturing Conflict: The Experience of a World Factory in a Changing China
Authors: Xiaojun Feng
Published: February 2017

This article explores the mechanism driving China’s soaring labor unrest from the perspective of management. It demonstrates how Foxconn adjusts in response to the dynamics of the global production network and China’s labor market, and how such practices are inextricably linked to growing workplace conflicts. Foxconn’s elementary management is characterized by coercion, which is reinforced by the management techniques it has forged as a contract manufacturer in the global supply chain facing the increasing costs of raw materials, labor, and so on. The widespread dissent generated in this process is aggravated by the changing composition and the worsening financial condition of its labor force—predominantly the new generation of migrant workers. Although Foxconn has attempted to develop consent on the shop floor, its efforts have largely failed because of the power asymmetry in the global electronics industry.
Lexical, morphological and syntactic development in toddlers between 16 and 30 months old: A comparison across European Portuguese and Galician
Authors: Viana Fernanda Leopoldina , Pérez-Pereira Miguel , Cadime Irene , Silva Carla , Santos Sandra , Ribeiro Iolanda
Published: February 2017

The main aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between the lexical size and the emergence of morphological and syntactic markers in toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months and to compare these results between Galician and European Portuguese. Parents of 3012 Portuguese toddlers and those of 1081 Galician toddlers completed the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences. The results indicated that the number of words, the ability to combine words and the number of different morphemes produced increased with age. The ability to combine words was used as an indicator of syntactic development; this ability was also associated with the toddlers’ lexical size. In both samples, gender morphemes seemed to be the first to have their production generalized, followed by the plural and the past participle. The production of gender morphemes was accompanied by a small lexical size, whereas the imperfect tense and the person mark onset were associated with large lexical sizes. The implications of these results for charting the continuity between lexical, morphological and syntactical development are discussed.
The political economy of ‘creative industries’
Authors: Lee Hye-Kyung
Published: February 2017

This article critically examines the fundamental premise of the creative industries discourse: human creativity as a distinctive input in the production process is the core source of economic value generation. It points out that this discourse emerged within the political-economic context of our time where creativity and knowledge are celebrated, while human labour itself as a factor of production and social force is increasingly de-legitimised and marginalised. The article argues that the radical potential in the discourse (the labour-value nexus) has failed to be recognised, and asks how it can be rediscovered and linked to contemporary socio-economic debates. Turning its attention to the creativity residing in the cultural sector, this article also argues that we should better understand its economic characteristics (productivity-low) and social consequences (diversity-high), and their implications for cultural policy.
The use of Quality-Adjusted Life Years in cost-effectiveness analyses in palliative care: Mapping the debate through an integrative review
Authors: Wichmann Anne B , Adang Eddy MM , Stalmeier Peep FM , Kristanti Sinta , Van den Block Lieve , Vernooij-Dassen Myrra JFJ , Engels Yvonne ,   On behalf of PACE
Published: February 2017

Background:

In cost-effectiveness analyses in healthcare, Quality-Adjusted Life Years are often used as outcome measure of effectiveness. However, there is an ongoing debate concerning the appropriateness of its use for decision-making in palliative care.

Aim:

To systematically map pros and cons of using the Quality-Adjusted Life Year to inform decisions on resource allocation among palliative care interventions, as brought forward in the debate, and to discuss the Quality-Adjusted Life Year’s value for palliative care.

Design:

The integrative review method of Whittemore and Knafl was followed. Theoretical arguments and empirical findings were mapped.

Data sources:

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL, in which MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms were Palliative Care, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Quality of Life, and Quality-Adjusted Life Years.

Findings:

Three themes regarding the pros and cons were identified: (1) restrictions in life years gained, (2) conceptualization of quality of life and its measurement, including suggestions to adapt this, and (3) valuation and additivity of time, referring to changing valuation of time. The debate is recognized in empirical studies, but alternatives not yet applied.

Conclusion:

The Quality-Adjusted Life Year might be more valuable for palliative care if specific issues are taken into account. Despite restrictions in life years gained, Quality-Adjusted Life Years can be achieved in palliative care. However, in measuring quality of life, we recommend to—in addition to the EQ-5D— make use of quality of life or capability instruments specifically for palliative care. Also, we suggest exploring the possibility of integrating valuation of time in a non-linear way in the Quality-Adjusted Life Year.
The n-by-T Target Discharge Strategy for Inpatient Units
Authors: Parikh Pratik J. , Ballester Nicholas , Ramsey Kylie , Kong Nan , Pook Nancy
Published: February 2017

Background. Ineffective inpatient discharge planning often causes discharge delays and upstream boarding. While an optimal discharge strategy that works across all units at a hospital is likely difficult to identify and implement, a strategy that provides a reasonable target to the discharge team appears feasible. Methods. We used observational and retrospective data from an inpatient trauma unit at a Level 2 trauma center in the Midwest US. Our proposed novel n-by-T strategy—discharge n patients by the Tth hour—was evaluated using a validated simulation model. Outcome measures included 2 measures: time-based (mean discharge completion and upstream boarding times) and capacity-based (increase in annual inpatient and upstream bed hours). Data from the pilot implementation of a 2-by-12 strategy at the unit was obtained and analyzed. Results. The model suggested that the 1-by-T and 2-by-T strategies could advance the mean completion times by over 1.38 and 2.72 h, respectively (for 10 AM ≤ T ≤ noon, occupancy rate = 85%); the corresponding mean boarding time reductions were nearly 11% and 15%. These strategies could increase the availability of annual inpatient and upstream bed hours by at least 2,469 and 500, respectively. At 100% occupancy rate, the hospital-favored 2-by-12 strategy reduced the mean boarding time by 26.1%. A pilot implementation of the 2-by-12 strategy at the unit corroborated with the model findings: a 1.98-h advancement in completion times (P<0.0001) and a 14.5% reduction in boarding times (P = 0.027). Conclusion. Target discharge strategies, such as the n-by-T, can help substantially reduce discharge lateness and upstream boarding, especially during high unit occupancy. To sustain implementation, necessary commitment from the unit staff and physicians is vital, and may require some training.
The Factor Structure of the Aggression Questionnaire With Violent Offenders
Authors: Pettersen Cathrine , Nunes Kevin L. , Cortoni Franca
Published: February 2017

The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) is a self-report measure of aggressiveness commonly employed in nonforensic and forensic settings and is included in violent offender pre- and posttreatment assessment batteries. The aim of the current study was to assess the fit of the four-factor model of the AQ with violent offenders ( N = 271), a population for which the factor structure of the English version of the AQ has not previously been examined. Confirmatory factor analyses did not yield support for the four-factor model of the original 29-item AQ. Acceptable fit was obtained with the 12-item short form, but careful examination of the relationships between the latent factors revealed that the four subscales of the AQ may not represent distinct aspects of aggressiveness. Our findings call into question whether the AQ optimally measures trait aggressiveness among violent offenders.
Intimate Partner Violence: Variations in Perpetrators and Treatment Allocation
Authors: Weber T. , Bouman Yvonne H. A.
Published: February 2017

The division of batterers into subtypes is hardly ever used, neither to describe the type of perpetrator nor to indicate in the clinical decision-making process what treatment should be offered. In this study, a sample of male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) who had been advised to seek treatment at a community-based Dutch forensic psychiatric facility ( N = 110), either voluntarily or mandatorily, have been divided into four subtypes based on a model reported by Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994). The four subtypes are Family-Only (FO), Borderline-Dysphoric (BD), Generally Violent Antisocial (GVA), and Low-Level Antisocial (LLA). The aim of the study was to identify the subtypes and to compare the different groups on descriptive dimensions and treatment allocation. In the first part of the study, aside from identifying the batterer subtypes, important differences between the subtypes were encountered in the nature of the violence (structural vs. incidental). The characteristics of the BD subtype were found to be similar to the model except for the psychopathological dimension. Differences in allocation of treatment types between batterer subtypes were not substantial raising questions about the correspondence between typological subtypes and the judgment of clinicians. These results do suggest that more attention should be paid to the heterogeneity of the batterer population, which could improve treatment and advance our understanding of IPV.
The annihilation of femininity in Mao’s China: Gender inequality of sent-down youth during the Cultural Revolution
Authors: Yang Wenqi , Yan Fei
Published: February 2017

During the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Mao’s famous political slogan ‘The times have changed, men and women are the same’ (时代不同了, 男女都一样) asserted that men and women were equal in political consciousness and physical strength. However, the slogan’s seeming emphasis on gender equality misconstrued the concepts of equality and sameness. In-depth interviews with former ‘sent-down’ youth illustrate how state rhetoric appropriated a discourse of women’s equality to silence women and depoliticize gender as a political category. For urban sent-down youth, gender inequality was absent from public discourse, and conflict between the sexes was concealed by a state discourse that constructed class struggle as paramount. Gender as a category was credited with solely political and pragmatic meaning and was utilized as a means for the communist government to achieve its own political and cultural utopia.
The Practices and Meanings of Care for Nurses Working on a Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
Authors: Morrison Caroline F. , Morris Edith J.
Published: February 2017

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) units are stressful work environments with high staff burnout, anxiety, and turnover. A qualitative study was undertaken to better understand care for nurses within the context of their clinical practice on a pediatric BMT unit. Understanding care practices for BMT nurses will allow us to design interventions and provide appropriate support for this subspecialty of nurses. Focus groups were held with 24 nurses as key participants, and 2 focus groups with general participants: unit management (N = 2) and caregivers of inpatients (N = 7). Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Data were transcribed verbatim and coded to consensus by members of the research team. Five themes emerged from the data: ( a) experiencing stressful situations that impede care, ( b) growing and developing personally and professionally, ( c) providing trustworthy and respectful care, ( d) acquiring meaningful coping skills, and ( e) sharing with others versus isolation. Stress management, professional development, and interdisciplinary communication were areas that emerged for potential intervention.
Quality Assurance Program for a Drug Information Center
Authors: Repchinsky Carol A. , Masuhara E. Joy
Published: February 2017

The objective of this study was to develop a quality assurance program for the drug information service using outcome measurements. Criteria of timeliness, accuracy, objectivity, completeness, and use of the information in patient care were measured by a questionnaire sent to users of the service. A response rate of 86 percent showed that the criteria were met in 92, 97, 92, 75, and 69 percent of cases, respectively. The autoreputational approach was utilized in altering procedures to attempt to meet the previously set standards. It was concluded that measuring outcome is a useful method for assuring the quality of a drug information service.
Quotation Accuracy in Review Articles
Authors: Neihouse Paul F. , Priske Susan C.
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of referenced statements in review articles focused on drug therapy. Review articles published between January and December 1987 in Clinical Pharmacy, DICP, Drugs, and Pharmacotherapy were used. Ninety-nine references from these articles were randomly selected and pulled to determine if the published study results were in agreement with the review article statement. These references accounted for 165 statements. Thirty-nine of 165 statements in the review articles (24 percent) were found to be inappropriate when compared with the original references. These inappropriate quotations were classified as either wrong, misleading, or deriving from only the discussion section of the original article. There is a need for increased awareness by authors to differentiate between reported results, article hypothesis, and their own interpretations, as well as for accuracy in quotation.
Foreclosed and Sold: An Examination of Community and Property Characteristics Related to the Sale of REO Properties
Authors: Zhang Lei , Leonard Tammy , Dias Resha
Published: February 2017

Foreclosure affects not only the foreclosing homeowner but also the surrounding residential neighborhood. Prior work has found that the negative neighborhood impacts of foreclosed properties that remain as real-estate-owned (REO) properties persist until the property is resold. Furthermore, negative neighborhood price externalities are more substantial the longer a home spends in REO stock. This article used foreclosure data from Dallas County, Texas, to examine how both housing and neighborhood characteristics are related to the possibility of the sale of a foreclosed property out of REO stock. The findings from the Cox proportional hazard model indicate that homes in low-income minority neighborhoods and homes with property characteristics associated with a need for more preventative maintenance were slower to sell. Results have the potential to provide insight into how housing and neighborhood characteristics might help to explain part of the uneven geographic distribution of foreclosure impacts following the 2007–2009 financial recession.
On the neutral stability curve for shallow conical shells subjected to lateral pressure
Authors: Coman Ciprian D , Bassom Andrew P
Published: February 2017

This work presents a detailed asymptotic description of the neutral stability envelope for the linear bifurcations of a shallow conical shell subjected to lateral pressure. The eighth-order boundary-eigenvalue problem investigated originates in the Donnell shallow-shell theory coupled with a linear membrane pre-bifurcation state, and leads to a neutral stability curve that exhibits two distinct growth rates. By using singular perturbation methods we propose accurate approximations for both regimes and explore a number of other novel features of this problem. Our theoretical results are compared with several direct numerical simulations that shed further light on the problem.
The Mediating Role of Sleep Quality on Well-Being Among Japanese Working Family Caregivers
Authors: Honda Ayumi , Iwasaki Yoshie , Honda Sumihisa
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the well-being of caregivers is mediated by the association between behavioral and psychological symptoms in elderly relatives and the quality of sleep experienced by caregivers using a mediational model. The participants were 105 working family caregivers in Japan. We assessed well-being based on the Kessler Scale 10, self-rated health, and satisfaction in daily life. Our results showed that the well-being in working family caregivers was impacted by the severity of behavioral and psychological symptoms in elderly relatives. Well-being in working family caregivers was also affected by quality of sleep. Maintaining good quality of sleep in working family caregivers is important for reducing caregiver burden and psychological distress, and for improving the balance between work and family life.
The influence of contact time and event frequency on acoustic emission signals
Authors: Schnabel Stephan , Golling Stefan , Marklund Pär , Larsson Roland
Published: February 2017

Studies of acoustic emissions (AE) of rotating machine elements is often performed under a constant speed. There are few investigations on speed and contact time dependency of acoustic emission signals, even though some investigations have reported difficulties at elevated rotational speeds. Simplified experiments are, therefore, presented in this article to increase the understanding of the time dependency of acoustic emission signals. Hertzian impacts and tensile tests are used to study contact time, the time duration of an event and offset time, the time between events and accordingly the event frequency. The results of these model experiments indicate an indirect quadratic proportionality of acoustic emission amplitudes and contact time ([Formula: see text]), as well as a proportional relationship between the root mean square and event frequency ([Formula: see text]). The relationship between contact time and the root mean square of acoustic emission signals is strongly dependent on the damping of the system.
Everything also I want: An exploratory study of Singaporean Kiasuism (fear of losing out)
Authors: Bedford Olwen , Chua Sheryl H
Published: February 2017

Kiasuism (fear of losing out) is a prominent cultural trait of Singapore that encompasses greed, selfishness, and inconsiderate behavior. It contributes to social problems in education and entrepreneurship. Despite its pervasiveness and negative impact, kiasuism is not well understood. The three studies that have tried to conceptualize it offer conflicting conclusions about its properties. The two existing measures focus exclusively on behavior while neglecting motivation. Inconsistencies in the conceptualization and operationalization of kiasuism warrant a fresh exploration of the construct. Our analysis of qualitative interviews with 36 Singaporean undergraduates provided a clearer understanding of kiasuism by identifying cognitive aspects in addition to behavior. Our results suggest that kiasuism is a single dimension with a range of outcomes, and the motivation for a behavior is the key to determining whether it is kiasu. Our research provides a foundation for a variety of directions for future research, both theoretical and practical.
Employment and multiple sclerosis: A meta-analytic review of psychological correlates
Authors: Dorstyn Diana S , Roberts Rachel M , Murphy Gregory , Haub Rebecca
Published: February 2017

The association between employment and psychological health in adults with multiple sclerosis was examined ( N = 33 studies). Standardised mean differences (Hedges’ g) between those employed and those not in the workforce were calculated. Employed peers reported significantly greater quality of life and mood, cited fewer work and multiple sclerosis–related difficulties and were more likely to adopt problem-focused coping strategies, considered to be more effective in managing specific stressors. These data are consistent with the positive by-products of maintaining work with multiple sclerosis. Further research is needed to determine the longitudinal course of coping for those who remain employed.
No More Pain in the Gut: Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Hubkova Tereza
Published: February 2017

Irritable bowel syndrome has often underestimated negative impact of quality of life. Traditional symptomatic treatment does not address underlying complex etiology. Superior results might be achieved with combination of lifestyle medicine, correction of underlying microbial imbalances and retraining of autonomic nervous system as demonstrated in this case presentation.
Is stochastic grey-box modelling suited for physical properties estimation of building components from on-site measurements?
Authors: Deconinck An-Heleen , Roels Staf
Published: February 2017

In current energy requirements, the thermal performance of buildings is assessed with simplified energy models. A performance label is calculated based on thermal properties of the constituent components of the building envelope. These properties, however, do not include factors such as workmanship issues, or moisture or airflow influences which might affect the thermal performance as designed. To have a better view on the actual thermal quality of building components, a reliable thermal characterisation method of building components on-site is required. The typically used semi-stationary measurement methods have an application that is seasonally bounded or can require long measurement periods. Because of these drawbacks, dynamic parameter estimation methods have gained interest. In this article, the physical interpretability of a typical stochastic grey-box model used to thermally characterise building components is assessed. The identifiability of this model structure is examined by observing the profile likelihood of its parameters for typical measurements. The results allow identification of the extent to which models can estimate the thermal properties of building components in a robust way. A comparison of both analyses allows to define indications for physically interpretable parameters.
Sources of support and mediation online for 9–12-year-old children
Authors: McDonald-Brown Craig , Laxman Kumar , Hope John
Published: February 2017

The emerging adolescents of today are required to navigate challenges and risks quite different from those faced by their parents and teachers. The usual trials of adolescence have been magnified and transformed, in large part due to the development of information and communication technology, and the rapid rise of online social networking. The rate of change can leave its most ardent followers struggling to keep up, and this can be even harder for those not immersed in its effects. This calls into question how effective parents and teachers can be in taking a supportive role in developing self-efficacy among their children and students when it comes to online challenges. Adult/parent mediation is an important factor in mitigating the level of risk and harm a child experience online. This research gives voice to 9–12-year-old children’s experience of being online, and the role important adults in their lives play in this experience.
Renal trauma
Authors: Veeratterapillay Rajan , Fuge Oliver , Haslam Philip , Harding Chris , Thorpe Andrew
Published: February 2017

The kidney is the most commonly injured genitourinary organ, and renal involvement has been reported in 1–5% of all trauma cases. Two mechanisms of renal injury are described, namely blunt (direct blow to the kidney, rapid acceleration/deceleration or a combination) and penetrating (from stab or gunshot wounds), with blunt injuries being most common in the UK. It is important to keep an index of suspicion for renal trauma as given by the mechanism of the injury or in poly-trauma. Accurate assessment and resuscitation are vital in the initial management. Imaging with computed tomography is critical to the accurate grading of the injury and helps guide subsequent treatment. The approach to management of renal injuries has changed over time. During the past two decades, advances in cross-sectional imaging coupled with minimally invasive intervention strategies (like angiography, embolisation and ureteric stenting) for managing traumatic renal injuries have allowed increased renal preservation by reducing the need for major surgical intervention. Nowadays, the vast majority of blunt injuries (up to 95%) are managed conservatively with accumulated experience suggesting this is safe. However, there is still a role for open surgical exploration in patients with haemodynamic instability or those who fail initial conservative/minimally invasive management.
Early Intervention in Psychosis in the United States
Authors: Breitborde Nicholas J. K. , Moe Aubrey M.
Published: February 2017

Available data have demonstrated the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of multi-component treatment packages for individuals early in the course of psychotic-spectrum disorders. In response, an unprecedented effort aims to disseminate such multi-component treatment programs—referred to as Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC)—throughout the United States. We review the evidence in support of CSC care for first-episode psychosis and highlight specific policy reforms that may facilitate the successful dissemination and eventual improvement of CSC programs for first-episode psychosis. Among proposed reforms are novel financing strategies for CSC services and incentivizing of continued collaboration between academic and community agencies to facilitate sustained dissemination and refinement of CSC.
Participation: A Case Study of How Invaders Organise, Negotiate and Interact with Government in Lima, Peru
Authors: Peattie Lisa
Published: February 2017

This article considers what is meant by ‘citizen participation’, especially the different meanings that the term has for the different actors involved. The discussion is illustrated by the story of a land invasion in Lima in 1971 and the compromise negotiated between the invaders and the government which led to the formation of a new settlement, Villa El Salvador. The article outlines the changing view of participation within government between 1971 to 1980 and how this affected the development of Villa El Salvador.
Association of osteopontin with specific prognostic factors and survival in adjuvant breast cancer trials of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group
Authors: Psyrri Amanda , Kalogeras Konstantine T. , Wirtz Ralph M. , Kouvatseas George , Karayannopoulou Georgia , Goussia Anna , Zagouri Flora , Veltrup Elke , Timotheadou Eleni , Gogas Helen , Koutras Angelos , Lazaridis Georgios , Christodoulou Christos , Pentheroudakis George , Economopoulou Panagiota , Laskarakis Apostolos , Arapantoni-Dadioti Petroula , Batistatou Anna , Sotiropoulou Maria , Aravantinos Gerasimos , Papakostas Pavlos , Kosmidis Paris , Pectasides Dimitrios , Fountzilas George
Published: February 2017

Background

The shift towards an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) highlights the need for biomarkers that would identify patients at risk for relapse and metastatic spread and indicate the potential value of additional treatment strategies. Osteopontin (OPN) is a matricellular protein that has been suggested to be a potential biomarker in BC. In the present study, we used archived BC patient samples to assess the clinical utility of OPN.

Methods

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples from 975 patients were collected from two large phase III randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trials (HE10/97 and HE10/00) that included patients with high risk BC. All tissue samples were assessed for ER, PgR, Ki67 and HER2 protein expression. OPN protein and mRNA expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results

OPN mRNA expression data were available for 814 patients, whereas OPN protein expression data were available for 546 patients. The majority of patients were ER/PgR-positive (78.3%), HER2-negative (76.5%) and Ki67-positive (55.2%) and had received adjuvant radiation therapy (76.8%) and hormonal therapy (81.1%). OPN mRNA expression was significantly associated with age (60.9% in high OPN tumors vs. 54.1% in low OPN tumors, p = 0.047), ER/PgR-negative status (25.7 vs. 17.2%, p = 0.004) and BC subtypes (p = 0.021). In addition, high OPN mRNA expression was significantly associated with reduced DFS (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.00–1.59, Wald’s p = 0.050) and OS (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.05–1.78, p = 0.019), while it retained its prognostic significance for both DFS (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10–1.77, p = 0.007) and OS (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.61–2.05, p = 0.003) in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

We showed that high OPN mRNA expression is associated with decreased DFS and OS in a large cohort of BC patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy in a clinical trial setting. Our results suggest that OPN may serve as a prognostic factor and a potential target for therapy.

Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; HE10/97 ACTRN12611000506998; HE10/00 ACTRN12609001036202