bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The poverty of plastics bans: Environmentalism’s win is a loss for disabled people
Authors: Jenks Andrew B. , Obringer Kelsey M.
Published: August 2019

Recent proposals in US cities to ban single-use plastic straws have been adopted quickly and met with little resistance. Environmentalists consider this a small but important win for reducing the harmful impact of single-use plastics on our planet overall. Yet there remains a critical mass of people who are systematically left out of the conversation: disabled people. These people are not only overlooked, they are othered for being poor or disabled or both. We argue that while drastically curtailing plastics production, use, and improper disposal is vital, single-use plastics bans, while just for the planet, are not equally just for all humans. Drawing on disability studies and environmental justice literatures, we problematise existing debates surrounding plastics bans, and recast these bans, and their effects, as an unnecessary othering of poor people and disabled people.
The Effect of Expert Feedback on Antibiotic Prescribing in Pediatrics: Experimental Evidence
Authors: Eilermann Kerstin , Halstenberg Katrin , Kuntz Ludwig , Martakis Kyriakos , Roth Bernhard , Wiesen Daniel
Published: August 2019

Background. Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, which is common in pediatric care, is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance. To mitigate the development of resistance, antibiotic stewardship programs often suggest the inclusion of feedback targeted at individual providers. Empirically, however, it is not well understood how feedback affects individual physicians’ antibiotic prescribing decisions. Also, the question of how physicians’ characteristics, such as clinical experience, relate to antibiotic prescribing decisions and to responses to feedback is largely unexplored. Objective. To analyze the causal effect of descriptive expert feedback (and individual characteristics) on physicians’ antibiotic prescribing decisions in pediatrics. Design. We employed a randomized, controlled framed field experiment, in which German pediatricians ( n=73) decided on the length of first-line antibiotic treatment for routine pediatric cases. In the intervention group ( n=39), pediatricians received descriptive feedback in form of an expert benchmark, which allowed them to compare their own prescribing decisions with expert recommendations. The recommendations were elicited in a survey of pediatric department directors ( n=20), who stated the length of antibiotic therapies they would choose for the routine cases. Pediatricians’ characteristics were elicited in a comprehensive questionnaire. Results. Providing pediatricians with expert feedback significantly reduced the length of antibiotic therapies by 10% on average. Also, the deviation of pediatricians’ decisions from experts’ recommendations significantly decreased. Antibiotic therapy decisions were significantly related to pediatricians’ clinical experience, risk attitudes, and personality traits. The effect of feedback was significantly associated with physicians’ experience. Conclusion. Our results indicate that descriptive expert feedback can be an effective means to guide pediatricians, especially those who are inexperienced, toward more appropriate antibiotic prescribing. Therefore, it seems to be suitable for inclusion in antibiotic stewardship programs.
Are Patient Decision Aids Used in Clinical Practice after Rigorous Evaluation? A Survey of Trial Authors
Authors: Stacey Dawn , Suwalska Victoria , Boland Laura , Lewis Krystina B. , Presseau Justin , Thomson Richard
Published: August 2019

Background. Patient decision aids (PtDAs) are effective interventions to support patient involvement in health care decisions, but there is little use in practice. Our study aimed to determine subsequent PtDA use in clinical practice following published randomized controlled trials. Design. A descriptive study using an e-mail-embedded questionnaire survey targeting authors of 133 trials included in Cochrane Reviews of PtDAs (106 authors). We classified PtDA level of use as a) implementation, defined as integrating within care processes; b) dissemination to target users with planned strategies; and c) diffusion, defined as passive, unplanned spread. We conducted content analysis to identify barriers and enablers guided by the Ottawa Model of Research Use. Results. Ninety-eight authors responded (92.5%) on 108 trialed PtDAs. Reported levels of use were implementation ( n = 29; 28%), dissemination to target user(s) ( n = 9; 9%), and diffusion ( n = 7; 7%); 57 (55%) reported no uptake, and 1 had no response (1%). Barriers to use in clinical practice were identified at the level of researchers (e.g., lack of posttrial plan), PtDAs (e.g., outdated, delivery mechanism), clinicians (e.g., disagreed with PtDA use), and practice environment (e.g., infrastructure support; funding). Enablers were online delivery, organizational endorsement (e.g., professional organization, charity, government), and design for and integration into the care process. Limitations. Self-report bias and potential for recall bias. Conclusions. Only 44% of PtDA trial authors indicated some level of subsequent use following their trial. The most commonly reported barriers were lack of funding, outdated PtDAs, and clinician disagreement with PtDA use. To improve subsequent use, researchers should codesign PtDAs with end users to ensure fit with clinical practice and develop an implementation plan. National systems (e.g., platforms, endorsement, funding) can enable use.
Why Women Are Blamed for Being Sexually Harassed: The Effects of Empathy for Female Victims and Male Perpetrators
Authors: Bongiorno Renata , Langbroek Chloe , Bain Paul G. , Ting Michelle , Ryan Michelle K.
Published: August 2019

The #MeToo movement has highlighted the widespread problem of men’s sexual harassment of women. Women are typically reluctant to make a sexual-harassment complaint and often encounter victim-blaming attitudes when they do, especially from men. Informed by the social identity perspective, two experiments examined the influence of empathy—both for women who are sexually harassed and for male harassers—on men’s and women’s propensity to blame victims. In Study 1, university students ( N = 97) responded to a vignette describing a male student’s harassment of a female student. Men blamed the victim more than women, which was explained by their greater empathy for the male perpetrator but not lesser empathy for the female victim. Using the same vignette, Study 2 asked university students ( N = 135) to take either the male perpetrator’s or the female victim’s perspective. Regardless of participant gender, participants who took the male-perpetrator’s perspective versus the female-victim’s perspective reported greater victim blame, and this was explained by their greater empathy for the male perpetrator and lesser empathy for the female victim. Together, the findings provide evidence to suggest that male-perpetrator empathy may be equally or more important than female-victim empathy for explaining victim blame for sexual harassment. Implications for social change, including policies to limit the effects of male-perpetrator empathy when responding to sexual-harassment complaints are discussed. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684319868730
Debt, time, creation: An introduction
Authors: Karagiannis Nathalie
Published: August 2019

This special issue explores the concept of debt and its ramifications in contemporary landscapes with the intention of altering the themes and terms of a debate imposed by economistic discourse. Briefly going through the crucial issues raised by the social practice of debt: time and creation – unveils that the languages of contemporary archaeology (Plantzos), sociology (Bissonnette), anthropology (Krige), art history (Hadjinicolaou), literary theory (Boletsi and Gourgouris), are ways of allowing for an emancipatory take on the issue of debt.
An assessment of construction waste management in India: A statistical approach
Authors: Kolaventi Swarna Swetha , Tezeswi TP , Siva Kumar MVN
Published: August 2019

Construction waste needs to be managed in order to minimize environmental burden in India and conserve existing natural resources. Despite numerous policies and guidelines there is improper construction waste management. Towards addressing this issue, a novel approach is presented to unraval and investigate waste management in India using four methods: quantification of waste by wastivity; grouping of influence factors (IFs) by factor analysis; ranking of IFs by analogous importance index; and determination of attitude by concordance among construction crew. The outcomes forecast wastivity of concrete (4.14%) and steel (1.62%), respectively. Exploratory factor analysis groups factors into five categories. The top influence factor (CMT6, 0.901) according to contractors and academicians is: workers should be given training in identifying recyclable material. Engineers favor enforcement of strict punishment for illegal disposal of wastes in violation of Environmental Protection Agency regulations (CMT7, 0.895). Computed concordance indicates: moderate agreement (0.68) among variables under the construction method; strong agreement among variables in documentation (0.76) and construction equipment (0.81); and very strong agreement among variables in worker intention (1.00) and materials (1.00). The variation in attitude of the workforce towards waste management and the proclivity of policy developers towards protocols which include training of workers in efficient waste management are quantified.
Management of Domestic Violence by Primary Care Physicians in Hong Kong: Association With Barriers, Attitudes, Training, and Practice Background
Authors: Sun Kai Sing , Lam Tai Pong , Piterman Leon , Lam Kwok Fai , Tang Wai Sin , Kwok Kit Wing , Chan Hoi Yan , Wu Dan , Tiwari Agnes
Published: August 2019

While primary care physicians (PCPs) have opportunities to recognize patients who encounter domestic violence (DV) by intimate partners, warning symptoms such as unexplained physical injury, bruising, anxiety, and depression are often missed during clinic visits. This study investigated the barriers of Hong Kong PCPs toward managing DV, including recognition, management, and referrals of these patients. Four focus group interviews were conducted to explore the in-depth opinions of PCPs on managing DV in Hong Kong. The themes identified were investigated in a questionnaire survey with data from 504 PCPs working in public and private sectors. Factor analysis of the survey data suggested four major barrier factors: (a) worries about the potential harms of intervening in patients’ domestic affairs and DV issues, (b) lack of guidelines and support services, (c) limited skills and time in managing DV, and (d) patients’ reluctance in disclosing DV issues. PCPs with more years of practice had more worries about intervening in domestic issues (Factor 1), while the younger PCPs tended to perceive limited skills and time in managing DV cases as barriers (Factor 3). PCPs working in the public setting were more likely to ask patients about DV ( M = 5.4 vs. 2.9), suspected DV ( M = 3.8 vs. 2.3), and managed DV ( M = 1.7 vs. 1.0) in the past 5 years compared with the private PCPs. Some PCPs in the focus groups expressed the view that DV cases should be handled by social workers instead of doctors. Survey respondents who held such views about doctors’ limited role in DV management also scored higher in all of the barrier factors. The findings suggest that there are boundaries between domestic and medical realms, especially in a Chinese context. Resolving PCPs’ worries by training, provision of DV management guidelines, and referral pathway to social workers may be good starting points to bridge the gaps.
Forgiveness and Loneliness in Peer-Victimized Adolescents
Authors: León-Moreno Celeste , Martínez-Ferrer Belén , Moreno-Ruiz David , Musitu-Ferrer Daniel
Published: August 2019

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the relationships between forgiveness, motivations for revenge, avoidance, and benevolence; loneliness, emotional loneliness and positive subjective evaluation of the social network; and peer victimization in schools, relational, overt physical, and overt verbal, based on gender. A battery of instruments was administered to 617 Spanish students (50.7% boys and 49.3% girls), aged between 10 and 16 years ( M = 13.04 years, SD = 1.80 years) from primary and secondary education. A multivariate analysis of variance and a multiple block regression for data analysis was used. Study results revealed that the most victimized students showed greater motivation for revenge and avoidance, as well as a greater perception of emotional loneliness and less positive subjective evaluation of their social network. In addition, the findings obtained in the regression analysis (stepwise) indicated that being a boy between 11 and 13 years old and having a high level of emotional loneliness and high avoidance motivation were the most important predictors of peer victimization. Finally, the findings and their possible implications in the design of intervention projects that encourage forgiveness in interpersonal conflicts and integration in social networks as preventive strategies of peer victimization were discussed.
An experimental study on optimal spark timing control for improved performance of a flex fuel vehicle engine
Authors: Yoo Junsang , Lee Taeyong , Go Pyungsik , Cho Yongseok , Choi Kwangsoon , Park Youngjoon
Published: August 2019

In the American continent, the most frequently used alternative fuel is ethanol. Especially in Brazil, various blends of gasoline–ethanol fuels are widely spread. The vehicle using blended fuel is called flexible fuel vehicle. Because of several selections for the blending ratios in gas stations, the fuel properties may vary after refueling depending on a driver’s selection. Also, the combustion characteristics of the flexible fuel vehicle engine may change. In order to respond to the flexible fuel vehicle market in Brazil, a study on blended fuels is performed. The main purpose of this study is to enhance performance of the flexible fuel vehicle engine to target Brazilian market. Therefore, we investigated combustion characteristics and optimal spark timings of the blended fuels with various blending ratios to improve the performance of the flexible fuel vehicle engine. As a tool for prediction of the optimal spark timing for the 1.6L flexible fuel vehicle engine, the empirical equation was suggested. The validity of the equation was investigated by comparing the predicted optimal spark timings with the stock spark timings through engine tests. When the stock spark timings of E0 and E100 were optimal, the empirical equation predicted the actual optimal spark timings for blended fuels with a good accuracy. In all conditions, by optimizing spark timing control, performance was improved. Especially, torque improvements of E30 and E50 fuels were 5.4% and 1.8%, respectively, without affecting combustion stability. From these results, it was concluded that the linear interpolation method is not suitable for flexible fuel vehicle engine control. Instead of linear interpolation method, optimal spark timing which reflects specific octane numbers of gasoline–ethanol blended fuels should be applied to maximize performance of the flexible fuel vehicle engine. The results of this study are expected to save the effort required for engine calibration when developing new flexible fuel vehicle engines and to be used as a basic strategy to improve the performance of other flexible fuel vehicle engines.
Development and application of testing system for vibration and ride comfort of all-terrain vehicle
Authors: Feng Yu , Xian Qu
Published: August 2019

All-terrain vehicles have a remarkable capacity to handle a variety of irregular pavements, demonstrating its great potential in military domain as well as in the field of sports, entertainment, and so on. For all-terrain vehicles, the ride comfort is the core skill and one of the most important performance parameters. Little researches have been done into the ride comfort of all-terrain vehicle, particularly into the comprehensive ride comfort test and evaluation system. Combing the all-terrain vehicle vibration characteristics with the standards of ISO 2631, ISO 5349, and so on, a hardware testing system was developed for evaluating the all-terrain vehicle ride comfort. At the same time, a software analysis system was also built under the help of the hardware test system, which has been used to test and analyze many all-terrain vehicles. According to the test results and drivers’ subjective evaluation, the test system was proved to be reliable, convenient, and able to effectively evaluate the all-terrain vehicle ride comfort, providing the theoretical basis for improving the ride comfort of all-terrain vehicles.
Development and use of a triplex real-time PCR assay for detection of three DNA viruses in psittacine birds
Authors: Gibson Daniel J. , Nemeth Nicole M. , Beaufrère Hugues , Varga Csaba , Ojkic Davor , Marom Anna , Susta Leonardo
Published: August 2019

Aves polyomavirus 1, psittacine beak and feather disease virus, and psittacid herpesvirus 1 are important pathogens of psittacine birds with the potential to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Using publically available nucleotide sequences, we developed and validated a triplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) assay to rapidly detect these 3 viruses. The assay had high analytical sensitivity, detecting <6 copies of viral DNA per reaction, and 100% analytical specificity, showing no cross-reactivity with 59 other animal pathogens. Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from psittacine birds diagnosed at postmortem as infected with each of the viruses as well as virus-negative birds were used to validate the utility of the assay. Birds were selected for the positive cohort if they showed histologic evidence of infection (i.e., characteristic inclusion bodies in tissues); birds in the negative cohort had final diagnoses unrelated to the pathogens of interest. The triplex rtPCR assay confirmed 98% of histopathology-positive cases, and also identified subclinical infections that were not observed by histologic examination, including coinfections. Birds that tested positive only by rtPCR had significantly higher cycle threshold values compared to those with histologic evidence of infection. Positive, negative, and overall percentage agreements as well as the kappa statistic between the results of the assay and histopathology were high, demonstrating the usefulness of the assay as a tool to confirm disease diagnoses, and to improve detection of subclinical infections.
Reliable detection, sequencing, and transfection of foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA from badly preserved vesicular epithelium
Authors: Dill Veronika , Eschbaumer Michael
Published: August 2019

Epithelium or fluid from vesicular lesions are the preferred samples to confirm foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in livestock. A pH-neutral buffered transport medium is recommended for optimal preservation of epithelial samples, but may not be necessary for all circumstances based on the results of our study. Pieces of epithelium were collected from FMDV-infected cattle (isolates O/FRA/1/2001 and A/IRN/22/2015) and stored at room temperature in sealed tubes without any liquid or preservatives. Using RNA extracted from the severely decayed epithelium up to 3 wk after collection, FMDV was successfully detected by RT-rtPCR, and the viral strain was identified by sequencing of capsid protein VP1. Direct isolation of the virus in cell culture was only possible for vesicular material stored for up to 2–5 d, depending on the serotype, but, for both serotypes, infectious virus was recovered by transfection of RNA extracted from epithelium after 3 wk of storage at room temperature. Specialized transport medium will give optimal results, particularly for low-titer samples, but is not required for the reliable detection and characterization of FMDV in highly positive vesicular epithelium by molecular methods.
Workplace Fatigue Within Summer Camp: Perspectives From Camp Health Care Providers and Directors
Authors: Dubin Alexsandra , Garst Barry A. , Gaslin Tracey , Schultz Beth E.
Published: August 2019

Background: Summer camps engage millions of youth in enrichment opportunities during the summertime while employing a substantial young adult workforce to provide high-quality programs and services to camp participants. Workplace fatigue has been implicated in camp-related injury and illness events, yet few studies have targeted fatigue among camp employees. Purpose: This study aimed to better understand how fatigue impacted employee performance as well as strategies for reducing the negative impacts of fatigue within camp settings. Methodology/Approach: Focus groups were conducted with camp health care providers and directors, and their responses were analyzed using directed content analysis. The analysis process was guided by sensitizing concepts from the literature. Findings/Conclusions: Emergent themes suggested that camp-related fatigue is conceptualized as a construct of time, types, and causes; is a distinct experience leading to setting-specific outcomes; is managed using administrative and peer supports; and is sometimes perceived in positive ways. Implications: This exploratory study highlighted the unique challenges associated with working in a camp setting and the potential development of fatigue as a starting point informing future research. It suggests that future research should include a broader study population, including frontline staff, as well as possible quantitative measures.
The Power of the Party: Conflict Expansion and the Agenda Diversity of Interest Groups
Authors: Fagan E. J. , McGee Zachary A. , Thomas Herschel F.
Published: August 2019

To what extent do political parties have an effect on the policy-related activity of interest groups? Drawing from ideas of conflict expansion and the structure of extended party networks, we argue that political parties are able to pull interest groups into more policy conflicts than they otherwise would be involved in. We posit that parties are able to draw interest groups to be active outside of established issue niches. We suggest that several mechanisms—shared partisan electoral incentives, reciprocity, identification with the means, and cue-taking behavior—lead groups to participate in more diverse political conflicts. By linking data on interest group bill positions and the policy content of legislation, we generate a novel measure of 158 interest groups’ alignment with political parties. We find that the more an interest group is ideologically aligned with a political party, the more diverse their issue agenda becomes.
Comparison of Tibial and Talar Bone Density in Patients Undergoing Total Ankle Replacement vs Non–Ankle Arthritis Matched Controls
Authors: Harnroongroj Thos , Volpert Lauren G. , Ellis Scott J. , Sofka Carolyn M. , Deland Jonathan T. , Demetracopoulos Constantine A.
Published: August 2019

Background:

Bone quality in the distal tibia and talus is an important factor contributing to initial component stability in total ankle replacement (TAR). However, the effect of ankle arthritis on bone density in the tibia and talus remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare bone density of tibia and talus in arthritic and nonarthritic ankles as a function of distance from ankle joint.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 93 end-stage ankle arthritis patients who had preoperative nonweightbearing ankle computed tomography (CT) and identified a cohort of 83 nonarthritic ankle patients as a demographic-matched control group. A region of interest tool was used to calculate Hounsfield unit (HU) values in the cancellous region of the tibia and talus. Measurements were obtained on axial cut CTs from 6 to 12 mm above the tibial plafond, and 1 to 4 mm below the talar dome. HU measurements between groups and the decrease of HU at the relative level in each group were compared.

Results:

Arthritic ankles demonstrated significantly greater mean bone density than nonarthritic ankles at between 6 and 10 mm above the joint in the tibia ( P < .05). No significant difference in bone density between 10 and 12 mm from the joint in the tibia nor at any level of the talus was found between groups. In both groups, bone density decreased significantly at each successive level away from the ankle joint.

Conclusion:

Ankle arthritis patients demonstrated greater or equal bone density in both the tibia and talus compared to demographic-matched controls. In both groups, bone density decreased with increasing distance away from the articular surface. In TAR, tibial bone resection between 6 and 8 mm may provide improved initial implant stability.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative study.
When Hindsight Is Not 20/20: Ecological Momentary Assessment of PTSD Symptoms Versus Retrospective Report
Authors: Schuler Keke , Ruggero Camilo J. , Mahaffey Brittain , Gonzalez Adam , L. Callahan Jennifer , Boals Adriel , Waszczuk Monika A. , Luft Benjamin J. , Kotov Roman
Published: August 2019

Assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has relied almost exclusively on retrospective memory of symptoms, sometimes over long intervals. This approach creates potential for recall bias and obscures the extent to which symptoms fluctuate. The aim of the present study was to examine the discrepancy between retrospective self-reporting of PTSD symptoms and ecological momentary assessment (EMA), which captures symptoms closer to when they occur. The study also sought to estimate the degree to which PTSD symptoms vary or are stable in the short-term. World Trade Center responders ( N = 202) oversampled for current PTSD (19.3% met criteria in past month) were assessed three times a day for 7 consecutive days. Retrospective assessment of past week symptoms at the end of the reporting period were compared with daily EMA reports. There was correspondence between two approaches, but retrospective reports most closely reflected symptom severity on the worst day of the reporting period rather than average severity across the week. Symptoms varied significantly, even within the span of hours. Findings support intervention research efforts focused on exploiting significant, short-term variability of PTSD symptoms, and suggest that traditional assessments most reflect the worst day of symptoms over a given period of recall.
Maintaining Safety and Facilitating Inclusion: Using Applied Behavior Analysis to Address Self-Injurious Behaviors Within General Education Classrooms
Authors: Robinson Jason , Gershwin Tracy , London Dina
Published: August 2019

This article provides educators with a research-informed process for addressing student problem self-injurious behaviors within inclusive settings. The process involves (a) identifying functions of problem behaviors, (b) implementing function-based interventions that include teaching and reinforcing socially acceptable replacement behaviors, (c) monitoring student progress and fidelity of implementation, and (d) fading interventions to facilitate long-term success. The process is described in practical detail using a case study vignette about a fifth-grade student who engages in self-injurious behaviors.
Staying With the Trouble: Grapplings With the More-Than-Human in a Qualitative Inquiry Course
Authors: Nxumalo Fikile , Cook Courtney , Rubin Jessica Cira , Hendrix Soto Aimee , Cedillo Stacia , Scott Michael
Published: August 2019

This article attends to the possibilities that emerged from pedagogical invitation to the more-than-human in a qualitative inquiry course. We focus on the situated ethical and (micro)political grapplings that emerged from paying attention to the more-than-human alongside asymmetrical human and more-than-human lifeworlds. Our orientation toward the ethical and (micro)political is enacted through visual, poetic, and narrative storytelling that attempts to make visible what emerged for the students’ research and their becomings as qualitative inquirers in relation with course pedagogies. Our storytelling enacts a feminist practice that “stays with the trouble” stirred up by decentering the human while remaining accountable to enduring systemic, colonial, racialized, and gendered presences. While the particular lines of flight enacted by the pedagogical invitations in the course differed for each student, they come together in underlining the mattering of pedagogical and inquiry-based attunements toward the more-than-human within unequal worlds.
Snuffbox fistula – a first-line approach to haemodialysis: A review
Authors: Idrees Marwan , Suthananthan Arul , Pathmarajah Tishanthan , Sieunarine Kishore
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

To examine the feasibility of snuffbox arteriovenous fistula as a first option for haemodialysis

Background:

Snuffbox arteriovenous fistula is the most distal native anastomosis possible for haemodialysis access. It was described by Rassat et al. This systematic review evaluates all literature investigating the feasibility and efficiency of performing snuffbox arteriovenous fistula.

Methods:

PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were systematically searched for all English articles related to snuffbox arteriovenous fistula. Included studies were appraised using relevant appraisal tools.

Results:

Eleven papers were included, one prospective trial and the remaining being retrospective. Two trials compared snuffbox arteriovenous fistula to the standard Cimino-Brescia wrist fistula. Factors predicting success included vessel diameter, diabetes, age <70 years, male gender, palpable radial artery, central venous system patency and surgical technique. Patency rates ranged from 61% to 87% at 1-year follow-up and decreased to 36.3%–87% on longer duration follow-up. Ipsilateral radiocephalic fistula was successfully formed in 45%–100% of snuffbox arteriovenous fistula that failed (average of 73.5%).

Conclusion:

This is a systematic review investigating snuffbox arteriovenous fistula’s efficacy. The current literature is scarce and of poor quality; however, it does reflect that, in the well-selected patient, snuffbox arteriovenous fistula is a good and valid option for first-line haemodialysis. It provides a long segment of vessel for needling and also spares the proximal vessels for future use. Ability to effectively convert to wrist fistula in the event of snuffbox arteriovenous fistula failure provides longevity to native haemodialysis access before prosthetic adjuncts are required. This review provides recommendation for well-constructed randomised controlled trials to help delineate snuffbox arteriovenous fistula efficacy and investigate factors that affect success of these fistulas.
Changes in carotid artery structure with smoking cessation
Authors: Mitchell Carol , Piper Megan E , Smith Stevens S , Korcarz Claudia E , Fiore Michael C , Baker Timothy B , Stein James H
Published: August 2019

Carotid artery grayscale ultrasound echogenicity and texture features predict cardiovascular disease events. We evaluated the longitudinal effects of smoking cessation on four grayscale ultrasound measures. This was a secondary analysis of data from 188 age, sex, and body mass index (BMI)-matched smokers (94 eventual abstainers [EA], 94 continued smokers [CS]) from a smoking cessation trial that had carotid ultrasound examinations at baseline and after 3 years. General linear models that included time, smoking group (EA or CS), and a time*smoking interaction term were used to examine the impact of smoking abstinence on carotid artery grayscale marker values at year 3. Participants were mean (SD) 50.3 (11.4) years old (57% female, 86% white). The baseline grayscale median value (GSM) was inversely correlated with age, BMI, insulin resistance, and smoking pack-years ( r = −0.20 to –0.30, p < 0.007 for all). There was a significant time*smoking status interaction for predicting GSM at year 3: GSM decreased significantly in the EA group compared to the CS group (–3.63 [13.00] vs CS 0.39 [12.06] units; p = 0.029). BMI increased more in the EA than the CS group (2.42 [3.00] vs CS 0.35 [2.57] kg/m2; p < 0.001). After adjusting for changes in BMI, the time*smoking status interaction no longer was significant ( p = 0.138). From baseline to year 3, contrast increased similarly in both groups. Entropy and angular second moment did not change significantly in either group. Changes in carotid ultrasound echogenicity and grayscale texture features during a smoking cessation attempt are modest and mostly related to weight gain.

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01553084
Emotion regulation group skills training for adolescents and parents: A pilot study of an add-on treatment in a clinical setting
Authors: Holmqvist Larsson Kristina , Andersson Gerhard , Stern Heléne , Zetterqvist Maria
Published: August 2019

Difficulties with emotion regulation have been identified as an underlying mechanism in mental health. This pilot study aimed at examining whether group skills training in emotion regulation for adolescents and parents as an add-on intervention was feasible in an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatric clinic. We also investigated if the treatment increased knowledge and awareness of emotions and their functions, increased emotion regulation skills and decreased self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. Six skills training groups were piloted with a total of 20 adolescents and 21 adults. The treatment consisted of five sessions dealing with psychoeducation about emotions and emotion regulation skills training. Paired-samples t test was used to compare differences between before-and-after measures for adolescents and parents separately. The primary outcome measure, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, showed significant improvement after treatment for both adolescents and parents. For adolescents, measures of alexithymia were significantly reduced. Also, emotional awareness was significantly increased. Measures of depression and anxiety did not change. In conclusion, group skills training as an add-on treatment can be feasible and effective but further studies are needed.
Effects of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status on antiretroviral therapy adherence: The role of adherence self-efficacy
Authors: Jiang Yanping , Li Xiaoming , Cho Hyunsan , Brown Monique J , Qiao Shan , Haider Mohammad R
Published: August 2019

This study aimed to examine the potential mediation effect of adherence self-efficacy on the associations between individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status and antiretroviral therapy adherence in a sample of 337 people living with HIV in South Carolina, United States. Results showed that there were no direct effects of individual or neighborhood socioeconomic status on antiretroviral therapy adherence, whereas both individual socioeconomic status and neighborhood socioeconomic status were associated with adherence self-efficacy, which in turn were related to antiretroviral therapy adherence. These findings suggest that interventions targeting adherence self-efficacy may improve antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV with low socioeconomic status or those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Cognitive flexibility and the health of Black college-attending young adults experiencing interpersonal racial discrimination
Authors: Volpe Vanessa V , Beacham Alexa , Olafunmiloye Oluwagbotemi
Published: August 2019

This study examined the utility of cognitive flexibility for the health of college-attending Black young adults facing chronic interpersonal racial discrimination in a sample of 218 healthy students attending a predominantly White university in the southeastern United States. Path and simple slope analysis indicated that cognitive flexibility moderated the association between racial discrimination and waist circumference but not depressive symptoms. At high cognitive flexibility, more experiences of discrimination were significantly associated with larger waist circumference. Findings suggest that cognitive flexibility may be detrimental for physical health and not of paramount importance for mental health of college-attending Black young adults.
Interfacial stresses in reinforced concrete cantilever members strengthened with fibre-reinforced polymer laminates
Authors: He Xue-jun , Zhou Chao-Yang , Wang Yi
Published: August 2019

Fibre-reinforced polymers have been increasingly used to strengthen reinforced concrete structures. However, premature brittle debonding failures may occur at the ends of externally bonded fibre-reinforced polymer laminates due to interfacial stress concentrations caused by stiffness imbalances. Although many studies exist on fibre-reinforced polymer-strengthened simply supported beams and slabs, the interfacial stress distributions in fibre-reinforced polymer-strengthened cantilever members are very different from those in simply supported members. Based on the assumptions of linear elasticity, deformation compatibility and static equilibrium conditions, the interfacial stresses in fibre-reinforced polymer-strengthened reinforced concrete cantilever members under arbitrary linear distributed loads were analysed. In particular, closed-form solutions were obtained to calculate the interfacial stresses under either a uniformly distributed load or a single concentrated load located at the overhanging end of the cantilever member. Existing test results on cantilever slabs strengthened by carbon fibre–reinforced polymer sheets were used to verify the model. According to the parametric analysis, the maximum interfacial stresses can be reduced by decreasing the fibre-reinforced polymer thickness, increasing the fibre-reinforced polymer bonding length and increasing the adhesive layer thickness, and by using less rigid fibre-reinforced polymer laminates with high tensile strengths. These results are useful for engineers seeking to optimize strengthening design parameters and implement reliable debonding prevention measures.
Lonely together? Identifying the determinants of collective corrective action against uncivil comments
Authors: Ziegele Marc , Naab Teresa K , Jost Pablo
Published: August 2019

Journalists, scholars, and citizens have raised concerns regarding the high share of incivility in comment sections of news outlets. The current study surveyed members of the social movement #ichbinhier, which aims at collectively countering uncivil comments to cultivate a civil discussion atmosphere in comment sections. We root the activities of #ichbinhier as corrective action and identify the determinants of the members’ engagement by integrating research on bystander behavior and collective action. The findings of our survey show that factors pertaining to individual skills, perceived responsibility, and expected benefits relate to the members’ likelihood to engage against uncivil online comments. Regarding factors derived from collective action research, group efficacy and knowledge of the rules and structures of the movement account for higher levels of engagement. These results shed light on the factors that motivate and inhibit #ichbinhier members—and, potentially, Facebook users in general—to engage against uncivil comments.
Proposal for a new communicative model in immersive journalism
Authors: Paíno Ambrosio Adriana , Rodríguez Fidalgo Mª Isabel
Published: August 2019

Different forms of communication have emerged throughout history and most of them have been linked to technological innovations. This fact has allowed the development, since the 1950s, of a powerful theoretical tradition specialized in the analysis of communication processes, which has resulted in the formulation of different communication theories. Recently, the emergence of Virtual Reality and 360-degree video has opened new analytical perspectives in relation to communication mediated by these technologies. Precisely, this article analyzes the narrative elements that are modified by the intervention of Virtual Reality and the peculiarities caused by the introduction of this technology in the communication process within a specific context such as journalism. This area of study has been selected because Virtual Reality and 360-degree video technologies are increasingly being used in the creation of journalistic content, which has resulted in the emergence of the so-called ‘immersive journalism’. Based on this analysis, the article proposes a new model for ‘immersive communication’ and a model for ‘the structure of immersive journalism’, which is totally novel in the journalistic context.
A degree of studying? Approaches to learning and academic performance among student ‘consumers’
Authors: Bunce Louise , Bennett Melanie
Published: August 2019

The marketization of higher education and focus on graduate employability and earnings data has raised questions about how students perceive their roles and responsibilities while studying for their degree. Of particular concern is the extent to which students identify themselves as consumers of their higher education, for example, whether they view their degree as a purchasable commodity to improve future earnings. This is because research has found that a stronger consumer identity is related to lower academic performance. This study examined whether this relation could be explained by the impact of a consumer identity on the extent to which students adopt deep, surface or strategic approaches to learning. The hypotheses were that the relation between consumer identity and academic performance would be mediated by approaches to learning, whereby a consumer identity would be related to adopting a more surface approach, a less deep approach and less strategic approach. Undergraduates completed an online questionnaire that assessed the extent to which they identified as a consumer, their approaches to learning and academic performance. The analysis partly supported the hypotheses: a stronger consumer identity was related to a more surface approach to learning. However, a surface approach to learning did not mediate the relation between consumer identity and academic performance. Conversely, a deep approach to learning mediated the relation between consumer identity and academic performance, whereby a stronger consumer identity was related to lower academic performance through its negative impact on a deep approach to learning. There was no relation between consumer identity and strategic approach to learning. Implications of students identifying themselves as consumers of their higher education are discussed.
Reinventing planning and planners: Ideological decontestations and rhetorical appeals
Authors: Davoudi Simin , Galland Daniel , Stead Dominic
Published: August 2019

This article contributes to the debate about ideologically motivated planning reforms. It aims to advance the debate by exploring how change is legitimised through forms of rhetorical persuasion. It shows how political ideologies become embedded in planning policies and practices through strategies of legitimation aimed at justifying specific ideas, beliefs and values as self-evident and inevitable. These legitimation strategies rely on distinctive rhetorical appeals to steer planning discourses, policies and institutions. By using short illustrative examples of ‘ideology in action’ from Britain, Denmark and the Netherlands, the article shows that various combinations of rhetorical appeals to logos, ethos, pathos and doxa (logic, character, emotion and identity) are often simultaneously at work to naturalise contested planning reforms.
Researching Experiences of Cancer Risk Through Online Blogs: A Reflexive Account of Working Toward Ethical Practice
Authors: Ross Emily
Published: August 2019

By providing space to document personal narratives and hold virtual discussions, the Internet represents a fruitful resource for sociologists of health and illness. However, the use of social media content for research entails complex ethical considerations. Due to the fluidity of online material, existing ethical guidelines advise a deliberative approach. However, this has led to disparity in the use of social media resources within the social sciences. I share an account of “doing ethics” for qualitative research with blogs focused on hereditary cancer risk. Blogging emerged not only as cathartic for authors, but also a means of accessing support. Blogs may thus be construed as constitutive and not only representative of cancer (risk) experience. Ethical questions surround anonymity and the appropriation of authors’ accounts beyond the context in which they are composed. By sharing reflections on working with hereditary cancer risk blogs, I contribute to the continued reflexivity of social media researchers.
Personal cell therapy for interstitial cystitis with autologous stromal vascular fraction stem cells
Authors: Lander Elliot B. , Berman Mark H. , See Jackie R.
Published: August 2019

Background:

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether autologous stem-cell-based therapy may mitigate the symptoms of interstitial cystitis.

Methods:

Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) rich in stem cells and derived from autologous adipose tissue was deployed into 109 men and women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome as a surgical procedure. This stem-cell-rich biologic product was injected both systemically and regionally into pelvic floor targets. Patients were queried about quality of life and symptom and bother subjective outcomes tests every 3 months for 2 years.

Results:

A total of 78 patients reported a positive response at 1 year. Symptom and bother metrics were statistically improved at 1 year. There were minimal adverse events associated with the harvesting, procurement, and clinical deployment of SVF.

Conclusion:

Interstitial cystitis is a complex clinical problem that is known for its resistance to conventional therapies. SVF as an autologous personalized regenerative strategy shows good safety and efficacy and may potentially have a role in the mitigation of interstitial cystitis.
Gastric MALT lymphoma refractory to Helicobacter pylori antibiotic therapy
Authors: Rohm Charlene L , Acree Sara
Published: August 2019

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is a rare clonal B-cell neoplasm that is usually associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The presence of H. pylori should be confirmed via special stains and/or immunohistochemistry of gastric biopsies from multiple anatomic sites of the stomach. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is diagnosed with histopathologic examination and positive immunohistochemical staining for certain B-cell markers. Ancillary testing should be performed to determine any genetic abnormalities in H. pylori that increases its virulence. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with recurrent epigastric pain and vomiting found to have chronic H. pylori gastritis despite appropriate rounds of treatment with first-line therapy. She was diagnosed with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma via histopathologic examination. She ultimately required oncological treatment due to H. pylori infection refractory to antibiotic treatment.