bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case of a 4-Year-Old Female with a Primary Spinal Malignancy Presenting with Froin's Syndrome
Authors: Hale Andrew T. , Fricker Gregory P. , Crook Travis W.
Published: November 2017

We report the case of a 4-year-old female with a primary extradural intramedullary atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) leading to a middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct and Froin's syndrome. She presented with a 6-pound weight loss over the previous week, as well as a decreased urinary output and an altered mental status. She underwent a brain MRI that revealed a left MCA infarct, mild ventriculomegaly, and bilateral internal carotid artery, M1, and A1 stenosis. An external ventricular drain (EVD) was placed due to increased intracranial pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was analyzed via lumbar puncture that revealed extremely elevated protein. However, CSF sampled from the EVD was completely normal, a phenomenon called Froin's syndrome. The following day, she developed a right MCA infarct. Her grim prognosis was discussed with her family and care was eventually withdrawn. The patient underwent an autopsy which confirmed a spinal AT/RT. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of stroke and Froin's syndrome as the initial manifestations of a primary spinal AT/RT with a late onset of spinal cord compression due to tumor obstruction.
Association of p53 Codon 72 Polymorphism with Breast Cancer in a Rwandese Population
Authors: Habyarimana Thierry , Attaleb Mohammed , Mugenzi Pacifique , Mazarati Jean Baptiste , Bakri Youssef , El Mzibri Mohammed
Published: November 2017

Background and Aims: A common polymorphism in the tumor suppressor gene p53 at codon 72 has been suggested to play a role in the development of a number of cancers. This polymorphism has been studied in many populations worldwide, with conflicting results. The present study was planned to assess the association of p53 codon 72 polymorphism with breast cancer development in a Rwandese population. Methods: In this study, the polymorphism was examined by allele-specific PCR analysis in 40 patients with breast cancer and 39 healthy controls. Results: The heterozygous genotype Pro/Arg prevailed in both breast cancer patients and controls, and was present in 80% (32/40) and 92.3% (36/39) of cases, respectively. No statistically significant association was observed between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and breast cancer risk. Distribution of p53 genotypes was also studied according to familial history, tumor grade, and clinical stage, and results clearly showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: These results suggest that p53 codon 72 polymorphism could not be assessed as a risk factor marker for predisposition to breast cancer in Rwanda. However, further studies using larger sample sizes are needed to provide more conclusive results and to investigate other genetic mutations affecting the activity of p53.
Non-Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Prevalence, Clinical Predictors and Outcomes
Authors: Erdogmus Siyar  , Kiremitci Saba , Celebi Zeynep Kendi , Akturk Serkan , Duman Neval , Ates Kenan , Erturk Sehsuvar , Nergizoglu Gokhan , Kutlay Sim , Sengul Sule , Ensari Arzu , Keven Kenan
Published: November 2017

Background/Aims: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most frequent microvascular complications of diabetes and is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide. In patients with diabetes, non-diabetic kidney disease (NDKD) can also occur. NDKD can be either alone or superimposed with the DKD. In this study, we aimed to investigate the utility of kidney biopsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the predictability of diagnosing DKD versus NDKD from clinical and laboratory data. We also evaluated the prevalence and etiology of NDKD in patients with T2DM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed type 2 diabetic patients who had kidney biopsy in the last 10 years for diagnosing possible NDKD in our center. In all patients kidney biopsies were performed because of atypical clinical features and biopsy samples were examined by light and immunofluorescence microscopy. Clinical parameters, laboratory workup and office blood pressures were recorded for each patient at the time of biopsy. Results: Eight patients were excluded due to missing data. A total of 48 patients (female/male: 26/22 and mean age: 59±8 years) were included in the study. According to the biopsy findings, 24 (50%) patients had NDKD alone, 20 (41.7%) had DKD alone and 4 (8.3%) had coexisting DKD and NDKD. The most common NDKD diagnoses were membranous nephropathy (29.2%), tubulointerstitial nephritis (20.8%) and IgA nephropathy (12.5%). There were no significant differences in three groups with respect to the duration of diabetes, proteinuria, hematuria and glycated hemoglobin A1c levels. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was the most significant finding, which was associated with DKD. Positive and negative predictive values of DR for DKD were 88 and 81%, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of NDKD in patients with T2DM. The absence of DR strongly predicted NDKD. Clinical decision alone can lead to wrong diagnosis and delay in appropriate therapy. Clinicians should consider the kidney biopsy more liberally when there is uncertainty on the exact etiology of the kidney disease. However, prospective multicenter studies are needed to clarify the prognosis and outcomes of patients with diabetics.
The Effect of Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on the Growth, Adhesion, and Biofilm Formation of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis
Authors: Weerasekera Manjula M. , Jayarathna Thilini A. , Wijesinghe Gayan K. , Gunasekara Chinthika P. , Fernando Neluka , Kottegoda Nilwala , Samaranayake Lakshman P.
Published: November 2017

Objective: To determine the effect of glucose, sucrose, and saccharin on growth, adhesion, and biofilm formation of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Materials and Methods: The growth rates of mono-cultures of planktonic C. albicans and C. tropicalis and 1:1 mixed co-cultures were determined in yeast nitrogen broth supplemented with 5% (30 mM) and 10% (60 mM) glucose, sucrose, and saccharin, using optical density measurements at 2-h intervals over a 14-h period. Adhesion and biofilm growth were performed and the growth quantified using a standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The biofilm architecture was visualized using scanning electron microscopy. One- and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to analyse the differences among multiple means. Results: The highest planktonic growth was noted in 5% glucose after 14 h (p < 0.05). No significant planktonic growth was observed in either concentration of saccharin. Both the concentrations of glucose and sucrose elicited significantly increased adhesion from MTT activity of 0.017 to >0.019 in mono- as well as co-cultures (p < 0.05), whilst the lower concentration of saccharin significantly dampened the adhesion. Maximal biofilm growth was observed in both species with the lower concentration of sucrose (5%), although a similar concentration of saccharin abrogated biofilm development: the highest MTT value (>0.35) was obtained for glucose and the lowest (>0.15) for saccharin. Conclusion: In this study, glucose and sucrose accelerated the growth, adhesion, and biofilm formation of Candida species. However, the non-nutritive sweetener saccharin appeared to dampen, and in some instances suppress, these virulent attributes of Candida.
Berlendis e Vertecchia e as letras italianas
Authors: Marangon Leila
Published: November 2017

A Berlendis & Vertecchia Editores é reconhecida pela sua importante contribuição para a divulgação da literatura italiana no Brasil; ela lançou em 2001 a coleção "Letras Italianas", que ganhou os prêmios: "Melhor Projeto Editorial de 2001", da Associação Paulista de Críticos de Arte e "Prêmio Nacional de tradução - 2002", do Ministério da Cultura da Itália. Este texto apresenta as políticas editoriais adotadas pela Berlendis & Vertecchia com relação à referida coleção.
Prognostic Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Heart Failure With Reduced, Midrange, and Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Nadruz Wilson , West Erin , Sengeløv Morten , Santos Mário , Groarke John D. , Forman Daniel E. , Claggett Brian , Skali Hicham , Shah Amil M.
Published: November 2017

Background

This study aimed to compare the independent and incremental prognostic value of peak oxygen consumption (
VO
2
) and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (
VE
/
VCO
2
) in heart failure (
HF
) with preserved (
HF
p
EF
), midrange (
HF
m
EF
), and reduced (
HF
r
EF
) ejection fraction (
LVEF
).

Methods and Results

In 195
HF
p
EF
(
LVEF
≥50%), 144
HF
m
EF
(
LVEF
40–49%), and 630
HF
r
EF
(
LVEF
<40%) patients, we assessed the association of cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables with the composite outcome of death, left ventricular assist device implantation, or heart transplantation (256 events; median follow‐up of 4.2 years), and 2‐year incident
HF
hospitalization (244 events). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, greater association with outcomes in
HF
p
EF
than
HF
r
EF
were noted with peak
VO
2
(
HR
[95%
confidence interval
]: 0.76 [0.67–0.87] versus 0.87 [0.83–0.90] for the composite outcome,
P
interaction
=0.052; 0.77 [0.69–0.86] versus 0.92 [0.88–0.95], respectively for
HF
hospitalization,
P
interaction
=0.003) and
VE
/
VCO
2
slope (1.11 [1.06–1.17] versus 1.04 [1.03–1.06], respectively for the composite outcome,
P
interaction
=0.012; 1.10 [1.05–1.15] versus 1.04 [1.03–1.06], respectively for
HF
hospitalization,
P
interaction
=0.019). In
HF
m
EF
, peak
VO
2
and
VE
/
VCO
2
slope were associated with the composite outcome (0.79 [0.70–0.90] and 1.12 [1.05–1.19], respectively), while only peak
VO
2
was related to
HF
hospitalization (0.81 [0.72–0.92]). In
HF
p
EF
and
HF
r
EF
, peak
VO
2
and
VE
/
VCO
2
slope provided incremental prognostic value beyond clinical variables based on the C‐statistic, net reclassification improvement, and integrated diagnostic improvement, with models containing both measures demonstrating the greatest incremental value.

Conclusions

Both peak
VO
2
and
VE
/
VCO
2
slope provided incremental value beyond clinical characteristics and
LVEF
for predicting outcomes in
HF
p
EF
. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables provided greater risk discrimination in
HF
p
EF
than
HF
r
EF
.
Loss of Female Sex Hormones Exacerbates Cerebrovascular and Cognitive Dysfunction in Aortic Banded Miniswine Through a Neuropeptide Y–Ca
2+
‐Activated Potassium Channel–Nitric Oxide Mediated Mechanism
Authors: Olver T. Dylan , Hiemstra Jessica A. , Edwards Jenna C. , Schachtman Todd R. , Heesch Cheryl M. , Fadel Paul J. , Laughlin M. Harold , Emter Craig A.
Published: November 2017

Background

Postmenopausal women represent the largest cohort of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and vascular dementia represents the most common form of dementia in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Therefore, we tested the hypotheses that the combination of cardiac pressure overload (aortic banding [
AB
]) and the loss of female sex hormones (ovariectomy [
OVX
]) impairs cerebrovascular control and spatial memory.

Methods and Results

Female Yucatan miniswine were separated into 4 groups (n=7 per group): (1) control, (2)
AB
, (3)
OVX
, and (4)
AB
‐
OVX
. Pigs underwent
OVX
and
AB
at 7 and 8 months of age, respectively. At 14 months, cerebral blood flow velocity and spatial memory (spatial hole‐board task) were lower in the
OVX
groups (
P
<0.05), with significant impairments in the
AB
‐
OVX
group (
P
<0.05). Resting carotid artery β stiffness and vascular resistance during central hypovolemia were increased in the
AB
‐
OVX
group (
P
<0.05), and blood flow recovery after central hypovolemia was reduced in both
OVX
groups (
P
<0.05). Isolated pial artery (pressure myography) vasoconstriction to neuropeptide Y was greatest in the
AB
‐
OVX
group (
P
<0.05), and vasodilation to the Ca
2+
‐activated potassium channel α‐subunit agonist
NS
‐1619 was impaired in both
AB
groups (
P
<0.05). The ratio of phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase:total endothelial nitric oxide synthase was depressed and Ca
2+
‐activated potassium channel α‐subunit protein was increased in
AB
groups (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions

Mechanistically, impaired cerebral blood flow control in experimental heart failure may be the result of heightened neuropeptide Y–induced vasoconstriction along with reduced vasodilation associated with decreased Ca
2+
‐activated potassium channel function and impaired nitric oxide signaling, the effects of which are exacerbated in the absence of female sex hormones.
The Extremist's Advantage in Civil Wars
Authors: Walter Barbara F.
Published: November 2017

The number of radical Islamist groups fighting in civil wars in Muslim countries has steadily grown over the last twenty years, with such groups outlasting and outperforming more moderate groups. By 2016, Salafi jihadist groups accounted for most of the militant groups in Syria and half of such groups in Somalia. In Iraq, a third of all militant groups were composed of Salafi jihadists. Many analysts argue that the rise of these groups reflects an increase in radical beliefs in Muslim societies. Under certain conditions, however, rebel leaders have strong incentives to embrace an extreme ideology even if they do not believe the ideas that underlie it. When competition is high, information is poor, and institutional constraints are weak, an extremist ideology can help rebel leaders overcome difficult collective-action, principal-agent, and commitment problems. All three of these conditions have been present in the post-2003 civil wars in the Middle East and Africa, and all help explain the emergence and growth of radical groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida.
On Systemic Paradigms and Domestic Politics: A Critique of the Newest Realism
Authors: Narizny Kevin
Published: November 2017

Both Gideon Rose's neoclassical realism and Andrew Moravcsik's liberalism attempt to solve the problem of how to incorporate domestic factors into international relations theory. They do so in very different ways, however. Liberalism is a “bottom-up” perspective that accords analytic priority to societal preferences; neoclassical realism is a “top-down” perspective that accords analytic priority to systemic pressures and treats domestic factors as intervening variables. These two approaches are not equivalent, and the choice between them has high stakes. Although it has gained rapidly in popularity, neoclassical realism is fundamentally flawed. Its intellectual justification is weak; it is logically incoherent; and it induces the commission of methodological errors. Realism can incorporate certain domestic factors without losing its theoretical integrity, but it does not need and should not use neoclassical realism to do so.
Mayflies of the genus Epeorus Eaton, 1881 s.l. (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) from the Caucasus Mountains: a new species of Caucasiron Kluge, 1997 from Georgia and Turkey
Authors: HRIVNIAK ĽUBOŠ , SROKA PAVEL , GODUNKO ROMAN J. , ŽUROVCOVÁ MARTINA
Published: November 2017

The new species Epeorus (Caucasiron) bicolliculatus sp. nov. is described based on larvae and adults. Diagnostic characters are given with regard to the related species. The most pronounced difference is represented by protuberances on larval abdominal terga II–IX, present exclusively in E. (C.) bicolliculatus sp. nov. Primary data on the biology and distribution of the new species are also provided. Delimitation of the new species is verified by the analysis of COI (barcode) sequences. Barcode data for all Caucasian species of the subgenus Caucasiron are provided for the first time and compared with E. (C.) bicolliculatus sp. nov.
How Uncertainty in Field Measurements of Ice Nucleating Particles Influences Modeled Cloud Forcing
Authors: Garimella S. , Rothenberg D. A. , Wolf M. J. , Wang C. , Cziczo D. J.
Published: November 2017

Field and laboratory measurements using continuous flow diffusion chambers (CFDCs) have been used to construct parameterizations of the number of ice nucleating particles (INPs) in mixed-phase and completely glaciated clouds in weather and climate models. Because of flow nonidealities, CFDC measurements are subject to systematic low biases. Here, the authors investigate the effects of this undercounting bias on simulated cloud forcing in a global climate model. The authors assess the influence of measurement variability by constructing a stochastic parameterization framework to endogenize measurement uncertainty. The authors find that simulated anthropogenic longwave ice-bearing cloud forcing in a global climate model can vary up to 0.8 W m−2and can change sign from positive to negative within the experimentally constrained bias range. Considering the variability in the undercounting bias, in a range consistent with recent experiments, leads to a larger negative cloud forcing than that when the variability is ignored and only a constant bias is assumed.
Role of Surface Friction on Shallow Nonprecipitating Convection
Authors: Park Seung-Bu , Böing Steven , Gentine Pierre
Published: November 2017

The role of surface friction on shallow nonprecipitating convection is investigated using a series of large-eddy simulations with varying surface friction velocity and with a cloud identification algorithm. As surface friction intensifies, convective rolls dominate over convective cells and secondary overturning circulation becomes stronger in the subcloud layer, thus transporting more moisture upward and more heat downward between the subcloud and cloud layers. Identifying individual clouds, using the identification algorithm based on a three-dimensional topological analysis, reveals that intensified surface friction increases the number of clouds and the degree of tilting in the downstream direction. Highly intensified surface friction increases wind shear across the cloud base and induces cloud tilting, which leads to a vertically parabolic profile of liquid water mixing ratio instead of the classical two-layer structure (conditionally unstable and trade inversion layers). Furthermore, cloud tilting induces more cloud cover and more cloud mass flux much above the cloud base (e.g., 0.8 < z < 1.2 km), but less cloud cover and less cloud mass flux in the upper cloud layer (e.g., z > 1.2 km) because of increased lateral entrainment rate. Similarly, profiles of directly measured entrainment and detrainment rates show that detrainment in the lower cloud layer becomes smaller with stronger surface friction.
Baroclinic Instability in the Presence of Convection
Authors: Callies Jörn , Ferrari Raffaele
Published: November 2017

Baroclinic mixed-layer instabilities have recently been recognized as an important source of submesoscale energy in deep winter mixed layers. While the focus has so far been on the balanced dynamics of these instabilities, they occur in and depend on an environment shaped by atmospherically forced small-scale turbulence. In this study, idealized numerical simulations are presented that allow the development of both baroclinic instability and convective small-scale turbulence, with simple control over the relative strength. If the convection is only weakly forced, baroclinic instability restratifies the layer and shuts off convection, as expected. With increased forcing, however, it is found that baroclinic instabilities are remarkably resilient to the presence of convection. Even if the instability is too weak to restratify the layer and shut off convection, the instability still grows in the convecting environment and generates baroclinic eddies and fronts. This suggests that despite the vigorous atmospherically forced small-scale turbulence in winter mixed layers, baroclinic instabilities can persistently grow, generate balanced submesoscale turbulence, and modify the bulk properties of the upper ocean.
Care Coordination for Youth With Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care
Authors: Hobbs Knutson Katherine , Meyer Mark J. , Thakrar Nisha , Stein Bradley D.
Published: November 2017

Many children are treated for mental health disorders in primary care settings. The system of care (SOC) provides a framework for collaboration among pediatric mental health providers, but it is unclear if youth treated for mental health disorders in primary care receive such coordination. At the South Boston Community Health Center from September /2012 to August 2013 for 74 individuals ≤18 years, the odds of contact with SOC agencies (mental health, education, child protective services, juvenile justice and developmental disabilities) were compared for mental health treatment in primary versus specialty care. The odds of SOC contact within primary care were lower compared to specialty care (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.29-0.66), specifically for mental health (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.25-1.2), education (OR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.050-0.28), and child protective services (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.22-1.9). As care coordination may improve health outcomes, increased support and education for care coordination specific to youth treated for mental health disorders in primary care settings may be warranted.
Primary Care Implementation of Instrument-Based Vision Screening for Young Children
Authors: Vernacchio Louis , Trudell Emily K. , Nigrosh Jason , Focht Glenn
Published: November 2017

Vision screening for young children can detect conditions that may lead to amblyopia and vision loss if left untreated. Portable vision screening devices with high levels of precision are now available, but their effectiveness in busy primary care settings is unknown. We analyzed the effect of deploying instrument screening devices (SPOT Vision Screener, Welch-Allyn) in 19 pediatric practices. At baseline, using chart-based screening, 65.3% of 3- to 5-year-old children completed screening. A significant increase was observed starting 3 weeks after delivery of devices, and a stable level was reached 12 weeks after implementation, with 86.5% of children completing vision screening ( P = .007 by interrupted time series analysis). Improvement was greatest among 3-year-olds (44.0%-79.8%) but was also seen among 4-year-olds (70.9%-88.4%) and 5-year-olds (80.3%-90.8%). The deployment of vision screening devices in primary care practices substantially improved completed screening among preschool-aged children.
No sympathy for the devil: Emotions and the social construction of the democratic peace
Authors: Koschut Simon
Published: November 2017

Constructivists claim that the democratic peace is socially constructed via mutual recognition between liberal subjects. Mutual recognition is rooted in shared moral attitudes and cognitive perceptions, thereby creating liberal intersubjectivity. What is largely missing from these accounts is the fact that shared meanings and identities are not solely rooted in cognitive perceptions and moral attitudes but significantly depend upon shared emotions that underpin and reproduce intersubjectivity. Building on interdisciplinary insights from social constructivist emotion theories, it is argued here that collectively shared emotions provide a way by which liberal subjects choose particular meaning frames and interpretations, which help align and sustain mutual attitudes and perceptions in constructing categories of ‘us’ and ‘them.’ Accordingly, the theoretical question concerning how liberal democracies recognize each other as friends can be more fully answered by the high degree of emotional convergence among them. Moreover, I suggest that it is precisely this emotional convergence that underpins the way liberal selves construct non-liberal others as their enemies.
Antihypertensive Prescription Pattern and Compliance to JNC 7 and JNC 8 at Tertiary Care Government Hospital, Hyderabad, India: A Cross-sectional Retrospective Study
Authors: Varakantham Varsha , Kurakula Sailoo Ashok Kumar , Bharatraj Dinesh Kumar
Published: November 2017

Background: The monitoring of hypertension treatment can provide insight into the rational drug use pattern. The objective of this study was to examine the antihypertensive medication use among South Indian adults with hypertension in compliance with the hypertension treatment guidelines (Seventh Joint National Committee [JNC 7] and JNC 8). Methods and Results: A total of 550 hypertensive people aged >25 years were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. The order of drugs prescribed in the year 2012 was beta blockers (BB) > calcium channel blockers (CCB) > CCB + BB > angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) > angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) > thiazide diuretics, whereas in the year 2014, the order has changed drastically, namely, ACEI > CCB > ARB > BB > thiazide diuretics ( P < .001). Most notably, there was a large increase in the use of monotherapy (from 56.9% to 82.5%, P < .001). The usage of BB has simply moved from the first position to the last position in concordance with JNC 8 guidelines, whereas use of thiazide diuretics was found to be the least preferred drug in the 2012 prescriptions, thus deviating from JNC 7 guidelines. The use of generic names (28.3% vs 11.3%) and National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) compliance (79.3% vs 60.9%) were significantly more in the calendar year 2012 than in the calendar year 2014 ( P < .001). Conclusions: Antihypertensive medication use has gone through wide variations among south Indian adults with hypertension. Combination therapy regimens must be adopted as per the guidelines for achievement of blood pressure goals.
Falls From Agricultural Machinery: Risk Factors Related to Work Experience, Worked Hours, and Operators’ Behavior
Authors: Caffaro Federica , Roccato Michele , Micheletti Cremasco Margherita , Cavallo Eugenio
Published: November 2017

Objective

We investigated the risk factors for falls when egressing from agricultural tractors, analyzing the role played by worked hours, work experience, operators’ behavior, and near misses.

Background

Many accidents occur within the agricultural sector each year. Among them, falls while dismounting the tractor represent a major source of injuries. Previous studies pointed out frequent hazardous movements and incorrect behaviors adopted by operators to exit the tractor cab. However, less is known about the determinants of such behaviors. In addition, near misses are known to be important predictors of accidents, but they have been under-investigated in the agricultural sector in general and as concerns falls in particular.

Method

A questionnaire assessing dismounting behaviors, previous accidents and near misses, and participants’ relation with work was administered to a sample of Italian tractor operators ( n = 286).

Results

A mediated model showed that worked hours increase unsafe behaviors, whereas work experience decreases them. Unsafe behaviors in turn show a positive association with accidents, via the mediation of near misses.

Conclusions

We gave a novel contribution to the knowledge of the chain of events leading to fall accidents in the agricultural sector, which is one of the most hazardous industries.

Applications

Besides tractor design improvements, preventive training interventions may focus on the redesign of the actual working strategies and the adoption of engaging training methods in the use of machinery to optimize the learning of safety practices and safe behaviors.
Death Certification Errors and the Effect on Mortality Statistics
Authors: McGivern Lauri , Shulman Leanne , Carney Jan K. , Shapiro Steven , Bundock Elizabeth
Published: November 2017

Objective:

Errors in cause and manner of death on death certificates are common and affect families, mortality statistics, and public health research. The primary objective of this study was to characterize errors in the cause and manner of death on death certificates completed by non–Medical Examiners. A secondary objective was to determine the effects of errors on national mortality statistics.

Methods:

We retrospectively compared 601 death certificates completed between July 1, 2015, and January 31, 2016, from the Vermont Electronic Death Registration System with clinical summaries from medical records. Medical Examiners, blinded to original certificates, reviewed summaries, generated mock certificates, and compared mock certificates with original certificates. They then graded errors using a scale from 1 to 4 (higher numbers indicated increased impact on interpretation of the cause) to determine the prevalence of minor and major errors. They also compared International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes on original certificates with those on mock certificates.

Results:

Of 601 original death certificates, 319 (53%) had errors; 305 (51%) had major errors; and 59 (10%) had minor errors. We found no significant differences by certifier type (physician vs nonphysician). We did find significant differences in major errors in place of death ( P < .001). Certificates for deaths occurring in hospitals were more likely to have major errors than certificates for deaths occurring at a private residence (59% vs 39%, P < .001). A total of 580 (93%) death certificates had a change in ICD-10 codes between the original and mock certificates, of which 348 (60%) had a change in the underlying cause-of-death code.

Conclusions:

Error rates on death certificates in Vermont are high and extend to ICD-10 coding, thereby affecting national mortality statistics. Surveillance and certifier education must expand beyond local and state efforts. Simplifying and standardizing underlying literal text for cause of death may improve accuracy, decrease coding errors, and improve national mortality statistics.
Politeness in Business Communication: Investigating English Modal Sequences in Chinese Learners’ Letter Writing
Authors: Qian David D. , Pan Mingwei
Published: November 2017

Politeness has been a source of inspiration for research in pragmatics and inter- and intra-cultural communication. However, the existing literature focusses more on how politeness is realized in the context of first language use. Few studies have investigated the issue related to the use of English by second language learners from varying subcultures within the same cultural tradition. The present study examines how Hong Kong and Shanghai tertiary-level learners of English convey politeness in their business letter writing, as reflected in the use of modal sequences. Three hundred business letters were collected from students in Hong Kong and another 300 from students in Shanghai. Majoring in various disciplines, these students were all in their final year of study, and their English proficiency level was generally scored at B2, as compared with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Following a mixed-methods approach, the study tracked a rather complex distribution of politeness realizations by different modal sequences. The findings were that Hong Kong ESL learners appeared to be more strategic users of modal sequences as evidenced by a variety of usage examples from the two purpose-built learner corpora, which were developed to monitor and compare English learners’ business writing at the tertiary level. Another finding was that epistemic modality tended to better preserve politeness in the writing.
Relational Victimization and Maladjustment Among Hispanic Early Adolescents
Authors: Fernandez Alejandra , Loukas Alexandra , Golaszewski Natalie M. , Batanova Milena , Pasch Keryn E.
Published: November 2017

Relational victimization can have negative implications for early adolescents; yet, few studies have examined relational victimization among Hispanic early adolescents. This study examined (a) the concurrent associations between relational victimization and depressive symptoms and conduct problems and (b) the moderating roles of three sources of social support (parent, teacher, and peer) in the aforementioned associations. Participants were 189 eleven- to 15-year-old ( M = 12.13, SD = .95) Hispanic students. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that relational victimization was positively associated with both outcomes. Furthermore, parent support buffered the relational victimization–depressive symptoms association, but exacerbated the relational victimization–conduct problems association. Similarly, peer support exacerbated the relational victimization–depressive symptoms association and did not moderate the relational victimization–conduct problems association. Finally, teacher support did not moderate either association. Findings highlight the complexities of examining various sources of social support, which may not necessarily mitigate Hispanic students’ experiences of relational victimization.
Demographic and Socioeconomic Determinants of Self-Efficacy: An Empirical Study of Korean Older Adults
Authors: Hur Mann Hyung
Published: November 2017

This study conceptualizes the dimensions of older adults' self-efficacy and identifies its determinants by using panel data collected by the National Pension Research Institute in Korea. The analysis supported the conceptualization of older people's self-efficacy as a multidimensional construct and found strong support for the three subscales. For older adults in Korea, general self-efficacy was condensed into a sense of competence. Older adults' social self-efficacy was delineated into two subscales: inward social self-efficacy and interactive social self-efficacy. Inward social self-efficacy could be characterized as a set of inward-looking social capabilities, whereas interactive self-efficacy could be considered as a set of relation-oriented capabilities with various groups of individuals. Of the three regression models representing dimensions of older people's self-efficacy, each model uncovered its own set of variables that played a decisive role in perceived self-efficacy. Demographic variables were more effective determinants of older adults' self-efficacy than socioeconomic factors.
Iterative learning identification and control for point-to-point tracking of linear time-varying systems with unknown parameters and stochastic noise
Authors: Geng Yan , Ruan Xiaoe
Published: November 2017

In this paper, an interactive iterative learning identification and control (ILIC) scheme is developed for a class of discrete-time linear time-varying systems with unknown parameters and stochastic noise to implement point-to-point tracking. The identification is to iteratively estimate the unknown system parameter matrix by adopting the gradient-type technique for minimizing the distance of the system output from the estimated system output, whilst the control law is to iteratively upgrade the current control input with the current point-to-point tracking error scaled by the estimated system parameter matrix. Thus, the iterative learning identification and the iterative learning control are scheduled in an interactive mode. By means of norm theory, the boundedness of the discrepancy between the system matrix estimation and the real one is derived, whilst, by the manner of the statistical technique, it is conducted that the mathematical expectation of the tracking error monotonically converges to nullity and the variance of the tracking error is bounded. Numerical simulations exhibit the validity and effectiveness of the proposed ILIC scheme.
Consensus for discrete-time heterogeneous networked systems consisting of third-order and first-order agents under fixed and switching topologies
Authors: Zhao Huanyu , Fei Shumin
Published: November 2017

This paper investigates the consensus problem for heterogeneous multi-agent systems consisting of third-order and first-order agents. The interaction topology includes both fixed and switching cases. First, by a model transformation, heterogeneous multi-agent systems are converted into equivalent error systems. Then we analyze the consensus problem of the multi-agent systems by analyzing the stability problem of the error systems. For a fixed topology, a sufficient condition for consensus of heterogeneous multi-agent systems is obtained based on algebraic graph theory and linear system theory. For a switching topology, a necessary and sufficient condition for mean-square consensus of multi-agent systems is obtained based on algebraic graph theory and Markovian jump system theory. Finally, we give some simulation examples.
Development of a Storytelling Video Self-Help Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Major Depression: Open Trial Results
Authors: Gaudiano Brandon A. , Davis Carter H. , Miller Ivan W. , Uebelacker Lisa A.
Published: November 2017

This study involved the initial development and testing of a video self-help intervention called LifeStories, which features real patients describing their use of coping strategies for depression based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. We conducted a baseline-controlled open trial (AB design) of 11 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction and transportation (i.e., engagement) after watching LifeStories. No significant changes were observed during the 4-week baseline period in terms of interviewer-rated depression severity (primary outcome), but a significant and large effect size improvement was observed at Week 8 postintervention. The majority of participants (54.5%) showed a reliable and clinically significant posttreatment response. Significant improvements also were observed during the intervention period only for self-reported depressive symptoms and aspects of mindfulness (nonreactivity). Qualitative data analysis of participant interviews identified additional areas for improvement and refinement. Future testing in a randomized trial is warranted based on these encouraging results.
Increasing “Object-Substitution” Symbolic Play in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Lee Gabrielle T. , Feng Hua , Xu Sheng , Jin Shao-Ju
Published: November 2017

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may not develop symbolic play skills, so such skills need to be taught specifically. We report an experiment regarding a procedure targeting “object-substitution” symbolic play skills. The “object-substitution” symbolic play behavior occurred when the child labeled a common object with the name of a substitute and used the object to perform a play action (e.g., As she put a bowl on her head, she called it a hat). A multiple probe across behaviors design was employed with five children (four boys and one girl, aged 3 to 6 years) with ASD. All children had verbal communication and demonstrated functional play and generalized imitation, but no symbolic play skills prior to the study. The instruction consisted of intraverbal training, picture prompts, and modeling of play actions. All children demonstrated object-substitution symbolic play skills after the instruction. The occurrences of response generalization were also discussed.
In the Aftermath of Unfair Events: Understanding the Differential Effects of Anxiety and Anger
Authors: Barclay Laurie J. , Kiefer Tina
Published: November 2017

After decades of domination by social exchange theory and its focus on a manager-centered perspective, fairness scholars have recently issued numerous calls to shift attention toward understanding employees’ subjective “lived-through” experiences and in situ responses to unfair events. Using appraisal theories, we argue that focusing on the employee’s perspective highlights the importance of emotions in fairness experiences. Further, this emphasis creates opportunities for novel insights regarding the emotions that are likely to be relevant, the constructive responses that can emerge from unfairness, and the interplay between unfair events and entity fairness judgments. Using a daily diary study with event sampling, we highlight the importance of anger and anxiety in understanding how individuals experience and react to unfair events. Results indicated that anger elicited counterproductive work behaviors, whereas anxiety initiated problem prevention behaviors (i.e., a subdimension of proactive work behavior). Further, by engaging in problem prevention behaviors, employees can positively influence their subsequent overall fairness judgments. Experiences of an unfair event can also be shaped by individuals’ preexisting overall fairness judgments, such that preexisting overall fairness judgments are negatively associated with anger but positively associated with anxiety. Implications for theory and practice are discussed, including the influential role of emotions for fairness experiences, how employees’ own behaviors can influence subsequent overall fairness judgments, the interplay between unfair events and entity judgments, and ensuring that fairness is effectively managed on a daily basis.
The Human, Human Rights, and DNA Identity Tests
Authors: Vaisman Noa
Published: November 2017

This special issue examines the diverse realities created by the intersection of emerging technologies, new scientific knowledge, and the human being. It engages with two key questions: how is the human being shaped and constructed in new ways through advances in science and technology? and how might these new ways of imagining the subject shape present and future human rights law and practice? The papers examine a variety of scientific technologies—personalized medicine and organ transplant, mitochondrial DNA replacement, and scaffolds and regenerative medicine—and their implications for our conceptualization of the human subject. Each is then followed by a commentary that both brings to light new dimensions of the original paper and presents a new theoretical take on the topic. Together these papers offer a serious challenge to the vision of the human subject at the root of human rights law. Instead of the autonomous, rational, unique, and physically discrete individual who owns herself and her body, the subject that emerges from the human technology assemblage has physically porous boundaries and a relational self. This depiction of the human being as a relational subject enmeshed in her technoscientific environment requires that we reconceptualize human rights law and practice.
Organizational Creativity as an Attributional Process: The Case of Haute Cuisine
Authors: Koch Jochen , Wenzel Matthias , Senf Ninja Natalie , Maibier Corinna
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we develop a framework that conceptualizes organizational creativity as an attributional process in which organizational creativity is constantly negotiated between an organization and its environment through ‘entre-relating activities’. Based on an empirical analysis of this process in the haute-cuisine restaurant Rutz in Berlin, we explore four entre-relating activities – surprising, satisfying, stimulating and savouring – through which ‘being creative’ and ‘being considered creative’ are set in relation to negotiate the attribution of organizational creativity. Our findings demonstrate how the sequential performance of these entre-relating activities is consequential for the gradual transition of external evaluations of an organization’s outcomes, from being considered ‘different’ to ‘one of a kind’, and thus the increasing attribution of organizational creativity over time. Our study contributes to the literature on organizational creativity by exploring the interplay between ‘being creative’ and ‘being considered creative’ through entre-relating activities, which is foundational for understanding organizational creativity. Furthermore, our findings put aesthetic responses at the centre of organizational creativity and demonstrate the playfulness of the process through which the attribution of organizational creativity is produced.
Can agreement be suppressed in second-language acquisition? Data from the Palenquero–Spanish interface
Authors: Lipski John M
Published: November 2017

The present study examines the tradeoff between the on-line construction of modifier–noun gender agreement and verb–subject person/number agreement vs. the automatization and entrenchment of agreement, through the study of bilingual speakers of Spanish and the Afro-Colombian creole language Palenquero, whose lexicon is highly cognate with Spanish, but which lacks morphological agreement. The study focuses on first language (L1) Spanish speakers who are acquiring Palenquero as a second language (L2), since when switching from the modifier- and verb-agreeing L1 to the agreement-less L2, the persistence or absence of agreement in cognate items can be taken as an indirect measure of the cost differential between producing morphosyntactic agreement and suppressing the carryover of obligatory agreement to the L2. The results of experiments, which was conducted with bilingual Spanish–Palenquero speakers in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, reveal the tenacity of Spanish gender agreement among L2 Palenquero speakers; heritage Palenquero speakers’ retention of gender agreement falls between traditional speakers and L2 speakers. Spanish verb agreement, on the other hand, shows relatively little carry-over to Palenquero, suggesting that the suppression of L1 agreement during L2 acquisition is not a simple all-or-nothing matter.
Prisoners of Peace
Authors: Das Samir Kumar
Published: November 2017

As Irom Sharmila Chanu breaks her sixteen-yearlong fast on August 9, 2016, struggle for peace in India’s Northeast seems to have turned a full circle. On the one hand, her battle against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958—the law that empowers even a noncommissioned army officer to open fire on a civilian and in the process kill her with impunity, that is to say, without ever being tried in a court of law—by all accounts made her the “iron lady” and “the Face of Manipur” to the world. On the other hand, notwithstanding her indefinite fast—widely believed to be emblematic of the “collective moral outrage” against the Act—persistent appeals made by a host of national and international human rights groups, eminent public intellectuals, and the recommendation of the respective Committees in favor of repealing it, the Act remains very much in force in parts of Jammu and Kashmir and in the Northeast even after fifty-eight years of its enactment, resulting in the death of hundreds of civilians. This article seeks to explain the implications of this paradox for peace politics in the region. Why does Sharmila have to take the otherwise painful and albeit difficult decision of breaking her fast even when there is little sign of repealing the Act? Insofar as she takes the difficult decision of breaking her fast, she realizes that her prolonged fast becomes subjected to a variety of technologies of governance: first, by calling for the complete sacrifice of her private life, second by turning her fast into a public spectacle rendering it both “unsuccessful” and necessary—significantly both at the same time—and finally by inculcating in her and in many of us the intense desire of pursuing peace through the established political institutions, particularly electoral institutions.
A (Re)investigation of Middle Kingdom Speech Captions in Wrestling Scenes
Authors: Motte Aurore
Published: November 2017

This article studies the Reden und Rufe present in Middle Kingdom wrestling scenes found in the tombs of Senbi (Meir), Neheri I (Deir el-Bersha), and Khety (Beni Hassan). Based on a systematic study, some improvements are suggested to previous translations. After offering commentaries and translation(s) for each speech, the relationship between these scenes and those in Old and New Kingdom tombs is considered, and distinctive features highlighted.