bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Gentefication” in the Barrio: Examining the Relationship Between Gentrification and Homicide in East Los Angeles
Authors: Barton Michael S. , Valasik Matthew A. , Brault Elizabeth , Tita George
Published: July 2019

Research has increasingly moved toward a consensus that violent crime declines as neighborhoods gentrify, yet some studies find the direction of this relationship varies by type of violent crime. This finding becomes even more important when connected with recent research that finds the structural influences of gang and non-gang homicide are disparate. The current study engages with research in each of these areas by examining the relationship of gentrification with levels of total, gang, and non-gang homicide in Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Hollenbeck Community Policing Area. We find gentrification was not associated with variation in total or gang homicide, but was positively associated with non-gang homicide.
How Does Variation in the State’s Choice Over Higher Education Governance Affect University Restructuring? A Time-Series-Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Song Sue-Yeon
Published: July 2019

This study examined the effects of governance in higher education on the changing structures of universities, focusing on three major aspects: the marketization of higher education, new circuits of academic capitalist knowledge, and the quality of higher education. To do so, the study employed time-series-cross-sectional (TSCS) data analysis with random effects models. The primary focus was to conduct empirical research utilizing comparative indicators and analytical tools for cross-national analysis, and to complement existing qualitative studies on the changing nature of universities. The results suggest the following: First, reductions in public subsidies for higher education may encourage higher education institutions to enter into market activities. Second, the results provide evidence that new circuits of knowledge, namely, academic capitalist knowledge regimes, are more highly associated with market activities such as university–industry collaboration and R&D performance compared to public good knowledge regime. Third, the results suggest that quality of higher education institutions is positively correlated with both public subsidies in higher education and university-industry collaboration.
Can an Outdoor Learning Environment Improve Children’s Academic Attainment? A Quasi-Experimental Mixed Methods Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Matluba , McGeown Sarah , Bell Simon
Published: July 2019

The present study adopted a quasi-experimental mixed method approach to investigate the influence of an improved school ground on children’s academic performance. In total, 123 children from two (intervention and control) primary schools in Bangladesh participated. In the intervention school, a barren school ground was redesigned with several behavior settings (e.g., gardens and amphitheater) for teaching and learning. Treatment group children ( n = 29) received math and science classes outdoors, while a comparison group ( n = 32) received usual indoor classes. A control school with no changes to the outdoor environment was included ( n = 62). The redesigned school ground was associated with higher levels of academic attainment. Furthermore, all intervention schoolchildren perceived more opportunities to explore in the redesigned school ground. Qualitative insights suggest the diverse settings provided more opportunities to explore, experiment, and work collaboratively. These results highlight the potential for school ground design to contribute to improvement of children’s academic attainment in developing countries.
Water resistance, mechanical, and morphological characteristics in polyamide-6/zirconium phosphate nanocomposites
Authors: da Silva Freitas Daniela de França , Claudio Mendes Luis
Published: July 2019

Polyamide-6/organointercalated zirconium phosphate nanocomposites (PA-6/ZrPOct) were prepared by melt extrusion. The synthesized lamellar ZrP was expanded with octadecylamine at different amine:phosphate ratio, and its influence was evaluated by tensile test, melt flow rate, water absorption, rheology, scanning electron microscopy, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. For all nanocomposites, the increase of modulus and decrease of elongation at rupture were observed. The decrease in water uptake was observed as the amine/phosphate increase, indicating that the presence of the amine reduces the hydrophilic nature of PA-6. Rheology revealed by pseudoplasticity indices that the nanofillers dispersion was homogeneous in all nanocomposites. Wide-angle X-ray diffractometry analysis showed that the characteristic basal spacing peak of pristine ZrP was absent for ZrOct 1:1 and 2:1. Also a high decrease in crystallinity was observed for PA-6/ZrOct 2:1 sample, which would be associated to plasticizing effect of octadecylamine avoiding crystallites formation. Evidences showed that structures with different degrees of intercalation and/or exfoliation could have been achieved.
Thermomechanical characterization of a low viscosity PA66 thermoplastic matrix and associated continuous glass fibre composite under processing conditions
Authors: Péron Mael , Jacquemin Frédéric , Casari Pascal , Orange Gilles , Bailleul Jean-Luc , Boyard Nicolas
Published: July 2019

Characterizing the thermomechanical properties of thermoplastic resins and associated composites is of outmost importance to understand the development of process-induced stresses. To that extent, the characterization of a low viscosity PA66 matrix is proposed thanks to a homemade volumetric dilatometer named PvT-XT and a dynamic mechanical analyser on a wide temperature range. The PvT-XT results, reported for the first time, permit to identify the evolution of the coefficients of thermal expansion, of crystallization shrinkage and of the bulk modulus with temperature. Dynamic mechanical analyser experiments lead to the estimation of the Young’s modulus. The shear modulus as well as the Poisson’s ratio are then estimated thanks to analytical relations for isotropic and homogeneous materials. These properties are used to feed a new analytical model estimating the coefficients of thermal expansion of quasi-unidirectional composites. All the results are compared with the values from the literature or from complementary experiments, showing a good agreement which permits to validate the developed methodology.
When “More” Seems Like Less: Differential Price Framing Increases the Choice Share of Higher-Priced Options
Authors: Allard Thomas , Hardisty David J. , Griffin Dale
Published: July 2019

Four experiments supported by six supplemental studies show that premium but higher-priced products (e.g., direct flights, larger-capacity data storage devices) are more popular when the additional cost is made explicit using differential price framing (DPF; e.g., “for $20 more”) rather than being left implicit, as in standard inclusive price framing (IPF; e.g., “for $60 total”). The DPF effect is driven by pricing focalism: relative to IPF, DPF creates a focus on the price difference, which, because it is smaller than the total price, leads to lower perceived expensiveness and thus greater choice share for the premium option. This price framing effect is robust to displaying the total cost of the purchase, bad deals, and easy-to-compute price differences, and it appears to be uniquely effective in pricing contexts. However, DPF effects are reduced among consumers who adopt a slow and effortful decision process. These findings have implications for research on price partitioning, the design of effective pricing strategy, the sources of expensiveness perceptions in the marketplace, and consumer welfare.
The Question Teacher and the Case for a Therapeutic Turn Within Teacher Education
Authors: Keck Charles S.
Published: July 2019

Reflexivity figures increasingly in teacher education, and different reflexive turns have produced a range of directions for thinking about teachers and teaching. This article problematizes some reflexive practices, including self-study and teacher renewal, as a means of contextualizing a call for the inclusion of a therapeutic reflexivity aimed at the “question teacher.” Derived from the psychoanalytic and psychotherapeutic subject, this “question teacher” is vulnerable and motivated by forces not entirely conscious or rational. It is argued that a psychotherapeutic pedagogy enables teachers to address their existential and relational difficulties and contributes to a teacher education that sees teacher identity and practice as highly relational and situated. Examples of a fully committed therapeutic reflexivity are given, alongside some research results of their transformational potential. It is proposed that the generation of empirical evidence for the efficacy of therapeutic reflexivity will permit its advocates to answer critics and overcome a systemic resistance.
The Ideal of Uptake in Democratic Deliberation
Authors: Scudder Mary F
Published: July 2019

This article explores the concept of deliberative uptake, which I define as the fair consideration of the arguments, stories, and perspectives that citizens share in deliberation. Reinterpreting the democratic force of deliberation, I argue that it comes in large part from uptake, rather than inclusion or influence. As I show, however, citizens often struggle to take up what others have to say, especially those with whom they disagree. These issues of what I call limited uptake undermine democratic possibilities in pluralistic societies, but are not adequately captured in discussions about how to enhance the democratic quality of deliberation. In addition to expanding inclusion, we must find ways to broaden the enactment of deliberative uptake. After explaining the nature and significance of fair consideration, I present strategies for improving and assessing deliberative uptake and address the risks of taking up undemocratic inputs.
Art and Mindfulness Behind Bars
Authors: Rosenbaum Jill Leslie
Published: July 2019

Engaging in art and mindfulness activities has been found to have numerous positive effects on individuals regardless of age or setting. In recent years there have been an increased number of these programs finding their way into the correctional system. Research indicates that there are multiple benefits for individuals who are incarcerated that engage in these activities. The purpose of this volume is to highlight some of the successful implementations of art and mindfulness programs within the criminal justice system. The authors included in this issue represent a variety of disciplines from both the social sciences and arts in order to develop multidisciplinary understanding, discussion and potential collaboration.
A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation of the Art of Yoga Project for Girls in Custody
Authors: Middleton Lisa , Harris Danielle Arlanda , Ackerman Alissa R.
Published: July 2019

Many adolescent girls in custody have extensive histories of profound childhood trauma and abuse. They typically come from marginalized communities marked with gang violence. The Art of Yoga Project provides a gender-specific, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach to cater to this understudied and underserved population. The Yoga and Creative Arts Curriculum combines yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and art for girls in custody in several Californian counties. The findings are from a mixed methods evaluation of multiple sites over several years. Taken together, we saw an improvement in the self-reported emotional regulation of incarcerated girls. We discuss practical implications for extending this work in other jurisdictions and to other populations.
Art and Mindfulness Behind Bars: Examples From Wyoming Prison-Based Courses on Memoir and Stoic Philosophy
Authors: Dewey Susan , Muthig Alec J. , Colter Robert S. , Brock Katy
Published: July 2019

In this self-reflective piece, the coauthors critically engage with their experiences using arts-based and mindfulness practices with incarcerated women and men and university students. We offer insights derived from teaching two separate arts-based courses in prison. The first focused on memoir-writing, a unique storytelling form in which a writer’s experiences take center stage. The second involved engaging with philosophy to discover more effective ways of living. The experiences of all concerned in these two classes emphasized the power of arts-based and mindfulness education to transform lives, both within and outside prison walls.
Choral Singing in Prisons: Evidence-Based Activities to Support Returning Citizens
Authors: Cohen Mary L.
Published: July 2019

Choral singing in prisons can help incarcerated individuals identify as returning citizens instead of felons. Shadd Maruna argues that while many legal and penal rituals exist to convince individuals to identify as “offenders,” few such rituals are in place to reconnect formerly incarcerated people to identify as community members outside of prisons. Maruna describes successful reintegration rituals as symbolic and emotive, repetitive, community-based, and infused with a dynamic of challenge and achievement; they give form to political and social processes that enable successful reentry. I maintain that choral singing models positive reintegration rituals that promote prosocial connections between returning citizens and the societies to which they are restored.
Reintegration, Community Building, and Revitalization: An Examination of the Community Arts and Reintegration Project
Authors: Holler Timothy J.
Published: July 2019

The Community Arts and Reintegration Project in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, is a community and restorative justice–based mural arts program. The program currently utilizes youth probationers in conjunction with community members and organizations to collaboratively cultivate and paint large-scale murals. Murals can develop in response to criminality that occurs in a community or in coordination with revitalization and community building efforts. This article examines the project’s development and implementation efforts following the completion of its first community mural. Lessons learned from the pilot project provide the basis for increasing program fidelity.
Application of Hybrid Simulation in production scheduling in job shop systems
Authors: Rodrigues Renato Pontes , de Pinho Alexandre Ferreira , Sena David Custódio
Published: July 2019

This work seeks to study one of the most complex and important issues in production scheduling research: flexible job shop systems. These systems are extremely important for industry, which uses the make-to-order strategy and seeks mix and volume flexibility. The model system will use agents within discrete-event simulation models, generating a Hybrid Simulation model. The agent will sequence the production orders at the beginning of the process and re-sequence them, when necessary, in order to achieve a multi-objective optimization. For this, the agent will bring together two different logics that have opposing goals. This work consists of the comparison of the results of three scheduling methods: firstly, with the sequence of arrival; secondly, with the agent using one sequencing logic; and, finally, using the same logic, but with adjustments in the sequence during the batch production, seeking to improve the negative points generated by the logic. It also stresses that this schedule ensures that the Manager Agent reduces makespan and increases machine utilization while increasing its interference in the model. This is a quantitative study, using the modeling and simulation method and following an empirical model.
Aggression Among Offenders: The Complex Interplay by Grandiose Narcissism, Spitefulness, and Impulsivity
Authors: Rogier Guyonne , Marzo Alessia , Velotti Patrizia
Published: July 2019

Impulsivity seems closely related to both narcissism and spitefulness as a potential common pathway by which these pathological personality traits lead to violence. We administered the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), the Pathological Narcissism Inventory, the Spitefulness Scale, and the Impulsive Behavior Scale Short Form to a sample of individuals convicted of violent offenses ( n = 182) and a sample of community participants ( n = 203). Hierarchical regression analysis of the convicted sample showed that spitefulness predicted AQ scores positively and significantly beyond the roles of both pathological narcissism and impulsivity. Finally, mediation analyses showed that impulsivity partially mediated the relationships between aggression and both grandiose narcissism and spitefulness. Our results support the hypothesis that spitefulness plays an important role in the prediction of aggressiveness. Finally, impulsivity seems to be a central common variable that explains the relationship between pathological personality traits and aggressive behavior among individuals convicted of violent offenses.
Effect of the cure system on aging resistance of natural rubber compounds
Authors: Honorato Luciana Ribeiro , Nunes Regina Celia Reis , Cosme Jaqueline Guimarães Lima , Visconte Leila Lea Yuan , Peres Augusto Cesar de Carvalho , Costa João Manoel
Published: July 2019

This work investigates natural rubber (NR) composites vulcanized with different combinations of accelerators in efficient cure systems. The NR compounds were characterized for cross-link density, hardness, tensile strength, and dynamical–mechanical properties, before and after aging. Among the cure systems used, that containing the highest amount of free sulfur presented the best mechanical performance, before and after aging; concerning dynamic properties after the aging, the composition with a lower number of cross-links was the best.
A hybrid approach for measuring the vibrational trend of hydroelectric unit with enhanced multi-scale chaotic series analysis and optimized least squares support vector machine
Authors: Fu Wenlong , Wang Kai , Zhang Chu , Tan Jiawen
Published: July 2019

Accurate vibrational trend measuring for hydroelectric unit (HEU) is of great significance for safe and economic operation of unit. For this purpose, a novel hybrid approach based on variational mode decomposition (VMD), singular value decomposition (SVD)-based phase space reconstruction (PSR) and least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) improved with adaptive sine cosine algorithm optimization (ASCA) is proposed. Firstly, the raw vibration signal is preprocessed into several components with different scales by VMD, while the residual of VMD is defined as an additional component. Then, SVD with median filtering is utilized to unearth the dominating characteristic ingredients of each component, with which the chaotic series analysis will be effectively implemented. Moreover, the optimal parameters of PSR for each original component are determined by applying grid search on the corresponding dominating component. Later, LSSVM improved by ASCA are established for all the components, whose inputs and outputs are obtained by performing PSR with the optimal parameters. Finally, the measuring results of vibration trend are deduced by accumulating the prediction values of all the components. Furthermore, five related methods are employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results illustrate that: (1) the VMD-based models obtained better evaluation indexes compared with the relevant models through significantly weakening the non-stationarity of the original signal; (2) the proposed SVD-based PSR enhanced efficiency of chaotic system restoration, thus to improve the measuring accuracy effectively; (3) the proposed ASCA optimization algorithm could effectively search the parameters of LSSCVM, which contributes to improving model performance.
Night and Organization Studies
Authors: Müller Monika
Published: July 2019

In this essay, I want to shed light on the phenomena of night and nightwork as important topics which have been so far overlooked in organization studies. Inspired by insights of new materialism (Barad), I propose and investigate night as ‘time-space’, and present intertwined dimensions (temporal, spatial, social, material, etc.) of intra-actions between human beings and night. To better understand our intra-actions and entanglements with night, I provide a short historical overview which highlights past attempts to turn nightwork, once a forbidden and ungodly occupation, into a common and laudable one. I then discuss current efforts to manage and control certain dimensions of night (temporal/material and spatial/social) as well as aspects of night and nightwork that are not entirely manageable. The essay advocates going beyond traditional ontological dualisms by stressing our entanglements and intra-actions with night, thus advancing our understanding of nightwork, related bodily limitations and resistance at night. These topics call for further studies of organizations and work at night.
Cooperation and polarization in a Presidential Congress: Policy networks in the Chilean Lower House 2006–2017
Authors: Le Foulon Morán Carmen
Published: July 2019

The joint initiation of legislation is one of the most important forms of collaboration within Congress, and the nature of such relations may affect its responsiveness. Through social network analysis, this article analyses the evolution of cohesion and polarization of policy networks for the Chilean Lower House from 2006 until 2017, comparing those derived from all bills from those that emerge when considering only successful ones. Although scholars consider that initiation of legislation is mostly free of party discipline or policy gatekeeping, networks recovered from all bills despite being highly cohesive replicate the roll-call divisions during all years under analysis. Among networks derived from successful bills – those able to overcome policy gatekeeping, collaboration crosses the ideological divide. These results imply that agenda setting plays a different role on policy collaboration than on voting and emphasize the relevance of the partisan dimension in agenda setting influence presented by Tsebelis and Aleman. Whereas the institutional prerogatives in the Lower House did not change after 2006, the partisan configuration did, which might explain the different degree of polarization among networks of successful bills found before 2006 by other studies.
The Path to the Austro-Sardinian War: The Post-Napoleonic States System and the End of Peace in Europe in 1848
Authors: Šedivý Miroslav
Published: July 2019

The aim of this article is to explain the long-term process leading to the decision of Sardinian King Charles Albert to wage war against Austria in March 1848. Moving beyond the normal stress on Italian national consciousness, the article focuses more on the King’s attitude towards the conduct of European powers in Italian affairs and attempts to prove that repeated illegal and aggressive actions of the European powers after 1830 destroyed the King’s faith in the fairness of the political-legal system established at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, leading also to his loss of faith in the strength of law and increasing his belief in the power of armed force in international relations. All this significantly contributed to his final decision to start a war of conquest against Austria, which he regarded as weak and thus no longer respected, much like his attitude towards the existing political-legal order in general.
Local economic development and poverty reduction in developing societies: The experience of the ILO decent work project in Ghana
Authors: Azunu Richardson , Mensah James Kwame
Published: July 2019

There have been series of contest analysis of developmental role of international development partners in sub-Saharan Africa. However, evidence abound that whiles international development partners have over the past three decades participated actively in local economic development the academic literature has barely focused on this area. As a result, very little is known about how development partners-led local economic development has translated into poverty reduction and economic prosperity. Through a qualitative case study of ILO decent work project in Ghana, this study provides empirical assessment and impact of development partners’ role in conceptualising, implementing and monitoring local economic development interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings show that ILO decent work project has led to the creation of jobs, enabled participants to improve their businesses, improve their economic situation and meet their health needs and also adopt strategies to pull themselves out of poverty. The outcome of this paper is useful for both national and international development agencies in their attempt to improve societal development.
Samidorphan mitigates olanzapine-induced weight gain and metabolic dysfunction in rats and non-human primates
Authors: Cunningham Jacobi I , Eyerman David J , Todtenkopf Mark S , Dean Reginald L , Deaver Daniel R , Sanchez Connie , Namchuk Mark
Published: July 2019

Background:

Olanzapine, regarded as one of the most efficacious antipsychotic medications for the treatment of schizophrenia, is associated with a high risk of weight gain and metabolic dysfunction. ALKS 3831, a clinical candidate for treatment of schizophrenia, is a combination of olanzapine and samidorphan, an opioid receptor antagonist. The addition of samidorphan is intended to mitigate weight gain and the metabolic dysregulation associated with the use of olanzapine.

Methods:

Non-clinical studies were conducted to assess the metabolic effects of olanzapine and samidorphan alone and in combination at clinically relevant exposure levels.

Results:

Chronic olanzapine administration in male and female rats shifted body composition by increasing adipose mass, which was accompanied by an increase in the rate of weight gain in female rats. Co-administration of samidorphan normalized body composition in both sexes and attenuated weight gain in female rats. In hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp experiments conducted prior to measurable changes in weight and/or body composition, olanzapine decreased hepatic insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in muscle while increasing uptake in adipose tissue. Samidorphan appeared to normalize glucose utilization in both tissues, but did not restore hepatic insulin sensitivity. In subsequent studies, samidorphan normalized olanzapine-induced decreases in whole-body glucose clearance following bolus insulin administration. Results from experiments in female monkeys paralleled the effects in rats.

Conclusions:

Olanzapine administration increased weight gain and adiposity, both of which were attenuated by samidorphan. Furthermore, the combination of olanzapine and samidorphan prevented olanzapine-induced insulin insensitivity. Collectively, these data indicate that samidorphan mitigates several metabolic abnormalities associated with olanzapine in both the presence and the absence of weight gain.
Histone deacetylases inhibitor trichostatin A reverses anxiety-like symptoms and memory impairments induced by maternal binge alcohol drinking in mice
Authors: Montagud-Romero Sandra , Cantacorps Lídia , Valverde Olga
Published: July 2019

Background:

Alcohol exposure during development has detrimental effects, including a wide range of physical, cognitive and neurobehavioural anomalies known as foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. However, alcohol consumption among pregnant woman is an ongoing latent health problem.

Aim:

In the present study, the effects of trichostatin A (TSA) on emotional and cognitive impairments caused by prenatal and lactational alcohol exposure were assessed. TSA is an inhibitor of class I and II histone deacetylases enzymes (HDAC), and for that, HDAC4 activity was determined. We also evaluated mechanisms underlying the behavioural effects observed, including the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in discrete brain regions and newly differentiated neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG).

Methods:

C57BL/6 female pregnant mice were used, with limited access to a 20% v/v alcohol solution as a procedure to model binge alcohol drinking during gestation and lactation. Male offspring were treated with TSA during the postnatal days (PD28–35) and behaviourally evaluated (PD36–55).

Results:

Early alcohol exposure mice presented increased anxiogenic-like responses and memory deterioration – effects that were partially reversed with TSA. Early alcohol exposure produces a decrease in BDNF levels in the hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex, a reduction of neurogenesis in the DG and increased activity levels of the HDAC4 in the HPC.

Conclusions:

Such findings support the participation of HDAC enzymes in cognitive and emotional alterations induced by binge alcohol consumption during gestation and lactation and would indicate potential benefits of HDAC inhibitors for some aspects of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Comparison of the clinical efficacy of sonography-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under local and general anesthesia
Authors: Wang Xunbao , Ye Qiongxiang , Liu Xinguo , Chen Jinjun , Wang Zhiyong , Xu Wanfeng , Zhao Pengfei , Tao Baozhou
Published: July 2019

Objective

This study aimed to compare the effect of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under local infiltration anesthesia (PCNL-LIA) and general anesthesia (PCNL-GA) to treat upper urinary tract calculi on clinical application values.

Methods

Patients were randomly divided into the PCNL-LIA (16 patients) and PCNL-GA (20 patients) groups. Data on safety, cost, complications, rate of residual calculi, and prognosis were compared.

Results

The mean operation time in the PCNL-LIA group was less than that in PCNL-GA group (100±7.7 versus 120±9.0 minutes). The mean length of hospital stay in the PCNL-LIA group was shorter than that in the PCNL-GA group (6.9±0.5 versus 10.5±1.2 days). The rate of patients who required blood transfusion because of blood loss during or after surgery was less in the PCNL-LIN group than in the PCNL-GA group (13% versus 40%). The intervention rate in the PCNL-GA group was higher than that in the PCNL-LIA group. Visual analogue pain scale assessment showed that the PCNL-LIA group showed slightly more pain than the PCNL-GA group.

Conclusion

PCNL-LIA is safer, faster, and more convenient, and it also provides the benefits of a lower rate of blood loss and complications, lower cost, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay compared with PCNL-GA.
A balancing act: The Supervisor of Training role in anaesthesia education
Authors: Castanelli Damian J , Weller Jennifer M , Chander Anusha R , Molloy Elizabeth K , Bearman Margaret L
Published: July 2019

In this qualitative study, we report how Supervisors of Training, educational supervisors overseeing the learning of anaesthesia trainees, experience their role in practice. Using purposive sampling, we interviewed Supervisors of Training from across Australia and New Zealand. The interviews began by asking ‘what do you see as your role as a Supervisor of Training?’ then explored the response in detail. Following the technique of thematic analysis, inductive analysis occurred as data were collected until we generated a thematic structure sufficient to address our research question after 19 interviews. In the first three of the four identified themes, Supervisors of Training perceived themselves as the fulcrum of the learning environment, ‘the something in between’. These three themes were: guiding and assessing trainees; identifying, supporting, and adjudicating trainee underperformance; and mediating trainees’ relationship with the hospital. Participants perceived themselves as a broker between trainees, their colleagues, their hospital, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and the community to varying degrees at different times. Negotiating these competing responsibilities required Supervisors of Training to manage multiple different relationships and entailed significant emotional work. Our fourth theme, scarcity, described the imbalance between these demands and the time and resources available. The complexity of the Supervisor of Training role and the tensions between these competing demands is underappreciated. Our findings would support strategies to mitigate the administrative load and share the decision-making burden of the role and to enhance the capability of Supervisors of Training by requiring formal training for the role.
Polyvinyl alcohol-poly acrylic acid bilayer oral drug delivery systems: A comparison between thin films and inverse double network bilayers
Authors: Miar Solaleh , Perez Cynthia A , Ong Joo L , Guda Teja
Published: July 2019

Polymer network structures in the design of bilayer hydrogels for oral drug delivery systems contribute to the mechanical stability as well as the stimulus responsive drug release. We report a strategy to improve the stability of polyelectrolyte layer interfaces in bilayer hydrogels by employing concepts from tough interpenetrating hydrogel network design. Polyvinyl alcohol as the neutral substrate and Polyacrylic acid as the pH-sensitive layer were used to prepare bilayers capable of pH-sensitive bending behavior, and inverse double network structures were compared to conventional thin film coated bilayers in this study. The morphology of the bilayers observed after exposure to stimulus revealed that the polyacrylic acid layer was fragmented in conventional thin films. The delamination of the coating also had an adverse impact on bending behavior. Additionally, bilayers with inverse double network structure had a better pH-sensitive swelling behavior which was lacking in regular thin films. Controllable, pH-specific drug release behavior was a direct benefit of using the inverse double network structure, and was demonstrated by controlled vancomycin release under different pHs chosen to simulate the physiological milieu of exposure corresponding to hydrogel passage along the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the inverse double networks showed improved mucoadhesive properties and mechanical stability compared to the thin film bilayers. The use of inverse double network structured hydrogels has many potential applications in improving bilayer hydrogel stability; specifically, for drug delivery systems, designing hydrogel origamis, and to prepare soft material actuators.
Survivors’ Social Construction of Intimate Partner Violence in Cebu City, Philippines
Authors: Bernados Simeon C. , Ocampo Lanndon A.
Published: July 2019

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide social issue perpetrated by intimate male partners against their wives. Studies on IPV have generated accurate comparative information since the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women to guide strategy and track progress in attempts to comprehend the IPV issues. In many attempts to understand violence against women, the social construction of IPV was not well documented in the literature. This article aims to explore IPV survivors’ social construction of IPV by analyzing the experiential narratives of IPV survivors. To address the objective, this article used the phenomenological approach by examining the lived experiences of 15 IPV survivors. Our study finds that IPV made IPV survivors empowered, and with this social construction, survivors were able to overcome violence perpetrated by their intimate partners. The findings further proved that giving preferential attention to the needs of IPV victims could lead to victim empowerment, a factor needed in the elimination of violence against women and children in all forms. It is suggested for any intervention activities to (a) ultimately address the empowerment of individuals and (b) respond to the needs of individuals because what may work for one victim may not work for another.
“Fighting the Good Fight”: Why Do Public Defenders Remain on the Job?
Authors: Baćak Valerio , Lageson Sarah E. , Powell Kathleen
Published: July 2019

In this article, we ask why public defenders remain on the job despite a number of unique and testing work-related challenges. To answer this question, we analyze original data collected through 87 semistructured interviews with public defenders from government, nonprofit, and appointed counsel systems across the United States. Participants explicated a set of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations salient to their decision to remain in public defense: interacting with clients, defending the Constitution, fighting social inequality, pursuing personal values, appreciating camaraderie with colleagues, and earning public sector benefits. We discuss how our findings relate to prior research, identify directions for future studies, and tentatively engage policy implications.
Does Tax Increment Financing Pass the “But-for” Test in Missouri?
Authors: El-Khattabi Ahmed Rachid , Lester T. William
Published: July 2019

The use of tax increment financing (TIF) remains a popular, yet highly controversial, tool among policy makers in their efforts to promote economic development. This study conducts a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of Missouri’s TIF program, specifically in Kansas City and St. Louis, in creating economic opportunities. We build a time-series data set starting 1990 through 2012 of detailed employment levels, establishment counts, and sales at the census block-group level to run a set of difference-in-differences with matching estimates for the impact of TIF at the local level. Although we analyze the impact of TIF on a wide set of indicators and across various industry sectors, we find no conclusive evidence that the TIF program in either city has a causal impact on key economic development indicators.
Review of the Literature on the Costs Associated With Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Dasta Joseph F. , Kane-Gill Sandra
Published: July 2019

Acute kidney injury (AKI) develops in 8% to 16% of hospital admissions. These patients exhibit a 4- to 10-fold increase in mortality and prolonged hospital stays. There is a dearth of information on the economics of AKI, especially in critically ill patients whose health-care costs are already high. It is important that pharmacists understand the economic impact of AKI to optimally prevent and treat AKI occurrence, thus reducing total hospital costs. Authors used MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar searches up to April 2019. Inpatient AKI affects an estimated 498 000 patients in the United States with its annual cost from $4.7 to $24.0 billion. Average patient costs of AKI in the intensive care unit are generally double than those of non-AKI patients. High AKI severity portends a higher cost. Total hospital costs in patients with AKI ranged from $29 700 in cardiac surgery patients to $80 400 in cardiogenic shock. Incremental increases of cost range from $9400 in major surgery patients and up to $81 000 in nonsurviving dialysis patients. The enormity of the clinical and economic impact of AKI should be a call to action by pharmacists to expeditiously select patient-specific therapies to prevent and treat AKI, and thus reduce its economic burden on an already fragile health-care system.
Clinical Pearls in Medical Toxicology: Updates Ranging From Decontamination to Elimination
Authors: Procopio Gabrielle L. , Patel Ruchi , Gupta Amit
Published: July 2019

Such as any field of medicine, it is imperative to stay current with the latest advances and treatment modalities in toxicology. With the absence of rigorous randomized controlled trials, many updated guidelines are created by expert consensus and/or case reports and clinical experience. Over the past 10 years, there have been several changes in the management of drug overdoses in light of new data available. Although this is not a comprehensive review of all available antidotes, this article will focus on several important interventions including the use of gastrointestinal decontamination, hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic therapy, methylene blue, intravenous lipid emulsion, hemodialysis, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Terrorism prevention with reelection concerns and valence competition
Authors: Garro Haritz
Published: July 2019

In recent decades, fear of terrorism has increased among voters in liberal democracies. In response, governments have adopted counterterrorist measures that curtail civil liberties, at times prompting allegations that political expediency underlies such measures. I study politicians’ strategic design of counterterrorist policies in a model of valence competition under threat of terrorism. The incumbent chooses a counterterrorist strategy that combines observable (state of emergency) and unobservable (effort) actions. In equilibrium, emergencies and terrorist attacks become endogenously informative about valence. The low-valence incumbent underprovides effort relative to the high-valence incumbent, and at times declares a state of emergency in the absence of a terrorist threat. Increasing voters’ information about the incumbent’s valence improves politician selection, but at the expense of a higher incidence of unwarranted emergencies and, under some conditions, terrorist attacks.
Effect of punch geometry on hole expansion ratio
Authors: Paul Surajit Kumar
Published: July 2019

Stretch-flangeability of sheet metal is normally quantified by hole expansion ratio. Researchers have determined hole expansion ratio with various punch geometries such as conical, flat-bottom and hemispherical, and reported different hole expansion ratio values for identical test condition. Finite element investigation confirms that alteration of deformation path with punch geometries consequence different hole expansion ratio values. Necking and failure take place slightly away from the central hole edge for flat-bottom and hemispherical punches, while at the central hole edge for conical punch. Approximately plane strain tensile deformation prevails at the failure location for flat-bottom and hemispherical punches, while pure uniaxial tensile deformation prevails for conical punch.
Effect of the alumina nanofluid concentration on minimum quantity lubrication hard machining for sustainable production
Authors: Duc Tran Minh , Long Tran The , Dong Pham Quang
Published: July 2019

The use of vegetable oil-based nanofluids for minimum quantity lubrication hard machining has become a new research trend, proven to bring out very promising results and attained much attention to reduce the negative effects of using cutting fluids on the environment. The enhancement of thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluids helps to reduce the values of the friction coefficient, and the cooling lubricant properties are significantly improved when compared to the base fluids. In this paper, a set of optimized minimum quantity lubrication hard milling parameter combinations is obtained by using response surface methodology. Based on the optimized results, the study of the concentration effect of Al2O3 soybean oil-based nanofluid used for minimum quantity lubrication hard milling performance of 60Si2Mn hardened steel is investigated to validate and make further observations. It is noted that the appropriate nanoconcentration (1.0–1.5 wt%) and cutting conditions are observed to improve the cutting performance using soybean oil-based nanofluid. Increasing the nanoparticle concentration enhances the thermal conductivity and viscosity of the base fluids, which lead to reduce the cutting temperature and cutting forces and prolong the tool life from 80 to 115 min (increasing about 43.8%). Especially, the surface roughness ( Ra, Rz) improves and remains stable during hard cutting. Hence, the application of soybean oil-based nanofluid in minimum quantity lubrication hard machining is enlarged without losing anti-toxic, economic, and environment-friendly properties.
Design of flying robots inspired by the evolution of avian flight
Authors: Shahid Farzeen , Zhao Jing-Shan , Godefroit Pascal
Published: July 2019

Bionic design of flying robots based on natural models has become a hot topic in mechanical engineering. The research going on in this direction considers that there is a lot to learn from flying animals such as birds, insects, and bats, from walking on the ground to getting enough power to be airborne. To get an efficient design of flying robots, we must better understand the origin of flight. This paper focuses on the review of avian flight and its possible application in the design of flying robots. Different hypotheses have been proposed to tackle the origin and evolution of avian flight from cursorial dinosaurs to modern birds, including the famous ground-up and tree-down theories. During the past decade, discoveries of feathered and winged dinosaurs from Liaoning, China, strongly supported the theory that birds originated from theropod dinosaurs. The transition from running on the ground to maneuver in the sky involves various stages of flights and plumages, which can be now illustrated by several representative paravian dinosaurs from Liaoning. Those fossils provide good research bases for the design of flying robots. Microraptor is one of those important transitional stages in the evolution of flight. This paravian dinosaur is characterized by the presence of pennaceous feathers along both its arms and its legs, but how it could actually fly is still debated. It is of course difficult to evaluate the flight performances of an extinct animal, but aerodynamics of a four-wing robot can be developed to get some knowledge about its flying capacity. Fossil and living flying animals with different morphologies, stability, and control mechanism can be a source of inspiration for designing socially relevant products.
Factors predictive of serious infections over time in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: data from a multi-ethnic, multi-national, Latin American lupus cohort
Authors: Pimentel-Quiroz V R , Ugarte-Gil M F , Harvey GB , Wojdyla D , Pons-Estel G J , Quintana R , Esposto A , García M A , Catoggio L J , Cardiel M H , Barile L A , Amigo M -C , Sato E I , Bonfa E , Borba E , Lavras Costallat L T , Neira O J , Massardo L , Guibert-Toledano M , Chacón-Díaz R , Alarcón G S , Pons-Estel B A
Published: July 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify factors predictive of serious infections over time in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

A multi-ethnic, multi-national Latin American SLE cohort was studied. Serious infection was defined as one that required hospitalization, occurred during a hospitalization or led to death. Potential predictors included were sociodemographic factors, clinical manifestations (per organ involved, lymphopenia and leukopenia, independently) and previous infections at baseline. Disease activity (SLEDAI), damage (SLICC/ACR Damage Index), non-serious infections, glucocorticoids, antimalarials (users and non-users), and immunosuppressive drugs use; the last six variables were examined as time-dependent covariates. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the predictors of serious infections using a backward elimination procedure. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed.

Results

Of the 1243 patients included, 1116 (89.8%) were female. The median (interquartile range) age at diagnosis and follow-up time were 27 (20–37) years and 47.8 (17.9–68.6) months, respectively. The incidence rate of serious infections was 3.8 cases per 100 person-years. Antimalarial use (hazard ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48–0.99; p = 0.0440) was protective, while doses of prednisone >15 and ≤60 mg/day (hazard ratio: 4.18; 95 %CI: 1.69–10.31; p = 0.0019) and >60 mg/day (hazard ratio: 4.71; 95% CI: 1.35–16.49; p = 0.0153), use of methylprednisolone pulses (hazard ratio: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.10–2.13; p = 0.0124), increase in disease activity (hazard ratio: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01–1.04; p = 0.0016) and damage accrual (hazard ratio: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.11–1.34; p < 0.0001) were predictive factors of serious infections.

Conclusions

Over time, prednisone doses higher than 15 mg/day, use of methylprednisolone pulses, increase in disease activity and damage accrual were predictive of infections, whereas antimalarial use was protective against them in SLE patients.