bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shape-based coordination in locomotion control
Authors: Travers Matthew , Whitman Julian , Choset Howie
Published: March 2018

Highly articulated systems are capable of executing a variety of behaviors by coordinating their many internal degrees of freedom to help them move more effectively in complex terrains. However, this inherent variety poses significant challenges that have been the subject of a great deal of previous work: What are the most effective or most efficient methods for achieving the intrinsic coordination necessary to produce desired global objectives? This work takes these questions one step further, asking how different levels of coordination, which we quantify in terms of kinematic coupling, affect articulated locomotion in environments with different degrees of underlying structure. We introduce shape functions as the analytical basis for specifying kinematic coupling relationships that constrain the relative motion among the internal degrees of freedom for a given system during its nominal locomotion. Furthermore, we show how shape functions are used to derive shape-based controllers (SBCs) that manage the compliant interaction between articulated bodies and the environment while explicitly preserving the inter-joint coupling defined by shape functions. Initial experimental evidence provides a comparison of the benefits of different levels of coordination for two separate platforms in environments with different degrees of inherent structure. The experimental results show that decentralized implementations, where there is relatively little inter-joint coupling, perform well across a spectrum of different terrains but that there are potential benefits to higher degrees of coupling in structured terrains. We discuss how this observation has implications related to future planning and control approaches that actively “tune” their underlying structure by dynamically varying the assumed level of coupling as a function of task specification and local environmental conditions.
‘Engage for change’
Authors: Bennett Hadyn , McCracken Martin , O’Kane Paula
Published: March 2018

This article reports on the management and outcomes of a radical change programme within a public sector agency. The findings reveal a significant divergence between management and employee experiences of the change process and significant differences in outcome perceptions. While management remains adamant that radical change has been achieved, employees report much more limited, incremental change – a position supported by the research findings. Using a grounded theory approach, the article seeks to explain the reasons for radical change failure and based on these proposes a ‘Radical Change Engagement’ model for use during such periods. While based on public sector research, it is contended that the model has implications and applicability for any organization undergoing radical change.
Cost Analysis of a High Support Housing Initiative for Persons with Severe Mental Illness and Long-Term Psychiatric Hospitalization
Authors: Rudoler David , de Oliveira Claire , Jacob Binu , Hopkins Melonie , Kurdyak Paul
Published: March 2018

Objective:

The objective of this article was to conduct a cost analysis comparing the costs of a supportive housing intervention to inpatient care for clients with severe mental illness who were designated alternative-level care while inpatient at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. The intervention, called the High Support Housing Initiative, was implemented in 2013 through a collaboration between 15 agencies in the Toronto area.

Method:

The perspective of this cost analysis was that of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. We compared the cost of inpatient mental health care to high-support housing. Cost data were derived from a variety of sources, including health administrative data, expenditures reported by housing providers, and document analysis.

Results:

The High Support Housing Initiative was cost saving relative to inpatient care. The average cost savings per diem were between $140 and $160. This amounts to an annual cost savings of approximately $51,000 to $58,000. When tested through sensitivity analysis, the intervention remained cost saving in most scenarios; however, the result was highly sensitive to health system costs for clients of the High Support Housing Initiative program.

Conclusions:

This study suggests the High Support Housing Initiative is potentially cost saving relative to inpatient hospitalization at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Output-oriented analysis of the wet mechanical processing of polyolefin-rich waste for feedstock recycling
Authors: Kranzinger Lukas , Pomberger Roland , Schwabl Daniel , Flachberger Helmut , Bauer Markus , Lehner Markus , Hofer Wolfgang
Published: March 2018

In recent years, an increasing number of studies have revealed that plastics and their components (e.g. plasticisers) pose an environmental risk. However, it is hard to imagine how our industrialised society could do without these materials, since the fields of application are manifold. One possible approach to tackle this mounting problem is the implementation of a comprehensive and well-functioning collection and recycling system. An international comparison shows that only a small proportion of the total plastics in circulation is collected and recycled. The investigations conducted under the present research project, ‘Plastic Reborn’, focused on both identification and analysis of the discharge paths of polyolefin-rich waste streams, under the Austrian waste management system. Another objective was determining the utilisation potential of the output fractions of these polyolefin-rich waste streams, generated from a wet mechanical processing pilot plant. Experiments have shown that the polyolefins are successfully separated from the waste streams and that a total polyolefin potential of 429,000 t y−1 remains unexploited in the Austrian waste management system. Thus, these separated plastic fractions can make a significant contribution to the implementation of the European Circular Economy Directive. The residual fractions meet the legal and company-specific requirements for their use as solid recovered fuels in co-combustion plants.
Networked: Social media’s impact on news production in digital newsrooms
Authors: Ferrucci Patrick
Published: March 2018

This study examines social media usage by journalists through the prism of the hierarchy of influences model. Utilizing interviews with 53 digital journalists, it identifies the actors playing a role in producing news through social media. It finds that journalists, opinion leaders, audience and extra-media organizations affect news production. It calls for a revisiting of the hierarchy of the influences model to understand on what levels of influence the audience affects news production.
What Do They Want From My Life? Parent-Child Relationships as Perceived by Druze Adolescents in Israel
Authors: Abbas Randa , Pataki Sherri P. , Vaknin-Nusbaum Vered , Ilaiyan Salman
Published: March 2018

This research examined Druze adolescents’ perception of their relationships with parents in Israel. Israeli Druze is a small group accounting for only 2% of Israel’s population. The Druze society is patriarchal; it demands absolute loyalty to the values of religion, family, and clan. Our goal was to explore the impact of increasing intercultural contact with modern Israeli society and the outside world on parent-child relationships in a traditional society that demands absolute loyalty and obedience to elders. The researchers used the phenomenological approach to understand parent-child relationships from the perspective of the adolescents themselves. Twelve Druze adolescents, six females and six males ranging in age from 16 to 18, completed a semi-structured interview in which they were asked to describe their relationships with parents. Participants were prompted to describe a recent conflict, if any, and the way in which the conflict was resolved, as well as a positive and a negative interaction with parents in the past year. Thematic analyses revealed intergenerational conflict related to perceived acculturation gaps. Other consistent themes portrayed supportive parent-child relationships and the adolescents’ commitment to Druze heritage. Overall, findings suggest that although increasing exposure to modern society may lead to intergenerational conflict, Druze adolescents remained grounded in supportive family relationships and their religious heritage.
Cavitating Leukoencephalopathy With Posterior Predominance Caused by a Deletion in the APOPT1 Gene in an Indian Boy
Authors: Sharma Suvasini , Singh Preeti , Fernandez-Vizarra Erika , Zeviani Massimo , Van der Knaap Marjo S. , Saran Ravindra Kumar
Published: March 2018

A 5-year-old Indian boy presented with subacute onset regression of milestones associated with seizures and spasticity. The symptoms started after an attack of measles. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed cavitating leukodystrophy with posterior predominance. Molecular analysis of the APOPT1 gene, a recently described gene associated with mitochondrial leukodystrophy, showed the patient to be homozygous for a 12.82-kilobase deletion, including coding exon 3. Deletion of exon 3 produces a frameshift, predicting the translation of a truncated protein (p.Glu121Valfs*4). The patient was started on mitochondrial cocktail regimen of thiamine, riboflavin, coenzyme Q and carnitine. Although he initially showed some improvement, he died 6 months after the onset of his illness.
Using Behavior Sequence Analysis to Map Serial Killers’ Life Histories
Authors: Keatley David A. , Golightly Hayley , Shephard Rebecca , Yaksic Enzo , Reid Sasha
Published: March 2018

The aim of the current research was to provide a novel method for mapping the developmental sequences of serial killers’ life histories. An in-depth biographical account of serial killers’ lives, from birth through to conviction, was gained and analyzed using Behavior Sequence Analysis. The analyses highlight similarities in behavioral events across the serial killers’ lives, indicating not only which risk factors occur, but the temporal order of these factors. Results focused on early childhood environment, indicating the role of parental abuse; behaviors and events surrounding criminal histories of serial killers, showing that many had previous convictions and were known to police for other crimes; behaviors surrounding their murders, highlighting differences in victim choice and modus operandi; and, finally, trial pleas and convictions. The present research, therefore, provides a novel approach to synthesizing large volumes of data on criminals and presenting results in accessible, understandable outcomes.
Relation of Diabetes to Cognitive Function in Hispanics/Latinos of Diverse Backgrounds in the United States
Authors: Elfassy Tali , Aiello Allison E. , Schneiderman Neil , Haan Mary N. , Tarraf Wassim , González Hector M. , Gellman Marc , Florez Hermes J. , Luchsinger Jose A. , Wright Clinton B. , Grober Ellen , Zeki Al Hazzouri Adina
Published: March 2018

Objectives:To examine the association between diabetes and cognitive function within U.S. Hispanics/Latinos of Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and South American background. Method: This cross-sectional study included 9,609 men and women (mean age = 56.5 years), who are members of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. We classified participants as having diabetes, prediabetes, or normal glucose regulation. Participants underwent a neurocognitive battery consisting of tests of verbal fluency, delayed recall, and processing speed. Analyses were stratified by Hispanic/Latino subgroup. Results: From fully adjusted linear regression models, compared with having normal glucose regulation, having diabetes was associated with worse processing speed among Cubans (β = −1.99; 95% CI [confidence interval] = [−3.80, −0.19]) and Mexicans (β = −2.26; 95% CI = [−4.02, −0.51]). Compared with having normal glucose regulation, having prediabetes or diabetes was associated with worse delayed recall only among Mexicans (prediabetes: β = −0.34; 95% CI = [−0.63, −0.05] and diabetes: β = −0.41; 95% CI = [−0.79, −0.04]). No associations with verbal fluency. Discussion: The relationship between diabetes and cognitive function varied across Hispanic/Latino subgroup.
University scientism and American economic interests
Authors: Langbert Mitchell B.
Published: March 2018

This article outlines the evolution of the relationship between the emergence of large-scale finance and industry in the American Gilded Age and Progressive eras and the shaping and funding of universities by foundations linked to the emerging industries. Scientism has been a means of gaining and maintaining legitimacy and research funding. Statistics about recent donations reflect the earlier pattern, although the strongly elitist preferences of early funders and shapers of American higher education, such as the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Rockefeller-Funded General Education Board, have moderated.
Levinas in therapy
Authors: Plant Bob
Published: March 2018

Emmanuel Levinas’ semi-phenomenological analyses of the “face-to-face” encounter with “the other” are frequently alluded to in the therapeutic literature. Indeed, for some therapists, Levinas provides the conceptual apparatus to reconfigure traditional therapeutic practice. While acknowledging the importance of his work, in this article I raise critical questions about the way Levinas’ ideas are often used by psychotherapists. The discussion is divided into five sections: First, I provide a short explanation of the motivations for writing this paper. Second, I offer an overview of some prominent themes therapists typically draw from Levinas’ writings. Next, I present my own reconstruction of the face-to-face encounter. Then, drawing on the previous reconstruction, I outline the main questions Levinas-inspired therapists need to address. Finally, I reconsider the potential significance of Levinas’ work for therapists.
A late-Holocene pollen record from the western Qilian Mountains and its implications for climate change and human activity along the Silk Road, Northwestern China
Authors: Zhang Jun , Huang Xiaozhong , Wang Zongli , Yan Tianlong , Zhang En’yuan
Published: March 2018

The sparsity of long-term reliable climatic records hampers our understanding of human–environment interactions in the semi-arid Hexi Corridor, NW China. Here, we present a late-Holocene pollen record from a small alpine lake, Tian’E, in the western Qilian Mountains. The chronology is provided by nine accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dates from terrestrial plant remains. The ratios of Artemisia and Amaranthaceae (A/C) are used to reconstruct the history of regional humidity: An unstable climate occurred during 1530–1270 BC; there were three relatively wet periods, at 1270 BC–AD 400, AD 1200–1350, and AD 1600–present; and there were two dry periods, from AD 400 to 1200 and from AD 1350 to 1600. Comparison with tree-ring data indicates that continuous droughts were responsible for the abandonment of several archaeological sites and ancient cities in the region, including the major city of Dunhuang, which was abandoned in AD 1372 and AD 1524 for nearly 200 years.
The Recruitment Agent in Internationalized Higher Education: Commercial Broker and Cultural Mediator
Authors: Robinson-Pant Anna , Magyar Anna
Published: March 2018

The internationalization and marketization of higher education has resulted in U.K. universities’ increasing reliance on recruitment agents to boost international student numbers. This places agents and agencies in a position of considerable influence with regard to the educational choices that students make. These institutional and individual relationships have been investigated from a marketing perspective, contributing knowledge about the influence of recruitment agents on student decision making. However, this approach has limitations with regard to understanding the impact of agents on an international student’s subsequent experience in U.K. higher education. The article suggests that theoretical work on mobility, migration, and ethnographies of communication, including the geopolitics of text production, can provide useful lenses for analyzing how agents help international students navigate the journey into and through U.K. higher education. The notion of “cultural mediator” is introduced to analyze the role played by agents alongside that of commercial broker. We argue that future research, shaped by these alternative theoretical perspectives, may help to bridge the apparent gap in understanding between those working in international offices and those involved in teaching in an internationalized university.
Effects of Art Intervention Program for Siblings of Children With Cancer: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jo Myoung-Ju , Hong Sungsil , Park Ho Ran
Published: March 2018

Siblings of children with cancer often experience negative feelings, and art intervention can help them express their feelings and overcome hardships. This study aimed to develop an Art Intervention Program to improve the psychological adaptation of siblings of children with cancer and to evaluate its effects. Participants were seventeen 7- to 10-year-old siblings of children with cancer. The program comprised 12 sessions conducted once a week. The effects of the intervention were assessed in terms of self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and problem behavior. Self-esteem significantly improved after intervention compared with pretest. Children showed improved scores in externalizing problems and total behavior problems; however, anxiety and depression did not change. The study results indicated that the art intervention program helped improve the self-esteem and helped reduce somatic symptoms, aggressiveness, externalizing problems, and emotional instability among problem behaviors of siblings of children with cancer. However, the study was limited by its small sample size and the lack of a control group. Therefore, the study design allows no firm conclusions, and a randomized controlled trial is needed to investigate the effectiveness of the program.
Localizing Global Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities in Cervical Screening in an Indigenous Community in Ecuador
Authors: Nugus Peter , Désalliers Julie , Morales Juana , Graves Lisa , Evans Andrea , Macaulay Ann C.
Published: March 2018

This participatory research study examines the tensions and opportunities in accessing allopathic medicine, or biomedicine, in the context of a cervical cancer screening program in a rural indigenous community of Northern Ecuador. Focusing on the influence of social networks, the article extends research on “re-appropriation” of biomedicine. It does so by recognizing two competing tensions expressed through social interactions: suspicion of allopathic medicine and the desire to maximize one’s health. Semistructured individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with 28 women who had previously participated in a government-sponsored cervical screening program. From inductive thematic analysis, the article traces these women’s active agency in navigating coherent paths of health. Despite drawing on social networks to overcome formidable challenges, the participants faced enduring system obstacles—the organizational effects of the networks of allopathic medicine. Such obstacles need to be understood to reconcile competing knowledge systems and improve health care access in underresourced communities.
Comparison of the Basal View and a Previously Standardized Cleft Lip Rating Scale
Authors: Klein Gabriel M. , Dhawan Arjun , Laskowski Robert A. , Peredo Andrew L. , Kelly Raymond , Gelfand Mark A. , Khan Sami U. , Bui Dui T. , Dagum Alexandar B.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:

Numerous scales assessing the aesthetics of cleft lip repair exist. Most, including the Asher-McDade scale, use frontal and lateral views, while neglecting a basal view. We believe this view is important for properly assessing the aesthetics of repair. In this study, we evaluate the basal view in comparison to the Asher-McDade scale.

Methods:

This scale was based on progressive columellar shortening and alar flaring/slumping. A panel of 4 plastic surgeons applied the basal and Asher-McDade scales to pictures of patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip in 56 multiethnic participants aged 5 years to 18 years; images were scored from 1 to 5 (best). Statistical analysis was done via Spearman correlation.

Results:

Scores from plastic surgeons correlated strongly for each view. There was moderate correlation for the basal view with both nasal form and deviation scores ( P < .05). As expected, there were no strong correlations between the basal view and vermillion border or profile.

Discussion:

The Asher-McDade scale has been used to evaluate cleft lift repairs but is limited due to its subjective nature. The basal view scale grades these repairs by using a scale of progressive columellar shortening and alar flaring/slumping, which provides an opportunity for quantification and standardization. Our results show that the basal view correlates with the Asher-McDade scale among raters, thus providing an objective and validated measure of cleft lip repair.
Comparing a Framework for Conceptualizing Parental Involvement in Education Between Students at Risk of Emotional and Behavioral Issues and Students Without Disabilities
Authors: Duppong Hurley Kristin L. , Lambert Matthew C. , Huscroft D’Angelo Jacqueline N.
Published: March 2018

Youth at risk of emotional and behavioral challenges demonstrate academic difficulties in secondary settings. Parental involvement in their child’s education is one method which contributes to improved academic outcomes. However, limited research exists on the use of measurement models to operationalize parental involvement with secondary students at risk for emotional and behavioral issues. The goal of this study was to examine the measurement properties of an existing three-domain conceptualization of parental involvement including school-based involvement, home-based involvement, and academic socialization, and a six-domain conceptualization to (a) determine whether these models are replicable with a population of secondary students at risk for emotional and behavioral issues, (b) examine the measurement invariance of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models between samples of ninth graders in public and private schools without disabilities and ninth graders at risk of emotional and behavioral issues, and (c) determine whether parental involvement differs due to at-risk status. The six-factor model fit the data closest for both groups and was invariant between groups, suggesting this framework is appropriate for a variety of student groups. There were significantly lower levels of parental involvement in four of the six domains for the ninth-grade students at risk in comparison with students in the general population without disabilities.
A Multivariate Analysis of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory’s Nomological Network
Authors: Edershile Elizabeth A. , Simms Leonard J. , Wright Aidan G. C.
Published: March 2018

The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) has enjoyed widespread use in the study of the narcissism. However, questions have been raised about whether the PNI’s grandiosity scale adequately captures narcissistic grandiosity as well as other popular measures do. Specifically, some have noted that PNI grandiosity shows a pattern of external associations that diverges from patterns for narcissistic grandiosity predicted by experts, and is more similar to the predictions for the vulnerability scale than is desirable. Previous research driving these critiques has relied on patterns of zero-order correlations to examine the nomological networks of these scales. The present study reexamines the nomological networks of PNI grandiosity and vulnerability scales using hierarchical regression. Results indicate that once accounting for overlapping variance of vulnerability and grandiosity, the unique variance in the PNI’s grandiosity scale closely matches contemporary expert conceptualizations of narcissistic grandiosity based on expected associations with other personality variables.
Associative Attitude Learning: A Closer Look at Evidence and How It Relates to Attitude Models
Authors: Corneille Olivier , Stahl Christoph
Published: March 2018

Associative attitude learning is typically viewed as a low-level process that automatically registers mere co-occurrences between stimuli, independent of their validity and relational meaning. This view invites to critically examine how attitude formation conforms to four operating conditions (i.e., unawareness, efficiency, goal independence, and uncontrollability) and two operating principles (i.e., unqualified registration of mere co-occurrences between stimuli and formation of direct stimulus–response links), which is the main purpose of the present contribution. The general discussion examines how contemporary attitude models endorse these conditions and principles. Overall, this contribution calls for (a) a nuanced understanding of the nature and scope of associative attitude learning, (b) a fine-grained understanding of how contemporary attitude models endorse conditions and principles reviewed here and find them relevant to their theorization of attitude formation, (c) a clarification of how direct and indirect evaluative measures relate to these conditions and principles, and (d) enhanced efforts in specifying contemporary attitude formation models.
Bilateral simultaneous primary choroidal melanomas: Treated with palladium-103 plaque radiation
Authors: Maheshwari Abhilasha , Finger Paul T
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

To provide a clinical description of a case of bilateral choroidal melanoma in a patient treated with palladium-103 (103Pd) plaque brachytherapy.

Methods:

An 81-year-old man presented with choroidal melanoma in both eyes. In consideration of tumor sizes and locations, treatment involved insertion of 103Pd radioactive plaque in the right eye followed by the left at an interval of 2 months.

Results:

At 1-year follow-up, bilateral local control has been associated with apical tumor height regression, and visual acuity has been preserved (20/20 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left). Exudative subretinal fluid has resolved. There has been no metastasis.

Conclusion:

Bilateral choroidal melanomas are rare, reported to be either simultaneous or sequential as well as treatable. In this case, we were able to achieve tumor regression and preserve visual acuity in both eyes after plaque brachytherapy.
Lipidomic Profiling of Plasma and Erythrocytes From Septic Patients Reveals Potential Biomarker Candidates
Authors: Mecatti Giovana Colozza , Fernandes Messias Marcia Cristina , Sant’Anna Paiola Rafaela Maria , Figueiredo Angolini Célio Fernando , da Silva Cunha Ildenize Barbosa , Eberlin Marcos Nogueira , de Oliveira Carvalho Patricia
Published: March 2018

Background:

Sepsis remains the primary cause of death from infection, despite advances in modern medicine. The identification of reliable diagnostic biomarkers for the early detection of this disease is critical and may reduce the mortality rate as it could allow early treatment. The purpose of this study was to describe the changes in the plasma and red cells blood lipidome profiling of patients diagnosed with sepsis and septic shock with the aim to identify potentially useful metabolic markers.

Methods:

Lipids from plasma and erythrocytes from septic patients (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20) were evaluated by electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids fraction of erythrocytes was determined by gas chromatography. The data were treated with multivariate data analysis, including principal component analysis and (orthogonal) partial least squares discriminant analysis.

Results:

Potential biomarkers including lysophosphatidylcholines (lyso-PCs) and sphingomyelin (SMs) with specific fatty acid chains were identified. Both Lyso-PCs and SMs were downregulated, whereas the saturated and unsaturated phosphatidylcholines (PCs) were upregulated in the plasma and erythrocytes of septic patients. An increase in oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) accompanied by a decrease in the unsaturation index as well as in the levels on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed in erythrocytes phospholipids patients as compared with healthy controls.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that lipidome profiling has great potential in discovering potential clinical biomarkers for sepsis and helping to understand its underlying mechanisms.
The Role for Exosomal microRNAs in Disruption of Regulatory T Cell Homeostasis in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Kimura Kimitoshi , Hohjoh Hirohiko , Yamamura Takashi
Published: March 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, in which myelin and oligodendrocytes are the main targets recognized by inflammatory CD4+ T cells reactive to myelin peptides. Regulatory CD4+ T (Treg) cells normally keep homeostasis of the immune system by inhibiting detrimental effects of inflammatory T cells. However, Treg cells are reduced in patients with MS for unknown reason. This commentary highlights a novel function of circulating exosomes to inhibit the differentiation of Treg cells in MS. Our recent work has demonstrated that the circulating exosomes, a member of extracellular vesicles, of patients with MS exert this effect by transferring let-7i to naive CD4+ T cells. The transferred let-7i subsequently causes a decreased expression of insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFBR1), leading to the inhibition of Treg cell differentiation. Thus, extrinsic microRNAs transferred by exosomes might have an active role in triggering autoimmune diseases. We hypothesize that extracellular vesicles including exosomes can be a communication tool between the gut microbiota and the host immune system. Further research in this area will expand the knowledge about the precise mechanism of autoimmune diseases and can lead to a new therapeutic approach.
Pathways linking family stress to youth delinquency and substance use: Exploring the mediating roles of self-efficacy and future orientation
Authors: Voisin Dexter R , Kim Dong Ha , Bassett Sarah M , Marotta Phillip L
Published: March 2018

African American adolescents in poorer neighborhoods experience significant sanctions related to drug use and delinquency. Parental stress (i.e. substance use, mental distress, and incarceration) is associated with youth drug use and delinquency. We examined whether high self-esteem and positive future orientation mediated parental stress and youth substance use and delinquency. Demographic, family stress, future orientation, self-esteem, and drug use data were collected from 578 youths. Major findings indicated that self-esteem mediated the relationship between family stress and both drug use and delinquency. Future mediated the relationship between family stress and delinquency. Resiliency factors may promote positive development for low-income youth.
Work–family spillover and metabolic syndrome indicators: Findings from a national sample
Authors: Versey H Shellae , Tan Mingxuan
Published: March 2018

This study examines the link between negative work–family spillover and metabolic risk factors over a 9-year period. Data from two waves of the Midlife in the United States Survey were used to explore relationships between negative work–family spillover and four indicators of metabolic syndrome—blood pressure, triglycerides, body mass index, and glucose levels. In a sample of full-time working men and women ( N = 630), increased negative spillover at baseline significantly predicted higher body mass index nearly a decade later, with a marginally significant effect for triglyceride levels. Increases in spillover also body mass index and glucose levels at follow-up. This study extends research tying work–life spillover to health and suggests that further investigation is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of work stress.
A group is more than the average of its parts: Why existing stereotypes are applied more to the same individuals when viewed in groups than when viewed alone
Authors: Cooley Erin , Payne B. Keith
Published: March 2018

Categorizing people into groups is fundamental to stereotype formation. Thus, across four studies, we hypothesize that perceiving people in the context of groups (vs. alone) will amplify the application of existing stereotypes. Consistent with hypotheses, our first two studies demonstrate that Black people in groups (vs. the same Black people viewed alone) are perceived as more representative of Black people in general (Study 1), and more representative of negative stereotypes of Black people (Study 2). Similarly, Study 3 finds that positive stereotypes of Asian people (i.e., “hard-working” and “good at math”) are perceived as more representative of Asian people in groups than those same Asian people viewed alone. Finally, Study 4 demonstrates that increased stereotyping of groups is driven by attributes associated with groups (i.e., proximity) rather than the number of exemplars. We conclude that groups are not only integral to the formation of stereotypes, but also to their application.
Post-wristband blues: The mixed fortunes of UK development campaigning under austerity and the Conservatives
Authors: Harrison Graham
Published: March 2018

This article explores the construction of an international development campaign coalition in difficult circumstances. The Enough Food If campaign ‘which involved over 200 NGOs’ was the first campaign coalition since the highly prominent Make Poverty History. But the circumstances within which the campaign took place were considerably changed. Furthermore, the internal dynamics of coalition building were complex and hardly auspicious. The article argues that, fundamentally, the purpose of the coalition was therapeutic, that is, its main aim was to generate the possibility of future campaigns through a new success narrative amid the uncertainty within the sector. This was done by framing the issue of hunger in a generalised, inclusive, and amenable way that made it difficult to fail. However, this success strategy brought with it its own equivocations.
Beyond notification: Filling gaps in peer production projects
Authors: Ford Heather , Pensa Iolanda , Devouard Florence , Pucciarelli Marta , Botturi Luca
Published: March 2018

In order to counter systemic bias in peer production projects like Wikipedia, a variety of strategies have been used to fill gaps and improve the completeness of the archive. We test a number of these strategies in a project aimed at improving articles relating to South Africa’s primary school curriculum and find that many of the predominant strategies are insufficient for filling Wikipedia’s gaps. Notifications that alert users to the existence of gaps including incomplete or missing articles, in particular, are found to be ineffective at improving articles. Only through the process of trust-building and the development of negotiated boundary objects, potential allies (institutional academics in this case) can be enrolled in the task of editing the encyclopaedia. Rather than a simple process of enrolment via notification, this project demonstrated the principles of negotiation required for engaging with new editor groups in the long-term project of filling Wikipedia’s gaps
Connective tissue growth factor expression after angiotensin II exposure is dependent on transforming growth factor-β signaling via the canonical Smad-dependent pathway in hypertensive induced myocardial fibrosis
Authors: Wong Chloe Kok Sum , Falkenham Alec , Myers Tanya , Légaré Jean-Francois
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) are often described as the initial pro-fibrotic mediators upregulated early in fibrosis models dependent on angiotensin II (Ang-II). In the present study, we explore the mechanistic link between TGF-β and CTGF expression by using a novel TGF-β trap.

Materials and methods:

NIH/3T3 fibroblasts were subjected to TGF-β with or without TGF-β trap or 1D11 antibody, CTGF or CTGF plus TGF-β for six or 24 hours, and then used for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or immunocytochemistry. Male C57BL/6 mice were infused with Ang-II and randomly assigned TGF-β trap for six or 24 hours. Hearts were harvested for histological analyses, qRT-PCR and western blotting.

Results:

Exogenous TGF-β-induced fibroblasts resulted in significant upregulation of CTGF, TGF-β and type I collagen transcript levels in vitro. Additionally, TGF-β promoted the differentiation of fibroblasts into α-SMA+ myofibroblasts. CTGF expression was reduced by the addition of TGF-β trap or neutralizing antibody, confirming that its expression is dependent on TGF-β signaling. In contrast, exogenous CTGF did not appear to have an effect on fibroblast production of pro-fibrotic transcripts or fibroblast differentiation. Ang-II infusion in vivo led to a significant increase in TGF-β and CTGF mRNA expression at six and 24 hours with corresponding changes in Smad2 phosphorylation (pSmad2), indicative of increased TGF-β signaling. Ang-II animals that received the TGF-β trap demonstrated reduced CTGF mRNA levels and pSmad2 at six hours, suggesting that early CTGF expression is dependent on TGF-β signaling.

Conclusions:

We demonstrated that CTGF expression is dependent on TGF-β signaling both in vitro and in vivo in a model of myocardial fibrosis. This also suggests that early myocardial CTGF mRNA expression (six hours) after Ang-II exposure is likely dependent on latent TGF-β activation via the canonical Smad-dependent pathway in resident cardiac cells.
Training Community Health Workers in Motivational Interviewing to Promote Cancer Screening
Authors: Brandford Arica , Adegboyega Adebola , Combs Brenda , Hatcher Jennifer
Published: March 2018

Health disparities researchers attempting to engage and effectively deliver interventions to underserved populations often encounter a number of challenges ranging from geographical considerations to more complex issues of medical mistrust. While there are a number of strategies researchers may employ to address these challenges, one of the most successful of these has been the use of community health workers (CHWs). Despite the documented success of CHWs, little information exists on the use of theory-driven intervention strategies with these community partners. Researchers who have partnered with CHWs tend to provide brief descriptions of training strategies and provide little discussion of the challenges and barriers to training a lay population in the delivery of technical interventions, including ensuring fidelity to the intervention protocol. The purpose of this article is to describe the feasibility of training CHWs to deliver a motivational interviewing intervention to promote cancer screening in underserved populations. With this article we present an innovative way to use motivational interviewing delivered by CHWs. Specifically, we will detail the development of the training protocol, the implementation of that training in a variety of research settings, and the development and implementation of fidelity protocols. We will use examples from two research studies where CHWs were successfully trained to use MI to promote cancer screening in underserved communities to highlight the challenges and barriers faced in developing and implementing the training and strategies used to overcome these challenges during the refinement of the intervention.
A Participatory Process to Engage Appalachian Youth in Reducing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption
Authors: Lane Hannah G. , Porter Kathleen J. , Hecht Erin , Harris Priscilla , Zoellner Jamie M.
Published: March 2018

Children and adolescents consume excessive amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), which are associated with adverse health outcomes. We describe a yearlong participatory research study to reduce SSBs in Central Appalachia, where excessive consumption is particularly prevalent. This study was conducted in partnership with a community advisory board in Southwest Virginia. Nine “youth ambassadors,” aged 10 to 13 years helped to systematically adapt SIPsmartER, an effective theory-based program for Appalachian adults, to be age and culturally appropriate and meet desired theoretical objectives. They then assisted with delivering the curriculum during a school-based feasibility study and led an advocacy event in their community. Satisfaction surveys and feedback sessions indicate that ambassadors found the program acceptable and important for other students. Validated surveys and focus groups suggested that theoretical objectives were met. Findings from these mixed methods sources informed curricular changes to further enhance acceptability and refine theoretical objectives. Participation in follow-up advocacy activities was tracked and described. Following the yearlong study, ambassadors reported having advocacy skills and motivation to continue reducing SSB intake in their community. Results, challenges, and lessons learned are presented to inform larger efforts to enhance acceptability of programs and inspire youth to take action to reduce health disparities in Appalachian communities.
Robotic Colorectal Resection With and Without the Use of the New Da Vinci Table Motion: A Case-Matched Study
Authors: Palmeri Matteo , Gianardi Desirée , Guadagni Simone , Di Franco Gregorio , Bastiani Luca , Furbetta Niccolò , Simoncini Tommaso , Zirafa Cristina , Melfi Franca , Buccianti Piero , Moglia Andrea , Cuschieri Alfred , Mosca Franco , Morelli Luca
Published: March 2018

Background. The da Vinci Table Motion (dVTM) is a new device that enables patients to be repositioned with instruments in place within the abdomen, and without undocking the robot. The present study was designed to compare operative and short-term outcomes of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery with the da Vinci Xi system, with or without use of the dVTM. Methods. Ten patients underwent robotic colorectal resection for cancer with the use of dVTM (Xi-dVTM group) between May 2015 and October 2015 at our center. The intraoperative and short-term clinical outcome were compared, using a case-control methodology (propensity scores approach to create 1:2 matched pairs), with a similar group of patients who underwent robotic colorectal surgery for cancer without the use of the dVTM device (Xi-only group). Results. Overall robotic operative time was shorter in the Xi-dVTM group ( P = .04). Operations were executed fully robotic in all Xi-dVTM cases, while 2 cases of the Xi-only group required conversion to open surgery because of bulky tumors and difficult exposure. Postoperative medical complications were higher in the Xi-only group ( P = .024). Conclusions. In this preliminary experience, the use of the new dVTM with the da Vinci Xi in colorectal surgery, by overcoming the limitations of the fixed positions of the patient, enhanced the workflow and resulted in improved exposure of the operative field. Further studies with a greater number of patients are needed to confirm these benefits of the dVTM-da Vinci Xi robotically assisted colorectal surgery.
A hybrid multi-objective gray wolf optimization algorithm for a fuzzy blocking flow shop scheduling problem
Authors: Yang Zhi , Liu Cungen
Published: March 2018

Blocking flow shop scheduling problems have important applications in manufacturing. Because of the imprecise and vague temporal parameters in real-world production, this article formulates a fuzzy blocking flow shop scheduling problem with fuzzy processing time and fuzzy due date in order to minimize the fuzzy makespan and maximize the average agreement index. To solve this combinational optimization problem, a hybrid multi-objective gray wolf optimization algorithm is proposed. The hybrid multi-objective gray wolf optimization utilizes the largest position value rule for solution representation, employs a dynamic maintenance strategy to maintain an archive, and develops a thorough mechanism for leader selection. In the hybrid multi-objective gray wolf optimization, a novel heuristic process is designed to generate initial solutions with a certain quality, and a local search strategy is embedded to improve the exploitation capability. The performance of the hybrid multi-objective gray wolf optimization is tested on the production instances of panel block assembly in shipbuilding. Computational comparisons of the hybrid multi-objective gray wolf optimization with two other well-known multi-objective evolutionary algorithms demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the hybrid multi-objective gray wolf optimization in generating optimal solutions to the bi-criterion fuzzy blocking flow shop scheduling problem.
On the stability of passive dynamic walker with flat foot and series ankle spring
Authors: He Jiawei , Ren Gexue
Published: March 2018

In this study, the effects of a flat foot and series ankle spring on walking stability and efficiency are investigated with three passive dynamic walking models. These models are tuned on the same gait parameters to compare local and global stability with three indicators, including the largest Floquet multiplier, size of basin of attraction, and incircle of basin of attraction. Investigations show that the flat foot helps achieve better global stability on most gait parameters and better local stability near the human-like gait parameters. However, the series ankle spring degrades local stability and global stability on most gait parameters. These findings may provide an insight into the design of efficient and robust bipedal robots.
Device and Method for Noninvasive Glucose Assessment
Authors: Segman Yosef (Joseph)
Published: March 2018

Background:

Intensive monitoring of blood glucose levels is crucial in diabetes management. This article presents a new device, the TensorTip Combo Glucometer (CoG), developed by Cnoga Medical Ltd, which enables to predict capillary tissue glucose concentration noninvasively.

Methods:

Noninvasive glucose readings usually provide irregular or disordered mathematical manifold over the measurement space. To establish a transfer function, which correctly correlates the noninvasive raw data and the actual invasive glucose level, we suggest a mathematical concept that employs a personal calibration procedure to associate glucose pattern and multiple optical signals derived from tissue response to light emission in the range of visible to IR. The traversed light is detected by a color image sensor to predict the tissue glucose concentration at the fingertip. This article presents the mathematical concept underlying the technology and the requirements for device operation.

Results:

The device was clinically evaluated and compared to standard invasive blood glucose monitoring devices in few medical centers and by home users. Based on consensus error grid analysis, more than 98% of the measurements of each study were in zones A (more than 81%) and B (more than 11%). Postmarketing evaluations showed high correlations comparing the CoG to other invasive reference devices.

Conclusions:

The CoG device employs a unique mathematical approach to predict glucose concentrations based on multiple optical signals. The first clinical results indicate that the device may show appropriate agreement with reference methods to be used for pain-free glucose assessment in daily routine.