bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Vicissitudes of Original Sin: A Reply to Bridgman and Carter
Authors: Vitz Paul C. , Gartner John
Published: February 2018

Bridgman and Carter (1989) propose that original sin is preoedipal and based on primary narcissism. They also comment upon and criticize Vitz and Gartner's oedipal interpretation of original sin. This reply to Bridgman and Carter makes the following points: We accept the proposal that original sin has its psychological origin in primary narcissism; however, we assume that original sin expresses itself quite differently at different developmental stages in life; oedipally based sinfulness we propose is one of these distinct expressions of original sin. A number of other issues and criticisms raised by Bridgman and Carter are also addressed.
The Role and Function of Forgiveness in the Psychotherapeutic Process
Authors: Pingleton Jared P.
Published: February 2018

Although forgiveness is viewed by many to be essential to the healing of emotional and relational pain, there typically has been very little treatment of it in the psychological literature. This article presents a brief discussion of the nature and function of forgiveness from a theological perspective, followed by an analysis of the process and dynamics of forgiveness from a psychological viewpoint. From an integrative synthesis of these concepts, specific application is made to understanding and facilitating forgiveness in the psychotherapeutic relationship.
Collaborative Efforts in Cognitive Therapy with Religious Clients
Authors: McMinn Mark R. , Lebold Cathie J.
Published: February 2018

Cognitive therapy requires an understanding of and tolerance for the religious views of clients. Collaborative techniques in cognitive therapy are described and ideological obstacles in doing cognitive therapy with religious clients are considered. It is suggested that confronting clients’ religious beliefs as pathological or absolutistic is clinically inappropriate. Beck's and Meichenbaum's collaborative techniques are endorsed as important clinical strategies in working with religious clients.
Counseling and the Demonic: A Reaction to Page
Authors: Beck James R. , Lewis Gordon R.
Published: February 2018

Page's (1989) apology for taking seriously the role of the demonic in our counseling ministries is courageous in its call for a reexamination of biblical teachings. The article, however, seems to lack a central and unifying view of the precise nature of these phenomena. Several intriguing suggestions by Page are only minimally elaborated. Missing from the article are a set of criteria which one could use in differential diagnosis, and a method of reasoning which would help determine if direct demonic activity is or is not involved.
Psychology and the Pastoral Ministry: Help Or Hindrance?
Authors: Bishop D. Russell
Published: February 2018

Since the time of Augustine, the relationship between psychology and the church has been tenuous at best. Among those most affected in this struggle are pastors who provide psychological services. Pastors interested in and committed to addressing psychological issues must carefully balance the extreme positions of psychologism and theologism, while adopting useful and effective intervention strategies. It is suggested that clinical methods aimed at the prevention of psychological disturbances, rather than their correction, are most appropriate for use by pastors.
Personality Theory or Spiritual Discernment? A Reaction to Clark
Authors: Alsdurf James M.
Published: February 2018

The author reacts to Clark's (1989) preceding article. Clark is found to have been too generous in attributing to the writings of the inner healers an implicit personality theory. These writings are better categorized as description or spiritual discernment.
Here They Come, Ready or Not: A Response to Alsdurf
Authors: Clark Donald L.
Published: February 2018

The author briefly responds to Alsdurf's (1989) reaction to his article, “Theory of Personality, Illness, and Cure Found in the Writings of Agnes Sanford and Those Acknowledging Her Influence” (1989).
A Theological Perspective on the Licensing of Helping Professionals
Authors: Neumann Joseph K.
Published: February 2018

Many professional groups seek licensure regulations from the government. This article summarizes several consequences of licensing with a particular focus on occupations related to psychology and counseling. The term “theonomy” is utilized and explained and the following areas are discussed in detail as they relate to licensing: (a) building code regulations, (b) free market honesty, (c) free market contracts, (d) establishment of religion, (e) equality of opportunity, and (f) ability differences. Licensing laws lack a sound biblical foundation. Education and change strategies are proposed to eliminate the current licensing system.
Subjects’ Religious Orientation, Counselor'S Orientation and Skill, and Expectations for Counseling
Authors: Godwin Tony C. , Crouch Joyce G.
Published: February 2018

The present study is a partial replication of Pecnik and Epperson's (1985a) study of expectations for Christian counseling versus counseling of an unspecified orientation, with the additional aim of clarifying the possible impact of counselor skill and social desirability upon these expectations. Undergraduate psychology students read one of four profiles of a counselor: Christian orientation, high skill; Christian orientation, unspecified skill; unspecified orientation, high skill; unspecified orientation, unspecified skill. These subjects, designated as Christian and non-Christian, rated the counselor profile on 19 variables related to counseling. In comparison to non-Christians, Christian subjects in general give higher ratings to the counselor regardless of the counselor's religious orientation. Non-Christian subjects rated the high skill counselor lower on several expectancy scales than Christian subjects did. No support was lent to the contentions that counselors with a Christian orientation are viewed as less expert than counselors in general or that social desirability can account for Christians’ higher expectations for counseling. Instead Christians may view counseling more positively.
A note on estimating single-class piecewise mixed-effects models with unknown change points
Authors: Kohli Nidhi , Peralta Yadira , Zopluoglu Cengiz , Davison Mark L.
Published: February 2018

Piecewise mixed-effects models are useful for analyzing longitudinal educational and psychological data sets to model segmented change over time. These models offer an attractive alternative to commonly used quadratic and higher-order polynomial models because the coefficients obtained from fitting the model have meaningful substantive interpretation. The current study thus focuses on the estimation of piecewise mixed-effects model with unknown random change points using maximum likelihood (ML) as described in Du Toit and Cudeck (2009). Previous simulation work (Wang & McArdle, 2008) showed that Bayesian estimation produced reliable parameter estimates for the piecewise model in comparison to frequentist procedures (i.e., first-order Taylor expansion and the adaptive Gaussian quadrature) across all simulation conditions. In the current article a small Monte Carlo simulation study was conducted to assess the performance of the ML approach, a frequentist procedure, and the Bayesian approach for fitting linear–linear piecewise mixed-effects model. The obtained findings show that ML estimation approach produces reliable and accurate estimates under the conditions of small residual variance of the observed variables, and that the size of the residual variance had the most impact on the quality of model parameter estimates. Second, neither ML nor Bayesian estimation procedures performed well under all manipulated conditions with respect to the accuracy and precision of the estimated model parameters.
Role of terminal warm blood cardioplegia in complex congenital heart surgery
Authors: Busro Pribadi Wiranda , Romolo Harvey , Sastroasmoro Sudigdo , Rachmat Jusuf , Sadikin Mohammad , Santoso Anwar , Boom Cindy Elfira , Suwarto Suhendro , Jusuf Ahmad Aulia
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Myocardial protection is vital to ensure successful open heart surgery. Cardioplegic solution is one method to achieve good myocardial protection. Inevitably, ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs with aortic crossclamping. Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution is a frequently used cardioplegia for complex congenital heart surgery. We postulated that addition of terminal warm blood cardioplegia before removal of the aortic crossclamp might improve myocardial protection.

Method

A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 109 cyanotic patients aged, 1 to 5 years who underwent complex biventricular repair. They were divided into a control group of 55 patients who had histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate only and a treatment group of 54 who had histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate with terminal warm blood cardioplegia. Endpoints were clinical parameters, troponin I levels, and caspase-3 as an apoptosis marker.

Results

The incidence of low cardiac output syndrome was 34%, with no significant difference between groups (35.2% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.84). The incidence of arrhythmias in our treatment group was lower compared to the control group (36% vs. 12%, p = 0.005). Troponin I and caspase-3 results did not show any significant differences between groups. For cases with Aristotle score ≥ 10, weak expression of caspase-3 in the treatment group post-cardiopulmonary bypass was lower compared to the control group.

Conclusion

For complex congenital cardiac surgery, the addition of terminal warm blood cardioplegia does not significantly improve postoperative clinical or metabolic markers.
Short-term outcomes of preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump use in patients undergoing adjunctive coronary endarterectomy: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Wang Liangshan , Hao Xing , Wang Xiaomeng , Gu Chengxiong , Wang Hong , Hou Xiaotong
Published: February 2018

Background:

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with coronary endarterectomy (CE) can be associated with high operative mortality and morbidity. An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been the most widely used mechanical circulatory support device during perfusion treatment. However, the benefits of preoperative IABP in CABG combined with CE remain unknown. We conducted a retrospective observational study to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative IABP therapy in patients undergoing adjunctive right coronary artery (RCA) endarterectomy.

Methods:

Between May 2013 and May 2016, 120 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) with RCA endarterectomy who received preoperative IABP support (IABP group, n=56) or who did not receive preoperative IABP support (control group, n=64) were evaluated retrospectively.

Results:

Patients in the IABP group had a significantly lower mean preoperative ejection fraction and a significantly higher mean EuroSCORE (both <0.05). The incidence of inferior myocardial infarction (MI) was significantly lower in the IABP group than in the control group (3.6% vs 15.6%, RR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.05-1.00, p=0.03). Hospital mortality was similar in the two groups (3.6% vs 4.7%, RR= 0.76, 95% CI 0.13-4.40, p=0.76). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the rates of prolonged ventilation, low cardiac output syndrome, renal failure requiring dialysis, re-operation for bleeding or IABP-related complications. Preoperative IABP may be a protective factor of inferior MI (HR = 0.031, 95% CI 0.004-0.211, p<0.001)

Conclusions:

The preoperative use of IABP could reduce the incidence of postoperative MI in patients undergoing CABG with CE and seemed to shift high-risk patients into a lower-risk category.
Natural Frequencies Do Foster Public Understanding of Medical Tests: Comment on Pighin, Gonzalez, Savadori, and Girotto (2016)
Authors: McDowell Michelle , Galesic Mirta , Gigerenzer Gerd
Published: February 2018

Patients and doctors often need to make decisions based on the results of medical tests. When these results are presented in the form of conditional probabilities, even doctors find it difficult to interpret them correctly. There is over 20 y of research supporting the finding that people are better able to calculate the correct positive predictive value of a test when given information in natural frequencies, as opposed to conditional probabilities. Natural frequencies are one of a few psychological tools that have made it into evidence-based medicine. Recently, Pighin and others (Med Decis Making 2016;36:686–91) argued that natural frequencies could hinder informed decision making, a critique based on a single task and a crude scoring criterion we refer to as the 50%-Split. Our commentary addresses these criticisms based on three analyses. First, we show how the 50%-Split scoring used by Pighin and others misclassifies known errors, such as solely attending to the hit rate (true-positive rate) of the test, as strategies that support understanding. Second, we reanalyze data from 21 additional problems completed by various participant groups to show that their scoring criterion does not support their results in 19 out of 21 cases. Third, we apply the mean deviation scoring method and show that, when given information in natural frequency formats, participants provide estimates that are closer to the correct Bayesian solution than for conditional probability formats. In each analysis, natural frequencies lead to more correct judgements and therefore promote informed decision making relative to conditional probabilities. We welcome further discussions of performance metrics that can provide insight into how the public and therefore patients understand the implications of medical test results.
Transnational Chicago: The Local and Translocal Networks and Loyalties of Post-Socialist Lithuanian Immigrants
Authors: Čiubrinskas Vytis
Published: February 2018

The processes of post-socialist transformation, especially large-scale migration from Eastern Europe to the Western hemisphere, are creating an ‘expansion of space’ from the local to the supra-local. This process involves the expansion of personal-, familial- and friendship-based networking practices which acquire significance as transnational mobile livelihoods and as significant dimensions of urban dynamics in global cities like Chicago. What are the networks, attachments and social bonds of Eastern European migrants in Chicago? Ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Chicago in 2013 among recent Lithuanian immigrants brought out the importance of a cultural identity of East European-ness involving contested loyalties and limited integration. While living locally, Lithuanian immigrants are expected both to be bound to the ethnic community and to be immersed in the multicultural life-style of the mega city. However the research has shown that livelihoods and social relations among ‘one's own people’ are involved in trans-ethnic networks and that the bonds of intimacy and the alliances among ‘one's own people’ run through homeland roots and patrimonial linkages rather than through the citizenship loyalties of the state (the United States and/or Lithuania). The circle of ‘one's own people’ implies extensive reciprocity and social networking among ‘friends’ and co-workers based on ‘one's own resourcefulness’ a kind of social capital. Thus, ‘sharing important acquaintances’ ought to involve ‘doing favours’ and livelihood experiences transplanted from oversees are practised in Chicago as ‘local’ life-styles and are used for transnational networking, securing in the process the social status of those involved.
Decoupling shear and compression properties in composite polymer foams by introducing anisotropy at macro level
Authors: Mosleh Yasmine , Depreitere Bart , Vander Sloten Jos , Ivens Jan
Published: February 2018

Anisotropy in foams generally originates from cell elongation in a certain direction. In this study, a composite concept is utilized to create anisotropy in foams at macro level. For this, layered composite foam is proposed by combining discrete layers of expanded polystyrene foam foam with different densities. The layers are positioned in parallel with the prime loading direction. The compression and biaxial combined shear-compression behavior of the composite foams are studied and compared with single-layer expanded polystyrene foam of equivalent density. The biaxial shear-compression test results demonstrate that the composite concept enables to decouple shear and compression properties of foam for a given overall density. In compression loading, the composite foam behavior is similar to that of single-layer foam of similar density, while in biaxial loading, the composite foam shows lower shear resistance than single-layer foam. Moreover, in biaxial loading, parameters such as the number of layers and the density difference between the high- and low-density layers affect the extent of decrease in shear resistance, while the compression stress component depends solely on the overall density of the composite foam. One of the potential applications of this behavior could be in protective helmets for mitigation of the head rotational acceleration.
Effects of combustion temperature on air emissions and support fuel consumption in full scale fluidized bed sludge incineration: with particular focus on nitrogen oxides and total organic carbon
Authors: Löschau Margit
Published: February 2018

This article describes a pilot test at a sewage sludge incineration plant and shows its results considering the impacts of reducing the minimum combustion temperature from 850°C to 800°C. The lowering leads to an actual reduction of the average combustion temperature by 25 K and a significant reduction in the fuel oil consumption for support firing. The test shall be used for providing evidence that the changed combustion conditions do not result in higher air pollutant emissions. The analysis focusses on the effects of the combustion temperature on nitrogen oxides (NOx) and total organic carbon emissions. The evaluation of all continuously monitored emissions shows reduced emission levels compared to the previous years, especially for NOx.
Understanding the Barriers to the Use of MOOCs in a Developing Country: An Innovation Resistance Perspective
Authors: Ma Long , Lee Chei Sian
Published: February 2018

Despite the promised benefits of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) to address the digital divide and promote equity in educational opportunities, the use of MOOCs is still lagging especially in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the barriers underlying the adoption of MOOCs in the context of a developing country. Drawing from the theoretical framework of innovation resistance theory, this study conducted focus group discussions with 69 college students in China, a major developing country in Asia. It was found that innovation resistance theory is plausible to explain the barriers to adopting MOOCs. Our results showed that the main barriers in the adoption of MOOCs encountered by students in a developing country are usage barrier, value barrier, and tradition barrier. Furthermore, to complement the perspective of innovation resistance theory, this study also conducted an inductive analysis to identify other types of obstacles hindering students' use of MOOCs. It was found that individual factors (e.g., self-control and attitude) as well as the environment (e.g., promotion and economical circumstance) are also barriers to the use of MOOCs. Implications and suggestions for practice are also discussed.
The Short-Term Placebo Response in Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Cohen Ayala , Plonsky-Toder Moran , Tirosh Emanuel
Published: February 2018

To assess short-term placebo response in 6- to 13-year-old children with ADHD, children who were administered a double-blind placebo-methylphenidate trial, 1 week each, were included in the analysis. Conners’ parents and Teacher Rating scales, the Aggregate Neurobehavioral Student Health and Educational Review inventory, and the Matching Familiar Figure Test were employed. A reduction of 30% or more in one or more of the teachers report subscales was observed in 18.8% of the participants. Attention test performance resulted in 58% of children exhibiting reduction in error rates and 36.2% exhibited longer latency period. Significant correlations between placebo response and methylphenidate response in all of the teachers report subscales were found. Base line severity, learning problem and emotional status were found associated with placebo response. Short-term placebo response should be accounted for in children with ADHD.
Comparison of the knitted silk vascular grafts coated with fibroin sponges prepared using glycerin, poly(ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether) and poly(ethylene glycol) as porogens
Authors: Tanaka Takashi , Uemura Akiko , Tanaka Ryo , Tasei Yugo , Asakura Tetsuo
Published: February 2018

Development of a small-diameter artificial vascular graft is urgent because existing materials often occlude within a short time. We have shown that small-diameter vascular graft using Bombyx mori silk fibroin is a potential candidate. Silk fibroin grafts are fabricated by coating silk fibroin on the knit tube prepared from silk fibroin fibers. However, there is a serious problem that the coated silk fibroin portion hardens when alcohol is used for insolubilization of the coated silk fibroin. This hardening prevents the desired biodegradation of the coated silk fibroin. In this study, we improved the silk fibroin coating method of the knit silk fibroin tube. Namely, the silk fibroin sponge coating was performed using glycerin, poly(ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether) or poly(ethylene glycol). In addition, silk fibroin grafts were prepared avoiding dryness during the coating process and were kept in the hydrated state until implantation into the abdominal aorta was complete. After implantation of the hydrated silk fibroin grafts, grafts were taken out at two weeks or three months, and histopathological examination was performed. The grafts coated with three types of silk fibroin sponges had a higher tissue infiltration rate than alcohol-treated grafts and were superior in the formation of smooth muscle cell and vascular endothelial cell remodeling. Biodegradations of the silk fibroin grafts prepared using the three types of silk fibroin sponge coatings and alcohol-treated silk fibroin grafts were also examined with protease XIV in vitro, and the grafts were observed by scanning electron microscopy before and 24 h after biodegradation. Faster biodegradations were observed for grafts coated with the three types of silk fibroin sponges. 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance studies showed that the conformation of the silk fibroin sponge prepared using porogen was a random coil with high mobility in the hydrated state. We believe that small-diameter silk fibroin vascular grafts coated with quick biodegradable silk fibroin sponges can be developed based on these findings.
Multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles as efficient transporters of doxorubicin and chlorin e6 for chemo-photodynamic combinatorial cancer therapy
Authors: Sun Jing-Hua , Zhang Wei , Zhang Dong-Yang , Shen Jianliang , Tan Cai-Ping , Ji Liang-Nian , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: February 2018

A multimodal nanocarrier based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) is developed to co-delivery photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (Dox) for cancer combination therapy. Ce6 was covalently conjugated with mesoporous silica nanoparticles, which could increase the loading efficiency, and allowed for photodynamic therapy. Doxorubicin was loaded into the pores of mesoporous silica nanoparticles to afford the dual drug delivery system Dox@MSNs-Ce6. These hybrid nanoparticles have an average diameter of about 100 nm and slightly negative charge of about −17 mV. The Dox@MSNs-Ce6 nanoparticles could efficiently enter into cancer cells. The cellular reactive oxygen species level in treated cells increased about 17 times, upon 660 nm light irradiation (10 mW/cm2, 2 min). More importantly, Dox@MSNs-Ce6 exhibited excellent synergistic effect through combining chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy against A549 lung cancer cells. Our work provides an effective strategy for anticancer drug delivery and combination therapy.
A Preliminary Investigation Into a Range of Implicit and Explicit Offense Supportive Cognitions in Perpetrators of Physical Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Pornari Chrisa D. , Dixon Louise , Humphreys Glyn W.
Published: February 2018

The current study assessed a wide range of offense supportive cognitions in relation to the perpetration of physical intimate partner violence (IPV). This research used both implicit and explicit measures in a U.K. sample of 19 male IPV perpetrators recruited from a community-based IPV intervention program and 20 men from the community with no history of IPV. The study also explored the ability of the implicit measures to differentiate between the two groups. The cognitions assessed included gender-role stereotype, attitudes condoning violence against a partner, attitudes condoning violence in general, hostile attitudes toward women, sense of entitlement in the relationship and over the intimate partner (control and dominance), and general sense of entitlement. Participants completed a number of established self-report measures and a series of computer-based reaction time tasks including two implicit association tests, one go/no-go association task, and four sentence judgment tasks. Significant group differences emerged across all measures both at the explicit and at the implicit level. Most implicit measures had very good discriminatory power, and the combination of all implicit measures showed excellent discriminatory power, equal to that of the explicit measures combined. These findings suggest that some IPV perpetrators hold offense supportive cognitions that may have become fairly well established and have started to operate at an automatic level. Implicit measures could be useful tools for risk assessment purposes and identification of treatment needs alongside already established measures.
Violence and Abuse in Rural Older Women’s Lives: A Life Course Perspective
Authors: Roberto Karen A. , McCann Brandy Renee
Published: February 2018

Intimate partner violence in later life includes physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Although some researchers have investigated how women in long-term violent partnerships cope with abuse, little is known about the history, experiences, and needs of older women who leave abusive relationships. From a feminist, life course perspective, we interviewed 10 women who had left their abusive partners later in life. We used qualitative methods to analyze the data and found four major themes: (a) the women used the past to account for abuse in their relationships later in life, (b) recognizing abuse signaled to the women to fight back and exit the relationship, (c) financial abuse and exploitation affected women’s mental and physical health, and (d) rebuilding was especially challenging as the women faced their future alone with financial, physical, or mental health problems. We conclude that abuse presents lasting and unique challenges for older women.
Risk Factors of Sexual Assault and Victimization Among Youth in Custody
Authors: Ahlin Eileen M.
Published: February 2018

Research suggests that youth are at higher risk of sexual assault and victimization while in custody than adult inmates. However, compared with adult inmates, very little is known about the risk factors associated with such violence among youth in custody. Without sufficient research on risk factors associated with sexual assault and victimization among youth in custody, practitioners and policy makers may be reliant on the adult literature when making decisions about how to address and prevent such violence among juveniles. This article seeks to determine if extrapolating data from the substantial prison literature is appropriate by assessing the parallels between risk factors of sexual assault and victimization among youth in custody and those identified for adult inmates. This study uses data of 8,659 youth from the second administration of the National Survey of Youth in Custody (NSYC-2) to assess correlates of sexual assault and victimization during periods of detention. Study findings show that experiences with assault and victimization prior to the present period of detention were stronger indicators of sexual assault and victimization while in custody than youth characteristics and demographics and other experiences with assault and victimization. Further, there are differences in risk factors associated with sexual assault and victimization among youth in custody compared to adult inmates, which emphasizes the risk of prior sexual assault and victimization in the community and prior custodial settings.
Dynamic analysis of the interactions between a low-to-medium-speed maglev train and a bridge: Field test results of two typical bridges
Authors: Li Xiaozhen , Wang Dangxiong , Liu Dejun , Xin Lifeng , Zhang Xun
Published: February 2018

The rated suspension gap of a low-to-medium-speed maglev train with electromagnetic suspension is normally 8–10 mm. However, while either passing over a bridge or being stationary on one, the maglev train deforms the bridge and therefore alters the suspension gap. Hence, a problem arises due to coupled vibrations between the maglev train and its supporting bridge. In the study reported here, field experiments were conducted on the Chinese Changsha maglev line, which was the first commercial low-to-medium-speed maglev line in China. The focus is on two types of pre-stressed double-track concrete bridges on the maglev line. One is a simply supported girder with a span of 25 m, while the other is a continuous girder designed as 25 + 35 + 25 m. The accelerations and vertical dynamic deflections of the two bridges at midspan were measured while a five-module low-to-medium-speed maglev train with electromagnetic suspension either passed over or was stationary on either bridge, as were the accelerations of the car body and the suspension frame. The basic dynamic characteristics of the two bridges are analysed and compared with those of bridges in various typical maglev lines. The vibration characteristics of the two bridges, the car body and the suspension frame are studied in the time and frequency domains for the maglev train running at normal speeds, low speeds and when stationary. The influences of the speed on the dynamic characteristics are discussed. Some comparisons with other studies are also carried out, including the effects of bridge parameters on the coupled vibrations and the running stability of a low-to-medium-speed maglev and a CRH2C wheel/rail train. Significant conclusions are drawn from the analysis: increasing the rigidity and mass of the bridge can significantly reduce its vibration; increasing the span and deflection of the bridge increases the vibrations of the car body and the suspension frame; the dynamics of the maglev vehicle and bridges are different when the maglev train runs at normal speeds (more than 30 km/h), low speeds (less than 30 km/h) and when being stationary. The running stability of a low-to-medium-speed maglev train is better than that of a CRH2C high-speed train. The present study provides a test basis for further research on the mechanisms for coupled vibrations of maglev train–bridge systems.
Outcomes of multitarget therapy using mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus for refractory or relapsing lupus nephritis
Authors: Choi C-B , Won S , Bae S-C
Published: February 2018

Objectives

Outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have significantly improved over the years. However, when there is major organ involvement, the outcomes can still be unfavorable. Outcomes of multitarget therapy using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus in patients with SLE who were refractory to standard therapy were assessed.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the Hanyang BAE lupus cohort to identify patients with biopsy-confirmed lupus nephritis (classes III, IV, or V) who failed to either achieve complete response with standard induction therapy or those who had a lupus flare after achieving a complete response with conventional induction therapy and subsequently were switched to multitarget combination therapy with MMF and tacrolimus. Outcomes, including renal response, proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate, serum albumin, anti-dsDNA antibody level, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and complements, were assessed at six and 12 months.

Results

Twenty-nine patients, including 12 who failed to achieve a complete response at 12 months after initial conventional induction therapy and 17 with lupus flare after achieving a complete response at 12 months and treated with multitarget therapy, were included in the analysis. At six months, 53.9% of the patients showed a response, with 15.4% of patients showing a complete response and 38.5% of patients showing a partial response. At 12 months, 55.5% of patients exhibited a response (with complete and partial response in 25.9% and 29.6%, respectively). The dosage of steroids was significantly decreased at six months compared with baseline and was maintained at 12 months. Proteinuria, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody positivity, as well as C3 and C4 levels improved after treatment and persisted until 12 months, but were not significant. SLEDAI also improved. Outcomes were significantly better in patients who had a complete response but later had a flare, resulting in the use of multitarget therapy and achieving a subsequent complete response.

Conclusions

Multitarget therapy with MMF and tacrolimus can be a reasonable option in refractory lupus nephritis patients who failed to show adequate response to conventional induction therapy or who had flares during maintenance therapy. This treatment can help patients achieve a renal response and reduce the use of steroids.
Multiple imputation with sequential penalized regression
Authors: Zahid Faisal M , Heumann Christian
Published: February 2018

Missing data is a common issue that can cause problems in estimation and inference in biomedical, epidemiological and social research. Multiple imputation is an increasingly popular approach for handling missing data. In case of a large number of covariates with missing data, existing multiple imputation software packages may not work properly and often produce errors. We propose a multiple imputation algorithm called mispr based on sequential penalized regression models. Each variable with missing values is assumed to have a different distributional form and is imputed with its own imputation model using the ridge penalty. In the case of a large number of predictors with respect to the sample size, the use of a quadratic penalty guarantees unique estimates for the parameters and leads to better predictions than the usual Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), with a good compromise between bias and variance. As a result, the proposed algorithm performs well and provides imputed values that are better even for a large number of covariates with small samples. The results are compared with the existing software packages mice, VIM and Amelia in simulation studies. The missing at random mechanism was the main assumption in the simulation study. The imputation performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated with mean squared imputation error and mean absolute imputation error. The mean squared error ([Formula: see text]), parameter estimates with their standard errors and confidence intervals are also computed to compare the performance in the regression context. The proposed algorithm is observed to be a good competitor to the existing algorithms, with smaller mean squared imputation error, mean absolute imputation error and mean squared error. The algorithm’s performance becomes considerably better than that of the existing algorithms with increasing number of covariates, especially when the number of predictors is close to or even greater than the sample size. Two real-life datasets are also used to examine the performance of the proposed algorithm using simulations.
A marginalized two-part model with heterogeneous variance for semicontinuous data
Authors: Smith Valerie A , Preisser John S
Published: February 2018

Semicontinuous data, characterized by a point mass at zero followed by a positive, continuous distribution, arise frequently in medical research. These data are typically analyzed using two-part mixtures that separately model the probability of incurring a positive outcome and the distribution of positive values among those who incur them. In such a conditional specification, however, standard two-part models do not provide a marginal interpretation of covariate effects on the overall population. We have previously proposed a marginalized two-part model that yields more interpretable effect estimates by parameterizing the model in terms of the marginal mean. In the original formulation, a constant variance was assumed for the positive values. We now extend this model to a more general framework by allowing non-constant variance to be explicitly modeled as a function of covariates, and incorporate this variance into two flexible distributional assumptions, log-skew-normal and generalized gamma, both of which take the log-normal distribution as a special case. Using simulation studies, we compare the performance of each of these models with respect to bias, coverage, and efficiency. We illustrate the proposed modeling framework by evaluating the effect of a behavioral weight loss intervention on health care expenditures in the Veterans Affairs health system.
The development of private pensions in Serbia: caught between a generic blueprint and an unconducive local environment
Authors: Altiparmakov Nikola , Matković Gordana
Published: February 2018

Serbia is one of the rare eastern European countries that decisively dismissed the controversial pension privatisation agenda whereby mandatory private pension funds would be introduced to (partially) replace existing public pay-as-you-go (PAYG) benefits. Instead, Serbia opted for a more traditional western European approach, combining PAYG cost-containment parametric reforms with the introduction of tax-preferred supplementary private pensions. We explain that the desire for equitable intergenerational burden-sharing was one of the key factors behind the decision-making process that made Serbia diverge from regional trends and World Bank orthodoxy. Nonetheless, problems that have plagued mandatory private funds in neighbouring countries, such as excessive operating costs and undiversified portfolios, have also been prevalent in the Serbian voluntary private pension fund industry, which failed to achieve tangible labour market coverage and whose survival has been due mostly to exclusive tax privileges.
Divergent occupational pensions in Bismarckian countries: the case of Germany and Austria
Authors: Wiß Tobias
Published: February 2018

Pension reforms and the changing public/private pension mix of the last decades are well documented. However, a more detailed look at the design of occupational pensions reveals remarkable differences even in countries that are usually treated as similar in the literature. Germany and Austria share many similarities and are having to cope with similar reform pressure. However, the design of occupational pensions varies substantially. Why? In Germany, trade unions are regularly involved in occupational pension schemes and benefits are calculated on the basis of defined contributions (DC), but with minimum return guarantees preventing losses in times of financial turmoil. By contrast, trade unions rarely participate in Austrian occupational schemes. In Austria, pure DC schemes without guarantees resulted in heavy occupational pension cuts during the recent financial market crises. Following the method of difference, the article explains this difference by trade union structure, unions’ strategic thinking and (lacking) reform threats supported by employers.
Horizontal and vertical spillovers in wage bargaining: A theoretical framework and experimental evidence
Authors: Lehr Alex , Vyrastekova Jana , Akkerman Agnes , Torenvlied René
Published: February 2018

Conflict in wage bargaining is affected by information about other bargaining units and information about the past of the bargaining unit. We develop a theoretical framework for such spillovers and detail four distinct mechanisms. Rational learning and social comparisons are reviewed as mechanisms for the influence of information about other bargaining units, and reputation and expectation effects are reviewed as mechanisms for the influence of information about the past of the bargaining unit. Building upon a previous experimental study, we implement an unstructured, time-limited, two-person bargaining game with asymmetric information and investigate the impact of reputation and expectation effects. The experimental treatments vary with respect to spillover-inducing information available to the participants. The results suggest that reputation effects decrease conflict, whereas expectation effects tend to increase conflict. Moreover, reputation effects diminish the influence of social comparisons but can augment the effects of rational learning.
A framework for the identification of full-field structural dynamics using sequences of images in the presence of non-ideal operating conditions
Authors: Dasari Sudeep , Dorn Charles , Yang Yongchao , Larson Amy , Mascareñas David
Published: February 2018

Recent developments in the ability to automatically and efficiently extract natural frequencies, damping ratios, and full-field mode shapes from video of vibrating structures has great potential for reducing the resources and time required for performing experimental and operational modal analysis at very high spatial resolution. Furthermore, these techniques have the added advantage that they can be implemented remotely and in a non-contact fashion. Emerging full-field imaging techniques therefore have potential to allow the identification of the modal properties of structures in regimes that used to be challenging. For instance, these techniques suggest that the high spatial resolution structural identification could be performed on an aircraft during flight using a ground or aircraft-based imager. They also have the potential to identify the dynamics of microscopic systems. In order to realize this capability it will be necessary to develop techniques that can extract full-field structural dynamics in the presence of non-ideal operating conditions. In this work, we develop a framework for the deployment of emerging algorithms that allow the automatic extraction of high-resolution, full-field modal parameters in the presence of non-ideal operating conditions. One of the most notable non-ideal operating conditions is the rigid body motion of both the structure being measured as well as the imager performing the measurement. We demonstrate an instantiation of the framework by showing how it can be used to address, in-plane, translational, rigid body motion. The development of a frame-to-frame keypoint–based technique for identifying full-field structural dynamics in the presence of either rigid body motion is presented and demonstrated in the context of the framework for the deployment of full-field structural identification techniques in the presence of non-ideal operating conditions. It is expected that this framework will ultimately help enable the collection of full-field structural dynamics using measurement platforms including unmanned aerial vehicles, robotic telescopes, satellites, imagers mounted in high-vibration environments (seismic, industrial, harsh weather), characterization of microscopic structures, and human-carried imagers. If imager-based structural identification techniques mature to the point that they can be used in non-ideal field conditions, it could open up the possibility that the structural health monitoring community will be able to think beyond monitoring individual structures, to full-field structural integrity monitoring at the city scale.
Talk and Let Talk: The Effects of Language Proficiency on Speaking Up and Competence Perceptions in Multinational Teams
Authors: Li Huisi (Jessica) , Yuan Y. Connie , Bazarova Natalya N. , Bell Bradford S.
Published: February 2018

Collaboration within multinational teams necessitates the adoption of a common language, typically English, which often leads to significant differences in language proficiency across members. We develop and test a multilevel model of the effects of language proficiency within multinational teams. An experimental study of 51 teams (102 American and 102 Chinese participants) revealed that, at the individual level, members with higher levels of language proficiency were more likely to speak up, which led to more positive perceptions of their competence. At the team level, greater dispersion in language proficiency across members was associated with less accurate competence recognition, which, in turn, led to lower overall team performance. Moreover, communication medium moderated these relationships, such that the effects of language proficiency were more potent in face-to-face than in computer-mediated teams. We discuss the implications of these findings for future research and for managing participation, competence, and technology in multinational teams.
Role of Tendoscopy in Treating Stage II Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
Authors: Bernasconi Alessio , Sadile Francesco , Welck Matthew , Mehdi Nazim , Laborde Julien , Lintz François
Published: February 2018

Background:

Stage II tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction (PTTD) resistant to conservative therapies is usually treated with invasive surgery. Posterior tibial tendoscopy is a novel technique being used in the assessment and treatment of posterior tibial pathology. The aims of this study were (1) to clarify the role of posterior tibial tendon tendoscopy in treating stage II PTTD, (2) to arthroscopically classify spring ligament lesions, and (3) to compare the arthroscopic assessment of spring ligament lesions with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonographic (US) data.

Methods:

We reviewed prospectively collected data on 16 patients affected by stage II PTTD and treated by tendoscopy. We report the reoperation rate and functional outcomes evaluated by comparing pre- and postoperative visual analogic scale for pain (VAS-pain) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36; with its physical [PCS] and mental [MCS] components). Postoperative satisfaction was assessed using a VAS-satisfaction scale. One patient was lost to follow-up. Spring ligament lesions were arthroscopically classified in 3 stages. Discrepancies between preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings were evaluated.

Results:

At a mean of 25.6 months’ follow-up, VAS-pain ( P < .001), SF-36 PCS ( P = .039), and SF-36 MCS ( P < .001) significantly improved. The mean VAS-satisfaction score was 75.3/100. Patients were relieved from symptoms in 80% of cases, while 3 patients required further surgery. MRI and US were in agreement with intraoperative data in 92% and 67%, respectively, for the tendon assessment and in 78% and 42%, respectively, for the spring ligament.

Conclusions:

Tendoscopy may be considered a valid therapeutic tool in the treatment of stage II PTTD resistant to conservative treatment. It provided objective and subjective encouraging results that could allow continued conservative therapy while avoiding more invasive surgery in most cases. MRI and US were proven more useful in detecting PT lesions than spring ligament tears. Further studies on PT could use this tendoscopic classification to standardize its description.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, therapeutic study, case series.