bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformation of Hospital Pharmacist Opioid Stewardship
Authors: Ghafoor Virginia L. , Phelps Pamela K. , Pastor John , Meisel Steven
Published: October 2018

Purpose: The heightened involvement of government organizations to improve pain management and mitigate opioid adverse events brings to light the need for an opioid stewardship model. Summary: The US opioid epidemic has resulted in new hospital requirements for pain management by regulatory agencies. Opioid stewardship is a concept in the early development stage of pharmacy practice. There exists a need for a cohesive vision of opioid stewardship and the role of the pharmacist. Over the course of 17 years, the tracks for opioid stewardship in Fairview Health Services were laid through numerous initiatives to mitigate adverse events and improve the quality of pain management. This article will describe a transformation process for establishing the framework for opioid stewardship within Fairview Health Services and role of the pharmacist. Conclusions: The vision for opioid stewardship will ultimately be defined through the actions taken to improve quality care and patient safety. Opioid safety should be expanded to include stewardship of approaches that reduce the risk of diversion, overdose, and medication abuse. Pharmacists currently have a major role monitoring opioid medication in hospitals and this component will increase with new regulatory requirements.
Landscape of Elderly Suicide in South Korea: Its Trend According to Age, Gender, and Educational Attainment
Authors: Kim J. W. , Jung H. Y. , Won D. Y. , Shin Y. S. , Noh J. H. , Kang T. I.
Published: October 2018

South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and the most alarming suicide rate is among its elders. This study aims to understand the social, historical, and cultural context of the Korean older adults and examine suicide trends based on that understanding. The results show that the suicide risk increases with age, the male suicide rate outweighs that of females, and the suicide rate decreases with educational attainment. In addition, several suggestions for reducing elderly suicide rate are addressed, including differentiating the existing social services for elders by age and expanding suicide prevention programs beyond schools to communities so that all people in need can access them.
Colorimetric properties and application of temperature indicator thermochromic pigment for thermal woven textile
Authors: Zhao Yuanfang , Li Li
Published: October 2018

Currently, the thermometer, infrared thermal imaging camera and temperature sensor are the main instruments for the temperature measurement of thermal products. However, these instruments are either inconvenient or too expensive to afford. For researchers, these are common to approach, whereas for designers or salespeople who work in the thermal textile field, new tools that are more convenient to access, easily affordable and have design possibilities need to be invented. This study aims to select a temperature indicator thermochromic pigment amount of four pigments (red, yellow, green and blue) for thermal woven textiles by analyzing the colorimetric properties and making a fast indicator demonstration prototype to achieve the concept. The pigment samples are heated respectively and the decolorization color at 40℃, 50℃, 60℃ and 70℃ under illuminant D65 are real-time measured by a spectroradiometer. The L*, a*, b*, ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, K/ S and color difference CMC 2:1 values are calculated and analyzed. In this experiment, blue pigment has the best performance and thus results in the top selection of the indicator pigment, which is used in production for a fast, convenient and visualized temperature indicator for thermal woven textiles.
Study of flapping filaments using the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Wang Zhengdao , Wei Yi Kun , Qian Yuehong
Published: October 2018

In this study, flow over a flexible filament under a wide range of parameters is simulated using the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method (IB-LBM). The leading end of the filament is fixed in the flow field and the trailing end is free to flap. To execute the simulation, we combine the IB-LBM and a semi-implicit discrete equation of force on the filament to better satisfy the boundary condition. After some numerical simulations validating the modified method, the motion of flexible filaments is examined with different dimensionless bending coefficients ([Formula: see text]) and Reynolds numbers ([Formula: see text]). From the trajectory of the flapping filament, different flapping modes are found. When the parameter is between that of two modes, the anti-resonance phenomenon is observed. Numerical results show that the dimensionless bending coefficient and Reynolds number both affect the flapping motion, but in different ways. The dimensionless bending coefficient mainly affects the mode of the flapping, while the Reynolds number mainly affects the perturbation to the filament motion, which is related to the motivation of this system. Some other motion characteristics, for example, the function of amplitude and perturbation propagation, are also discussed in this work.
Constructions Waxing and Waning: A Brief History of the Zero-Secondary Predicate Construction
Authors: D’hoedt Frauke , De Smet Hendrik , Cuyckens Hubert
Published: October 2018

In the English Secondary Predicate Construction (SPC), a predicative relation between a noun phrase (NP) and a “secondary predicate” (XP) is established by a main verb ( He finds Verb her NP attractive XP). While the syntactic nature of this construction has received ample attention from a synchronic perspective, this study aims to shed light on the diachronic developments of the SPC. First, using data from the York-Toronto-Helsinki Corpus of Old English Prose (YCOE) and the Penn corpora, a classification is proposed of the verbs occurring in the SPC. Based on this semantic classification, the development of the SPC is then traced from Old English to Late Modern English in terms of frequency and productivity. It is argued that, while the various classes of SPC-taking verbs often show opposite developments, these lower-level incongruities are resolved at a higher schematic level, as the SPC as a whole underwent a process of internalization. These findings underscore the importance of lower-level developments in the diachronic behavior of schematic constructions and consequently contribute to the literature on constructional change.
Temporal dynamics of couples’ communication behaviors in conflict discussions: A longitudinal analysis
Authors: Leuchtmann Lorena , Milek Anne , Bernecker Katharina , Nussbeck Fridtjof W. , Backes Sabine , Martin Mike , Zemp Martina , Brandstätter Veronika , Bodenmann Guy
Published: October 2018

Negative and positive conflict communication predicts long-term relationship satisfaction. However, some studies show harmful effects and others show beneficial effects of negative conflict communication on long-term relationship satisfaction. One reason for the heterogeneous results might be that most studies focused on aggregated behaviors across a conflict interaction but neglected the temporal dynamics within such an interaction. This study examined whether individual initial levels and temporal trajectories of negative and positive communications predict long-term relationship satisfaction, and whether self-efficacy beliefs about clarity of other’s feelings (CoF) alter initial levels and temporal trajectories of negative and positive communications. Negative and positive communications were measured based on sequentially coded conflict discussions of 365 couples; self-efficacy beliefs about CoF and relationship satisfaction were measured by self-report questionnaires at baseline and at four annual follow-up assessments. Results revealed that women’s initial positive communication predicted higher intercepts of both partners’ relationship satisfaction, and stronger decreases in women’s negative communication predicted a higher intercept of relationship satisfaction in women. Additionally, less steep decreases in women’s trajectories of negative communication predicted greater maintenance in women’s relationship satisfaction over time. Additionally, men’s self-efficacy beliefs about CoF predicted decreases in men’s negative communication, increases in women’s negative communication, and higher initial levels of women’s positive communication. The current study highlights the relevance of dynamic aspects of partners’ communication behaviors.
Dark Dreams Are Made of This: Aggressive and Sexual Dream Content, and the Dark Triad of Personality
Authors: Lyons Minna , Khan Shelley , Sandman Nils , Valli Katja
Published: October 2018

The Dark Triad (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) of personality has been associated with behaviors that facilitate a fast life history strategy, such as aggressiveness and increased interest in sex. In this online study ( N = 265), we investigated the possibility that these personality traits have an association with dream content, namely, increased frequency of sexual and aggressive dreams. In regression analyses, we found that the frequency of aggressive dreams was predicted by Machiavellianism and psychopathy. The frequency of sexual dreams was predicted by psychopathy and narcissism. The results support a number of previous studies, suggesting that especially psychopathy is a manifestation of a fast life history strategy. Further, individuals high in this trait may simulate evolutionarily relevant actions in their dreams.
Assessing the Relationship Between Religiosity and Recidivism Among Adult Probationers in Pakistan
Authors: Bhutta Mazhar H. , Wormith J. Stephen , Zidenberg Alexandra M.
Published: October 2018

Although empirical evidence supports a relationship between religiosity and criminal behavior, debate continues about the theoretical mechanisms by which they are related. Moreover, the topic has been largely ignored by practicing clinicians and correctional workers. The Muslim Religiosity-Personality Inventory: Abridged was administered to low-risk Pakistani probationers and factor analyzed, after which probationers’ recidivism was monitored. Five oblique factors were obtained, three of which were correlated with recidivism (Religious Practice, Religious–Moral Values, and Fundamental Religious Beliefs), as was the full scale, while two were not (Importance of Religion and Rejection of Nonbeliever). In a logistic regression, Religious–Moral Values and Religious Practices contributed to the prediction of probationer recidivism. However, when demographic characteristics were introduced, education and marital status replaced Religious Practices. This study supports the religiosity–crime link in a non-Western, Muslim culture. Implications for assessing religiosity and for practitioners in the justice system are discussed.
Beyond the Employment Dichotomy: An Examination of Recidivism and Days Remaining in the Community by Post-Release Employment Status
Authors: Bunting Amanda M. , Staton Michele , Winston Erin , Pangburn Kevin
Published: October 2018

Criminological research has tended to consider employment in a dichotomy of employed versus unemployed. The current research examines a sample of individuals 1-year post-release to assess the extent to which four distinct employment categories (full-time, part-time, disabled, and unemployed) are associated with reincarceration and days remaining in the community. Findings indicate disabled individuals remain in the community longer and at a higher proportion compared with other employment categories. Furthermore, unique protective and risk factors are found to be associated with each employment category while some risk factors (e.g., homelessness) highlight the importance of addressing reentry barriers regardless as to employment status.
Driving Status and Transportation Disadvantage Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Ryvicker Miriam , Bollens-Lund Evan , Ornstein Katherine A.
Published: October 2018

Transportation disadvantage may have important implications for the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults. This study used the 2015 National Health Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and over ( N = 7,498), to generate national estimates of transportation modalities and transportation disadvantage among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. An estimated 10.8 million community-dwelling older adults in the United States rarely or never drive. Among nondrivers, 25% were classified as transportation disadvantaged, representing 2.3 million individuals. Individuals with more chronic medical conditions and those reliant on assistive devices were more likely to report having a transportation disadvantage ( p < .05). Being married resulted in a 50% decreased odds of having a transportation disadvantage ( p < .01). Some individuals may be at higher risk for transportation-related barriers to engaging in valued activities and accessing care, calling for tailored interventions such as ride-share services combined with care coordination strategies.
Through the Eyes of a Child: Witnessing Childhood Trauma Is as Impactful as Experiencing Trauma for Polyvictimized Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Wolf Molly R. , Prabhu Shraddha
Published: October 2018

In this retrospective study of 244 adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA), their experiences of childhood polyvictimization were analyzed as to their cumulative effect on trauma symptoms, education, and income levels. The data were gathered by anonymously sampling adult survivors of CSA from websites that were specific to this population (such as online peer support groups). Their experiences of victimization were examined as to Cumulative Polyvictimization, Witnessing Traumas (such as witnessing intimate partner violence), and Experiencing Traumas (such as child physical abuse). The majority of the sample (87%) experienced polyvictimization in childhood (in combination with CSA), with the largest part of the sample (83%) experiencing emotional abuse by someone close to them, and the smallest part of the sample (22%) experiencing child physical abuse by someone with whom they were not close. The results of the linear regressions showed that both experiencing and witnessing trauma were significantly associated with trauma symptoms for CSA survivors. These results suggest that both types of victimization (experiencing and witnessing) need to be treated as direct traumas, and a more holistic approach toward survivors of CSA is needed toward assessment and treatment.
Effects of inductor patterns on temperature and deformation behavior of ship hull plate by induction heating
Authors: Zhang Shuiming , Liu Cungen , Wang Xuefeng , Yang Zhi
Published: October 2018

This paper mainly investigated the effects of different inductor patterns on thermal forming behavior of ship hull plate by moving induction heating. Alternately-coupled electromagnetic-thermal analysis procedure considering temperature-dependent material properties was firstly implemented at each moving step of inductor, followed with uncoupled thermal-mechanical transient analysis to obtain corresponding thermal deformation. Then temperature distribution, dimensions (breadth b and depth h) of heat-affected zone, and deformation obtained from codirectional current-carrying inductor with no gap and opposite-direction current-carrying inductor with gap were compared, respectively. And effects of heating directions and distance T2 of ODIG were also analyzed. It turns out that codirectional current-carrying inductor with no gap can generate much larger transverse shrinkage at 1.8–2.5 mm/s than opposite-direction current-carrying inductor with gap, otherwise smaller at 3.2–4.0 mm/s, likewise larger temperature gradient at 1.8–4.0 mm/s and thus larger bending angular deformation. Besides, heating direction “Out” can generate larger deformation than “In” and deformation for opposite-direction current-carrying inductor with gap can be effectively improved through adjusting distance T2 until 13 mm. These indicate that adopting appropriate inductor patterns, heating direction and distance T2 of opposite-direction current-carrying inductor with gap can significantly improve thermal forming behavior.
Unsteady aerodynamics investigation of deploying tandem-wing with different methods
Authors: Cheng Hao , Wang Hua , Shi Qingli , Zhang Mengying
Published: October 2018

In the rapidly deploying process of the unmanned aerial vehicle with folding wings, the aerodynamic characteristics could be largely different owing to the effects of deformation rate and the aerodynamic interference. The investigation on the unsteady aerodynamics is of great significance for the stability analysis and control design. The lifting-line method and the vortex-lattice method are improved to calculate the unsteady aerodynamics in the morphing stage. It is validated that the vortex-lattice method predicts the unsteady lift coefficient more appropriately than the lifting-line method. Different tandem wing configurations with deployable wings are simulated with different deformation rates during the morphing stage by the vortex-lattice method. As results indicated, the unsteady lift coefficient and the induced drag of the fore wing rise with the deformation rate increasing, but it is reversed for the hind wing. Additionally, the unsteady lift coefficient of the tandem wing configuration performs well with a larger stagger, a larger magnitude of the gap and a larger wingspan of the fore wing; however, the total induced drag has a larger value for the configuration that the two lifting surfaces with the same wingspans are closer to each other.
Statistical positivism versus critical scientific realism. A comparison of two paradigms for motivation research: Part 1. A philosophical and empirical analysis of statistical positivism
Authors: Chirkov Valery , Anderson Jade
Published: October 2018

In this two-part publication, we compare two paradigms—statistical positivism and critical scientific realism—in their application to research on academic motivation. In the first part, the propositions of statistical positivism and their applications to psychological research are presented. An empirical study in this part combines self-determination and achievement goal theories and builds a statistically integrated model of motivation of 385 college students using path analysis. This part ends with a critical analysis of this statistical model and the knowledge about motivation that it provides. In the second part, the propositions of critical scientific realism are articulated. An empirical study in Part 2 utilizes these propositions and initiates realist interviewing of 12 purposefully selected students. Using within- and between-case analyses, a model of a motivational mechanism of successful university students is proposed. The authors conclude that the continued use of statistical positivism generates minimal new knowledge about the mechanisms of academic motivation. This paradigm should be replaced with the realist one and a case-based methodology, which have a better chance to advance research and improve understanding of academic motivation.
Intertwined Facets of Subjective Time
Authors: Droit-Volet Sylvie
Published: October 2018

For decades, researchers in the behavioral sciences have studied how humans judge time accurately. Now they are looking more closely at the conditions in which they fail to do so and why, with the aim of testing the limits of a potential internal timing system (i.e., an internal clock). Recent behavioral studies have thus focused on time distortions, in particular those caused by emotion. They have also begun to examine the awareness of the passage of time and its relation with the perception of durations in different temporal ranges, from a few seconds to several minutes.
Tamoxifen suppresses paclitaxel-, vincristine-, and bortezomib-induced neuropathy via inhibition of the protein kinase C/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway
Authors: Tsubaki Masanobu , Takeda Tomoya , Matsumoto Mikihiro , Kato Natsuki , Yasuhara Shota , Koumoto Yu-ichi , Imano Motohiro , Satou Takao , Nishida Shozo
Published: October 2018

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is a highly problematic, dose-limiting effect of potentially curative regimens of cancer chemotherapy. When neuropathic pain is severe, patients often either switch to less-effective chemotherapy agents or choose to discontinue chemotherapy entirely. Conventional chemotherapy drugs used to treat lung and breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma include paclitaxel, vincristine, and bortezomib. Approximately 68% of patients receiving these anticancer drugs develop neuropathy within the first month of treatment, and while strategies to prevent chemotherapy-induced neuropathy have been investigated, none have yet been proven as effective. Recent reports suggest that chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is associated with signal transduction molecules, including protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinases. It is currently unclear whether protein kinase C inhibition can prevent chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. In this study, we found that tamoxifen, a protein kinase C inhibitor, suppressed paclitaxel-, vincristine-, and bortezomib-induced cold and mechanical allodynia in mice. In addition, chemotherapy drugs induce neuropathy via the protein kinase C/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in the spinal cord in lumbar segments 4–6 and dorsal root ganglions. In addition, tamoxifen was shown to act synergistically with paclitaxel to inhibit tumor-growth in mice injected with tumor cells. Our results indicated that paclitaxel-, vincristine-, and bortezomib-induced neuropathies were associated with the protein kinase C/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in the lumbar spinal cord and dorsal root ganglions, which suggest that protein kinase C inhibitors may be therapeutically effective for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy when administered with standard chemotherapy agents.
Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement in Outpatient Laboratories: Effects on Wait Times, Employee Engagement, and Efficiency
Authors: Featherall Joseph , Chaitoff Alexander , Simonetti Anthony , Bena James , Kubiak Daniel , Rothberg Michael , Roumina Kavous , Hurle Nathan , Henricks Walter , Yerian Lisa
Published: October 2018

Transforming health care remains a challenge as many continuous improvement (CI) initiatives fail or are not sustained. Although the literature suggests the importance of culture, few studies provide evidence of cultural change creating sustained CI. This improvement initiative focused on creating cultural change through goal alignment, visual management, and empowering frontline employees. Data included 113 133 encounters. Cochran-Armitage tests and X-bar charting compared wait times during the CI initiative. Odds of waiting <15 minutes increased in both phase 2 (odds ratio = 3.57, 95% confidence interval = [3.43-3.71]) and phase 3 (odds ratio = 5.39, 95% confidence interval = [5.07, 5.74]). At 3 years follow-up, 95% of wait times were <15 minutes. Productivity increased from 519 to 644 patients/full-time equivalent/month; 33/42 Press Ganey employee engagement components significantly improved. This study demonstrates the efficacy of a culture of CI approach to sustain wait time improvement in outpatient laboratory services, and should be considered for application in other areas of health care quality.
Navigating an Unclear Terrain: Challenges in Recognizing, Naming, and Accessing Services for “Forced Marriage”
Authors: Love Hanna , Dank Meredith , Esthappan Sino , Zweig Janine
Published: October 2018

Despite the attention forced marriage has received abroad, it remains poorly understood in the United States. This study is one of the first to examine the practice domestically, with a focus on service provision. Using interviews with those who have experienced forced marriage and relevant stakeholders, we describe challenges in recognizing, naming, and disclosing forced marriage. Findings indicate that people are unaware forced marriage services exist, face barriers to disclosing, may not identify with the term, and are reluctant to seek services. They suggest the need for training, consistent organizational definitions, inclusive terminology, programming aimed at root causes, standardized identification methods, and cultural competency.
Supporting the AEA Mission of Improving Evaluation Practice, Methods, and Use
Authors: Julnes George , Newcomer Kathryn
Published: October 2018

The growing emphasis on using evidence to inform decisions in public sector policy making has created both opportunities for and demands on the American Evaluation Association (AEA) in pursuing its mission “to improve evaluation practices and methods, increase evaluation use, promote evaluation as a profession, and support the contribution of evaluation to the generation of theory and knowledge about effective human action.” This article explores one approach to addressing these opportunities and demands—establishing a National Academy of Evaluation (NAE)—by describing suggestions and concerns that arose during an extended discussion of the opportunities and challenges of establishing an NAE that took place in the fall of 2014 via EvalTalk and at the 2014 national AEA conference. Initially, we felt some skepticism about the value and viability of an NAE, but subsequent experience with AEA’s Evaluation Policy Task Force (EPTF), with Julnes as an EPTF member and Newcomer as a liaison from AEA’s presidential rotation, made clear to us that the promise of an academy is strong, given the need for more capacity in supplying expert guidance on evaluation to governments, other organizations, and other evaluation stakeholders. Whether AEA should move forward in establishing an NAE, however, requires more than the promise of its contributions. This article seeks to summarize the issues and some consensus conclusions that emerged in earlier discussions so as to promote critical discussions, with insights from diverse perspectives, on the value of establishing some form of a national academy to advance the profession of evaluation.
Automated gonioscopy photography for iridocorneal angle grading
Authors: Teixeira Filipa , Sousa David C , Leal Inês , Barata André , Neves Carlos M , Pinto Luís A
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to assess the agreement between manual and automated gonioscopy for iridocorneal angle opening.

Methods:

The research is a cross-sectional observational study. Manual and automated gonioscopy were performed to consecutive patients in a glaucoma clinic. Iridocorneal angle opening grading was performed according to Shaffer’s classification. Automated gonioscopy was performed with NGS-1 automated gonioscope (NIDEK Co., Gamagori, Japan). The automated gonio-photos were graded by two independent observers. Agreement between automated and manual gonioscopy and also among raters was ascertained by Fleiss’ kappa statistic and comparison of area under curve.

Results:

In total, 88 eyes of 47 subjects were analysed. Mean age was 63 ± 10 years. Twenty eyes (22.7%) were excluded from grading due to poor quality images. Angle closure was detected in 23.4% with dynamic gonioscopy in comparison with 4.3% using automated image grading. The agreement for angle closure diagnosis between dynamic and automated gonioscopy was low (κ = 0.09 ± 0.10; p = 0.18). The area under curve for detecting eyes with angle closure showed poor accuracy between automated and manual methods (area under curve: 0.53 ± 0.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.44–0.62). There was modest inter-rater agreement for angle opening assessment of automated images with Fleiss’ kappa of 0.17 (95% confidence interval: 0.035–0.238).

Conclusion:

Manual and automated gonioscopy showed only slight agreement for the assessment of iridocorneal angle opening status. Further improvements of the NGS-1 automated gonioscopy and technique are desired for widespread use in a real-life setting.
Linguistic Capital and Inequality in Aid Relations
Authors: Roth Silke
Published: October 2018

Globalisation processes and the spread of English as lingua franca are closely related. I consider language skills as symbolic capital and focus on the hegemony of English as lingua franca in international aid organisations. I argue that more attention must be paid to the role of language and linguistic capital when analysing global inequality and postcolonial power relations. Humanitarian and development organisations have so far received less sociological attention than other aspects of globalisation processes, whereas in the context of development studies, attention to language usually focuses on the ‘discourse of development’ rather than on the role of linguistic capital in multilingual settings. Aid work, which includes the transfer of skills and resources, simultaneously addresses and perpetuates global inequalities. Language structures power relations and inequality within aid organisations, in particular between national and international staff. My article is based on qualitative interviews with multilingual and monolingual aid workers from a wide variety of aid organisations. My article is innovative by demonstrating how linguistic capital intersects with other aspects of inequality in the global context of aid organisations. It makes an important contribution to the understanding of globalisation processes and to postcolonial sociology.
Arteriovenous graft patency outcomes and prognostic factors
Authors: Park Jeeeun , Kim Jinhae , Hwang Subin , Lee Mi Kyoung , Jang Hye Ryoun , Eun Lee Jung , Park Yang-Jin , Huh Wooseong , Kim Yoon-Goo , Oh Ha Young , Joong Kim Dae
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Arteriovenous graft for hemodialysis shows poorer outcomes than arteriovenous fistula, due to frequent stenosis and thrombosis. We investigated arteriovenous graft patency outcomes and prognostic factors for these outcomes.

Methods

We included a single-center cohort of patients receiving arteriovenous graft for hemodialysis access from 2010 to 2014. Demographics, laboratory data, comorbidities, and medications were collected from medical records. Surgical factors related to graft operation including the type and diameter of connected vessels, graft location, and type of operation (elective or emergency) were also recorded. Outcomes included primary and secondary patency. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method; univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the prognostic factors.

Results

Data from 225 grafts were analyzed. During the follow-up period (mean: 583 days, range: 1–1717 days), 138 (61%) grafts required intervention and 46 (20%) permanently failed. Primary patency at one, two, and three years was 42%, 20%, and 16%, respectively. Secondary patency at one, two, and three years was 85%, 72%, and 64%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that primary patency was negatively associated with increasing age and location of vessel anastomosis (reference-brachiobrachial anastomosis; brachiobasilic – HR, 0.569; 95% CI, 0.376–0.860; p = 0.007; brachioaxillary anastomosis – HR 0.407; 95% CI, 0.263–0.631; p < 0.0001); secondary patency was positively associated with diastolic blood pressure, serum albumin level, and hemoglobin over 10 g/dL. Adverse events other than stenosis or thrombosis, such as infection/inflammation or pseudoaneurysm were observed in approximately 20% of grafts.

Conclusions

Factors associated with diminished primary arteriovenous graft patency included increased patient age and location of vessel anastomosis (brachiobrachial type compared to brachiobasilic or brachioaxillary type); diminished secondary patency was associated with low diastolic blood pressure, low serum albumin, and hemoglobin level under 10 g/dL. Among these factors, diastolic blood pressure, serum albumin, and hemoglobin level may be modifiable and could improve arteriovenous graft patency outcomes.
Social media as third spaces? Exploring Muslim identity and connection in Tumblr
Authors: Pennington Rosemary
Published: October 2018

Third spaces have been imagined as sites of resistance, where hegemonic and normative understandings of the world may be challenged. New media are often imagined to have this liberatory potential as well, particularly for those individuals who experience social, cultural, or political marginalization. This research considers whether social media might help facilitate third spaces. It takes as a case for exploring this topic the experience of 188 Muslim bloggers in social networking site Tumblr. Many of these individuals live in non-Muslim majority countries and say they sometimes feel stuck between identities. The qualitative analysis of their blogs, as well as interviews with 30 of the bloggers, seeks to understand how Tumblr can facilitate third spaces where these bloggers can explore the hybrid nature of their identities while connecting to others who share that experience.
Culture and media entertainment: A cross-cultural exploration of hedonic and eudaimonic entertainment motivations
Authors: Odağ Özen , Uluğ Özden Melis , Arslan Hilal , Schiefer David
Published: October 2018

Recent studies have juxtaposed hedonic forms of media entertainment motivations (seeking for pleasure and fun) with eudaimonic forms (seeking for insights into the human condition). As most of this research was confined to the Western world so far, this contribution explores the impact of culture on hedonic and eudaimonic media entertainment motivations. Culture is conceptualized on both macro- and micro levels of analysis. On the macro level of countries, the study draws of Hofstede’s concept of individualism/collectivism. On the micro level of individuals, the study explores independent and interdependent self-construals and ethnic identity as potential influences on hedonic and eudaimonic entertainment. A survey was carried out with international students and non-students in Germany and Turkey ( N = 324). Cross-level operator analyses were calculated to explore relationships between cultural variables and hedonic/eudaimonic entertainment motivations. Results show consistently that variables of culture that tap into cultural belonging (collectivism, interdependence, and ethnic identity) are significant predictors of hedonic entertainment. Cultural variables that tap into distinctiveness and separation from one’s collective (individualism and independence) are significant predictors of eudaimonic entertainment. The study is among the first to explore the impact of cultural variability on entertainment motivations and thus especially relevant for sparking up a new line of research.
Zeeman gyrotropic scatterers
Authors: Valagiannopoulos Constantinos , Gangaraj S Ali Hassani , Monticone Francesco
Published: October 2018

Anomalous scattering effects (invisibility, superscattering, Fano resonances, etc) enabled by complex media and metamaterials have been the subject of intense efforts in the past couple of decades. In this article, we present a full analysis of the unusual and extreme scattering properties of an important class of complex scatterers, namely, gyrotropic cylindrical bodies, including both homogeneous and core–shell configurations. Our study unveils a number of interesting effects, including Zeeman splitting of plasmonic scattering resonances, tunable gyrotropy-induced rotation of dipolar radiation patterns as well as extreme Fano resonances and non-radiating eigenmodes (embedded eigenstates) of the gyrotropic scatterer. We believe that these theoretical findings may enable new opportunities to control and tailor scattered fields beyond what is achievable with isotropic reciprocal objects, being of large significance for different applications, from tunable directive nano-antennas to selective chiral sensors and scattering switches, as well as in the context of nonreciprocal and topological metamaterials.
Sedentary Behavior and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Japanese Living Overseas
Authors: Izawa Kazuhiro P. , Oka Koichiro
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to determine differences in sitting behavior time (SBT) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) based on application of the transtheoretical model (TTM) to exercise behavior in overseas-dwelling Japanese. SBT, HRQOL, and various sociodemographic factors were measured in 108 Japanese living in Ipoh, Malaysia. Subjects were classified into the non-exercise (NE), preparation (P), and exercise (E) groups. Workday, non-workday, and total-day SBTs were identified by self-reported questionnaire. The mental component summary (MCS) score for HRQOL was also assessed with the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (Japanese version). Differences in SBTs and HRQOL based on the TTM were calculated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, there were differences in workday ( F = 8.19, p < .001), non-workday ( F = 5.96, p = .001), and total-day ( F = 9.30, p < .001) SBTs and MCS scores ( F = 10.29, p < .001). Non-workday (338.6 ± 210.8 vs. 510.5 ± 213.4 min, p < .05) and total-day (376.8 ± 181.1 vs. 511.8 ± 183.3 min, p < .05) SBTs were lower and the MCS score (53.9 ± 9.5 vs. 48.4 ± 9.6, p < .05) for HRQOL was higher in the E group versus P group. These differences in SBT and HRQOL in relation to exercise behavior indicate that promotion of exercise behavior may be an important public health strategy to reduce SBT and increase HRQOL in overseas-dwelling Japanese.
Optimizing Community and Hospital Services Using the Cancer Support Source Program
Authors: Ross Emily J , Wiener Chelsea H , Robinson Diane , Cassisi Jeffrey E
Published: October 2018

Background:

The Cancer Support Community developed the Cancer Support Source (CSS) to assess the needs of cancer patients with distress. Each item on this self-administered questionnaire represents an area of concern which the patient rates and indicates their need for action with a “staff person,” but no details about the category of staff is given.

Objective:

To examine the factor structure of the CSS and to increase its utility to triage patients for referral to services based on a needs assessment.

Methods:

Data from 690 patients who completed the CSS over a 1-year period were analyzed. In study 1, an exploratory principal component analysis was conducted. In study 2, the fit of this proposed model was evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results:

Three factors were retained in the final CFA: emotional distress, physical health concerns, and resource needs. This model demonstrated adequate fit, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA)= 0.056, Comparitive Fit Index (CFI) = .907, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) = 0.050.

Conclusions:

Three factors are proposed as CSS subscales to guide referral and coordinate services: Emotional Distress/Patient and Family Counselor, Physical Health Concerns/Medical Care Provider, and Resource Needs/Case Management-Clinical Social Worker. The clinical utility of these referral subscales should be established with additional research.
Macrophage TNF-α licenses donor T cells in murine bone marrow failure and can be implicated in human aplastic anemia
Authors: Sun Wanling , Wu Zhijie , Lin Zenghua , Hollinger Maile , Chen Jichun , Feng Xingmin , Young Neal S.
Published: October 2018

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been implicated historically in the immune pathophysiology of aplastic anemia (AA) and other bone marrow (BM) failure syndromes. We recently defined the essential roles of IFN-γ produced by donor T cells and the IFN-γ receptor in the host in murine immune-mediated BM failure models. TNF-α has been assumed to function similarly to IFN-γ. We used our murine models and mice genetically deficient in TNF-α or TNF-α receptors (TNF-αRs) to establish an analogous mechanism. Unexpectedly, infusion of TNF-α−/− donor lymph node (LN) cells into CByB6F1 recipients or injection of FVB LN cells into TNF-αR−/− recipients both induced BM failure, with concurrent marked increases in plasma IFN-γ and TNF-α levels. Surprisingly, in TNF-α−/− recipients, BM damage was attenuated, suggesting that TNF-α of host origin was essential for immune destruction of hematopoiesis. Depletion of host macrophages before LN injection reduced T-cell IFN-γ levels and reduced BM damage, whereas injection of recombinant TNF-α into FVB-LN cell-infused TNF-α−/− recipients increased T-cell IFN-γ expression and accelerated BM damage. Furthermore, infusion of TNF-αR−/− donor LN cells into CByB6F1 recipients reduced BM T-cell infiltration, suppressed T-cell IFN-γ production, and alleviated BM destruction. Thus, TNF-α from host macrophages and TNF-αR expressed on donor effector T cells were critical in the pathogenesis of murine immune-mediated BM failure, acting by modulation of IFN-γ secretion. In AA patients, TNF-α–producing macrophages in the BM were more frequent than in healthy controls, suggesting the involvement of this cytokine and these cells in human disease.
DUXAP8, a pseudogene derived lncRNA, promotes growth of pancreatic carcinoma cells by epigenetically silencing CDKN1A and KLF2
Authors: Lian Yifan , Yang Jiebin , Lian Yikai , Xiao Chuangxing , Hu Xuezhen , Xu Hongzhi
Published: October 2018

Background

Recent studies highlight pseudogene derived long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as key regulators of cancer biology. However, few of them have been well characterized in pancreatic cancer. Here, we aimed to identify the association between pseudogene derived lncRNA DUXAP8 and growth of pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods

We screened for pseudogene derived lncRNAs associated with human pancreatic cancer by comparative analysis of three independent datasets from GEO. Quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the relative expression of DUXAP8 in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. Loss‐of‐function approaches were used to investigate the potential functional roles of DUXAP8 in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. RNA immunoprecipitation, chromosome immunoprecipitation assay and rescue experiments were performed to analyze the association of DUXAP8 with target proteins and genes in pancreatic cancer cells.

Results

Pancreatic cancer tissues had significantly higher DUXAP8 levels than paired adjacent normal tissues. High DUXAP8 expression was associated with a larger tumor size, advanced pathological stage and shorter overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Moreover, silencing DUXAP8 expression by siRNA or shRNA inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic analyses indicated that DUXAP8 regulates PC cell proliferation partly through downregulation of tumor suppressor CDKN1A and KLF2 expression.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that tumor expression of pseudogene derived lncRNA DUXAP8 plays an important role in pancreatic cancer progression. DUXAP8 may serve as a candidate biomarker and represent a novel therapeutic target of pancreatic cancer.
“We Were Looking for Our Violins”
Authors: Khullar Sonal
Published: October 2018

This essay examines a creative dialogue between painters and poets, among them Nissim Ezekiel, Adil Jussawalla, Bhupen Khakhar, Arun Kolatkar, Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, Gieve Patel, and Sudhir Patwardhan, in Bombay (Mumbai) during a period that encompassed Khakhar's first solo show at the Jehangir Art Gallery in 1965 and the publication of four books of poetry by Clearing House, an independent press established in 1976 by Jussawalla, Kolatkar, Mehrotra, and Patel. Through a close analysis of word and image, it illuminates the distinctive aesthetics and politics of these artists encapsulated by the terms lifting and loafing. The Bombay painters and poets came to lifting—documenting and defamiliarizing—their environment by citing and subverting street signs, advertisements, state propaganda, calendar art, film posters, and newspaper photographs. They took to loafing—a mode of critical observation and analysis, and the pursuit of committed deprofessionalization and translation across spaces—and mobilized the ordinary, yet extraordinary, spaces of the paan (areca nut wrapped in betel leaf) shop and the Irani restaurant as metaphors of artistic sociability and subjectivity. Through lifting and loafing, the Bombay painters and poets offered a critique of nationalist and bourgeois values, as well as the artistic establishment represented by associations and institutions such as the Progressive Artists Group and Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy School of Art. They diverged from their predecessors and peers in an emphasis on everyday life and found objects, and in bringing together the visual and verbal worlds exemplified by the Baroda (Vadodara)-based journal Vrishchik.
Recent Progress on the Sensing of Pathogenic Bacteria Using Advanced Nanostructures
Authors: Sai-Anand Gopalan , Sivanesan Arumugam , Benzigar Mercy R , Singh Gurwinder , Gopalan Anantha-Iyengar , Baskar Arun Vijay , Ilbeygi Hamid , Ramadass Kavitha , Kambala Venkata , Vinu Ajayan
Published: October 2018

Ailment related to pathogenic bacteria and toxins remains a significant threat to the human body. Specifically, pathogenic bacteria are the main source of epidemic diseases and are infectious to human beings owing to their appearance in food, water, and other biological samples. Over the past several years, advanced nanomaterials-based sensing has been considered as an efficient and unique platform for the rapid, selective, ultrasensitive, qualitative, and quantitative detection of single or multiple pathogenic bacteria. Towards this end, various emerging nanomaterials have been purposefully designed and developed to integrate them onto sensor systems for the recognition of pathogenic bacteria. The present review describes a wide range of analytical techniques such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering, electrochemistry (electrochemical and electronic), a field-effect transistor, fluorescence, calorimetry and surface-plasmon resonance etc. which incorporate nano-biosensor technology to develop a pathogenic bacterium based sensor. This review also highlights the progress, trends and strategy utilized toward the identification of harmful bacteria by focusing on the pertinent literature available on the various advanced nanomaterials (such as semiconducting, magnetic, noble metal and carbon-based nanomaterials) incorporating nano-bio sensor platforms.
Apoptosis inducing effects of chlorhexidine and essential oil mouthwashes on BHK-21 fibroblast cell line: An in vitro study
Authors: Ali El Basuony Shaimaa Ali Hamouda , El Hossary Naglaa , Raouf Amin Nermine
Published: October 2018

Background: The maintenance of oral health can be achieved mainly by mechanical and chemical means. Among chemical agents, mouthwashes are widely used for personal oral hygiene because of their ability to inhibit dental plaque. The antibacterial effects of essential oils (EOs) and chlorhexidine (CHX) are well documented; however, the reaction of host tissue to these substances has a poor documentation. Until now studies have not examined the effect of EOs with sodium fluoride (EOF) on fibroblast cell lines. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of mouth rinse EOs, EOF and CHX on the apoptosis of fibroblast cell line.

Methods: BHK-21 fibroblast cell line was cultured and incubated in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium containing EOs, EOF and CHX mouthwashes with different doses (15% or 25%) and various exposure times. Cell apoptosis was assayed using RT-PCR.

Results: EOs, EOF and CHX induce apoptotic effects on fibroblasts in a dose and time dependent manner.

Conclusion: CHX is the most cytotoxic mouthwash to fibroblasts as compared to mouthwashes containing EOs and EOF.
Current Trends in Dividend Policy of Russian Companies
Authors: Пронин Д. , Pronin D. , Никитина Е. , Nikitina E.
Published: October 2018

The article deals with the current trends in the dividend policy of Russian companies, dividend policy models. The factors influencing the dividend policy of Russian companies at the present stage of development are investigated.