bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mixed-Methods Inquiry in Public Administration: The Interaction of Theory, Methodology, and Praxis
Authors: Raimondo Estelle , Newcomer Kathryn E.
Published: March 2017

Although the methods wars that were entrenched in most of the social science disciplines well into the 1990s have purportedly ceased, methodological diversity remains rare in public administration. We suggest that the productive interaction between methods, theory, and praxis in the field of public administration requires further methodological integration. Through a review of articles published in Review of Public Personnel Administration ( ROPPA) since 2011, we show that the promise of mixed-methods design has not fully materialized. We explore avenues for implementing mixed-methods research designs that are particularly appropriate for examining the behavior and motivations of public service personnel by identifying examples of articles in ROPPA that used a single-method approach but could have usefully leveraged a diversity of methods to answer their primary research question. We then support our case for the use of integrated mixed-methods with a study of the institutionalization of a performance assessment system in an international organization.
A Rodent Model of Night-Shift Work Induces Short-Term and Enduring Sleep and Electroencephalographic Disturbances
Authors: Grønli Janne , Meerlo Peter , Pedersen Torhild T. , Pallesen Ståle , Skrede Silje , Marti Andrea R. , Wisor Jonathan P. , Murison Robert , Henriksen Tone E.G. , Rempe Michael J. , Mrdalj Jelena
Published: March 2017

Millions of people worldwide are working at times that overlap with the normal time for sleep. Sleep problems related to the work schedule may mediate the well-established relationship between shift work and increased risk for disease, occupational errors and accidents. Yet, our understanding of causality and the underlying mechanisms that explain this relationship is limited. We aimed to assess the consequences of night-shift work for sleep and to examine whether night-shift work-induced sleep disturbances may yield electrophysiological markers of impaired maintenance of the waking brain state. An experimental model developed in rats simulated a 4-day protocol of night-work in humans. Two groups of rats underwent 8-h sessions of enforced ambulation, either at the circadian time when the animal was physiologically primed for wakefulness (active-workers, mimicking day-shift) or for sleep (rest-workers, mimicking night-shift). The 4-day rest-work schedule induced a pronounced redistribution of sleep to the endogenous active phase. Rest-work also led to higher electroencephalogram (EEG) slow-wave (1-4 Hz) energy in quiet wakefulness during work-sessions, suggesting a degraded waking state. After the daily work-sessions, being in their endogenous active phase, rest-workers slept less and had higher gamma (80-90 Hz) activity during wake than active-workers. Finally, rest-work induced an enduring shift in the main sleep period and attenuated the accumulation of slow-wave energy during NREM sleep. A comparison of recovery data from 12:12 LD and constant dark conditions suggests that reduced time in NREM sleep throughout the recorded 7-day recovery phase induced by rest-work may be modulated by circadian factors. Our data in rats show that enforced night-work-like activity during the normal resting phase has pronounced acute and persistent effects on sleep and waking behavior. The study also underscores the potential importance of animal models for future studies on the health consequences of night-shift work and the mechanisms underlying increased risk for diseases.
Resynchronization Dynamics Reveal that the Ventral Entrains the Dorsal Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Authors: Taylor Stephanie R. , Wang Thomas J. , Granados-Fuentes Daniel , Herzog Erik D.
Published: March 2017

Although the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) has long been considered the master circadian clock in mammals, the topology of the connections that synchronize daily rhythms among SCN cells is not well understood. We combined experimental and computational methods to infer the directed interactions that mediate circadian synchrony between regions of the SCN. We analyzed PERIOD2 (PER2) expression from SCN slices during and after treatment with tetrodotoxin, allowing us to map connections as cells resynchronized their daily cycling following blockade and restoration of cell-cell communication. Using automated analyses, we found that cells in the dorsal SCN stabilized their periods slower than those in the ventral SCN. A phase-amplitude computational model of the SCN revealed that, to reproduce the experimental results: (1) the ventral SCN had to be more densely connected than the dorsal SCN and (2) the ventral SCN needed strong connections to the dorsal SCN. Taken together, these results provide direct evidence that the ventral SCN entrains the dorsal SCN in constant conditions.
Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome in Pediatrics: A Case Series and Review
Authors: Coffino Samantha W. , Fryer Robert H.
Published: March 2017

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is a transient vasculopathy associated with severe headaches and stroke. In most cases of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, there is a precipitating event or trigger, such as pregnancy, serotonin agonist treatment or illicit drug use. The authors present 2 pediatric cases of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and review the previous 11 pediatric cases in the literature. In many instances, the clinical and radiographic features are similar in both pediatric and adult cases. In the pediatric group, reported potential triggers include trauma (1/13), exercise (2/13), water to the face (3/13), hypertension (3/13), and medication or substance use (4/13). One surprising difference is that 11 out of 13 pediatric patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome are male while most cases in adults are female. Many of the pediatric patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome were treated with a calcium channel blocker and the overall outcome of pediatric reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome was good, with most patients experiencing a full recovery.
Preparation and evaluation of PCLA2575 membranes loaded ornidazole in vitro
Authors: Huang Zhengmei , Wang Shenchun , Wang Ningtao , Ma Xiaofei , Karki Junu , Han Zhihui , Lang Meidong , Zhu Bangshang , Zhang Xiuyin
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of the sustained release and antibacterial activity of the ornidazole-drug-loaded membranes using poly[(ethylene glycol)-caprolactone-lactide] (PCLA2575) as membrane material. Ornidazole-loaded membranes were prepared by solvent casting method with the proportion of 5 wt%, 8 wt%, and 10 wt%, respectively. In vitro drug release properties were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. The antibacterial activities against Streptococcus mutans and Fusobacterium nucleatum in vitro were observed on solid culture medium. The membrane had the high drug loadings and slow-release performance. Drug release time was shortened with the increase in the content of ornidazole, but all of them can achieve more than 7 days. The membrane had strong inhibitory effect on both S. mutans and F. nucleatum. As drug content increased, the antibacterial activities also increased. The membrane had better inhibitory effect on F. nucleatum than S. mutans. Therefore, the ornidazole drug-loaded membrane is expected to be used for the treatment of periodontal disease because of the obvious effect of periodontal pathogens inhibition and good sustained-release performance.
Effect of Self‐Reported Distress Thermometer Score on the Maximal Handgrip and Pinch Strength Measurements in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Camilleri Stephanie , Chong Stephanie , Tangvoraphonkchai Kamonwan , Yoowannakul Suree , Davenport Andrew
Published: March 2017

Background: Muscle weakness is a risk factor for mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Muscle strength measurements are routinely used as a screening tool but depend on patient cooperation and motivation. We wished to determine whether measuring maximal voluntary muscle strength was affected by patient self‐reported distress. Methods: We measured pinch strength (PS) and handgrip strength (HGS) in 382 adult HD patients with a corresponding self‐reported distress thermometer (DT) scores. Postdialysis body composition measurements were made using multifrequency bioelectrical assessments and patients assessed for frailty. Results: Mean age was 66.4 ± 14.9 years, with 238 males (62%), 48% diabetic, and dialysis vintage 36 (15–75) months. The mean DT score was 4.4 ± 3.3, with a frailty score of 4.6 ± 1.5. On multivariable analysis, DT scores were associated with frailty (β = 0.35, P = .003), prescription of aspirin for cardiac disease (β = 1.0, P = .004), lean body mass (β = 0.04, P = .004), and negatively with age (β = −0.05, P < .001), hematocrit (β = −8.2, P = .004), and maximum PS (β = −1.4, P = .003). Conclusion: Paradoxically higher self‐reported DT scores were associated with younger age and lean body mass. As such, younger healthier, rather than more comorbid, patients may have greater expectations for their health and therefore report more distress. We found no association between DT scores and HGS, and as such, although HGS is a voluntary test, it appears to be a robust test independent of patient stresses. However, PS was lower in patients with higher DT scores, and as such, greater care may be required in interpreting these measurements.
Common Crime and Domestic Violence Victimization of Older Chinese in Urban China: The Prevalence and Its Impact on Mental Health and Constrained Behavior
Authors: Qin Nan , Yan Elsie
Published: March 2017

This article examines the prevalence of victimization among older Chinese living in urban China and its psychological and behavioral impacts. A representative sample of 453 older adults aged 60 or above was recruited from Kunming, the People’s Republic of China, using multistage sampling method. Participants were individually interviewed on their demographic characteristics, experience of common crime and domestic violence victimization, fear of common crime and domestic violence, mental health, and constrained behavior. Results showed that 254 participants (56.1%) reported one or more types of common crime and 21 (4.6%) reported experiencing domestic violence in the past. Seventeen participants (3.8%) reportedly experienced both common crime and domestic violence victimization. There was no gender difference in the overall incidence of victimization but in some subtypes. Regression analyses indicated that past experience of common crime victimization was significantly associated with greater fear of common crime (β = .136, p = .004), poorer mental health (β = .136, p = .003), and more constrained behavior (β = .108, p = .025). Fear of common crime predicted increased constrained behavior (β = .240, p < .001) independent of gender, age, education, household finances, living arrangement, and physical health. Domestic violence victimization was not significant in predicting poor mental health and constrained behavior but was significant in predicting fear of domestic violence (β = .266, p < .001), which was related to poorer mental health (β = .102, p = .039). The study suggests the importance of taking older people’s risk and experience of victimization into consideration in gerontological research, practice, and policymaking.
Reconsidering Power in Multistakeholder Relationship Management
Authors: Saffer Adam J. , Yang Aimei , Taylor Maureen
Published: March 2017

Multistakeholder issue networks have been characterized as power-free, egalitarian forms of corporate–civil society engagement. Using a communication-centered conceptualization of power, our study finds that potential sources of power subtly manifest through communication and interaction patterns in multistakeholder issue networks. Our results indicate that organizations’ institutional status and resources are significant predictors of network power.
How Home Health Caregivers’ Perceive the Influence of Professionalism on Their Experienced Work Engagement
Authors: Noesgaard Mette Strange
Published: March 2017

This article explores how the perception of increasing professionalism of home health-care influences caregivers’ experienced work engagement. A qualitative study including 24 interviews, 85 hours of observations and the think-aloud technique was applied in three Danish caregiving organizations. Using a consensual qualitative research approach, analysis of the data suggests that increasing professionalism is experienced among caregivers and influences caregivers’ engagement in three distinct ways: through their identification with their work, psychological safety, and feelings of insecurity. This article contributes by emphasizing an individual perspective of engagement and by providing empirical evidence of links between professionalism and engagement. Additionally, by focusing on relatively low-educated employees, the article highlights how professionalism challenges the perception of caregiving as a job rather than a career. Practically, the findings from the study suggest that caregiving organizations should communicate the reasons for the increasing professionalism so caregivers become aware of potential career options it provides.
Patient length of stay and mortality prediction: A survey
Authors: Awad Aya , Bader–El–Den Mohamed , McNicholas James
Published: March 2017

Over the past few years, there has been increased interest in data mining and machine learning methods to improve hospital performance, in particular hospitals want to improve their intensive care unit statistics by reducing the number of patients dying inside the intensive care unit. Research has focused on prediction of measurable outcomes, including risk of complications, mortality and length of hospital stay. The length of stay is an important metric both for healthcare providers and patients, influenced by numerous factors. In particular, the length of stay in critical care is of great significance, both to patient experience and the cost of care, and is influenced by factors specific to the highly complex environment of the intensive care unit. The length of stay is often used as a surrogate for other outcomes, where those outcomes cannot be measured; for example as a surrogate for hospital or intensive care unit mortality. The length of stay is also a parameter, which has been used to identify the severity of illnesses and healthcare resource utilisation. This paper examines a range of length of stay and mortality prediction applications in acute medicine and the critical care unit. It also focuses on the methods of analysing length of stay and mortality prediction. Moreover, the paper provides a classification and evaluation for the analytical methods of the length of stay and mortality prediction associated with a grouping of relevant research papers published in the years 1984 to 2016 related to the domain of survival analysis. In addition, the paper highlights some of the gaps and challenges of the domain.
Optimal location of ring support for heavy Mindlin plates under axisymmetric loading
Authors: Xie CN , Li XF
Published: March 2017

Bending of an annular thick plate resting on a ring support is analyzed under the action of power-law axisymmetric loading. A single governing differential equation for the Mindlin plate theory is derived. By solving associated boundary value problem, the optimal support location is determined to achieve minimizing the maximum deflection of a moderately thick circular or annular plate. The minimum sag of a heavy solid circular plate with or without the center support under self-weight is also analyzed. In addition to applied loading and the restraint of plate's rims, the optimal location of the ring support is also related to Poisson's ratio and the ratio of inner-to-outer radius. Auxetic plates with negative Poisson's ratio require larger ring support's radius, and conventional plates require smaller ring support's radius. Usually, the optimal support location is closer to the outer rim and far to the inner rim for a plate of self-weight. The obtained results are useful in safety design of circular or annular plates under complicated loading.
A surrogate-based integrated framework for the aerodynamic design optimization of a subsonic wing planform shape
Authors: Benaouali Abdelkader , Kachel Stanisław
Published: March 2017

Due to the development in computer technology, computational simulations have become indispensable for most engineering system design processes, particularly in aerospace applications. Performing a simulation-driven aerodynamic design optimization is a challenging task due to the computational expensiveness of high fidelity models, the considerable number of design parameters, the variety of disciplines that must be considered… etc. In this paper, the preliminary design of an aircraft wing through the use of a fully automated design environment, coupled with surrogate-based optimization, is presented. A parametric modeling framework was developed based on the seamless integration of several commercial software through built-in scripting languages. The design process goes through geometry modeling, Aerodynamic grid generation and flow solution which involves SIEMENS NX, ICEM CFD and FLUENT respectively. The optimization is made feasible using surrogate modeling techniques combined with a Sequential Quadratic Programing (SQP) algorithm.
Trends in CD4 cell count response to first-line antiretroviral treatment in HIV-positive patients from Asia, 2003–2013: TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database Low Intensity Transfer
Authors: De La Mata Nicole L , Ly Penh S , Ng Oon T , Nguyen Kinh V , Merati Tuti P , Pham Thuy T , Lee Man P , Choi Jun Y , Sohn Annette H , Law Matthew G , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran
Published: March 2017

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) guidelines have changed over the past decade, recommending earlier initiation and more tolerable regimens. The study objective was to examine the CD4 response to ART, depending on the year of ART initiation, in HIV-positive patients in the Asia-Pacific. We included HIV-positive adult patients who initiated ART between 2003 and 2013 in our regional cohort from eight urban referral centres in seven countries within Asia. We used mixed-effects linear regression models to evaluate differences in CD4 response by year of ART initiation during 36 months of follow-up, adjusted a priori for other covariates. Overall, 16,962 patients were included. Patients initiating in 2006–9 and 2010–13 had an estimated mean CD4 cell count increase of 8 and 15 cells/µl, respectively, at any given time during the 36-month follow-up, compared to those in 2003–5. The median CD4 cell count at ART initiation also increased from 96 cells/µl in 2003–5 to 173 cells/µl in 2010–13. Our results suggest that the CD4 response to ART is modestly higher for those initiating ART in more recent years. Moreover, fewer patients are presenting with lower absolute CD4 cell counts over time. This is likely to reduce their risk of opportunistic infections and future non-AIDS defining cancers.
A postcolonial theory of African Psychology: A reply to Kopano Ratele
Authors: Nwoye Augustine
Published: March 2017

This article explores Kopano Ratele’s paper entitled “Four (African) Psychologies” published in Theory & Psychology, and written largely as a response to my recent article entitled “What is African Psychology the Psychology of?” A postcolonial theory of African Psychology is offered to serve as a background for this exploration. The paper concludes by suggesting that Ratele’s article, although a thoughtful contribution to the debate provoked by my article, is opposed to the current awareness by many African psychologists of the need to build African Psychology as a specialized postcolonial study within the discipline of Psychology in African universities. In opposition to this perspective, Ratele proposes implication that African Psychology should not aspire to the status of centralized academic discipline but should operate from “segregated parishes,” particularly as an African adaptation of Western Psychology. This article suggests why Ratele’s vision is against the spirit of the times and therefore unacceptable.
(Trans)Forming Single-Gender Services and Communal Accommodations
Authors: Dunne Peter
Published: March 2017

The right of transgender (‘trans’) persons to access gender-segregated space is neither a new controversy nor a conversation which is unique to the United Kingdom. Yet, despite increasingly charged political debates in North America, the question of trans access to single-gender facilities remains largely underexplored by British legal academics. In January 2016, the UK House of Commons Select Committee on Women and Equalities recommended expanding trans entry into single-gender services and communal accommodations under the Equality Act 2010. Using the Committee’s report as a springboard for debate, this article considers the right of trans populations to use their preferred women-only and men-only spaces. Critically analysing the existing possibilities to exclude trans persons from services and accommodations, as well as the policy arguments which motivate this approach, the article demonstrates how, adopting common-sense, evidence-based reforms, Parliament can introduce legal rules which both prioritize user safety and respect trans dignity.
Analysis of follow-up at the diagnostic level in the Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Programme
Authors: Greczka Grażyna , Zych Monika , Wróbel Maciej , Dąbrowski Piotr , Szyfter Harris Joanna , Szyfter Witold
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Routine analysis showed that between 1 June and 30 November 2014, only 47.6% of expected follow-up visits at the diagnostic level were registered in the Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Programme central database. We attempted to detect and analyse the reasons for this low percentage.

Methods

A telephone survey questionnaire was developed for parents whose children had not registered for consultation at the diagnostic level, or had not received a final diagnosis according to the programme database. Questions aimed to verify the database records and compare these with information received from and given to parents. From the 7888 children not registered at the diagnostic level, 3239 records were randomly selected, i.e. 52.4% of those who had been expected to attend.

Results

Questions were answered by 1950 parents (60.2% of the selected group). Of these, 52.1% ( n = 734) had attended for diagnostic tests, but this was not recorded in the database. The most common reasons for not attending were the long waiting time for the visit (36.09%), lack of referral to a visit (25.9%) and conscious parent decision (16.35%).

Conclusion

The telephone survey disclosed omissions in database registration, and that in fact 83.6% of children had attended at the diagnostic level.
Ethics case reflection sessions: Enablers and barriers
Authors: Bartholdson Cecilia , Molewijk Bert , Lützén Kim , Blomgren Klas , Pergert Pernilla
Published: March 2017

Background:

In previous research on ethics case reflection (ECR) sessions about specific cases, healthcare professionals in childhood cancer care were clarifying their perspectives on the ethical issue to resolve their main concern of consolidating care. When perspectives were clarified, consequences in the team included ‘increased understanding’, ‘group strengthening’ and ‘decision grounding’. Additional analysis of the data was needed on conditions that could contribute to the quality of ECR sessions.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore conditions for clarifying perspectives during ECR sessions.

Research design:

Data were collected from observations and interviews and the results emerged from an inductive analysis using grounded theory.

Participants and research context:

Six observations during ECR sessions and 10 interviews were performed with healthcare professionals working in childhood cancer care and advanced paediatric homecare.

Ethical considerations:

The study was approved by a regional ethical review board. Participants were informed about their voluntary involvement and that they could withdraw their participation without explaining why.

Findings:

Two categories emerged: organizational enablers and barriers and team-related enablers and barriers. Organizational enablers and barriers included the following sub-categories: the timing of the ECR session, the structure during the ECR session and the climate during the ECR session. Sub-categories to team-related enablers and barriers were identified as space for inter-professional perspectives, varying levels of ethical skills and space for the patient’s and the family’s perspectives.

Discussion:

Space for inter-professional perspectives included the dominance of a particular perspective that can result from hierarchical positions. The medical perspective is relevant for understanding the child’s situation but should not dominate the ethical reflection.

Conclusion:

Conditions for ECR sessions have been explored and the new knowledge can be used when training facilitators as well as for those who organize/implement ECR sessions. Awareness of space for different perspectives, including the possible medical advantage over the nursing perspective, could reduce the somewhat unilateral attention and contribute to an inter-professionally shared reflection.
Social Multimedia Computing: An Emerging Area of Research and Business for Films
Authors: Governo Fernando , Teixeira Aurora A.C. , Brochado Ana Margarida
Published: March 2017

We survey and analyze the relationship between ‘social media’ landscape and the ‘over-the-top’ film industry and provide a new market overview of how distinctive media platforms are leveraging each other features as part of their business model. With an elevated penetration of mass-market over the top (OTT) services and coexistence of several business models and value chains that need to be proven, our findings suggest that new entrants, to stand apart, will have to experiment new business models and with multimedia integration of content and services; and, unless they establish new niche services to communities of interest it will be difficult for them to differentiate their offerings and survive. Developing a social content network that connects people socially through films can offer media entrepreneurs and the ‘world film’ industry with a stable business model and a new window of opportunity in their competition for market share. By clarifying the boundaries and affordances of distinct OTT and social media platforms, the present research sustains that coupling video streaming and social networking is the future. It further bears that social multimedia computing should be used to capture and leverage the social activity and interaction of users in order to understand the drivers and trends in the film industry. Finally, it provides a direction for online world films.
Book Review: Deepak Kumar, The Trishanku Nation: Memory, Self and Society in Contemporary India
Authors: Kumar Keval J.
Published: March 2017

Deepak Kumar, The Trishanku Nation: Memory, Self and Society in Contemporary India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. 2016, 211 pp., ₹495.
Dietary Guidelines for the Asia Pacific Region
Authors: Binns Colin W. , Lee Mi Kyung , Kagawa Masaharu , Low Wah Yun , Liqian Qiu , Guldan Georgia S. , Hokama Tomiko , Nanishi Keiko , Oy Sreymom , Tang Li , Zerfas Alfred
Published: March 2017

Nutrition is a major determinant of health throughout all stages of life and together with smoking is the most important risk factor for morbidity and mortality in the Asia Pacific Region. The workshop participants examined Dietary Guidelines and Food Guides that are in use in our region, together with additional materials from the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the World Cancer Research Foundation. The resulting set of guidelines is meant as a reminder of the main issues to be covered in a general public health education program. It may also be of value in reminding public health practitioners, educators, administrators, and policy makers of current nutrition issues. It may additionally be useful as a checklist of the issues to be considered in public health programs and regulations.

The main areas of nutrition that are included in the Guidelines are eating a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grain cereals, and nuts. Choose fish, poultry, and meats grown in a sustainable way. Appropriate growth, including avoiding obesity, and physical activity are important. Breastfeeding is the basis of infant nutrition and nutrition of mothers is an important public health measure. Negative factors in the Asian diet include salt, refined sugar, alcohol and fats. The APACPH Dietary Guidelines will need to be kept under review and modified to meet regional differences in food supply. The Guidelines will be useful as a checklist of the issues to be considered in public health programs, addressing both acute and chronic diseases.
Leveraging Process Evaluation for Project Development and Sustainability: The Case of the CAMPUS Asia Program in Korea
Authors: Kim Seon-Joo
Published: March 2017

CAMPUS Asia (Collective Action for Mobility Program of University Students in Asia) is a student-exchange program designed to promote student mobility between South Korea, China, and Japan. Begun in 2011, the program aims to foster the next generation of leaders in Asia by nurturing young talents with shared visions. This article provides an overview of the CAMPUS Asia pilot program and the major findings of its comprehensive process evaluation in Korea using five criteria. The evaluation indicates that the CAMPUS Asia program has evolved into a unique program that promotes dual degrees, creates new learning models, and develops in-depth discussions of substantial collaborations among consortia. The need to develop mechanisms for applying the lessons learned and insights gained through the evaluation is addressed; implications and recommendations for sustainable development of the CAMPUS Asia pilot program are offered, as are the benefits of implementing a process evaluation in one’s own practice.
“To My Brothers in the West . . .”: A Thematic Analysis of Videos Produced by the Islamic State’s al-Hayat Media Center
Authors: Macnair Logan , Frank Richard
Published: March 2017

This study examines videos produced by the al-Hayat Media Center, a branch of the Islamic State’s (IS) larger media campaign aimed more specifically at Western audiences. Using a thematic analysis approach, recurring themes of 10 al-Hayat videos were identified with conclusions made regarding the specificities of the message and the target audience. It was found that al-Hayat videos cater to potential Western recruits and sympathizers by portraying life in the IS as spiritually and existentially fulfilling, while simultaneously decrying the West as secular, immoral, and criminal. By utilizing well-produced propaganda videos that tap into the dissatisfactions of Western Muslims, al-Hayat was shown to deliver a sophisticated and legitimate message that may play a role in the larger radicalization process.
Make Health and Safety a Part of Global Struggles Against Imperialism, Racism, and Other Oppressions
Authors: Gold Deborah “Deeg”
Published: March 2017

Deborah “Deeg” Gold was presented in November 2016 with the Alice Hamilton Award of the Occupational Health and Safety Section of the American Public Health Association. Deeg worked for more than 20 years for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) as a field compliance officer, senior industrial hygienist, and then became the agency's Deputy Chief for Health. Prior to joining Cal/OSHA, Deeg Gold was a rank-and-file worker health and safety activist in her union. She is also an activist on many social justice issues, including opposing the death penalty and is a queer activist. This article is Deeg’s award acceptance speech.
Randomized Trial Investigating of a Single-Session Character-Strength-Based Cognitive Intervention on Freshman’s Adaptability
Authors: Duan Wenjie , Bu He
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the efficiency of a single-session character-strength-based cognitive intervention on enhancing freshmen’s adaptability.

Method:

A randomized trial, pretest, posttest, follow-up intervention was employed using repeated-measures analyses to evaluate the effect. This 90-min intervention contained four activities with 52 undergraduate freshmen (age 17–20) randomly assigned to the intervention and control group, 38 of whom completed all the programs (19 of each group).

Results:

Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a remarkable increase in well-being and a significant reduction in depression and anxiety at post and follow-up assessment. The stress level of the intervention group significantly decreased only at the follow-up test. Time effect and the interaction between time and group were significant in anxiety and stress.

Conclusions:

This intervention can quickly reduce negative affect and elevate well-being for freshmen. It expands the role of social worker in the prevention of mental illness among college population.
Two Unusual Cases of Oral Lichen Planus Arising After Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Can Oral Cancer Trigger Autoimmunity?
Authors: Gissi Davide Bartolomeo , Asioli Sofia , Gabusi Andrea
Published: March 2017

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system fails to recognize self-antigens expressed on the body’s own cells and attacks them. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous disease of the oral cavity characterized by white/red lesions. Considered a potentially malignant disorder, OLP evolution into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still a matter of debate. While chronic autoimmune inflammation is considered a potential risk factor for malignant transformation in many solid tumors, the opposite idea that cancer may trigger autoimmune responses remains controversial. We describe 2 patients who developed lesions clinically suggestive of OLP with histological evidence of lichenoid infiltration some time after OSCC removal, even in areas far from the neoplastic site. Neither patient had OLP before the diagnosis of OSCC, or reported exposure to OLP-associated etiologic factors, and neither. experienced tumor recurrence during follow-up. Our findings suggest that oral cancer remission may be linked to OLP development, but further studies are necessary to unveil the underlying mechanisms and possible prognostic implications.
MethotrexaTE THerapy in ST-Segment Elevation MYocardial InfarctionS
Authors: Moreira Daniel Medeiros , Lueneberg Maria Emilia , da Silva Roberto Leo , Fattah Tammuz , Gottschall Carlos Antonio Mascia
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

Methotrexate is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been shown to have anti-ischemic effects. Our aim was to evaluate if methotrexate could reduce infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods:

We randomly assigned patients with STEMI to receive either methotrexate or placebo. Primary outcome was infarct size determined by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) for creatine kinase (CK) release. Secondary outcomes were AUC of CK MB (CK-MB) and AUC of troponin I; peak CK, peak CK-MB, and troponin I; B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) result, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count; Killip score; mortality and reinfarction incidence; and incidence of adverse reactions.

Results:

We included 84 patients. Median AUC of CK was 78 861.0 in the methotrexate group and 68 088.0 in the placebo group ( P = .10). Patients given methotrexate and placebo exhibited, respectively, median AUC for CK-MB of 9803.4 and 8037.0 ( P = .42); median AUC for troponin of 3691.1 and 2132.6 ( P = .09); peak CK of 2806.0 and 2147.0 ( P = .05); peak CK-MB of 516.0 and 462.3 ( P = .25); and peak troponin of 121.0 and 85.1 ( P = .06). At 3 months, LVEF was lower in patients who received methotrexate (49.0% ± 14.1%) than in patients given placebo (56.4% ± 10.0%; P = .01). There were no differences in hsCRP, ESR, BNP, Killip scores, TIMI frame count, reinfarction, and mortality rates. There was a higher median serum glutamic–pyruvic transaminase levels in the methotrexate group.

Conclusion:

Methotrexate did not reduce infarction size and worsened LVEF at 3 months ( Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01741558).
A New Hybrid MGBPSO-GSA Variant for Improving Function Optimization Solution in Search Space
Authors: Singh Narinder , Singh Sharandeep , Singh S B
Published: March 2017

In this article, a newly hybrid nature-inspired approach (MGBPSO-GSA) is developed with a combination of Mean Gbest Particle Swarm Optimization (MGBPSO) and Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA). The basic inspiration is to integrate the ability of exploitation in MGBPSO with the ability of exploration in GSA to synthesize the strength of both approaches. As a result, the presented approach has the automatic balance capability between local and global searching abilities. The performance of the hybrid approach is tested on a variety of classical functions, ie, unimodal, multimodal, and fixed-dimension multimodal functions. Furthermore, Iris data set, Heart data set, and economic dispatch problems are used to compare the hybrid approach with several metaheuristics. Experimental statistical solutions prove empirically that the new hybrid approach outperforms significantly a number of metaheuristics in terms of solution stability, solution quality, capability of local and global optimum, and convergence speed.
Current Developments in Machine Learning Techniques in Biological Data Mining
Authors: Dumancas Gerard G , Adrianto Indra , Bello Ghalib , Dozmorov Mikhail
Published: March 2017

This supplement is intended to focus on the use of machine learning techniques to generate meaningful information on biological data.

This supplement under Bioinformatics and Biology Insights aims to provide scientists and researchers working in this rapid and evolving field with online, open-access articles authored by leading international experts in this field. Advances in the field of biology have generated massive opportunities to allow the implementation of modern computational and statistical techniques. Machine learning methods in particular, a subfield of computer science, have evolved as an indispensable tool applied to a wide spectrum of bioinformatics applications. Thus, it is broadly used to investigate the underlying mechanisms leading to a specific disease, as well as the biomarker discovery process.

With a growth in this specific area of science comes the need to access up-to-date, high-quality scholarly articles that will leverage the knowledge of scientists and researchers in the various applications of machine learning techniques in mining biological data.
Multiple sclerosis and suicide
Authors: Feinstein Anthony , Pavisian Bennis
Published: March 2017

Mortality rates are elevated in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) relative to the general population. There is, however, some uncertainty whether suicide contributes to this. Epidemiological data suggest that the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for suicide in MS is approximately twice that of the general population with younger males in the first few years following diagnosis most at risk. Rates of suicidal intent, a potential harbinger of more self-destructive behavior, are also elevated, but the frequency with which intent is followed by suicide is not known. Depression, severity of depression, social isolation, and alcohol abuse are associated with thoughts of suicide. The variables linked with suicide and suicidal intent are therefore well defined and should be readily available from routine clinical inquiry. While vigilance on the part of clinicians is required, particularly in the context of high-risk patients, it is also recognized that prevention is dependent on full disclosure of intent.
Consumer socialization agency in tourism decisions
Authors: Aleti Torgeir , Ilicic Jasmina , Harrigan Paul
Published: March 2017

This study introduces consumer socialization agency (CSA; i.e. the act of influencing another about consumption) as the reason why consumers learn through peer communication on social media tourism sites. Based on an online panel of 193 US consumers, the study investigated how a personal connection to a tourism site (i.e. customer engagement [CE]) and a connection with peers on social media (i.e. peer group identification) drives CSA about tourism, which, subsequently, influences learning about tourism-related consumption decisions (i.e. peer communication). Our model establishes that identification with peers on social media and CE with tourism sites are antecedents to consumer socialization. Consumers need to feel engaged with tourism social media sites to participate in socialization and feel connected to their peers on social media in general. Consumer socialization, or the willingness to teach/influence tourism-related skills to friends, influences the willingness to learn new tourism consumer skills, including tourism-related decision-making. We propose that for a tourism site to be successful, it must enable social exchange of knowledge and ideas (through enabling consumer socialization), not just individual user experience.
Long-term music therapy at a Child Development Centre: Changing and growing with Harry and his family: A case study
Authors: Loombe Dawn
Published: March 2017

This is a case study describing weekly music therapy work with one particular child and his family. It aims to illustrate the positive effects of continuing this work with him, his family and his school, in various formats over 2 years; the music therapy sessions changing and developing as he grew.
Positive and negative social exchanges experienced by fathers and mothers of children with autism
Authors: Hickey Emily J , Dubois Lindsay , Hartley Sigan L
Published: March 2017

When faced with child-related challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder, positive and negative social exchanges may be critical to parents’ psychological well-being. This study examined the types and sources of positive and negative social exchanges reported by mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder and their association with parental depressive symptoms in 176 families of children (5–12 years; 85% male) with autism spectrum disorder. One-way repeated measure multivariate analyses of variance and multilevel modeling were used. Results indicated that informational was the most frequent type, and one’s spouse was the primary source, of both positive and negative social exchanges. Fathers reported fewer positive, and also fewer negative, social exchanges with family, friends, and health professionals than mothers. Positive and negative social exchanges with one’s spouse were most strongly associated with depressive symptoms. Findings have implications for interventions designed to foster optimal outcomes in families of children with autism spectrum disorder.
‘I was just so different’: The experiences of women diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in adulthood in relation to gender and social relationships
Authors: Kanfiszer Lucie , Davies Fran , Collins Suzanne
Published: March 2017

Existing literature exploring autism spectrum disorders within female populations predominantly utilises quantitative methodology. A limited number of small-scale, qualitative studies have explored the experiences of adolescent girls with autism spectrum disorder, but adult women have remained largely unheard. This study aims to broaden the stories told within autobiographical literature and empower those within the wider community of women with autism spectrum disorder. In doing so, it seeks to extend existing conceptualisations of experience to include socially and culturally located factors. A qualitative methodology was adopted, utilising multi-stage narrative analysis. Seven semi-structured interviews with women who received a diagnosis in adulthood were conducted. Recruitment spanned community mental health services, an inpatient service and a community support group. From the women’s diverse experiences and stories emerged two broad categories related to gender identity and social relationships. The findings are discussed in relation to existing constructs of autism in women.
Political journalists’ corporate and personal identities on Twitter profile pages: A comparative analysis in four Westminster democracies
Authors: Hanusch Folker
Published: March 2017

The practice for journalists to present an identity and brand the self on social media has become common across many newsrooms, yet its practice is still poorly understood. Focusing on journalists’ self-representations on the social network site Twitter, this study aims to address the lack of empirical understanding through an analysis of the identities which political journalists present on their Twitter profile pages. A total of 679 accounts of parliamentary press gallery journalists in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom were analyzed, with a focus on various textual and visual pieces of professional and personal information. The article develops scales of corporate and personal identity, finding that UK and Canadian journalists most strongly differentiate between personal and corporate identities. Differences across countries are linked to political and economic aspects of the respective media systems.
Communicated into being: Systems theory and the shifting of ontological status
Authors: Sprenger Guido
Published: March 2017

The inclusion of non-humans as persons into social systems raises the question: How exactly are they constituted as communicating beings? This article suggests an approach informed by Niklas Luhmann’s theory of autopoietic social systems. In particular, it addresses the question why some beings are more person-like in some contexts and more like objects or potencies in others. According to Luhmann, social systems consist not of persons but of self-reproducing, self-referential communications. Communicating beings emerge from communications that systems attribute to actors, not the other way around. The differentiated recognition of communication allows for a gradual, step-by-step ascription of personhood to non-human beings, with the possibility of shifting between ontological states. This approach is illustrated with rituals for agricultural spirits among Rmeet uplanders in Laos.
Love, Intimacy and Sexuality in Residential Dementia Care: A Spousal Perspective
Authors: Roelofs Tineke SM , Luijkx Katrien G , Embregts Petri JCM
Published: March 2017

The experiences and needs of spouses of residential care facility residents with dementia, regarding friendship, love, intimacy, and sexuality were explored. Understanding of how spouses make sense of their experiences was pursued. Semi-structured interviews were held with nine spouses of people with dementia, living in high intensive 24-hour care units within residential care facilities. The results show that friendship, love, intimacy, and sexuality were still embedded in the couples’ marital lives, but all in their own way. Changing roles and a shift in purpose of the relationship recurred. Although intimacy was found to be still important in the lives of spouses, emotional, and practical residential care facility barriers were experienced by the spouses, of which the absence of communication were most important. Our findings on the experiences of spouses with regard to intimacy and sexuality can help residential care facility staff and policymakers to recognize the needs of couples and take these into account.