bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Half-Truths Make a Whole? On Bias in Self-Reports and Tracking Data
Authors: Jürgens Pascal , Stark Birgit , Magin Melanie
Published: March 2019

The pervasive use of mobile information technologies brings new patterns of media usage, but also challenges to the measurement of media exposure. Researchers wishing to, for example, understand the nature of selective exposure on algorithmically driven platforms need to precisely attribute individuals’ exposure to specific content. Prior research has used tracking data to show that survey-based self-reports of media exposure are critically unreliable. So far, however, little effort has been invested into assessing the specific biases of tracking methods themselves. Using data from a multimethod study, we show that tracking data from mobile devices is linked to systematic distortions in self-report biases. Further inherent but unobservable sources of bias, along with potential solutions, are discussed.
Advancing Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Testing and Applications to Antimicrobial Therapy in the ICU
Authors: Lam Simon W. , Bass Stephanie N.
Published: February 2019

Treatment of suspected infections in critically ill patients requires the timely initiation of appropriate antimicrobials and rapid de-escalation of unnecessary broad-spectrum coverage. New advances in rapid diagnostic tests can now offer earlier detection of pathogen and potential resistance mechanisms within hours of initial culture growth. These technologies, combined with pharmacist antimicrobial stewardship efforts, may result in shorten time to adequate coverage or earlier de-escalation of unnecessary broad spectrum antimicrobials, which could improve patient outcomes and lower overall treatment cost. Furthermore, de-escalation of antimicrobials may lead to decreased emergence of resistant organisms and adverse events associated with antimicrobials. Clinical pharmacists should be aware of new rapid diagnostic tests, including their application, clinical evidence, and limitations, in order to implement the most appropriate clinical treatment strategy when patients have positive cultures. This review will focus on commercially available rapid diagnostic tests for infections that are routinely encountered by critically ill patients, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial blood stream infections, Candida, and Clostridioides difficile.
Achieving high-performance epoxy nanocomposites with trifunctional poly(oxypropylene)amines functionalized graphene oxide
Authors: Sun Tong , Zou Huawei , Zhou Ya , Li Rui , Liang Mei , Chen Yang
Published: March 2019

In this article, two types of functional graphene oxide (GO) with amine-rich surface were synthesized through chemically grafting two different molecular chain length trifunctional poly(oxypropylene)amines T5000 and T403, which were named as T5000-GO and T403-GO, respectively. The functionalized GO was then added to epoxy (EP) resin. Fourier transform infrared spectra analysis confirmed successful chemical functionalization on GO. Both T403-GO and T5000-GO were tightly embedded in the EP, because the amine-rich surface of functionalized-GO could form covalent bonds with the EP matrix, thereby contributing to the enhancement of mechanical properties. Particularly, T5000-GO, which has longer grafting molecule chains, achieved better compatibility and dispersibility in the EP matrix, resulting in a better reinforcing efficiency in mechanical properties. For example, the T5000-GO/EP composites showed an incremental enhancement in tensile strength with increasing filler concentrations, whereas their T403-GO/EP counterparts failed to follow the same trend. Meanwhile, the T5000-GO/EP composites with only 0.1-wt% T5000-GO achieved a prominent increase in flexural strength (approximately 50%) and flexural modulus (approximately 26.8%), which were higher than those of T403-GO-filled counterparts. This work indicated that the compatibility and interphase between GO and EP could be designed by manipulating the length of grafting molecule chains, thereby providing a better understanding of the relationship between the structure and mechanical properties of the graphene/EP nanocomposites.
Synthesis and gas transport properties of novel poly(ether ether ketone)s containing fluorene group
Authors: Zheng Yayun , Yang Xing , Yuan Meng , Luo Jujie
Published: March 2019

Two novel gas separation membranes (Phenyl(Ph)-poly(ether ether ketone)s (PEEKs) and PEEKs) based on PEEKs with a high fractional free volume were designed and synthesized. The structure and thermodynamic stability of the membranes were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The two membranes, which were determined to be high-molecular weight polymers by gel permeation chromatography, showed good solubility in a weakly polar solvent. The gas transport properties of the Ph-PEEK membranes were investigated for different gases (CO2, O2, CH4, and N2) at 25°C and 1 atm. The Ph-PEEK-3 membrane with the largest free volume had the largest gas permeability coefficient and maintained good selectivity. The effect of operating temperature on the gas permeation of the Ph-PEEK-3 membrane was also investigated, and the maximum permeability of the four single gases was reached at 55°C and 1 atm.
‘Dementia praecocissima’: the Sante De Sanctis model of mental disorder in child psychiatry in the 20th century
Authors: Morgese Giorgia , Lombardo Giovanni Pietro
Published: March 2019

The aim of this article is to describe the nosographical contribution of the Italian psychiatrist Sante De Sanctis (1862–1935) to early twentieth-century child psychiatry. De Sanctis first proposed the category of ‘dementia praecocissima’ in 1906, and it was recognized by Kraepelin. Dementia praecocissima has its roots in a theoretical and methodological conception of mental disorder based on ‘psycho-physical proportionalism’ and the ‘law of circle’. This article deals with De Sanctis’s model, which has so far been neglected by historiographers; it shows the pioneering role that this Italian psychiatrist played in child psychiatry in Italy.
Numerical investigation on the unstable flow at off-design condition in a mixed-flow pump
Authors: Yang Yongfei , Li Wei , Shi Weidong , Ping Yuanfeng , Yang Yang , Wang Lei
Published: March 2019

The mixed-flow pump is wildly used in industrial and agricultural fields, and the requirements for its stability become more and more restricted with the improvement of the capacities. When the pump is operated under part-loading conditions, unstable characteristic like rotating stall happens and brings intensive vibration and noise. To reveal the internal unstable flow characteristics in mixed-flow pump, unsteady numerical simulation is conducted under different flow rates in the current research. The secondary flow and the vortex induced by the unsteady flow in the pump, which vary with the change of the flow rate, are analyzed according to the simulation results. Pressure fluctuation in different parts of the impeller is numerically predicted and correlated to the rotating stall propagation process. With the reduction of the flow discharge, a critical flow rate (0.6 Qdes in the current model pump) is found related to the rotating stall inception. Unstable vortex structure is found in part of the flow passages of the impeller under the stall inception stage; 0.56 Qdes is the flow rate related to the deep rotating stall under which stable stall vortexes are found in each flow passage of the impeller. Three types of pressure fluctuation characteristics representing different flow field pattern in the impeller are found. When the pump is working at designed flow rate, the pressure fluctuation is regular with the dominant frequency being the rotation frequency fs of the rotor. At the stall inception condition, when the stall core appears in the flow passages of the impeller in turn, the amplitude of the pressure fluctuation is increased and the dominant frequency is changed to a low-frequency signal. When the flow rate is reduced below deep stall condition, owning to the reflux from the guide vane and the intensive rotor–stator interaction, the blade passing frequency of the guide vane fb2 becomes the dominant frequency. Finally, unsteady characteristics of the flow field under stall inception condition are analyzed to demonstrate the propagation process of the rotating stall. The stall vortex is found to propagate from the stalled flow passage to the next, through the tip area of the blade leading edge. During the propagation process, the first vortex shrinks and disappears gradually, while the second vortex grows continuously, and the third vortex shows up at the vanishment of the first stall vortex. This research provides detailed information for the unstable flow especially related to rotating stall evolution with the variation of the operating flow rate of the mixed-flow pump with guide vane.
Optical dating of Holocene paleosol development and climate changes in the Yili Basin, arid central Asia
Authors: Wang Leibin , Jia Jia , Zhao Hui , Liu Hao , Duan Yanwu , Xie Haichao , Zhang David D , Chen Fahu
Published: March 2019

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating was conducted on the K-feldspar and quartz fractions of a Holocene loess-paleosol sequence in the Yili Basin, in the core area of arid central Asia (ACA). Age overestimation using the post-IR IR (pIR50IR170) signals from feldspar was observed for paleosols, because of poor bleaching prior to deposition. Therefore, a reliable age framework for the studied section was established using OSL dating of coarse-grained quartz, combined with a Bacon age model. A total of 18 OSL ages were obtained from a 2.5-m-loess/paleosol sequence with age range of 17.4–0.4 ka. Magnetic and grain-size proxies were used to reconstruct environmental changes during the studied interval, and the results indicate that paleosol development commenced at ~6 ka in the Yili Basin, which is consistent with previous studies in the Xinjiang region. Dust accumulation rates (DARs) and end-member analysis (EMA) of the grain-size frequency distributions were used to infer variations in the Westerlies during the Holocene, and the results suggest that the Westerlies were the main source of excess moisture in ACA during the studied interval.
Dynamically borrowing strength from another study through shrinkage estimation
Authors: Röver Christian , Friede Tim
Published: March 2019

Meta-analytic methods may be used to combine evidence from different sources of information. Quite commonly, the normal–normal hierarchical model (NNHM) including a random-effect to account for between-study heterogeneity is utilized for such analyses. The same modeling framework may also be used to not only derive a combined estimate, but also to borrow strength for a particular study from another by deriving a shrinkage estimate. For instance, a small-scale randomized controlled trial could be supported by a non-randomized study, e.g. a clinical registry. This would be particularly attractive in the context of rare diseases. We demonstrate that a meta-analysis still makes sense in this extreme case, effectively based on a synthesis of only two studies, as illustrated using a recent trial and a clinical registry in Creutzfeld-Jakob disease. Derivation of a shrinkage estimate within a Bayesian random-effects meta-analysis may substantially improve a given estimate even based on only a single additional estimate while accounting for potential effect heterogeneity between the studies. Alternatively, inference may equivalently be motivated via a model specification that does not require a common overall mean parameter but considers the treatment effect in one study, and the difference in effects between the studies. The proposed approach is quite generally applicable to combine different types of evidence originating, e.g. from meta-analyses or individual studies. An application of this more general setup is provided in immunosuppression following liver transplantation in children.
Strategically Accessing External Technological Knowledge: The Case of Foreign Subsidiaries in China
Authors: Zhang Feng
Published: March 2019

Adopting a differentiated network view of multinational corporations (MNCs), this study investigates how recently formed subsidiaries access diversified technological knowledge that allows them to differently contribute to the MNCs’ competence building. By employing a firm-specific measure of different technological knowledge categories, we study the competence building of foreign subsidiaries in China in electric and office equipment industry between 1996 and 2005. We find that foreign subsidiaries in China extensively access background technological knowledge to adjust to and benefit from technical changes in supply chain activities. Meanwhile, these subsidiaries actively access marginal technological knowledge to explore potential opportunities. Our results offer the supporting evidence of a differentiated network view of MNCs and contribute to subsidiary evolution literature.
A hard nut to crack: Regulatory failure shows how rating really works
Authors: Mennillo Giulia , Sinclair Timothy J
Published: March 2019

Credit rating agencies such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s are key players in the governance of global financial markets. Given the very strong criticism the rating agencies faced in the wake of the global financial crisis 2008, how can we explain the puzzle of their survival? Market and regulatory reliance on ratings continues, despite the shift from a light-touch to a mandatory system of agency regulation and supervision. Drawing on the analysis of rating agency regulation in the US and the EU before and after the ﬁnancial crisis, we argue that a pervasive, persistent and, in our view, erroneous understanding of rating has supported the never-ending story of rating agency authority. We show how treating ratings as metrics, private goods, and independent and neutral third-party opinions contributes to the ineffectiveness of rating agency regulation and supports the continuing authoritative standing of the credit rating agencies in market and regulatory practices.
Application of job security laws, workers’ bargaining power and employment outcomes in India
Authors: Roychowdhury Anamitra
Published: February 2019

This article empirically investigates two propositions normally advanced to explain employment stagnation in the organised sector of the Indian labour market namely, rigid labour laws regulating the ‘hiring and firing’ of workers (along with factory closures) and militant trade union activity boosting workers’ bargaining power. It is claimed that labour laws arrest employment creation by making the labour adjustment process difficult. Additionally, it is claimed that workers’ increased bargaining power raises the effective cost of labour, hindering employment creation. This article critically examines both these claims. First, it questions whether labour laws can be held responsible as an explanation for employment stagnation in the organised sector as a whole, since a close reading of the Indian legislation reveals that labour laws apply in less than 35% of aggregate employment in the organised sector in India. Next, it investigates whether employment stagnation in those industry segments where labour laws apply – namely, organised manufacturing – is due to restrictions on ‘hiring and firing’. We find no evidence to support this hypothesis. Finally, it analyses the trend in workers’ bargaining power through various indicators, and finds such power to be unambiguously declining. Thus, the study finds no empirical support for the two conventional arguments put forward to explain employment stagnation in the organised sector of the Indian labour market.

JEL codes: J31, J63, J88
Mitigation of liquefaction-induced deformation with magnetorheological mechanism of micron-sized magnetite particles for saturated sand
Authors: Wu Jingzhe , Phillips Brian M
Published: March 2019

Soil-liquefaction-induced damage has been a major cause of ground failure and led to structural damage in the past earthquake events. With recent shifts in civil engineering to performance-based design methods, the traditional factor-of-safety-based approach to avoid liquefaction initiation may not be economical to control liquefaction-induced deformations directly leading to damage. In this article, a novel approach using the magnetorheological effect of micron-sized magnetite particles in liquefied sand for post-liquefaction stabilization and deformation mitigation is proposed. The mixture of sand and micron-sized magnetite particles, termed as magnetorheological sand, illustrates field-dependent behavior similar to other magnetorheological materials. The magnetorheological effect is illustrated through a sinking cylinder test of saturated magnetorheological sand prepared with 90% F75 silica sand and 10% 30-micron magnetite particles by weight. The magnetic-field-dependent properties of magnetorheological sand are then fit to a numerical model for evaluation as a foundation material. The performance of a five-story structure resting on a layer of soil on rigid rock with soil–structure interaction is evaluated. The numerical simulation results demonstrate that magnetorheological sand is effective in mitigating liquefaction-induced deformation and has the potential to outperform alternative mitigation approaches.
When Responses Cannot Be Written Down: Video Submission Possibilities in the Music Classroom
Authors: Dunbar Laura
Published: March 2019

This article gives a brief overview of Flipgrid and Seesaw, two free platforms that allow for video responses to prompts provided by the teacher. Flipgrid allows students to see other students’ submissions and allows students to provide feedback to their classmates. Seesaw defaults to private submission of assigned activities in a variety of formats. Potential assessment implications are also discussed.
Cancer Communication Outside of the Physician-Patient Relationship: The Experience of Communicating and Understanding the Meaning of Prognosis
Authors: Adamson Matthew , Cotoc Crina , Choi Kelsey , Notaro Stephen
Published: March 2019

Research Question:

How does the process of engagement and integration of sources of information outside patient–physician interaction affect how individuals with cancer interpret their treatment experience and prognosis?

Background:

Studies of patient–physician communication of prognosis in oncology highlight areas where misunderstanding occurs: understanding consequences of treatment, likelihood of treatment success, probability of cure, status/progression of illness, and prognosis. Theories proposing mechanisms that underlie this discrepancy cannot account for all instances of misunderstanding, including when complete and direct physician disclosure occurs. Prior research focused on patient–physician communication event(s) and immediate antecedents and consequences. However, less is known about what happens to information once it has been communicated and how a patient’s process to interpret the meaning of their experience affects their understanding of it. Our study explores this question by examining patient communication with sources of information other than treating physicians.

Methodology:

We conducted 10 semi-structured qualitative interviews with individuals diagnosed with 4 types of cancer at different stages. The interviews were analyzed using inductive qualitative analysis.

Results:

Participants in our sample consulted a variety of additional sources to give context and understanding to their communicated prognosis. These were important contributors to how they understood their prognosis and incorporated that understanding. They included family, friends/acquaintances, cancer survivors, support/survivor groups, secondary health-care staff, and relevant informational materials. Different motivations for seeking out these sources were also expressed. Participants expressed a link between their understanding of their prognosis and the variety of outside sources they enlisted for input and support.
Communities Versus Platforms: The Paradox in the Body of the Collaborative Economy
Authors: de Vaujany François-Xavier , Leclercq-Vandelannoitte Aurélie , Holt Robin
Published: March 2019

Communities and platforms pervade all aspects of the collaborative economy. Yet, they exist in apparent tension. The collaborative economy is grounded in communities. These are typically characterized by isonomic relations, in which the singularity of members finds its distinctiveness in being woven into mutual, collective endeavor. Yet, the collaborative economy also entails digital platforms organized through largely heteronomic relations in which employees and users are configured as isolate, useful, interchangeable, and flexible “units.” As such, communities and platforms are traditionally framed as separate from, and in contradiction to, one another. There is, it seems a paradox at the heart of the collaborative economy. Yet, inspired by the work of Merleau-Ponty, we argue the expression, embodiment, and eventfulness characterizing the collaborative economy show communities and platforms being constituted by one another. We conclude that the paradox, far from being a condition of opposition and dialectical tension requiring managed resolution, is a generative organizational process.
Bentham on Preventive Police: The Calendar of Delinquency in Evaluation of Policy and the Police Gazette in Manipulation of Opinion
Authors: Quinn Michael
Published: February 2019

In 1798–1799, Bentham lent his services to Patrick Colquhoun in drafting Bills to regularize the new Thames Police Office and establish a Central Board of Police. While recognizing Colquhoun as the “author of the system,” Bentham brought his own utilitarian philosophy to bear on the task, and his arguments shed light on the twin role of licensing in both providing the finance necessary for an expansion of police and in generating a flow of information for use in deterring, detecting, and apprehending criminals. The Police Gazette and the Calendar of Delinquency were to be official publications of the proposed Board of Police, which combined the promulgation of information (thus increasing public knowledge through the understanding) with the effort to mould public opinion (thus influencing the will). Dissemination of facts provided grist to the existing moral sanction’s mill and facilitated cooperation between the people and the agents of penal law. In reaction to anxiety about contagion from revolutionary France, Bentham also explicitly seeks to guide and direct public opinion, thus connecting his police writings directly with the esoteric elements of indirect legislation.
The Emotional Approach Coping Scales in Chinese: Validation, Psychometric Properties, and Measurement Invariance
Authors: Tse Pui San , Jenkins Sharon Rae , Wang Chiachih DC , González David Andrés
Published: March 2019

American and Chinese literatures on emotion-focused coping show inconsistent associations with distress, attributable to criterion contamination problems with measures. This problem was remedied by the American Emotional Approach Coping (EAC) scales, which are not confounded with distress; however, there is no Chinese counterpart. The EAC is of theoretical interest for exploring cross-cultural models of psychological and physical health since it allows one to measure emotion processing (theoretically lowering distress) without emotion expression (maintaining collectivist group harmony). In the present study, the EAC scales were translated into Chinese and their factorial, criterion, and discriminant validity as well as measurement invariance of the two versions were examined in 353 Chinese and 491 Americans. Previous validational findings for American EAC scales were replicated and configural and metric invariance demonstrated, supporting the comparable reliability and validity of the Chinese EAC scales. Chinese showed fewer gender differences than Americans.
Measuring Recovery in Parents Experiencing Mental Health Problems
Authors: Thompson Emma , Sheen Jade , Maybery Darryl
Published: March 2019

Parenting is a fundamental life domain with increasing evidence suggesting the parenting role has the capacity to inform and promote mental health recovery. Two reviews examined the current tools available to assess parenting in the context of recovery. Review one identified 35 quantitative measures of parenting used in interventions for parents with mental health problems. None of these measures appeared to consider parenting from a recovery orientation. Review two identified 25 measures of personal recovery; however, none appeared to consider the parenting role. Despite the fundamental life role of parenting, our ability to measure these constructs appears limited. Further research is warranted into the development of a measure of recovery that considers the parenting role.
Forced Marriage, Coercive Control, and Conducive Contexts: The Experiences of Women in Scotland
Authors: Chantler Khatidja , McCarry Melanie
Published: March 2019

This article is based on the first Scottish study of survivor perspectives of forced marriage. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight survivors. Our thematic analysis identified five key themes: understandings of forced marriage, the “grooming” process, betrayal, legal responses, and women’s resistance. Utilizing Stark’s framework of coercive control and Kelly’s concept of conducive contexts, we illuminate hitherto under-appreciated dynamics of forced marriage: (a) the conceptualization of forced marriage as a process rather than an event, (b) the role of mothers within patriarchal contexts, and (c) betrayals of family and services as compounding long-term adverse effects of forced marriage.
Elevated Melatonin Levels in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Relationship to Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress
Authors: Avcil Sibelnur , Uysal Pınar , Yenisey Çiğdem , Abas Burçin Irem
Published: March 2019

Objective: The aim of this article is to measure serum antioxidant melatonin, the oxidants of nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde levels to calculate the serum oxidant–antioxidant balance based on the nitric oxide/melatonin and malondialdehyde/melatonin ratios in children with ADHD. Method: The serum melatonin, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and the nitric oxide/melatonin and malondialdehyde/melatonin ratios were calculated and compared between the children with ADHD ( n = 103) and healthy control participants ( n = 73). Results: Serum melatonin and nitric oxide levels were higher, and the nitric oxide/melatonin and malondialdehyde/melatonin ratios were lower in ADHD children than the control group. Melatonin was found to be significantly high, and the malondialdehyde/melatonin ratio was found to be significantly low in children with a positive ADHD family history. Conclusion: The serum oxidant–antioxidant balance was impaired in children with ADHD. Within the ADHD group, higher melatonin levels were determined in the children with a positive family history.
A Meta-Analysis of Expressive Writing on Posttraumatic Stress, Posttraumatic Growth, and Quality of Life
Authors: Pavlacic Jeffrey M. , Buchanan Erin M. , Maxwell Nicholas P. , Hopke Tabetha G. , Schulenberg Stefan E.
Published: March 2019

Expressive writing is beneficial for promoting both positive psychological and physical health outcomes. Unfortunately, inhibiting emotions is related to impairments in psychological and physical health. James Pennebaker and others have used expressive writing as an experimental manipulation to gauge its efficacy in treating a wide variety of physical and psychological outcomes. While many studies have been conducted that examine the efficacy of expressive writing across such outcomes, a considerable amount of these studies tend to neglect necessary considerations, such as different levels of symptomatology, power, and meaningfulness of respective effect sizes. Six previous meta-analyses have been conducted that examine expressive writing’s effect on psychological outcomes. However, these studies focus on the experimental versus control group effect size. Thus, our meta-analysis sought to examine the efficacy of an expressive writing task on only the experimental conditions in studies measuring posttraumatic stress, posttraumatic growth, and quality of life using random effects models. Results indicated a small overall effect size for posttraumatic stress and negligible to small effect sizes for posttraumatic growth and quality of life. However, those studies requiring a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibited a medium to large effect size. Implications for future research design and interpretation of published research are discussed.
A Case Study Analysis of the Youth Guarantee Scheme Implementation in Italy (Lombardy Region)
Authors: Tsekoura Maria
Published: March 2019

Using the implementation of the Youth Guarantee (YG) in the Italian context (Lombardy) as its point of departure, this article exemplifies the introduction of the YG scheme in national realities. Through review of relevant policy documents, the article identifies a contradiction between the policy model implied through the YG that builds upon a concept of active citizenship and an employment context that in reality offers limited structural opportunities for the enactment of these principles during processes of youth transition. This article will argue that initiatives for youth employment that are de-contextualized and lack a clear vision of youth lives can reinforce the existing order and power imbalances as they offer limited support for young people to develop a sense of success, self-determination and agency in terms of employability.
Pre-fracture medication use as a predictor of 30-day mortality in hip fracture patients: an analysis of 141,201 patients
Authors: Jantzen Christopher , Madsen Christian M , Abrahamsen Bo , Van Der Mark Susanne , Duus Benn R , Howland Jonathan , Lauritzen Jes B , Jørgensen Henrik L
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the predictive value of pre-fracture medication usage on 30-day mortality following a hip fracture.

Methods:

Information on age, sex, fracture type, time of death and Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI) was collected from the Danish National Patient Registry on all patients above 60 years, sustaining a hip fracture during the period January 1995 to December 2013. Information on drug usage was obtained from the Danish National Prescription Database. Hazard ratios were calculated with 30-day mortality as the outcome. A univariate and 3 multivariate analyses were conducted with increasing adjustments, starting with age, sex and fracture type, adding co-morbidity and dose in the latter.

Results:

141,201 patients were included and a total of 12 drugs/drug groups were identified for analysis. Increased mortality was evident in all analyses for antiarrhythmics, beta blockers, proton pump inhibitors, loop diuretics, opioids, acetaminophen and for psycholeptics. For ACE-inhibitors, increased mortality was found in all analyses, except after adjustment for co-morbidity and dose. For thiazide diuretics, a significantly reduced mortality was evident in all but the univariate analyses while NSAIDs and statins were associated with a significantly reduced mortality in all analyses. For calcium channel blockers, an insignificant decrease was found after adjustment for dose. Further analysis showed a dose-response relationship for all drugs except ACE-inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.

Conclusion:

The study shows a correlation between pre-fracture usage of certain drugs and 30 day mortality after a hip fracture.
Laboratory Detection of First and Repeat Chlamydia Cases Influenced by Testing Patterns: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Thompson Laura H , Nugent Zoann , Wylie John L , Loeppky Carla , Van Caeseele Paul , Blanchard James F , Yu Nancy
Published: February 2019

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to describe and explore potential driving factors of trends in reported chlamydia infections over time in Manitoba, Canada.

Methods:

Surveillance and laboratory testing data from Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living were analysed using SAS v9.4. Kaplan-Meier plots of time from the first to second chlamydia infection were constructed, and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the risk of second repeat chlamydia infections in males and females.

Results:

Overall, the number of reported infections found mirrored the number of tests conducted. From 2008 to 2014, the number of first infections found among females decreased as the number of first tests conducted among females also decreased. Between 2008 and 2012, the number of repeat tests among females increased and was accompanied by an increase in the number of repeat positive results from 2009 to 2013. From 2008 to 2016, the number of repeat tests and repeat positive results increased steadily among males.

Conclusions:

Chlamydia infection rates consistently included a subset composed of repeat infections. The number of cases identified appears to mirror testing volumes, drawing into question incidence calculations that do not include testing volumes.

Summary Box:

1) What is the current understanding of this subject? Chlamydia incidence is high in Manitoba, particularly among young women and in northern Manitoba. 2) What does this report add to the literature? This report suggests that incidence calculated using case-based surveillance data alone does not provide an accurate estimate of chlamydia incidence in Manitoba and is heavily influenced by testing patterns. 3) What are the implications for public health practice? In general, improving testing rates in clinical practices as well as through the provision of rapid services in non-clinical venues could result in higher screening and treatment rates. In turn, this could lead to a better understanding of true disease occurrence.
Fracture of the Port Catheter and Migration Into the Coronary Sinus: Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Lukito Antonia Anna , Pranata Raymond , Huang Ian , Thengker Alvin , Wirawan Marco
Published: February 2019

Introduction:

Totally implantable venous device has a good safety profile, although certain complications may occur. Late mechanical complications include catheter fracture and cardiac migration which are rarely occurring in approximately 0.1% to 1% of patients.

Case presentation:

A 33-year-old woman referred by the surgical oncologist for port catheter fragment extraction through endovascular approach. She was asymptomatic on presentation and has a history of hypertension and smoking. Chest X-ray showed a port catheter fragment previously thought to be in the right atrium at the level of 8-9 thoracic vertebrae (right heart catheterization showed that the port catheter fragment was in the coronary sinus). Angiography of the right outflow tract indicates that the fragment was not in the outflow tract or pulmonary arteries but posterior to it. It was concluded that the port catheter fragment had migrated deep into the coronary sinus and the snare was unable to pull the fragment. It was deemed unfeasible to remove the fragment through the endovascular approach.

Discussion:

The port catheter fracture had migrated entirely into the coronary sinus and to the deep of our knowledge; this was the fourth case reported in the current literature. We tried to do a review of previous similar case reports; interestingly, this was the only case where the fragmented catheter was situated deep within the coronary sinus without any part of the fragment projected to the right atrium. This made the retrieval of the fragment much more difficult with a high chance of failure.

Conclusions:

Migration of totally implantable venous device into coronary sinus is a rare but possible complication and might be difficult to remove if the position is unfavorable.
Labor income inequalities and tourism development in Argentina: A regional approach
Authors: Porto Natalia , Espinola Natalia
Published: March 2019

This study aims to explore the regional wages inequalities and its relationship with the development of tourism and amenities endowment. We estimate a spatial error model for 29 metropolitan agglomerations in Argentina during the period 2004–2015. Four indices of touristic amenities that interact with tourism employment—as a proxy for tourism development—in labor income inequality estimations are used. Results show that the labor income distribution depends on the natural resources endowment, as well as the development of tourism in the agglomerates. A more equal distribution of labor income is observed in the agglomerates that have a greater presence of water-based resources, while the relationship is inverse in agglomerates with a greater presence of land-based resources. Also, the tourism employment has an unequal effect on labor income. In conclusion, the study shows the relevance of including aspects of regional development and resource endowment in the analysis of income inequality.
Unconscious bias and the medical model: How the social model may hold the key to transformative thinking about disability discrimination
Authors: Bunbury Stephen
Published: March 2019

This article seeks to gain access to a new way to engage with disability discrimination and the legal approaches to it by focusing on the two central models: the medical and social models. It discusses how the law has based the definition of disability on the medical model and suggests that this may strengthen some of the underlying factors that contribute to segregation and discrimination of disabled people. This article argues that the law should now switch focus to the social model, in an attempt to transform people’s attitudes towards disabled people and become a positive force to reduce discrimination. It makes reference to the reasonable adjustment duty contained in sections 20 and 21 Equality Act 2010, the Framework Directive and by way of comparison the American with Disabilities Act 1990. Relevant critical theories are integrated as a means to explore the conception and the hierarchy that exist between able-bodied individuals and disabled individuals.
Review of services to inform clinical frameworks for adolescents and young adults with severe, persistent and complex mental illness
Authors: Woody Charlotte , Baxter Amanda , Wright Eryn , Gossip Kate , Leitch Elizabeth , Whiteford Harvey , Scott James G
Published: March 2019

Objective:

Severe, persistent and complex mental illness (SPCMI) affects a small proportion of young people but is associated with severe disability and a large burden on families and health services. This article identifies and describes service models for adolescents and young adults with SPCMI.

Methods:

A systematic search was conducted for services for young people aged 12–25 years with SPCMI. The review sought service models providing extended care and/or multidisciplinary services to meet the complex and long-term needs of this population.

Results:

A total of 43 sources were identified. Evidence of effectiveness was found for both community- and bed-based services. Specific components suggested as important in service delivery included care provided by multidisciplinary teams, consumer and family involvement in care planning, intensive case management and service integration through the continuum of care.

Conclusion:

Clinical frameworks for this population must incorporate effective community care integrated with inpatient treatment of short duration. Frameworks require consumer and family-centred care with flexibility to support progression through developmental stages and tasks while addressing issues related to risk management, fluctuation in illness severity and stages of recovery. A continuum of care is necessary to meet the needs that arise from SPCMI in adolescents and young adults.
Mortality in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: Predictors over a 20-year period
Authors: Smith DaWalt Leann , Hong Jinkuk , Greenberg Jan S , Mailick Marsha R
Published: March 2019

Research has shown that individuals with autism spectrum disorder have higher rates of health problems throughout childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and that this may result in elevated risk of early mortality. This study reported the rate, timing, and causes of death in a large community-based cohort of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder ( n = 406) over a 20-year period (1998–2018) and identified predictors of mortality. Over this period, 6.4% of individuals died at an average age of 39 years. Causes of death included chronic conditions (such as cancer and heart disease), accidents (such as choking on food and accidental poisoning), and health complications due to medication side effects. Even after controlling for age and health status, significant predictors of mortality were early childhood levels of impairments in social reciprocity and high levels of functional impairments at the start of the study period. The results suggest the importance of social engagement and functional self-sufficiency across the life course, as well as adequate access to health care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Child and parent outcomes following parent interventions for child emotional and behavioral problems in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tarver Joanne , Palmer Melanie , Webb Sophie , Scott Stephen , Slonims Vicky , Simonoff Emily , Charman Tony
Published: March 2019

There is growing interest in the development of behavioral parent interventions targeting emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorders. Such interventions have potential to improve a number of child and parental well-being outcomes beyond disruptive child behavior. This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses evidence for the efficacy of behavioral parent interventions for disruptive and hyperactive child behavior in autism spectrum disorders, as well as parenting efficacy and stress. A total of 11 articles from nine randomized controlled trials were included. Sufficient data were available to calculate standardized mean difference and show favorable effects of behavioral parent interventions on parent-reported measures of child disruptive behavior (standardized mean difference = 0.67), hyperactivity (standardized mean difference = 0.31) and parent stress (standardized mean difference = 0.37); effects on parent efficacy are less clear (standardized mean difference = 0.39, p = 0.17). There were insufficient data to explore intervention effects on internalizing behavior in autism spectrum disorders, parenting behaviors, or observational and teacher-reported outcomes, providing important avenues for future research. This review adds to growing evidence of the efficacy of behavioral parent interventions for child behavior and parental well-being in autism spectrum disorders (Prospero: CRD42016033979).
A state space technique for modal identification of coupled structure–tuned mass damper systems from vibration measurement
Authors: Cao Zhang , Hua Xugang , Wen Qin , Chen Zhengqing , Niu Huawei
Published: March 2019

Modal properties of the primary structure and tuned mass dampers are basic parameters for in situ tuned mass damper frequency tuning and periodic condition assessment of the structure–tuned mass damper system. In this study, a state space technique is developed for identifying the respective modal properties of structure and tuned mass damper device from the dynamic responses of the coupled structure–tuned mass damper systems. The coupled structure–tuned mass damper system is represented by a reduced two-degree-of-freedom model which characterizes the coupled dynamics of the structural mode under control and tuned mass damper. A simple expression is derived for calculating the respective modal properties of the structural mode and tuned mass damper from the modal properties of the coupled two-degree-of-freedom model. Stochastic subspace identification is employed to estimate the modal properties of the combined system from ambient or free vibration responses. Numerical simulation of two structures and experimental validation of a laboratory steel frame equipped with a tuned mass damper are carried out to verify the proposed method. It is shown the proposed method successfully identifies the modal properties of both the structural mode under control and the tuned mass damper. Compared to the ambient vibration data, the identification results are superior when using the free decay responses. When the tuned mass damper is not perfectly tuned to the primary structure, much accurate identification results can be obtained, especially for the damping ratios of the primary structure and the tuned mass damper.
Experimental investigation on longitudinal and transverse temperature distribution in a horseshoe shaped tunnel fire
Authors: Gao Yunji , Zhu Guoqing , Gu Sinian , Zhu Hui , An Weiguang
Published: February 2019

The longitudinal temperature distribution in a tunnel fire has been investigated wildly as the classical problem, while the transverse temperature distribution, especially sidewall temperature, has not received adequate attention. In this article, a 1:3.7 reduced scale horseshoe shaped model tunnel constructed by concrete was established, in which a series of comparative burning experiments were carried out to investigate the longitudinal and transverse temperature distributions. The quantitative trends of smoke longitudinal and transverse temperature including sidewall temperature were observed and analyzed. The major conclusions are summarized as follows: The temperature rise under the ceiling first decreases sharply with longitudinal distance from fire source, followed by a slight decrease, which can be well predicted by Gong’s model of a sum function of two exponential equations. The transverse temperature rise in fire zone is dominated by two different heat transfer regions: convection region (angle below 45° or dimensionless angle below 0.8) and radiation region (angle beyond 45° or dimensionless angle beyond 0.8). The inclination angle is the angle between center line of tunnel and connection line of thermocouple with fire source. The transverse temperature drops with angle in convection region and rises in radiation region, which can be well described by proposed empirical exponential functions. The non-monotonic variation trend of transverse temperature distribution in fire zone is a result of competition between convection of hot smoke and radiation of fire source. All these results are significantly important for fire safety design of tunnel and fire hazard evaluation of tunnel fire.
The double-delay reducing vibration control for five-degree-of-freedom half-vehicle model in idle condition
Authors: Wang Qingchang , Ren Chuanbo , Zhou Jilei , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2019

When running in idle condition, the vehicle has no speeds and road excitation, and the engine vertical self-vibration is the main excitation source. In this paper, a five-degree-of-freedom half-vehicle suspension model with double-delay feedback control is proposed to improve the vibration performance in idle condition. First, according to the system amplitude–frequency characteristic, the multiobjective function combining the vehicle body acceleration and pitching angular acceleration is established. Then, utilizing particle swarm optimization in optimizing and analyzing, the optimal feedback gains and time delays of the suspension system are obtained. Subsequently, a new frequency scanning method is utilized to analyze the stability of the controlled suspension system with the optimal feedback parameters. Finally, numerical simulations in the Matlab/Simulink environment are conducted to validate the performance of time-delay reducing vibration control on different engine feedback condition. Simulation results indicate that the active suspension with time-delay feedback control based on engine acceleration has better reducing vibration performance, and the root mean square of vehicle body and pitching angular acceleration are, respectively, reduced 87.37 and 80.01% than that without time delay. The research on vehicle suspension system with time-delay feedback control can improve the vibration performance effectively compared to the conventional one.