bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facebook Recruitment and the Protection of Human Subjects
Authors: Kamp Kendra , Herbell Kayla , Magginis William H. , Berry Donna , Given Barbara
Published: February 2019

Social and behavioral scientists increasingly use Facebook to recruit research participants. Given the everchanging social media landscape, it is important to consider the ethical principles of using such a strategy. The aims of this methodological article are to (a) examine Facebook recruitment in light of the ethical principles of the Belmont Report (respect for persons, beneficence, and justice), (b) describe ethical challenges that may be faced in Facebook recruitment, and (c) provide recommendations for researchers interested in adopting this recruitment method. Ethical challenges inherent in Facebook recruitment include selecting subjects fairly, privacy, and data security. Overall, Facebook is a beneficial resource for recruiting participants into research; however, researchers need to be aware of their responsibility in protecting human subjects.
Influences of sexual behaviors and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among heterosexual ACB youth living in Windsor, Ontario
Authors: Fante-Coleman Tiyondah , Wilson Ciann L. , Marcotte Ashley Ann , McKie Raymond , Travers Robb , Furman Ellis ,   ACBY Team
Published: February 2019

Little research has investigated relationships among heterosexual African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) youth and the factors that influence their behavior and the behavioral expectations they have of their sexual partners. This study identifies influential factors of behavioral expectations, and how this behavior shapes vulnerability for human immunodeficiency virus. This article draws on data from the POWER project in Windsor, Canada. Six focus groups were held and attended by 26 ACB youth, and data were analyzed following thematic analysis guidelines. ACB youth adhered to gender roles prescribed through cultural heritage and religion. Gender inequality persists among young ACB youth, and sociopolitical history is hypothesized to shape normative gender roles, influencing relationship behaviors.
Application of second-generation Shikani optical stylet in critically ill patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm embolization
Authors: Liu Xicheng , Zhang Yaoxian , Liu Zhanli , Zhang Qiuli , Wu Wenyan , Zheng Zihao , Zhang Zhongjun
Published: February 2019

Objective

This study was performed to compare the clinical value of the second-generation Shikani optical stylet with that of the Macintosh laryngoscope for tracheal intubation of patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm embolization.

Methods

Thirty-six patients who underwent cerebral aneurysm embolization were included. The intubation time, intubation success rate, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured. Adverse reactions during tracheal intubation and the local tissue injury rate were recorded. Comparisons between the groups were performed with one-way analysis of variance.

Results

The heart rate, SBP, and DBP upon tracheal intubation and at 1 and 3 minutes were significantly higher in the Macintosh laryngoscope group than in the Shikani optical stylet group. The time to completion of tracheal intubation was significantly shorter and the tissue injury rate was significantly lower in the Shikani optimal stylet group than in the Macintosh laryngoscope group.

Conclusions

The second-generation Shikani optical stylet is a simple, safe, and reliable tool for tracheal intubation in critically ill patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm embolization.
Perceptual Errors Support the Notion of Masking by Object Substitution
Authors: Pilling Michael , Guest Duncan , Andrews Mark
Published: February 2019

Two experiments examined the effect of object substitution masking (OSM) on the perceptual errors in reporting the orientation of a target. In Experiment 1, a four-dot trailing mask was compared with a simultaneous-noise mask. In Experiment 2, the four-dot and noise masks were factorially varied. Responses were modelled using a mixture regression model and Bayesian inference to deduce whether the relative impacts of OSM on guessing and precision were the same as those of a noise mask, and thus whether the mechanism underpinning OSM is based on increasing noise rather than a substitution process. Across both experiments, OSM was associated with an increased guessing rate when the mask trailed target offset and a reduction in the precision of the target representation (although the latter was less reliable across the two experiments). Importantly, the noise mask also influenced both guessing and precision, but in a different manner, suggesting that OSM is not simply caused by increasing noise. In Experiment 2, the effects of OSM and simultaneous-noise interacted, suggesting the two manipulations involve common mechanisms. Overall results suggest that OSM is often a consequence of a substitution process, but there is evidence that the mask increases noise levels on trials where substitution does not occur.
Economic geography, to what ends? From privilege to progressive performances of expertise
Authors: Gibson Chris
Published: February 2019

Recent Exchanges have focused on economic geography’s purported ‘decline’ and its patriarchal and generational privilege, asking ‘who speaks’ for the subdiscipline. This Exchanges piece asks another kind of existential question: what ends does economic geography serve? And how is economic geographical expertise marshalled and performed towards such ends – especially beyond the British context, where much of the debate has focused? Drawing briefly upon collaborative research experiences in Sydney, Australia, I offer thoughts on progressive contributions arising from grounded empirical research within cities subject to profound transformation from speculative real estate, and hypercharged by global finance. Amid unsolicited plans for massive rezoning of industrial spaces and accompanying displacement of manufacturing, repair and cultural industries, credible economic geographical data assisted activists and sympathetic local decisionmakers by bringing to light the significance of existing spaces of work (especially in industrially zoned land) subject to rezoning plans. Contestation over massive real estate proposals continues in Sydney, but empirical research targeted at public debate has nevertheless already shifted the narrative. While academic privilege and expert status warrants intra-disciplinary critique, what also matters is whether, how and where economic geographers deploy expertise productively towards progressive ends. Hence, critically engaged economic geography flourishes in different forms beyond the discipline's imagined ‘core’ places, even via quite ‘dry’ empirical studies that on the surface do not declare radical intents. Economic geographers are key intermediaries circulating knowledges, active agents in making concrete manifestations of the economy known. And that is a crucial point of intervention.
A one-step self-sustained low temperature carbonization of coconut shell biomass produced a high specific surface area biochar-derived nano-adsorbent
Authors: Samsudin Mohd Hafif , Hassan Mohd Ali , Idris Juferi , Ramli Norhayati , Mohd Yusoff Mohd Zulkhairi , Ibrahim Izzudin , Othman Mohd Ridzuan , Mohd Ali Ahmad Amiruddin , Shirai Yoshihito
Published: February 2019

A one-step self-sustained carbonization of coconut shell biomass, carried out in a brick reactor at a relatively low temperature of 300–500°C, successfully produced a biochar-derived adsorbent with 308 m2/g surface area, 2 nm pore diameter, and 0.15 cm3/g total pore volume. The coconut shell biochar qualifies as a nano-adsorbent, supported by scanning electron microscope images, which showed well-developed nano-pores on the surface of the biochar structure, even though there was no separate activation process. This is the first report whereby coconut shell can be converted to biochar-derived nano-adsorbent at a low carbonization temperature, without the need of the activation process. This is superior to previous reports on biochar produced from oil palm empty fruit bunch.
The Use of a Diagnostic Competence Model About Children’s Operation Sense for Criterion-Referenced Individual Feedback in a Large-Scale Formative Assessment
Authors: Schulz Andreas , Leuders Timo , Rangel Ulrike
Published: February 2019

We provide evidence of validity for a newly developed diagnostic competence model of operation sense, by both (a) describing the theoretically substantiated development of the competence model in close association with its use within a large-scale formative assessment and (b) providing empirical evidence for the theoretically described cognitive levels of competences. The competence model describes students’ operation sense on four distinct levels. On each level, the model elaborates on the characteristics of tasks that students on this level are able to answer correctly. Moreover, the model explains this by referring to two kinds of cognitive processes that are supposed to be necessary to respond to these kinds of tasks successfully. In a validation study, about 85% of the variance in the item difficulties was explained by the four, a priori allocated, levels of operation sense. We discuss the relevance of the validation of the diagnostic competence model for the provision of criterion-referenced feedback in a large-scale formative assessment, including suggestions for teachers’ subsequent support activities, and the contributions of the model to the state of research about operation sense.
Perez Ambiguous Loss of Homeland Scale: Measuring Immigrants’ Connection to Their Country of Origin
Authors: Perez Rose M. , Arnold-Berkovits Ilona
Published: February 2019

The present study produced the Perez Ambiguous Loss of Homeland (PALH) scale to measure Spanish-speaking immigrants’ complex psychological connections with their homeland along two dimensions: immigrants’ sense of ambiguous loss of their homeland and their sense of relative satisfaction with the host country (the United States) compared with their sense of satisfaction with their homeland. In Study 1, surveys were administered to 56 participants to refine the scale. In Study 2, psychometric evaluation of cross-sectional data with 344 participants showed high reliability and validity. Exploratory factor analysis generated a three-factor explanation, which aligned with the hypothesized conceptual framework: ambiguous loss of homeland, satisfaction with the homeland, and satisfaction with the United States. A single scale, relative satisfaction was created by taking the difference between the two satisfaction factors. The PALH can be useful in understanding individuals’ psychological challenges with leaving their homeland and adjusting to life in a new country.
The Effects of Inference Instruction on the Reading Comprehension of English Learners With Reading Comprehension Difficulties
Authors: Hall Colby , Vaughn Sharon , Barnes Marcia A. , Stewart Alicia A. , Austin Christy R. , Roberts Greg
Published: February 2019

Inference skill is one of the most important predictors of reading comprehension. Still, there is little rigorous research investigating the effects of inference instruction on reading comprehension. There is no research investigating the effects of inference instruction on reading comprehension for English learners with reading comprehension difficulties. The current study investigated the effects of small-group inference instruction on the inference generation and reading comprehension of sixth- and seventh-grade students who were below-average readers ( M = 86.7, SD = 8.1). Seventy-seven percent of student participants were designated limited English proficient. Participants were randomly assigned to 24, 40-min sessions of the inference instruction intervention ( n = 39) or to business-as-usual English language arts instruction ( n = 39). Membership in the treatment condition statistically significantly predicted higher outcome score on the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test Reading Comprehension subtest ( d = 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.16, 1.03]), but not on the other measures of inference skill.
Kids, Caregivers, and Cartoons: The Impact of Licensed Characters on Food Choices and Consumption
Authors: Leonard Bridget , Campbell Margaret C. , Manning Kenneth C.
Published: February 2019

This research examines effects of on-package licensed characters on children’s and caregivers’ choices of healthy and indulgent food and children’s consumption amount. The authors propose that food liking exerts the greatest influence on children’s choices and consumption, such that the impact of on-package characters will be limited to choices between equally liked options. Caregivers’ choices are primarily influenced by their food goals for their children; thus, the impact of characters will likewise be limited to caregivers’ within-category choices. Two experiments show that a character influences children’s choices between two same-category options but not between indulgent and healthier options. A third experiment reveals that food liking influences amount consumed, while the presence of a character influences neither amount consumed nor food liking. Two additional experiments show that characters influence caregivers’ choice between the same foods, but not between different food types or intention to purchase a food. The expanded framework for the effects of licensed characters—taking into account choice versus consumption, children versus caregivers, and healthy versus unhealthy foods—enhances understanding for consumers, practitioners, and policy makers.
Possible GoLytely-Associated Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Mo Yoonsun , Gandhi Shiv , Orsini Jose
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To report a case of sudden cardiac arrest possibly associated with the administration of GoLytely® (polyethylene glycol 3350 and electrolytes).

A 60-year-old male with a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease presented to the emergency department with complaints of constipation and lower abdominal pain over the past week, and the inability to urinate over the past day. The patient had received GoLytely as treatment to alleviate symptoms of constipation and abdominal pain. However, several hours after administration of the bowel prep solution, the patient suffered an episode of cardiac arrest. After ruling out other possible etiologies, GoLytely was suspected as a possible cause of cardiac arrest. The patient had suffered an anoxic brain injury and remained intubated and unconscious until he eventually expired, 20 days after the event.

Conclusion:

Although GoLytely appears to be a safe agent with fewer side effects, clinicians need to be mindful of potential life-threatening adverse events following GoLytely administration and monitor patients closely during and after administration.
Acquired Hemophilia A: A Case Report
Authors: Shen Mark , Wang Shan , Sessa Julia , Hanna Adel , Axelrad Alexander , Ali Fahd
Published: February 2019

Hemophilia A, also known as factor VIII deficiency, is a rare disorder caused by an insufficient level of factor VIII, an essential clotting protein. Hemophilia A can be inherited or acquired. Inherited hemophilia A is caused by a mutation to the factor VIII gene on the X chromosome, which is commonly passed down from parents to children. However, in about one-third of cases, the cause is a spontaneous mutation in that gene. Acquired hemophilia A is due to an autoantibody to factor VIII, which is termed an inhibitor. This rare disorder can cause life-threatening bleeding complications. Management relies on a rapid and accurate diagnosis, control of bleeding episodes, and eradication of the inhibitor by immunosuppression therapy. Most treatment strategies are centered around anecdotal reports or small case series. This case report summarizes the successful treatment of a patient with acquired hemophilia A and major bleeding following a surgical procedure, with the use of desmopressin, recombinant factor VIIa, repeated doses of recombinant factor VIII, rituximab, and prednisone.
I tell my mother that … sometimes he didn’t love us–Young adults’ experiences of childhood in refugee families: A qualitative approach
Authors: Johansen Jennifer Drummond , Varvin Sverre
Published: February 2019

In addition to managing dual cultural identities, children of refugees face the potential burden of living with caregivers struggling in the aftermath of trauma, loss, and adversity. Using an ecological and transactional understanding of child development, this qualitative study explored the subjective experiences of young adults who grew up in a refugee family in Norway. Findings show that parental suffering have affected their daily life and development in different ways. This article elucidates how children of refugees have experienced the relationship with their parents through childhood, adolescence, and into early adulthood, and how they have managed and negotiated developmental tasks, and explored patterns of strategies developed to regulate feelings of relational distress.
Simulation-based investigation of spontaneous condensation in steam-driven screw expanders
Authors: Grieb Manuel , Brümmer Andreas
Published: February 2019

Condensation and its effects on turbomachinery operation are well understood and have been widely investigated. However, only little scientific work on condensation in positive displacement machines has been published. Although, depending on machine type, high expansion rates and, as a consequence, significant supersaturation can be achieved for working fluids with a negative saturation vapour curve. In this paper, the effects of spontaneous steam condensation in screw expanders are discussed. Classical nucleation theory is used for the thermodynamic simulation of operational behaviour. The study shows at which point during the expansion phase spontaneous condensation can be expected and typical nucleation rates are determined. The impact of released latent heat during expansion on chamber states is depicted. Furthermore, a comparison of purely metastable expansion with equilibrium expansion is provided in order to show the full-range discrepancies. Additionally, the influence of internal leakage and throttling effects during the inlet phase on the course of spontaneous condensation and droplet growth is analysed. Typical operating parameters are widely varied in simulation so as to identify the impact of steam parameters and expander parameters on the condensation process.
As if by Magic: An Abrupt Change in Motion Direction Induces Change Blindness
Authors: Yao Richard , Wood Katherine , Simons Daniel J.
Published: February 2019

Magicians claim that an abrupt change in the direction of movement can attract attention, allowing them to hide their method for a trick in plain sight. In three experiments involving 43 total subjects, we tested this claim by examining whether a sudden directional change can induce change blindness. Subjects were asked to detect an instantaneous orientation change of a single item in an array of Gabor patches; this change occurred as the entire array moved across the display. Subjects consistently spotted the change if it occurred while the array moved along a straight path but missed it when it occurred as the array changed direction. This method of inducing change blindness leaves the object in full view during the change; requires no additional distractions, visual occlusion, or global transients; and worked in every subject tested here. This phenomenon joins a body of magic-inspired work that yields insights into perception and attention.
China’s Employment Contract Law: Does it deliver employment security?
Authors: Wang Fuxi , Gan Bernard , Cheng Yanyuan , Peng Lin , Feng Jiaojiao , Yang Liquian , Xi Yiheng
Published: February 2019

During its transition to a market economy, structural inequalities became increasingly apparent across China’s workforce, threatening social harmony. China’s 2008 Employment Contract Law, legislated amid policy debate, was intended to remedy these phenomena. We examine a crucial element of its remit: has its promotion of continuing contracts as against fixed-term employment contracts been effective? This is crucial for improving workers’ rights through secure employment. How have employers responded to this challenge to their prerogatives in terms of hiring and firing? We analysed data from 2007 and 2012 drawn from All-China Federation of Trade Unions surveys, which cover approximately 80,000 individuals. Using institutional theory, we discuss a variety of employer responses. We find that the Employment Contract Law has increased the likelihood of signing continuing contracts among migrant workers, employees in privately owned enterprises, and those with lower professional titles and who are short-term employees – all disadvantaged labour market categories previously. It has also significantly narrowed gaps regarding access to continuing contracts between these categories and matched advantaged ones. There is also evidence that some employers seek to avoid or sidestep compliance through cost-minimising worker engagement strategies.

JEL Codes: J41, J53, K31
The Use of Therapy Dogs to Support Court Users in the Waiting Room
Authors: Spruin Elizabeth , Mozova Katarina , Franz Anke , Mitchell Susanna , Fernandez Ana , Dempster Tammy , Holt Nicole
Published: February 2019

The use of animals to support individuals’ well-being has been documented across a variety of disciplines. It has been over a decade since dogs have also started to be used within the criminal justice setting in America to support vulnerable people, but this practice is not common in the United Kingdom. Globally, empirical evidence to support the benefits of utilizing dogs within the criminal justice system is lacking. The present interdisciplinary study aimed to explore one aspect of the criminal justice journey, the impact a therapy dog can have on UK court users waiting to give evidence at a magistrate’s court. One hundred and seventeen court users and eight court staff were interviewed to explore their perceptions of a therapy dog service offered at a local magistrate’s court. Using thematic analysis, three main themes were discovered: (1) context of the court environment, (2) effect of the therapy dog on well-being, and (3) issues relating to therapy dogs in court waiting areas. Results suggest that therapy dogs have a number of benefits to court users. Long-term, the human–canine interaction positively translates into the court waiting room environment, and so it should be further explored, evaluated, and then appropriately implemented in the UK’s legal system.
Probing the Link Between Perception and Oscillations: Lessons from Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
Authors: Cabral-Calderin Yuranny , Wilke Melanie
Published: February 2019

Brain oscillations are regarded as important for perception as they open and close time windows for neural spiking to enable the effective communication within and across brain regions. In the past, studies on perception primarily relied on the use of electrophysiological techniques for probing a correlative link between brain oscillations and perception. The emergence of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) provides the possibility to study the causal contribution of specific oscillatory frequencies to perception. Here, we review the studies on visual, auditory, and somatosensory perception that employed tACS to probe the causality of brain oscillations for perception. The current literature is consistent with a causal role of alpha and gamma oscillations in parieto-occipital regions for visual perception and theta and gamma oscillations in auditory cortices for auditory perception. In addition, the sensory gating by alpha oscillations applies not only to the visual but also to the somatosensory domain. We conclude that albeit more refined perceptual paradigms and individualized stimulation practices remain to be systematically adopted, tACS is a promising tool for establishing a causal link between neural oscillations and perception.
Reducing Rape-Related Attitudes Utilizing a Cognitive Dissonance Paradigm
Authors: Steinmetz Sarah E. , Gray Matt J. , Raymond Elizabeth M.
Published: February 2019

This study used a cognitive dissonance mechanism that required college students to write essays dispelling previously endorsed rape myth beliefs. Results indicate that participants in the cognitive dissonance condition reported less rape myth endorsement at a 2-week follow-up than the control group. Effect sizes were large. The cognitive dissonance condition also led to more sustained internal motivation to respond in a nonsexist manner and earlier identification of sexually coercive behavior. Counter-attitudinal advocacy appears to result in sustained decreases in endorsement of rape-supportive attitudes, which could lead to safer communities for women by altering beliefs predictive of sexual assault perpetration.
Effects of lateral circumflex femoral artery ligation on blood flow to the surrounding muscles in the direct anterior approach
Authors: Ishii Satohiro , Naito Masatoshi , Kinoshita Koichi , Ishimatsu Tetsuro , Akiho Shunsuke , Yamamoto Takuaki
Published: February 2019

Background:

The direct anterior approach to the hip joint enables the identification and ligation of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. However, the effect of lateral circumflex femoral artery ligation on blood flow to the muscles surrounding the hip remains unknown. This study clarified the changes in blood flow to the surrounding muscles following ascending branch ligation of this artery.

Methods:

We included 36 consecutive patients (8 male and 28 female) who underwent total hip arthroplasty via the direct anterior approach for hip osteoarthritis between April 2015 and July 2016. The intraoperative blood flow to the tensor fascia latae (TFL), vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and subcutaneous tissue (control) was measured using a laser Doppler blood flow meter. Measurements were repeated after artery ligation and at the end of surgery. We compared the means (±SD) of these measurements at each location and time point.

Results:

The patients’ mean age was 64.2 ± 9.0 years, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 92.8 ± 13.6 and 54.9 ± 9.1 mmHg, respectively, and body mass index was 23.1 ± 3.9 kg/m2. Hypertension was noted in 35.9% patients and dyslipidemia in 27.8%. The mean surgical duration was 101 (70–158) min. The preligation blood flow in TFL, VL, RF, and subcutaneous tissue was 3.91 ± 1.93, 5.15 ± 2.19, 4.51 ± 2.24, and 3.03 ± 0.99 mL/min/100 g, respectively.

Conclusions:

Blood flow to TFL significantly decreased post ligation and at the end of surgery. However, there was no change in blood flow to VL and RF.
Commentary on Jones J, Jones KN and Peil J (2018) The impact of the legalization of recreational marijuana on college students. Addictive Behaviors 77: 255–259, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.08.015
Authors: Jones Jacob , Jones K Nicole
Published: February 2019

With the broadening legislative changes surrounding legalized recreational marijuana in the United States, tracking the impact of such changes is imperative. As such, in a recent article published in Addictive Behaviors, we identified several emerging trends in the first state to legalize recreational marijuana, Colorado. Since our publication, similar research from other states that have legalized recreational marijuana (Oregon and Washington) has emerged. Here, we attempt to expand on our findings and identify patterns across the research, by comparing and contrasting our results to research in other states with legalized recreational marijuana. We identified several trends including, but not limited to, the rates of marijuana use rising after decriminalization, but not the retail sale of recreational marijuana; recreational marijuana legalization leading to a decrease in the relationship between marijuana and alcohol use; and the identification of binge drinkers as a high-risk population for marijuana use after recreational legalization. We also explore the complicated relationship between marijuana use and academic performance, and point out areas where future research is needed.
Redundancy Is of No Good; Iatrogenic Hypervitaminosis D: A Rare Case of Persistent Vomiting Due to Hypercalcemia
Authors: Ghauri Muhammad Ishaq , Bareeqa Syeda Beenish , Riaz Amir , Kumar Ajeet
Published: February 2019

Introduction:

Iatrogenic or physician-induced hypervitaminosis D is a rare cause of persistent vomiting. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on iatrogenic hypervitaminosis D presenting with persistent vomiting in Pakistan.

Case Report:

We report a rare case of continual vomiting for 15 days in a 48-year-old woman of Pakistani descent. She was a known case of diabetes mellitus for 8 years, which was well controlled at the time of presentation.

Conclusions:

The correct diagnosis of our patient was based on clinical suspicion, appropriate lab tests, and deliberation of the differential diagnosis. It is important to consider hypervitaminosis D as a cause of persistent vomiting if no other obvious is apparent.
Homozygous Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia in a Patient With Histologically Confirmed Thromboangiitis Obliterans
Authors: Mensa Mussa , Dobbs Tom , Jessop Zita M , Whitaker Iain S
Published: February 2019

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a vasculitis characterised by segmental occlusions of small to medium-sized arteries and superficial veins, and a curious predilection for young male smokers. The exact aetiology remains unknown. Current theories postulate it is an autoimmune endarteritis, triggered by some constituent of tobacco and occurring in genetically susceptible individuals. The disease can pose a diagnostic challenge, requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion, particularly in male smokers aged between 20-45 presenting with peripheral ischaemia. The fundamental principle of management is absolute tobacco abstinence. In this article, we report the case of a 27-year-old man who presented with infected, chronic wounds of his upper and lower extremities. He was initially treated with antibiotics and surgical debridement. Unfortunately he went on to develop a protracted course of complications due to poor wound healing ultimately leading to amputation of several digits. A diagnosis of TAO was suspected, and this was later confirmed histologically. Incidentally and of note, the patient was also found to be homozygous for factor V Leiden. An association between TAO and hypercoagulable states, specifically heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation, has been previously described. It is unclear if a synergistic effect between TAO and homozygosity for factor V Leiden may have contributed to the severity and unremitting nature of our patient’s symptoms. We present this case in order to highlight the importance of early recognition of the condition and the need to offer comprehensive smoking cessation support in order to prevent amputation and other complications of poor wound healing.
No such thing asaconcept: A radical tradition from Malinowski to Asad and Strathern
Authors: Lebner Ashley
Published: February 2019

In light of renewed questions about the relationship between anthropology’s past and future, two radicalizations of the British tradition are particularly worth exploring: those of Talal Asad and Marilyn Strathern, arguably the most widely read anthropologists beyond the discipline, and the most regularly misunderstood. Asad and Strathern are rarely engaged together because the anthropologies that their works have inspired operate quite separately, their mutual implications left unexplored. And yet, tracing the development of Asad’s and Strathern’s respective work reveals a deep resonance, beginning with their training in the concern with translation, which owes more to Malinowski than anthropologists today are generally aware. The paper argues that reading Asad and Strathern together can help mitigate the over-cultivation of the “concept” in recent anthropology, multiply insights into the constitutive relations among anthropology, science and the secular, and refine perspectives on the legacy of British anthropology and on anthropology’s future politics.
Neoliberalism at work: Corporate reforms, subjectivity, and post-Toyotist affect in Japan
Authors: Okura Gagné Nana
Published: February 2019

This article analyzes how the Japanese state and corporations promoted neoliberal restructuring and how employees responded to and reflected upon such changes. I show how neoliberal reforms have aimed to produce greater flexibility for corporations and promote a specific mode of control—“self-management”—among employees. However, rather than rationalizing and legitimizing risk and becoming self-regulating “enterprising selves,” many employees displayed a reflexive and reactive subjectivity that eschewed such neoliberal values. The reaction of many individuals to reforms in Japan can best be understood as “silent resistance” through a combination of discrete competition, turning inward, and stronger desires for stability and security. Economic restructuring thus produced a new kind of “alienation” characterized by narrowing corporate welfare and the breakdown of corporate community. At the same time, employees’ critical reflections reveal a post-Toyotist affect marked by retrenched desires for security and control under the changing national and global economy. Rather than a new, unprecedented subjectivation, the Japanese case of risk-aversive reflexive reaction reveals how existing cultural complexes produce different forms of subjectivity in response to reforms. Further, this nuances our understandings of how the kinds of subjectivities that emerge via the diverse processes of neoliberalization are always contingent upon the multiscalar historical and cultural contexts of work, responsibility, and risk.
Avoiding Alzheimer’s disease: The important causative role of divalent copper ingestion
Authors: Brewer George J
Published: February 2019

In this review, we point out that developed countries are undergoing an epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease, not shared by undeveloped countries. We also point out that this epidemic is new, developing during the 20th century. This suggests that an environmental change occurring in the 20th century in developed countries is causing the epidemic. The author hypothesizes that the environmental change causing the epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease is ingestion of divalent copper. The hypothesis is based on data indicating that food copper is primarily monovalent copper, and humans evolved safe ways of channeling monovalent copper, but not divalent copper. Humans were not exposed to divalent copper until the 20th century, due to the use of copper plumbing and supplement pills containing copper, and that exposure, which occurs in developed countries, does not occur in undeveloped countries. Data in support of the hypothesis show that tiny amounts of divalent copper added to drinking water of Alzheimer’s disease animal models greatly enhance Alzheimer’s disease, and ingestion of copper (which is always divalent copper)-containing supplement pills by humans is quite toxic to cognition.

Impact statement

The work described in this review is very important to scientists working on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because it reveals a cause for the explosive epidemic of this disease. It is also important to the public because it provides a method to avoid this newly revealed cause, and thereby avoid AD. The field is advanced because this review reveals new information about the mechanism of AD pathogenesis, namely copper, and specifically divalent copper, toxicity is important. New information about divalent copper toxicity in the brain affecting cognition is revealed. The field is impacted strongly because, in view of the frustrations that have occurred in treatment developed, now most AD can be prevented. This means the suffering of the patient, the prolonged and difficult care required by caregivers, and the enormous expenditures for this one disease, can now be avoided.
Accumulative Bayesian detection of displacement constants of a hybrid indeterminate box girder with variable scale gradient theory
Authors: Zhang Jian , Jia Chao , Zhou Chuwei
Published: February 2019

With general Bayesian theory, the accumulative Bayesian objective function of displacement constants of a hybrid indeterminate box girder was found. The gradient matrix of accumulative Bayesian objective function to displacement constants and the calculative covariance matrix were both derived. The finite curvilinear strip controlling equation of a pinned box girder was derived and the hybrid indeterminate problem of a continuous curvilinear box girder with diaphragm was solved based on agglomeration theory. Combined with one-dimensional (1D) Fibonacci automatic search scheme of optimal step length, the variable scale gradient theory was utilized to research the stochastic detection of displacement constants of the hybrid indeterminate curvilinear box girder. Then the detection steps of displacement constants of the hybrid indeterminate curvilinear box girder were presented in detail and the detection procedure was developed. Through some classic examples, it is achieved that the accumulative Bayesian detection of displacement constants of the hybrid indeterminate curvilinear box girder has perfect numerical stability and convergence, which demonstrates that the derived detection model is correct and reliable. The stochastic performances of displacement constants and structural responses are simultaneously deliberated in an accumulative Bayesian objective function, which proves to have high computational efficiency. The variable scale gradient method incessantly changes the spatial matrix scale to engender new search directions during the iterative processes, which makes the derived accumulative Bayesian detection of the displacement constants more efficient.
Recognition and distance estimation of an irregular object in package sorting line based on monocular vision
Authors: Wang Xuanyin , Zhou Bin , Ji Jiayu , Pu Bin
Published: February 2019

In this article, we propose a monocular vision-based approach that can simultaneously recognize an object and estimate the distance to the target in package classification. Calibration is necessary due to lack of depth information in a single RGB image, and template matching makes it possible to estimate the distance of an irregular object without measurable parameters. First of all, capture images of the particular object as templates at set distances. Then, simplify the feature extraction to abandon the scale invariance. By exploiting a nonparametric estimation, the relationship between local feature correspondence and the similarity of two images is theoretically explored. Finally, the object will be recognized and the scale grade of it will be determined at the same time based on two-stage template matching. Experimental results have proved the high accuracy of our approach that has then been successfully applied to a real-time automatic package sorting line.
Fast terminal sliding mode tracking control of nonlinear uncertain mass–spring system with experimental verifications
Authors: Amirkhani Saeed , Mobayen Saleh , Iliaee Nahal , Boubaker Olfa , Hosseinnia S Hassan
Published: February 2019

In this article, a fast terminal sliding mode control technique is used for robust tracking control of a nonlinear uncertain mass–spring system in the existence of external perturbation. This system is considered as a benchmark problem in the flexible joint mechanisms. The joints flexibility in the robotic systems creates one of the most significant sources of parametric uncertainties. The theory of Lyapunov stability is used for the formulation of the proposed control method, and the presence of the sliding around the switching surface is satisfied in the finite time. Simulation results as well as the experimental verifications prove the efficiency and applicability of the suggested approach in the presence of parametric uncertainty, noise, and exterior disturbance.
Normal values of distal radioulnar translation assessed by three-dimensional C-arm scans: a cadaveric study
Authors: Swartman Benedict , Benner Laura , Grechenig Stephan , Franke Jochen , Grützner Paul A. , Schnetzke Marc
Published: February 2019

We investigated whether mobile C-arm cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) could be used to measure radioulnar translation. The study was conducted on 31 Thiel-fixed intact cadaver arms. Three-dimensional scans of each wrist were carried out in pronation and supination. Four established measurement methods were used (radioulnar line, subluxation ratio, epicentre and radioulnar ratio methods) to measure radioulnar translation. The intraclass correlation coefficient for inter-observer and intra-observer reliability were excellent in three of four methods (>0.94). The reference ranges for physiological radioulnar translation were between −30% and 91% (radioulnar line method), −32% and 87% (subluxation ratio method), −40% and 23% (epicentre method), and 2% and 73% (radioulnar ratio method). Our results indicate that radioulnar translation in the distal radioulnar joint can be determined reliably using mobile C-arm CBCT. The normal values provide a basis for further experimental and clinical studies.
Organic dust inhibits surfactant protein expression by reducing thyroid transcription factor-1 levels in human lung epithelial cells
Authors: Natarajan Kartiga , Gangam Keerthi , Meganathan Velmurugan , Gottipati Koteswara R , Mitchell Courtney , Boggaram Vijay
Published: February 2019

Exposure to organic dust is a risk factor for the development of respiratory diseases. Surfactant proteins (SP) reduce alveolar surface tension and modulate innate immune responses to control lung inflammation. Therefore, changes in SP levels could contribute to the development of organic-dust-induced respiratory diseases. Because information on the effects of organic dust on SP levels is lacking, we studied the effects of dust from a poultry farm on SP expression. We found that dust extract reduced SP-A and SP-B mRNA and protein levels in H441 human lung epithelial cells by inhibiting their promoter activities, but did not have any effect on SP-D protein levels. Dust extract also reduced SP-A and SP-C levels in primary human alveolar epithelial cells. The inhibitory effects were not due to LPS or protease activities present in dust extract or mediated via oxidative stress, but were dependent on a heat-labile factor(s). Thyroid transcription factor-1, a key transcriptional activator of SP expression, was reduced in dust-extract-treated cells, indicating that its down-regulation mediates inhibition of SP levels. Our study implies that down-regulation of SP levels by organic dust could contribute to the development of lung inflammation and respiratory diseases in humans.
Incidence of inflammatory bowel disease by race and ethnicity in a population-based inception cohort from 1970 through 2010
Authors: Aniwan Satimai , Harmsen W. Scott , Tremaine William J. , Loftus Edward V.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Although inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been more predominant in white populations, an increasing incidence of IBD in nonwhites has been reported. We sought to evaluate the incidence rates and temporal trends of IBD by race and ethnicity.

Methods:

The resources of the Rochester Epidemiologic Project were used to identify 814 county residents newly diagnosed with IBD from 1970 through 2010. Race was categorized into whites and nonwhites. Ethnicity was categorized into Hispanic and non-Hispanic. Incidence rates were estimated and adjusted for age and sex to the 2010 United States (US) population. Trends in incidence rates were evaluated by Poisson regression.

Results:

The adjusted annual incidence rate of IBD for whites was 21.6 cases per 100,000 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI), 20.0–23.1] and for nonwhites it was 13 per 100,000 (95% CI, 8.3–17.5). The incidence rates for whites and nonwhites increased by 39% and 134%, respectively, from 1970 through 2010. The adjusted annual incidence rate of IBD for Hispanics was 15 cases per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 6.3–23.6) and for non-Hispanics was 20 per 100,000 (95% CI, 18.5–21.6). The incidence rate for Hispanics decreased by 56%, while the rate for non-Hispanics increased by 33%, from 1985 through 2010. In a Poisson regression, white race ( p < 0.0001), a later year of diagnosis ( p < 0.001), male sex ( p < 0.001) and younger age ( p = 0.009) were significantly associated with a higher incidence rate of IBD.

Conclusions:

There were significant racial and ethnic differences in the incidence and temporal trends of IBD over the last four decades in this US population-based cohort.
Compulsory for Whom? Mandatory Voting and Electoral Participation in Brazil, 1986-2006
Authors: Power Timothy J.
Published: February 2019

Latin America contains roughly half of the world's countries that use compulsory voting, but this electoral institution has received only limited attention from researchers. This article examines the determinants of voter turnout in the world's largest electorate subject to mandatory voting, that of Brazil. In analyzing data from six national legislative elections held in Brazil between 1986 and 2006, the study finds that the impact of compulsory laws varies across social and economic groups. From a methodological perspective, the article argues that “compulsoriness” of mandatory voting legislation can be modeled by taking into account both exemptions to the law and the relevance of potential sanctions against non-voters. The issue of enforcement must be considered if we are to develop comprehensive models of electoral participation under conditions of compulsory voting.
Institutional Reform and Rights Revolutions in Latin America: The Cases of Costa Rica and Colombia
Authors: Wilson Bruce M.
Published: February 2019

This article analyzes the conditions that allowed for expansive rights revolutions in Costa Rica and Colombia. My research suggests that many of the preconditions for rights revolutions in other regions of the world are also central to understanding Latin American cases. Of particular relevance is judicial system design including the high courts’ operating rules concerning access, standing, and judicial formality. These factors can and do mitigate the need for extensive resources and support structures necessary in other non-Latin American countries in which rights revolutions have occurred.
Business, Economic Experts, and Conservative Party Building in Latin America: The Case of El Salvador
Authors: Koivumaeki Riitta-Ilona
Published: February 2019

A wave of leftist governments has swept Latin America in recent years, attracting a great deal of scholarly attention. Yet a number of new conservative parties have attained considerable electoral success, as well. This paper argues that a conservative party can succeed electorally and consolidate organizationally when it is supported by two strong groups in society: the business community and the neoliberal technocrats. To assess the argument, I explore the successful trajectory of the rightist Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (ARENA) in El Salvador. I then evaluate the generalizability of the argument by comparing ARENA's trajectory with another conservative party in the region, Unión Demócrata Independiente (UDI) in Chile. In addition to proposing a new theory for conservative party success in Latin America, the paper calls for the revival of socioeconomic explanations in political science.