bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Canada’s Use of its Notice of Compliance With Conditions Drug Approval Policy: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Lexchin Joel
Published: December 2018

Health Canada has developed its Notice of Compliance with conditions (NOC/c) policy to get promising new drugs for serious diseases to market faster than would be possible through its standard approval process. Companies can receive an NOC/c for a new drug or a new indication based on incomplete evidence in return for agreeing to conduct post-market studies. This paper investigates the additional therapeutic gain from drugs approved under this policy, the percent of drugs that have fulfilled their conditions, and the length of time for fulfillment. From the inception of the policy in 1998 to the end of 2017, 89 new drugs and new indications for existing drugs received an NOC/c. Therapeutic evaluations were available for 78 of the drugs, and 54 offered only minimal or no gains over existing products. Fifty NOC/c were fulfilled, 31 were not fulfilled, and 8 were withdrawn. The median time to fulfillment was 1,040 days. Twelve NOC/c took more than 5 years to fulfill their conditions. The unfulfilled NOC/c had been issued for a median of 1,161 days, and 10 had been issued more than 5 years. The value of the NOC/c policy to patients is uncertain.
In Search of Diversity: The Record of Major Marketing Journals
Authors: Tellis Gerard J. , Chandy Rajesh K. , Ackerman David S.
Published: December 2018

The authors analyze the publications of four major marketing journals on the basis of their diversity relative to each other, against their mission statements, and over time. One important finding is that the journals that make no claim to diversity tend to be quite diverse, while the one that strives to be diverse does not seem to achieve its goal. A second major finding is that each of the four journals has a distinct character that is not necessarily the one intended by its mission or its editors. A third major finding is that these patterns are generally stable over time and tend to persist even in the face of efforts and pleas by its editors for change.
Introducing POSVAR: A dataset on refugee-related violence
Authors: Gineste Christian , Savun Burcu
Published: December 2018

While scholars have for some time debated the role of refugee flows in the international spread of conflict, most evidence has been indirect due to the scarcity of systematic data on refugee-related violence. The Political and Societal Violence By And Against Refugees (POSVAR) dataset addresses this lacuna by providing cross-national, time-series data on refugees’ involvement in acts of physical violence in their host state, either as the victims or the perpetrators of violence, individually or collectively, in all countries between 1996 and 2015. In this article, we provide an overview of the main features of the dataset, identify its limitations, and trace variation in reported levels of refugee-related violence over time and across different types of actors. We emphasize that the data may be helpful to both researchers and policymakers for more accurate understanding of the prevalence of refugee-related violence and the design of more optimal policies to mitigate it.
Drug-induced Obstructive and Retrograde Nephropathy Associated with α2u-globulin in Male Rats
Authors: Jacobsen Björn , Freichel Christian , Eichinger-Chapelon Anne , Brink Andreas , Hoflack Jean-Christophe , Albassam Mudher , Lenz Barbara
Published: December 2018

The chemically induced accumulation of α2u-globulin protein in male rats causes specific renal lesions and subsequent nephropathy. Herein, we report additional parallel findings in the kidney of male rats consistent with obstructive and retrograde nephropathy. Kidney and urinary bladder samples were evaluated from Wistar rats treated with RG7129 for 2 week and 8 week and from an 8-week mechanistic study using females, intact and castrated males. Histopathological findings were present in intact males in all studies, including hyaline droplet accumulation and granular casts consistent with α2u-globulin nephropathy. In addition, tubular degeneration and regeneration, tubular changes extending from papilla to cortex, tubular dilation, and interstitial and luminal inflammation were observed consistent with retrograde and obstructive nephropathy. Renal and urinary lesions and their severity increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Urinalysis findings, including increases in leukocytes, protein, and in kidney biomarkers, kidney injury molecule 1 and clusterin, were present only in intact males. No treatment-related changes were observed in female rats or in castrated males. These results indicate that RG7129 induces α2u-globulin nephropathy, associated with retrograde and obstructive nephropathy secondary to precipitation in intact male rats only, constituting a species- and sex-specific syndrome that is not expected to occur in humans or other species.
The Attitude of the Orthodox Parishioners Toward Euthanasia: Evidence From Georgia
Authors: Verulava Tengiz , Mamulashvili Mariam , Kachkachishvili Iago , Jorbenadze Revaz
Published: December 2018

Background

The right of euthanasia is the subject of worldwide discussion today, as it is one of the most controversial medical, religious, political, or ethical issues. This study aims to survey the attitudes of Orthodox parishioners toward the euthanasia. Methods: Within the quantitative study, the survey was conducted through a semistructured questionnaire. Respondents were the parishioners of the Orthodox Church. Within the qualitative study, the survey of the experts of the Orthodox Church, in particular the clergy, was conducted. During the survey of the experts, we used the snowball method.

Results

The majority of respondents (81%) were aware of euthanasia. The dominant opinion is that euthanasia is “ the consent to life termination during the illness, when there is no way out and recovery is impossible” or “ a terminally ill person voluntarily decides to end life painlessly.” Those who disagree with euthanasia rely on the religious factors (why the church prohibits it). Those who agree with euthanasia action argue the legitimate human rights and free will of person. Most of the respondents (86%) have not heard about euthanasia practices in Georgia. Most of the respondents (71%) knew that the Orthodox Church prohibits euthanasia; 39% of the respondents believe that euthanasia is justified in medical terms.

Conclusion

It is advisable to raise public awareness on euthanasia in religious, medical, cultural, social, and legal aspects.
Ethnomedical Beliefs and Utilization of Alcohol Herbal Remedy for Malaria in South-Coastal Nigeria
Authors: Nelson Ediomo-Ubong E. , Uko Ifureuwem J.
Published: December 2018

We studied ethnomedical beliefs and utilization of alcohol herbal remedy for malaria in Uyo, south-coastal Nigeria. In-depth interviews were conducted with 213 respondents aged between 25 to 65 years, who were recruited through venue-based sampling. Malaria is recognized by its symptomatic presentations, which is reflected in different local names for the disease. Local etiological beliefs attribute malaria to mosquito bites, exposure to sunlight, fatigue, witchcraft, and excessive consumption of palm oil. There is a disease-specific preference for alcohol herbal remedies because they are accessible, affordable, and responsive to sociocultural realities. The therapy veils excessive consumption of alcohol with associated risks. Lack of quality control in production and dosage for the administration of these herbal remedies also put users at risk. Local beliefs should be integrated into malaria control programs to enhance community acceptance and participation. Herbal remedies should be subjected to regulation to ensure quality and minimize harms. Community health education should be mounted to improve knowledge of malarial transmission and promote utilization of appropriate health-care services.
Referral Decision Making of General Practitioners: A Signal Detection Study
Authors: Kostopoulou Olga , Nurek Martine , Cantarella Simona , Okoli Grace , Fiorentino Francesca , Delaney Brendan C.
Published: December 2018

Background. Signal detection theory (SDT) describes how respondents categorize ambiguous stimuli over repeated trials. It measures separately “discrimination” (ability to recognize a signal amid noise) and “criterion” (inclination to respond “signal” v. “noise”). This is important because respondents may produce the same accuracy rate for different reasons. We employed SDT to measure the referral decision making of general practitioners (GPs) in cases of possible lung cancer. Methods. We constructed 44 vignettes of patients for whom lung cancer could be considered and estimated their 1-year risk. Under UK risk-based guidelines, half of the vignettes required urgent referral. We recruited 216 GPs from practices across England. Practices differed in the positive predictive value (PPV) of their urgent referrals (chance of referrals identifying cancer) and the sensitivity (chance of cancer patients being picked up via urgent referral from their practice). Participants saw the vignettes online and indicated whether they would refer each patient urgently or not. We calculated each GP’s discrimination ( d ′) and criterion ( c) and regressed these on practice PPV and sensitivity, as well as on GP experience and gender. Results. Criterion was associated with practice PPV: as PPV increased, GPs’ c also increased, indicating lower inclination to refer ( b = 0.06 [0.02–0.09]; P = 0.001). Female GPs were more inclined to refer than male GPs ( b = −0.20 [−0.40 to −0.001]; P = 0.049). Average discrimination was modest ( d′ = 0.77), highly variable (range, −0.28 to 1.91), and not associated with practice referral performance. Conclusions. High referral PPV at the organizational level indicates GPs’ inclination to avoid false positives, not better discrimination. Rather than bluntly mandating increases in practice PPV via more referrals, it is necessary to increase discrimination by improving the evidence base for cancer referral decisions.
The Upper Eye Bias: Rotated Faces Draw Fixations to the Upper Eye
Authors: Davidenko Nicolas , Kopalle Hema , Bridgeman Bruce
Published: December 2018

There is a consistent left-gaze bias when observers fixate upright faces, but it is unknown how this bias manifests in rotated faces, where the two eyes appear at different heights on the face. In two eye-tracking experiments, we measured participants’ first and second fixations, while they judged the expressions of upright and rotated faces. We hypothesized that rotated faces might elicit a bias to fixate the upper eye. Our results strongly confirmed this hypothesis, with the upper eye bias completely dominating the left-gaze bias in ±45° faces in Experiment 1, and across a range of face orientations (±11.25°, ±22.5°, ±33.75°, ±45°, and ±90°) in Experiment 2. In addition, rotated faces elicited more overall eye-directed fixations than upright faces. We consider potential mechanisms of the upper eye bias in rotated faces and discuss some implications for research in social cognition.
Not Minding the Gap: How Hostile Sexism Encourages Choice Explanations for the Gender Income Gap
Authors: Connor Rachel A. , Fiske Susan T.
Published: December 2018

Researchers have shown that prejudice encourages explanations for inequality that attribute stigmatized groups’ negative outcomes to internal-controllable causes. We extended this research by investigating how ambivalent sexism affects attributions for gender income inequality. Hostile sexism should facilitate acceptance of gender income inequality through attributions that emphasize individual choice. We tested this hypothesis in two web-based samples of predominately White American men and women, ranging in age from 18 to 82 years ( Mage = 33.8). In Study 1 ( N = 650), hostile sexism, but not benevolent sexism, positively predicted acceptance of gender income inequality. Attributions of choice and societal unfairness mediated this effect. In Study 2 ( N = 242), following exposure to hostile sexism, participants increased acceptance of gender income inequality; choice explanations mediated this relation, although these effects occurred for political conservatives only. Consistent with prior work on attributions, hostile sexism was linked to victim-blaming attributions for gender income inequality. Overall, hostile sexism creates an attitudinal barrier—especially for conservatives—to supporting equal pay for women. To overcome this barrier, organizations could implement strategies aimed at ensuring more objective performance evaluations and pay decisions. Further, policy makers and communicators should be careful in choosing how they frame the gender pay gap. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684318815468
Patterns design of filament wound spherical structure based on a new winding strategy
Authors: Xu Jiazhong , Wang Lingxing , Liu Meijun , Tian Jiande , Liu Baoquan , Liu Xinliang
Published: December 2018

In order to satisfy the collision-resistance requirements for the stiffness and strength of collision-protected spherical structure of marine structure platforms, a new winding strategy for spherical structure was proposed, which can make the thickness distribution of the filament wound layer of the spherical structure relatively even, and the polar opening can be covered by the filament wound layer. In this paper, the filament wound trajectory equation and the approaches for winding parameters design of spherical structures were presented. The influence of different partitions on the thickness distribution of the filament wound layer for spherical structure was analyzed. The optimal partition was adjusted according to the even distribution condition of the filament wound patterns, and the simulation of the new winding strategy of the spherical structure, dry yarn filament wound experiment and the wet filament wound experiment was carried out with adjusted partitions. The results show that when adopting the new winding strategy, the obtained winding pattern is stable. The feasibility of the new winding strategy is verified, which can consequently improve the structural bearing capability of spherical structure.
Incidence, Trends, and Predictors of Palliative Care Consultation After Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States
Authors: Ando Tomo , Adegbala Oluwole , Uemura Takeshi , Akintoye Emmanuel , Ashraf Said , Briasoulis Alexandros , Takagi Hisato , Afonso Luis
Published: December 2018

Aim:

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) have become a reasonably safe procedure with acceptable morbidity and mortality rate. However, little is known regarding the incidence, trends, and predictors of palliative care (PC) consult in aortic valve replacement (AVR) patients. The main purpose of this analysis was to assess the incidence, trends, and predictors of PC consultation in AVR recipients using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Materials and Methods:

We queried the NIS database from 2005 to September 2015 to identify those who underwent TAVR or SAVR and had PC referral during the index hospitalization. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was calculated to identify patient demographic, social and hospital characteristics, and procedural characteristics associated with PC consult using multivariable regression analysis. We also reported the trends of PC referral in AVR recipients.

Results:

A total of 522 765 admissions (mean age: 75.3 ± 7.8 years, 40.3% female) who had TAVR (1.7% transapical and 9.2% endovascular approach) and SAVR (89.2%) were identified. Inpatient mortality was 3.96%, and 0.5% patients of the total admissions had PC consultation. The PC referral for SAVR increased from 0.90 to 7.2 per 1000 SAVR from 2005 to 2015 ( P = .011), while it remained stable ranging from 9.30 to 13.3 PC consults per 1000 TAVR ( P = .86). Age 80 to 89 (aOR: 1.93), age ≥90 years (aOR: 2.57), female sex (aOR: 1.36), electrolyte derangement (aOR: 1.90), weight loss (aOR: 1.88), and do not resuscitate status (aOR: 44.4) were associated with PC consult. West region (aOR: 1.46) and Medicaid (aOR: 3.05) were independently associated with PC consult. Endovascular (aOR: 1.88) and transapical TAVR (aOR: 2.80) had higher PC referral rates compared with SAVR.

Conclusions:

There was an increase in trends for utilization of PC service in SAVR admissions while it remained unchanged in TAVR cohort, but the overall PC referral rate was low in AVR recipients during the index hospitalization.
Sport and Physical Activity Level Impacts Health-Related Quality of Life Among Collegiate Students
Authors: Snedden Traci R. , Scerpella John , Kliethermes Stephanie A. , Norman Rocío S. , Blyholder Liga , Sanfilippo Jen , McGuine Timothy A. , Heiderscheit Bryan
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

To examine and compare the role of self-assessed sport and physical activity involvement on the health-related quality of life among undergraduate student-athletes and general undergraduate college students.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey. Data set was examined for differences in physical and mental health by self-assessed sport and physical activity level.

Setting:

Large Midwestern University in the fall of 2016.

Participants:

A combined data set representing undergraduate Division I student athletes (n = 842) and general undergraduate students (n = 1322).

Measures:

Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12), as measure of health-related quality of life, comprised of physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS). Self-assessed sport and physical activity level categorized as Division I athlete, club athlete, intramural player, student who works out regularly, or student who is physically inactive.

Analysis:

Standard univariable statistics described the study population. Two-sample t tests and χ2 tests were conducted, as appropriate, to compare Division I student-athletes to the general undergraduate group. Multivariable linear regression models were then built to assess associations between physical activity level and year in school with VR-12 outcomes, after adjusting for sex. All pairwise interactions were considered for inclusion in the final models. Adjusted least-square means were calculated for all variables in the model; pairwise comparisons were adjusted for multiple comparisons via Tukey-Kramer adjustment criteria. A linear test for trend was also conducted for the association between VR-12 MCS and increasing physical activity.

Results:

Significant differences in MCS were noted between levels of sport and physical activity; however, such differences were not detected in PCS. After controlling for sex, a positive relationship between increased sport and physical activity level and greater MCS was found.

Conclusions:

This study represents the first prospective assessment of health-related quality of life among undergraduate athletes and general college students. Higher levels of sport and physical activity were associated with more positive mental health in these populations.
Library directors’ concerns and attitudes towards going green and sustainability in China: An unexplored area
Authors: Kang Qi
Published: December 2018

Environmental issues are one of today’s growing concerns. Numerous associations, organizations and individuals are waging an active world preservation campaign. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine an important aspect of library directors’ attitudes towards environmental protection and the level of their concerns and green practices regarding sustainable development that has generally been overlooked in the literature. Multiple means of data collection (interviews, observation and document analysis) involving 14 libraries in China were conducted between March and May 2015; seven main thematic areas emerged from the data, such as: levels of awareness and commitment to sustainability issues in Chinese libraries are relatively low, and the current efficiency of facilities and operations have been seriously wasted. These findings indicate that the main priority of the library has been to attain economic and social development rather than environmental sustainability, while ignoring the energy costs and serious waste to some extent in the rapid development process of the Chinese library. The author notes just from observation of daily practices that there is definitely room for improvement to minimize the negative impact of their activities on the environment. This paper discusses for the first time the library directors’ concerns and attitudes towards “going green” and sustainability. The ideas are expected to inform and improve library directors’ environmental consciousness and sustainable practices, as well as open new vistas for research into the economic, social and environmental sustainability of library information services. How to achieve the social, economic and environmental requirements of present and future generations from libraries, especially library environmental sustainability is discussed intensively.
The insecurity of critique
Authors: Burgess J Peter
Published: December 2018

‘Security’ is a uniquely rich object for critique. It rests on a long and noble conceptual history in Western thought. And yet the provision of security most often consists of a shoring up, through the discourses of nationality, ethnicity, political economy or even science, of what is assumed to be solid at its core but weakened through the contingencies of politics, society, ideology, and so on. The article argues that the critical force of critique stems from the fact that critique itself is a practice inescapably bound up with insecurity, and thus that the critique of security exercised since around 1997 as ‘critical security studies’ is self-replicating. By introducing concepts from Husserlian phenomenology, it attempts to show that insecurity is not a simple feature of an otherwise secure state of life, ripe for critical analysis that promises to expose its false premises. Rather, insecurity lies at the very foundation of critical thought. Building upon the bare and basic question, ‘What does it mean to mean?’, a phenomenology of security asks the straightforward question: ‘What is the security-ness of security?’ It permits one to ask what remains of security when all else is stripped away, what essential minimum must be retained in order for security to be security.
Vibration analysis of a multifunctional hybrid composite honeycomb sandwich plate
Authors: Praveen A Paul , Rajamohan Vasudevan , Arumugam Ananda Babu , Mathew Arun Tom
Published: December 2018

In the present study, the free and forced vibration responses of the composite sandwich plate with carbon nanotube reinforced honeycomb as the core material and laminated composite plates as the top and bottom face sheets are investigated. The governing equations of motion of hybrid composite honeycomb sandwich plates are derived using higher order shear deformation theory and solved numerically using a four-noded rectangular finite element with nine degrees of freedom at each node. Further, various elastic properties of honeycomb core materials with and without reinforcement of carbon nanotube and face materials are evaluated experimentally using the alternative dynamic approach. The effectiveness of the finite element formulation is demonstrated by performing the results evaluated experimentally on a prototype composite sandwich plate with and without carbon nanotube reinforcement in core material. Various parametric studies are performed numerically to study the effects of carbon nanotube wt% in core material, core thickness, ply orientations, and various boundary conditions on the dynamic properties of composite honeycomb sandwich plate. Further, the transverse vibration responses of hybrid composite sandwich plates under harmonic force excitation are analyzed at various wt% of carbon nanotubes and the results are compared with those obtained without addition of carbon nanotubes to demonstrate the effectiveness of carbon nanotube reinforcement in enhancing the stiffness and damping characteristics of the structures. The study provides the guidelines for the designer on enhancing both the stiffness and damping properties of sandwich structures through carbon nanotube reinforcement in core materials.
Less probabilism and more about explanationism
Authors: Vázquez Carmen
Published: December 2018

According to Allen and Pardo, ‘relative plausibility’ is the best explanation of judicial proof; and the process to identify a best explanation would be, in short, holistic and comparative. My work is a plea for clarification of some items that would constitute their theory, before I (or anyone) give a holistic explanation of them and compare their account with alternatives. I raise three issues: the epistemological relevance of the empirical data used, the kind of holism argued and the fact-finder’s cognitive capacities role in their account.
Oh Jeremy Corbyn! Why did Labour Party membership soar after the 2015 general election?
Authors: Whiteley Paul , Poletti Monica , Webb Paul , Bale Tim
Published: December 2018

This article investigates the remarkable surge in individual membership of the Labour Party after the general election of May 2015, particularly after Jeremy Corbyn was officially nominated as a candidate for the leadership in June of that year. Using both British Election Study and Party Members Project data, we explain the surge by focussing on the attitudinal, ideological and demographic characteristics of the members themselves. Findings suggest that, along with support for the leader and yearning for a new style of politics, feelings of relative deprivation played a significant part: many ‘left-behind’ voters (some well-educated, some less so) joined Labour for the first time when a candidate with a clearly radical profile appeared on the leadership ballot. Anti-capitalist and left-wing values mattered too, particularly for those former members who decided to return to the party.
Work performance in relation to lighting environment in office buildings
Authors: Sun Chanjuan , Lian Zhiwei , Lan Li
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lighting environment on the work performance. Orthogonal experiments with three-factor and three-level for each factor were designed and carried out in a laboratory aiming to reveal the relationship between lighting illuminance (ILL), uniformity of illuminance (U-ILL), correlated colour temperature (CCT) and workers’ productivity. Twenty-four participants’ work performance was evaluated by subjective questionnaires, objective physiological tests, accompanied with computerized neuro-behavioural tests assessing six kinds of neuro-behavioural functions. Results illustrate that when exposed to high ILL, U-ILL and CCT environment, participants reported highest satisfaction on productivity and attention, while lowest score on stress, difficulty of conducting work and fatigue. The range value and variance analysis from neuro-behavioural tests demonstrated the appropriate level of each factor and the optimal combination. However, they varied with the type of tests illustrating that lighting conditions could influence neuro-behavioural functions differentially. The improvements of perception, learning and memory function of participants were benefited from high ILL, high U-ILL and high/medium CCT. Low ILL, low U-ILL and moderate CCT were appropriate to increase participants’ thinking and executive performance. Moreover, high quality of tear film crystallization was related to higher illuminance. The present study suggests that it is necessary to design personalized illumination environment for particular workplace.
Torsional vibration of cracked carbon nanotubes with torsional restraints using Eringen’s nonlocal differential model
Authors: Yayli Mustafa Ö , Kandemir Suheyla Y , Çerçevik Ali E
Published: December 2018

Free torsional vibration of cracked carbon nanotubes with elastic torsional boundary conditions is studied. Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory is used in the analysis. Two similar rotation functions are represented by two Fourier sine series. A coefficient matrix including torsional springs and crack parameter is derived by using Stokes’ transformation and nonlocal boundary conditions. This useful coefficient matrix can be used to obtain the torsional vibration frequencies of cracked nanotubes with restrained boundary conditions. Free torsional vibration frequencies are calculated by using Fourier sine series and compared with the finite element method and analytical solutions available in the literature. The effects of various parameters such as crack parameter, geometry of nanotubes, and deformable boundary conditions are discussed in detail.
The role of sustainability communication in the attitude–behaviour gap of sustainable tourism
Authors: Tölkes Christina
Published: December 2018

Despite consumers declared interest, bookings of sustainable tourism products remain low. The key to bringing together supply and demand of tour-operator products is effective sustainability communication. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse the role of sustainability communication in the attitude–behaviour gap; little is known of theoretically and empirically. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in an ex-post investigation with customers of certified tour-operators. The participants neither perceive, recognise nor comprehend the sustainability characteristics of the products. To analyse the reasons, we use the value–belief–norm theory to depict how and why these customers process sustainability messages. The driving and impeding factors of successful sustainability communication are derived, and ways to improve the uptake of sustainability information are developed.
The Balanced Participation Model: Sharing opportunities for giving people with early-stage dementia a voice in research
Authors: Thoft Diana Schack , Pyer Michelle , Horsbøl Anders , Parkes Jacqueline
Published: December 2018

Much has been written about the stigmatisation and discrimination ascribed to people with dementia in society and in research. This marginalisation has led to a silencing of their voices and their experiences both on a national and international scale, and an often limited understanding about how people with dementia experience daily life. In this study, a participatory research project was conducted in collaboration with people with early-stage dementia who attended an adult school in Denmark. The study explored how to work collaboratively with people with dementia to develop their own research projects. Based on the findings, a qualitative participatory research model has been designed to support the active engagement of people with early-stage dementia in research. The project involved 12 people with early-stage dementia, who were divided into two groups ( n = 6 in each group) and then trained in research skills. Each group was then supported to design, develop and undertake a group research project. This was one continuous process, and constantly took account of the individual competencies of each group member. Based upon the knowledge gained from the training in research skills and the participatory research project The Balanced Participation Model was developed. The model illustrates five phases in a participatory research process focusing on the considerations needed for participant recruitment, planning, training in research skills, the participatory research project, and the evaluation and dissemination of results. The core of the model highlights the importance of the researcher role in facilitating the collaboration.
‘Radical’ and ‘respectable’ traditions in Scottish adult education: The divergent pathways of John Maclean (1879–1923) and William Boyd (1874–1962)
Authors: Humes Walter
Published: December 2018

This paper uses the personal histories of two men, born in the same decade and both involved in the field of adult education in Scotland, to illustrate contrasting responses to the social and political changes taking place in the early 20th century. In methodological terms, it draws on recent writing on the relationship between biography and history. Both men came from working class backgrounds, attended Glasgow University and considered becoming church ministers. But both retreated from a religious vocation, one retaining his faith, the other rejecting it completely and replacing it with political ideology. Their very different types of involvement in adult education are described and analysed, noting in particular their opposing views on the Workers’ Educational Association. Possible reasons for their divergent pathways are explored in the final section. How much can be attributed to family background, individual psychology, networks of associates, attitudes to existing institutions, and a desire to promote greater social justice? How successful were their efforts to encourage community development (in one case) and class consciousness (in the other)? Why has one become a folk hero of the political left while the other, notwithstanding a strong public profile during his lifetime and a distinguished academic career which gained him international recognition, has been consigned to historical footnotes? While no definitive conclusions can be drawn, the analysis serves to illustrate the complex connections between personal biography and social history.
Education for food sovereignty as transformative ethical practice
Authors: Mann Alana
Published: December 2018

The Anthropocene is a site of domination and resistance for those opposed to the corporatised food regime. The peasant farmers’ movement, La Vía Campesina, uses pedagogical techniques based on Freirian horizontal communication methodology to contest the structural and ideological elements of this regime. This article analyses these techniques, which include farmer-to-farmer learning ( campesino-a-campesino) and dialogue among different knowledges and ways of knowing ( diàlogo de saberes). Drawing on case studies of Brazil and Chile, the author analyses how peasant farmer organisations engage in horizontal exchange and learning processes to collectively build a shared vision of agroecology, present alternative framings of food scarcity, and challenge the modes of power that operate in the arena of food politics. She explores how movement members apply social process methodology to link the food sovereignty framework with indigenous knowledge, gender equity and post-colonial theory and in doing so demonstrates how these participatory processes generate critical consciousness of the social and environmental unsustainability of the global food system. This mobilises peasant farmers to contest the power structures that shape their food environments, and also to focus on social and economic justice within their communities.
Agar.io: The Game’s in the Name
Authors: Lindsey Cameron
Published: December 2018

Agar.io is a web and app game with simplistic rules and a minimalistic design. Despite this, the game grew to great global prominence in 2015, and the narratives players constructed within the game had great sociopolitical implications from its affects on web culture and even to national political campaigns. This article points to the leaderboard and the ability to broadcast messages to other users through player usernames as the primary reason for the game’s success as a platform for users to broadcast messages. Agar.io, through usernames and omnipresent leaderboards broadcasting these names, affords players the chance to put their ideologies and allegiances in competition through a simulation of a “survival of the fittest” cell culture. Through a formal analysis of the game this article shows that, for Agar.io, the game is in the name(s).
Evidence of a Dose-Rate Threshold for Life Span Reduction of Dogs Exposed Lifelong to γ-Radiation
Authors: Cuttler Jerry M. , Feinendegen Ludwig E. , Socol Yehoshua
Published: December 2018

Our return to a study on dogs exposed lifelong to cobalt-60 γ-radiation was prompted by a comment that data in dog studies have large statistical errors due to the small number of dogs. We located an earlier article on the same study that had a better mortality curve for the dogs in each dose-rate group. The median life span of the dogs in each group was tabulated, and the standard error of each was calculated. No statistically significant shortening of median life span was observed for the lowest dose-rate group at any reasonable significance level ( P value: .005-.05), whereas for dogs with higher irradiation rates, life span shortening was statistically significant at highest reasonable significance level ( P value: .005). The results were entered on a graph of life span versus dose rate, assuming a threshold dose–response model. The fitted line indicates that the dose-rate threshold for γ-radiation induced life span reduction is about 600 mGy per year, which is close to the value we found previously. Making allowance for the calculated standard errors, we conclude that this threshold is in the range from 300 to 1100 mGy per year. This evidence is relevant for emergency measures actions (evacuation of residents) and for nuclear waste management.
A novel large-scale task processing approach for big data across multi-domain
Authors: Wu Chunyi , Xu Gaochao , Zhao Jia , Ding Yan
Published: December 2018

Large-scale task processing for big data based on cloud computing has become a research hotspot nowadays. Many traditional task processing approaches in single domain based on cloud computing have been presented successively. Unfortunately, it is limited to some extent due to the type, price, and storage location of substrate resource. Based on this argument, a large-scale task processing approach for big data in multi-domain has been proposed in this work. While the serious problem of overheads in computation and data transmission still exists in task processing across multi-domain, to overcome this problem, a virtual network mapping algorithm based on multi-objective particle swarm optimization in multi-domain is proposed. Based on Pareto dominance theory, a fast non-dominated selection method for the optimal virtual network mapping scheme set is presented and crowding degree comparison method is employed for the final optimal mapping scheme, which contributes to the load balancing and minimization of bandwidth resource cost in data transmission. Cauchy mutation is introduced to accelerate convergence of the algorithm. Eventually, the large-scale tasks are processed efficiently. Experimental results show that the proposed approach can effectively reduce the additional consumption of computing and bandwidth resources, and greatly decrease the task processing time.
A novel algorithm for pipeline displacement and bending strain of in-line inspection based on inertia measurement technology
Authors: Liu Shucong , Zheng Dezhi , Wang Tianhao , Dai Mengxi , Li Rui , Feng Qingshan
Published: December 2018

The in-line inspection tool with Inertial Measurement Unit tool is becoming a routine and important practice for many pipeline companies and is effective for whole-line bending strain measurement. However, the measurements of Inertial Measurement Unit tool are always affected by noises and errors, which are caused by inherent inaccuracies and deficiencies of the experimental techniques and measuring devices. For the calculations of the bending strain, the results are very sensitive to the noises and errors. A filtering algorithm based on cubic spline interpolation was proposed for Inertial Measurement Unit data processing to eliminate noises and errors for bending strain, and the effectiveness is validated through the pipeline field test. The results showed that the average pipeline displacement deviation declined 13.82% in the three tests, and the bending strain error reduced from 0.037% to 0.014%. The proposed method effectively improves the inspection accuracy and provides an effective method for pipeline displacement and strain inspection, which ensures the safe operation of the pipeline.
Attitude reactionless and vibration control in space flexible robot grasping operation
Authors: Wei Cheng , Gu Haiyu , Liu Yuqiang , Zhao Yang
Published: December 2018

When a space flexible robot captures a floating target, the manipulator vibration and the impact reacting onto the base attitude are the key issues which may cause critical safety problems. In this investigation, the attitude reactionless control and the vibration suppression are considered in the meantime to reduce the risk in grasping operation. The dynamic models of the space flexible robot and the target are established, and then the Dynamic Grasping Area is introduced to describe the contact procedure of the capture device grasping target. Even though the flexible vibration of the manipulator can be easily suppressed by using the conventional joint active damping control, the reaction impact to the base attitude is serious and unacceptable. The simulation results indicate that, by using the optimal control for the vibration suppression in the attitude reaction null space, the vibration of the manipulator could be alleviated significantly and the base attitude is also almost undisturbed in the meantime during the whole grasping procedure.
Biologic Agents for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Authors: Kartush Alison G. , Schumacher Jane K. , Shah Rachna , Patadia Monica O.
Published: December 2018

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis is a complex inflammatory disorder, which is often recalcitrant to medical and surgical management. Recently, biologic agents have been studied as an adjunct treatment for this patient population.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of biologic agents for chronic rhinosinusitis patients by reviewing literature and clinical trials.

Methods

A comprehensive review of literature and clinical trials—both recently completed and ongoing—was undertaken to examine up-to-date evidence of current biologic therapy and its role in chronic rhinosinusitis patients—including anti-IgE, anti-IL-4, anti-IL-5, anti-IL-13, and GATA-3 DNAzyme.

Results

Specific biologic agents discussed include omalizumab, reslizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, and Hgd40/SB010. Risks, side effects, and administration information are also reviewed. An algorithm for the use of biologics in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis is proposed.

Conclusion

These treatments have promising results and may prove to be an important adjunct for patients with recalcitrant sinus disease.
Insulin autoimmune syndrome in an Argentine woman taking α-lipoic acid: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Izzo Valentina , Greco Carla , Corradini Diana , Infante Marco , Staltari Maria Teresa , Romano Maria , Bellia Alfonso , Lauro Davide , Uccioli Luigi
Published: December 2018

Insulin autoimmune syndrome is an unusual cause of spontaneous hypoglycaemia in non-Asian populations. In the majority of cases, this syndrome appears a few weeks after the administration of drugs containing a sulfhydryl group. A strong association between this syndrome and HLA-DR4 has been shown. Only seven cases have been described in non-Asian patients. We report the first case of insulin autoimmune syndrome in an Argentine woman taking alfa-lipoic acid. She developed hypoglycaemic symptoms approximately 1 month after starting therapy. Blood sampling collected during an episode of symptomatic hypoglycaemia showed low blood glucose level (2.39 mmol/L), high level of serum insulin (1971.55 pmol/L), inappropriately high level of C-peptide (2.36 nmol/L) and high levels of insulin antibodies (274.78 IU/mL). HLA-DNA typing identified DRB1*04:03. Due to the widespread use of alfa-lipoic acid for its antioxidant properties, clinicians should be aware that it may trigger an autoimmune hypoglycaemia in people with a genetic predisposition.
Prevalence, Burden, and Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men Aged 50 and Older: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Zhang Amy Y. , Xu Xinyi
Published: December 2018

We conducted a systematic review of literature from the years 2000 through 2017 on the prevalence and burden of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men aged 50 and older, and medical treatments of and alternative nonmedical approaches to LUTS. EBSCOhost (Medline with Full Text) was searched for observational, experimental, and review studies in peer-reviewed journals in the English language. Our review found that LUTS were highly prevalent in the world and estimated to affect 2.3 billion people in 2018, with 44.7% being men. Men with LUTS suffer from not only burdensome symptoms such as nocturia and urgency but also adverse psychological consequences (e.g., anxiety and depression) and financial burden. Current medical treatments are clinically effective, but their efficacy is compromised by side effects and low compliance rates. Alternative nonmedical treatments for LUTS were also sought worldwide. There is evidence that lifestyle modifications such as pelvic muscle exercises and bladder training, physical activity, dietary modification, and nutritional supplements can alleviate LUTS and improve patient quality of life; however, evidence based on rigorous methodology remains minimal and cannot be generalized across populations. Evidence of effectiveness of weight loss programs to reduce LUTS is inconclusive. We conclude that although behavioral treatment is a promising approach to alleviating LUTS, especially when combined with medical treatments, well-designed randomized controlled and longitudinal clinical trials on behavioral treatments of LUTS are still needed. Minimally invasive procedures and neuromodulation therapy also show positive results of alleviating LUTS but require further research as well.
Pros and cons of frontline autologous transplant in multiple myeloma: the debate over timing
Authors: Kumar Shaji K. , Buadi Francis K. , Rajkumar S. Vincent
Published: December 2018

The treatment landscape for multiple myeloma has dramatically changed over the past decade with the introduction of several new classes of drugs, which are very effective at controlling the disease for prolonged periods of time, especially when used in multidrug combinations. Prior to the advent of these new agents, peripheral blood autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was the mainstay of therapy for patients who were eligible to undergo the procedure, with deep and durable responses in the majority of patients. Despite the introduction of more effective therapies, ASCT continues to play an important role in overall management of younger patients, where it has been integrated with the other therapeutic approaches to provide maximum benefit. Recent phase 3 trials have once again confirmed the survival benefit associated with ASCT in myeloma. Retrospective studies have also demonstrated the feasibility of using ASCT at the time of first relapse rather than as a component of the initial treatment. Significant geographical variations exist in the use of ASCT, especially between the United States and Europe in terms of its use as part of upfront therapy. Much of these differences are driven by the availability of drugs and drug combinations for initial therapy of myeloma as well as maintenance approaches post-ASCT. It is amply clear from these trials that ASCT will continue to play an important role in management of myeloma and is likely to be used as a platform for enhancing the efficacy of other treatment modalities that are currently in development.