bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and characterisation of poly-L-lactide-based foams fabricated through microwave-assisted compression moulding
Authors: Singh Manoj Kumar , Zafar Sunny , Talha Mohammad
Published: May 2019

Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) reinforced with nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) foams were fabricated using a novel method of microwave-assisted compression moulding. The microwave-assisted compression moulding is novel processing route of polymer-based composites, owing to its faster and uniform heating, better temperature control, which yields improved mechanical properties. Porosity in the PLLA+HA foams was introduced through porogen leaching route. The reinforcement in the form of nano-hydroxyapatite was added between 10 and 20 wt%. Porosity in the microwave processed foams was found in the range of 23–25%. The porosity in foams was observed to have homogeneously interconnected pores structure with narrower pore size distribution. The thermal behaviour of the developed foams was analysed using the thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The glass transition temperature ( Tg) and percentage crystallinity of the foams were assessed using the thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric curves. The maximum percentage crystallinity of 36.28% was obtained in case of PLLA + 15% HA foam. The mechanical characterisation of the microwave processed foams was carried out in terms of compressive and flexural behaviour. The foam with 20% HA reinforcement exhibited the maximum compressive strength (of the order of 21 MPa) and modulus of the order of 64.15 MPa. The foam with 10% reinforcement of HA exhibited maximum flexural strength of 59.32 MPa. The compressive strength of microwave processed foams was 10 times higher than the conventionally fabricated foams.
Mapping Time: How the Spatial Representation of Time Influences Intertemporal Choices
Authors: Romero Marisabel , Craig Adam W. , Kumar Anand
Published: May 2019

Cognitive linguistic studies have found that people perceive time to be intertwined with space. Western consumers, in particular, visualize time on a horizontal spatial axis, with past events on the left and future events on the right. Underexplored, however, is whether and how space-time associations influence future time-related judgments and decisions. For instance, can spatial location cues affect intertemporal decisions? Integrating cognitive linguistics, time psychology, and intertemporal choice, the authors demonstrate across five studies that when choices are displayed horizontally (vs. vertically), consumers more steeply discount future outcomes. Furthermore, this effect is serially mediated by attention to time and anticipated duration estimates. Specifically, the authors propose and demonstrate that horizontal (vs. vertical) temporal displays enhance the amount of attention devoted to considering the time delay and lead consumers to overestimate how long it will take to receive benefits. This research has important implications for consumers who want to forgo immediate gratification and for firms that need to manage consumers’ time perceptions.
Introducing the Predictors of Black Outcomes in STEM Survey (PBOSS): A Tool for Identifying and Cultivating STEM Talent
Authors: Jones Vinetta C. , Anderson Kenneth Alonzo , Mahmood Mohammad , Johnson Ayanna
Published: May 2019

In this article, we review factors that are associated with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) achievement and describe the development of the Predictors of Black Outcomes in STEM Survey (PBOSS). We retain a well-fitted three-factor model (engagement, continuity, and guiding functions) and find that the PBOSS scores are useful in predicting STEM outcomes. These outcomes include the likelihood of selecting a STEM major and levels of enrolled mathematics courses in college for Black male and female students. The PBOSS provides a useful tool for identifying and cultivating STEM talent as well as opportunities to improve STEM-related curriculum experiences in urban and other educational settings.
The Effects of Peer Presence on Variables Maintaining Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Children
Authors: Gonzales Tiffany , Jackson Marianne L. , Nicolson Amanda
Published: May 2019

An increasing number of children fail to meet the recommended levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of peer presence on variables that have been shown to evoke moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children. We recorded the levels of MVPA in three preschool children across no adult, attention, and interactive play conditions, with a peer present and absent. All conditions were compared with a naturalistic baseline and presented in a multielement design with a brief reversal to baseline and reintroduction of the most effective condition. All three participants displayed most MVPA during the interactive play condition with a peer present. This study furthers research on the identification of variables that evoke MVPA in young children and emphasizes the interaction of peer presence and contingent social positive reinforcement as relevant variables.
Contextual variance and invariance in self-perceived gender typicality and pressure to conform to gender role expectations
Authors: Castellanos Melisa , Saldarriaga Lina , Lopez Luz Stella , Bukowski William M.
Published: May 2019

Evidence of cultural comparisons of gender-identity-measurement scales is scarce. The present study aims to assess the scalar invariance of two dimensions of a widely used gender identity scale (Egan and Perry’s Multidimensional Gender Identity Inventory) across two cultural contexts. Fourth, sixth, and fifth graders from Barranquilla (Colombia) and Montréal (Canada) ( n = 351) completed an abbreviated, self-report revised version of Egan and Perry’s scale. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis demonstrated that typicality and pressure to conform to traditional gender roles are distinct factors and tend to be stable over time. Furthermore, a multi-group comparison analysis showed that the measurement model did not vary significantly as a function of cultural context. Our study adds evidence to support the use of a reliable and valid measurement instrument that is invariant across cultural settings, to allow comparisons that do not depend on contextual variations in the assessment of gender identity during childhood.
Serratus anterior plane block for upper abdominal incisions
Authors: Tiwari Akhilesh K , Mar Antimony A , Fairley Mark A
Published: May 2019

Regional anaesthetic techniques for patients undergoing laparotomy have been shown to provide optimal postoperative analgesia and allow early mobilisation, and thus, enhance recovery. The serratus anterior plane block, first documented in 2013, has been suggested as a potential alternative to thoracic paravertebral and central neuraxial blockade for chest wall and upper abdominal incisions as it can provide analgesia from T2 to T9. Although there are published cases of this block being used for chest wall analgesia, there are currently no published cases of this block being used for abdominal incisions. We report our experience with two patients, using ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane blockade with catheter insertion following laparotomy.
Validation of a photophobia symptom impact scale
Authors: Cortez Melissa M , Digre Kathleen , Uddin Durin , Hung Man , Blitzer Andrea , Bounsanga Jerry , Voss Maren W , Katz Bradley J
Published: May 2019

Background

Routine assessment of photophobia in the clinical setting may underestimate the presence and severity of this condition. We aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to improve evaluation of the impact of photophobia on activities of daily living, and to determine the relationship of this questionnaire to psychophysical assessment of light sensitivity thresholds.

Methods

We developed the 17-item Utah Photophobia Symptom Impact Scale (UPSIS-17) and compared its psychometric properties to the 8-item Korean Photophobia Questionnaire (KUMC-8). Ninety five subjects with or without light sensitivity completed both questionnaires; 72 also completed laboratory-based assessment of light sensitivity thresholds. We used Rasch analysis to evaluate instrument targeting, including internal consistency and reliability. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between questionnaire scores and light sensitivity thresholds.

Results

We observed correlation between UPSIS-17 and KUMC-8, r = 0.72 ( p < 0.0001). Higher UPSIS-17 scores correlated with light sensitivity thresholds, r = −0.42 ( p < 0.0001), whereas KUMC-8 scores did not significantly correlate with light sensitivity thresholds, r = −0.21 ( p = 0.072). UPSIS-17 showed better instrument targeting than KUMC-8 on Rasch analysis. Person-item maps allowed for identification of questions that could be removed without affecting questionnaire validity measures.

Conclusion

This study resulted in a shortened, 12-item questionnaire. The UPSIS-12 retained significant correlation with both the KUMC-8 and light sensitivity thresholds, yielding a simpler tool for symptom assessment, while retaining validity. This expanded tool may be useful in clinical, as well as research settings, for collection of data about disability due to photophobia.
Bicyclist Crash Types on National, State, and Local Levels: A New Look
Authors: Thomas Libby , Nordback Krista , Sanders Rebecca
Published: May 2019

This paper presents an overview of prevalent bicyclist crash types in the United States, providing insights for practitioners that may be useful in planning safer networks and taking other proactive and risk-based approaches to treatment. The study compares fatal bicyclist crash types from national data with serious injury and all-severity bicyclist collisions from the state of North Carolina (NC) and the city of Boulder, Colorado. Overall, bicyclist fatalities in the United States are more prevalent in urban areas (69%) than rural areas (29%). Though the majority of all-severity crashes are at intersections, most fatal and disabling injury bicyclist crashes occur at non-intersection locations, including nearly one-third of bicyclists who die from collisions involving overtaking motorists. Top intersection crash types across national fatal and all-severity crashes in NC and Boulder include bicyclists failing to yield and motorists turning across a bicyclist’s path. However, many of the top all-severity types in the two jurisdictions differ from the top fatal crash types nationwide. These comparisons provide a fresh look at bicyclist crash type trends and have potential importance with respect to planning safer networks for Vision Zero communities, since a key finding is that locations and crash types most prevalent among fatal and serious injuries may differ from the most prevalent types for all-severity crashes. The findings could be useful to agencies lacking their own resources for risk-based assessment, but also suggest it is important to analyze higher severity crash types and jurisdiction-specific data when possible.
Estimating the Impacts of Capital Bikeshare on Metrorail Ridership in the Washington Metropolitan Area
Authors: Ma Ting , Knaap Gerrit-Jan
Published: May 2019

Bikeshare programs have transformed the urban transportation landscape. However, their impacts on rail transit have not been fully examined. Some researchers find shared bikes help reduce the first-mile/last-mile gaps and boost rail transit ridership, although others see bikeshare as a competitor for riders. Previous studies have mostly relied on surveys of bikeshare program users as the data source, and few have addressed this question using more rigorous methods. In this paper, the authors take the Washington metropolitan area as an example and use statistical methods to quantify the impact of the bikeshare program on rail transit ridership. Using detailed ridership data between 2010 and 2015, they break down Metrorail ridership by type (entries vs. exits) and time of the day (AM peak vs. PM peak) to analyze how Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) interacts with Metrorail. Furthermore, Metrorail stations are categorized into core stations and peripheral stations to examine the impacts of CaBi in different built environments. Regression results show that the impacts of CaBi vary by Metrorail station location. For core Metrorail stations, CaBi docking stations within ¼-mile of a Metrorail station reduce rail ridership in all measures. In particular, CaBi would reduce the number of AM-peak exits by 4,738 per station per month. However, CaBi complements Metrorail in peripheral neighborhoods. Having CaBi installed nearby would increase monthly Metrorail ridership by 1,175 AM-peak exits, 1,417 PM-peak entries, 2,284 AM-peak entries, and 2,422 PM-peak exits. Based on the findings, the authors suggest a collaboration between Metrorail and CaBi to add more bikeshare stations within ¼-mile of peripheral Metrorail stations to increase the ridership of both systems.
Impacts of Automated Vehicles on Airport Landside Terminal Planning, Design, and Operations
Authors: Wang Yuan , Zhang Yu
Published: May 2019

Income from parking, rental car facilities, and other ground access modes for most commercial airports in the United States is a significant component in revenue. With the emergence of automated vehicles (AVs), or so-called “self-driving vehicles,” these fundamentals could change. Airport stakeholders need to understand the impacts of the emerging AVs to airport planning, design, and operation. If the impact hurts the operational resilience and financial sustainability of the airports, the stakeholders should come up with countermeasures to alleviate the impacts and to ensure the smooth operation and continuous growth of the airport. To serve these needs, this study quantifies the potential impacts of AV on airport parking and ground access by building a simulation platform and applying scenario analyses. Two airports are selected for case study: Tampa, FL (TPA) and San Francisco, CA (SFO). To fill in the gaps of historical data, statistical methods are used to generate inputs for study airports based on historical information of passenger demand, ground access mode split, and parking categories and durations. Furthermore, future scenarios are developed based on reasonable assumptions of the emergence of AVs. Outcomes of the case study show that the emergence of AVs will significantly affect airport operation if nothing as of now was changed. However, the impacts could be different for airports that are more auto-dependent versus those in metropolitan areas with various ground access options. Moreover, this study discusses possible strategies that can help airports generate revenue in the era of emerging AVs.
Do ‘standard laparoscopic box trainers’ represent real-life conditions during transperitoneal laparoscopical interventions of the upper tract?
Authors: Tas Tuncay , Cakiroglu Basri
Published: May 2019

Background:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the representativeness of the conventional laparoscopic standard box trainers in terms of real-life circumstances in transperitoneal laparoscopical interventions of the upper tract, using questionnaire inquiries with experienced surgeons.

Materials and methods:

The study was conducted with 44 laparoscopists, whose level of renal surgery experience was either high (primary surgeon in >100 cases), moderate (primary surgeon in >50 cases) or basic (primary surgeon in >20 cases). We used the box widely preferred in international training courses, which consists of a 10-mm 30° laparoscope, real endoscopic instruments, light source, monitor and chicken bone materials. Participants were asked whether they represent real-life situations while performing tasks by means of standard box trainers.

Results:

The medians of ‘restrained body posture of the surgeon’, ‘position of monitor’, ‘trocars entry slots’, ‘tissue distance and region’ and ‘limited field of movement and restricted working space’ were analysed on their difference from the ideal value. All the variables were shown to be significantly different from the ideal value of 5 (p < 0.001). These results suggest that experienced surgeons in our study did not find the box simulation conditions similar to real surgery conditions.

Conclusion:

Conventional laparoscopic trainer box, which is currently being used, is far from representing for the real situation in transperitoneal laparoscopical interventions of the upper tract.
Mediating empathy: The role of news consumption in mitigating attitudes about race and immigration
Authors: Kaufhold Kelly
Published: May 2019

Controversies over racism and xenophobia during and after the campaign of President Donald Trump contributed to big increases in media consumption—and racist incidents. This study examines whether and how much news media consumption mitigates perceptions of 12 measures of attitudes about race and immigration, using a national instrument of 64,600 cases. Selective exposure played an outsized role in media consumption during this election cycle and was highly predictive of partisan attitudes, which predicted attitudes on race and immigration. News media use—especially newspaper use—does soften attitudes about race and immigration, although it is not as predictive as party identification.
Investigating the Alignment Between English Language Arts Curricula Developed for Students With Significant Intellectual Disability and the CCSS
Authors: Taub Debbie , Apgar Jessica , Foster Megan , Ryndak Diane Lea , Burdge Michael D. , Letson Sarah
Published: May 2019

Federal law requires all students, including those with significant intellectual disability, to make progress toward grade-level general education standards. The alignment between standards, curriculum, and instruction is vital for ensuring equitable opportunities to learn. Commercially available curricula attempt to support teachers and students by aligning instructional materials to standards, but few studies exist to verify this alignment. Those that have been conducted for general education curriculum have not been promising. This study uses the Links for Academic Learning protocol to evaluate the alignment of curricula designed for students with significant intellectual disability (SWSID) that mark themselves as aligned to grade-level standards. Findings related to the alignment between the standards, lesson objectives, and lesson content are reported. The researchers discuss implications related to the adoption and use of curricula specifically designed for SWSID and the need for additional research in this area.
Association Between Sleep Quality and Recovery Following Sport-Related Concussion in Pediatrics
Authors: Chung Jane S. , Zynda Aaron J. , Didehbani Nyaz , Hicks Cason , Hynan Linda S. , Miller Shane M. , Bell Kathleen R. , Cullum C. Munro
Published: May 2019

Our objective was to determine the association between sleep quality, symptom severity, and recovery following sport-related concussion in pediatric athletes. A review of data from the North Texas Concussion Network Prospective Registry (ConTex) was performed. Participants were diagnosed with a sport-related concussion and were ≤18 years old. Participants were categorized based on their initial clinic visit Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index composite score (0-21) into good sleep quality (GS≤5) and poor sleep quality (PS>5) groups. The PS group reported higher median total symptom scores at 3-month follow-up (3.0 vs 0.0, P < .01) and took more than a median of 2 weeks longer to recover compared to the GS group (35.0 days vs 20.0 days, P < .01). Poor sleep quality was strongly associated with greater symptom severity and longer time to recovery following sport-related concussion. Early recognition of concussed athletes with poor sleep quality at initial clinic visit may help predict prolonged recovery.
Outcomes of High-Dose Steroid Therapy for Infantile Spasms in Children With Trisomy 21
Authors: Armstrong Dallas , Said Rana R.
Published: May 2019

Objective:

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with trisomy 21 and infantile spasms in our university-based pediatric epilepsy center between 2002 and 2016 in order to describe the clinical characteristics of children with these diagnoses as well as to evaluate their response to first-line treatments.

Methods:

Patients with infantile spasms were identified via the neurophysiology database. Charts were reviewed with attention to infantile spasms diagnosis, presence of trisomy 21, age of reported clinical onset, treatment lag, treatments used, response to treatment, imaging findings, electroencephalography (EEG) data, and developmental outcomes.

Results:

Of the 310 patients with infantile spasms, 24 also had trisomy 21. Three patients did not meet inclusion criteria. Ten of the 21 patients received nonstandard therapies first line; 2 of the 10 (20%) achieved spasm control, and 4 of the 8 who failed therapy (50%) progressed to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Eleven of the 21 patients received standard therapies as first-line treatments (10 with prednisolone according to the protocol in the United Kingdom Infantile Spasms Study [UKISS] and 1 with adrenocorticotrophic hormone [ACTH]). Nine of the 10 patients (90%) who received prednisolone achieved spasm resolution, 6 (60%) of these without relapse. The final patient (10%) failed prednisolone as well as ACTH. One patient received ACTH first line with success.

Conclusion:

This is the only series to follow children with trisomy 21 and infantile spasms in which a significant proportion received UKISS-protocol prednisolone. It adds to current knowledge about safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of prednisolone in this group.
What Young Adults Want: A Multistudy Examination of Vocational Anticipatory Socialization Through the Lens of Students’ Desired Managerial Communication Behaviors
Authors: Omilion-Hodges Leah M. , Shank Scott E. , Packard Christine M.
Published: May 2019

Without experience or in the face of limited work experience, refined expectations for what it means to work or what to expect in terms of communicative role behaviors from a manager may largely be composed of desires. Therein lies the tension; if young adults are unable or unwilling to see work processes and managerial behavior the way that they are, they may reorient their attention from realistic expectations to a focus on their individual desires and preferences. Through a sequential-explanatory mixed-method design (focus groups and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), prominent managerial archetypes are explored, categorized, and validated. The archetypes are composed of sets of corresponding communicative and relational behaviors that encompass common approaches to managing. Conversation regarding the overlap and divergence of desires with actual manager communication behaviors may better prepare matriculating students as they transition into the workplace.
Microdroplets-on-chip: A review
Authors: Wang Aihui , Abdulla Aynur , Ding Xianting
Published: May 2019

Single-cell analysis serves as an important approach to study cell functions and interactions. Catering to the demand of Big Data Era, fast reactions for single cells and paralleled high-throughput analysis have become an urgent need. Microdroplet in microfluidics has advantages of modularity and integrity, as well as high throughput and sensitivity, which present great potential in the field of single-cell analysis. This review is carried out on three aspects to introduce microdroplet chips for single-cell analysis: droplet formation, droplet detection and practical functions. Structures of droplet formation are categorized into three types, including T-shaped channel, flow-involved channel and three-dimensional micro-vortice. The detection methods, including fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and electrochemical detection, are summarized from applications. Both pros and cons for existing techniques are reviewed and discussed. The functions of microdroplets-on-chip cover cell culture, nucleic acid test and cell identification. For each field, principles/mechanisms and/or schematic images are laconically introduced. Microdroplet in microfluidics has become a major research direction in single-cell analysis. With updated methods of droplet formation such as inertial ordering and micro-vortice, microdroplets-based biochips will expect high throughput detection and high-accuracy trace detection for clinical diagnosis in the near future.
Variations and (a)symmetries in trust between employees and employers in Europe: Some (not so) well-known stylized facts
Authors: Brandl Bernd
Published: May 2019

I analyse the incidence of trust between employee representatives and management at the firm level in EU member states. Most previous analyses focus primarily on employees’ trust in the employer, but I consider both sides. The analysis confirms, but generalizes, some known stylized facts such as that trust is relatively high in Scandinavian countries but relatively low in Mediterranean countries. My analysis also reveals a number of novel stylized facts, including a high degree of variability in Central and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, strong mutual trust is very rare throughout Europe and the trust relationship is systematically asymmetric, as employers’ trust in the employee side is systematically higher than the reverse relationship.
The advocacy role of nurses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Tíscar-González Verónica , Gea-Sánchez Montserrat , Blanco-Blanco Joan , Moreno-Casbas María Teresa , Peter Elizabeth
Published: May 2019

Background:

The decision whether to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation may sometimes be ethically complex. While studies have addressed some of these issues, along with the role of nurses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, most have not considered the importance of nurses acting as advocates for their patients with respect to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Research objective:

To explore what the nurse’s advocacy role is in cardiopulmonary resuscitation from the perspective of patients, relatives, and health professionals in the Basque Country (Spain).

Research design:

An exploratory critical qualitative study was conducted from October 2015 to March 2016. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Participants:

Four discussion groups were held: one with patients and relatives (n = 8), two with nurses (n = 7 and n = 6, respectively), and one with physicians (n = 5).

Ethical considerations:

Approval was obtained from the Basque Country Clinical Research Ethics Committee.

Findings:

Three significant themes were identified: (a) accompanying patients during end of life in a context of medical dominance, (b) maintaining the pact of silence, and (c) yielding to legal uncertainty and concerns.

Discussion:

The values and beliefs of the actors involved, as well as pre-established social and institutional rules reduced nurses’ advocacy to that of intermediaries between the physician and the family within the hospital environment. On the contrary, in primary health care, nurses participated more actively within the interdisciplinary team.

Conclusion:

This study provides key information for the improvement and empowerment for ethical nursing practice in a cardiac arrest, and provides the perspective of patients and relatives, nurses and physicians.
Book review: Ravinder Kaur and Rajni Palriwala, Marrying in South Asia: Shifting Concepts, Changing Practices in a Globalising World
Authors: Bhandari Parul
Published: May 2019

Ravinder Kaur and Rajni Palriwala, Marrying in South Asia: Shifting Concepts, Changing Practices in a Globalising World. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan, 2013, 420 pages, ₹925. ISBN: 978-81-250-5355-2.
A Narrative Exposition on Public Toilet Usage by Women: A Study from Warangal
Authors: Reddy Y. Malini , Raghavan Srividya , Vedala Srinivas Chary
Published: May 2019

Despite the heightened emphasis on the sanitation agenda of the country, driven by both international and national development goals, there is little scholarly work to base our understanding of infrastructural needs of users for effective implementation. This research was conceived as a part of an extended study to assess sanitation needs in the city of Warangal, Telangana, India. The aim of this study is, specifically, to understand the needs of women for public toilets (PTs) and sanitation facilities. This article presents the results from the analysis of interviews conducted among a cross section of women from various walks of life, and of different ages and qualifications. The interviews were subjectively parsed and interlinked by two independent women reviewers unacquainted with the project. The raw qualitative data was then text analysed, and networks were created to map the co-occurring concepts. This exercise led to the revelation that there is a need for (a) toilets with basic facilities exclusively for women; (b) caretakers who will collect user charges, keep the toilets clean and provide a semblance of security; (c) well-maintained sanitation facilities in places such as bus stops and railway stations and (d) easy accessibility of PTs on main roads and in busy commercial areas.
Menstrual Hygiene Management During Emergencies: A Study of Challenges Faced by Women and Adolescent Girls Living in Flood-prone Districts in Assam
Authors: Bhattacharjee Mayuri
Published: May 2019

Women and adolescent girls in disaster-prone and fragile contexts face many challenges. This study 1 brings out various cultural and logistical issues faced by women and adolescent girls in taking care of their menstrual hygiene needs during floods. Data were collected in the flood-prone state of Assam from village communities in three districts—Sonitpur, Biswanath and Nagaon—through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and observations. Although sanitary napkins were distributed in some situations, there seemed to be no strategic plan or prior preparation for disposal despite the fact that floods are an annual occurrence in Assam. The absence of separate toilet facilities and disposal systems for menstrual waste were some of the key challenges faced by women and adolescent girls in relief camps or temporary shelters. Although there are disaster management guidelines on gender-sensitive and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene response, humanitarian agencies including the state departments are yet to adopt them during the annual floods in Assam.
Does Menstrual Hygiene Management in Urban Slums Need a Different Lens? Challenges Faced by Women and Girls in Jaipur and Delhi
Authors: Chakravarthy Vasudha , Rajagopal Shobhita , Joshi Bhavya
Published: May 2019

For the first time since Independence, India’s urban population has registered a higher increase than the rural population. Increasing urbanbiased economic activity and job creation are leading to rapid urbanisation, and a greater number of poor people today are living in cities and towns in India. Slums, often the residence of migrants and urban poor, are underserved areas with poor housing, insufficient living space, basic infrastructure and services such as clean drinking water, drainage and electricity, and poor access to toilets and sanitation services. Urban poverty and life in slums significantly compromise the ability of women and girls to effectively manage menstruation. There are many factors that affect how women manage their monthly period, such as the lack of information and awareness on menstruation, unaffordability of menstrual products, poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and services, lack of privacy, safety and security. This article seeks to highlight the challenges faced in managing menstruation in the context of a slum/poor urban settlement and the need for a convergent and comprehensive approach involving key stakeholders including communities, civil society and government departments to ensure gender-sensitive, menstrual hygiene management-centric interventions.
Notes From the Field: Using Grassroots Comics to Break the Silence on Menstruation
Authors: Surbhi  , Anand Sarita
Published: May 2019

Attaining safe menstrual health has been a challenge in India due to inadequate sanitation infrastructure, inaccessible or unaffordable hygiene products and lack of awareness. This has been further blindsided by myths and misconceptions on religious and cultural grounds. This article is based on a participatory workshop on menstrual hygiene management held with 23 adolescent girls, who were purposively selected from the village Kadampur, in Tilonia District, Rajasthan, a village close to the sanitary napkin production unit of the Barefoot College. 1 The workshop used the concept of grassroots comics to break the silence on menstruation. Girls shared their own experiences of menstruation through comics and used it as an opportunity to ask questions about this biological process, discuss social taboos and learn about menstrual hygiene. A significant increase in knowledge on various aspects of menstruation and menstrual hygiene was observed.
Factors Affecting Indian Consumers’ Intention to Use eHealth Services
Authors: Bhatia Ridhi , Taneja Udita
Published: May 2019

Purpose: This study focuses on the degree of acceptance of different categories of eHealth among the Indian consumers and the factors that determine acceptance and intention to use these services. The factors included for the study are as follows: demographic factors, use of information and communication technology (ICT) and the status of healthcare. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through personal interviews from a sample of 125 respondents living in urban and semi-urban villages in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi of India. Quota sampling method was used so that the impact of demographic factors on eHealth services could be analysed. Findings: From this study, we can conclude that the key factors that need to be considered include age, location, computer literacy and healthcare status in terms of healthcare need, accessibility and satisfaction. Practical implications: The results of this study will help in determining the customer segment and size of the market for eHealth. The government can also use the findings of this study to improve the quality of healthcare for its people by ensuring better utilization of eHealth services. Originality/value: eHealth services are an emerging solution to address the issues of healthcare accessibility, affordability and financial viability in developing countries like India. This study contributes to the limited existing literature on exploring the consumers’ intention to use eHealth services in India and the factors that will determine this intention.
Relationship Between FDI and Economic Growth in the Presence of Good Governance System: Evidence from OECD Countries
Authors: Raza Syed Ali , Shah Nida , Arif Imtiaz
Published: May 2019

This study analyses the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth in the presence of good governance system in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The dataset comprised of the years 1996–2013. Fixed effect model and the Generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator are used in this study. The result of the study unveils that all the variables have a significant positive association with economic growth. Moreover, the study establishes the interaction terms which also depict a positive effect on economic growth. Further, the Granger causality test shows that the bidirectional causal relationship exists between the FDI and regulatory quality (REQ) on economic growth, whereas the unidirectional causal relationship is found among the corruption control, political stability (POS), voice and accountability (VAC), government effectiveness (GOE) and economic growth. Finally, it can be concluded from the above results that the more the countries maintain their institutional quality the better will be the economic growth and the FDI inflows. This result gives valuable policy implications, which the government should use to improve the economic growth. Further, the result obtained from this study is beneficial for policymakers who can draft effective government policies which will foster the economic growth rate of the country. Last but not least, there is a need to improve the REQ which can only be improved subject to changes in the laws of corruption.
Transgender Standardized Patient Simulation: Management of an Oncological Emergency
Authors: Ozkara San Eda , Maneval Rhonda , Gross Randy E. , Myers Patricia
Published: May 2019

Introduction: This article describes the development process of Transgender Standardized Patient Simulation (TSPS) as an innovative cultural competence education and its pilot testing as part of the students’ program of study. The multidimensional education strategy, TSPS, aimed to improve students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and confidence in providing culturally sensitive care to a transgender patient experiencing an oncological emergency. Methodology: The design of the TSPS followed the cultural competence and confidence model and international simulation guidelines. Content validity of the TSPS was established. As our usual simulation assessment survey, the adapted simulation effectiveness tool–modified was used to evaluate if the TSPS met with students’ learning need. Results: Participants ( n = 32) strongly agreed that the TSPS met with their learning expectations and needs and improved their ability to provide culturally sensitive care. Discussion: Training and practice in this area is much needed and well-received by nursing students and faculty.
Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Chinese International Students in Hong Kong
Authors: Xie Qiuyuan , Wong Daniel Fu Keung
Published: May 2019

Objectives:

This study aims to test the effectiveness of a culturally attuned cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) in promoting mental health and quality of life (QOL) among Chinese international students in Hong Kong.

Method:

A waitlist control designed was adopted. Sixty-five Chinese international students in a university in Hong Kong were assigned to experimental groups and control groups. The intervention consisted of eight weekly 3-hr sessions. All the participants were assessed preintervention, postintervention, and at a 3-month follow-up.

Results:

Participants in the experimental group showed a significant and continuous increase in mental health and overall QOL compared to those in the control group. Changes of dysfunctional attitudes mediated the effect of CBI on mental health and QOL.

Conclusion:

The current culturally attuned CBI may be useful in improving mental health and QOL among Chinese international students in Hong Kong.
The Potential Benefits of Palmitoylethanolamide in Palliation: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Authors: Davis Mellar P. , Behm Bertrand , Mehta Zankhana , Fernandez Carlos
Published: May 2019

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a nutraceutical endocannabinoid that was retrospectively discovered in egg yolks. Feeding poor children with known streptococcal infections prevented rheumatic fever. Subsequently, it was found to alter the course of influenza. Unfortunately, there is little known about its pharmacokinetics. Palmitoylethanolamide targets nonclassical cannabinoid receptors rather than CB1 and CB2 receptors. Palmitoylethanolamide will only indirectly activate classical cannabinoid receptors by an entourage effect. There are a significant number of prospective and randomized trials demonstrating the pain-relieving effects of PEA. There is lesser evidence of benefit in patients with nonpain symptoms related to depression, Parkinson disease, strokes, and autism. There are no reported drug–drug interactions and very few reported adverse effects from PEA. Further research is needed to define the palliative benefits to PEA.
Use of EHR-Based Pediatric Quality Measures: Views of Health System Leaders and Parents
Authors: Hartley David M. , Jonas Susannah , Grossoehme Daniel , Kelly Amy , Dodds Cassandra , Alford Shannon M. , Shenkman Elizabeth , Simmons Jeff , Bailey L. Charles , Razzaghi Hanieh , Utidjian Levon H. , McCafferty-Fernandez Jennifer , Cole F. Sessions , Smallwood Jordan , Werk Lloyd N. , Walsh Kathleen E.
Published: May 2019

Measures of health care quality are produced from a variety of data sources, but often, physicians do not believe these measures reflect the quality of provided care. The aim was to assess the value to health system leaders (HSLs) and parents of benchmarking on health care quality measures using data mined from the electronic health record (EHR). Using in-context interviews with HSLs and parents, the authors investigated what new decisions and actions benchmarking using data mined from the EHR may enable and how benchmarking information should be presented to be most informative. Results demonstrate that although parents may have little experience using data on health care quality for decision making, they affirmed its potential value. HSLs expressed the need for high-confidence, validated metrics. They also perceived barriers to achieving meaningful metrics but recognized that mining data directly from the EHR could overcome those barriers. Parents and HSLs need high-confidence health care quality data to support decision making.
Validating a Measure of Perceived Parent–Child Political Socialization
Authors: Pedraza Francisco I. , Perry Brittany N.
Published: May 2019

A growing body of research in political science is influenced by conceptual advances in socialization theory which posit that children can influence adults’ learning across a wide range of topics. The concept of bidirectional influence describes socialization led by one’s parents and children. One outstanding need in the effort to import this concept to political socialization research is a measure that captures the influence of both parents and children. We meet this need with a measure of relative influence from both parents and children as sources for political learning. We provide evidence of measurement validity using separate samples of Asians, Blacks, Latinos, and Whites. Our findings suggest that our metric is portable across groups, and that the range of what individuals recall about their familial socialization experience includes more child-to-parent influence than existing studies suggest.
Peritoneal Keratin Granulomatosis Is a Clinical and Radiological Mimicker of Endometrial Adenocarcinoma With Peritoneal Involvement
Authors: Wong Jahg , Roy Simon F. , Gougeon François
Published: May 2019

Peritoneal keratin granulomatosis is a rare tumor-like lesion caused by deposition of tumor-produced keratin. It may be associated with endometrial or ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma, atypical polypoid adenomyoma of the endometrium, or ruptured mature teratomas of the ovary. We present 2 cases of peritoneal keratin granulomatosis associated with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma. This entity can mimic advanced-stage disease clinically and radiologically, as it did in those cases, and constitutes a diagnostic pitfall that pathologists and surgeons must be aware.
Symptomatic Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Elective Knee Arthroscopy Over the Age of 40
Authors: Özcan Mert , Erem Murat , Turan Fatma Nesrin
Published: May 2019

Thromboprophylaxis following arthroscopic knee surgery (AKS) is not clear in the literature. The purpose of this study was to present the incidence of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following elective AKS over the age of 40. The secondary purpose was to investigate risk factors associated with venous thromboembolic events (VTEs). Surgical database and outpatient clinic follow-up charts of the patients who underwent AKS for any reason were included in the study. Odds for risk factors such as previous medical history of thrombosis, any family history for clotting disorders, diabetes mellitus (DM), oral contraceptive usage, body mass index, history of malignancy, and smoking were evaluated. The incidence of DVT following AKS significantly increased in the patients older than 40 years who had a previous medical history of VTE, DM, and smoking. A variety of guidelines exist for VTE prophylaxis; however, one should focus on risk factors related to the patient’s medical history and current medical conditions. In this study, smoking, DM, and previous history of DVT increased DVT risk significantly, and thromboprophylaxis should be kept in mind for these patients.
Analysis of a Skeletal Muscle Injury and Drug Interactions in Lovastatin- and Fenofibrate-Coadministered Dogs
Authors: Kawata Reo , Yokoi Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2019

Because dogs are widely used in drug development as nonrodent experimental animals, using a dog model for drug-induced adverse reactions is considered to be relevant for an evaluation and investigation of a mechanism and a biomarker of clinical drug-induced adverse reactions. Skeletal muscle injury occurs by various drugs, including statins and fibrates, during drug development. However, there is almost no report of a dog model for drug-induced skeletal muscle injury. In the present study, we induced skeletal muscle injury in dogs by oral coadministration of lovastatin (LV) and fenofibrate (FF) for 4 weeks. Increases in plasma levels of creatine phosphokinase, myoglobin, miR-1, and miR-133a and degeneration/necrosis of myofibers in skeletal muscles but not in the heart were observed in LV- and FF-coadministered dogs. Plasma levels of lovastatin lactone and lovastatin acid were higher in LV- and FF-coadministered dogs than LV-administered dogs. Taken together, FF coadministration is considered to affect LV metabolism and result in skeletal muscle injury.
Nicotine-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Primary Endometrial Cells
Authors: Khademi Fatemeh , Totonchi Hamidreza , Mohammadi Neda , Zare Razieh , Zal Fatemeh
Published: May 2019

Nicotine is a major component of tobacco plants and is responsible for the development of reproductive problems in smokers. Nicotine has been recognized to result in oxidative stress by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in some parts of female reproductive system, but the effect of nicotine on endometrium that plays an important role in reproductive biology stays unexplored. The aim of this work was to clarify the direct effects of nicotine administration on the antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation in human endometrial cells. Human endometrial stromal primary cells were treated with nicotine (0, 10−11, 10−8, and 10−6 M) for 24 hours. On nicotine administration, the endometrial cells were associated with a decrease in antioxidant defense markers such as Glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) enzymes activity and higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in a dose-dependent manner when compared to the control. We concluded that nicotine as a pro-oxidant affects the oxidative state of the endometrial cells.
Effect of Low-Level Environmental Lead Exposure on the Onset of Male Puberty
Authors: Khalaf Mohamed A.M. , Younis Rehab H.A. , El-Fakahany Hasan
Published: May 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate male pubertal changes associated with environmental low-level lead (Pb) exposure. The study was conducted on 180 boys aged 15 years divided into 3 equal size groups: group 1 from El-Newayrat village, group 2 from Al-Shorafaa (0.5 and 10 km, respectively, from an industrialized area), and group 3 from Talla (25 km). Blood Pb levels (BLLs) were measured and pubertal changes evaluated by measurement of testicular volume (TV), and estimation of the follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin. Blood Pb levels of children of El-Newayrat and Al-Shorafaa were significantly higher (6.38 [1.32] and 3.84 [0.79] μg/dL, respectively) than that of Talla children (1.85 [0.72]; P < 0.001), while height, weight, and TV were lower in boys in groups 1 and 2, compared to group 3. Genitalia and pubarche staging showed greatest retardation and marked bone growth delay in boys of group 1. Hormonal assays reported significant differences in boys of the industrialized areas when compared to that of Talla. Low-level Pb exposure in boys located near an industrial area was accompanied with altered male puberty indicators.