bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combatting gender discrimination: A lack of fit framework
Authors: Heilman Madeline E. , Caleo Suzette
Published: July 2018

Gender inequalities in the workplace persist, and scholars point to gender discrimination as a significant contributor. As organizations attempt to address this problem, we argue that theory can help shed light on potential solutions. This paper discusses how the lack of fit model can be used by organizations as a framework to understand the process that facilitates gender discrimination in employment decisions and to identify intervention strategies to combat it. We describe two sets of strategies. The first is aimed at reducing the perception that women are not suited for male-typed positions. The second is aimed at preventing the negative performance expectations that derive from this perception of unsuitability from influencing evaluative judgments. Also included is a discussion of several unintentional consequences that may follow from enacting these strategies. We conclude by arguing for the importance of the interplay between theory and practice in targeting gender discrimination in the workplace.
Study of the residual axial capacities of shear-damaged reinforced concrete columns: Part 1—development of an evaluation model
Authors: Yang Yong , Matsukawa Kazuto , Choi Ho , Nakano Yoshiaki
Published: July 2018

This is the first of two companion papers addressing the residual axial capacities of shear-damaged reinforced concrete columns. To evaluate the residual axial capacity, this article presents an arch resistance model that is based on the theory of mechanics and can reasonably explain the collapse mechanism of shear-damaged reinforced concrete columns. In the proposed model, the residual axial capacity of the column is evaluated by considering the interaction between the contributions of the longitudinal bars and the concrete core rather than by simply adding the two contributions together. The proposed model is also verified using an experimental database of shear-damaged reinforced concrete column specimens compiled from previous studies. The result shows that the proposed arch resistance model has an improved level of accuracy for evaluating the residual axial capacities of most column specimens. However, because the available information about column specimens in the compiled experimental database is limited, it is difficult to further verify the proposed model, and a new experimental program will be presented in Part 2.
Logics in social media news making: How social media editors marry the Facebook logic with journalistic standards
Authors: Lischka Juliane A
Published: July 2018

News decisions of social media editors shape the news supply on social media channels such as Facebook. This study assesses based on qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey of social media editors in two social-media-savvy European countries, Finland and Switzerland, how Facebook’s News Feed algorithm, Facebook users, journalistic standards, and the news brand determine social media news making. Results show that social media editors evaluate the news factors emotions and surprise as more important for Facebook news than for online news. Social media editors accentuate emotional and surprising story elements in a post to comply with user preferences and the logic of the News Feed algorithm. Thus, news values and news editing have become more user engagement driven. Yet traditional journalistic standards and the news brand characteristics set boundaries to a heavy user engagement orientation. Social media editors estimate that their outlet’s news supply on Facebook is higher for entertaining news and lower for foreign politics and economic news stories. But they strive for a ‘good mix’ of news adhering to both the Facebook logic and professional journalistic standards.
A review of split-cycle engines
Authors: Finneran Joshua , Garner Colin P , Bassett Michael , Hall Jonathan
Published: July 2018

This article reviews split-cycle internal combustion engine designs. The review includes historical work, assessment of prototypes and discussion of the most recent designs. There has been an abundance of split-cycle engine designs proposed since the first in 1872. Despite this, very few prototypes exist, and no split-cycle engines are reported to be in series production. The few split-cycle prototypes that have been developed have faced practical challenges contributing to limited performance. These challenges include air flow restrictions into the expansion cylinder, late combustion, thermal management issues, and mechanical challenges with the crossover valve actuation mechanism. The main promoted advantage of split-cycle engines is the increased thermal efficiency compared to conventional internal combustion engines. However, an efficiency improvement has not thus far been demonstrated in published test data. The thermodynamic studies reviewed suggest that split-cycle engines should be more efficient than conventional four-stroke engines. Reasons why increased thermal efficiency is not realised in practice could be due to practical compromises, or due to inherent architectural split-cycle engine design limitations. It was found that the number of split-cycle engine patents has increased significantly over recent years, suggesting an increased commercial interest in the concept since the possibility of increased efficiency becomes more desirable and might outweigh the drawbacks of practical challenges.
Participation from above and below: Brand community and the contestation of cultural participation
Authors: Yeritsian Gary
Published: July 2018

This article draws on work in communication and marketing studies to develop a theory of cultural participation as fundamentally contested, between cultural producers who aim to steer and manage the activity of participants via the brand community ( participation from above) and participants who have the potential to resist and challenge the producers’ direction ( participation from below). It develops this theory empirically with reference to a cultural form in which audience participation plays a central part, professional wrestling. World Wrestling Entertainment aims to direct and contain participation within sanctioned parameters, both online and offline, while fans retain the capacity to develop and voice an effective critique of existing storylines through those same venues. By sampling and examining the key storylines building to World Wrestling Entertainment’s marquee event, Wrestlemania, from 2014 to 2016, I show how the logics of participation from above and below interact, and how, ultimately, the production and reproduction of brand community are fundamentally contested.
Age-related changes in vascular responses to angiotensin-(1-7) in female mice
Authors: Costa-Fraga Fabiana P , Goncalves Gleisy K , Souza-Neto Fernando P , Reis Adelina M , Capettini Luciano AS , Santos Robson AS , Fraga-Silva Rodrigo A , Stergiopulos Nikolaos , da Silva Rafaela F
Published: July 2018

The vasodilatory effect of angiotensin-(1-7) seems to vary between sexes, and estradiol (E2) can modulate the magnitude of the Ang-(1-7) vasodilatory response in female rats. However, there are few studies addressing the influence of sex on the age-related vasodilatory effect of Ang-(1-7). Here, we evaluated the vasodilatory response to Ang-(1-7) on vascular ageing. Ang-(1-7) dose–response curves were determined in mice aortic rings from males (old and young) and females (E2 treated/non-treated old and young) mounted in an isolated organ chamber. Abdominal aortic rings were used for protein expression analysis and determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production. Our results showed that the Ang-(1-7) vasodilatory effect was absent in aorta from old females, contrasting with a full response in vessels from young females. The Ang-(1-7) vasodilatory effect was restored by E2 replacement in old females. A robust increase in Mas receptor, SOD2, NRF-2 and NOX2 expression was observed in aorta from old females, which was normalized by E2. This effect of E2 was also associated with lower production of ROS and normal levels of NO. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that pathways involved in the Ang-(1-7) vasodilatory response in female mice is affected by hormonal changes in ageing and rescued by E2.
Lifeway alibis: The biographical bases for unruly bricolage
Authors: Cronin James , Malone Sheila
Published: July 2018

The function of marketplace ideology to provide a framework that guides individuals’ conduct as consumers is well recognized, though less is known about how individuals address, resist or reconcile themselves to such ideology. Drawing upon ‘lifeway alibis’, assembled from a life course reading of de Certeauean tactics, this article deepens our understanding of how the ideology of nutritionism is renegotiated in the context of dietary health to better accommodate individuals’ life events, circumstances and timing in lives. Based on the interpretations of interview data, we argue that biographical matrices must be observed as principal facilitators for critical reflexivity beyond antagonistic and politico-collective motivations. Here, we consider critically reflexive behaviour – or unruly bricolage – to be organized around dynamic life experiences and circumstances rather than statically against marketplace ideology itself. This outlook prompts us to recognize biography as a catalyst for circumventing certain ideological mandates while the overall ideology remains perpetuated throughout circumvention.
The career-horizon problem in capital investments for lone-founder and long-tenure acquirer CEOs in their final career stage
Authors: Silberzahn Chittima , Arregle Jean-Luc
Published: July 2018

In this study, we apply organizational identification theory to enrich our knowledge of the career-horizon problem when CEOs are approaching retirement. The extant literature suggests that the closer a CEO is to retirement, the more likely she or he is to avoid long-term firm investments. Focusing on capital investments, we argue that the distinctive organizational identification with the firm of lone-founder CEOs and long-tenure acquirer CEOs can moderate the likelihood that the closer a CEO is to retirement, the more likely she or he is to avoid capital investments. We test and validate our hypotheses on a sample of CEOs in S&P 1500 non-financial firms between 1999 and 2010. This article contributes to the literature on CEO career horizons by providing a new and more fine-grained perspective on the important question of how different types of CEOs consider capital investments and the future of their firms as they approach retirement.
Fighting Misperceptions and Doubting Journalists’ Objectivity: A Review of Fact-checking Literature
Authors: Nieminen Sakari , Rapeli Lauri
Published: July 2018

Fact checkers evaluate the truthfulness of political claims appearing in public. The practice has increased enormously in recent years. This review analyses research concerning political fact-checking; it presents what kind of studies have been made about fact-checking and introduces their main findings. Most of the literature focuses either on fact-checking as a profession or on its corrective potential. Research about the effectiveness of fact-checking offers mixed results: some find that fact-checking reduces misperceptions, others that corrections are often ineffective. It is also disputed whether fact checkers are consistent in their conclusions and whether their methods are reliable. Moreover, the literature is overwhelmingly focused in the US context.
Variation in treatment strategies for the eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in primary ciliary dyskinesia across European centers
Authors: Crowley Suzanne , Holgersen Mathias Geldermann , Nielsen Kim Gjerum
Published: July 2018

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare disease causing motile cilia dysfunction, recurrent airway infection, and bronchiectasis. Airway infection management strategies are borrowed from cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study is to describe the management of airway infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( PA) in children and adults with PCD across European centers. An online survey questionnaire was sent electronically using SurveyMonkey® to 55 PCD centers in 36 European countries. Fifty-two responded from 43 centers in 26 countries, a response rate of 70%. Most (89%) countries did not have written guidelines for PCD management. Airway sampling for infection detection at each clinic visit was more likely when follow-up was frequent. Eighty-seven percent of centers chose to treat the first PA isolate, most prescribing combined oral ciprofloxacin and inhaled colistimethate sodium (43%, n = 18). The preferred treatment for chronic infection with PA was nebulized colistimethate in 51% ( n = 22). In summary, considerable variation exists across European centers in the frequency of patient follow-up and airway sampling for infection, treatment goals, and the management of PA infection. Few centers had written guidelines for PCD management. Clinical trials to determine optimal treatment of PA in PCD patients are urgently needed.
Functional Outcomes and Accuracy of Patient-Specific Instruments for Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Stone Andrea H. , Sibia Udai S. , MacDonald James H.
Published: July 2018

Background. Patient-specific instruments (PSIs) were developed to improve mechanical axis alignment for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) as neutral alignment (180°) is a predictor of long-term success. This study examines alignment accuracy and functional outcomes of PSI as compared with standard instruments (SIs). Methods. We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of TKA procedures using PSI. A total of 85 PSI procedures were identified, and these were compared with a matched cohort of 85 TKAs using SI. Intraoperative decision-making, estimated blood loss, efficiency, Knee Society Scores, and postoperative radiographs were evaluated. Results. One hundred and seventy patients with comparable patient demographics were reviewed. Eighty-one percent of the PSI procedures were within target (180 ± 3°) mechanical alignment, while the SI group had 70% of cases within the target plane ( P = .132). Mean target alignment (2.0° PSI vs 2.2° SI, P = .477) was similar between groups. Twenty-seven percent of patients in the PSI group had surgeon-directed intraoperative recuts to improve the perceived coronal alignment. The change in hematocrit was reduced in the PSI group (8.89 vs 7.21, P = .000). Procedure time and total operating room time were equivalent. Knee Society Scores did not differ between groups at 6 months or at 1 year. Conclusion. Patient-specific instrumentation decreased change in hematocrit, though coronal alignment and efficiency were equivalent between groups. Surgeons must evaluate cuts intraoperatively to confirm alignment. Functional outcomes are equivalent for PSI and SI groups.
Lagrangian meshfree finite difference particle method with variable smoothing length for solving wave equations
Authors: Wang Sheng , Zhang Yong Ou , Wu Jing Ping
Published: July 2018

In a Lagrangian meshfree particle-based method, the smoothing length determines the size of the support domain for each particle. Since the particle distribution is irregular and uneven in most cases, a fixed smoothing length sometime brings too much or insufficient neighbor particles for the weight function which reduces the numerical accuracy. In this work, a Lagrangian meshfree finite difference particle method with variable smoothing length is proposed for solving different wave equations. This pure Lagrangian method combines the generalized finite difference scheme for spatial resolution and the time integration scheme for time resolution. The new method is tested via the simple wave equation and the Burgers’ equation in Lagrangian form. These wave equations are widely used in analyzing acoustic and hydrodynamic waves. In addition, comparison with a modified smoothed particle hydrodynamics method named the corrective smoothed particle method is also presented. Numerical experiments show that two kinds of Lagrangian wave equations can be solved well. The variable smoothing length updates the support domain size appropriately and allows the finite difference particle method results to be more accurate than the constant smoothing length. To obtain the same level of accuracy, the corrective smoothed particle method needs more particles in the computation which requires more computational time than the finite difference particle method.
Verification of visibility-based properties on multiple moving robots in an environment with obstacles
Authors: Sheshkalani Ali Narenji , Khosravi Ramtin
Published: July 2018

A multi-robot system consists of a number of autonomous robots moving within an environment to achieve a common goal. Each robot decides to move based on information obtained from various sensors and gathered data received through communicating with other robots. In order to prove the system satisfies certain properties, one can provide an analytical proof or use a verification method. This article presents a new notion to prove visibility-related properties of a multi-robot system by introducing an automated verification method. Precisely, we propose a method to automatically generate a discrete state space of a given multi-robot system and verify the correctness of the desired properties by means of model-checking tools and algorithms. We construct the state space of a number of robots, each moves freely inside a bounded polygonal area with obstacles. The generated state space is then used to verify visibility properties (e.g. if the communication graph of robots is connected) by means of the construction and analysis of distributed processes model checker. Using our method, there is no need to analytically prove that the properties are preserved with every change in the motion strategy of the robots. We have implemented a tool to automatically generate the state space and verified some properties to demonstrate the applicability of our method in various environments.
Use of composite outcomes to assess risk–benefit in clinical trials
Authors: Shaw Pamela A
Published: July 2018

Before a novel treatment can be deemed a clinical success, an assessment of its risk–benefit profile must be made. One of the inherent challenges for this assessment comes from the multiplicity that arises from comparing treatment groups across multiple outcomes. Composite outcomes that summarize a patient’s clinical status, or severity, across a prioritized list of safety and efficacy outcomes have become increasing popular. In this article, we review these approaches and illustrate through examples some of the challenges and complexities of a composite derived from prioritized outcomes, such as the win ratio. These challenges include the difficult tension between the analytical validity that comes from choosing a pre-specified outcome and an evaluation that is responsive to unexpected safety events that arise during the course of a trial. Other challenges include a sensitivity of the resulting test statistic to the underlying censoring distribution and other nuisance parameters. Approaches that resolve some of the difficulties of the analytical challenges associated with prioritized outcomes are then discussed. Ultimately, a composite outcome of net clinical benefit is another decision tool, but one to be used alongside more traditional analyses of efficacy and safety, and with the broader perspective that investigators, the data safety monitoring board, and regulators bring to an evaluation of risk–benefit.
Contesting Strategic Narratives in a Global Context: The World Watches the 2016 U.S. Election
Authors: Kluver Randolph , Cooley Skye , Hinck Robert
Published: July 2018

National media narratives often embody “strategic narratives” that embody national consensus on geopolitics. The 2016 U.S. presidential election was an event of intense international interest, both for its internal drama, but also for the policy positions of both of the major candidates. This paper presents a comparative analysis of how media in four key regions covered the U.S. presidential election and its immediate aftermath. Researchers utilized an innovative technology that allowed the teams to harvest media content, from almost seventy-five global news sources, in Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, and Russian. This paper utilized the theoretical construct of strategic narratives to demonstrate how the U.S. election is incorporated into narrative constructions of global order. Theoretically, this project seeks to deepen our understanding, from a comparative methodology, of how “events,” such as the U.S. presidential election, provide the raw material for global contestations of the global order. The essay also provides a mechanism for analyzing and evaluating these narratives using Fisher’s narrative paradigm. Finally, the paper demonstrates an innovative methodological approach to comparative analysis from disparate cultural and news traditions, languages, and patterns of access to media.
School Nurse Advocacy: The Dilemma of Ethical Interpretation Versus Legal Protection
Authors: Zirkel Perry A.
Published: July 2018

This article summarizes the facts and rulings of a recent, representative federal court decision concerning the legal claims of a school nurse who had engaged in advocacy for student safety, with particular attention to a student with insulin-dependent diabetes who committed suicide. The discussion of the court’s rulings for the school nurse’s various legal claims identifies the difference between ethical interpretation in terms of prevailing perceptions among school nurses and legal protection in terms of the current state of the case law specific to such advocacy.
Biologics in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: An Update and Thoughts for Future Directions
Authors: Smith Kristine A. , Pulsipher Abigail , Gabrielsen David A. , Alt Jeremiah A.
Published: July 2018

Background

Potential biologic therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a growing field of interest and research. Biologics target specific immune cells or inflammatory pathways within a disease process, increasing drug efficacy while reducing complications. The success of biologics in other inflammatory conditions such as asthma and atopic dermatitis has spurred much of the corresponding research in CRS. A rapid expansion in the volume of research concerning biologic therapies with potential crossover to treating CRS has made it difficult to stay current. Furthermore, much of the literature has been focused on allergy, asthma, and immunology subspecialties. As the role for biologic therapies in CRS continues to expand, it is increasingly important for otolaryngologists to remain up to date on their progression.

Objective

The objectives of this review are to provide an update on the growing field of biologics for otolaryngologists who treat CRS and discuss potential future areas of research.

Methods

A literature review of biologic therapies studied in CRS was performed. In addition, a detailed review of all biologic therapies targeting inflammatory markers involved in Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-mediated inflammation was performed to identify potential areas for future research. The role for biologic therapies in CRS, endotypes of CRS, current biologic therapies studies in CRS, and future areas for research were reviewed.

Results

Sixty-nine unique biologic therapies have been developed for Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-mediated inflammation. Five biologics are currently being investigated for use in patients with CRS with nasal polyposis.

Conclusions

As the field of biologics continues to expand, remaining up to date on the current literature may help clinicians identify patients who may benefit from biologic therapies. In addition, ongoing research in other inflammatory disorders with shared pathophysiology to CRS may reveal other potential therapies for CRS that have not previously been investigated.
Optic nerve sonographic examination to predict raised intracranial pressure in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: The cut-off points
Authors: Kishk Nirmeen A , Ebraheim Asmaa M , Ashour Amal S , Badr Nashwa M , Eshra Mohamed A
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Monitoring of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is required to prevent secondary optic nerve damage. Sonographic measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a noninvasive method to evaluate intracranial hypertension. Different ONSD cut-off values have been reported probably due to ethnic variations. Our aim was to determine optic nerve sonographic examination cut-off points to predict raised ICP in IIH patients.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted on 99 IIH post-pubertal female patients (both probable and definite) and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Sonographic ONSD and optic nerve diameter (OND) were obtained 3 mm behind the posterior edge of the globe in a horizontal plane via a 7–13 MHz linear probe. Lumbar puncture was then carried out on the patients.

Results

The opening cerebrospinal fluid pressure documented in the patient group was 279.64 ± 65.97 mm H2O. A statistically significant difference was found between IIH patients and controls regarding ONSD. The best ONSD cut-off value indicating raised ICP was 6.05 mm with an area under the curve of 0.850 (95% confidence interval 0.805 to 0.894, 73.2% sensitivity and 91.4% specificity). Regarding OND/ONSD ratio, there was an insignificant difference between both groups.

Conclusion

Sonographic ONSD but not OND/ONSD ratio could offer a bedside adjunct or alternative indicator of elevated ICP in IIH patients. Ethnic differences, however, should be noted when using this parameter.
A nonrandom association of sarcoidosis in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor and other sarcomas
Authors: Espejo Andrea P , Ramdial Jeremy L , Wilky Breelyn A , Kerr Darcy A , Trent Jonathan C
Published: July 2018

In patients with sarcoma, concomitant malignancy is found in 1.2% -2.5% of cases. Previous studies have demonstrated conflicting results in terms of positive or negative effects on cancer prognosis with comorbid sarcoidosis. Additionally, there are no data determining whether an association between sarcoidosis and sarcomas exists. Finding an association between the two entities could prevent inadvertent upstaging of a primary sarcoma based on pulmonary nodularity mistaken for metastatic disease. Here, we will describe eight sarcoma patients with concomitant occurrence of sarcoidosis identified since 2007. Eight patients with diagnosis of both sarcoma and sarcoidosis were identified over the period of 2007 -2016 at a single sarcoma center. Clinical and historical data including presentation, histology, treatment, and outcome was tabulated for analysis. The standardized incidence ratio was calculated for the state of Florida and our hospital catchment area. We compared the observed incidence to the expected incidence if the two entities were to be unrelated. Sarcoma subtype was gastrointestinal stromal tumor in five patients, the remaining three cases were unclassified spindled and epithelioid cell sarcoma, uterine leiomyosarcoma, and myxofibrosarcoma. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed before sarcoma in three patients, after sarcoma in four patients, and at the same time of sarcoma diagnosis in one patient. From our series, three patients have shown no progression of sarcoma, two are alive with sarcoma, two died due to progression of sarcoma, and one was lost to follow up. Statistical analyses showed a standardized incidence ratio of 305 (95% confidence interval: 131 -556) for the state of Florida and standardized incidence ratio of 950 (95% CI: 407 -1727) for our catchment area. This case series points to a statistically robust, nonrandom association between sarcoma and sarcoidosis that has not been previously described. Presumed metastatic sarcoma should be considered for biopsy particularly with demographic characteristics or imaging features suggestive of sarcoidosis.
Social Media, Opinion Polls, and the Use of Persuasive Messages During the 2016 US Election Primaries
Authors: Rossini Patrícia , Hemsley Jeff , Tanupabrungsun Sikana , Zhang Feifei , Stromer-Galley Jennifer
Published: July 2018

Political campaigns’ use of digital technologies has been a topic of scholarly concern for over two decades, but most studies have been focused on analyzing the use of digital platforms without considering contextual factors of the race, like public opinion polls. Opinion polls are an important information source for citizens and candidates and provide the latter with information that might drive strategic communication. In this article, we explore the relationship between the use of social media in the 2016 US presidential elections and candidates’ standing in public opinion polls, focusing on the surfacing and primary stages of the campaign. We use automated content analysis to categorize social media posts from all 21 Republican and Democratic candidates. Results indicate that a candidate’s performance in the polls drives certain communicative strategies, such as the use of messages of attacks and advocacy, as well as the focus on personal image.
Twitter Issue Response Hashtags as Affordances for Momentary Connectedness
Authors: Rathnayake Chamil , Suthers Daniel D.
Published: July 2018

Framing online collective behavior within theoretical frameworks developed to describe offline phenomena is common in social media studies. This can limit the scope of analysis because the interplay between user capabilities, intentions, and platform architecture makes online exchanges different from offline interaction. We introduce a novel conception of online publicness, momentary connectedness, which is a structure of polymorphic computer-mediated sociality that includes transactive as well as non-transactive phenomenological online activity. We suggest that Twitter issue-response hashtags can be seen as affordances for momentary connectedness where Tweets that display broad and vague audience dimensions, as well as clusters with different interactional orientations, co-exist within the same topical network. We illustrate this polymorphism of momentary connectedness with a case study of an issue-response network.
Cognitive Effects of Social Media Use: A Case of Older Adults
Authors: Quinn Kelly
Published: July 2018

Research on the effects of social media use at older ages has largely focused on social benefits. Yet, participation in these new media forms may result in other favorable outcomes, such as improved cognitive functioning. Using a wait list-control design, this study examines the effects of social media engagement among novice adult social media users, aged 65 and older, in four cognitive domains: attention, processing speed, working memory, and inhibitory control. Baseline and multiple post-tests indicate improvement of intervention participants in inhibitory control. These findings demonstrate that the benefits of social media use at older ages extend beyond mere social engagement, and into other domains of everyday well-being.
“It’s Not Like It’s Life or Death or Whatever”: Young People’s Understandings of Social Media Data
Authors: Pangrazio Luci , Selwyn Neil
Published: July 2018

Young people’s engagements with social media now generate large quantities of personal data, with “big social data” becoming an increasingly important “currency” in the digital economy. While using social media platforms is ostensibly “free,” users nevertheless “pay” for these services through their personal data—enabling advertisers, content developers, and other third parties to profile, predict, and position individuals. Such developments have prompted calls for social media users to adopt more informed and critical stances toward how and why their data are being used—that is, to build “critical data literacies.” This article reports on research that explores young social media users’ understandings of their personal data and its attendant issues. Drawing on research with groups of young people (aged 13–17 years), the article investigates the consequences of making third party (re)uses of personal data openly available for social media users to interpret and make critical sense of. The findings provide valuable insights into young people’s understandings of the technical, social, and cultural issues that underpin their ability to engage with, and make sense of, social media data. The article concludes by considering how research into critical data literacies might connect in more meaningful and effective ways with everyday lived experiences of social media use.
The Neuronal Basis of Predictive Coding Along the Auditory Pathway: From the Subcortical Roots to Cortical Deviance Detection
Authors: Carbajal Guillermo V. , Malmierca Manuel S.
Published: July 2018

In this review, we attempt to integrate the empirical evidence regarding stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) and mismatch negativity (MMN) under a predictive coding perspective (also known as Bayesian or hierarchical-inference model). We propose a renewed methodology for SSA study, which enables a further decomposition of deviance detection into repetition suppression and prediction error, thanks to the use of two controls previously introduced in MMN research: the many-standards and the cascade sequences. Focusing on data obtained with cellular recordings, we explain how deviance detection and prediction error are generated throughout hierarchical levels of processing, following two vectors of increasing computational complexity and abstraction along the auditory neuraxis: from subcortical toward cortical stations and from lemniscal toward nonlemniscal divisions. Then, we delve into the particular characteristics and contributions of subcortical and cortical structures to this generative mechanism of hierarchical inference, analyzing what is known about the role of neuromodulation and local microcircuitry in the emergence of mismatch signals. Finally, we describe how SSA and MMN are occurring at similar time frame and cortical locations, and both are affected by the manipulation of N-methyl- D-aspartate receptors. We conclude that there is enough empirical evidence to consider SSA and MMN, respectively, as the microscopic and macroscopic manifestations of the same physiological mechanism of deviance detection in the auditory cortex. Hence, the development of a common theoretical framework for SSA and MMN is all the more recommendable for future studies. In this regard, we suggest a shared nomenclature based on the predictive coding interpretation of deviance detection.
Maximising access to thrombectomy services for stroke in England: A modelling study
Authors: Allen Michael , Pearn Kerry , James Martin , Ford Gary A , White Phil , Rudd Anthony G , McMeekin Peter , Stein Ken
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Both intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and intra-arterial endovascular thrombectomy (ET) improve the outcome of patients with acute ischaemic stroke, with endovascular thrombectomy being an option for those patients with large vessel occlusions. We sought to understand how organisation of services affects time to treatment for both intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy.

Method

A multi-objective optimisation approach was used to explore the relationship between the number of intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy centres and times to treatment. The analysis is based on 238,887 emergency stroke admissions in England over 3 years (2013–2015).

Results

Providing hyper-acute care only in comprehensive stroke centres (CSC, providing both intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy, and performing >150 endovascular thrombectomy per year, maximum 40 centres) in England would lead to 15% of patients being more than 45 min away from care, and would create centres with up to 4300 stroke admissions/year. Mixing hyper-acute stroke units (providing intravenous thrombolysis only) with comprehensive stroke centres speeds time to intravenous thrombolysis and mitigates admission numbers to comprehensive stroke centres, but at the expense of increasing time to endovascular thrombectomy. With 24 comprehensive stroke centres and all remaining current acute stroke units as hyper-acute stroke units, redirecting patients directly to attend a comprehensive stroke centre by accepting a small delay (15-min maximum) in intravenous thrombolysis reduces time to endovascular thrombectomy: 25% of all patients would be redirected from hyper-acute stroke units to a comprehensive stroke centre, with an average delay in intravenous thrombolysis of 8 min, and an average improvement in time to endovascular thrombectomy of 80 min. The balance of comprehensive stroke centre:hyper-acute stroke unit admissions would change from 24:76 to 49:51.

Conclusion

Planning of hyper-acute stroke services is best achieved when considering all forms of acute care and ambulance protocol together. Times to treatment need to be considered alongside manageable and sustainable admission numbers.
Perceived roles of women directors on supervisory boards: Insights from a qualitative study
Authors: Joecks Jasmin , Pull Kerstin , Scharfenkamp Katrin
Published: July 2018

The (under-)representation of women on corporate boards is much debated among the public as well as in academia. In our exploratory article, we contribute to the literature by investigating women directors’ perceived roles by interviewing female as well as male board members and by employing the critical incident technique to address potential problems of social acceptancy. In the perception of board members, women directors fulfil three roles: they widen the boards’ perspectives and thus act as (unique) experts, they objectify discussions and they act as mediators.
Composite Disease Activity Indices Tailored for Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Lubrano Ennio , Scriffignano Silvia , De Socio Antonia , Mastrocinque Mariateresa , Perrotta Fabio Massimo
Published: July 2018

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects skin and joints, often associated with extra-articular manifestations. The complexity of disease and the involvement of different domains have led to the development of different clinical indices aimed to assess the disease activity in each domain. Furthermore, composite indices, able to evaluate disease activity with a single parameter, were developed. The aim of this article was to brief review the different tools to assess disease activity in skin, joint, and enthesis and to review the current evidence on the comparison of the performance of the composite indices in PsA.
Stigmatization in Psoriasis
Authors: Chen Ashley , Beck Kristen M. , Tan Eugene , Koo John
Published: July 2018

Background:

Psoriasis is a highly visible chronic disease with a substantial impact on quality of life.

Objective:

The purpose of this review is to understand how psoriasis experience stigmatization. A greater understanding of this may help dermatologists improve treatment strategies for their patients.

Methods:

A MEDLINE search was performed for the terms stigmatization and psoriasis.

Results:

Stigmatization is common in psoriasis and has a much greater social and psychological impact than even the extent and severity of skin involvement. Patients with psoriasis may experience stigma in different ways. Psoriasis is more highly stigmatized than most other skin diseases. Lack of knowledge about psoriasis on part of the general public is a significant contributor to how patients with psoriasis are stigmatized by others.

Conclusion:

Stigma is a significant contributor to negative quality of life in patients with psoriasis. Stigma is an important aspect of disease to consider when formulating optimal psoriasis treatment strategy.
Fault gouge dating: history and evolution
Authors: Vrolijk Peter , Pevear David , Covey Michael , LaRiviere Allan
Published: July 2018

Radiometric dating of fault gouges has become a useful tool for regional tectonics studies and for exploring and understanding fault and earthquake processes. Methods to define the absolute age of faults achieved a solid scientific foundation almost 25 years ago when the development and application of illite age analysis for investigating sedimentary burial and thermal histories found a new potential application – defining the age of fold-and-thrust development. Since then, the methods have benefitted from further development and incorporation of the 40Ar/39Ar micro-encapsulation method and quantitative clay mineral evaluation to distinguish polytypes (Wildfire). These refinements to the methods have improved their application in fold-and-thrust terrains and have opened up applications in normal and strike-slip fault environments. Another important development is the use of absolute dating methods in retrograde clay gouges in which clays in a fault develop from igneous or metamorphic wall rocks that contain no clays. In addition, the method has also been shown to be useful at dating folds in fold-and-thrust belts. We think the method is now an established part of the geological toolkit, look forward to future fault structural and tectonic studies that incorporate fault ages and hope that researchers continue to probe and discover ways that the method can assist fault process studies, including earthquake fault studies.
Alprazolam-induced dose-dependent anorgasmia: case analysis
Authors: Kaufman Kenneth R. , Coluccio Melissa , Linke Michelle , Noonan Elizabeth , Babalola Ronke , Aziz Rehan
Published: July 2018

Background

Sexual dysfunctions are associated with multiple medical and psychiatric disorders, as well as pharmacotherapies used to treat these disorders. Although sexual dysfunctions negatively affect both quality of life and treatment adherence, patients infrequently volunteer these symptoms and clinicians do not pose directed questions to determine their presence or severity. This issue is especially important in psychiatric patients, for whom most common psychotropics may cause sexual dysfunctions (antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics and mood-stabilising agents). There is limited literature addressing benzodiazepines, and alprazolam in particular.

Aims

To report dose-dependent alprazolam anorgasmia.

Method

Case analysis with PubMed literature review.

Results

A 30-year-old male psychiatric patient presented with new-onset anorgasmia in the context of asymptomatic generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder with agoraphobia, obsessive–compulsive disorder, major depression in remission, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder treated with escitalopram 10 mg q.a.m., gabapentin 1000 mg total daily dose, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate 70 mg q.a.m., nortriptyline 60 mg q.h.s. and alprazolam extended-release 2.5 mg total daily dose. All psychotropic doses had been constant for >6 months excluding alprazolam, which was titrated from 1 mg to 2.5 mg total daily dose. The patient denied any sexual dysfunction with alprazolam at 1 mg q.d. and 1 mg b.i.d. Within 1 week of increasing alprazolam to 2.5 mg total daily dose, the patient reported anorgasmia. Anorgasmia was alprazolam dose-dependent, as anorgasmia resolved with reduced weekend dosing (1 mg b.i.d. Saturday/1.5 mg total daily dose Sunday).

Conclusions

Sexual dysfunction is an important adverse effect negatively influencing therapeutic outcome. This case reports alprazolam-induced dose-dependent anorgasmia. Clinicians/patients should be aware of this adverse effect. Routine sexual histories are indicated.

Declaration of interest

None.
Comparing individually tailored to disorder-specific internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy: benchmarking study
Authors: Kraepelien Martin , Forsell Erik , Karin Eyal , Johansson Robert , Lindefors Nils , Kaldo Viktor
Published: July 2018

Disorder-specific internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy (ICBT) is effective for depression, panic disorder and social anxiety. In this benchmarking study, a new, individually tailored, ICBT programme (TAIL) showed effects on depression (n = 284, d = 1.33) that were non-inferior to disorder-specific ICBT for depression in routine care (n = 2358, d = 1.35). However, the hypotheses that TAIL for individuals with social anxiety or panic disorder is inferior to disorder-specific ICBT could not be rejected (social anxiety: TAIL d = 0.74 versus disorder-specific d = 0.81; panic: TAIL d = 1.11 versus disorder-specific d = 1.47). Our findings strengthen the empirical base for TAIL as an alternative to disorder-specific ICBT for depression.

Declaration of interest

None.
Influence of Flange on Seismic Performance of 1,100-kV Ultra-High Voltage Transformer Bushing
Authors: He Chang , Xie Qiang , Zhou Yong
Published: July 2018

Failures of the metal flange were observed in transformer bushings in previous earthquakes. In order to evaluate the influence of the flange on the seismic responses of 1,100-kV ultra-high voltage (UHV) bushing, two types of flanges were selected, which used different materials and layouts. The finite element (FE) and theoretical analyses were first carried out. The results indicate that there is an out-of-plane rocking effect at the flange bottom plate, and the flange will be damaged if the stiffeners are improperly designed. Then two identical bushings using different flanges were tested on the shaking table. The bottom plate of the cast aluminum flange cracked along the stiffeners accompanied by oil leakage. However, the UHV bushing with stainless steel flange survived in the test. It is concluded that the properly designed flange could improve seismic performance of UHV transformer bushings.
Do Epidural Catheter Size and Flow Rate Affect Bolus Injection Pressure in Different Programmed Intermittent Epidural Bolus Regimens? An In Vitro Study
Authors: Krawczyk Paweł , Piwowar Piotr , Sałapa Kinga , Lonc Tomasz , Andres Janusz
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND:

The optimal programmed intermittent epidural bolus regimen for labor analgesia remains unknown. Some studies indicate that better drug spread in the epidural space results from greater injection pressure; however, there is a lack of data regarding the maximum pressure generated by epidural bolus injection using different catheters and flow rates.

METHODS:

We evaluated the flow and pressure characteristics of 11 commonly used epidural catheters combined with 3 different infusion pumps that deliver epidural infusions according to the programmed intermittent epidural bolus regimen. Pressure changes were measured over time at flow rates of 100, 250, and 400 mL·hour−1 and with a bolus volume of 10 mL. To account for repeated measures, linear mixed models were used. Features were selected with a backward stepwise procedure continued until only statistically significant variables were left in the model.

RESULTS:

We performed 660 measurements. The mean maximal pressure generated during bolus injection ranged from 86 to 863 mm Hg for different flow rates and catheter designs. The interaction between flow rate and catheter gauge resulted in 1.31, 1.65, and 2.00 mm Hg of pressure increase for 18G, 19G, and 20G catheters, respectively, per 1 mL·hour−1 of increased flow rate (P< .001). Analyses including wire-reinforced catheters revealed a 1.16, 1.76, and 2.36 mm Hg pressure increase for 18G, 19G, and 20G catheters, respectively, per 1 mL·hour−1 of increased flow rate (P< .001). In some cases, it triggered the occlusion pump alarm.

CONCLUSIONS:

Significant differences were observed in the in vitro maximum pressure value among the various catheter and flow rate combinations with a higher pressure value for wire-reinforced catheters used in the study. The optimal flow rate and epidural catheter combination may allow for delivery of the bolus with high flow rate without triggering the occlusion alarm.