bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of cognitive-only and cognitive-motor training on preventing falls in community-dwelling older people: protocol for the smart±step randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sturnieks Daina L , Menant Jasmine , Valenzuela Michael , Delbaere Kim , Sherrington Catherine , Herbert Robert D , Lampit Amit , Broadhouse Kathryn , Turner Jessica , Schoene Daniel , Lord Stephen R
Published: August 2019

Background

Physical and cognitive impairments are important risk factors for falls in older people. However, no studies have been adequately powered to examine whether cognitive or cognitive-motor training can prevent falls in older people. This is despite good evidence of improvements in fall-related cognitive and physical functions following both intervention types. This manuscript describes the study protocol for a three-arm randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of home-based cognitive and cognitive-motor training interventions, compared to a minimal-intervention control group, in preventing falls in older people. This trial was prospectively registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, number ACTRN12616001325493.

Methods and analysis

Community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and over, residing in Sydney Australia, will be recruited. Participants (n=750) will be randomly allocated to (1) cognitive-only training, (2) cognitive-motor training or (3) control groups. Both training interventions involve the use of thesmart±step home-based computerised game playing system for a recommended 120 min/week for 12 months. Cognitive training group participants will use a desktop electronic touch pad to play games with thesmart±step system while seated and using both hands. The cognitive-motor training group participants will use a wireless electronic floor step mat that requires accurate stepping using both legs for playing the samesmart±stepgames, hence incorporating balance exercises. All groups will receive an education booklet on fall prevention. The primary outcome will be rate of falls, reported by monthly diaries during the 12-month duration of the study and analysis will be by intention-to-treat. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of fallers, physical and cognitive performance in 300 participants, and brain structure and function in 105 participants who will undertake MRI scans at baseline and 6 months. Cost-effectiveness will be determined using intervention and health service costs.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from UNSW Ethics Committee in September 2015 (ref number HC15203). Outcomes will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616001325493
Process evaluation of team-based care in people aged >65 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sims Gould Joanie , Tong Catherine , Ly Jessica , Vazirian Sara , Windt Adriaan , Khan Karim
Published: August 2019

Objective

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing globally and there is critical need develop interventions to improve health outcomes among older people. The Group Appointments in Primary Care (GAP) study was a randomised controlled trial designed to test the efficacy of a group and team-based medical visit programme to lower haemoglobin A1c among patients with T2DM. We aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators to implement the GAP intervention within a primary care setting, with an emphasis on patient experience.

Research design and methods

This was a qualitative exploratory study. Data were gathered from semistructured interviews conducted with the first cohort of GAP study participants (n=15) at baseline and intervention completion. GAP participants were aged >65, diagnosed with T2DM and from one primary care clinic. The interview questions identified the patient perspectives and factors relating to their attendance at seven group medical visits that were part of the intervention programme. Data were analysed using framework analysis.

Results

We identified four themes that captured participants’ experiences: (1) Education: learning with professionals, learning with one another; (2) Social Support: common interests, common problems; (3) Setting: ease of location, ease of conversation and (4) Impact: expectations met, empowerment gained. The GAP intervention increased participants’ self-reported diabetes literacy and self-management skills.

Conclusions

We learnt that: accessible community centres, not primary care offices, were the ideal location for GAP; the consistent leadership of the primary care physician was valued by participants; and, the content related to exercise and healthy diet were viewed as impactful. Also, learning was achieved through content delivered by clinical experts, and by T2DM experts with lived experience—the GAP peers. Our findings highlight the important role of group learning.

Trial registration number

NCT02002143
Biopsychosocial model of resilience in young adults with multiple sclerosis (BPS-ARMS): an observational study protocol exploring psychological reactions early after diagnosis
Authors: Gajofatto Alberto , Donisi Valeria , Busch Isolde Martina , Gobbin Francesca , Butturini Elena , Calabrese Massimiliano , Carcereri de Prati Alessandra , Cesari Paola , Del Piccolo Lidia , Donadelli Massimo , Fabene Paolo , Fochi Stefania , Gomez-Lira Macarena , Magliozzi Roberta , Malerba Giovanni , Mariotti Raffaella , Mariotto Sofia , Milanese Chiara , Romanelli Maria Grazia , Sbarbati Andrea , Schena Federico , Mazzi Maria Angela , Rimondini Michela
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurological disease causing disability in young adults, is widely recognised as a major stress factor. Studies have shown that the first years after the diagnosis are distressing in terms of adjustment to the disease and that MS negatively affects patients’ psychological well-being, quality of life (QoL) and social functioning. However, the links between disease-specific variables at diagnosis, resilience and psychological adjustment of patients with MS remain largely unexplored, especially in adolescents and young adults. This observational study aims to fill the gap of knowledge onbiopsychosocial characteristics andresilience of youngadults with MS to evaluate the relationship among these variables and to develop a biopsychosocial model of resilience.

Methods and analysis

Biological and clinical characteristics of young adults newly diagnosed with MS will be investigated by collecting clinical information, performing neurological examinations, MRI and analysing cerebrospinal fluid and blood biomarkers (eg, measures of inflammation), body composition, gut microbiota and movement/perceptual markers. Psychosocial characteristics (eg, psychological distress, coping strategies), QoL, psychological well-being and resilience will be assessed by self-report questionnaires. Comparative statistics (ie, analysis of variance or unpaired samples t-test, correlation and regression analyses) will be applied to evaluate the relationship among biological, psychological and social factors. The results are expected to allow a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of resilience in young patients with MS and to inform resilience interventions, tailored to young patients’ specific needs, aiming to reduce the risk of maladaptive reactions to the disease and to improve psychological well-being and QoL.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Verona University Hospital Ethics Committee (approval number: 2029CESC). The findings will be disseminated through scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, social media and specific websites.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03825055).
Protocolized Post-Extubation Respiratory Support to prevent reintubation: protocol and statistical analysis plan for a clinical trial
Authors: Casey Jonathan Dale , Vaughan Erin R , Lloyd Bradley D , Bilas Peter A , Hall Eric J , Toporek Alexandra H , Buell Kevin G , Brown Ryan M , Richardson Roger K , Rooks J Craig , Wang Li , Lindsell Christopher J , Ely E Wesley , Self Wesley H , Bernard Gordon R , Rice Todd W , Semler Matthew W
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Following extubation from invasive mechanical ventilation, nearly one in seven critically ill adults requires reintubation. Reintubation is independently associated with increased mortality. Postextubation respiratory support (non-invasive ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula applied at the time of extubation) has been reported in small-to-moderate-sized trials to reduce reintubation rates among hypercapnic patients, high-risk patients without hypercapnia and low-risk patients without hypercapnia. It is unknown whether protocolised provision of postextubation respiratory support to every patient undergoing extubation would reduce the overall reintubation rate, compared with usual care.

Methods and analysis

The Protocolized Post-Extubation Respiratory Support (PROPER) trial is a pragmatic, cluster cross-over trial being conducted between 1 October 2017 and 31 March 2019 in the medical intensive care unit of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. PROPER compares usual care versus protocolized post-extubation respiratory support (a respiratory therapist-driven protocol that advises the provision of non-invasive ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula based on patient characteristics). For the duration of the trial, the unit is divided into two clusters. One cluster receives protocolised support and the other receives usual care. Each cluster crosses over between treatment group assignments every 3 months. All adults undergoing extubation from invasive mechanical ventilation are enrolled except those who received less than 12 hours of mechanical ventilation, have ‘Do Not Intubate’ orders, or have been previously reintubated during the hospitalisation. The anticipated enrolment is approximately 630 patients. The primary outcome is reintubation within 96 hours of extubation.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial was approved by the Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board. The results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at one or more scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03288311.
Delivery of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in an acute paediatric setting: an audit of information available and service gap analysis
Authors: Przybylska Marianna A , Burke Niall , Harris Clare , Kazmierczyk Marcel , Kenton Ellie , Yu Olivia , Coleman Harriet , Joseph Sonia
Published: August 2019

Background

The United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights stresses the importance of providing children with information relating to their health and well-being, yet reports suggest children are offered insufficient support in healthcare environments. We audited the information provided to children and families requiring planned surgical admission in comparison to those admitted acutely to medical paediatrics. Additionally, we identified examples of child-specific information resources in national and international hospitals.

Methods

Three approaches were taken to gain insight into practice locally, nationally and internationally.

(1) Information resources provided to paediatric inpatients admitted to the acute receiving unit were audited in comparison to information given to children with planned admissions via process observations.

(2) Qualitative feedback was gained from play specialists (n=2), families (n=30) and children (n=9; aged 3–15 years) via interviews.

(3) A review, including UK, Australian and US hospitals, was conducted to assess child-specific information resources (n=36 hospitals) and to systematically compare the information available on websites (n=9 hospitals).

Results

At the study site, no child-specific information resources were available for acute admissions, whereas planned admissions were offered significant information face-to-face with supplemental resources. Child, parent and play specialist interviews highlighted gaps in information provision regarding hospital practicalities and processes. Twelve external child-specific resources were identified, for 4–14 year olds, explaining key care information: medical procedures, equipment and staff. These resources could positively respond to the topics cited as lacking by the interviewed patients and families at the study site. International hospital websites provided considerably more in-depth information compared with UK hospitals.

Conclusions

The hospital experience of children and families can be improved by ensuring they are provided with adequate information relating to their hospital stay. It is essential that suitable high-quality resources are consistently available and that feedback from children informs the process of resource development.
The Firstborn of Death: Monotheism and the Mythology of Death in Job 18
Authors: Brown Ken
Published: August 2019

Job 18 depicts the destruction of the wicked as a kind of ambush by “the firstborn of death.” Much of the discussion of this passage has centered on this figure’s identification, and whether one should look primarily to Ugaritic or Mesopotamian mythological traditions for its background. Yet the passage as a whole concludes with a reference to a single “God,” knowledge of whom is determinative for human fate. This raises a basic question concerning the relation between “God” and the “firstborn of death.” Through a close comparison with the Ugaritic Baal Cycle and the Neo-Assyrian Underworld Vision on the one hand, and Job 5 and Deuteronomy 32 on the other, this paper argues that “the firstborn of death” most likely does represent a chthonic deity, but that such powers have been subordinated to the one God whom Bildad presumes to bear sole authority over life and death.
“Swearing to Yahweh, but Swearing by Mōlek-Sacrifices”: Zephaniah 1:5b
Authors: Dewrell Heath D.
Published: August 2019

Zephaniah 1:5b, which refers to “swearing to Yahweh, and/but swearing by mlkm,” represents an interpretative crux. Scholars have offered a variety of suggestions concerning who or what this “mlkm” is. After surveying previous proposals, this essay suggests that “mlkm” should be understood as “mōlek-sacrifices.” This meaning fits the context well, as rites with the same name were bound up with vows in the Punic colonies of the central Mediterranean. In addition to clarifying the meaning of Zeph 1:5b, understanding “mlkm” as “mōlek-sacrifices” is also significant in that it would provide our first piece of native corroborating evidence that mōlek-sacrifices were bound up with vows in Israel, just as they were in the Punic colonies.
An Interim Post-Mortem
Authors: Butler Graham
Published: August 2019

The EU treaties allow the Union legislature to establish specialised courts within the institution of the Court of Justice. This possibility was inserted by the Treaty of Nice, and by 2005, the Union’s first and only specialised court to date was established—the Civil Service Tribunal (‘CST’). The judicial architecture of the Union has undergone transformative changes in recent years, and as part of the reforms, the CST was abolished in 2016, marking an abrupt end to the Union’s brief use of specialised courts. This article offers an interim post-mortem of specialised courts, examining the Union’s experimentalism with a three-tier judicial institution by focusing on two unique features. Firstly, the role of judges at specialised courts; and secondly, the review procedure that may be undertaken by the Court of Justice. The article contemplates the future of specialised courts, drawing some constitutional lessons that can be learnt from this brief experiment.
The Normalizing Power of the Therapeutic God
Authors: Ratinen Teemu
Published: August 2019

This article analyses autobiographical letters on (perceived) shameful sexuality and religiosity written by Finnish Lutheran women. It examines how the affect of shame constructs gendered, sexualized and religious subjectivity and agency as an effect of normalizing power within an individual’s relationship with God. The psychologization process of late 20th century Western culture works as a framework for the discussion. The article argues that the modern psychoreligious ethos, within which the Christian God is understood as an all-loving being, restructures subjectivity and agency in a manner in which a self is seen as something to be liberated to its authentic state. At the same time, however, the image of an all-loving God normalizes gender, sexuality and religiosity in accordance with heteronormative ideals. Moreover, the article argues that examining the normalizing aspect of different affectual practices reframes the subordination/subversion paradox central to the discussion on women’s religious agency.
Transition and Authority
Authors: Schrijvers Lieke L.
Published: August 2019

The article presents two case studies of two women who were confronted with a loss of religious authority as they were asked to resign from their lay leading positions after their coming-out as transwomen in the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. By focusing on these stories, this article provides further insight into queer lives in Europe starting from the intersections of gender, sexuality and religion. The cases show how the position of transwomen is negotiated by both religious structures as well as by transwomen themselves. The analysis focuses particularly on the interactions between the women and their community and church authorities and examines the use of gender/sexuality terminology, the role of the body, and the individualization of faith. This article brings together insights from religious studies, gender, trans* and queer studies, which allows for a multi-layered understanding of trans* and religion in a European context.
What Makes Action and Outcome Temporally Close to Each Other: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Temporal Binding
Authors: Tanaka Takumi , Matsumoto Takuya , Hayashi Shintaro , Takagi Shiro , Kawabata Hideaki
Published: August 2019

Temporal binding refers to the subjective compression of the temporal interval between a voluntary action and its external sensory consequences. While empirical evidence and theoretical accounts have indicated the potential linkage between temporal binding and action outcome prediction mechanisms, several questions regarding the underlying processes and the fundamental nature of temporal binding remain unanswered. Based on the sophisticated classification of predictive processes proposed by Hughes et al. (2013), we conducted a systematic, quantitative review of the binding effect as measured with two representative procedures, i.e., Libet clock procedure and interval estimation procedure. Although both procedures were designed to measure the same phenomenon, we revealed a larger effect size and higher sensitivity to perceptual moderators in binding observed with the clock procedure than with the interval estimation. Moreover, in the former, we observed different characteristics for the two perceptual shifts that comprise temporal binding. Action shifts depended more on whether one can control outcome onsets with voluntary actions. In contrast, outcome shifts depended more on the degree to which participants could predict, rather than control, the action outcome onset. These results indicate that action shift occurs based on the activation of learned action–outcome associations by planning and executing actions, while outcome shift occurs based on comparing predicted and observed outcomes. By understanding the nature of each experimental procedure and each shift, future research can use optimal methods depending on the goal. We discuss, as an example, the implications for the underlying disorders of agency in schizophrenia.
Determinants of Individual Prosociality and of Collective Social Solidarity-Cohesion: A Literature Review
Authors: Horton Smith David
Published: August 2019

The foundations of volunteering, charitable giving, voluntary associations, voluntary agencies, and other aspects of the Voluntary Nonprofit Sector (VNPS) collectively and individual voluntary action lie in various aspects of human nature and human societies. These may be referred to variously as altruism, morality, ethics, virtue, kindness, generosity, cooperation, social solidarity, and prosociality. Such foundations of the VNPS, and specifically of social solidarity and prosociality, are the subjects of this literature review article/book. The central goal here is to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary theoretical framework for understanding, explaining, and predicting such phenomena, based on two versions of the author’s S-Theory.
The challenges of student voice in primary schools: Students ‘having a voice’ and ‘speaking for’ others
Authors: Mayes Eve , Finneran Rachel , Black Rosalyn
Published: August 2019

Student participation in school decision-making and reform processes has taken inspiration from reconceptualisations of childhood. Advocates for student voice argue for the repositioning of children and young people in relation to adults in schools. This article works with data from a multi-sited case study of three primary schools and students’, teachers’ and school leaders’ accounts of their student voice practices. We consider the relationships between students in student voice activities in primary schools, and the possibilities and ambivalences of representative students ‘speaking for’ other students. We integrate recent insights from moves beyond voice in childhood studies, and from the turn to listening in cultural studies, and raise questions for students, teachers and researchers who seek to encourage student voice in primary schooling.
Working towards accountability in embedding Indigenous studies: Evidence from an Indigenous Graduate Attribute evaluation instrument
Authors: Bodkin-Andrews Gawaian , Page Susan , Trudgett Michelle
Published: August 2019

Whilst Indigenous Graduate Attributes – or the embedding Indigenous cultural competencies within broad graduate attributes – are becoming increasingly popular within some universities, it is essential that universities be held accountable for the realisation of such policies. Considering that Australian Indigenous Studies – an essential component of Indigenous Graduate Attributes – is a highly contested space where colonial and Indigenous knowledges collide, this article presents evidence from analyses, engaging with Indigenous Standpoints, aimed at evaluating critically the degree to which university subjects may contribute to the realisation of Indigenous Graduate Attributes. Results identify not only an array of psychometrically sound factors which measure Student Knowledges and Attitudes to Indigenous Issues as well as Applied Indigenous Learning, but also indicate that the embedding of Australian Indigenous Studies content may vary across disciplines. In addition, results show that the impact of such embedding on student attitudes also varies greatly according to discipline, with positive, negative, and contradicting results across disciplines. These findings strongly suggest that any commitment to embedding Indigenous Graduate Attributes must be monitored very carefully.
The predictive value of individual and work-related resources for the health and work satisfaction of German school principals
Authors: Dadaczynski Kevin , Paulus Peter , Horstmann David
Published: August 2019

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate individual and work-related resources (decision latitude, self-efficacy and work-related sense of coherence) and their relationship to health and work outcomes (general health, cognitive and emotional irritation, and work satisfaction) among German school principals.

Method:

In 2016, all teachers and principals in Lower Saxony, Germany, were invited to participate in an online-based cross-sectional study. Data from a sub-set of 1,026 school principals and members of the school leadership team (i.e. vice principals) were analysed using univariate and bivariate analysis and stepwise linear regression.

Results:

Findings revealed fairly high levels of self-efficacy and decision latitude and low levels of sense of coherence for administrative tasks. With regards to health, more than one quarter of respondents reported a poor general health status, and more than one third reported being dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their work. Primary school principals were more often affected by low levels of resources as well as lower health status and work satisfaction. Based on a series of regression analyses, decision latitude and self-efficacy proved to be the strongest predictors of all health and work outcomes.

Conclusion:

Given that school leaders are of critical importance for their entire school, this professional group should be placed more firmly in the focus of school health education and promotion. There is a particular need for health promotion measures for primary school principals, who have the least resources and the lowest health status.
Design of double edge-triggered flip-flop for low-power educational environment
Authors: Punitha L , Devi Krishnasamy Nirmala , Jose Deepa , Sundararajan J
Published: August 2019

Power consumption plays a significant role in any integrated circuit. In this study, an explicit type pulse trigger flip-flop is implemented using the CMOS 90 nm technology. For low-power dissipation, 1 V supply will optimize the size of gate terminal. This explicit type flip-flop uses an explicit source for pulse generation, that is, the double edge-triggered pulse generator, which requires half of clock frequency compared to the single edge-triggered pulse generator. The proposed new double edge-triggered pulse generator uses the pulse generation logic, which is used to share many numbers of flip-flop results at low power. In this article, circuits with low power, low heat generation, and increased durability are achieved.
Teaching internet of things for engineering courses: A project-based cooperative approach
Authors: Kleinschmidt João H
Published: August 2019

Internet of things is emerging in the recent years and is changing many traditional industries in the recent years. Engineering students of several knowledge areas may benefit with the introduction of internet of things concepts in the undergraduate courses, since there is an increasingly need of professionals to work in multidisciplinary teams. This paper proposes an undergraduate course to teach internet of things concepts for engineering students using cooperative problem-based learning (CPBL). The students have to develop a project using different internet of things technologies: sensing and actuation, embedded computing, communication and networking, cloud computing, and data analytics. The proposed course may help students to improve not only their technical skills but also soft skills, such as teamwork, communication and creativity. The developed projects achieved good results, and positive feedback was received from the students. Students from engineering courses related to internet of things had a better performance than students of no internet of things-related courses.
Increase in the prevalence of health anxiety in medical clinics: Possible cyberchondria
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Cooper Sylvia , Tyrer Helen , Wang Duolao , Bassett Paul
Published: August 2019

Background:

Health anxiety may be an increasing problem because of the focus on monitoring health and increasing use of the Internet for self-diagnosis (cyberchondria). There is very little information about changes in the prevalence of health anxiety.

Aim:

We compared the prevalence of health anxiety in four medical clinics in one hospital over a 4-year period using the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) as a diagnostic marker.

Method:

Patients attending cardiology, endocrine, gastroenterology and respiratory medicine clinics at King’s Mill Hospital, North Nottinghamshire, completed the HAI while waiting for their appointments. There were eight research assistants involved in collecting data, two in the 2006–2008 period and six in the 2008–2010 period. As a consequence, more data were collected on the second occasion.

Results:

There was an increase in the prevalence of health anxiety from 14.9% in 2006–2008 (54 positive of 362 assessed) to 19.9% (1,132 positive out of 5,704 assessed) in 2008–2010. This increase was primarily noted in gastroenterology clinics (increase of 10%) and not shown in endocrine ones.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of health anxiety is increasing in those who attend medical out-patient clinics. Reasons are given that this may be a possible result of cyberchondria, as the excessive use of the Internet to interpret troubling symptoms is growing. Further studies are needed in other populations, but there is reason to be concerned at this trend as it is likely to increase the number of medical consultations unnecessarily.
Stigma and discrimination in individuals with severe and persistent mental illness in an assertive community treatment team: Perceptions of families and healthcare professionals
Authors: O’Reilly Claire L , Paul Diane , McCahon Rebecca , Shankar Sumitra , Rosen Alan , Ramzy Thomas
Published: August 2019

Aim:

To explore family member and staff perceptions of clients’ experiences of stigma and discrimination, in those living with severe and persistent mental illness in an Assertive Community Treatment Team.

Method:

This qualitative study used the Discrimination and Stigma Scale to conduct structured face-to-face and telephone interviews of family members and healthcare professionals, working with the Assertive Outreach Team (AOT) (an Assertive Community Treatment Team) of a northern inner suburban catchment of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Results:

Forty-one people participated in the study (23 AOT clinical staff members and 18 family members). Family and clinical staff commonly reported stigma and discrimination amongst their relatives and clients, respectively. Four overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) appearance and behaviour, (2) avoidance and being shunned, (3) key areas of life affected by discrimination and (4) impacts of discrimination and skills to cope with discrimination.

Conclusion:

Reports of stigma and discrimination were common, yet varied between groups with clinical staff commonly witnessing experiences and impacts of discrimination in everyday life, with families’ reports being substantially less. Due to the strong advocacy and support provided by the AOT model, clinical staff often buffered experiences of stigma and discrimination. Further research is needed to explore effective interventions to reduce experiences of discrimination in this population group.
The Prevalence of Gender-based Violence and Harmful Traditional Practices against Women in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebre Tewelde , Hagos Fana , Teklu Gebreyesus , Fisseha Mekonnen , Abera Mesele
Published: August 2019

In Ethiopia, large numbers of women are at higher risk of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices. The main aim of the study is to explore the prevalence rate of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices against women in the Tigray region, Ethiopia. In this study, a total of 1253 women were surveyed, of which 560 were from rural areas. Further, 14 focus group discussions and in-depth key informant interviews were conducted with relevant governmental and non-governmental bodies. It was found that a significant number of married women were not asked for their permission to be married and their mate was mostly selected by their family. Among others, age was found to be a statistically significant predictor for early marriage and permission of girls to get married with an odds ratio of 0.95 and 0.97, respectively ( p < 0.05). Twenty-one forms of gender-based violence and 29 forms of harmful traditional practices and stereotypes against women were identified. These practices were mostly supported by the community. While gender-based violence was found to be somewhat higher in urban areas, most of the harmful traditional practices were slightly higher in rural areas.
Modifiable Factors Explain Socioeconomic Inequalities in Children’s Dental Caries
Authors: Peres M.A. , Ju X. , Mittinty M. , Spencer A.J. , Do L.G.
Published: August 2019

The aim of this article was to quantify socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries experience among Australian children and to identify factors that explain area-level socioeconomic inequalities in children’s dental caries. We used data from the National Child Oral Health Survey conducted in Australia between 2012 and 2014 ( n = 24,664). Absolute and relative indices of socioeconomic inequalities in the dental caries experience in primary and permanent dentition (decayed, missing, and filled surfaces [dmfs] and DMFS, respectively) were estimated. In the first stage, we conducted multilevel negative binomial regressions to test the association between area-level Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) and dental caries experience (dmfs for 5- to 8-y-olds and DMFS for 9- to 14-y-olds) after adjustment for water fluoridation status, sociodemographics, oral health behaviors, pattern of dental visits, and sugar consumption. In the second stage, we performed Blinder-Oaxaca and Neumark decomposition analyses to identify factors that explain most of the area-level socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries. Children had a mean dmfs of 3.14 and a mean DMFS of 0.98 surfaces. Children living in the most disadvantaged and intermediately disadvantaged areas had 1.96 (95% confidence interval, 1.69–2.27) and 1.45 (1.26–1.68) times higher mean dmfs and 1.53 (1.36–1.72) and 1.43 (1.27–1.60) times higher mean DMFS than those living in the most advantaged areas, respectively. Water fluoridation status (33.6%), sugar consumption (22.1%), parental educational level (14.2%), and dental visit patterns (12.7%) were the main factors explaining area-level socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries in permanent dentition. Among all the factors considered, the factors that contributed most in explaining inequalities in primary dental caries were dental visits (30.3%), sugar consumption (20.7%), household income (20.0%), and water fluoridation status (15.9%). The inverse area-level socioeconomic inequality in dental caries was mainly explained by modifiable risk factors, such as lack of fluoridated water, high sugar consumption, and an unfavorable pattern of dental visits.
Predicting the Debonding of CAD/CAM Composite Resin Crowns with AI
Authors: Yamaguchi S. , Lee C. , Karaer O. , Ban S. , Mine A. , Imazato S.
Published: August 2019

A preventive measure for debonding has not been established and is highly desirable to improve the survival rate of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) composite resin (CR) crowns. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of deep learning with a convolution neural network (CNN) method to predict the debonding probability of CAD/CAM CR crowns from 2-dimensional images captured from 3-dimensional (3D) stereolithography models of a die scanned by a 3D oral scanner. All cases of CAD/CAM CR crowns were manufactured from April 2014 to November 2015 at the Division of Prosthodontics, Osaka University Dental Hospital (Ethical Review Board at Osaka University, approval H27-E11). The data set consisted of a total of 24 cases: 12 trouble-free and 12 debonding as known labels. A total of 8,640 images were randomly divided into 6,480 training and validation images and 2,160 test images. Deep learning with a CNN method was conducted to develop a learning model to predict the debonding probability. The prediction accuracy, precision, recall, F-measure, receiver operating characteristic, and area under the curve of the learning model were assessed for the test images. Also, the mean calculation time was measured during the prediction for the test images. The prediction accuracy, precision, recall, and F-measure values of deep learning with a CNN method for the prediction of the debonding probability were 98.5%, 97.0%, 100%, and 0.985, respectively. The mean calculation time was 2 ms/step for 2,160 test images. The area under the curve was 0.998. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology—that is, the deep learning with a CNN method established in this study—demonstrated considerably good performance in terms of predicting the debonding probability of a CAD/CAM CR crown with 3D stereolithography models of a die scanned from patients.
Is Daily Parental Help with Homework Helpful? Reanalyzing National Data Using a Propensity Score–Based Approach
Authors: Li Angran , Hamlin Daniel
Published: August 2019

Previous analyses of large national datasets have tended to report a negative relationship between parental homework help and student achievement. Yet these studies have not examined heterogeneity in this relationship based on the propensity for a parent to provide homework help. By using a propensity score–based approach, this study investigates the relationship between daily parental homework help in first grade and student achievement in third grade with nationally representative data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Class. Results indicated that low prior achievement, socioeconomic disadvantage, and minority status were associated with a high propensity to provide daily homework help. Daily parental homework help was also associated with improved achievement for children whose parents had a high propensity to provide daily homework help. These patterns suggest that complex factors induce daily parental homework help and that these factors are related to heterogeneity in the relationship between daily parental homework help and achievement.
Identifying Determinants for Traveled Distance and Bypassing in Outpatient Care: A Scoping Review
Authors: Zander Nicole , Dukart Jessica , van den Berg Neeltje , Augustin Jobst
Published: August 2019

The outpatient sector represents a growing share of health care. This review examines how patients choose their physician for continuous outpatient care and why they are willing to bypass the nearest physician. It was conducted according to the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Three databases (PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, and Ovid Medline) were searched, focusing on articles in which distance influenced the choice of physician. In all, 1,308 articles were accessed, and 17 selected for final review. First, we extracted methods for assessing distance traveled and bypassing. Second, we identified determinants that directly influence the traveled distance and transferred all into a conceptual framework. The center of this framework is the individual “willingness-to-go”, which reflects the willingness of patients to accept additional distances. Our findings can support studies on patient mobility and physician choice, which are essential for examining both the distribution and use of medical services, as well as for adequate need related planning.
Now Is the Time to Add More Sociology of Climate Change to Our Introduction to Sociology Courses
Authors: Liu John Chung-En , Szasz Andrew
Published: August 2019

Sociology has been slow in responding to the challenge of climate change. In this conversation, we advocate adding more climate change content to Introduction to Sociology courses. To support our arguments, we present data from a content analysis of the top 11 best-selling introductory textbooks in the United States, demonstrating that environmental concerns are usually relegated to the end of books, which provide little (and sometime errant) content. Climate change gets even less attention, and there has been little change to textbook content over time. To correct such deficiencies, we suggest instructors free climate change from its current position as “a subfield of a subfield” and interweave the issue with all content areas in the curriculum. Our conversation concludes by considering how climate change can be featured in the curriculum of introductory courses as well as in the pedagogies presented at the introductory level.
The Sociological Canon, Relations between Theories and Methods, and a Latent Political Structure: Findings from a Survey of Sociology Students in Germany and Consequences for Teaching
Authors: Schneickert Christian , Lenger Alexander , Steckermeier Leonie C. , Rieder Tobias
Published: August 2019

We discuss findings from a survey of sociology students in Germany and consequences for teaching. We focus on the de facto formation of a sociological canon, the relation between theories and methods, and effects of social and political characteristics on student’s scientific preferences. Our findings suggest that irrespective of an agreement of the sociological professionals on a common definition of a core, a de facto canon of theories and methods exists in teaching practices. Moreover, specific relations between sociological theories and methods occur in the data. Both should be recognized in the discussion about curricula design, especially concerning teaching research methods. Finally, we discovered effects of gender and political attitude on students’ preferences for theories and methods. Such differences might be associated with different motivations for studying sociology and labor market orientation. This should be considered in curricula design as well, especially at the local level of departments.
Intrasentential binding and extrasentential binding in child and adult Korean
Authors: Joo Kum-Jeong , Ud Deen Kamil
Published: August 2019

This article investigates the binding properties of the Korean reflexive caki. Korean caki allows a local antecedent, a long-distance sentence-internal antecedent, and (unusually) an extrasentential antecedent. Two experiments were conducted with Korean-speaking child participants (mean age = 5;8; age range = 5;1–6;4) and adult controls. The first tested local binding versus long-distance intrasentential binding, and the second tested extrasentential binding. The results show, first, that the children allowed both a local and a long-distance antecedent for caki, with a preference for the long-distance reading (counter to many claims that children show a robust preference for local antecedents crosslinguistically). Second, the children allowed caki to refer to an antecedent in a preceding sentence. These results indicate that, at an early stage, Korean children have acquired adult-like knowledge of the complex properties of caki, including what might be considered the computationally taxing option of extrasentential binding.
An Examination of Measurement Procedures and Characteristics of Baseline Outcome Data in Single-Case Research
Authors: Pustejovsky James E. , Swan Daniel M. , English Kyle W.
Published: August 2019

There has been growing interest in using statistical methods to analyze data and estimate effect size indices from studies that use single-case designs (SCDs), as a complement to traditional visual inspection methods. The validity of a statistical method rests on whether its assumptions are plausible representations of the process by which the data were collected, yet there is evidence that some assumptions—particularly regarding normality of error distributions—may be inappropriate for single-case data. To develop more appropriate modeling assumptions and statistical methods, researchers must attend to the features of real SCD data. In this study, we examine several features of SCDs with behavioral outcome measures in order to inform development of statistical methods. Drawing on a corpus of over 300 studies, including approximately 1,800 cases, from seven systematic reviews that cover a range of interventions and outcome constructs, we report the distribution of study designs, distribution of outcome measurement procedures, and features of baseline outcome data distributions for the most common types of measurements used in single-case research. We discuss implications for the development of more realistic assumptions regarding outcome distributions in SCD studies, as well as the design of Monte Carlo simulation studies evaluating the performance of statistical analysis techniques for SCD data.
A Diabetes Education Model in Primary Care: Provider and Staff Perspectives
Authors: Siminerio Linda , Hamm Megan , Kanter Justin , Cameron Flor de Abril , Krall Jodi
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the effectiveness of Glucose to Goal (G2G), a diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) model for primary care (PC).

Methods

PC providers and staff were recruited from 5 PC practices participating in the 18-month intervention to participate in focus groups and interviews, which were used to gain insights about their perspectives on DSMES and how G2G was implemented across the intervention. Data were collected by qualitative researchers at baseline, midpoint, and study completion.

Results

At baseline, PC participants held a favorable view of DSMES and welcomed having a diabetes educator (DE) in their practice. Most participants suggested DEs would be helpful in meeting patients’ nutrition needs but should give therapeutic advice only with a doctor’s oversight. Participants anticipated that having a DE onsite would mitigate transportation, scheduling, communication, and cost barriers. Participant viewpoints about G2G remained unchanged from midpoint to study end, while barriers regarding location and transportation were perceived as being reduced by having a DE in the practice. Despite referral rates remaining low in some practices, many concerns stated at earlier timepoints appeared to have been attenuated by G2G components (eg, bringing the DE onsite, preidentifying patients, and DE ability to communicate and make diabetes management recommendations).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that G2G, providing DSMES in PC, appeared to be a welcome service where acceptance of and enthusiasm for the model grew over the course of the intervention.
Formative assessment practices and children’s singing accuracy: A mixed methods inquiry
Authors: Gallo Donna J.
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine the effect of formative assessment strategies on second grade students’ singing accuracy and to examine how music educators planned for and enacted these practices. Student participants ( n = 63) were divided into three groups over a six-week period: (a) a partial treatment group where the teacher used data from the pretest to improve areas of singing weakness; (b) a full treatment group where the teacher used data to improve areas of weakness and engaged students in self- and peer-assessment techniques; and (c) a control group who received no formalized treatment. Linear regression analysis indicates that the “partial treatment” group had the largest gains in singing accuracy, but the case study analysis revealed that the teachers’ knowledge and values mediated their enactment of these practices as they adopted and adapted them in varied ways. The “partial treatment” teacher’s motivation and proclivity for creating new assessment practices indicates that gains in this group’s singing accuracy may have been due to teacher effects and not the strategies themselves. Implications for teacher professional development and practical considerations for embedding meaningful formative assessment in music contexts are provided.